The 13-year Syrian Civil War, which began in 2011, has reached a dramatic turning point with the end of President Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year authoritarian rule.
A swift and unexpected offensive by Syrian rebels has left the capital, Damascus, under their control, marking a historic shift in the nation’s tumultuous history.
A Syrian officer informed Reuters that the military command had officially notified officers of the regime’s collapse. Rebel leaders declared that Damascus was “now free of Assad,” a proclamation that triggered mass celebrations throughout the city. Thousands of jubilant citizens took to the streets, waving flags and chanting “Freedom” as they commemorated the fall of a regime notorious for suppressing dissent over decades.
On Sunday, Assad reportedly fled Damascus to an unknown destination, according to senior army officers. Flight data from Flightradar indicated that a Syrian Air plane departed Damascus airport, initially heading towards the coastal region, a stronghold of Assad’s Alawite sect, before abruptly altering its course and vanishing from radar.
Hours before entering Damascus, rebels achieved a significant victory by capturing the symbolic city of Homs. Once a centre of fierce resistance and devastation during the conflict, Homs fell swiftly, granting the opposition control of a vital highway connecting Damascus to the coastal region. In the streets of Homs, jubilant residents tore down statues of Assad’s father, the late President Hafez al-Assad, while chanting slogans of liberation.
The fall of Damascus and Homs represents a major blow to Assad’s long-standing allies—Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah—who have supported his regime for years. However, these allies are now grappling with their own challenges, leaving Assad vulnerable to his adversaries.
In a significant statement, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—a prominent Islamist rebel group and key player in Syria’s civil war—hailed the moment as a pivotal turning point. He called upon his forces to exercise restraint towards those surrendering. Thousands of detainees were reportedly freed from Homs’ prisons as security personnel fled.
As the rebels consolidate their grip on Damascus, Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali pledged to uphold governance continuity and expressed willingness to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the people.
Meanwhile, US president-elect Donald Trump reiterated his stance on non-intervention. He highlighted the rebels’ extraordinary progress and criticised Russia’s failure to act, attributing it to their entanglement in the Ukraine conflict. Trump reaffirmed his position that Syria’s conflict is not America’s fight.
