Photo courtesy of Alireza Jafarzadeh Twitter

After 50 years of iron-fisted Assad rule, Syria wakes up to a new chapter.

The Assad government collapsed early Sunday, marking the end of five decades of dominance by the Assad family. Rebel forces surged into the capital, Damascus, in a lightning-fast offensive that sent soldiers fleeing, residents celebrating, and history being rewritten overnight.

The news broke through Syrian state television, where an opposition group — The Operations Room to Conquer Damascus — announced that President Bashar Assad had been officially overthrown. “All prisoners have been set free,” declared a man in the video statement, urging citizens and rebels alike to protect the institutions of a “free Syrian state.”

From Civil War to Sudden Collapse

The fall of Damascus came faster than anyone anticipated. For nearly 14 years, Syria had been gripped by a brutal civil war, leaving hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced. Yet in a matter of days, opposition forces swept through critical cities, including Aleppo, Hama, and Homs, before making their way to the capital. By the time rebels reached Damascus, Syrian government forces offered little resistance, and Bashar Assad reportedly fled the country.

Crowds poured into the streets of Damascus at dawn, their shock quickly turning to celebration. Mosque prayers were filled with chants of “God is great,” while the streets echoed with car horns and slogans condemning Assad. Teenagers fired weapons abandoned by fleeing soldiers into the air, and families ventured into the now-empty presidential palace, some emerging with plates and household items as souvenirs of a regime gone in a flash.

“We Didn’t Sleep Until We Heard”

Mohammed Amer Al-Oulabi, a Damascus resident, could barely contain his joy. “I did not sleep last night, and I refused to sleep until I heard the news of his fall,” he said. “From Idlib to Damascus, it only took them a few days, thank God. May God bless the heroic lions who made us proud.”

While residents celebrated, scenes of chaos unfolded elsewhere. Looters stormed the Defense Ministry, and security forces deserted their posts. Videos showed government loyalists scrambling to distance themselves from Assad. Even al-Watan, a historically pro-Assad newspaper, published a front-page mea culpa: “We are facing a new page for Syria. We thank God for not shedding more blood.”

The Alawite sect, once Assad’s core base of support, called for calm and national unity. “We were and still are advocates of peace,” they said in a statement, appealing for reason to prevail amid Syria’s new reality.

Assad Flees as the World Reacts

Reports emerged that Assad boarded a flight from Damascus, though his destination remains a mystery. A senior UAE diplomat brushed off questions about his whereabouts, saying Assad was now merely “a footnote in history.”

The collapse of Assad’s government is no small moment for the region. Once backed heavily by Russia and Iran, Assad’s rule saw repeated accusations of war crimes, including chemical attacks. Yet in the end, the regime crumbled in days, with opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group that has transformed its image over recent years, vowing pluralism and tolerance.

What’s Next for Syria?

The international community is watching closely. The United Nations called for urgent talks to ensure a smooth political transition, while Russia’s Foreign Minister expressed regret, saying, “I feel sorry for the Syrian people.” On the ground, however, Syrians are filled with a mix of relief, uncertainty, and hope.

Rebels now face the daunting task of rebuilding a fractured nation. Dareen Khalifa of the International Crisis Group put it succinctly: “Golani and the rebels have made history. But the hardest part — governing and uniting Syria — begins now.”

For Syrians, this Sunday marks more than just the fall of a regime. It’s a break from 50 years of fear, a moment of triumph, and a chance to dream of a better future. As the sun rose over Damascus, the chant of “freedom” echoed across the city — a word that, for decades, had been whispered in fear.