Syrians rally with an independence-era flag, a symbol of resistance since the 2011 uprising. AFP
Syrians rally with an independence-era flag, a symbol of resistance since the 2011 uprising. AFP

2024 - The fall of Bashar Assad

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Updated 19 April 2025
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2024 - The fall of Bashar Assad

2024 - The fall of Bashar Assad
  • With his allies in disarray, The Syrian president fled the country as opposition forces took Damascus, leaving the future of Syria uncertain

DUBAI: After almost 14 years of civil war, the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people and the displacement of millions, the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad collapsed more suddenly and dramatically than anyone thought possible.

In the early hours of Dec. 8, 2024, as rebel forces bore down on the capital, Assad boarded a Russian military aircraft and flew to Hmeimim airbase, near Latakia. From there, he and his sons, Hafez and Karim, flew to Moscow where his wife, Asma, and their daughter, Zein, had already taken refuge.

It marked the end of more than 50 years of a dynastic rule that began with his father, Hafez, who seized power in a bloodless military coup d’etat in 1970 and, upon his death in 2000, was succeeded by his son.

The following day, state media in Russia, the country that had been Assad’s greatest ally throughout the civil war, confirmed that he had been granted asylum.

How we wrote it




With a special all-black edition, Arab News devoted its entire front page to the “historic day” that ended 53 years of Assad rule.

A coalition of opposition forces, led by the group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, had launched an operation, codename “Deterrence of Aggression,” in Idlib, northwestern Syria, just 12 days earlier. It was the single-largest rebel offensive since 2020, and unlike previous efforts, this time the opposition fighters had geopolitical events on their side, as a result of which Assad found his forces collapsing around him.

With Russia still entangled in Ukraine and Iran preoccupied with Israeli attacks on its proxies in Yemen and Lebanon, morale among Syrian regime forces quickly crumbled when they realized that no one would be coming to their aid this time.

In the face of the lightning advance of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham and its allies, Iranian troops melted away into Iraq, and Russian units fell back to the ports of Latakia and Tartous.

In neighboring Lebanon, Assad’s long-time ally, Hezbollah, had suffered major blows in its war against Israel and was in no position to help defend him.

In hindsight, it became apparent that the assassination three months earlier of Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, had been a pivotal moment in the unravelling of Assad’s network of support.

Ever since 2013, when he had announced Hezbollah was fighting in Syria, Nasrallah had been the driving force behind Hezbollah’s defense of the Syrian regime.

In a speech in May 2013 to mark the anniversary of Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000, Nasrallah said “If Syria falls in the hands of America, Israel and the takfiris, the people of our region will go into a dark period.

“If Syria falls,” he added, “Palestine will be lost.”

On Sept. 27, 2024, Nasrallah was among dozens killed when Israeli aircraft struck Hezbollah’s headquarters in southern Beirut.

With its hands already full dealing with Israel’s incursions into Lebanon, with Nasrallah’s death Hezbollah was effectively removed from the Syrian equation.

Key Dates

  • 1

    International Committee of the Red Cross confirms the Arab Spring uprising against Syrian President Bashar Assad, which began in March the previous year, has escalated into civil war.

    Timeline Image July 15, 2012

  • 2

    Iran sends Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps troops into Syria in support of Assad regime.

    Timeline Image June 9, 2013

  • 3

    Russia launches military intervention in Syria to protect Assad regime.

  • 4

    Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran.

  • 5

    Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah assassinated in Beirut.

  • 6

    After 14 years of conflict, a coalition of opposition forces led by the group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham launches a surprise attack, codename Operation Deterrence of Aggression.

    Timeline Image Nov. 27, 2024

  • 7

    Northern city of Aleppo falls to the opposition after brief battle.

  • 8

    The opposition captures Hama and Homs in swift succession.

    Timeline Image Dec. 5-8, 2024

  • 9

    Damascus falls and Assad flees the country.

    Timeline Image Dec. 8, 2024

Assad was therefore left alone to face the reality of a staunch opposition bolstered by the cumulative effects of his ruthless regime on ordinary Syrians. The combined impacts of economic collapse, territorial fragmentation, decimated infrastructure, and widespread poverty affecting more than 90 percent of the population had turned even once-loyal soldiers into disillusioned cynics who, when the crunch came, chose to drop their weapons rather than fight for the president against opposition forces.

