Germany has reportedly suspended asylum proceedings for Syrian citizens after the sudden overthrow of President Bashar Assad by rebel forces. The development follows a rapid offensive by

opposition fighters, leading to Assad's ousting and significant political upheaval.

Syrians celebrate end of Assad’s regime

In Damascus and beyond, Syrians are rejoicing at the fall of the Assad regime. Rights activist Omar Alshogre, who endured three years in Syria's notorious prisons, shared his emotional response to the historic event.

"I've been waiting for this moment for 14 years," said Alshogre, now director for detainee affairs at the US-based Syrian Emergency Task Force. "Fourteen years of displacement, torture, and loss—this victory is overwhelming."

Alshogre recounted the brutality of life under Assad, including the horrors of prison. "A guard would enter and tell us to choose one person to die the next day. We had to draw lots to decide who would be killed."

He criticized the international community for failing to take decisive action earlier. "The world knew what was happening, but we were left to fight, suffer, and dream alone. Now, we celebrate this victory alone."

EU's call for an inclusive transition

EU Foreign Policy Commissioner Kaja Kallas has urged all Syrian stakeholders to work toward an "orderly, peaceful, and inclusive transition." In a statement, she emphasized the need for unity and justice, describing Assad's fall as a historic moment for a resilient people who have endured immense suffering.

However, Kallas reiterated the EU's stance against engaging with HTS (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham), the Islamist group that led the offensive against Assad. HTS remains on the UN terror list and is subject to EU sanctions.

A shifting landscape

The fall of Assad has introduced both hope and uncertainty for Syria's future. As Syrians celebrate the end of an oppressive regime, challenges remain in ensuring a stable transition, rebuilding the country, and addressing decades of injustice. Meanwhile, the international community watches closely, weighing its next steps in engaging with a post-Assad Syria. Photo by Lies Van Rompaey, Wikimedia commons.