The Syrian armed opposition, spearheaded by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has made significant strides in recent days, capturing key cities including Aleppo and Homs. In a dramatic turn of events, the opposition announced the seizure of the capital, Damascus, and the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad.
President Assad’s Whereabouts Unknown
As of Sunday morning, the whereabouts of Bashar al-Assad remain unclear. Opposition sources claim the president has fled the country. Reuters cites military officials confirming that his aircraft departed Syria for an undisclosed location. This development marks a pivotal shift in the ongoing conflict that has gripped the nation for over a decade.
Interim Governance Announced
HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Julani declared on Sunday that Syrian state institutions would remain operational under the supervision of Prime Minister Mohammad al-Jalali until a formal transfer of power is arranged. Reports from Al-Jazeera indicate efforts to stabilize governance during this transitional period.
International Reactions
The HTS and affiliated opposition groups are widely believed to receive support from Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has long opposed Assad’s regime, especially since the Arab Spring. On Saturday, incoming U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the situation via X (formerly Twitter), celebrating Assad’s downfall while cautioning against U.S. involvement in the crisis.
Implications for Regional Powers
Assad’s departure deals a significant blow to his key allies, Russia and Iran. Both nations have provided extensive military and logistical support to Assad’s regime. However, with Russia preoccupied by its ongoing conflict in Ukraine and Iran grappling with internal unrest and heightened tensions with Israel, Assad’s ability to sustain control over Syria had been severely undermined.
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