HTS leader Al-Jolani Enters Damascus after Fall of Assad’s Regime
DAMASCUS, SYRIA (North Press) – Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), arrived in Syria’s capital, Damascus, on Sunday following the dramatic collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government, marking a significant turning point in the country’s long-standing conflict.
The announcement of Assad’s downfall came early on Sunday, as HTS and its allied factions broadcasted the news through Syrian state television. In the historic broadcast, HTS claimed that “the tyrant Bashar al-Assad has fallen,” signaling the end of his oppressive regime.
This development was a culmination of years of internal conflict and a series of military setbacks for the Syrian government. The opposition forces also reported the complete withdrawal of Assad’s military from Damascus.
Al-Jolani, appearing alongside several armed militants, was filmed entering the iconic Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, a symbol of the city’s ancient heritage.
The footage showed him surrounded by supporters as he took a moment to address the Syrian people.
In his speech, he strongly condemned Assad’s rule, stating, “Assad left Syria a playground for Iranian ambitions, spread sectarianism, and turned Syria into a hub for captagon production.”
Al-Jolani’s comments reflect long-standing criticisms of the Assad regime’s alliances with Iran and Hezbollah, as well as its role in the spread of illicit drugs within the region.
The HTS leader also highlighted the devastating impact of Assad’s policies on Syrian society, arguing that the country had been turned into a site of repression and exploitation, with widespread suffering among its population.
This event marks a historic shift for Syria, as the fall of Assad’s government has the potential to reshape the political landscape of the region.
The rise of groups like HTS, which played a significant role in the Syrian conflict, further complicates the prospects for a peaceful resolution. Despite the departure of Assad, Syria remains deeply divided, with various factions vying for control and influence over the country’s future.
Earlier today, al-Jolani made it clear that there would be no turning back for HTS, reinforcing the group’s commitment to continuing the path it started in 2011, when the Syrian uprising began. “There is no going back,” al-Jolani declared. “We will continue the path we began, aiming for a free Syria, free from tyranny, foreign intervention, and sectarianism.”
The arrival of HTS in Damascus, traditionally considered the heart of Assad’s power, underscores the shifting dynamics of the Syrian civil war. For years, the city had remained under the tight control of Assad’s regime, with Damascus serving as the political and military center of the Syrian government.
Now, as the conflict enters a new phase, the future of the city and Syria at large remains uncertain.
International reactions to the fall of Assad’s regime have varied. While some regional powers have expressed cautious optimism about the possibility of change in Syria, others remain concerned about the rise of extremist groups in the wake of the regime’s collapse. The situation in Syria is still fluid, and the international community is closely monitoring developments in the country.
As Syria moves into this new chapter, the aftermath of Assad’s fall will have profound implications for both the Syrian people and the broader Middle East. For now, Damascus, once the stronghold of Assad’s power, is witnessing a dramatic shift as al-Jolani and his supporters move into the capital, signaling the end of an era and the beginning of an uncertain future.
The path ahead for Syria is unclear, but al-Jolani’s arrival in Damascus is a powerful symbol of the changing tides in the country’s protracted conflict.