the fall of Assad – ANSA
The declaration came from state television that broadcast the regime’s propaganda until recently. That image, even before the words, was enough to understand that the bloody era of Bashar el-Assad and his family is over. Putin’s defense was not enough to save the throne. And this is the message that goes beyond the borders of the Middle East and reaches far.
The dynasty that ruled Syria for half a century with the ”a la page” face that once appealed to Western magazines in search of “good Arabs”, was besieged when no one expected it. And many people wonder whether it was a masterpiece by Biden (the last, perhaps the only one in the Middle East) or the first by Trump, who is not yet in office but already hyperactive in contacts international. Or, much more likely, the combination of “half-power” in Washington, when one president is about to leave and another to take his place, leaving others to fill the temporary vacuum.
For months, Turkish President Erdogan did not miss an possibility to attack Israel and his war in Gaza, but in the end it is thanks to Netanyahu’s obsession that the “sultan” has accepted the fate of Syria, ready to separation from standing. strength with Vladimir Putin and the Ayatollahs of Iran.
In fact, the Syrian rebels took advantage of the war in Lebanon, forcing thousands of Hezbollah previously stationed in Syria to return to Beirut to hold back the Israeli advance from the South and not enough men on the ground., the Syrian Bashar el-Assad could not hold out with only Russian air cover.
This morning the Syrian army command brought an end to the regime,a Syrian official familiar with the move told Reuters. Even though the Syrian army later formally declared that it would continue operations against “terrorist groups” in the capitals of Hama and Homs and in the countryside of deraa.
Banners and songs: rebels storm the streets of Damascus after news of Assad’s escape – Ansa
Regular army sources confirmed that Assad fled by plane from Damascus to an unknown destination, giving up when the rebels overran Homs without encountering major resistance and were now targeting Damascus.According to the “Flightradar” website, a “Syrian Air” plane took off from Damascus airport around the time the capital was about to be overrun by the rebels. The aircraft then disappeared from radar. Two Syrian sources said there was a high probability that Assad could have been killed in a plane crash. Shortly after take off the track shows a sharp inversion and then disappears from the map. It is not out of the question that the pilot turned off the radar and continued following an instrument route towards an unknown but not long-range destination. “I offered negotiations to Assad, but I never received an answer,” Erdogan said in the past few days as if to explain why he could not attempt the final attack.
“We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of the liberation of our prisoners and release from their chains, announcing the end of the era of injustice in Sednaya prison,” the rebels said, referring to the horrific military detention camp on the outskirts of Damascus.. At the first announcements, thousands of Syrians crowded the main square of Damascus, shouting and chanting “freedom”. «the dramatic disaster is an earthquake for the Middle East, dealing a big blow to Russia and Iran, which lost a key ally in the heart of the region, and creates more uncertainty as the war in Gaza worsens” the news agencies write almost unanimously.
Shocked by more than 13 years of war,hundreds of thousands of deaths,brutality of all kinds,millions of refugees and cities in ruins,Syria is not the only one that will have to deal with tomorrow. Western governments must now decide how to deal with a new administration in which a globally blacklisted terrorist group is set to take a notable share of power. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which led the rebel advance into western Syria, was previously an al-Qaeda affiliate, known as the Nusra Front, until its leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani links to the global jihadist movement in 2016. As then Golani has reduced his tone, trying to appear resolute militarily and less ideologically radical. “the real question is how orderly this transition will be, and Golani seems eager to demonstrate that he can do it,” said Joshua Landis, a Syria expert and director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at the National University of Ireland. Oklahoma. Golani does not want a repeat of the chaos that engulfed Iraq after US-led forces overthrew Saddam Hussein in 2003. So HTS, Syria’s strongest rebel group, will have to make a choice. in terms of imposing an Islamic regime or opening up to a more similar model. that of Türkiye Erdogan.
The pressure from the rebel groups may have facilitated the input from the inside. The Prime Minister of Syria, Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali, said that the country should now have free elections. But this would require a smooth transition in a country where the competition and intersecting interests of powers such as the United States, Russia, Turkey, Iran, to name only the most famous ones, have certainly not disappeared. Prime Minister Jalali also confirmed that he was in contact with the rebel commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani to discuss the management of the current transition period. A circumstance that suggests how the armed coalition led by HTS was able to count on some prior agreement with Syria’s power exporters, while Assad’s army essentially stood by and watched.
