The fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, which was led by rebel forces, ended over 50 years of Assad family rule in Syria and marked a major change in the long-running war.
The Assad regime fell after a ten-day rebel offensive that began with the capture of Aleppo on November 30. Groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham led them and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army President Assad fled to Moscow as his allies, including Russia and Iran, gave little help. At the same time, Kurdish-led forces are fighting Arab tribes and are under track from Turkey. The disarray has allowed the Islamic State to continue operating and carrying out assaults, while Israel has increased its strikes on Iranian and Syrian military sites. Millions have been displaced as a result of the war, and many continue to rely on humanitarian aid for survival.
When Hafez-al Assad overthrew the government in a coup in 1970 and established an authoritarian state under the Ba’ath party, the Assad dictatorship came to power. Hafez maintained power through repression, strategic alliances, and a strong tyranny, Hafez also suppressed protests including the horrific 1982 Hama massacre. In 2000, he was succeeded by his son Bashar al-Assad, who maintained dictatorial rule despite originally promising reforms. The 2011 Arab Spring presented the regime with its biggest obstacle when protests turned into a civil war. With military assistance from Iran, Russia, And Hezbollah, the regime was able to regain control of a significant portion of Syria. Even though the Assad administration survived the conflict it is still weak and controls a nation that is divided and in ruins, beset by political isolation and economic catastrophe.
Due to this crisis in Syria, 16.7 million people are left in need of assistance due to the years of conflict, displacement, and economic collapse. Many people lack food, clean water, or access to education, and nearly 1 million people were displaced in just one month following intense fighting. Since 2011, the EU and its Member States have provided over €33.3 billion in aid, including €4.3 billion specifically for Syria and neighboring countries. In 2024, the healthcare, and shelter, while responding to the recent crisis. The EU continues to work with international partners to deliver aid and has called for safe access for humanitarian workers. These efforts are vital as Syria faces the aftermath of the Assad regime’s collapse, leaving the nation fractured and struggling under economic and political challenges.
The fall of the Assad regime marks a crucial moment in Syria’s long-running conflict, but the nation remains deeply fractured and stable. Ongoing clashes between various groups, the renewal of the Islamic State, and external interventions highlight the complexity of the crisis. With millions of people displaced and in need of humanitarian aid, international support remains critical to address Syria’s economic collapse and humanitarian challenges. The path to recovery will require extensive rebuilding, reconciliation, and sustained global cooperation.