Syria's Assad Era Ends Amid Dramatic Rebel Advances

The Syrian Army has informed its officers that President Bashar al-Assad's 24-year authoritarian rule has come to an end, following a swift rebel offensive that shocked the world. A Syrian officer confirmed the development to Reuters, as rebels proclaimed Damascus "now free of Assad."

Earlier, Assad, known for his harsh suppression of dissent, reportedly fled Damascus to an undisclosed location, according to two senior army officials. This development coincided with the rebels entering the capital without encountering significant military resistance. Thousands gathered in Damascus' central square, waving flags and chanting "Freedom," celebrating the end of decades of Assad family dominance.

"We celebrate with the Syrian people the liberation of prisoners and the fall of the Sednaya prison's chains," announced the rebels. Sednaya, a notorious military prison near Damascus, held thousands of detainees under the Assad regime.

Flight data from Flightradar indicated a Syrian Air plane departed Damascus around the time of the rebels' takeover. Initially heading towards the Alawite stronghold along the Syrian coast, the aircraft abruptly changed direction before vanishing from radar. The occupants of the flight remain unconfirmed.

Hadi al-Bahra, head of Syria's main opposition group abroad, declared, "Damascus is now without Bashar al-Assad." Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali assured his readiness to ensure governance continuity and cooperate with leadership chosen by the Syrian people.

Rebels Capture Homs: A Turning Point

In a swift and symbolic victory, rebels seized full control of Homs after just a day of fighting. Thousands of residents flooded the streets, chanting slogans like "Assad is gone, Homs is free," and celebrating the collapse of government forces. Posters of Assad were torn down as rebels declared victory.

Homs' fall granted rebels control over Syria's strategic heartland, severing Damascus from the coastal Alawite region, home to Russian military bases. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani hailed the victory as historic, urging fighters to spare those who surrender.

Rebels also freed thousands of detainees from Homs' prisons, with security forces retreating hastily, destroying documents as they fled. Rebel commander Hassan Abdul Ghani announced ongoing operations to secure the Damascus countryside.

In a symbolic act, a statue of Assad’s father, Hafez al-Assad, was toppled and dismantled in one suburb, reflecting the regime’s crumbling authority.

Regional and Global Repercussions

The rapid developments have alarmed neighboring Arab states, raising concerns about regional instability. In a joint statement, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Turkey, and Russia urged a political solution to the crisis.

The conflict, which began in 2011 as an uprising against Assad’s rule, has drawn in global powers, provided a haven for jihadist groups, and displaced millions. HTS, a former al-Qaeda affiliate and Syria's most powerful rebel group, remains a divisive force. While its leader, Golani, has pledged not to target minorities or stage international attacks, many Syrians and foreign governments remain wary.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov cautiously remarked, "The proof of the pudding is in the eating," when asked about HTS’s assurances.

Erosion of Assad's Alliances

Assad’s rule depended heavily on support from allies like Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah. Russian airstrikes and Iranian-backed militias played key roles in suppressing the rebellion. However, Russia’s focus on the Ukraine war and Hezbollah’s losses in its conflict with Israel have weakened their capacity to assist Assad.

The rapid unraveling of Assad’s control marks a seismic shift in Syria’s protracted civil war. As rebels consolidate their gains, the nation stands on the brink of a new era, with the international community watching closely.