Skip to main content
Gifts from The Morning Star
10 points on the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s Syria
VIJAY PRASHAD reflects on the latest developments in Syria and what they mean for the Middle East
An opposition fighter fires his AK-47 in the air in celebration after opposition forces took control of the city in Damascus, Syria

ON SUNDAY, December 8, after over a week of intense fighting between the Syrian government and the terrorist group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allied factions, who gained control over key cities in the country, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad fled Syria.

The news was announced by the Russian Foreign Ministry, which also reported that with his resignation, Assad instructed his prime minister to stay in charge of the state to oversee a peaceful transition of power to opposition forces. 

The development happens 14 months into Israel’s genocide in Gaza, and weeks after signing a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah. Below are reflections from Vijay Prashad regarding the takeover and key elements to understand it.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.