Rebel Groups Claim Control Over Damascus as Bashar al-Assad Flees
Rebel groups have reportedly entered the Syrian capital, Damascus, after a rapid offensive. They announced the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, claiming he fled the country. Syrian Prime Minister Mohamed al-Jalali expressed readiness for a transfer of power, while rebels called on exiles to return. Citizens celebrated in the streets, even toppling a statue of Hafez al-Assad, the former president and father of Bashar al-Assad.