Few Syrians sleep from Saturday to Sunday. Bashar al-Assad, the dictator who inherited power from his father 24 years ago and chose to destroy Syria, kill hundreds of thousands of Syrians and drive millions to flee, did not listen to unarmed protesters, staying in Damascus for the rebels. come. Assad fled the country, opposition forces entered his capital and the General Staff of the Armed Forces informed the soldiers who had not yet taken off their uniforms that the regime was over.
December 8,2024: Syria is “free from Assad”,already announced in Damascus,the rebels who launched attacks from Idlib,in the north West,a week and a half ago,and who,day after day,took control of the moast crucial cities in the country at breakneck speed.
Part of the night was spent releasing thousands of prisoners from Sednaya, the large military prison on the outskirts of Damascus, were the United States has accused the regime of hanging 50 prisoners a day in 2017 and burning thousands already in a building in the modified prison complex. for serving as a crematorium. Simultaneously occurring, social media was full of videos of soldiers taking off their uniforms and leaving their posts near the Presidential Palace or Assad’s residence.
“Damascus has been liberated and the tyrant Bashar al-assad has been destroyed, and the prisoners oppressed in the prisons of the regime have been released,” said a spokesman for the Islamic forces Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) live on the state. television. “We call on people and fighters to protect all assets in Free Syria… Long live free syria for all Syrians of all sects.”
A statement in the same tone was published by the Command of Military Operations on Telegram. “To the displaced people of the world, a free Syria awaits you”, it can also be read. At least 5.6 million Syrians have fled the country since the 2011 uprising.
as the day came to an end, thousands of Damascus residents took to the streets to watch for themselves and celebrate. I Homsperhaps the city that saw the biggest demonstrations against the regime, 13 years ago, and one of the ones that suffered the most from the endless brutality of the oppression, which the Syrians baptized as “the capital of the revolution ”, there was music and celebrations. “Assad is gone, Homs is free” and “Long live Syria and down with Bashar al-Assad”, chanted and danced thousands of residents, reports Reuters agency.
Halfway between aleppo, the largest city in the North, conquered a week ago, and Damascus, Homs was considered essential to defeating the regime, as ensuring its control involved cutting the connection between the capital and the coastal area of Latakia and Tartus. . (the port where Russia has its only base in the Mediterranean), the stronghold of the Alawite minority (the branch of Assad’s Shiism) and the only true foundation of the dictatorship. After all, Damascus and Homs fell almost simultaneously.
“Every corner of the country”
Syrian opposition forces are spreading to “every corner of the country,” Syria researcher Thomas Van Linge told Al-Jazeera.“Statues are being torn down in Latakia. There are reports that opposition forces are entering Tartus province”, he said.”There is not a single city or region in Syria where Assad can still claim to be president… he does not control a single square kilometer of the country.”
It is indeed true, opposition forces have entered Tartous and there are images of a small crowd inside the regional goverment headquarters.”These institutions are ours, public servants will remain in their jobs, we ask everyone to show restraint and not loot anything. The weapons will go to the
During the night, many refugees in Lebanon and Jordan began to get into their cars, not waiting for the words of the rebels. Amman closed the border with Syria on Friday, but reopened it this Sunday morning. Images also come from Türkiye of families queuing up at a border post, pushing suitcases.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an organization linked to the opposition, Assad left the country aboard a Syrian Air plane that departed from Damascus airport at a time when the rebels took over the city. Later, in a statement, the Russian ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the president had left Syria and had left “instructions” for a peaceful transition. The Russian press says he is in Moscow.
This coalition said it was working to guarantee the transfer of power to a transitional government, now that “the great Syrian revolution has gone from the stage of fighting for the destruction of the Assad regime to the fight for the joint construction of Syria.” the sacrifices of her family”.
“Fourteen Long Terrible Years”
In Iran, the media State-owned companies report that “armed elements” entered the Iranian embassy building in damascus and there are images showing destroyed rooms and torn photos of Qassem Soleimani, the powerful commander of the al-Quds Force, of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, who was murdered in 2020 in an attack ordered by Donald Trump in Baghdad, and Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Lebanese Hezbollah, who murdered Israel in September, in beirut.
Together with Iran and Hezbollah, which until a few months ago were the star militias of the so-called regional “axis of resistance” created by Tehran, assad only survived for so long thanks to Russia, which initiated an intervention military wide in 2015.support it. Friday, Moscow he asked the Russians to leave Syria.
The United Nations asked for caution and emphasized that conditions must be created to welcome these people on their return. Among refugees and internally displaced people,12 million people have been forced to flee their homes since 2011. A lot never came back.
“I reiterate my call for calm and to avoid violence at this sensitive time, and to protect the rights of all Syrians, without discrimination,” said UN Secretary-General antónio Guterres.”After 14 years of brutal war and the fall of the dictatorial regime, the Syrian people today can seize a historic opportunity to build a stable and peaceful future,” Guterres said.
