The Fall of Assad's Regime

The rebel forces in Syria achieved a historic and rapid victory by retaking key cities, including Damascus, in just eight days, marking the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime which had been in power for over fifty years. Images of jubilation spread as residents celebrated the end of Assad's brutal rule, tearing down statues and raiding his presidential palace. This dramatic shift was surprising given Assad's prior reputation, which included initial optimism about his leadership, but ultimately revealed his severe repression and brutality toward dissenters. The collapse of his regime raised questions about the Syrian people's future and the potential of the groups that ousted Assad, especially given their previous associations with extremist movements.