The Daily Star Ireland
Syrian rebels have announced that they have overthrown President Bashar al-Assad after taking control of Damascus, marking the end of his family’s decades-long rule and over 13 years of civil war. This development is a significant moment for the Middle East, as it also diminishes the influence of Russia and Iran in Syria, allies that had supported Assad during critical times in the conflict.
According to the rebels, they entered the capital without encountering any military resistance. Thousands of people gathered in a main square in Damascus, celebrating the end of Assad’s rule. Some individuals were seen inside the Al-Rawda Presidential Palace, taking furniture from inside.
The rebels reported that prisoners had been freed from a large jail on the outskirts of Damascus, where many had been detained by the Syrian government. Leading rebel commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani stated that there was no turning back from their path started during the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings, declaring the future belongs to them.
French President Emmanuel Macron commended the fall of Assad’s regime, calling it the end of a barbaric state. Celebrations also took place in cities like Berlin and Istanbul, where Syrians abroad gathered to mark the event.
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, Syria’s new leaders face the daunting task of establishing stability in a diverse nation with competing factions, requiring substantial aid and investment for reconstruction. A potential challenge could be the resurgence of Islamic State militants, who once controlled large areas of Syria and Iraq.
In the midst of these rapid changes, Iranian embassy in Damascus was stormed by Syrian rebels, and Lebanese Hezbollah, which had supported Assad, withdrew its forces from Syria. Assad’s whereabouts are currently unknown, with reports suggesting he has left the country following a peaceful handover of power.
The Syrian rebel coalition is working on completing the transition to a governing body with full executive powers. As Syrians celebrate, Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali has called for free elections and is in discussions with Golani about managing the transitional period.
The collapse of Assad’s rule shifts the balance of power in the Middle East, especially after many Hezbollah leaders were recently killed by Israel. Russia’s involvement in the conflict, which began in 2015, is now complicated by its ongoing war in Ukraine.
The United States plans to maintain its presence in eastern Syria to prevent an Islamic State resurgence. Meanwhile, countries like the United Arab Emirates and Egypt are concerned about the rise of Islamist militant groups in Syria. HTS, the strongest rebel group, may face resistance from regional powers wary of its influence.
The international community, including Israel, is closely monitoring the situation, with recent suspected Israeli strikes targeting areas in Damascus to prevent weapons from reaching radical groups. Iran, maintaining its stance, calls for the Syrian people to determine their country’s future without external interference, while pledging to support Syria’s stability and security.
