In the aftermath of Bashar al-Assad’s regime collapse, locals face drastic changes, including abandoned military vehicles and celebrations among Islamist rebels. A rebel leader expresses hope for a peaceful Syria, while reports reveal the destruction of military strongholds and oppressive practices. Despite promises of order, masked figures roam the city, and fears of retribution linger for families, some fleeing and others desperately wanting to return, haunted by memories of the regime’s brutality.
The Aftermath of Assad’s Regime Collapse
In the wake of Bashar al-Assad’s regime falling, locals are struggling to comprehend the rapid changes around them. Along the route to Damascus, numerous armed vehicles lay abandoned, while a tank from the loyalist army stands motionless at an intersection, and another smolders in flames. Arié, the driver transporting reporters, beams with joy as he shares his disbelief with his wife via video call. The ruling regime, he notes, has crumbled in mere hours. “Just a few days ago, we were facing extortion from pro-Assad forces at checkpoints, where we were robbed,” he recounts in a recent report.
Voices of Change Amidst Chaos
As they near the capital, military residences are deserted, and bullet-riddled cars line the roadside. Arié eagerly anticipates meeting some Islamist rebels, who have previously fought in Aleppo. Posing for commemorative photos, a rebel leader proudly declares his commitment to peace. “After the devastation of countless lives and homes, and the release of thousands of prisoners today, the era of injustice in Syria is over. We hope for a fair Syria where all communities coexist,” he asserts. The rebels are keen to join in celebratory gunfire with their Kalashnikovs in Omayyad Square, surrounded by discarded military uniforms left by loyalist troops.
TF1 reporter François-Xavier Ménage captures the scene, highlighting the multitude of vehicles abandoned along the road, illustrating the hasty retreat of loyalist soldiers. He also notes the alarming fires consuming strategic military locations. One of the most significant strongholds of Assad’s regime, the military court, has been completely ransacked. While the dictator’s portrait is defaced, the activities in the courtyard reveal a chilling glimpse into the regime’s oppressive tactics.
As the reporters enter an administrative office, the fire alarm blares, echoing the chaos. This space was once responsible for processing sentences and prison terms, with a register bearing the dictator’s likeness revealing hundreds of names—likely those of prisoners. A propaganda document on the floor ominously states, “efforts must be made to keep the people ignorant.” Despite assurances from rebel forces not to seize control of any institutions, masked individuals roam the city, with one man brandishing a dagger, proclaiming, “It’s over. It’s over.” He may not be a rebel but possibly a former intelligence agent, merely observing the unfolding disorder.
In Damascus, the possibility for coexistence between pro-regime and anti-regime individuals appears bleak, as expressed by a tearful family. A grandmother anxiously awaits her friend, recently freed from rebel captivity. Having experienced the terror of the Assad regime in Hama, she shares her harrowing memories. “Simply walking down the street, we risked being stopped by police, who would check our papers and imprison us in basements for years, often without our loved ones knowing our whereabouts,” she recalls. Today, the fear of retribution compels some families to flee Damascus, while others are eager to return as quickly as possible.