In a significant shift, Syrian rebels are now encouraging Syrians living abroad to return to a “free Syria.” They also declared the dawn of a new era following 50 years of Baath party rule. Rebels labeled Assad as a “tyrant” who has “fled,” while the Syrian Prime Minister expressed readiness for any handover process, signaling potential political changes ahead.
It was the first time opposition forces had reached Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured areas on the outskirts of the capital following a yearslong siege.
“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 rebels.
Sednaya is a large military prison on the outskirts Damascus where the Syrian government detained thousands.
Syrian rebels secured a major victory as they gained full control of Homs after just one day of intense fighting, putting Assad’s 24-year reign on the verge of collapse. In Damascus, gunfire echoed through the city center, though the source remained uncertain. In rural areas southwest of the capital, locals and former rebels took to the streets in defiance of Assad’s rule.Thousands celebrated in Homs after the army withdrew, chanting slogans like “Assad is gone, Homs is free.” The rebels also liberated prisoners from the city’s main prison, with security forces hastily abandoning their posts after burning official documents.The loss of Homs is a strategic blow, severing Assad’s coastal stronghold connections and signaling a significant comeback for the rebel forces. The situation poses an existential threat to Assad’s regime, shaking Iran’s regional influence and raising alarms across Arab nations about potential instability.
International powers remain divided, with a joint statement from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, Turkey, Iran, Egypt, and Russia advocating for a political solution without agreeing on concrete steps.
Meanwhile, Assad’s traditional allies, Russia and Hezbollah, face limitations. Russia’s focus on Ukraine and Hezbollah’s heavy losses in its conflict with Israel have weakened their support for Assad. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, on the other hand, remains committed to a non-interventionist stance, suggesting the conflict should resolve on its own.