The overthrow of the Assad regime, together with the decapitation of the leaderships of Hezbollah and Hamas, have contributed to the impression that the so-called “Axis of Resistance,” an informal alliance between Iran, Iraq, Syria and militant groups in the region, has been weakened to the point where it cannot recover.

For the Syrian people, the fall of Assad marked the return of hope. The world watched as Syrians took to the streets in celebration and thousands of political prisoners were released from the regime’s notorious regime prisons.

As foreign governments and media wondered what to expect from Ahmad Al-Sharaa, the former Al-Qaeda fighter who led Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham and its allies to their remarkable victory, many exiled Syrians began planning their return home, more than a decade after the start of a civil war that created the largest refugee crisis since the Second World War.

According to UNHCR, the UN’s refugee agency, more than 6.3 million Syrians are scattered across the world. Large numbers of them are languishing in makeshift shelters in refugee camps along Syria’s borders.

After the fall of Assad, events moved fast. Al-Sharaa, who was at pains to make clear that the success of his forces was a victory for all Syrians, announced the creation of an inclusive transitional government.




Jubilant Syrians mark the ousting of President Bashar Assad in Damascus’ Umayyad Square. AFP 

He has held a series of meetings with representatives of foreign governments, including Russia. On Feb. 12, President Vladimir Putin and Al-Sharaa spoke in person for the first time. The Kremlin later said “the Russian side emphasized its principled position in support of the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Syrian state.”

Al-Sharaa also had a meeting with a US delegation that traveled to Syria in December, which the Americans described as “productive.” Washington subsequently rescinded a $10 million reward it offered seven years ago for his capture.

Also among the more significant foreign visitors Al-Sharaa received during a busy few weeks was the Saudi foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan. Riyadh, the prince said, was working to help the new authorities in Syria free themselves from previously imposed international sanctions.

On Jan. 30, the day after Al-Sharaa was named interim president of Syria by the transitional government, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated him on his appointment.

Assad left Syria in ruins. The interim government and its new president are at the start of a complex process to reintroduce stability and quell unrest, while addressing the pressing challenges Syria faces, including national reconciliation, economic recovery, and the restoration of the country’s relationships with the international community.

On Jan. 31, during his first speech as president, Al-Sharaa addressed the “defiant” Syrian men and women who helped liberate the country, and the “oppressed,” as he vowed to “pursue the criminals who shed Syrian blood and committed massacres and crimes.”

While the actions of the interim government seem promising so far, the Syrian people are moving forward into a new era with an optimism that remains tempered by caution.

  • Nadia Al Faour is a regional correspondent for Arab News. She previously contributed to international publications such as The Guardian and USA Today.


Saudi FM arrives in Madrid for talks on Gaza crisis and two-state solution conference

Saudi FM arrives in Madrid for talks on Gaza crisis and two-state solution conference
Updated 1 min 37 sec ago
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Saudi FM arrives in Madrid for talks on Gaza crisis and two-state solution conference

Saudi FM arrives in Madrid for talks on Gaza crisis and two-state solution conference
  • Upcoming conference will be co-chaired by the Kingdom and France

MADRID: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Madrid on Saturday to take part in an expanded ministerial meeting convened by the committee formed during the Extraordinary Joint Arab-Islamic Summit on developments in the Gaza Strip, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The meeting, which includes representatives from the Madrid Group and several European nations, will address the latest developments in both Gaza and the West Bank, with a focus on efforts to halt the ongoing conflict and alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

Discussions will also include preparations for a high-level international conference on the two-state solution, set to take place at the United Nations headquarters in New York this June.

The upcoming conference will be co-chaired by the Kingdom and France.


WWF-Pakistan hails community-led efforts to protect markhor on international awareness day

WWF-Pakistan hails community-led efforts to protect markhor on international awareness day
Updated 25 min 44 sec ago
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WWF-Pakistan hails community-led efforts to protect markhor on international awareness day

WWF-Pakistan hails community-led efforts to protect markhor on international awareness day
  • Markhors are large wild goats native to the mountainous regions of South and Central Asia
  • They are Pakistan’s national animal and are currently listed as ‘Near Threatened’ by IUCN

KARACHI: A leading conservation group in Pakistan on Saturday praised local communities for helping protect the endangered markhor species, saying people’s efforts had reversed population decline and expanded habitat ranges, as the country marked the International Day of the Markhor.

