Syrian Rebels Seize Damascus: Declare Capital ‘Free of Assad’

Damascus

The head of Syria’s main opposition group abroad, Hadi al-Bahra, declared on Sunday that Damascus is now “without Bashar al-Assad,” signaling a turning point in the country’s protracted civil war. Following a swift rebel advance, Syria’s army command reportedly informed officers that President Bashar al-Assad’s rule had effectively ended.

According to senior military officials, Assad departed Damascus on Sunday for an undisclosed location as rebel forces entered the capital without encountering significant resistance.

Crowds of Syrians gathered in Damascus’ main square, celebrating and chanting “Freedom” in a moment of jubilation. Witnesses described scenes of unity as people waved flags and joined the celebrations.

Rebel forces also announced the release of detainees from Sednaya prison, a notorious military facility on the outskirts of Damascus where thousands had been held. “We celebrate with the Syrian people the end of an era of injustice,” a rebel spokesperson stated.

Adding to the turmoil, a Syrian Air aircraft left Damascus airport around the time the capital was reported to have fallen to rebel forces. Flight tracking data revealed the plane initially flew toward Syria’s coastal region, an Alawite stronghold, before abruptly changing course and disappearing from radar. The passengers’ identities remain unknown.

The rebels’ triumph in Damascus follows their capture of Homs, a key strategic city and historic center of resistance. Thousands of residents flooded the streets of Homs after the Syrian army withdrew, chanting slogans such as “Assad is gone, Homs is free.”

Rebels tore down statues of Assad’s father, Hafez al-Assad, and freed prisoners, marking a symbolic end to decades of oppressive rule.

Homs’ fall severs the connection between Damascus and the coastal region, cutting off Assad from the Alawite heartland and Russian military bases. Rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani hailed the victory as a pivotal moment but urged his fighters to refrain from targeting those who surrender.

These rapid developments have shocked neighboring Arab countries, prompting Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and others to call for a political resolution to avoid further regional instability. The conflict, now in its 13th year, has displaced millions and drawn in international powers, including Russia and Iran.

Assad’s reliance on external allies, such as Russian airstrikes and Iranian forces, has diminished as these partners face their own challenges. Russia’s focus on the Ukraine war and Hezbollah’s losses in regional conflicts have weakened their ability to assist Assad.

Meanwhile, US President-elect Donald Trump stated that the US should not intervene in Syria, advocating for a hands-off approach to the crisis.

As the dust settles, the international community remains apprehensive about Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the most powerful rebel faction, given its roots as an al-Qaeda affiliate.

Golani, the group’s leader, has sought to reassure Syrians and foreign nations of his intentions, but global leaders, including Russia’s Sergei Lavrov, remain skeptical.

The fall of Damascus and Homs signals a dramatic shift in Syria’s civil war, leaving Assad’s 24-year rule hanging by a thread and the nation’s future uncertain.