Syrian President Bashar Assad Ousted From Power in Bloodless Coup After 13-Year Civil War

As a movie-loving globetrotter with a keen eye for storytelling and a heart full of compassion, I must say that the recent events unfolding in Syria have left me both saddened and inspired. With over three decades of travel under my belt, I’ve had the privilege to immerse myself in countless cultures, but none have stirred my soul quite like Syria.

On Sunday morning, President Bashar al-Assad of Syria was peacefully removed from power by Islamic rebels who seized control of Damascus, the Syrian capital, following a 13-year civil war that has resulted in over half a million deaths and displaced millions of Syrians from their homes.

The fighters of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, also known as rebels, advanced rapidly, managing to seize control of Damascus shortly following the departure of Assad, as the government forces retreated, within just a few hours.

According to several analysts, the swift attacks by the rebels were greatly assisted due to a shift in international politics that weakened Assad’s traditional allies – Iran, Russia, and Hezbollah militia from Lebanon – providing less support.

State TV in Iran, which has been Assad’s main backer in recent years, reported that Assad had left the Syrian capital for an undisclosed location, while Syrian state television aired a video statement saying that he had been overthrown and that all detainees in the country’s jails, many of whom were political prisoners, have been set free.

Currently holding office, Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali expressed in a video message his willingness to reach out to opposing groups and transfer power to an interim administration.

In the world of cinema, Syrian filmmakers have significantly contributed to global understanding of the Syrian civil war, going beyond the noise of television news. Notable among them are Waad Al-Kateab, co-director of the Oscar-nominated film “For Sama,” a personal account of the civil war that was shown worldwide; Ossama Mohammed, a seasoned director whose work “Silvered Water, Syria Self-Portrait” was displayed at Cannes in 2014 and documented the atrocities of the civil war using footage sent to him by hundreds of Syrians on their cellphones; and Orwa Nyrabia and his wife, Syrian director Diana El Jeiroudi, whose unconventional documentary “Republic of Silence” portrayed the tumult of Syria’s uprising from an external perspective.

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2024-12-08 19:47