Islamic rabels
By Thabo Mosia
Syria is entering a historic transitional phase after Islamist-led rebels, under the leadership of Ahmed al-Sharaa (formerly Abu Mohammed al-Jolani), dramatically ousted President Bashar al-Assad following more than five decades of his family’s rule. The fall of Assad marks the end of a brutal era defined by widespread repression, torture, and a devastating war that claimed the lives of over 500,000 people and displaced millions.
The Collapse of the Assad Regime
On Sunday, Assad fled Syria as the rebels swept into Damascus, sealing a spectacular end to a rule characterised by human rights violations and systemic oppression. Assad inherited power from his father, Hafez al-Assad, whose regime relied heavily on an intricate network of prisons and detention centres to suppress dissent.
Thousands of Syrians gathered outside the notorious Saydnaya prison on Monday, hoping to reunite with missing loved ones. Many prisoners, weakened by years of torture and deprivation, have been freed since the rebels began their offensive on 27 November, opening prison gates and exposing the horrors within.
Aida Taha, 65, who has been searching for her brother arrested in 2012, described the grim scenes. “I ran like crazy to get to the prison. Some of the prisoners were still in the basements. There are three or four floors underground,” she said.
Crowds of freed detainees, visibly marked by years of abuse, wandered the streets of Damascus. The incoming leadership has pledged to prosecute former regime officials responsible for atrocities. Sharaa stated, “We will not hesitate to hold accountable the criminals, murderers, security and army officers involved in torturing the Syrian people.”
The Transitional Phase
Sharaa met with outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali on Monday to coordinate a peaceful transfer of power and ensure the provision of essential services. The Syrian parliament and the ruling Baath party have expressed their support for this transitional period, emphasising the need for unity and justice in rebuilding Syria.
Despite concerns over its Islamist roots, Sharaa’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has sought to moderate its image in recent years. The group’s leadership has pledged to uphold the rights of all Syrians, regardless of ethnicity or religion.
International Reactions
The international community has reacted cautiously to Assad’s ouster. Germany and France issued a joint statement offering to collaborate with Syria’s new leadership, contingent upon their commitment to fundamental human rights and minority protections.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, currently in Saudi Arabia, stressed that HTS must unequivocally reject terrorism and violence before the United Kingdom considers engagement. Similarly, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed America’s focus on preventing the resurgence of the Islamic State (IS) and ensuring Syria’s stability.
Russia, Assad’s primary ally during the war, remains silent on his whereabouts amid reports he may have fled to Moscow. The Kremlin has raised the opposition’s flag at Syria’s embassy in Moscow, signalling a potential shift in its stance towards the new leadership.
Regional Dynamics
Assad’s fall has triggered significant geopolitical shifts in the region. Israel has conducted over 100 airstrikes targeting former regime military sites, suspected chemical weapons facilities, and naval assets. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar described these strikes as a “limited and temporary” security measure in the wake of Assad’s collapse.
Lebanese Hezbollah, a staunch ally of Assad, has condemned the strikes and accused Israel of exploiting the situation to expand its control over the Golan Heights.
Meanwhile, tensions continue in northern Syria, where a Turkish drone strike killed 11 civilians, including six children, in a Kurdish-controlled area. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the attack is part of Turkey’s ongoing military campaign against Kurdish forces.
Syria’s Rebirth
In central Damascus, the mood was one of jubilation despite uncertainties about the future. Rim Ramadan, a civil servant, expressed relief, saying, “It’s indescribable. We never thought this nightmare would end. We are reborn.”
For many Syrians, this transitional period represents an opportunity to rebuild their lives and their nation. Social media platforms have been flooded with messages from families searching for missing loved ones, such as Fadwa Mahmoud, who wrote, “Where are you, Maher and Abdel Aziz? It’s time for me to hear your news.”
The task ahead for Syria’s new leadership is immense. The international community, wary of the HTS’s Islamist roots, is watching closely to ensure the country does not descend into further chaos. The transitional government’s ability to deliver justice, rebuild institutions, and foster inclusivity will determine Syria’s trajectory in the years to come.
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