There is an atmosphere of confusion and fear in Syria’s capital Damascus. Rebels are constantly coming closer to Damascus and people are unable to find out what is going on.
In many towns and villages around Damascus, symbols of the power of President Bashar al-Assad’s family have either been broken or toppled. Videos of huge statues of Assad and his family members being toppled have emerged in many major cities of the country.
But Syria’s Home Ministry is building a strong defensive ring around the capital.
However, government forces have failed to provide any such security in cities, towns, and villages captured by rebel groups across the country.
Rumors are flying about where President Bashar al-Assad is at the moment.
People are monitoring flights to and from Damascus to find out. Everyone wants to know whether Assad is in the country or has left.
President Assad’s office has denied all such reports, saying that he is still in Damascus and is carrying out his work regularly.
But the reality is that he has not been seen in public for the last several days and his whereabouts are unknown.
Syria remains a divided country right now, where the deep wounds of the years-long civil war have not yet healed.
Until about ten days ago, there was a stalemate and status quo there for almost four years. And then suddenly the series of unexpected victories of the rebel fighters began.
In the last two or three days, one city after another came under their control. Now the rebels have said that Syria’s third-largest city, Homs, has also come under their control.
President Bashar al-Assad’s relations with fellow Arab leaders have gradually improved during the country’s civil war, but the war has made little progress toward building a better future for the Syrian people.
President Assad’s presence in the country, despite years of deadly conflict, is a testament to his tenuous grip on power.
If he leaves now, a power vacuum will once again emerge. There is currently no clear indication of how or who will fill it.
There is no united opposition to replace him. Rebel groups have a history of divisions and infighting.
The group leading the new revolt against President Assad is rooted in al-Qaeda extremism.
Its leader has sought to reassure other Syrian communities. He has said he will not impose his ideology on them, but people are apprehensive about what will happen next.
There is no denying that the situation in Syria will only get worse and the suffering of the people will increase.
The country, already extremely unstable, is in a region that is witnessing more fighting. The deteriorating situation in Syria could fuel even more dangerous unrest.
But for now, Syrians living inside and outside the country have a hope of returning to their homes, which were lost in the war that began with the Assad government’s violent suppression of protests and dissent.
One thought on “Has Syrian President Assad left the country? Despite official denials, rumors are rife in Syria”