By Belize Live News Staff: Syrian rebels have claimed victory over President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, marking the end of more than 13 years of civil war. Rebels seized Damascus on Sunday, forcing Assad and his family to flee the capital, effectively ending decades of rule by the Assad family.
According to reports, Islamist rebels entered Damascus with no resistance from government forces. Thousands of jubilant Syrians gathered at a main square in the capital, chanting “Freedom” and celebrating the end of Assad’s rule. Witnesses reported scenes of civilians walking inside the Al-Rawda Presidential Palace, some leaving with furniture as symbols of liberation. The rebels also freed thousands of prisoners from a notorious government jail on the outskirts of Damascus.
Leading rebel commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani called the victory a “culmination of years of struggle,” emphasizing that Syria now faces the challenge of rebuilding. “The future is ours,” he declared in a televised address after the takeover.
This seismic shift has dealt a blow to the influence of Russia and Iran, Assad’s key allies, who had supported him throughout the conflict. French President Emmanuel Macron lauded the fall of Assad as the end of a “barbaric state” and pledged to support Syrians in their pursuit of freedom.
As Syrians celebrate, new challenges loom. Stabilizing a nation fragmented by years of war and sectarian divides will require immense effort. With fears of a resurgence of extremist groups like the Islamic State and calls for international sanctions to be lifted, Syria’s new leadership will face tough decisions in the months ahead.
