Syrian rebels have overthrown Bashar al-Assad, ending his family’s decades-long rule after nearly 14 years of civil war.
The Assad regime’s 54-year rule came to an abrupt halt on Sunday when Syria’s former president fled the city to Moscow, according to Russian state media. Russia was a key ally of Assad’s regime and his family will reportedly get asylum there.
Following a rapid offensive, Damascus fell to rebel forces, with the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) sweeping into the capital.
In Damascus, jubilant crowds celebrated the regime’s fall, waving revolutionary flags, pulling down statues and portraits of Assad and his father Hafez, ransacking his home, and filling the streets with celebratory gunfire and car horns.
In a symbolic moment, HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani addressed cheering crowds during a visit to the historic Great Umayyad Mosque in Old Damascus.
The fall of Damascus and Syria into rebel hands unfolded with unprecedented speed — just 12 days.
Rebel forces entered the capital around 5am local time, encountering no significant resistance. They swiftly secured critical infrastructure, including the international airport and state television building.
Government forces and personnel abandoned their positions, effectively facilitating a seamless rebel takeover. By Sunday morning, the Assad regime had completely lost control of Damascus, with widespread speculation that the president had fled the capital.
“God will not fail you”
Al-Julani directed fighters to avoid public institutions, which would remain under the supervision of the outgoing prime minister until a formal handover.
“The [al-Assad] regime has imprisoned thousands of its own civilians unjustly and without them committing any crimes,” he told a crowd gathered at the Umayyad Mosque.
“We [the Syrian people] are the rightful owners [of this country]. We have been fighting, and today we have been rewarded with this victory.”
“God will not fail you,” al-Julani added. “This victory is for all Syrians; they were all part of this victory.”
Al-Julani previously led the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda, al-Nusra Front, before distancing himself from the group.
In a video statement, Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali signalled the government’s willingness to cooperate, expressing readiness to “extend its hand” to the opposition and transfer governmental functions to a transitional administration.
“We are extending our hand to the opposition, who said they would not touch anyone and extended their hand to us,” al-Jalili said.
“Syria belongs to all Syrians. This country can be a normal country, this country can have good relations with its neighbours and the world,” he added.
