Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was ousted this weekend after rebel forces, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), swept into Damascus, ending 50 years of dynastic rule. The sudden collapse has shattered Iran’s influence in the region and sparked fears of instability and extremism. U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed Assad’s removal but warned of risks posed by the power vacuum. U.S. and Israeli forces launched strikes to prevent the resurgence of extremist groups like the Islamic State and to secure sensitive sites.
Assad’s fall deals a severe blow to allies Iran and Russia, undermining Tehran’s ability to support Hezbollah and Moscow’s regional foothold. While opposition leaders call for elections, divisions among rebel groups and HTS’s Islamist ideology raise concerns about Syria’s future. Analysts warn of factional conflict reminiscent of post-Gaddafi Libya, leaving Syria at a crossroads between potential unity and prolonged chaos.
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