IRIA News

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Syrian President Bashar Assad’s government collapsed early December 8, 2024, following a lightning rebel offensive that seized control of the capital of Damascus and ended the 50-year rule of the Assad family. The swift rebel advance forced Assad to flee the country.

Syrian rebels announced the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad on state Syrian TV on Sunday morning local time in a dramatic broadcast. The video statement said that Assad has been overthrown and all detainees in jails have been set free.

“This is Damascus, the capital of Syria where the gates of freedom have opened for the first time in many years. This is a historic day in Syria’s modern history” the TV anchor said before introducing rebel commander Anas Salkhadi who said that the rebels would protect state institutions. “Our message to all the sects of Syria is that we tell them that Syria is for everyone,” Salkhadi said. “We will not do what Assad family did,” he said.

Syrian opposition war monitor said that President Bashar Assad left the country for an undisclosed location early Sunday. There was no immediate official statement about Assad’s whereabouts. Latest reports suggested that Assad has reached Moscow as Russia has granted asylum to Assad and his family.

The stunning speed of rebel advances has caught the world by surprise, leading to a dramatic shift in the Middle Eastern nation that has long been at the crossroads of regional conflicts. Iran and Russia, long-time supporters of Assad, helped sustain his regime during the civil war, which also triggered one of the largest refugee crises in recent history.

Western governments, long opposed to Assad’s regime, now face a new challenge as the main group driving the country’s armed opposition is the globally designated terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), led by Abu Mohammed al-Golani.

Key Highlights

• Syrian opposition fighters capture Damascus and declare victory on state TV.
• The sudden offensive ended the 50-year rule of the Assad family.
• Bashar al-Assad left Syria and his whereabouts remain unknown.
• Assad’s prime minister will oversee state institutions until the official handover of power.
• Syrians at home and refugees abroad celebrate Assad’s fall.

Celebrations erupt across Damascus

On Sunday, crowds gathered in Damascus to celebrate the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, filling the streets with chants, prayers, and occasional gunfire after opposition fighters made a stunning advance into the capital. Some climbed onto armored vehicles and waved weapons in celebration of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s announcement that its forces had entered the capital.

Excitement ran high as people flooded Ummayed Square, the heart of Damascus, to mark the historic moment. The square, home to Syria’s Ministry of Defense, became a focal point for celebrations, with men firing celebratory shots and waving the green flag of the revolution, a symbol of the uprising that had been suppressed for over a decade. Some protesters stormed the presidential palace, tearing down portraits of Assad from the palace.

Syrian prime minister promises to facilitate transition of power

Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali said the government was ready to facilitate the nation’s transition of power and hand over its functions to a transitional government. “I am in my house and I have not left, and this is because of my belonging to this country,” Jalili said.

“A new page is being written in the history of Syria,” Syria’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The ministry and its diplomatic missions around the world will “remain committed to serving all fellow citizens and managing their affairs,” the statement said, asserting that the future of Syria will be one in which “justice and equality prevail.”

Iranian embassy in Damascus stormed, Iran says it expects friendly relations with Syria

Iran’s embassy in Damascus was stormed after the rebel takeover of Damascus. A video shared on social media showed damage to the Iranian embassy and a torn poster of Qasem Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who played a significant role in conflicts across the Middle East and was killed by a U.S. airstrike at Baghdad airport in January 2020.

In its first official reaction to the overthrow of Assad’s government by rebel forces, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said Syrians should decide their country’s future “without destructive, coercive, foreign intervention.”

The statement read, “Achieving this [security and stability in Syria] requires an immediate end to military conflicts, preventing terrorist acts, and initiating national dialogue with the participation of all segments of Syrian society to form an inclusive government that represents all Syrians.”

Iran has been a staunch supporter of Assad throughout the nearly 14-year civil war. The unexpected fall of Damascus to Sunni opposition forces has strong implications for Iran, where Shia Muslims are in the majority, and is likely to weaken its influence in the region.

Turkish foreign minister hails fall of Assad regime

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said “As of this morning, Syria has reached a stage where the Syrian people will shape the future of their own country. Today, there is hope.”

Turkey, which shares a 911-kilometer (566-mile) long border with Syria, has been seen as a key backer of opposition groups since Syria’s civil war began in 2011. While Turkish officials have strongly rejected claims of any involvement, many observers believe it could not have proceeded without Ankara’s consent.

This development, analysts say, would allow Turkey to achieve its strategic goals, such as securing its southern borders and facilitating the return of Syrian refugees. The two countries had tricky ties since 2022 as Assad has demanded the withdrawal of Turkish troops from northern Syria, while Turkey insists it cannot pull back as long as Kurdish militia (PKK/YPG) threats persist.

Our control-of-terrain map of Syria has been updated at the link below. Full assessment to follow. pic.twitter.com/28gdcNW4ST

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) December 8, 2024

Turkey designates the YPG as a terrorist organization due to its ties with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has waged a decades-long insurgency against Turkey. However, the Syrian Kurdish militia PKK/YPG is considered a key U.S. ally in the fight against ISIS in Syria.

