Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government has fallen after 13 years of civil war, with his prime minister agreeing to transfer power to the rebel-led Salvation Government. The development follows a lightning offensive by insurgents who seized the capital, Damascus, forcing Assad to flee to Russia.
Prime Minister Mohammed Jalali confirmed plans to hand power to the Salvation Government, based in rebel-held northwest Syria. Negotiations between rebel commander Ahmed al-Sharaa (Abu Mohammed al-Golani) and Vice President Faisal Mekdad are in progress to establish a transitional government, with Mohamed al-Bashir anticipated to lead it.
The new administration is expected to be led by Mohamed al-Bashir, who previously headed the Salvation Government. Jalali described the handover as “imminent” but noted that full implementation could take several days. Rebel leaders have pledged a peaceful power transition and promised reforms aimed at stabilizing the war-ravaged country.
Residents in Damascus cautiously resumed their daily lives after the lifting of the curfew, despite the closure of many shops. Rebel fighters roamed Umayyad Square, expressing hope for stability.
The fall of Assad’s regime promptly triggered international reactions, prompting regional and global powers to reposition themselves. Qatar was the first Arab state to establish direct contact with the rebels, announcing plans to hold talks with Mohamed al-Bashir on Tuesday. The U.S. established indirect communication through intermediaries, while the United Kingdom hinted at possibly lifting HTS’s terrorist designation if the group demonstrated a credible commitment to governance and stability.
However, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that Islamic State militants could exploit the power vacuum to re-establish their presence in Syria. On Sunday, U.S. forces carried out airstrikes targeting 75 Islamic State positions in central Syria. Blinken stressed that the U.S. would continue counter-terrorism operations to prevent the group’s resurgence.
The collapse of Assad’s government signifies a major setback for minorities in the Middle East as well as Russian and Iranian governments that backed the Assad government. Though Russia’s military bases in Syria remain operational, their long-term status is uncertain. Despite the lack of formal agreements, rebel leaders have reportedly pledged to ensure the safety of Russian personnel.
In Assad’s Alawite heartland near Latakia, rebel commanders met with community elders, including influential leaders from Assad’s hometown of Qardaha, with a surprising development, as several Alawite leaders pledged support for the new administration, signaling a possible effort to avoid sectarian conflict and retribution.
However, tensions persist as Israel conducts airstrikes on former Syrian military sites, aiming to prevent heavy weapons from falling into hostile hands. Saudi Arabia condemned Israel’s actions, warning they could destabilize Syria further.
The war, which claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, left entire cities in ruins and reduced Syria’s economy to a shell of its former self, with key sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure requiring immediate international aid and investment.
As Syria’s new leadership prepares to assume power, the country faces the task of rebuilding a shattered nation while managing complex regional dynamics and lingering security threats. The road ahead promises to be uncertain.
