A group of rebels has overthrown the former Syrian dictator Bashar Assadmarking a monumental turning point in the nearly fourteen-year civil war.
The takeover, which forced Assad to flee the country, could cause “remarkable” ripple effects across the Middle East similar to what followed the fall of the Berlin Wall, according to a Republican lawmaker.
“This is so important. The fall of the Assad dictatorship. The ripple effect of this will be simply remarkable,” said Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C. “Fox Report” Sunday. “It is truly equivalent to the Berlin Wall, which led to a ripple effect in which dozens of countries became free after fifty years of occupation and totalitarian control.”
SYRIAN DICTATOR BASHAR ASSAD FLEES INTO EXILE AS ISLAMIC REBELS CONQUEST LAND
Bashar al-Assad fled Syria after rebels stormed the capital Damascus on Saturday. Assad, whose government repeatedly used chemical weapons on its residents, reportedly fled with his wife and children.
President Biden said this during a speech on Sunday the United States had no confirmation on Assad’s whereabouts, noting that “there is word he is in Moscow.”
Wilson argued that Israel’s success in weakening Iran and its allies, as well as Ukraine’s success in “weakening” Russia, led to the developments in Syria. He predicted that this will “have a dramatic impact on war criminal Putin’s ability to enforce his capabilities.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday praised the fall of the Assad regime, saying it was a “direct consequence” of Israel’s attacks on Iran and Hezbollah, while noting that the situation in general is “fraught with significant dangers.”
FALL OF THE ASSAD REGIME A ‘MOMENT OF HISTORICAL OPPORTUNITY’ FOR THE SYRIAN PEOPLE, SAYS BIDEN
A coalition of largely radical Islamist groups has ousted the Iranian-backed Assad regime. The US-designated terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)the Islamist former al-Qaeda affiliate that is part of the rebels played the decisive role in ousting Assad, who inherited his presidency in 2000 after the death of his father, Hafez Assad.
“And finally, we will remain vigilant. Make no mistake: Some of the rebel groups that brought down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses. We have taken note of the statements made by the leaders of these rebel groups in the recent period. And they are saying the right things now, but as they take on greater responsibility, we will judge not just their words, but their actions,” Biden continued on Sunday.
The president explained that following Assad’s departure in the face of rebel forces, the US will support Syria’s neighbors – such as Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Israel – “should any threat arise from Syria during this transition period.” Biden said this effort will include senior government officials meeting with world leaders, and the president will also speak directly with leaders in neighboring countries.
While questions arise about how the Middle East country will be governed after the rebel takeover, Representative Wilson believed that the Syrian people “as a diaspora will push for a free and democratic Syria.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Emma Colton, Benjamin Weinthal and Bradford Betz of Fox News contributed to this report.
