Assad’s fall opens a struggle over Syria’s political future

The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime on 8 December 2024 ended a central chapter of Syria’s war. In a statement that day, UN Secretary-General António Guterres described an opportunity for Syrians to build a peaceful future, while stressing the work required to establish a political transition and renewed institutions.

Authority after Assad

The fall of the regime left the organisation of political authority at the centre of Syria’s transition. The UN called for an inclusive process, protection of rights and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. Those priorities connected the formation of new institutions to the security of communities and the prospect of displaced families returning safely.