Hamas Congratulates Syrian Rebels After Assad's Fall, Vows Support for Palestinians

Hamas issued a statement on Monday congratulating the Syrian people on their victory over Bashar al-Assad's regime, following the rapid takeover of Damascus by rebel forces. In its first public comment since the dramatic shift, Hamas expressed support for the aspirations of the Syrian people for “freedom and justice” and called for unity among all factions of the Syrian population.

“We stand strongly with the great people of Syria and respect their will, independence, and political choices,” Hamas stated, pledging continued solidarity with Syria’s people. The group also expressed hope that the post-Assad Syria would continue its historical role in supporting the Palestinian cause.

The fall of Assad's government marks the end of a 13-year civil war and over six decades of autocratic rule by the Assad family. As the rebels seized control of the capital, Assad fled to Russia, signaling the end of his regime. Hamas’s message of congratulations also extended to the broader Middle East, as some rebel fighters in Damascus pledged to continue their efforts toward Jerusalem, invoking strong anti-Israel rhetoric.

In addition to Hamas, other Palestinian groups like the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) also made statements about the fall of Assad. Ziad al-Nakhala, head of PIJ, referred to the developments in Syria as “a Syrian affair” but emphasized that Syria’s support for Palestine should remain intact.

While Hamas has long been at odds with Assad’s regime, especially during the early years of the Syrian civil war, the group re-established ties with the Syrian government in 2022 in a move to repair relations. The Assad regime, backed by Iran, had long formed part of an "axis of resistance" that included Hezbollah and other Palestinian factions, united in their opposition to Israel.

Meanwhile, the situation in Syria continues to evolve. Syrian rebels, now in control of Damascus, have announced an amnesty for conscripted soldiers who fought for Assad, but noted that officers would not be granted clemency. As the rebels set up a transitional government, Syria faces a new chapter of political transformation.

Hamas’s support for the Syrian rebels and its emphasis on unity contrasts sharply with the response from Hezbollah, a Shi’ite Muslim group that had been a staunch supporter of Assad's regime. Hezbollah described the fall of Assad as a “major, dangerous, and new transformation” for the region, reflecting the significant shift in regional power dynamics.

As the dust settles in Syria, the broader Middle East remains on edge, particularly as some rebels have pledged to turn their attention to aiding Palestinians in Gaza, where Hamas has been engaged in a war with Israel since the October 7 attacks.