Israeli PM orders Israeli military to seize Syria buffer zone

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that he had ordered the military to “take control” of the buffer zone separating the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from the rest of Syria. “We will not allow any hostile force to establish itself on our border,” Netanyahu stated.

This would mark the first time Israeli troops have been stationed in the buffer zone since the 1974 ceasefire agreement, although Israeli forces have briefly entered the area in the past. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in 1967 and annexed it in 1981, a move recognized only by the United States, while most other nations consider it occupied Syrian territory.

The decision came after a swift rebel advance that led to the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government. Netanyahu explained that the 1974 ceasefire agreement had effectively collapsed, with Syrian troops abandoning their positions, prompting Israel to seize control of the zone.

Russia says Assad left Syria after negotiations

Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced Sunday that Bashar al-Assad had left Syria after negotiations with rebel groups and gave “instructions” to “transfer power peacefully.” While Moscow did not directly participate in the talks, it expressed “extreme concern” over the unfolding events. Russian troops in Syria have been put on high alert, but there was “no serious threat” to military bases as of Sunday afternoon.

Since 2015, Russia has supported Assad’s regime, alongside Iran, in regaining control from opposition forces. Russia maintains a presence in Syria despite focusing most of its military resources on Ukraine.

International reaction to the fall of the Assad regime

UN — A United Nations official said the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime has ended a “dark chapter” for Syria. “Today marks a watershed moment in Syria’s history—a nation that has endured nearly 14 years of relentless suffering and unspeakable loss,” Geir Pedersen, the U.N. special envoy for Syria, said in a statement.

EU — The European Union’s top diplomat welcomed the collapse of Bashar Assad and said that the downfall also underlines how weak his backers have become. “The end of Assad’s dictatorship is a positive and long-awaited development,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas posted on X. “Our priority is to ensure security in the region. I will work with all the constructive partners, in Syria and the region,” said Kallas, who took over as the 27-nation bloc’s top diplomat last week.

The end of Assad’s dictatorship is a positive and long-awaited development. It also shows the weakness of Assad’s backers, Russia and Iran.

Our priority is to ensure security in the region. I will work with all the constructive partners, in Syria and in the region.

— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) December 8, 2024

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union would help to rebuild Syria after the dramatic fall of Assad. “Europe is ready to support safeguarding national unity and rebuilding a Syrian state that protects all minorities,” she said in a statement, adding that “The cruel Assad dictatorship has collapsed. This historic change in the region offers opportunities but is not without risks.”

China — China said it was closely monitoring the situation in Syria and that it hoped stability would return as soon as possible. “We urge relevant parties in Syria to ensure the safety and security of the Chinese institutions and personnel in Syria,” the Foreign Ministry statement read. “The Chinese Embassy is still up and running and carrying out its duty in Syria. We will continue to make every possible assistance to Chinese nationals in need.”

United States — White House said that U.S. President Joe Biden and his team were “closely monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria”.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump also commented on the situation saying: “Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer.” In a post on Truth Social, Trump said “There was no reason for Russia to be there in the first place,” adding “They lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine.” He added. “Russia and Iran are in a weakened state right now, one because of Ukraine and a bad economy, the other because of Israel and its fighting success.”

UK — UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer also welcomed the departure of Assad as leader. “The Syrian people have suffered under Assad’s barbaric regime for too long and we welcome his departure. Our focus is now on ensuring a political solution prevails, and peace and stability is restored. We call on all sides to protect civilians and minorities and ensure essential aid can reach the most vulnerable in the coming hours and days,” he said.

Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia expressed its support Sunday for the choices of the Syrian people. “The Kingdom affirms its support for the brotherly Syrian people and their choices at this critical stage in Syria’s history, and calls for concerted efforts to preserve the unity of the epic Syrian people, in a way that protects them – God willing – from slipping into chaos and division,” a statement from the Saudi foreign ministry read.

France — French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the fall of the Assad government. “The barbaric state has fallen … I pay tribute to the Syrian people, to their courage, to their patience. In this moment of uncertainty, I wish them peace, freedom, and unity,” Macron said in a post on X social media. The French Foreign Affairs ministry said France “welcomes” the fall of Bashar Assad’s government “after more than 13 years of violent repression against its own people.”

The barbaric state has fallen. At last.

I pay tribute to the Syrian people, to their courage, to their patience. In this moment of uncertainty, I send them my wishes for peace, freedom, and unity.

France will remain committed to the security of all in the Middle East.

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 8, 2024

Germany — Reacting to the news, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that “what matters now is that law and order are quickly restored in Syria,” adding that “The Syrian people have experienced appalling suffering” and “The end of Assad’s rule over Syria is therefore good news.” However, he cautioned that “We will judge the future rulers by whether they make it possible for all Syrians to live in dignity and self-determination, defend Syria’s sovereignty against malicious interference by third parties, and live in peace with their neighbors.”