Unconfirmed reports of President Bashar al-Assad’s disappearance emerge as rebels seize control of Damascus, declaring the end of his regime. Social media footage shows celebrations in the streets and the destruction of Assad’s symbols of power. With international reactions pouring in, Syria faces an uncertain and tumultuous road ahead.
BY PC Bureau
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s whereabouts remain unknown as unverified reports on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) suggest his plane may have crashed or been shot down over Syria. Official sources, including Assad’s staff, the Syrian army, or allies such as Iran and Russia, have yet to comment on his fate.
The speculation comes amid a dramatic turn of events in Damascus, where rebel forces have declared victory, claiming to have ended Assad’s regime. Social media footage shows rebels roaming the presidential palace, destroying family portraits of Assad and his relatives. Jubilant residents in the Syrian capital have taken to the streets, celebrating what they call the liberation of Damascus. “We declare the city of Damascus free,” rebel factions announced, as crowds chanted “Allahu Akbar” and fired into the air.
AFPTV captured images of rebels climbing atop tanks, defacing statues of Assad’s father, Hafez al-Assad, and celebrating the collapse of the decades-long Assad rule. “I can’t believe I’m living this moment,” Damascus resident Amer Batha told AFP by phone. “We’ve been waiting a long time for this day. This is the beginning of a new era for Syria.”
The president’s plane reportedly disappeared from radar after making a sudden turn, fueling speculation about his fate. The incident has further destabilized the already chaotic situation in Syria, raising questions about the future of the Assad regime.
The rebels’ triumph follows a campaign by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist group rooted in Syria’s Al-Qaeda branch, challenging more than five decades of Baathist rule. On Telegram, the rebels declared: “After 50 years of oppression under Baath rule, and 13 years of crimes, tyranny, and forced displacement, we announce the end of this dark period and the start of a new era for Syria.”
Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali expressed readiness to work with “any leadership chosen by the Syrian people.” HTS, proscribed as a terrorist organization by Western governments, has sought to soften its image, assuring minority groups in newly controlled areas of their safety.
The United Nations estimates that the conflict has displaced 370,000 people since the offensive began, with at least 826 casualties, including 111 civilians.
International reactions have been swift. US President-elect Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, “Assad is gone,” accusing Russia of abandoning its long-time ally. Meanwhile, outgoing Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the need for a political resolution to the conflict during discussions with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
For over a decade, Assad’s regime was bolstered by support from Russia and Iran, while Turkey backed opposition forces. The latest developments mark a potential turning point in Syria’s protracted civil war, leaving the nation’s future uncertain.
