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Home News Exclusive Analysis Stunning Fall: Assad’s 50-Year Rule Ends in 10 Days

Stunning Fall: Assad’s 50-Year Rule Ends in 10 Days

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The Assad government, which ruled Syria for over five decades, collapsed dramatically after a swift rebel offensive swept across the nation in just ten days. Opposition forces, led by the Operations Room to Conquer Damascus, entered the capital, Damascus, early Sunday, marking the end of one of the region’s most enduring regimes.

A Lightning Rebel Offensive

This offensive began on November 27, 2024, and rapidly gained ground, seizing key cities such as Aleppo, Hama, and Homs. The capture of Homs was particularly significant as the city sits at a strategic crossroads between Damascus and Syria’s coastal strongholds, long considered the base of Assad’s support. The rebels faced little resistance from Syrian government forces, many of whom abandoned their posts during the advance.

The collapse of the Assad government was confirmed through a statement broadcast on Syrian state television. In this statement, a group of men announced that President Bashar Assad had been overthrown, political prisoners had been freed, and the opposition now controlled the state. This announcement coincided with reports of widespread looting, the abandonment of key government buildings, and the flight of security forces from their posts.

Chaos and Celebrations in Damascus

As the sun rose over Damascus, the streets were filled with both chaos and celebration. Thousands of citizens gathered in mosques and squares, chanting slogans against the Assad regime and celebrating what they saw as newfound freedom. In some areas, gunfire erupted in jubilation, while others saw angry mobs tearing down posters and banners of Bashar Assad and his father, Hafez Assad, who had ruled before him.

Reports indicated that key government institutions, including the Ministry of Defense and police headquarters, were abandoned. Uniforms and weapons were left behind at army checkpoints, and the famous Saydnaya military prison was stormed, with prisoners reportedly being freed. The Damascus airport was also evacuated, and all flights were suspended, further signaling the end of government control in the capital.

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However, the atmosphere in the city was not solely celebratory. Many residents rushed to stock up on food and supplies, fearing uncertainty in the days ahead. Shops that remained open saw their shelves emptied, with staples such as sugar sold at inflated prices. Thousands of people also headed to the border with Lebanon, seeking to leave Syria amidst the turmoil, though many found themselves stranded as Lebanese authorities closed the border crossing.

The Role of Opposition Forces

The collapse of the Assad government was largely driven by the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). This group, with origins linked to al-Qaida, has controlled large parts of northwest Syria for years and spearheaded the recent offensive. In recent years, HTS leaders had attempted to rebrand themselves by distancing the group from extremist affiliations, adopting a more inclusive image, and forming a “salvation government” to administer their controlled territories.

The group’s offensive was well-coordinated, targeting key strategic locations across Syria. Their advance through Aleppo, Hama, and Homs left government forces scrambling. By the time they reached Damascus, much of the Syrian army had already withdrawn from southern parts of the country, leaving the capital exposed.

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The swift success of the rebel forces highlighted the Assad regime’s growing isolation in recent years. Once supported by powerful allies such as Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah, the Syrian government found itself with diminished backing. Russia, preoccupied with its ongoing conflict in Ukraine, provided little assistance. Iran’s regional proxies had weakened under constant attacks, and Hezbollah, heavily involved in a separate conflict with Israel, offered no substantial reinforcements.

The lack of support from these traditional allies further emboldened the opposition forces, allowing them to achieve significant territorial gains in a short period.

A Nation in Transition

The fall of the Assad government marks the first time in decades that opposition forces have taken control of Damascus. For the people of Syria, the end of the Assad regime brings a mix of emotions—relief for some, uncertainty for others.

While celebrations erupted across the country, many Syrians reflected on the decades of fear and repression they endured under the Assad family’s rule. The regime was notorious for its brutal crackdowns on dissent, mass detentions, and human rights abuses. For those who lost loved ones or were imprisoned under the regime, the fall of the government represented a moment of long-awaited justice.

The rebels called on citizens to protect state institutions and preserve public property to ensure a smooth transition. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali also issued a statement, signaling the government’s willingness to hand over power to a transitional administration. However, he remained vague about the whereabouts of Bashar Assad, who reportedly fled the country as rebel forces entered the capital.

In the international community, reactions to the collapse of the Assad government were varied. Some countries, including those that had long opposed Assad’s rule, called for urgent talks to ensure a peaceful transition. Others expressed concern over the rapid rise of opposition forces, particularly given HTS’s controversial history and its classification as a terrorist organization by the United Nations.

The rebel offensive marked the culmination of a conflict that began in 2011 with peaceful protests against Assad’s rule. Over the years, Syria descended into a brutal civil war, with countless lives lost and millions displaced. The Assad government’s fall, while significant, is just one chapter in Syria’s ongoing journey toward stability and recovery.

As Damascus adjusts to life under opposition control, the world watches closely, awaiting the next steps in a nation forever changed by conflict. Please generate a title with one power word and one negative word and contains one digit

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