In a dramatic and swift turn of events, the Assad regime, which ruled Syria for over 50 years, collapsed early Sunday following a decisive rebel offensive. In just 10 days, opposition forces surged across government-held territories and entered the capital, Damascus, marking a historic shift in the Syrian conflict.
Syrian state television broadcast a video statement featuring a group of men declaring that President Bashar al-Assad had been overthrown. The statement also announced the liberation of detainees held in government prisons.
A spokesperson for the group, identified as the Operations Room to Conquer Damascus, urged opposition fighters and citizens to safeguard the state institutions of what was termed “the free Syrian state.”
This announcement came shortly after reports emerged from a Syrian opposition war monitor claiming that President Assad had fled the country. His destination remains undisclosed. The insurgents’ rapid advance caught many by surprise, culminating in their entry into Damascus, which symbolized the collapse of Assad’s authority.
In the aftermath of these developments, Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali expressed a willingness to cooperate with the opposition. He stated that the government was prepared to facilitate the transition by handing over its responsibilities to a transitional administration.
This monumental shift signals the end of an era in Syria, leaving the nation at a crossroads as it embarks on the arduous journey of rebuilding and reconciliation.
