Rebels Claim Damascus, Assad Flees Syria

News Desk 

Damascus: In a dramatic turn of events, Syrian rebel forces declared a “new era” on Sunday, announcing their control over the capital, Damascus, and claiming that President Bashar al-Assad has fled the country.

Rebel factions, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), stated on their Telegram channel, “Damascus is free of the tyrant,” and urged Syrians abroad to return to what they described as a liberated nation. They vowed to restore stability after “13 years of crimes, tyranny, and forced displacement.”

HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani directed fighters to avoid targeting official institutions, leaving their supervision to Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali until an official government transition could take place. He emphasized maintaining order and prohibited celebratory gunfire in the capital.

Prime Minister Jalali, addressing the nation, expressed his willingness to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the Syrian people, emphasizing Syria’s readiness to build positive relations with its neighbors and the global community under new governance.

Reports of Assad’s Departure

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Assad fled Damascus via the international airport as rebel forces rapidly advanced. Key Assad ally Hezbollah reportedly vacated their positions around the capital.

The developments came less than two weeks after HTS launched a swift campaign that overwhelmed government forces. The group claimed victories in several strategic locations, including the city of Homs, before seizing the capital.

Jubilation and Chaos in Damascus

Residents in Damascus were seen celebrating in the streets, toppling statues of Assad’s late father, Hafez al-Assad, in symbolic gestures marking the end of five decades of Baath Party rule. However, panic initially gripped the city as traffic jams clogged streets and citizens scrambled to secure supplies.

Impact on Syrian Forces & Allies

The Observatory reported that government troops have lost control of key provinces, including Daraa, the cradle of Syria’s 2011 uprising. Soldiers reportedly fled across the border to Iraq, with some sources estimating over 2,000 troops, including officers, crossing into Al-Qaim.

Hezbollah forces, long seen as critical to Assad’s defense, began withdrawing from areas around Damascus and Homs, with some redeploying to Latakia and Lebanon, according to sources.

International Reactions

The international community has expressed mixed reactions to the developments. Russia and Iran, staunch allies of Assad, have warned against allowing a “terrorist group” to control Syrian territory. Meanwhile, US President-elect Donald Trump indicated on his Truth Social platform that the US should avoid involvement.

UN special envoy Geir Pedersen called for urgent political dialogue, referencing a 2015 Security Council resolution aimed at resolving the conflict.

As the situation unfolds, the fate of thousands of detainees at the infamous Sednaya prison and displaced civilians remains uncertain, with reports of prisoners being freed by HTS fighters.

The swift rebel advance signals the most significant shift in Syria’s power dynamics in over a decade, marking what HTS leaders call “the end of a dark period” and the beginning of a transformative chapter for the war-torn nation.

Additional input from AFP and 24 HD news websites.