Syria Crisis: US prediction comes true as Bashar al-Assad regime ends in Syria, president flies to…, Russia says…

Syria's army command has notified officers that President Bashar al-Assad's 24-year authoritarian rule has ended

Syria Crisis: Syria’s army command has informed officers that President Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year authoritarian rule has come to an end, according to a Syrian officer who shared the information with Reuters, following a swift rebel offensive that caught the world off guard. Syria has been witnessing chaotic scenes after reports suggested that Bashar al-Assad has fled, fearing the advancing rebels. It’s been long since Bashar al-Assad was last seen in the capital, Damascus, fueling speculation about his escape. The rebels are now on the brink of overthrowing the regime, having captured several major cities.

According to the reports, the complete takeover of Syria by the rebels could happen at any moment, as they have surrounded Damascus and are at the gates of the capital. While the US appears pleased with the unfolding events, Russia is likely far from happy with the situation.

The head of Syria’s main opposition group abroad Hadi al-Bahra Syrian on Sunday also declared that Damascus is now “without Bashar al-Assad”.

Thousands in cars and on foot congregated at a main square in Damascus waving and chanting “Freedom” from the long Assad family rule, witnesses said “We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains and announcing the end of the era of injustice in Sednaya prison,” said the rebels. Sednaya is a large military prison on the outskirts Damascus where the Syrian government detained thousands.

A Syrian Air plane took off from Damascus airport around the time the capital was reported to have been taken by rebels, according to data from the Flightradar website. The aircraft initially flew towards Syria’s coastal region, a stronghold of Assad’s Alawite sect, but then made an abrupt U-turn and flew in the opposite direction for a few minutes before disappearing off the map.

US Pleased, Russia Unhappy

The United States is reportedly pleased with the current situation in Syria, while Russia remains anxious. To recall, US officials had predicted that Assad’s government will fall within just a few days. Newly elected President Donald Trump has expressed his satisfaction with the unfolding situation, stating clearly that whatever happens in Syria is not America’s fight.

What Trump Said:

Trump posted on X, stating, “Opposition fighters in Syria have taken an unprecedented step, capturing several cities with remarkable coordination. Now, they are on the outskirts of Damascus, clearly preparing for a major action to remove Assad. Russia doesn’t seem to be doing much about it. Already bogged down in the Ukraine war and having lost over 600,000 soldiers, Russia appears incapable of stopping the impending assault in Syria, despite having defended the country for years. This is where former President Barack Obama failed to honor his ‘red line’ promise, and the consequences are well known. Russia stepped in to take charge, but now they, and perhaps Assad himself, are being forced to retreat, and that could actually be the best outcome. Russia never gained much from Syria, except proving Obama wrong. Nevertheless, Syria is in dire straits. It’s not our ally, and the U.S. should have no involvement. This is not our fight. Leave it to them. The U.S. will not engage.”