Syrian Regime Collapses as Rebel Forces Capture Damascus: 54-year rule of the Assad family ends

The 54-year rule of the Assad family in Syria came to a dramatic end on Sunday night as rebel forces captured the capital, Damascus. Syrian Prime Minister Muhammad Razi al-Jalali confirmed the collapse of the regime, stating that he was prepared to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the Syrian people. Two senior security sources reported that President Bashar al-Assad had fled the country, with his whereabouts unknown.

Rebel forces, in a statement issued from Damascus, declared that “the free Syrian people have overthrown the regime of Bashar Assad” and pledged to maintain Syria’s unity while working towards the establishment of a "free, just, and democratic state" where all citizens would be treated equally.

Assad Flees as Rebels Take Control of Key Areas

In a significant move, Abu Muhammad al-Julani, leader of the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, ordered his forces in the capital not to approach government institutions. Al-Julani’s statement emphasized that the institutions would remain under the supervision of Prime Minister al-Jalali until the official transfer of power. The rebels also announced the capture of the notorious Saydnaya prison, located north of Damascus, which had been used by the Assad regime to imprison political dissidents.

The fall of Damascus marks a major victory for the opposition after nearly a decade of conflict and a prolonged struggle to topple Assad’s government.

Israel Responds by Reinforcing Forces 

As tensions in the region rise, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the reinforcement of its forces in the Golan Heights, including the deployment of troops into the demilitarized buffer zone, in violation of the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement between Israel and Syria. The IDF stated that the move was necessary to bolster defenses in the area, which contains numerous militants aligned with groups that are not bound by the agreement.

The Golan Heights, strategically important and disputed by both Israel and Syria, has seen increased military activity following the fall of Assad’s regime. Israel’s military presence in the area has been heightened to protect against potential spillover from the Syrian conflict.

Syria’s Prime Minister Calls for Free Elections

In an exclusive interview with Saudi news network Al-Arabiya, Syrian Prime Minister al-Jalali confirmed that he had last spoken with Assad the day before the regime's collapse and had not been in contact with the president since. He also revealed that he was in talks with Abu Muhammad al-Julani to discuss the future management of Syria during the transitional period following the regime’s downfall.

Al-Jalali stressed the importance of holding free elections to allow the Syrian people to choose their new leaders, signaling his willingness to cooperate with the rebels and move towards a more democratic political system.

Trump Weighs in on Assad’s Fall

In the aftermath of Assad’s ouster, US President-elect Donald Trump commented on the situation, claiming that both Russia and Iran were weaker than ever. Trump blamed Russia's involvement in Syria on its military commitments in Ukraine, which he argued had drained Russian resources and morale.

“Assad is gone. He fled his country. His protector, Russia, was no longer interested in protecting him,” Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social. “There was no reason for Russia to be there in the first place. They lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine, where nearly 600,000 Russian soldiers were killed or wounded in a war that should never have started.”

Trump also aimed at the broader geopolitical situation, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine. “Zelensky and Ukraine would like to reach an agreement and end the madness,” Trump continued. “Too many lives are being wasted, too many families are being destroyed. A ceasefire should be declared immediately and negotiations should begin. This could develop into something much bigger and much worse."

He added that China could play a role in bringing about a resolution, stating, “The world is waiting for action.”

The Road Ahead for Syria

With Assad’s regime officially toppled, Syria now faces an uncertain future. The newly empowered rebel forces, including factions like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, will be tasked with navigating the country’s complex political landscape. Calls for free elections and a transition to democracy are central to the opposition’s agenda, though the path to a stable government remains fraught with challenges.

Meanwhile, international powers will likely remain engaged as the situation unfolds, with Israel maintaining a heightened military presence in the Golan Heights and world leaders, including Trump, watching closely as Syria enters a new era.