Written by Carla Elalam
Edited by Annika Lilja
Last month, opposition forces declared Syria liberated from the rule of President Bashar al-Assad as they captured the capital Damascus, marking the end of over 50 years of al-Assad family rule. The collapse of his regime has been described as a historic moment, nearly 14 years after protests against his government escalated into a bloody civil war.
On November 27, a coalition of opposition fighters launched "Operation Dawn of Liberation," a coordinated offensive targeting Assad's government strongholds. They began at the front line between opposition-held Idlib and Aleppo. Within days, Syria’s second-largest city, Aleppo, fell, followed by major victories in Hama and Homs.
This offensive was led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the largest and most organized opposition group, led by Abu Mohammed al-Julani. The coalition included various factions, including the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army, as well as groups like Ahrar al-Sham and the National Front for Liberation. Their success was strengthened by the regime’s weakening military structure, with widespread news of soldiers abandoning their posts, handing over weapons, and fleeing ahead of the opposition’s advance.
As opposition forces consolidated their control over the country, reports emerged of long-held prisoners being freed from government detention centers. Over the years, the al-Assad regime had imprisoned tens of thousands of Syrians, many of whom were political dissidents, activists, and civilians swept up in mass arrests. Families gathered outside former prisons and detention sites, anxiously searching for loved ones amid lists of names being released by opposition authorities. The release of these prisoners has sparked an emotional outpouring of relief and grief, as the full extent of the regime’s brutal legacy comes to light.
Meanwhile, the fate of Bashar al-Assad remains uncertain. Reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) suggest he fled Damascus via the international airport shortly before it fell to opposition forces. His whereabouts remain unknown, leaving a leadership vacuum in a country struggling with an uncertain future.
For many Syrians, the fall of the regime marks a bittersweet turning point. According to the U.N. refugee agency, years of war have displaced more than 13 million people, with 7 million uprooted within Syria and another 6 million seeking refuge abroad. President Joe Biden captured the mixed emotions of this historical moment, stating, “It’s a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria to build a better future for their proud country. But it’s also a moment of risk and uncertainty as we all turn to the question of what comes next.” The path forward for Syrians remains uncertain. The fall of the Assad regime marks the end of an era defined by oppression and war, offering a chance for Syrians to rebuild their nation.
Sources:
Staff, Al Jazeera. “What Happened in Syria? How Did al-Assad Fall?” Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera, 10 Dec. 2024, www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/8/what-happened-in-syria-has-al-assad-really-fallen.
Elizabeth Hagedorn, et al. “Biden Says Fall of Syria’s Assad ‘Moment of Historic Opportunity.’” Al, 8 Dec. 2024, www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/12/biden-says-fall-syrias-assad-moment-historic-opportunity.
Home • The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, www.syriahr.com/en/. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.