In a significant shift, Syrian rebels are now encouraging Syrians living abroad to return to a “free Syria.” They also declared the dawn of a new era following 50 years of Baath party rule. Rebels labeled Assad as a “tyrant” who has “fled,” while the Syrian Prime Minister expressed readiness for any handover process, signaling potential political changes ahead.
It was the first time opposition forces had reached Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured areas on the outskirts of the capital following a yearslong siege.
“We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains and announcing the end of the era of injustice in Sednaya prison,” said the rebels.
Sednaya is a large military prison on the outskirts Damascus where the Syrian government detained thousands.
The fall of Damascus
The fall of Damascus leaves government forces in control of only two of 14 provincial capitals: Latakia and Tartus.
The advances in the past week were by far the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. In their push to overthrow Assad’s government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army.
The rapid rebel gains, coupled with the lack of support from Assad’s erstwhile allies, posed the most serious threat to his rule since the start of the war.
In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to Syria’s border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Lebanese border officials closed the main Masnaa border crossing late Saturday, leaving many stuck waiting.
Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those still open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price.
The UN said it was moving noncritical staff outside the country as a precaution.
Syrian rebels secured a major victory as they gained full control of Homs after just one day of intense fighting, putting Assad’s 24-year reign on the verge of collapse. In Damascus, gunfire echoed through the city center, though the source remained uncertain. In rural areas southwest of the capital, locals and former rebels took to the streets in defiance of Assad’s rule.
Thousands celebrated in Homs after the army withdrew, chanting slogans like “Assad is gone, Homs is free.” The rebels also liberated prisoners from the city’s main prison, with security forces hastily abandoning their posts after burning official documents.
The loss of Homs is a strategic blow, severing Assad’s coastal stronghold connections and signaling a significant comeback for the rebel forces. The situation poses an existential threat to Assad’s regime, shaking Iran’s regional influence and raising alarms across Arab nations about potential instability.
International powers remain divided, with a joint statement from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, Turkey, Iran, Egypt, and Russia advocating for a political solution without agreeing on concrete steps.
Assad’s dwindling support
Assad’s traditional backers are offering limited help. Russia remains preoccupied with the war in Ukraine, Hezbollah has been weakened by losses in its conflict with Israel, and Iran is seeing its regional influence eroded by frequent Israeli airstrikes.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump advocated a hands-off approach, stating on social media that the U.S. should avoid military engagement in Syria. Meanwhile, President Biden’s national security adviser confirmed that the Biden administration had no plans to intervene.