Rebels celebrate victory with tears – Ansa
US President Joe Biden and his team are monitoring “extraordinary events in Syria and are in contact with regional partners,” the White House said. In Moscow they are trying to understand if Erdogan will allow the Russian navy to keep the naval base in Tartus and the air base near Latakia. A bargaining chip when the Kremlin has too many open fronts, from Ukraine to the Caucasus to the Middle East.”
The leader of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, mazloum abdi, wrote in X: «We are witnessing historic moments in Syria. When the authoritarian regime in Damascus fell. This change is an opportunity to build a new Syria based on democracy and justice, which guarantees the rights of all Syrians.” Words that,actually,apply to the entire quadrant,including Iraq and regions of Iran and Turkey where oppression against minorities has never ended,starting with the kurds.Always looking to Gaza, where there is the possibility of negotiations with for a ceasefire and the release of the kidnapped Israelis closer, and finally to Lebanon where the process of electing the head of state could be accelerated in the coming hours
What are the possible consequences for Syria’s future after the fall of Bashar el-Assad?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Syrian Conflict expert Dr. Layla Mahfouz
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, Dr. Mahfouz. Thank you for joining us today. As we discuss the recent developments in Syria, the unprecedented fall of Bashar el-Assad, what do you believe this means for the future of Syria and the region?
Dr. Mahfouz: Good afternoon! It’s a pleasure to be here. The fall of Assad marks a significant turning point in syria’s long conflict. after more than 50 years under the Assad dynasty, this collapse not only represents the end of an oppressive regime but also signals a shift in the power dynamics within the region. It creates a vacuum that could lead to both opportunities and challenges for various factions involved.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely. The state television’s broadcast of Assad’s demise seemed almost surreal,given how entrenched he has been for so long. You mentioned the vacuum of power—what factions do you believe are poised to fill this void?
Dr. Mahfouz: That’s an significant consideration. the rebels, who recently celebrated Assad’s flight, are likely to gain momentum.However, we also need to consider Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which, despite its designation as a terrorist group, is quite influential.The dynamics are further complicated by international players like Turkey, Russia, and Iran, each with their interests.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of international players, there have been discussions regarding the roles of various leaders, from President Biden to Erdoğan, in this context. How do you see their involvement shaping the future of Syria?
Dr.Mahfouz: It’s a complex web. Biden’s management might want to leverage this moment to establish a more democratic landscape in Syria, but it will need to navigate the existing realities on the ground carefully. Erdoğan’s role is also crucial—he has historically had ambitions in Syria, and depending on how negotiations with the new regime go, he could play a supporting or antagonistic role in shaping the future.
Time.news Editor: We’ve seen quite the symbolic celebrations in the streets of Damascus following news of assad’s escape.What does this reveal about the sentiment among the Syrian populace?
Dr. Mahfouz: The celebration signifies a deep yearning for liberation and justice after years of suffering under Assad’s regime. This moment is significant for the Syrian people—many of whom are feeling a sense of relief and hope that they may finally emerge from the shadows of oppression. Though, beneath the surface, there is also concern over what comes next and whether the new governance will lead to stability or further conflict.
Time.news Editor: Indeed, as you mentioned, there’s the potential for both possibility and uncertainty. The article discusses repercussions for Russia and Iran also, indicating a weakening of their influence in the region.How might this affect their foreign policies moving forward?
Dr. Mahfouz: losing a key ally like Assad is undoubtedly a blow to both Russia and Iran. For Russia, it could mean reassessing its geopolitical strategies in the Middle East, as it has relied heavily on Assad’s regime as a foothold. For Iran, it signifies a considerable loss of ground in its ambitions to exert influence across the region. We may see a more aggressive posture from both countries as they try to reclaim lost influence or as they seek new partners.
Time.news Editor: Dr. Mahfouz, what key steps do you believe the international community should consider now that Assad has effectively lost his grip on power?
Dr. Mahfouz: The international community must first recognize this change and engage with the emerging leaders to encourage a democratic transition.they should also focus on human rights, providing humanitarian aid for rehabilitation, and addressing the refugee crisis. It’s crucial to avoid the mistakes of the past by establishing a process that includes various factions to prevent further escalations and enable a durable peace in a fractured country.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Mahfouz, for your insightful analysis. This certainly is a pivotal moment in Middle Eastern affairs, and we will be keen to see how these dynamics evolve moving forward.
Dr. Mahfouz: Thank you for having me. It’s certainly a critical time, and I look forward to seeing how the future unfolds for Syria and the region.
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This engaging dialog reflects the complexity of the situation in Syria while also providing a complete overview of the implications and future prospects following Assad’s regime collapse.