Damascus Streets After Assad’s Departure: A Mix of Joy and Uncertainty

Upon arrival, a traffic jam was observed, accompanied by chanting and a rebel flag being waved. The previous night’s reports of Damascus’s fall and the Syrian president’s flight prompted Syrians residing in Lebanon to converge on Masnaa, the border crossing nearest to their capital. The initial intention was to report from that location for a day, but a small overnight bag was prepared after learning that the Syrian side had been vacated. This raised the prospect of proceeding directly to Damascus. In contrast to the surrounding excitement, a tall man with curly hair was attempting to move in the opposite direction, visibly distressed. He identified himself as Hussein, a supporter of President Bashar al-Assad, and expressed fear. Hussein stated, “We don’t know anything about what is going to happen inside. They might kill us, it’s chaos.” He added, “Anybody who used to work with the regime or the army, they say they are going to give them a safe exit, but nobody knows. If it’s not going to be true, they’re going to pay the consequences.” He was accompanied by his family, but lacked the necessary documentation to enter Lebanon. Approximately an hour later, entry into Syria was made. The route to Damascus was unobstructed. Approaching the capital, evidence of a retreating army became apparent, including abandoned military jeeps and tanks. The road was strewn with army uniforms, seemingly discarded by soldiers. Streets had traffic, but commercial establishments were shut. Individuals had convened in the central Umayyad Square, reacting to the remarkable conclusion of over five decades of authoritarian governance by the Assad regime, encompassing both father and son. Armed individuals discharged firearms into the air in a continuous celebratory din; a young boy observed to be injured was carried off. Civilians were observed driving vehicles, displaying peace signs, and expressing optimism for improved conditions now that Assad had departed. An elderly woman was seen weeping. She cried out, “Thank you, thank you,” as if in prayer, adding, “The tyrant has fallen. The tyrant has fallen!” She stated that numerous family members had perished during Assad’s rule, some while incarcerated. A couple accompanied by four young children was approached, their parents visibly elated. The man stated, “It’s an indescribable feeling. We are so happy. After all the years of dictatorship we have lived in our lives! We were in prison in 2014 and now we’re out thank God. We won because of our men, our fighters, and now we are at the moment that we are going to build the greatest Syria!” He further added, “We call our sisters and brothers who left the country to come back. Our hearts and homes are open for you.” Assad’s location remained unknown until Russian reports indicated his presence in Moscow. His Damascus residence was then visited, found to be completely emptied of all contents, and had become a point of interest. Individuals were observed removing furniture without intervention. While rebels may have delivered freedom, security had not yet been established. Additionally, looters had gained entry into other nearby structures, intensifying concerns regarding this interim period without governmental authority. Alaa Dadouch, a 36-year-old father of three, standing with his neighbors, commented, “The transition has to happen in a proper and correct way. And the fact that he just left, you know…” The name “Bashar al-Assad?” was then prompted. He responded, “Yes, you see I’m still scared to even mention this. But the fact that he just left, that is selfish. Our president should have taken the proper measures that are needed for him to give at least the army or the police control over those areas until a new presidency comes in.” He paused before continuing, “You know, two days back, I wasn’t able to say that he’s selfish, it would have been a big problem. A lot of everything is different. You can actually breathe, you can walk around. You can actually give your opinion. You can say what bothers you without being scared. So, yes, there is a change. I hope it’s a good change. But we’ve been living under false hope for 13 years [of civil war].” The nation finds itself oscillating between elation and apprehension, anticipating peace while simultaneously concerned about disorder.