Syria's Baath party falls after over 50 years of authoritarian rule

Syria's Baath party, which ruled for over 50 years under the Assad family, collapsed on Sunday after a rapid rebel offensive. This marks a significant shift from decades of repression and violence against dissent. Bashar al-Assad, who reportedly fled as rebels took control of Damascus, continued his father's legacy of brutal crackdowns since the 2011 Arab Spring. The regime's violent response to protests escalated into a civil war, resulting in massive casualties and displacement. The fall of the Baath party ends a long era of authoritarian rule. Rebels have declared the end of this period, signaling a potential change in Syria's political landscape.