Bashar al-Assad’s reign in Syria has come to an end, according to the Syrian opposition, with rebel forces declaring the capital, Damascus, free from the “tyrant.” The armed opposition confirmed that Assad is no longer in power, as they stormed the Presidential Palace and other key government buildings, taking control of the streets of the capital.
Reports of gunfire echoed through Damascus, while celebrations erupted among Islamists and anti-regime forces, who launched fireworks and flares in the streets of the capital, Homs, and other major cities. The announcement of Assad’s fall came shortly after a briefing by the Syrian Army’s headquarters, with state television confirming the regime’s collapse, as reported by Iranian news agency sources.
In an emergency televised address, Syria’s Prime Minister, Ghazi al-Jalali, stated that the government was ready to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the people, urging citizens to protect public infrastructure in the midst of the rapidly shifting power dynamics. However, the whereabouts of the ousted president remain unclear, with conflicting reports about whether Assad has fled the country.
Rebel forces are actively searching for the former leader, as reports about his fate are contradictory. Some sources claim he never left Syria, while others suggest he may have escaped. Amid this uncertainty, rumors are circulating that Assad may have been aboard a Syrian Air Force aircraft, which was reportedly shot down early this morning. The Russian-made passenger plane, which had taken off from Damascus International Airport, disappeared from radar in the area of Ram al-Anz.
The search for Assad continues as Syria undergoes a dramatic transformation, with the collapse of his long-standing rule.
