DAMASCUS: The Syrian military command on Sunday announced that the 24-year rule of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria has ended.
Bashar Assad reportedly flew out of Damascus for an unknown destination, as militants claimed they had entered the capital with no sign of army deployments.
The leader of the Syrian militant group ordered forces not to approach official institutions in Damascus, saying they would remain under the prime minister until they are “officially” handed over.
Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Jalali said on Sunday that he was ready to “cooperate” with any leadership chosen by the people.
“We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains and announcing the end of the era of injustice in Sednaya prison,” said the militants.
As per reports a Syrian Air plane took off from Damascus airport around the time the capital was reported to have been taken by militants.
The aircraft initially flew toward Syria’s coastal region, but then abruptly changed its path and flew in the opposite direction for a few minutes before disappearing off the map.
Earlier, the Syrian army said it was increasing its deployments around Damascus and in the south to strengthen its defence lines as panic spread that militates were drawing close.
“Our armed units are reinforcing their lines throughout the Damascus countryside and the southern region,” a spokesperson for the General Command of the Army and Armed Forces said in a televised statement.
Syrian Presidency in a statement had condemned “rumours and false news about President Bashar al-Assad leaving Damascus,” adding that Assad “is following up on up on his work and national and constitutional duties from the capital”.
President Biden closely monitoring events in Syria
The White House has said the US President Joe Biden is keeping a close eye on “extraordinary events” transpiring in Syria.
“President Biden and his team are closely monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria and staying in constant touch with regional partners,” National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said in a statement on social media.
Al-Assad Family
For over five decades, al-Assad family ruled Syria. This long rule was initiated by Hafez al-Assad in 1970.
Hafez al-Assad came to power in a coup on November 13, 1970, marking the beginning of a new era in Syria. At the time, the country was marked by political instability, with a series of coups shaping its post-independence history.
Hafez, a member of the Alawite minority, built his power base as the commander of the Syrian Air Force and minister of defence. By the time he took control, he had developed a loyal network within both the military and the Ba’ath Party.
In 1982 the Syrian military crushed an armed uprising by the Muslim Brotherhood in the city of Hama. He intended to pass his legacy to his eldest son, Bassel, who was groomed for leadership. Bassel’s untimely death in a car accident in 1994 forced Hafez to turn to his second son, Bashar.
When Hafez passed away in 2000, Bashar assumed the presidency, which was confirmed through a referendum that secured 97 percent of the vote. Bashar’s rise to power was initially met with optimism.
Many Syrians, as well as foreign observers, hoped that he would introduce reforms and greater openness to a system long dominated by authoritarian rule.
In October 2005, opposition parties united to launch the “Damascus Declaration,” calling for radical democratic reforms. In March 2011, during the Arab uprising, protests broke out in Syria calling for civil liberties and the release of political prisoners.
The government launched a crackdown on what it called “terrorists”. The rallies spread which ultimately sparked a full-blown civil war, with several regional and international powers getting involved, as well as militants.
In 2012, the Syrian government used weapons against the militants, including airstrikes. During his tenure, Assad managed to win the support of many regional countries and Russia.
A truce was declared in March 2020 after an accord between Russia and Turkey, but the country was dogged by bombardments and sporadic militant attacks. On May 26, 2021, Assad was re-elected as expected for a fourth term, with 95.1 percent of the vote.
Syria rejoined the Arab League in May 2023 and Assad took part in his first summit for more than a decade.
Russia says ‘terrorist group’ cannot be allowed to run Syria
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov addressing the Doha Forum on Saturday said that Syria must not be allowed to fall into the hands of a “terrorist group”.
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“It’s inadmissible to allow the terrorist group to take control of territory in violation of agreements,” Lavrov said, citing a 2015 UN Security Council Resolution which he said “strongly reiterated sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of the Syrian Arab Republic”.
UN says 370,000 displaced in Syria
The UN secretary-general’s spokesperson has said that at least 370,000 people have been displaced by fighting in Syria since November 27.
“Since the escalation of hostilities, at least 370,000 people including women and children have been displaced, including 100,000 who left their homes more than once,” UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said. The spokesperson said, “Most of the displaced are women and children.”
Syria’s conflict killed over 305,000 people between 2011 and 2021, the United Nations Human Rights Office stated in 2022.
