Syria Has Fallen: Bashar Al-Assad Flees

Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad has fled Damascus as rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), seized control of the capital and other major cities like Aleppo and Homs. This marks the end of over 50 years of Assad family rule. HTS, a former Al-Qaeda affiliate, played a key role in Assad’s ouster, though concerns persist about its extremist agenda.

The civil war, which began in 2011 after Assad’s violent crackdown on dissent, has claimed over 500,000 lives. Despite years of support from Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah, Assad’s regime crumbled as his allies withdrew support amidst regional shifts, including Russia’s focus on Ukraine and Israeli strikes on Iranian assets.

The fall of Assad leaves Syria in uncertainty, with ongoing gunfire and celebrations reported in Damascus. The international community has urged democratic reforms under UN Resolution 2254, but Syria’s future remains unclear as rebels consolidate control.