Rebels destroy Hafez al-Assad’s tomb as Syria faces shift in power
Syrian rebel forces have destroyed the tomb of Hafez al-Assad, the late president and father of ousted leader Bashar, in his hometown of Qardaha. Armed men, chanting slogans, were seen walking around the burning mausoleum in videos verified by the BBC. The rebels, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), are sweeping across Syria in a successful offensive that ended the Assad family’s 54-year rule.
Bashar al-Assad has fled to Russia, where he and his family have been given asylum. Across Syria, statues and posters of both Hafez and Bashar have been toppled, with Syrians celebrating the end of their oppressive rule. In response, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei blamed the US, Israel, and an unnamed neighboring state for the collapse of the regime.
Meanwhile, Israel has continued its air strikes on Syria’s military targets, with over 350 attacks reported since Sunday. The Israeli government has stated that those controlling large parts of Syria must not have the means to threaten Israel, a stance criticized by Arab nations. Rebel forces also claimed control of the oil-rich city of Deir al-Zour from Kurdish forces.
The roots of Syria’s current crisis go back to 2011, when Bashar al-Assad violently suppressed a peaceful pro-democracy uprising, sparking a devastating civil war. Over half a million people have died, and more than 12 million have been displaced.
Hafez al-Assad, who ruled Syria from 1971 until his death in 2000, was from the Alawite minority, a group that supported the Assad family throughout their reign. However, with the Assad regime’s fall, Alawites now fear retaliation from victorious rebel forces.
A recent meeting between rebel leaders and Qardaha elders emphasized Syria’s religious and cultural diversity. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, now using his real name, Ahmed al-Sharaa, pledged tolerance for various communities.
As life slowly returns to normal in parts of Syria, including in Damascus, citizens speak of a sense of newfound freedom. A chocolate shop worker in the capital described reopening without fear, now serving customers who are no longer associated with the Assad regime. In former opposition strongholds like Joubar, reunions are taking place amid the ruins, marking the emotional return of Syrians to their homes after years of conflict.
