capital Damascus at the weekend, prompting President Bashar al-Assad to flee the country and seek refuge in Russia, according to Russian state media reports. Europe Politics From Trump and Turkey, to Russia and Iran — Syria’s regime change has huge global consequences Published Mon, Dec 9 20247:42 AM EST thumbnail Holly Ellyatt @HollyEllyatt WATCH LIVE Key Points The dramatic toppling of the Syrian regime at the hands of rebel forces this weekend could have deep ramifications not only for the Middle Eastern country, but on global geopolitics and markets too, according to analysts. After a lightning-fast offensive over the past fortnight that saw opposition groups move across the country, seizing key cities along the war, rebels led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. The group finally seized the capital Damascus at the weekend, prompting President Bashar al-Assad to flee the country and to reportedly to take refuge in Russia, where he has been granted asylum. TOPSHOT - This aerial picture shows a bullet-riddled portrait of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad adorning Hama's municipality building after it was defaced following the capture of the city by anti government fighters, on December 6, 2024. Rebel forces pressing a lightning offensive in Syria aim to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad's rule, their Islamist leader said in an interview published on December 6. In little over a week, the offensive has seen Syria's second city Aleppo and strategically located TOPSHOT - This aerial picture shows a bullet-riddled portrait of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad adorning Hama’s municipality building after it was defaced following the capture of the city by anti government fighters, on December 6, 2024. Omar Haj Kadour | Afp | Getty Images The dramatic toppling of Bashar al-Assad’s Syrian regime at the hands of rebel forces this weekend could have far-reaching consequences for the Middle Eastern country, global alliances and markets, according to analysts. Over the past fortnight, rebel forces led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham carried out a lightning-fast offensive across the country, seizing key cities along the way. The faction finally claimed the capital Damascus at the weekend, prompting President Bashar al-Assad to flee the country and seek refuge in Russia, according to Russian state fight multiple wars, and still bogged down in Ukraine. Putin is struggling to hang on to the prized asset of the Tartus warm water port — and if he keeps it, he might have had to give Turkey concessions elsewhere,” Ash said. He further noted that Putin “now goes into Ukraine peace talks from a position of weakness,” adding that developments in Syria make “a better Ukrainian peace” more likely. As for Iran, strategist Ash said Tehran’s misfortunes had just grown, after Israel already severely weakened its proxies, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. “Iran — it just goes from bad to worse as another proxy domino drops, Hezbollah, now Assad. Could Tehran be next? Could we see internal forces arise again?” Ash said in emailed comments, questioning what Tehran can now do “to stop the rot” of its influence.