Islamist-led rebels have declared the capture of Damascus, effectively ending more than five decades of Baath rule in Syria. President Bashar al-Assad reportedly fled the country on Sunday as the rebel factions celebrated a swift and decisive victory in their lightning offensive.
Residents of the Syrian capital took to the streets in jubilation, cheering the departure of the “tyrant” Assad and proclaiming Damascus a free city. The Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, leading the charge, announced the end of what they described as “13 years of crimes, tyranny, and forced displacement.” In a statement on Telegram, the rebels declared, “Today marks the end of this dark period and the beginning of a new era for Syria.”
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, President Assad fled Damascus via the international airport, hours before security forces abandoned the facility. Hezbollah fighters, long-time allies of the Assad regime, also vacated positions around the capital, with reports indicating some retreated to Latakia and others crossed into Lebanon.
The HTS offensive gained momentum after capturing the strategic city of Homs, approximately 140 kilometres north of Damascus, on their way to the capital. Despite government denials of the loss, Homs became the third major city to fall to the rebels since their advance began on November 27. See video from CNN
HTS forces also stormed the notorious Sednaya prison, long synonymous with the Assad regime’s brutal repression. Thousands of detainees were reportedly freed, with rebel leaders hailing the development as an “end to the era of tyranny.” See video from DawnNews.
While parts of Damascus descended into panic, with residents scrambling for supplies and withdrawing cash, other areas saw celebrations. In a suburb of the capital, protesters tore down a statue of Assad’s father, the late Hafez al-Assad, marking the symbolic end of an era. Similar scenes were reported in Hama, where abandoned tanks and armoured vehicles were set ablaze.
The United Nations has urged urgent political dialogue, with UN envoy Geir Pedersen calling for the implementation of a 2015 roadmap for a peaceful settlement.
The US and Russia, which both maintain troops in Syria, have called for caution, with Moscow opposing any control of Syrian territory by “terrorist groups.” Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated, “Syria is tired of war, blood, and tears.”
The HTS has attempted to allay fears among minority groups in newly seized territories, though the United Nations reported that the offensive has displaced 370,000 people and claimed over 800 lives, including 111 civilians.
As Syria enters a new chapter, questions loom over the nation’s future leadership and stability. Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali has expressed willingness to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the Syrian people, emphasising the possibility of building “good relations with neighbours and the world.”
