Until this weekend, the Assad dynasty had ruled Syria for more than 50 years. The regime was so brutal and oppressive that it was known as the “Kingdom of Silence.”
As foreign correspondent William Crist explains, as recently as two weeks ago it looked like things would continue like this. Bashar al-Assad, president since 2000, has crushed an uprising that began against his rule 13 years ago and slowly pushed back against Syria over the course of a decade-long civil war, the bloodiest conflict in Syria. regained control of most of the territory. 21st century.
However, despite the appearance of stability, there was a deep sense of malaise within Syria. The system was hollowed out, the people were impoverished, and the president remained in power only with the aid of foreign donors. So when Islamic rebels began their offensive from the north two weeks ago, they met little resistance, seizing first Aleppo, then Hama and Homs, and finally, this Sunday, the Syrian capital Damascus itself. occupied by the dictator. run away.
Crist, who is in Damascus on the first day of post-Assad Syria, reports on celebrations across the country and the release of some of the tens of thousands of “disappeared” in the regime’s notorious prisons. Under the Assad regime.
Michael Safi also heard from Damascus resident Anas al-Dolbi what life was like under the Assad regime, not just in recent days as rebels moved closer and closer to his homeland. I asked about Noka.
