A Syrian rebel shoots in Clock Square, Homs, after the fall of the Assad regime, Dec. 8, 2024. (Credit: Muhammad Haj Kadour/AFP)
Overnight from Dec. 7 to Dec. 8, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) announced it had entered Damascus and taken control of Sednaya prison, run by the Syrian regime. Both HTS and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) stated that Bashar al-Assad had fled Syria by plane after 24 years in power.
Following his departure, Damascus International Airport was abandoned by government forces.
"The tyrant Bashar al-Assad has fled," proclaimed rebel groups on Syrian public TV, declaring Damascus a "free city." They announced the release of all "unjustly detained" prisoners and called for the preservation of Syrian state property under the "free" nation.
"After 50 years of oppression under the Baath Party and 13 years of crimes, tyranny and displacement since the 2011 uprising, we declare the end of this dark era and the beginning of a new chapter for Syria," they said.
Transition arrangements
HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani stated that former Prime Minister Mohammad Jalali would supervise Syria's state institutions until a formal handover. In a declaration signed with his real name, Ahmed al-Charaa, Jolani ordered Damascus-based armed forces to avoid public buildings and celebratory gunfire to ensure an "orderly transition."
A video released on the HTS official Telegram channel showed Jalali being escorted from his office to Damascus' Four Seasons Hotel. In an interview with Al Arabiya, Jalali — appointed by Assad in September — confirmed discussions with Jolani regarding the transitional period and called for "free elections" in Syria.
Syrian Telecommunications Minister Eyad al-Khatib confirmed to Al Arabiya that he had coordinated with an HTS representative to maintain telecommunications and internet services.
Assad's whereabouts
According to SOHR director Rami Abdel Rahman, Assad left Syria through Damascus International Airport before security forces abandoned the site. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated Sunday that Assad was likely outside Syria.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump commented on social media platform Truth, asserting that Assad had fled and criticized Russia's involvement in Syria, claiming Moscow had lost interest due to its focus on the war in Ukraine.
In Bahrain, UAE presidential advisor Anwar Gargash denied knowledge of Assad's presence in the UAE, adding that the Syrian leader failed to utilize lifelines extended by Arab nations, including the UAE.
Celebrations across Syria
In Damascus, crowds toppled and stomped on a statue of Hafez al-Assad, Bashar's father, who ruled Syria from 1971 until his death in 2000. Similar scenes unfolded in Hama, Aleppo and Daraa. On Damascus' Umayyad Square, celebratory gunfire filled the air. Armed rebels roamed the streets, declaring, "Syria belongs to us, not the Assad family."
Syrian army's position
Following Assad's departure, Syrian army soldiers in Damascus reportedly removed their uniforms. Witnesses described seeing abandoned military vehicles in the Mazzeh district, home to security, military and diplomatic institutions. The Syrian army has not issued any official statements, and soldiers told AFP they were ordered to withdraw and return home.
Foreign embassies
Russia's embassy in Syria assured the safety of its staff, while Iraq's embassy was evacuated to Lebanon, and Iran's embassy was ransacked, according to Iranian media.
In Lebanon
The Lebanese army increased its presence along the border with Syria following Assad's fall. Celebrations erupted in Bar Elias, near the Syrian border, with fireworks and gunfire. Crowds chanted curses against Hafez al-Assad and criticized Hezbollah, Assad's ally. Similar festivities occurred in northern Lebanon overnight.
Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib expressed in a joint statement their intent to closely monitor developments in Syria, emphasizing respect for Syrian sovereignty and independence while affirming Lebanon's commitment to good neighborly relations.
International reactions
- United States: President Joe Biden is "closely monitoring" the unfolding events in Syria, according to the White House.
- Turkey: Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized the need for an inclusive Syrian administration and warned against exploitation by terrorist groups.
- France: French Foreign Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine welcomed the fall of Assad's regime, calling for unity and reconciliation among Syrians while rejecting extremism.
