Assad Flees Syria as Rebels Capture Damascus
Reports from Reuters indicate that Syrian dictator Bashar Assad, known for his use of chemical weapons against his own people, has fled Syria after rebel forces stormed the capital city of Damascus. Assad, who trained as an eye doctor in the United Kingdom, and his British-born wife, Asma al-Assad, fled with their three children. The destination of their escape is currently unknown.
A Monumental Turning Point in Middle East Politics
Syria has been embroiled in a brutal civil war for the past 13 years, as Islamist rebels aimed to overthrow the Assad dynasty. The collapse of over 50 years of Assad family rule in the Syrian Arabian Republic would mark a monumental turning point in Middle East power politics.
Islamist Rebels Catch Assad, Putin, and Iran Regimes Off Guard
A coalition of predominantly radical Islamist groups, with support from the U.S.-designated terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has successfully dislodged Assad’s Iran-backed regime. HTS, formerly an affiliate of Al-Qaeda, played a decisive role in evicting Assad from power. The leader of HTS, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who has a $10 million bounty on his head from the U.S., seeks to present a more moderate version of radical Islamism. However, experts warn that HTS aims to impose a totalitarian Islamist regime on the Syrian population.
Assad’s Violent Crackdown and Scorching of Syria
The Syrian civil war was triggered in 2011 when Assad launched a violent crackdown on pro-democracy activists during the Arab Spring revolts. His scorched-earth policy caused the deaths of over 500,000 people, with the UN recently ceasing to track the mounting death toll. The international community has condemned Assad’s actions, and former President Obama’s administration failed to take military action against him despite a mass chemical weapons strike on Syrian civilians in 2013.
The Impact of Rebels’ Swift Capture of Major Cities
Rebel forces have dealt significant blows to Assad’s regime, capturing major Syrian cities such as Aleppo, Hama, and Homs. This unexpected turn of events has caught both Russian President Putin and Iran off guard. Russia intervened in 2015 to support Assad’s regime, while Iran and its proxy group Hezbollah also provided assistance. However, the rebels’ successes have weakened Moscow, particularly due to Ukraine’s resistance to Russia’s invasion of its territory. Israel has also conducted multiple aerial attacks on Iran’s military infrastructure in response to an attack by Hamas, Tehran’s ally.
Assad Rejects UN Resolution and Sparks Rebellion
In 2015, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 2254, which called for a cease-fire, UN-run elections, and the establishment of a new constitution in Syria. However, Assad rejected the implementation of this resolution. The origins of Assad’s forced departure can be traced back to a group of schoolboys in the city of Daraa in 2011. These boys wrote a message on a concrete wall with graffiti cans, demanding the regime’s downfall. Assad’s cousin, Gen. Atef Najeeb, oversaw the brutal crackdown on these boys, including torture and the destruction of their lives.
Assad’s Escape Marks a New Era in Syria
The escape of Bashar Assad from Syria signifies a significant milestone in the country’s history. His departure comes after years of bloodshed and conflict, with Islamist rebels managing to overthrow his regime. The future of Syria remains uncertain, as the power dynamics in the region shift. The international community will closely watch how events unfold and whether a new government will emerge from the chaos.
