Syrian rebel forces have set fire to the tomb of former President Hafez al-Assad, father of ousted leader Bashar al-Assad, marking a symbolic end to the Assad family’s 54-year rule.
Videos circulating online on Wednesday show armed fighters, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), chanting as they ignite the mausoleum in Qardaha, the Assad family’s hometown in Latakia province.
The offensive led by HTS and allied factions has swept through Syria, culminating in the fall of Damascus and forcing Bashar al-Assad and his family to flee to Russia, where they have been granted asylum.
The collapse of the Assad regime has elicited varied international reactions. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attributed the regime’s downfall to interference by the U.S., Israel, and an unnamed neighboring state.
HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, now going by his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa, has pledged to uphold Syria’s religious and cultural diversity.
A transitional government under Mohammed al-Bashir has been established to lead the country until March 2025. Efforts are underway to transition power from the remnants of the Assad administration, with HTS leaders meeting local elders in Qardaha to secure their support and emphasize unity.
Despite reassurances, some members of the Alawite minority, historically aligned with the Assad regime, fear potential retribution.
In Damascus, residents report a return to normalcy after years of conflict, with shops reopening and markets bustling, fostering a renewed sense of freedom.
Meanwhile, Israel has intensified airstrikes on Syrian military targets, citing the need to prevent emerging threats, while the U.S. has expressed conditional support for Syria’s new leadership, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and protection of minority rights.
