In December 2024, a major turning point occurred in Syria when President Bashar al-Assad’s regime was overthrown by Islamist-led rebels. The Assad family had ruled Syria as a dictatorship since the 1970s. After the regime’s fall, a transitional government was formed, set to remain in place until March 2025
The situation in the country remains complex, with rival militia groups and rebels controlling various territories after years of civil war
- December 8, 2024: Damascus fell without bloodshed, leading to President al-Assad fleeing the country.
- Syria now stands at a crossroads as displaced citizens begin to return to a devastated homeland. The UNHCR has reported both hope and challenges as the process of rebuilding begins.
Earlier in the year, in March 2024, severe human rights violations were documented, including the deaths of 102 civilians, among them 11 children and 14 women. Most of these casualties were attributed to various factions involved in the ongoing conflict.
In summary, 2024 was a year of significant upheaval in Syria, marked by the fall of the Assad regime and the continuation of severe humanitarian challenges affecting the population.