Rebels Announce End of Assad’s Rule in Syria
On Sunday, Islamist-led rebel groups declared that they had captured Damascus in a swift offensive, forcing President Bashar al-Assad to flee and bringing an end to over five decades of Baathist rule in Syria.
Celebrations erupted in the streets of the capital, where residents were seen cheering as rebel factions announced the departure of the “tyrant” Assad and proclaimed the city “free.” This dramatic turn of events comes less than two weeks after the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched its campaign to challenge the Assad regime’s longstanding grip on power.
In a statement issued on Telegram, the rebel groups declared, “After 50 years of oppression under Baath rule, and 13 years of crimes, tyranny, and forced displacement… we announce the end of this dark period and the beginning of a new era for Syria.”
Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali expressed his willingness to work with any leadership chosen by the Syrian people. Meanwhile, Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, confirmed to AFP that Assad had departed Syria via Damascus International Airport, shortly before security forces from the army evacuated the facility.
