What’s happening in Syria? Everything we know as President Assad flees and rebels claim victory
The Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad has fallen, bringing a shocking end to his family’s 50-year reign following a lightning offensive by Islamist rebels.
The president’s whereabouts remain unknown after reports he left Damascus early on Sunday as opposition fighters entered Damascus.
It was the first time opposition forces had reached the capital since 2018 when Syrian troops recaptured areas on the outskirts of the capital following a years-long siege.
A video shared on Syrian opposition media showed a group of armed men escorting Syrian prime minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali out of his office and to the Four Seasons hotel on Sunday.
Interventions by Russia, Iran, Hezbollah and others have allowed him to remain in power within the parts of Syria under his control. But no international help for the deposed leader appears forthcoming.
Incoming US president Donald Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social: “Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by (President) Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer,”
Here is a look at some of the key aspects of the new developments:
The military command of the Syrian opposition says its fighters have entered the capital Damascus claiming that it is “free” of President Bashar Assad’s rule.
The so-called Military Command Administration said Assad had fled without giving further details.
His departure marks the end of the 54-year Assad family rule of Syria with an iron fist. His father Hafez Assad came to power in a bloodless coup in 1970 and ruled until his death in 2000. Bashar Assad was elected weeks after his father’s death and ruled Syria until he was overthrown on Sunday.
The command declared the end of “the dark period and the beginning of a new era in Syria”.
State television in Iran – Assad’s main backer in the years of war in Syria – reported “terrorists” had entered Damascus and that Assad had left the capital.
An Associated Press journalist in Damascus reported seeing groups of armed residents along the road on the outskirts of the capital and hearing gunshots. The city’s main police headquarters appeared to be abandoned, its door left ajar with no officers outside.
Another shot footage of an abandoned army checkpoint, uniforms discarded on the ground under a poster of Assad’s face.
