What's happened
Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria has collapsed following a rapid rebel offensive that captured Damascus. Assad has fled to Russia, leaving a power vacuum amid hopes for a new political landscape. The future remains uncertain as various factions vie for control and the humanitarian crisis deepens.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Selcan Hacaoglu from Bloomberg, the fall of Assad's regime marks a significant shift after over a decade of civil strife, emphasizing the need for cohesive opposition forces to fill the power vacuum. Christine Jardine in The Scotsman highlights the rapid nature of the regime's collapse and the uncertainty surrounding the future leadership of Syria. Meanwhile, the South China Morning Post captures the emotional reactions of displaced Syrians, expressing hope for a new beginning while acknowledging the risks of further instability. Michael Safi from The Guardian notes the regime's brutal history and the potential for a new political landscape, but warns of the challenges ahead in establishing a stable government.
How we got here
The Assad regime ruled Syria for over 50 years, marked by brutal repression and a devastating civil war that began in 2011. The recent rebel offensive, which gained momentum in the northwest, culminated in the swift capture of the capital, Damascus.
More on these topics
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Bashar Hafez al-Assad is a Syrian politician who has been the President of Syria since 17 July 2000. In addition, he is commander-in-chief of the Syrian Armed Forces and Regional Secretary of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party's branch in Syria.
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Syria, officially the Syrian Arab Republic, is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon to the southwest, the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest.
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Damascus; Arabic: دمشق, romanized: Dimašq, Syrian Arabic: is the capital of Syria; it is also the country's largest city, following the decline in population of Aleppo due to the battle for the city.