Sun Dec 08 12:30:10 UTC 2024: ## Syrian Rebels Seize Damascus, Assad Reportedly Flees

**BEIRUT** – In a stunning turn of events, Syrian opposition forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have reportedly seized control of Damascus, ending Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year rule. President Assad is said to have fled the country, his whereabouts currently unknown. The swift victory follows a lightning offensive that captured four major cities – Daraa, Quneitra, Suwayda, and Homs – in a single day, culminating in the fall of the capital on Sunday.

Celebrations erupted in Damascus as residents toppled statues of Assad’s father, Hafez al-Assad, symbolizing the end of the Assad family’s five-decade reign. The Sednaya prison, notorious for its human rights abuses, has reportedly been liberated, and the Syrian opposition flag was raised at the Syrian embassy in Athens. However, reports of attacks on the Iranian embassy in Damascus and chaos at the city’s airport highlight the volatile situation.

International reaction has been swift. French President Emmanuel Macron praised the Syrian people’s courage, while the UK’s deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, welcomed Assad’s apparent downfall, emphasizing the need for a UN-backed political resolution. US President-elect Donald Trump attributed Assad’s fall to Russia’s weakened state due to the war in Ukraine. Russia has confirmed Assad’s resignation and departure but remains on alert regarding its military bases in Syria. The UN envoy for Syria has called for dialogue, unity, and respect for international law. Several neighboring countries, including Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and the UAE, are closely monitoring the situation and taking steps to secure their borders and protect their citizens. Concerns remain about the potential resurgence of ISIS and the need for humanitarian assistance. Syrian rebels have pledged to maintain order and work towards a peaceful future, while international actors are calling for stability and a political solution. The long-term implications of this dramatic shift in power remain to be seen.

Read More