Residents of Damascus gathered at the historic Umayyad Mosque on Friday, December 13 2024, marking the first Friday prayers since rebels ousted Bashar al-Assad’s regime in a swift and decisive operation.
The prayers come as Syrians celebrate the end of Assad’s 13-year rule, which began to crumble after a prolonged civil war sparked by his regime’s violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests during the Arab Spring.
A coalition of rebel forces seized control of the capital in a surprise overnight offensive on Sunday, just 11 days after initiating a large-scale operation.
Assad, long supported by Russia, reportedly left the country following negotiations with the rebel groups, issuing instructions for a peaceful transition of power.
Interim Leadership Announced
In the aftermath of the regime’s fall, Mohammed al-Bashir has been appointed interim leader to oversee the country’s transition. Speaking on state television on Tuesday, al-Bashir revealed that representatives of the rebel coalition and the former government had agreed to his leadership role until March 1.
“Today, we held a cabinet meeting that included members from both the Salvation government in Idlib and the previous regime’s administration,” al-Bashir announced, signaling a collaborative effort to stabilize Syria.
The fall of Assad’s government has drawn international responses. Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the collapse of what he called Assad’s “barbaric regime,” emphasizing hope for a brighter future for Syria.
Russia, a key ally of Assad’s regime throughout the conflict, confirmed his departure from the country but highlighted the peaceful negotiations that facilitated the transfer of power.
A New Chapter for Syria
The end of Assad’s rule marks the beginning of a new chapter for Syria. With prayers resuming in Damascus and an interim leadership in place, Syrians are looking ahead with cautious optimism as efforts to establish stability and rebuild the nation take center stage.
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