Syrians celebrate end of Assad family's 50-year rule in Damascus

Syrians celebrated in the streets of Damascus on December 8, 2024, after a rebel advance led to the collapse of President Bashar Assad's government, ending 50 years of rule by the Assad family. Crowds waved revolutionary flags and fired celebratory gunshots. Rebels announced the release of prisoners, including those from the notorious Saydnaya prison. They declared a curfew in Damascus and called for the preservation of a "free Syrian state." The whereabouts of Assad and top officials remain unknown. The rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, led by Abu Mohammed al-Golani, is now positioned to influence Syria's future. The situation has raised concerns about stability amid ongoing divisions among various factions in the country.