Fall of Bashar al-Assad's 24-Year Rule Marks a New Era of liberation : Syrian Opposition Forces Celebrate Victory in Damascus

On December 8, 2024, celebrations erupted in Damascus as Syrian opposition forces declared the end of Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year rule following a swift and strategic military offensive that saw the fall of key cities, including Damascus. After 13 years of brutal conflict that involved a complex mix of local and international actors, the Syrian opposition celebrated the liberation of the capital city, declaring it “free” of Assad’s regime. The rapid advance of opposition fighters, particularly led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has led to the collapse of the Assad regime, with President Bashar al-Assad reportedly fleeing the capital. Amid widespread celebrations, Syrians, both inside the country and abroad, expressed immense joy but also acknowledged the daunting task ahead: rebuilding a fractured state.

The Fall of Assad’s Regime

• Opposition Fighters Seize Damascus:
  On December 8, 2024, opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) declared Damascus liberated.
  • The opposition fighters took control of the city after a lightning advance that saw the capture of several strategic cities, including Aleppo, Hama, and Homs, before reaching the heart of Syria’s capital.
  • The fighters made a public announcement on Syrian state television, declaring that Bashar al-Assad’s rule had ended, and Damascus was free of the president’s influence.
• Reports of Assad Fleeing:
  • The opposition forces confirmed that Assad had fled the capital. His whereabouts remain unknown, with some reports suggesting that he boarded a plane for an undisclosed location.
  • Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali expressed his readiness to support a transition of power and cooperate with any leadership chosen by the Syrian people.
• The Assad Regime’s Collapse:
  • While the celebrations continue, Syrians and foreign powers alike acknowledge that the fall of the Assad regime does not signify an end to Syria’s troubles. The reconstruction of Syria and the restoration of peace will require years of hard work, diplomacy, and significant international cooperation.

Syrian Prime Minister’s Statement

• The transition of Power:
  • Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali, in a video statement, expressed his intention to continue his work in the service of Syria while cooperating with the new leadership.
  • He said, “I am in my house and I have not left, and this is because of my belonging to this country.”
  • He further added that the government was ready to “extend its hand to the opposition” and transfer authority to a transitional government chosen by the people.
• Political Developments:
  • Despite the Assad regime’s fall, al-Jalali assured that state functions would continue under his leadership until a formal transfer of power took place.
  • This marks a significant moment in Syria's political landscape, with both internal and external challenges ahead.

The Role of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the Opposition Forces

• HTS Leads the Charge:
  • The opposition forces, particularly the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), led the charge in liberating Damascus.
  • The HTS, an Islamist militant group with roots in Al-Qaeda, played a significant role in this offensive, which was dubbed the “liberation of Damascus”.
• Prison Breaks and Symbolic Acts:
  • As the opposition forces entered key government facilities, they released prisoners from notorious sites like Saydnaya Prison north of Damascus, a place infamous for its brutal treatment of detainees.
  • Videos circulating on social media showed celebrations of the Assad regime’s collapse, with people toppling statues of Hafez al-Assad, Bashar’s father, in a symbolic act of defiance against the Assad dynasty.

Regional and International Reactions

• International Responses:
  • Several nations, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, issued joint statements calling for a political solution for Syria’s future.
  • The Russian embassy in Damascus advised its nationals to leave the country, signaling a potential shift in Russia’s involvement with Assad’s government.
  • Turkey has expressed concerns over the rise of Kurdish influence in Syria and seeks to ensure the opposition does not allow the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), predominantly Kurdish, to gain further control.
• Turkey’s Stake in the Transition:
  • Turkey has been home to millions of Syrian refugees and is invested in the stability of Syria post-Assad. The return of Syrian refugees and the stabilization of the country are crucial to easing the strain on Turkey’s resources.
  • Turkey also desires opposition-controlled Syria and is recalibrating its policies to align with this new geopolitical reality.
• Syrian Military’s Collapse:
  • As Russia and Iran’s support for Assad waned in recent months due to shifting regional dynamics, the opposition saw an opportunity. The collapse of the Syrian military was not a surprise, as James Dorsey, a Middle East specialist, noted, “It simply shows us how brittle the support for al-Assad’s regime was, and how fragile the Syrian military was.”

Looking Forward: Rebuilding a War-Torn Nation

• Challenges of Rebuilding:
  • As Hadi al-Bahra, head of the Syrian opposition coalition, stated, the liberation of Damascus marks only the beginning of Syria’s reconstruction. He highlighted that Syrians must now work toward building a state that respects citizenship rights for all people, a complex and daunting task.
• A Call for Unity:
  • As the fighting comes to an end, Syrians everywhere are preparing for the next phase of their struggle: rebuilding the country. Sawsan Abou Zainedin, a civil society leader, put it poignantly: “Today is a day to celebrate, but tomorrow, we will have to get to work because we have a state to build.”
• The Road to Peace and Stability:
  • The challenges are immense, but for the first time in over a decade, there is hope that Syria can rebuild from the ruins of war. For millions of Syrians displaced by the conflict, the fall of Assad represents not just political change but a chance to reclaim their homes and rebuild their lives.

Source: Al Jazeera, NDTV, and India Today.