Markhors are large wild goats native to the mountainous regions of South and Central Asia, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and parts of the Himalayan range. They are Pakistan’s national animal and are currently listed as “Near Threatened” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the world’s oldest and largest global environmental network, due to habitat loss, poaching and human disturbance.

The World Wide Fund for Nature’s Pakistan office (WWF-Pakistan) credited close coordination between communities, conservationists and government departments in regions such as Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan for positive conservation outcomes.

“Through capacity-building programs and engagement of local communities in conservation initiatives, a positive population trend has been observed in the markhor species,” it said in a statement.

Observed annually on May 24, the International Day of the Markhor was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2024 to raise awareness of the species’ ecological importance and the need for its protection.

“Conservation is not just about saving a species, but it is about preserving our shared future in harmony with nature,” said Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General of WWF-Pakistan.

The organization noted the International Day of the Markhor was an opportunity to recognize the ecological value of mountain landscapes, raise awareness of conservation challenges and honor the communities that helped pull the species back from the brink of extinction.


Lando Norris shrugs off gremlins with record lap for Monaco pole

Lando Norris shrugs off gremlins with record lap for Monaco pole
Updated 5 min 26 sec ago
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Lando Norris shrugs off gremlins with record lap for Monaco pole

Lando Norris shrugs off gremlins with record lap for Monaco pole
  • 25-year-old Briton clocked a best lap in one minute and 9.954 seconds to outpace local hero and last year’s winner Charles Leclerc

MONACO: Lando Norris shrugged off his gremlins and revived his world championship bid on Saturday when he became the fastest driver in the history of the Monaco Grand Prix to claim pole position for Sunday’s classic race.

Driving with impeccable judgment, pace and purpose, the 25-year-old Briton clocked a best lap in one minute and 9.954 seconds to outpace local hero and last year’s winner Charles Leclerc of Ferrari by 0.109.

It was the first time any driver had lapped the sinuous barrier-lined Mediterranean street circuit in less than 70 seconds and came only seconds after Leclerc had appeared to have secured his fourth Monaco pole position.

For Norris it was his first Monaco pole, his second this year and the 11th of his career — and a critical advantage for the slowest and shortest circuit of the season where only 10 drivers have won from lower than third on the grid since 1950.

While a disappointed Leclerc lamented traffic that hampered his first flying run, affecting his overall rhythm, Norris was buoyant after ending a dismal run in qualifying and falling 13 points behind McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri in the drivers’ title race.

“The team has done a fantastic job so thank you to everyone here and back at the factory,” he said. “These days don’t come easy and I am proud to give something back to them.

“It’s been a long time coming. I feel good and I don’t think you realize how good this feels with quite a few struggles over the last couple of months, especially here in Monaco. It’s a beautiful place and the hardest track probably to do it.

“Up against the home-town hero (Leclerc), I’m very proud of the whole team so I am pleased after all the hard work in the last few months.”

Norris’s McLaren team-mate and championship leader Oscar Piastri was third ahead of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton in the second Ferrari, four-time champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull and remarkable rookie Isack Hadjar of RB.

Norris agreed that his mentality had been a key part of his success after admitting to self-doubts in recent weeks.

“Honestly, that’s the tricky part and to consistently find a lap time because you know it’s what the others are going to be doing and improving more and more.

“You’ve got to take a similar amount of risks, but when you get to Q3, the final lap is just about who can risk a little bit more and commit a little bit more.

“It was a nice and well put together lap and it feels very good when you cross the line and you know it’s all paid off.”

He said he had not considered the mandatory two pit-stops strategy required on Sunday.

“Honestly, at the minute, I have no idea. I’m going to enjoy today and I’ve worked hard for today. I’m happy with qualifying and I’m going to live the moment a little bit and then I will focus on tomorrow.”

Team-mate Piastri, who leads him by 13 points after seven of this year’s 24 races, admitted he had endured a messy two days of practice and qualifying.

“I think I’ve hit more walls this weekend than I have in my whole career so it’s been untidy. I’ve been struggling to get into the groove a little bit and I think in qualifying I was much happier with things and I felt pretty good.

“We’ve been doing some digging this weekend and to come out with this result is a decent effort.”

