Breaking: 13 Years of Syrian Rebel Offensive Ends Assad’s 50-year Reign
…Ousted President’s whereabouts unknown
By Nasir Dambatta
The fall of the Syrian government marks the end of 50 years of oppression under Baathist rule, following 13 years of brutal rebellion, crimes, tyranny, and forced displacement.
Assad has since fled and whereabouts still unknown now. Before the rebel takeover of the capital, the last flight to leave Damascus was an Illyushin 76 aircraft with flight number Syrian Air 9218. The plane’s signal disappeared shortly after takeoff over the rebel-held city of Homs, according to open-source flight trackers, adding a dramatic final twist to the regime’s collapse.
In a dramatic turn of events, a 10-day rebel offensive, spearheaded by the Operations Room to Conquer Damascus, swept across government-controlled areas, culminating in the capture of the capital, Damascus.
Syrian state television broadcast a declaration from the opposition group, announcing President Bashar Assad’s ouster and the release of all detainees. Reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that Assad had fled the country, with Iranian state media corroborating his departure.
Celebrations erupted in Damascus as citizens took to the streets, chanting anti-Assad slogans, praying in mosques, and expressing relief at the regime’s collapse. “After years of fear, this is unbelievable,” said Omar Daher, a lawyer whose family suffered under the regime. Abandoned military checkpoints and police stations symbolized the regime’s rapid disintegration.
The opposition, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), achieved significant territorial gains in a remarkably short period, capturing key cities like Homs and Aleppo. This momentum was fueled by the Syrian army’s retreat from southern provinces, leaving vast areas vulnerable.
Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali, in a video statement, expressed readiness to facilitate a peaceful transition to a “free Syrian state,” urging citizens to protect state infrastructure.
International reactions have been cautious. The UN’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, called for immediate talks to ensure an orderly transition, while Russia expressed regret over the unfolding chaos.
As Syria enters an uncertain era, the focus shifts to stabilizing the nation and addressing the humanitarian and political vacuum left in the wake of Assad’s departure. The international community will closely watch how the opposition navigates the challenges of governance and reconciliation.
