Assad's era ends: Rebels take Damascus in historic turn Syria facing uncertain future

On December 8, the Syrian army command informed officers that President Bashar al-Assad’s authoritarian rule ended, marking a seismic moment for the Middle East.

This development follows a rapid rebel offensive that caught the world by surprise, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Syrian rebels declared Damascus "now free of Assad," and sources reported plans to broadcast their first statement to the nation via state television. Two senior army officers confirmed to Reuters that Assad fled Damascus for an undisclosed destination earlier in the day, leaving the capital under rebel control.

Thousands gathered in Damascus’s main square, chanting “Freedom” after decades of Assad family rule. Witnesses described an atmosphere of celebration as the city erupted in jubilation. Rebel forces announced the liberation of prisoners, stating, “We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains and announcing the end of the era of injustice in Sednaya prison.”

Flight data showed a Syrian Air plane departing Damascus Airport at the time of the rebel takeover. The aircraft initially headed toward the coastal region before abruptly changing course and disappearing from radar. The identities of those aboard remain unknown.

Hadi al-Bahra, the head of Syria's main opposition group abroad, declared, “Damascus is now without Bashar al-Assad.” Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali pledged support for governance continuity, stating he was ready to cooperate with leadership chosen by the Syrian people.

The offensive also saw the capture of Homs, with rebel fighters gaining full control after a single day of fighting. Thousands celebrated in the streets, chanting, “Assad is gone, Homs is free” and “Long live Syria and down with Bashar al-Assad.” Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, described the capture as historic and urged restraint, stating, “Do not harm those who drop their arms.”

The swift collapse of Assad’s regime delivers a significant blow to allies Russia and Iran. Both countries, preoccupied with other crises, were unable to offer substantial support to the embattled leader. U.S. President Joe Biden's administration is closely monitoring the unfolding events and coordinating with regional partners.

The situation has stunned Arab capitals and sparked fears of regional instability. A joint statement from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Türkiye, and Russia called for a political solution, describing the crisis as dangerous.

As Syria faces an uncertain future, Golani has sought to reassure minorities and the international community of his intentions. However, concerns persist about the potential imposition of draconian Islamist rule by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a group previously affiliated with al Qaeda.

The fall of Assad’s regime marks a turning point in the Syrian conflict, which began in 2011 as a popular uprising and evolved into a complex civil war with far-reaching consequences. 

Notably, Bashar al-Assad has been the President of Syria since 2000, succeeding his father, Hafez al-Assad, who had ruled since 1971. Initially, there were hopes for political and economic reform under Bashar’s leadership. However, these expectations quickly gave way to continued authoritarian governance reminiscent of his father’s rule. His tenure has been marked by systemic oppression, economic stagnation, and a lack of democratic freedoms.

In 2011, Syria became engulfed in a brutal civil war following the Arab Spring protests. The Assad regime's violent crackdown on peaceful demonstrations escalated into a nationwide armed conflict, characterized by severe human rights abuses, including chemical weapon use, and devastating humanitarian crises. Over 6.7 million Syrians became refugees, and an equal number were displaced internally, making it one of the worst humanitarian crises of the 21st century​

Assad's rule has relied heavily on foreign alliances, particularly with Russia and Iran, which provided military and financial support, allowing his government to regain control of most of the country by the late 2010s. However, Syria remains fragmented, with significant areas under opposition or Kurdish control and continued insurgent activity, such as the recent offensives threatening Assad's hold on power​.

By Khagan Isayev