He added: “We’re in good positions, but it’s still going to be an exciting race tomorrow with the two-stop so let’s see what happens.”

Last year’s winner and local hero Leclerc said: “I’m just frustrated. We know we don’t have the car for wins this year.”


Saudi minister of state for foreign affairs meets US delegation in Riyadh

Saudi minister of state for foreign affairs meets US delegation in Riyadh
Updated 40 min 43 sec ago
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Saudi minister of state for foreign affairs meets US delegation in Riyadh

Saudi minister of state for foreign affairs meets US delegation in Riyadh
  • Two sides review relations between countries, regional, international developments 

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir met a delegation from the US House of Representatives on Saturday at the ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The delegation was headed by Michael Lawler, member of Congress and the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee.

The two sides reviewed the long-standing relations between Saudi Arabia and the US, and also discussed key regional and international developments, as well as issues of mutual concern, the SPA added.

The meeting followed the visit of US President Donald Trump to the Kingdom earlier this month and reflects ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two nations.


Djokovic becomes third man to win 100 ATP titles with Geneva victory

Djokovic becomes third man to win 100 ATP titles with Geneva victory
Updated 32 min 29 sec ago
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Djokovic becomes third man to win 100 ATP titles with Geneva victory

Djokovic becomes third man to win 100 ATP titles with Geneva victory
  • The 38-year-old recovered from losing the first set to clinch a 5-7, 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/2) win
  • “I had to work for it, that’s for sure,” said Djokovic, who is the first man to win titles in 20 consecutive years

GENEVA: Novak Djokovic became just the third man to win 100 ATP titles with a typically dramatic comeback victory over Hubert Hurkacz in the final of the Geneva Open on Saturday.

The 38-year-old, playing in Switzerland in a bid to find form ahead of the French Open, recovered from losing the first set to clinch a 5-7, 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/2) win after three hours and five minutes on court.

Djokovic joins Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer as the only players with a century of tour titles.

“I had to work for it, that’s for sure. He was probably closer to the victory the entire match than me,” said Djokovic, who is the first man to win titles in 20 consecutive years.

“I was just trying to hang in there... this is what happens at this level. A few points decide it, an incredible match... and I’m delighted to clinch the 100 here.”

It was the former world number one’s first tournament triumph since clinching his maiden Olympic gold medal against Carlos Alcaraz at the Paris Games last summer.

Djokovic had lost both of his previous matches on clay this season prior to the Geneva tournament, against Alejandro Tabilo and Matteo Arnaldi at the Monte Carlo and Madrid Masters respectively.

But he decided to play at the low-key clay-court event in a bid to find form ahead of the start of the year’s second Grand Slam event on Sunday at Roland Garros, where the Serb will be targeting a record-breaking 25th major singles trophy.

It was Djokovic’s first tournament since splitting from coach and old rival Andy Murray, but he showed no ill-effects.

Poland’s former world number six Hurkacz, now ranked 31st, is still waiting for his first title since April 2024.

“It’s really inspiring how you conduct yourself on and off the court,” Hurkacz said to Djokovic.

The three-time Roland Garros champion starts his French Open campaign against American Mackenzie McDonald on either Monday or Tuesday.

After a tight start, Djokovic saw two break points come and go in the fifth game as Hurkacz battled to keep the first set on serve.

The opener appeared to be meandering toward a tie-break until Djokovic cracked in game 12, following a loose forehand at deuce with a double-fault on set point to give Hurkacz a one-set advantage.

Hurkacz dug deep to secure a hard-fought hold to kick off the second set, staving off another break point.

The second set followed a similar pattern to the first, but this time Djokovic was able to hold at 6-5 down to force a tie-break with an ace.

The Serb found his groove in the breaker, reeling off four straight points to send the match into a deciding set.

But Djokovic immediately gave up his serve in the first game of the third set, serving a double-fault when 40-30 up and then blasting a backhand long on break point.

Hurkacz then reeled off three successive holds to love to edge toward the title, only to crumble in the eighth game of the decider with two unforced errors and a double-fault to gift Djokovic a way back into the final.

The Pole gathered himself to secure a deciding tie-break in a tense 12th game.

But he crumbled at the crucial moments with back-to-back errors from 3-2 behind in the breaker, leaving Djokovic to reach yet another milestone in his illustrious career with an ace.