Rebels Topple Assad as Russia Abandons Syrian Regime

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been deposed and has fled to Russia, effectively ending his 13-year authoritarian rule that was marked by a devastating civil war. According to Russian state media TASS, Assad and his family have been granted asylum in Moscow following a decisive offensive by Syrian rebel forces that saw opposition fighters successfully capturing Damascus on Sunday morning.

The collapse of Assad’s regime has sent shockwaves through the Middle East, with geopolitical analysts suggesting a redrawing the political dynamics  of Syria and the Middle East. What makes this development remarkable is the apparent abandonment of Assad by his traditional allies, Russia and Iran, who failed to provide support during the conflict’s critical final stages.

US President-elect Donald Trump was quick to comment on the situation, describing Assad’s downfall as a result of diminished support from his primary backers. “His protector, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was no longer interested in protecting him,” Trump stated, pointing to Russia’s ongoing challenges in Ukraine and Iran’s military setbacks.

Despite hosting Assad, the Kremlin seems to be strategically repositioning itself. A Kremlin source told TASS that Russia remains committed to a political settlement and is already engaging with Syrian rebel leadership. “We are in touch with representatives of the armed Syrian opposition, who have guaranteed the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic missions in Syria,” the source revealed.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has also weighed in, promising support for Syria’s transition. “We will work with the Syrian people to determine the country’s future,” he pledged, signaling international commitment to Syria’s next chapter.