Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whose regime has been accused of multiple chemical weapon attacks on civilians, has reportedly fled Syria after rebel forces entered the capital city of Damascus, according to Reuters.
Assad, who trained as an ophthalmologist in the United Kingdom before taking over leadership from his father, Hafez al-Assad, fled alongside his British-born wife, Asma al-Assad, and their three children, as reported by Syrian state television. Their destination remains unknown.
Syria’s ongoing 13-year civil war, which began during the Arab Spring uprisings, has been marked by devastating conflict between Assad’s government and rebel forces. The apparent collapse of the Assad family’s decades-long rule signals a significant shift in Middle Eastern geopolitics.
According to Fox News, a coalition of rebel groups, including the Islamist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), played a pivotal role in overthrowing Assad’s Iran-backed regime. HTS, which has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States, emerged as a key force in the rebellion. Its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who was once detained by U.S. forces, seeks to rebrand the group with a less radical image, though experts argue its ultimate goal is to establish a strict Islamist state.
The civil war traces back to Assad’s brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protests in 2011, which led to widespread violence and a death toll exceeding 500,000 people. Assad’s use of chemical weapons, including a 2013 attack that killed over 1,400 civilians, drew international condemnation but limited direct intervention. Despite UN Resolution 2254 calling for a ceasefire and new elections, Assad refused to comply.
In 2015, Russian military support and backing from Iran and Hezbollah helped Assad regain control over much of the country. However, recent rebel advances in major cities like Aleppo, Hama, and Homs, coupled with weakened Russian influence due to the war in Ukraine, have shifted the balance of power.
The origins of Syria’s revolt lie in the southern city of Daraa, where protests began after the arrest and reported torture of schoolboys who had written anti-government graffiti. This act of defiance, met with harsh repression, ignited a nationwide uprising against Assad’s regime.
Assad’s departure follows reports of diplomatic pressure from regional leaders, including Egypt and Jordan, urging him to form a government-in-exile. While Jordan has denied involvement, the rapid developments mark a turning point in Syria’s tumultuous history.