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Reactions to the fall of the Assad regime
On 7 December 2024, Syrian opposition Southern Operations Room forces entered the Rif Dimashq region from the south, and came within 20 kilometres (12 mi) of the capital Damascus. The Syrian Arab Army withdrew from multiple points in the outskirts. Concurrently with the advance towards Damascus, opposition Tahrir al-Sham and the Syrian National Army in the north launched an offensive into Homs city,[1] while the Syrian Free Army advanced into the capital from the southeast.[2] The opposition captured the capital on 8 December with minimal resistance and Bashar al-Assad fled to Moscow, marking the end of his regime in Syria. Domestic reactions
Thousands of Syrians assembled at the main square of Damascus, chanting "freedom". Jubilation occurred across the city following an announcement by the Syrian rebels claiming President Bashar al-Assad's rule had ended.[3] People voiced opposition to Assad through chants and celebratory car horn honking.[4] Some celebrators entered the presidential palace to loot tableware, furniture and other properties while others destroyed portraits of Assad. Banners of Assad hung on buildings were also set ablaze by them.[5] Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali expressed his commitment to uphold a stable government and readiness to collaborate with the leadership selected by the Syrian people.[3] Former foreign minister Bassam al-Sabbagh said he was "surprised" to receive news of the siege in Damascus, saying it was a "historic and watershed event for all Syrians". The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said that its diplomatic representatives would continue to operate and serve its citizens overseas.[6] Ibrahim al-Hadid, who succeeded Bashar al-Assad as General Secretary of the Ba'ath Party, said that the party will support a transitional government to maintain Syrian unity.[7] The National Coordination Committee for Democratic Change welcomed "what the Syrian people achieved on December 8, 2024" and declared that their aim is to "build a transitional phase to move from tyranny to democracy" to prevent "a new form of tyrannical rule".[8] The People's Will Party "congratulate[d] the Syrian people on overcoming a black page in their history" called for a "smooth and peaceful transfer of power".[9] The Syrian Social Nationalist Party described it to be "necessary to work to find an acceptable and appropriate solution" to create "an authority emanating from the will of the Syrians" and has preservation the unity, society, interests, institutions the consolidation of the national state and Palestine as its "compass".[10] International reactions Leaders and officials of the United States and Israel said they would not be involved with the situation in Syria.[11] Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, said he and the ministers of Turkey and Iran requested an "immediate end to hostile activities".[11] AmericasNorth AmericaJustin Trudeau, Canada's prime minister, said the "fall of Assad's dictatorship ends decades of brutal oppression”.[12] In the United States, the White House said President Joe Biden had a meeting with members of the national security to address the situation.[13] Biden later said the Assad regime's end was a "fundamental act of justice" but warned of possible instablity in the region.[12] Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East, Daniel B. Shapiro, said United States forces would remain in eastern Syria to prevent renewed Islamic State activities. He also pleaded for "all parties" to safeguard civilians and adhere to international norms.[14] Antony Blinken called the diplomats of Jordan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, saying that Syrian territory should not be used to facilitate terrorist organisations.[15] He also highlighted the need for chemical weapons to be seized and disposed, protection of minority groups, and protection of women's rights.[16] On 10 December, Blinken said the United States would "recognize and fully support" the new Syrian government if the transition process were "credible, inclusive and nonsectarian" and met global guidelines.[17] Mexico's Secretariat of Foreign Affairs urged Mexicans in the area to defer to the Mexican embassy in Lebanon during the tumult.[18] On 5 December 2024, Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla spoke with Bassam al-Sabbagh over "escalating terrorism". Rodríguez expressed his nation's solidarity with Assad's government during the recent offensives. At the Cuban embassy in Turkey, Alejandro Francisco Díaz Palacios met with a Syrian ambassador and expressed similar solidarity.[19] South AmericaThe Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised its citizens to flee the country as soon as possible. Accordingly, it warned those that stay to monitor the situation.[19] The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced its commitment to a negotiated political solution to the crisis whilst maintaining Syria's territorial unity and sovereignty. Moreover, it pledged to support UN Security Council resolutions.[19] Vice President of the Chilean Senate, Matías Walker, stated Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro could meet the same fate as Assad due to the state of Iran and Russia.