Syrian Rebels Capture Damascus Amid Devastation, Assad Flees to Russia

In a dramatic turn, rebel forces have taken Damascus, toppling Bashar al-Assad's regime as he fled to Russia. This victory follows years of catastrophic conflict that devastated Syria’s cities, leaving Aleppo, Homs, and Raqqa in ruins. Assad’s brutal response to the civil war included the use of chemical weapons against his people, such as the 2013 Ghouta attack and subsequent incidents, causing international outrage.

After over a decade of civil war, cities are destroyed. Above is what Homs, Syria, looks like today.

Millions of civilians have suffered, with entire families displaced and struggling for survival amidst the rubble. Assad's downfall also marks the latest development in one of the deadliest civil wars of the 21st century, and his departure raises hopes for a new chapter and highlights the immense challenge of rebuilding a shattered nation.

New York Times, December

Russia, Assad’s staunch ally during the conflict, provided extensive military and strategic support, including airstrikes that targeted rebel-held areas. With Assad’s escape, granted asylum in Moscow, Russia’s future role in Syria and the Middle East remains uncertain as international powers call for stability and justice in the wake of this historic shift.