Breaking: Bashar al-Assad regime falls as opposition forces declare Syria “free”

The regime of President Bashar al-Assad has collapsed, with opposition forces announcing that the embattled leader has fled the country following weeks of intense clashes with pro-government forces.

Rebel factions declared Syria “free,” describing al-Assad as a “tyrant” and marking the event as the dawn of a new era.

“It is the end of a dark era and the beginning of a new one,” HTS stated via Telegram.

The group further called on displaced citizens and former prisoners of the regime to return, promising a “new Syria” where “everyone lives in peace and justice prevails.”

Bashar al-Assad rose to power in July 2000, succeeding his father, Hafez al-Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly three decades.

Initially perceived as a reformist, the former medical student’s tenure turned increasingly authoritarian.

When democracy protests erupted in 2011, his regime responded with a brutal crackdown, sparking a civil war that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.

Over the years, al-Assad was accused of widespread human rights abuses, including the use of chemical weapons against civilians.

Despite holding elections in government-controlled areas, these were widely criticized as undemocratic.

His ability to maintain power stemmed largely from the backing of loyal supporters, including members of the Alawite sect and international allies.

Now, with his regime toppled, opposition forces promise a new chapter for Syria, though the challenges of rebuilding the war-torn nation loom large.