On Sunday, Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced that President Bashar al-Assad had resigned and left Syria, marking a shocking downfall for the longtime ruler who had relied on support from Moscow and Tehran to resist rebel forces for years, according to reporting by the New York Times and other media.
Mr. al-Assad’s departure followed a swift offensive by rebels opposed to his rule, marking a seismic moment in Syria’s history. His family had governed the country with a tight grip since the early 1970s. This development represented a significant breakthrough for rebel factions that have spent over a decade trying to oust him, much of it during a devastating civil war.
For many Syrians, Mr. al-Assad’s exit symbolized hope, freeing them from a regime that had used brutal methods to suppress freedoms. However, it also ushered in a period of uncertainty regarding Syria’s future leadership and raised fears of a potential power vacuum, given the fragmented factions vying for territorial control.
The Russian Foreign Ministry provided no details about Mr. al-Assad’s whereabouts, stating only that he had engaged in discussions with “several parties of the armed conflict.” The Syrian presidency did not comment on his resignation.
Earlier on Sunday, the primary rebel coalition, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, announced via its Telegram channel that it had taken control of Damascus, prompting the withdrawal of Syrian forces.
State television initially praised Mr. al-Assad’s defenses but later aired an announcement from nine rebels. “The city of Damascus has been liberated, the tyrant Bashar al-Assad has been toppled,” one rebel declared, adding, “Long live a free and independent Syria for all Syrians of all sects.”
These developments culminated in a dramatic two-week period during which a coalition of rebel groups, previously confined to a small region in Syria’s northwest, advanced through major cities, breaking a long-standing stalemate in Syria’s 13-year civil war.
Iran’s foreign ministry emphasized in a statement that determining Syria’s future is “solely the responsibility” of the Syrian people. The ministry advocated for a national dialogue involving all sectors of Syrian society to establish a new government. Iran has been a major supporter of the Assad regime.
However, concerns about the rebel takeover have emerged, particularly among Christians. The Christian Post reported earlier this month that militants had begun removing Christmas decorations and had beheaded captured soldiers. The Iraqi Christian Foundation urged prayers for Christians and other minorities in Aleppo.
Christian Solidarity International, a human rights organization based in Switzerland, expressed alarm over Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s control of Aleppo, likening it to the Islamic State’s 2014 seizure of Mosul. The group highlighted HTS’ history of enforcing a strict Sunni supremacist ideology, which has instilled fear among Aleppo’s diverse religious communities, including Christians, Alawites, Shiites, and non-observant Sunnis.
The United Nations’ Commission of Inquiry on Syria has documented HTS’ harsh governance, which includes executions, torture, sexual violence, arbitrary detentions, and the desecration of religious sites. These practices echo the severe rule experienced during their earlier control from 2012 to 2016.
Christian Daily International has seen many prayer requests sent from Christians in the country, some also acknowledging that the situation changes from moment to moment, making it difficult to understand what will happen next.
Echoing what will likely be the hope of many Christians in Syria, one Christian leader said: “We are praying for God's protection so that His perfect good will be done in Syria. May Lord rule over our nations by His love, justice, mercy, and sovereignty. No more blood, no more revenge, no more casualties.”
