Syrian dictator and President Bashar al-Assad has fled the country after rebel forces entered the capital on Sunday, bringing an end to his family’s 54-year reign over Syria.
The news comes after a combination of armed opposition groups led by Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched a major move against pro-government forces on November 27.
The opposition groups took control of Aleppo on November 30. They proceeded to advance, taking over the cities Hama, Homs and Daraa. With the impending threat of the rebel group arriving in Damascus, soldiers and police officers reportedly abandoned their post ahead of the rebel’s arrival.
Assad and his family chose to flee. He has now reportedly arrived in Russia, where he will receive asylum.
As the rebel forces took over the city, they proceeded to storm detention centres and prisons, setting free prisoners who found themselves behind bars as a result of al-Assad’s regime.
It’s a historic and monumental moment for Syria and Syrian people all over the world, following 14 years of civil war which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. So, here’s a breakdown of who Bashar al-Assad is, the developments in Syria and what happens now.
Who is Bashar al-Assad?
Bashar al-Assad is the son of former Syrian president Hafez al-Assad. Hafez was an Air Force officer who became president in 1970 after a military coup and held his position until 2000. Although Hafez had planned to be succeeded by his oldest son Bassel, he died in a car accident in 1994, making Bashar the next in line to take over the family’s rule of Syria. He left his life as an ophthalmology student in London and was recalled back to the Syrian Army.
For the next six years, Hafez reportedly coached Bashar and primed him to take over the presidency, framing him publicly as a wholesome new leader for the country. Bashar became president of Syria in 2000 following the death of Hafez.
By 2011, many Syrians had had enough of Bashar’s leadership and took to the streets in peaceful protest against his leadership. However, the al-Assad regime responded with a brutal crackdown that eventually turned into a decade-long civil war that has reportedly killed more than 500,000 people, and saw more than six million become refugees.
In an effort to maintain control over the country, Bashar used chemical weapons and airstrikes against his own people. He employed heavy government surveillance and imprisoned anyone caught being involved in the uprising in detention centres. Bashar has been strongly condemned for his use of force against civilians by the UN since 2011.
Why did he flee Syria & where did he go?
At the time of the hostile takeover last week, Bashar al-Assad wasn’t too popular — even with the people fighting to uphold the al-Assad reign. The economy was weak and the people were struggling. Meanwhile, the strength of the military was floundering, heavily relying on support from Russia and Iran. However, because Russia was busy focusing on its invasion of Ukraine and Iran had been damaged by Israeli attacks, analysts believe that the countries weren’t able to come to the defence of the slowly crumbling Syrian army.
Although al-Assad originally vowed to fight imposing “terrorist organisations”, he was nowhere to be seen on Saturday as the rebels captured more Syrian cities.
According to reports by Russian media agencies, Bashar al-Assad and his family have since arrived in Moscow.
“Assad and his family have arrived in Moscow. Russia, for humanitarian reasons, has granted them asylum,” a Kremlin source said.
How have people responded to the fall of the Assad government?
All over the world, people have celebrated the fall of the Assad government. In Greenacre in Sydney’s West, large crowds gathered in the streets waving Syrian flags to rejoice in a day that many thought would never come.
Australia’s Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus told ABC Breakfast that “no one will mourn the end of the murderous Assad regime in Syria.”
“We wish for peace there. We hope that there will be respect for life and that Syria can get to a peaceful, prosperous future,” he said.
Government leaders worldwide have made statements echoing Dreyfus’ sentiment.
“The Syrian people have suffered under Assad’s barbaric regime for too long and we welcome his departure,” Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement.
“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.”
Meanwhile, the incumbent United States President Donald Trump took to his social media website Truth Social to confirm that during his presidency, the US “should have nothing to do with” the unfolding situation in Syria.
“THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED,” he wrote.
What happens now?
The leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebel group, Abu Mohammed al-Julani, declared that a “new history … is being written in the entire region after this great victory”.
“We [the Syrian people] are the rightful owners [of this country]. We have been fighting, and today we have been rewarded with this victory,” he said.
He also confirmed that Syria’s acting Prime Minister, Mohammed Ghazi Jalali, will stay in his position until the transition of power.
In a video statement, Jalali confirmed that the government is ready to hand over power to the leadership chosen by the people.
“I am not leaving and I don’t intend to leave,” he said.
“I expect in a peaceful manner to guarantee the continuity of the public authorities and the institutions and the state apparatus and to guarantee the safety and security for all citizens. We are extending our hands even to the opposition, who extended their hands and gave assurances they will not cause any harm to any citizens who belong to this Syria of ours.”
According to the ABC, the UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Monday (local time) to discuss the unfolding situation in Syria. Reportedly, the meeting has been requested by Russia.
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