New York: The sudden and dramatic fall of President Bashar al-Assad has left Syrians, regional neighbors, and global powers grappling with uncertainty about the country’s future. On Tuesday, the rebel coalition began preliminary steps toward establishing a transitional government, marking the end of a 13-year civil war that had long seemed intractable.

The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency meeting late Monday, with diplomats expressing astonishment at the swift 12-day collapse of Assad’s regime. "No one saw this coming," said Russian U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia. "We must observe and assess how this unprecedented situation evolves."

Russia, Assad’s staunch ally throughout the conflict, now faces a dramatically altered landscape. Assad himself fled to Moscow on Sunday, bringing to a close over five decades of his family’s authoritarian rule.

In Damascus, celebratory scenes continued as Assad's Prime Minister, Mohammed Jalali, agreed to transfer power to the Salvation Government, a rebel-led administration based in the northwest. Talks are underway between Jalali, Vice President Faisal Mekdad, and rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, to finalize the transition process, expected to take several days.

The transitional authority will reportedly be headed by Mohamed al-Bashir, leader of the Salvation Government. The sweeping advance of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)-led rebel alliance, a former al-Qaeda affiliate, marks a seismic shift in the Middle East’s political dynamics.

The civil war, which began in 2011, devastated Syria, leaving hundreds of thousands dead, millions displaced, and much of the country in ruins. Despite the rebels' victory, they have yet to outline a clear vision for Syria's future, raising questions about stability and governance.

Global markets reacted cautiously, with oil prices climbing over 1% on fears that instability in Syria could inflame regional tensions, despite the country’s limited role in oil production.

Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Robert Wood described the moment as historic, emphasizing the need for a governing authority that upholds Syrians’ rights and dignity. Washington is reaching out to regional partners like Turkey to initiate informal diplomacy and engage with Syrian rebel factions.

Qatar has already established contact with HTS, signaling a regional push to open dialogue with the group. However, HTS faces an uphill battle in gaining legitimacy, given its designation as a terrorist organization by multiple countries and the U.N.

Golani, who has pledged to rebuild Syria, faces the monumental task of reassuring both international stakeholders and Syria’s diverse communities. On the ground, some rebel fighters expressed optimism for a return to civilian rule. "We want a stable government and security forces in charge," said Firdous Omar, a fighter planning to return to farming in Idlib.

Signs of normalcy are beginning to reemerge. Banks are set to reopen, and the oil ministry has urged employees to return to work under assurances of safety.

However, challenges abound. In a controversial move, Israel seized a buffer zone in Syria’s south, drawing condemnation from regional powers like Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Israel maintains that its actions are defensive, aimed solely at safeguarding its borders, and insists it is not intervening in Syria’s internal conflict.

As Syrians begin to chart their future, the focus now shifts to whether the rebel coalition can unite a fractured nation and lay the groundwork for a stable, inclusive government. "This is a moment of hope," said Syria's U.N. Ambassador Koussay Aldahhak. "We aim to rebuild a Syria rooted in freedom, equality, and the rule of law."