Fall of Damascus

On 7 December 2024, Syrian opposition Southern Operations Room forces entered the Rif Dimashq region from the south. They were within 20 kilometres (12 mi) of the capital Damascus. The Syrian Arab Army left from multiple points near the city.^[9] At the same time, opposition Tahrir al-Sham and the Syrian National Army in the north launched an offensive into Homs,^[10] while the Syrian Free Army entered the capital from the southeast.^[11]

Fall of Damascus
Part of the 2024 southern offensive of the Syrian civil war
Military advances in Syria towards Damascus   Controlled by the Syrian opposition   Controlled by the Israeli Army
Date 7–8 December 2024 (1 day) Location Damascus and Rif Dimashq Governorate, Syria Result Syrian opposition victory Syrian Army surrenders the capital to the opposition[1][2] Bashar al-Assad flees to Russia[3][4] Fall of the Assad regime
Belligerents
Southern Operations Room (SOR) Syrian Free Army Syrian Salvation Government (final phase) Syrian Interim Government (final phase)	Ba'athist Syria
Commanders and leaders
Ahmad al-Awda Salem Turki al-Antri Abu Mohammad al-Julani (final phase)[5]	Maher al-Assad[6][7]
Units involved
Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (final phase)[5] Syrian National Army (final phase)	Syrian Arab Armed Forces  Syrian Arab Army Syrian Army Command[8] 4th Armoured Division[7]

Template:Campaignbox Syrian civil war

On 8 December, rebel forces entered the city's Barzeh neighborhood.^[12]

According to multiple reports, President Bashar al-Assad left Damascus on plane to Moscow where he was granted political asylum.^[13]

Reactions

•  China: China's Foreign Ministry stated that it "is closely following the development of the situation in Syria and hopes that Syria returns to stability as soon as possible" and urged all parties to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens in Syria.^[14]
•  Qatar: Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani criticized Assad for failing to use the previous lull in fighting to address Syria's underlying problems, stating "Assad didn't seize this opportunity to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people."^[15]
•  Russia: Following Russia's call for its citizens to leave Syria, the Russian Embassy reported that all its staff members were safe following the fall of Damascus.^[16] Russia's Foreign Ministry stated that it was in contact with "all groups of the Syrian opposition", but played no role in negotiations.^[17]
•  United Kingdom: U.K. deputy prime minister Angela Rayner said that the government welcomed the fall of Bashar al-Assad.^[18]
•  United Nations: U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an "orderly political transition" and the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2254.^[15]
•  USA: The White House reported that "President Biden and his team are closely monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria and staying in constant touch with regional partners."^[19]