[20] In contrast, the Communist Party of Chile expressed solidarity with Assad's government against the "terrorist coup", which they assert is in service of Israel and U.S. imperialism broadly and in Gaza.[21] In Colombia, the issue has evolved into a foreign relations debate. On 8 December 2024, President Gustavo Petro criticized Russian confirmation of Assad's fall, suggesting the "betrayal" could be indicative of an imminent alliance between Russia and the United States following Donald Trump's reelection. He declared Syria, like Afghanistan, is heading toward Islamic fundamentalism, and that Iraq, Israel, and Libya would encroach on Syrian territory. He claimed this situation could lead to "new alliances, [and] new betrayals", particularly regarding the isolation of Palestine and the Kurds. Open-ended questions he posited included implications for the Russian invasion of Ukraine, pan-Arabism and its secular ideals, Syrian oil and how it would affect the general market and the negotiating power of Cuba and Venezuela, and whether that market shift would affect the pink tide's fight for control in the Organization of American States.[22] Pre-candidate for the 2026 Peruvian general election Vicky Dávila responded in the afternoon of the same day. She asserted Assad's fall was beneficial for world order and sent a message to dictators that their regimes are collapsible. Also addressed were Petro's comments on Assad's alliances, which she claimed were weak as each partner—Iran, Russia, and Hezbollah—were preoccupied.[23] The Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised Peruvians in the area to contact the Peruvian embassy in Egypt.[24] AsiaThe Indian external affairs ministry called for the preservation of Syria's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.[25] The ministry also said 90 Indian citizens were in Syria at the time which they were in contact with due to safety and security risks. By 13 December, the ministry evacuated 77 citizens who wanted to return while its embassy remained operational.[26] Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said his administration would intervene any attempts to disrupt Syrian territorial sovereignty, saying; "we cannot allow Syria to be divided again," Foreign minister Hakan Fidan, on 8 December, had cautioned Kurdish groups against "taking advantage of the situation" as part of Turkey's attempt to prevent Kurdish control of the country.[27] Border crossings in Jordan and Lebanon were closed.[28] Lebanese border officials at the Masnaa Border Crossing closed its gates as Syrians attempt to cross into Syria.[29] Meanwhile, citizens of neighboring countries reacted to the events positively. Iraq hosted 2,000 Syrian army troops who fled via the border town of Al-Qaim. Some injured soldiers received treatment in Iraq.[30] Israeli Defence Force chief, Herzi Halevi, said there would be more enforcements at the Syrian border as a precaution for potential "local factions" attacks.[11] On 8 December, ground forces in Israel entered Syrian territory via the demilitarized zone along the Israel-Syria border — the first such instance since 1973. Israeli forces captured the Syrian side of Mount Hermon and several other areas believed "essential for stabilizing control of the area." Halevi said that shortly after the Assad regime's collapse, Israel deployed its forces into Syrian territory.[31] Iran's foreign ministry published a statement stating that it "respects Syria's unity and national sovereignty" and pleaded for armed conflicts to immediately cease. The Iranian leadership said it was committed to international efforts supporting the political process and expressed confidence that their strong relations would persist.[32] Reza Pahlavi, the last heir apparent to the throne of the Imperial State of Iran and leader of the self-styled National Council of Iran, an exiled opposition group, hailed the fall of Assad regime as a signal of fall of Iranian regime.[33] Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf claimed that the Assad regime had disregarded Iran's warnings of an opposition offensive.[34] Several high-ranking officials from Assad's regime and their family allegedly sought refuge in Hezbollah-controlled southern Beirut. Several of them, including Ali Mamlouk, Ghada Adib Mhanna and Firas Issa Shaleesh, were staying at luxury hotels and guarded by security officers. According to Beirut-based news outlet Nidaa al-Watan, their escape was planned several days before the fall of Damascus and facilitated by Hezbollah. A Lebanese border general security officer may have also been bribed several hundred thousand dollars to allow them into Lebanon.[35] AfricaWhile thousands of Syrians in Egypt took to the street in victory, a few Egyptians were less enthusiastic, due to an uncertain future with the new ruling force. The government-favoring media in Egypt also received Assad's loss negatively with political commentators describing it an "ill omen for Arab security."[36] Refugees in the hundreds showed up at the Syrian border in Turkey and Lebanon as they were prepared to return to the country.[37] EuropeSyrian refugees in Paris, London, Stockholm, Helsinki and Athens took part in public celebrations.[28] Thousands of Syrians in Berlin, Germany, congregated along streets to celebrate the overthrow. In Neukölln, celebrators brought out the flag of the Syrian opposition and marched to Kreuzberg.