The Fall of Damascus: How a regime collapsed in days
In short: In early December 2024, the Syrian government disintegrated with startling speed. As rebel forces closed in on the capital, the Syrian Army's defense dissolved into desertion and chaos. Amidst the vacuum, President Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia in a secret flight, marking the sudden end of his long-standing rule.
The collapse of the Assad regime was precipitated by a rapid rebel offensive in late 2024. Following the capture of Aleppo by a coalition led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in November, the Syrian military was left disorganized. Despite President Bashar al-Assad's claims to his inner circle that Russian military aid was imminent, his request for assistance on 28 November was denied. This lack of support, combined with a demoralized army and a state increasingly dependent on the captagon industry for revenue, left the regime vulnerable.
By 7 December 2024, the situation reached a breaking point. The Southern Operations Room, a coalition of opposition forces, advanced from the south, reaching within 10 to 20 kilometres of Damascus. While Maher al-Assad and his 4th Armoured Division attempted to maintain a defense, they were undermined by contradictory orders and a general retreat ordered by the chief of the general staff. In the capital, the Republican Guard offered no resistance, and reports emerged of soldiers removing their uniforms in the streets.
The final collapse occurred on 8 December 2024. As the city's main police headquarters was abandoned and the airport evacuated, Assad fled to Russia via a secret flight from Khmeimim Air Base, leaving his family and inner circle behind. The capture of Homs by Tahrir al-Sham and the Syrian National Army further isolated the capital from coastal strongholds like Tartus and Latakia. The regime's fall was finalized as government forces disbanded following news of the president's departure.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Fall of Damascus (2024)
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