Sun Dec 08 13:42:17 UTC 2024: ## Assad Regime Collapses in Syria After Rebel Capture of Homs

**AMMAN/BEIRUT, December 8, 2024** – Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year rule has ended, following a stunningly swift rebel advance that culminated in the capture of the strategically vital city of Homs. Two senior army officers confirmed Assad left Damascus on Sunday for an undisclosed location as rebels entered the capital.

Thousands of jubilant citizens took to the streets in Damascus and Homs, celebrating the end of Assad’s authoritarian regime. The fall of Homs, achieved after only a day of fighting, severed Damascus from its coastal stronghold and effectively marked a turning point in the thirteen-year-old conflict. Rebels also freed thousands of detainees from Homs’ city prison.

The rebel advance, which saw them sweep across the southwest in less than 24 hours, has caused widespread shock and concern among regional powers. A joint statement from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Turkey, and Russia expressed alarm over the rapidly escalating situation and called for a political solution, though concrete steps remain undefined.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the dominant rebel group and former al-Qaeda affiliate, played a key role in the offensive. While HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani has attempted to reassure both minorities and the international community of his intentions, concerns remain about the possibility of draconian Islamist rule. Reports from Aleppo, captured a week prior, suggest no immediate reprisals.

The collapse of the Assad regime is attributed to several factors, including Russia’s preoccupation with the war in Ukraine, significant losses suffered by Hezbollah in its conflict with Israel, and a decreased capacity for Iran and its allies to support Assad’s forces. The speed of the events has raised fears of further regional instability. The United States President-elect, Donald Trump, has stated the US should not intervene.

The fall of the Assad regime marks a significant turning point in the Syrian civil war, which began in 2011 and has caused widespread devastation and displacement. The impact on regional stability and the future of Syria remain uncertain.

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