Syrian President ousted, ending 54-year dynasty as rebels take over

The Syrian government has fallen, bringing an end to the Assad family’s rule as its president is reported to have fled Damascus on a plane to an unspecified location.

Rebel forces announced on state television today that President Bashar al-Assad has been ousted following 13 years of conflict.

The President departed before the rebel force advanced further as it swept the country, according to reports from Reuters.

Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali said that the government was prepared to “extend its hand” and relinquish its functions to a transitional government.

In a video message, he said: “I am in my house and I have not left, and this is because of my belonging to this country.”

He added: “I have not left it and do not intend to leave, except in a peaceful manner that ensures the continued functioning of public institutions and state facilities, promoting security and reassurance for our fellow citizens.”

He confirmed that he would return to his office the next day and urged Syrians to not vandalise public property, although the Prime Minister did not discuss reports that Assad had fled the country.

Rami Abdurrahman from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, along with Reuters, has said that Assad boarded a plane to leave Damascus, the country’s capital.

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The same was reported by Iran’s state television which has backed Assad consistently throughout his rule during the years of war in Syria.

The Syrian government did not provide a statement, although they have denied the reports that Assad left the country.

Groups of people have congregated at a main square in the city centre to celebrate, while people called out “God is great” from mosques across the area.

The rebels’ advancement this weekend has marked the first time they have reached Damascus since 2018 when troops regained land outside the capital.

Sham FM Radio – a pro-government outlet – has claimed that all flights from Damascus International Airport have been halted, after rebels were said to have captured it, along with the TV building yesterday.

Rebels said: “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.”

Sednaya prison is a large military building outside Damascus where the Syrian government imprisoned thousands of individuals during its rule.

Syria has been plagued with 13 years of war and the deaths of hundreds of thousands of citizens, driving millions to flee the country as refugees.

Now, the fallen regime has brought about questions of the Middle East’s stability and its future within the region.