KUALA LUMPUR – Syrians living in Malaysia were seen celebrating the end of President Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year grip on power, following a swift offensive by Syrian rebels that declared the capital Damascus “free of Assad.”
At the Syrian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Syrian nationals were seen gathering to commemorate the moment with much jubilation, with videos circulating on social media showing crowds chanting, singing, dancing, clapping and holding up the Syrian rebel flag – green, white, and black stripes with three red stars.
It was reported that police were present for crowd control.
In another widely shared video, an individual at the embassy building was seen stepping on Assad’s pictures on the ground, while music was playing in the background.
Adding to the momentous shift, the Syrian Embassy in Malaysia’s official Facebook account replaced its banner image with the rebel flag, instead of using the “official” flag under Assad’s regime which has red, white, and black stripes with two green stars.
Until recently, the account had continued to display support for Assad’s regime and shared official government updates, further underscoring the dramatic change.
The celebrations in Malaysia echoed the scenes in Damascus, where thousands of Syrians gathered in central squares chanting “Freedom” and marking the release of prisoners from Sednaya prison, a facility known for detaining thousands under Assad’s rule.
Rebels also tore down statues of Assad’s father, Hafez al-Assad, as they consolidated their control over the city without facing resistance.
Rebel forces achieved a major breakthrough after capturing Homs, a strategic city that severs key supply lines between Damascus and Assad’s coastal strongholds. The fall of Homs, once a symbol of prolonged sieges, represents a turning point in Syria’s 13-year civil war.
Witnesses described scenes of jubilation, with thousands celebrating in the streets and chanting, “Assad is gone, Homs is free.”
Meanwhile, Assad’s departure from Damascus today to an undisclosed location was marked by reports of a Syrian Air aircraft abruptly disappearing from radar after changing course mid-flight. Though unconfirmed, it is believed the flight carried members of the regime fleeing the capital.
The pace of Assad’s collapse has alarmed regional powers, with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, and Russia calling for a political solution to prevent further instability. His diminishing support from allies, including Russia and Iran, left him vulnerable as global focus shifted and military losses mounted. – December 8, 2024