Syrian rebels have announced their control of Damascus, claiming that President Bashar Al-Assad has fled the country following a series of rapid territorial gains across Syria.
The developments mark the most significant advances by opposition forces in years, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group with roots in al-Qaeda and designated as a terrorist organization by both the United States and the United Nations.
The insurgents stated they had taken the notorious Saydnaya military prison north of Damascus, declaring, “We have liberated our prisoners.” This followed the capture of Homs, Syria’s third-largest city, a day earlier after government forces withdrew. Homs, strategically located at a crossroads connecting Damascus to the coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus—the latter being home to a key Russian naval base—represents a critical victory for the opposition.
The rebels’ offensive, launched on November 27, has also resulted in the fall of other key cities, including Aleppo and Hama, as well as large swathes of the south. Residents in Damascus have reportedly rushed to secure essential supplies, with thousands fleeing toward the Lebanese border to escape the escalating conflict.
In the capital, the insurgents claimed control of the national radio and television headquarters. Meanwhile, the Syrian army has offered little resistance, and reports indicate that the Assad government has received minimal support from its international allies. Russia remains preoccupied with its military campaign in Ukraine, while Lebanon’s Hezbollah, once a major supporter of Assad, has been weakened by ongoing clashes with Israel. Additionally, Iranian proxies in the region have been significantly affected by repeated Israeli airstrikes.
Arabic media, citing rebel sources, report that Assad boarded a plane to an undisclosed destination. On Friday, The Telegraph suggested that members of Assad’s family had flown to Russia, though details about which family members or their destination remain unclear. Syrian state media had previously dismissed rumors of Assad fleeing, insisting he remained in Damascus performing his official duties.
In a significant development early Sunday, Syrian military leaders informed their forces that Assad’s 24-year rule had officially ended.
International responses to the upheaval have been measured. The United Nations has relocated non-essential staff from Syria as a precaution. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump stated on social media, “This is not our fight. Let it play out. Do not get involved.” Similarly, President Joe Biden’s national security adviser confirmed that the incoming administration had no plans to intervene in the Syrian conflict.
The rapid collapse of Assad’s government underscores the fragility of his regime amid growing internal and external pressures. The future of Syria now lies in the balance as opposition factions consolidate their hold on the capital and other strategic areas.
