On Sunday, celebrations erupted in Damascus after Syrian rebels, led by Ahmed Sharaa (Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) of the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, entered the city and ousted President Bashar Assad, whose fate remained unclear.
Assad reportedly fled the country on Saturday night, with some reports suggesting his plane crashed after leaving Damascus.
The rebels’ rapid advance had already seen key cities like Aleppo, Hama, and Homs fall.
The Syrian public responded with jubilation, celebrating the end of 50 years of Baath Party rule and the downfall of Assad, who had been in power since 2000.
People cheered in the streets, tore down images of Assad and other figures like Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah, and celebrated the release of thousands of prisoners, including women and children, many of whom had been held without trial for decades.
Despite Assad’s disappearance, Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al Jalali confirmed he was in contact with the president just before his escape.
He expressed hope for national reconciliation and a smooth political transition, even as rebel leaders and the government discussed the future governance of Syria.
The rebels assured the public that no violence would occur against citizens or property, and efforts were made to maintain calm.
The fall of Assad’s regime was officially announced, and calls for a peaceful transition were emphasized. Meanwhile, the collapse led to a rush of refugees fleeing to Lebanon, while some Syrian refugees returned to Syria.