[38] German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the end of the Assad regime was "good news" called for stability in the country. Similarly, the French foreign ministry also responded positively, adding that "the Syrian people have suffered too much.” Hakan Fidan, Turkey's minister of foreign affairs pleaded for the international community to "unite and reconstruct" the country.[28] The government of Switzerland suspended their asylum processings for Syrian nationals citing the need to evaluate whether they were eligible or should be deported.[39] Other European nations — including Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Belgium, Greece, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, and the United Kingdom — have all announced plans to pause asylum applications for Syrian people seeking asylum. This includes both new applications and those that are still being processed.[40][41] Also, several Nordic countries also suspended their asylum process. The German government said they were monitoring the situation in Syria while Hungary announced the deportation of Syrian refugees. German politician Alice Weidel called for their deportation, citing that because Syria was "free", their citizens do not have to escape the country anymore and hence should return. In response, the foreign ministry said Assad's downfall does not "guarantee [...] peaceful developments".[42] Supranational actorsUnited Nations relief chief Thomas Fletcher said on X (formerly Twitter) that the organisation was observing the events and concerned.[43] Special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, requested for urgent discussions to maintain an "orderly political transition".[29] On 9 December, after a confidential dicussion, American and Russian diplomats said the security council would publish a statement within several days. Russia's ambassador Vasily Nebenzya said the council generally agreed to ensure territorial sovereignty and unity, safeguarding civilians and for humanitarian aid to reach those in need. United States ambassador Ambassador Robert Wood also verified Nebenzya's statement. Both diplomats called the regime's collapse "unexpected". China’s ambassador, Fu Cong, emphasized an inclusive political process, stability, and preventing terrorist activities.[44] The European Union High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, stated that Assad's regime collapse was "a positive and long-awaited development. It also shows the weakness of Assad’s backers Russia and Iran." She added that maintaining security in the area was the highest priority. On X, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said; "The cruel Assad dictatorship has collapsed. This historic change in the region offers opportunities but is not without risks."[45] European Parliament president said "This is a critical period for the region and for the millions of Syrians who want a free, stable and secure future. What happens in the next hours and days matters."[32] General publicAmerican late night talk show host Jon Stewart mentioned the collapse of the Assad regime on The Daily Show and has described the fall "pure, and unalloyed joy".[46] Various celebrities inside the Arab world varied the regime's collapse across social media.[47] Around the world, exiled Syrian activists and diaspora celebrated the fall of Assad's regime.[48][49][50][51] Scholar analysisWriting for the Council on Foreign Relations, Steven A. Cook expressed concern about the future of Syria's state following Assad's downfall. Although the opposition led by Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) avoids extreme measures, it has a history of exercising brute force. Critics and opponents of group's leader, Abu Mohammad al-Julani, highlighted reports of abuses in HTS-controlled prisons in rebel-held Idlib Governorate. According to Cook, the mixed record suggests that while HTS aims to present itself as a more moderate force, it continues to exercise repressive governance in areas they control.[52] Jamie Dettmer of Politico said whether or not Syrian citizens have benefitted remains to be observed as the country has to develop without violent forces. In Idlib Governate, the HTS reduced their hostility towards the Christian and Druze communities. Upon gaining control of Aleppo, al-Julani ensured that the Christian population would be unharmed and church services proceeded without interruption. Citing an interview of al-Julani on CNN, the HTS's main agenda was to redevelop Syria.[53] Foreign Policy analyst Lina Khatib compared the regime's collapse to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. In both instances, a chain reaction of event sequences led to the wall's collapse. Similarly, Assad's downfall was contributed by external conflicts such as the Israel significantly weakening Hezbollah, Iran losing key proxy powers, and Russia’s involvement with the war in Ukraine has eroded its presence in the Middle East. Khatib argues that the end of Assad's rule signifies a weakening anti-Western and anti-Israel "resistance" attitude within the Middle East. It also alludes to a shift in power towards Israel and its Gulf allies and an emphasis on economic and security cooperation rather than conflict.[54] References
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