Syrian Rebels Set Reception Hall At Damascus Presidential Palace On Fire As al-Assad Family Rule Ends
Syrians stormed the presidential palace in Damascus, marking the end of President Assad's rule and sparking celebrations in the capital. Videos showed people wandering around looting items from the palace.
Syrian opposition fighters have taken control of the presidential palace in Damascus, marking the end of President Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year reign and the al-Assad family’s 53-year rule. The rapid offensive by the opposition, known as the Operations Room to Conquer Damascus, has led to widespread celebrations in the capital, signalling a new era for Syria.
The reception hall at the Damascus presidential palace was set on fire, news agency AFP reported.
In a video aired on state television on Sunday, a group of men declared al-Assad had been overthrown, with all prisoners reportedly set free. According to Al Jazeera, the group called on citizens and opposition fighters to protect the institutions of what they termed “the free Syrian state.”
Bashar al-Assad, who ruled Syria with an iron grip, reportedly left Damascus via aircraft to an undisclosed location. Russia said that he 'resigned' and left the country. ALSO READ | Bashar Al-Assad Has Resigned As President, Left Syria: Russian Foreign Ministry
Videos circulating online showed crowds storming the palace, with one user sharing footage on X, stating, "Syrian rebels are now smashing gilded Assad family portraits in the presidential palace of Damascus."
Another user remarked, “Syrians wandering around Asma & Bashar el-Assad's palace & looting away.”
💥Syrians wandering around Asma & Bashar el-Assad's palace & looting away. pic.twitter.com/vw7SO4YZ4a
— Noga Tarnopolsky נגה טרנופולסקי نوغا ترنوبولسكي (@NTarnopolsky) December 8, 2024
Syrian rebels are now smashing gilded Assad family portraits in the presidential palace of Damascus pic.twitter.com/BZpZuIjwUr
— Drew Pavlou (@DrewPavlou) December 8, 2024
ABP could not independently check the veracity of the videos.
Syrian Rebels Fire Shots Into The Air Damascus, Hafez Al-Assad's Statues Defaced
AFPTV images captured jubilant scenes in Damascus as rebels fired shots into the air, flashed victory signs, and climbed atop a tank in celebration. Some defaced a statue of Hafez al-Assad, Bashar’s father and predecessor.
#Syria: People are tearing down the statue of Hafez al-#Assad in the city of #Latakia.
— Thomas van Linge (@ThomasVLinge) December 8, 2024
There are no more "loyalist strongholds" around the country. Everywhere people are rising up. pic.twitter.com/hK1UOCJLx4
“I can't believe I'm living this moment,” said Amer Batha, a tearful Damascus resident. “We’ve been waiting a long time for this day. We are starting a new history for Syria,” he told AFP.
The Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) had initiated the campaign challenging Assad’s rule less than two weeks ago. On Telegram, rebel factions declared, “After 50 years of oppression under Baath rule, and 13 years of crimes and tyranny and (forced) displacement... we announce today the end of this dark period and the start of a new era for Syria.”
Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali expressed readiness to cooperate with “any leadership chosen by the Syrian people.”
Syria’s civil war began in 2011 as an uprising against al-Assad’s rule and escalated into a prolonged conflict involving foreign powers. The war resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and displaced millions, creating one of the world’s largest refugee crises. The end of Assad’s reign has brought both hope and uncertainty to a nation yearning for stability and rebuilding.
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