The recent fall of Syria’s authoritarian regime has sparked a mix of celebration and concern throughout the Middle East and beyond. Many expatriate Syrians, as well as residents in neighboring countries, expressed joy at the ousting of a leader blamed for over a decade of civil war that resulted in countless deaths and the displacement of millions.
In Lebanon, a significant number of Syrians flocked to the Masnaa border crossing, eager to return home, despite the unpredictable future that lay ahead. “Anything is better than Bashar,” explained Sami Abdel-Latif, a Hama refugee, as he made his way back to reunite with his family. Similarly, Malak Matar voiced his long-held hope, stating, “This is a feeling we’ve been waiting 14 years for,” and emphasized the importance of establishing a well-organized state for Syria’s future.
Joy was palpable among citizens in surrounding nations. In Jordan’s capital, Amman, resident Muhab al-Majali heralded the end of “unjust and tyrannical rule,” expressing optimism for a brighter future for the Syrian populace. However, such enthusiasm was tempered by fears of potential instability, especially considering the region’s history of failed democratic movements. An Egyptian engineer, Saeed Sawy, cautioned against the possibility of rebel factions turning against one another, reminiscent of events that unfolded in Libya, Tunisia, Yemen, and Sudan following the overthrow of dictators.
To prepare for any resulting chaos, neighboring countries have enhanced security at their borders. Lebanon has decided to restrict access through its land borders with Syria, retaining only one crossing, while Jordan followed suit by closing one of its crossings. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reported that Israeli forces had temporarily seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights abandoned by Syrian troops. Airstrikes were also recorded on military locations near Damascus, indicating ongoing hostilities in the wake of Assad’s ousting.
Iran, a steadfast ally to Assad, called for the Syrian population to determine their nation’s fate free from foreign intervention. The Iranian Foreign Ministry articulated that Iran supports Syria’s integrity and national sovereignty, appealing for an end to military conflict and urging a national dialogue across various factions.
The Iraqi government, which has close ties with Iran, expressed its backing for initiatives aimed at fostering dialogue regarding Syria’s future. Meanwhile, Egypt’s foreign ministry advocated for a thorough political process to usher in a peace-filled era for the war-torn nation. The Yemen government, embroiled in its own conflict with Houthi rebels supported by Iran, celebrated the fall of Assad as a historical turning point.
Turkey, a nation known for its support of anti-Assad groups, emphasized its potential role in shaping the future of Syria. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan characterized Assad’s departure as a beacon of hope and called for unity and reconstruction assistance from the international community.
In Europe, the reactions reflected mixed emotions as well. The Syrian conflict had led to a surge of refugees to Europe, prompting celebrations in major cities like Paris, London, Stockholm, Helsinki, and Athens following Assad’s removal. Many European officials welcomed this political shift while highlighting the urgency of restoring stability. Kaja Kallas, the EU’s recently appointed foreign policy chief, described the end of Assad’s regime as a “positive and long-awaited development,” signaling a commitment to safeguarding regional security.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz echoed this sentiment, noting that restoring order is of paramount importance now that Assad is no longer in power. French officials also acknowledged the suffering endured by the Syrian people, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer insisted on the protection of civilians and minority groups amidst the unfolding situation.
In response to these rapid developments, Russia, a nation that had long supported Assad with military backing, expressed extreme concern over the dramatic evolution of events unfolding in Syria.
In the United States, President Joe Biden convened a meeting with his national security team to examine the implications of Assad’s downfall. Prior to Assad’s confirmation of being ousted, President-elect Donald Trump commented on social media, declaring that the U.S. should maintain distance from Syria’s conflict, underscoring a hands-off stance. Currently, approximately 900 U.S. troops remain in Syria to collaborate with allied Kurdish forces in preventing any resurgence of the Islamic State group.
