Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has fled the country following the end of his 24-year rule. Rebels announced their victory on state television, sparking celebrations in Damascus’s central Umayyad Square.
According to Reuters, Syrian military officials confirmed the fall of Assad’s government after intense rebel attacks in the capital.
Rebels declared Damascus “free from Assad,” with reports indicating that the president left for an undisclosed location on Sunday as rebels claimed control of the capital.
Eyewitnesses reported thousands of citizens gathering in the square, chanting slogans of freedom. Rebels stated they were celebrating the release of prisoners and the end of injustice in notorious prisons like Sednaya.
In a televised statement, a rebel representative announced that “Damascus has been liberated” and urged citizens to protect state property.
Flight tracking reports indicated that a Syrian Air flight departed Damascus but vanished from radar shortly after heading toward the coastal region.
The incident marks a dramatic turning point in Syria’s history, with opposition forces gaining significant ground and claiming control over key regions, including Damascus and Homs.