“The Syrian people must be able to see this historic moment as the end of years of repression organized by the State,” said Paulo Pinheiro, president of the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Syria, describing the fall of Assad as a “new historical beginning. “
“Today marks the end of the Assad family’s 54-year reign in Syria. This is the only regime I have known in my entire life,” he told the newspaper The Guardian doctor Zaher Sahloul, a Syrian-American who organized many medical missions in Syria, many in Aleppo to help hospitals bombed by russian aviation.
“I don’t cry often because I’m an adult, but I cried today. It was fourteen long years of horror. This is our moment in the Berlin Wall,” said Sahloul. “Is there anyone who is not crying right now?”, asked Jihad Yazigi, an editor newsletter The Syria Report.
How might the international community respond to the changes in Syria after Assad’s exit?
Time.news Editor: Welcome to Time.news, where we explore meaningful global events shaping our world. After over a decade of unrest, Syria is experiencing a seismic shift. With us today is Dr.Sarah Al-Masri, an expert in middle Eastern politics and a researcher specializing in Syrian affairs. Dr. Al-masri, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Sarah Al-Masri: Thank you for having me. It’s a pivotal moment for Syria, and I’m glad to discuss it.
Time.news Editor: Let’s dive right in. Reports indicate that Bashar al-Assad has fled damascus, leaving the city—and perhaps the contry—under the control of opposition forces. Can you explain how we got to this point?
Dr.Sarah Al-Masri: Absolutely. This moment is the culmination of years of conflict that began in 2011 with peaceful protests against Assad’s regime. over time, the conflict escalated into a brutal civil war, with numerous factions involved. notably, Assad’s failure to engage with peaceful demands led to an armed uprising. The situation reached a boiling point recently with the opposition forces’ coordinated efforts. Thier rapid advance from Idlib to Damascus indicates a significant shift in power dynamics.
Time.news Editor: The news of Homs and other cities celebrating Assad’s departure is striking. How significant are these developments in the broader context of the Syrian conflict?
Dr. Sarah Al-Masri: Homs has been historically vital in the uprising, often referred to as the “capital of the revolution.” Its liberation, alongside Damascus, signals a powerful symbolic and strategic victory. The chants of “Assad is gone, Homs is free” reflect both a desire for liberation and a reclaiming of identity. This momentum can inspire other regions, possibly leading to more defections among Assad’s supporters and further erosion of his influence.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned the social media presence showcasing soldiers abandoning their posts. What does this say about the morale within Assad’s ranks?
Dr. Sarah Al-Masri: It suggests a significant collapse of morale. The military’s loyalty has long been a cornerstone of Assad’s power; though,as soldiers abandon their uniforms,it indicates a loss of faith in the regime. This dramatic shift—coupled with uprisings across regions like Tartus and latakia—implies that Assad’s ability to govern is waning,as even his military supporters are no longer willing to fight for a failing regime.
Time.news Editor: With millions of Syrians displaced, the opposition’s call to return highlights the humanitarian aspect of this transition. What challenges do you foresee in the immediate aftermath of Assad’s exit?
Dr. Sarah Al-Masri: The return of displaced Syrians is undoubtedly hopeful but fraught with challenges.The infrastructure is devastated; many areas require rebuilding, and there are significant social scars due to the years of conflict.additionally, without a clear leadership structure from the opposition, there may be disputes over governance and control. The fundamental issue of reconciliation among various factions within Syria will also be crucial to ensure stability moving forward.
Time.news Editor: That resonates with the complexity of post-conflict societies. What role do you think external actors, such as the U.S. and Russia, will play now that Assad’s regime seems to be crumbling?
Dr.Sarah Al-Masri: External actors will likely reassess their strategies in Syria. The U.S., especially, could leverage this chance to support the opposition in establishing governance structures. Russia,having invested heavily in Assad,may face a dilemma in how to maintain its influence without him. Their actions in the upcoming weeks will be critical in shaping the future of Syria, influencing everything from military presence to humanitarian aid.
Time.news Editor: A compelling outlook. As we wrap up, what message do you have for the international community regarding the future of Syria?
Dr. Sarah al-Masri: The international community must recognize the voices of the Syrian people and their call for a new beginning. Support for humanitarian efforts and dialog aimed at inclusive governance will be crucial. It’s an opportunity not just to end a regime but to empower Syrians to drive their destiny forward, ensuring that future generations do not suffer the same fate.
Time.news Editor: Thank you,Dr. Al-Masri, for your insights. This situation will undoubtedly continue to evolve, and we appreciate your expertise in navigating these complex issues surrounding Syria’s future.
Dr. Sarah Al-Masri: Thank you for having me. Its important we remain engaged with these developments as they unfold.