The Assad Regime in Syria has Collapsed

As opposition forces swept into the capital early Sunday morning, they proclaimed Syria free of President Bashar al-Assad’s government. Nearly 14 years after Syrians rose up in protests against a regime that responded with brutality and swiftly descended into a terrible civil war, the 53 years of al-Assad family control has met with an abrupt end.

The Islamist militant organisation with former association with Al-Qaeda, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its affiliated rebel groups initiated an attack in northwest Syria on November 27th. As the military broke down, they swiftly seized Aleppo—the nation’s second-largest city, and then marched south along the highway to the capital Damascus less than two weeks later. “We have liberated Damascus, toppled Assad’s regime and freed all unlawfully imprisoned detainees,” the rebels declared in their first televised statement a few hours later. 

The Syrian military’s incapacity to repress the advance of well-organised armed groups was made possible by the regime’s unpopularity and lack of legitimacy, in addition to al-Assad’s precarious leadership. It had become increasingly difficult for Syrians to survive, including his own soldiers, most of whom did not want to fight for him. According to reports, police and soldiers had abandoned their positions—turning in their weapons and making their way out before the opposition forged ahead. The morale of the military was low. The majority of its soldiers were conscripts, a number of whom were tortured and then coerced to serve.

Assad’s home is in ruins, as seen in photos shared by the Associated Press—with books, paintings and other personal items sprawled all over the floors along with empty cabinets. Syrian residents roamed from room to room in President Bashar al-Assad’s palaces on Sunday after his pronounced overthrow, posing for pictures and taking away furniture or ornaments.

Following a successful rebel onslaught that overthrew the 50-year-old regime and took control of the capital city of Damascus, Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has left the country. The Syrian leader resigned, departed the country, and directed a peaceful transfer of power—according to Russia, a long-time supporter of the Assad regime. The Prime Minister, Mohammed al-Jalali has stated that he is ready to co-operate to make way for a transition of leadership. Later TASS, a Russian state newswire, reported that he and Assad’s family members had reached Moscow after being offered asylum on humanitarian considerations.

The anti-Assad alliance announced on Sunday that it is aiming to establish a transitional government with complete executive authority, only hours after seizing Damascus. According to the coalition, it hopes to establish strategic alliances both domestically and internationally. HTS are the strongest rebel organisation in Syria and several Syrians remain apprehensive of an imposition of harsh rule or a descent towards a path of vengeance.