The long-standing regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad crumbled dramatically on December 8 as opposition forces captured Damascus. This marked the end of over five decades of Baathist rule in Syria.
The rebel victory, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has plunged the Middle East into yet another period of uncertainty. Reports confirm that Assad and his family have fled to Russia, seeking asylum.
Rebels Take Damascus, Declare Regime’s End
In a rapid offensive that began on November 27 with the seizure of Aleppo and Hama, rebel forces stormed Damascus, Syria’s capital. HTS announced the city’s liberation via social media, proclaiming the fall of Assad’s government and a new chapter for Syria.
Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Jalali acknowledged the regime’s collapse, offering to work with opposition leaders on a transitional government. However, his whereabouts remain unclear following reports of his evacuation by rebel forces.
Videos circulating on social media show jubilant Syrians tearing down statues of former president Hafez al-Assad and removing Iranian symbols from public spaces. Celebratory gunfire, car horns, and fireworks echoed through Damascus as residents filled the streets, savoring the end of Assad’s authoritarian rule. Similar scenes were reported across the country.
In a televised statement, a rebel spokesperson called for unity and restraint, urging citizens to protect public property. Thousands of political prisoners, many detained since the Arab Spring uprisings of 2011, were freed from notorious facilities such as Saydnaya Military Prison and a detention center in Homs.
Assad’s Flight to Russia
Hours after the rebels declared victory, Russian state media confirmed that Assad had arrived in Moscow, where he and his family were granted asylum on humanitarian grounds.
A Russian Foreign Ministry statement revealed that Assad decided to resign and leave Syria following secret negotiations. Russia maintains its military facilities in Syria, including the Hmeimim air base and Tartous naval station, both of which remain on high alert but are reportedly secure.
The Kremlin distanced itself from direct involvement in Assad’s departure, citing its preoccupation with the ongoing war in Ukraine. This shift reflects a strategic recalibration for Moscow, which intervened in Syria in 2015 to prop up Assad’s regime.
U.S. and International Reactions
The Biden administration responded cautiously. A statement from the White House: “President Biden and his team are closely monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria and staying in constant touch with regional partners.”
National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett emphasized the importance of regional stability, while Pentagon officials confirmed the U.S. military would maintain its presence in eastern Syria to prevent a resurgence of ISIS.
President-elect Donald Trump offered a contrasting perspective, criticizing U.S. involvement in Syria. On social media, Trump attributed Assad’s downfall to Russia’s declining interest in the Syrian conflict, driven by its costly war in Ukraine.
“Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer. … Russia and Iran are in a weakened state right now, one because of Ukraine and a bad economy, the other because of Israel and its fighting success,” Trump posted.
In a separate post, Trump declared that the United States should avoid further entanglement in Syria, asserting, “This is not our fight. Let it play out.”
Trump urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to seize this moment for diplomacy, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and negotiations to end the conflict.
Regional Implications and Uncertain Future
The rapid fall of Damascus reveals the shift in Middle Eastern geopolitics. Iran, a key Assad ally, faces growing pressure as its influence in Syria wanes.
The Iranian embassy in Damascus was stormed by armed groups amid reports of looting and vandalism, highlighting the fragility of Tehran’s position in the region.
Meanwhile, Syrian civilians are bracing for potential instability as the country transitions to new leadership. The opposition has imposed curfews in Damascus to maintain order, but the road ahead remains fraught with challenges, including concerns about HTS’s Islamist ideology and its ability to govern inclusively.
Whether this will lead to lasting peace or renewed conflict depends on the actions of domestic and international stakeholders in the coming weeks.