As a rebel coalition advanced towards Damascus, reports emerged that Bashar al-Assad fled the capital aboard a plane to Russia, where he joined his family, already in exile, and was granted asylum.[4] Following Assad's departure, opposition forces declared victory on state television. Concurrently, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed Assad's resignation and his departure from Syria.[5][6][7]
The swift fall of Assad's regime was met with shock and surprise throughout the world, including the Syrian people. Syrian opposition fighters were themselves reportedly surprised at how quickly the Syrian government collapsed in the wake of their offensive.[8] Analysts viewed the event as a significant blow to Iran's Axis of Resistance due to the use of Syria as a waypoint to supply arms and supplies to their ally Hezbollah.[9][10]