The 13-year battle for the soul of Damascus has now ended with the fall of President Bashar Al Assad, from power.
Few hours after the rebels sacked the capital, Assad fled to Russia where his family has now been granted political asylum.
President Joe Biden while reacting to the development said the United States welcome Assad’s ouster, saying the ex-president who has been accused of killing his own people must account for his alleged atrocities under his rule.
The magazine had earlier reported that Rusia’s support for Assad had waned due to the war in Ukraine which has greatly challenged the Super power.
Apart from Russia, which has backed Assad for years against the Syrian opposition forces, no support also came from Iran, a major ally of the regime due majorly to the war in Gaza and Lebanon where Israeli offensive has diminished Iran’s Axis of Resistance.
Iran withdrew it’s forces and diplomatic staff from Damascus few hours before the rebels sacked the capital.
Assad had ruled the Arab nation for 23 years but his rule came to an abrupt end on Sunday after rebels led by Abu Mohammed Al Jaloni led his fighters to take over Damascus, the Syrian capital.
His rein was part of the Assad’s five decades old political dynasty which started with his father many years ago.
The opposition parties, following their victory, are now trying to form a transition government that will eventually conduct an election to elect the first democratic government after 24 years Assad iron fist regime.
The rebel leaders had earlier freed thousands of prisoners who had been detained by the Assad government. Some of them said they were already on death row before the rebels swept to power, and saved them.
Jubilations have rented major cities in the now rebel controlled country such as Holms, Damascus, also Syrians in the diaspora are celebrating Assad’s fall from power.
Thousands of jubilant Syrians rallied in Berlin, Germany and cities across Europe on Sunday, waving flags and singing with joy to celebrate the fall of President Bashar al-Assad. Germany is home to at least one million Syriand who had fled the country at the height of Assad’s crack down on the opposition in the country as the government tried to stamp out the rebellion.
“Finally we are free!” exclaimed a smiling Bassam Al-Hamada, 39, among 5,000 people at an exuberant rally in the capital of Germany, the country home to the largest Syrian community in Europe.
Many waved the flag of the Syrian opposition and signs that read “Free Syria” and “Freedom”. Others flashed the “V” for victory sign, sang and shouted “Allahu Akbar!” (God is Greatest!).
Many live in Berlin’s working-class district of Neukoelln, where a spontaneous outpouring of relief began early on Sunday — a day that also saw Syrian community rallies in Athens, London, Vienna and other cities.
Hundreds celebrated in joyous scenes outside the Fatih Mosque in central Istanbul, Turkiye where over 500,000 Syrians are currently living in asylum.
Turkiye is a major backer of the rebel forces which has now taken over power in Damascus.
“We’re happy. The dictatorship is over. Assad has gone,” said 39-year-old Berlin resident Ahmed, who preferred not to give his last name.
“All Syrians are together now,” said the railway technician, who fled the northern Syrian city of Aleppo in 2015.
Also joining the happy crowd in Berlin was Ahmad al-Hallabi, 27, a mechanic, also from Aleppo, who fled via Turkey and Greece to Germany in 2015, the peak of the migrant influx to the EU.
“Ten years ago, I was in Syria and saw things no-one should have to see, things that are impossible to wipe from your memory,” he said.
“Assad is the worst terrorist imaginable … I hope there’ll be peace and everything Assad and his men destroyed will be rebuilt.”
Meanwhile, diplomatic sources who spoke on the development said the major challenge that now face the opposition forces who took over power, is how to form a government of national unity.
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