In an unprecedented symbolic gesture, a Syrian rebel has been photographed proudly marching on the broken bust of Hafez al-Assad in Damascus. The striking image marks not only the final fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, but also the end of an era marked by tyranny and repression.
The speed with which rebel forces, led by the radical Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTC), conquered Damascus took many observers by surprise. In the space of a few weeks, the rebels conquered Aleppo, Hama, Homs and finally the Syrian capital, ending nearly 50 years of rule by the Assad family. This lightning victory is a testament not only to the rebels’ determination, but also to the fragility of the regime in power.
The Syrian armed forces, supposedly powerful and well-equipped, offered minimal resistance to the rebel offensive. Many have pointed out the lack of motivation of the soldiers, who are often poorly paid and neglected by their superiors. This demotivation has been exacerbated by a precarious economic situation and internal struggles within the army.
In addition, Bashar al-Assad’s traditional allies, such as Russia and Iran, have proven incapable of providing him with effective support. Russia, occupied by the conflict in Ukraine, has been unable to guarantee the security of the Syrian regime. For its part, Iran, weakened by international sanctions and Israeli attacks on its allies, has been unable to provide the expected support.
The symbolic gesture of the Syrian rebel stepping on the bust of Hafez al-Assad in Damascus thus marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new future for Syria. As the country prepares to turn the page on dictatorship, it is crucial to support Syrians’ efforts to rebuild a better future based on freedom, democracy and respect for human rights.