The news of Bashar al-Assad’s rule coming to an end marks a monumental turning point in Syria’s protracted civil war. The swift rebel advances that culminated in the fall of Damascus and the key city of Homs demonstrated the fragility of Assad’s hold on power. Rebels, who had once been driven to the peripheries of the country, regained substantial ground in a matter of days. The streets of Homs reportedly erupted in jubilant celebrations, with people chanting, “Assad is gone, Homs is free,” while the regime’s forces fled the city. Similar scenes unfolded in Damascus, where reports of Assad’s departure coincided with a surge of celebratory crowds.
Despite jubilation, the real test lies ahead. It remains to be seen how diverse rebel factions will coordinate and govern the territory they now control. The fractured nature of Syria’s opposition groups raises serious concerns about possibility of a power struggle. The last thing Syria needs is another round of internal conflict that would only prolong the suffering of Syrian people.
This is where the message from Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali is encouraging. In the face of this uncertain future, al-Jalali pledged to support ‘any leadership the people choose,’ offering to cooperate with all parties to ensure a smooth and systematic transition of power. His commitment to preserving state institutions and facilitating a peaceful transfer of power is critical.
The prime minister’s willingness to work with a new leadership could provide a much-needed bridge to a unified Syria, one that focuses on rebuilding rather than further division. International powers and regional actors also have a pivotal role to play in ensuring Syria’s future stability. They must resist the temptation to take sides in any post-Assad power struggle. Instead, they should come together to support a peaceful transition and providing humanitarian assistance to those affected by the war. The Syrian people, who have endured unimaginable hardship, deserve the opportunity to build a more peaceful and just future. The priority must be to prevent a return to violence and division and to allow Syria to heal. The world must stand with the people of Syria in this critical moment, providing support necessary to rebuild a country ravaged by years of war.
