Damascus has fallen, Assad has left Syria

vesty.co.il: The regime of Bashar al-Assad has fallen, and the president has fled the country to an undisclosed location. Prime Minister Muhammad Ghazi al-Jalali announced readiness to transfer power to the rebels who have taken control of Damascus. On the streets of the Syrian capital, people are celebrating the end of the Assad family's 54-year rule. This was reported by global media on the morning of December 8.

Meanwhile, around the world

Reuters reports that Bashar al-Assad departed Damascus on a private plane. National television channels have also confirmed that he is no longer in the country. The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) stated that a private jet that took off from Damascus airport disappeared from radar shortly after departure.

Reports from Damascus indicate chaos at the international airport. Video footage shared on social media shows crowds of people besieging check-in counters in an attempt to leave the country. It is unclear which flights, if any, are operating. According to Russia’s RIA Novosti, all airport staff have abandoned the terminals, and operations have completely ceased.

Information coming from Damascus itself is fragmented and contradictory. It appears that the rebels have taken control of all major media outlets. They have already made their first statement, declaring "the end of an era of injustice."

Opposition channels are broadcasting images of central Damascus, where opponents of the fallen regime are gathering. They are chanting, "Freedom!"

The Saudi channel Al-Hadath reports that prisoners have been released from jails, and security forces are offering no resistance. Soldiers are being informed that their service has ended, though their future remains uncertain.

According to the BBC, rebel leader Abu Muhammad al-Jolani (of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham) stated that for now, state institutions will remain under the control of the "former prime minister." He urged armed groups in Damascus not to approach government buildings.

Army uniforms discarded in the streets of Damascus

Damascus (Photo: Omar Sanadiki)

As recently as the evening of December 7, Assad denied rumors of his intention to flee Damascus. However, he did not address reports claiming that his wife and children had relocated to Russia. Assad's office maintained that he was still working in Damascus and preparing to defend the city. Amid these claims, CNN reported that Assad's whereabouts were unknown and that the Presidential Guard was no longer at the palace.

International reactions

International media, reflecting on the events in Syria, noted that the collapse of the regime occurred in the 13th year of the civil war. While Assad had previously survived with the support of Russia and Iran, his allies have now left him to face the rebels alone.

On the evening of December 7, Syrian rebels reported that they had reached "the gates of Damascus." Their advance was rapid. A week ago, they captured Aleppo with little resistance, followed by Homs, a critical transport hub connecting northern regions with the Mediterranean provinces, where Assad's supporters are concentrated. This opened the path to Damascus.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that Ankara hopes neighboring Syria can "quickly achieve the peace and stability it has sought" during 13 years of civil war.

In Israel, officials announced that they are "closely monitoring the situation in Syria, with particular attention to Iran's actions."

The White House refrained from commenting, while former President Donald Trump remarked that "this is not our war."