Syrian rebels declared President Bashar Assad’s ouster after seizing control of Damascus on Dec. 8, ending his family’s iron-fisted rule after more than 13 years of civil war in a seismic moment for the Middle East.
The Islamist rebels also dealt a major blow to the influence of Russia and Iran in the region, key allies who propped up Assad during critical moments in the civil war.
Syria’s army command notified officers on Dec. 8 that Assad’s regime had ended, a Syrian officer told Reuters.
Assad, who had crushed all forms of dissent, flew out of Damascus earlier on Dec. 8, two senior army officers told Reuters, as rebels said they had entered the capital with no sign of army deployments.
Thousands in cars and on foot congregated at a main square in Damascus waving and chanting “Freedom” from a half-century of Assad family rule, witnesses said.
The pace of events has stunned Arab capitals and raised fears of a new wave of regional instability.
Western governments, which have shunned the Assad-led state for years, must decide how to deal with a new administration in which a globally designated terrorist group – Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) – looks set to have influence. (Reuters)
毎週届く！
