Jubilation in Damascus as Syrians Celebrate End of Assad Regime

Assad falls/ Damascus rebels/ Syrian civil war ends/ Saydnaya prison release/ Bashar al-Assad flees/ HTS leader al-Golani/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Celebrations erupted across Syria on Sunday as rebel forces captured Damascus, ending Bashar al-Assad’s 50-year family rule. Crowds poured into the streets, waving revolutionary flags and ransacking the presidential palace. Rebel leaders have called for unity among Syria’s diverse communities while urging an orderly transition. Assad’s whereabouts remain unknown, with reports suggesting he fled the country.

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Celebrations in Syria: Quick Looks

• Rebels Seize Damascus: Assad’s regime falls as insurgents capture the capital.
• Nationwide Jubilation: Crowds chant, wave flags, and fire celebratory gunshots.
• Rebel Leadership: HTS leader al-Golani pledges unity among Syria’s religious and ethnic groups.
• Prisoner Freedoms: Rebels release detainees from the infamous Saydnaya prison.
• International Reaction: Calls for a peaceful transition as Assad’s allies reassess their positions.

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Jubilation in Damascus as Syrians Celebrate End of Assad Regime

Deep Look

End of an Era: Assad Family Rule Collapses

The Assad family’s half-century reign over Syria came to a dramatic end Sunday as rebels overran Damascus. Bashar al-Assad reportedly fled the capital after negotiations with rebel leaders, leaving the country’s future uncertain.

Rebels celebrated their victory by freeing detainees from Saydnaya prison and broadcasting messages of inclusion, promising to rebuild a Syria that embraces all religious and ethnic groups.

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Euphoria in Damascus

In the heart of Damascus, residents filled squares to celebrate the end of Assad’s rule. Teenagers waved revolutionary flags and fired discarded weapons into the air, while others explored the abandoned presidential palace.

“I cannot express my happiness,” said Bassam Masr, whose son had been detained for 13 years. “But this happiness will not be complete until I find him.”

Videos showed families walking through the palace, some carrying away items like plates and household goods. The mood was jubilant yet tinged with uncertainty about the country’s next steps.

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Rebel Leadership Promises Unity

Rebel commander Anas Salkhadi sought to reassure minority groups, emphasizing a Syria for “Druze, Sunnis, Alawites, and all sects.” HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who has worked to rebrand his group as pluralistic and moderate, faces the immense task of uniting a fractured country.

“This is a historic moment, but the challenges ahead are formidable,” said Dareen Khalifa, a senior adviser at the International Crisis Group.

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Assad’s Whereabouts Unknown

Assad’s precise location remains unclear. Russian officials confirmed he left Syria after agreeing to a peaceful transfer of power but denied facilitating his escape. Speculation suggests he could be in Moscow or another allied nation.

Anwar Gargash, a senior UAE diplomat, dismissed Assad’s departure as a “footnote in history,” comparing it to Kaiser Wilhelm II’s exile after World War I.

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Prisoner Releases Offer Hope

The rebels freed detainees from Saydnaya prison, a facility notorious for torture and extrajudicial killings. Videos showed women and children emerging from cells, many visibly stunned. The release brought a glimmer of hope to families searching for loved ones lost during the conflict.

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International Reactions

The fall of Assad’s regime reverberated across the region.

• Iran: Tehran called for Syrians to determine their future without external interference, though the loss of Assad marks a major blow to its influence.
• Israel: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the temporary seizure of a buffer zone in the Golan Heights, citing security concerns.
• Russia: Moscow emphasized the importance of stability and urged dialogue among all factions.
• Qatar: Hosted an emergency meeting of regional powers, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Iran, to discuss Syria’s future.

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What’s Next for Syria?

As rebel forces consolidate power, the road to stability is fraught with challenges. The country remains divided among various factions, including Turkey-backed opposition fighters and U.S.-allied Kurdish forces. The Islamic State group also retains a foothold in remote areas.

The United Nations has called for urgent talks in Geneva to establish an orderly political transition. Rebel leaders face the monumental task of uniting Syria’s diverse communities while rebuilding a nation devastated by nearly 14 years of civil war.

For many Syrians, however, the fall of Assad is a moment of profound relief and renewed hope.

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