A Christian man embraced Islam during celebrations marking the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria, as rebel forces seized control of Damascus and declared his rule over.
The dramatic moment unfolded in Deir Atiyeh, near Damascus, where Syrians symbolically destroyed a massive statue of Hafez al-Assad, the late father of Bashar al-Assad, in a powerful act of defiance.
Read more: Bashar al-Assad and the Downfall of his Brutal Regime
Standing atop the statue’s ruins, the man recited the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith, in front of a jubilant crowd. His proclamation, “I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah,” prompted the crowd to chant “Allahu Akbar” (God is Great). The man was later seen breaking the statue’s remnants with a large stone.
The fall of Assad’s regime came swiftly, as rebel forces, led by the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and their allies, entered Damascus unopposed, declaring that Bashar al-Assad had fled the country. Opposition forces rapidly seized key institutions, including state TV, radio stations, and the Ministry of Defense, while rumors of Assad’s death or disappearance began circulating. Within a week, Assad’s regime collapsed, and celebrations erupted across Syria as government forces withdrew from major regions.
In Damascus, looters stormed the presidential palace, prompting rebels to impose a curfew to restore order and prevent further chaos. The swift collapse of Assad’s regime marked a historic turning point in Syria’s ongoing conflict.
