Where Is Bashar al-Assad? (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
Syrian rebels have declared the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime after capturing Damascus, marking the end of his family’s nearly five-decade rule. The rapid advance by opposition forces, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), culminated in their unopposed entry into the capital, sending shockwaves across the Middle East. As jubilant crowds filled the streets chanting for freedom, the focus turned to the whereabouts of Assad, whose disappearance has added a layer of intrigue to an already seismic event. Many started speculating that Assad has died in a plane crash, which has not been confirmed yet, either by Assad’s closest allied like Iran or Russia or by United States who have significant presence and intelligent sources in the region.
Rebel forces have taken control of key government sites in Damascus, including the presidential palace, where citizens were seen looting furniture as symbols of the regime’s collapse. Detention centres notorious for human rights abuses were overrun, with prisoners streaming out to join the celebrations. HTS’s role in the insurgency has raised concerns about the nature of its governance, given its origins as an al-Qaeda affiliate. Yet, its leaders have called for an orderly transition, declaring the beginning of a “new Syria.”
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Assad reportedly fled Damascus early on Sunday, though his destination remains a mystery. Some reports suggest his aircraft, believed to be an Illyushin-76, disappeared from radar over Homs. Unconfirmed rumours claim it may have been shot down. Neither Assad’s wife, Asma, nor their children have been located, deepening the uncertainty surrounding the family’s fate. Russia and Iran, Assad’s staunchest allies, have remained tight-lipped, while a senior UAE official dismissed speculation about Assad seeking refuge there.
The fall of Assad’s regime represents a significant geopolitical shift. Iran and Hezbollah, who provided crucial military support, have withdrawn, marking a blow to their influence in the region. Russia, embroiled in its own challenges elsewhere, finds its foothold in Syria severely weakened. Meanwhile, Israel has deployed forces along the Syrian border amid fears of weapons falling into extremist hands. Regional powers, including Turkey and the United States, are watching the unfolding situation with caution, wary of a power vacuum that could reignite terrorism or broader instability.
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As Syrians celebrate, Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali has offered conciliatory overtures to the opposition, proposing a transitional government and free elections. However, the path forward is fraught with challenges. Syria’s deeply divided society, the involvement of external powers, and the dominance of rebel factions like HTS complicate the prospects for a stable transition. For now, the country rejoices at the symbolic end of an era marred by war and repression, while the question of Assad’s location remains a lingering enigma, capturing the attention of a world witnessing history unfold.
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