Opposition forces announced that Syria is no longer under Assad’s rule as the president is reported to be fleeing the country.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is said to have fled Damascus to an unknown location as opposition forces entered the capital and people poured into the streets and public squares to celebrate.
Fighters entered the heart of Damascus and declared a “new era” without revenge, inviting Syrians overseas to return.
Hadi al-Bahra, who heads the Syrian opposition coalition overseas, declared Damascus “free from al-Assad” and congratulated the Syrian people.
Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali says he is still staying in his home, he is willing to cooperate with the opposition, and he wants to ensure that public institutions continue to function.
At the same time, Abu Mohamed al-Julani, the head of the main militant group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, ordered the opposition forces not to attack any institutions and public works.
Independence celebrations
Witnesses reported rejoicing in Damascus, chanting “Independence! Freedom!” as Syrians celebrate the end of more than 50 years of rule by Bashar al-Assad and his father Hafez before him.
The army released the prisoners held in Sednaya Prison in the north of Damascus, as they did in other cities they seized during the last 10 days.
The army reportedly laid down its weapons in the face of advancing rebels, and on Sunday morning, an army commander confirmed that al-Assad’s order was being carried out, Reuters reported.
Similar scenes of celebration were seen a few hours ago as fighters entered and took control of the city of Homs, a two-hour drive north of Damascus, with little opposition.
Homs’ strategic location meant that once the rebels took control, they would have cut off communications between the capital and al-Assad’s coastal strongholds of Lattakia and Tartus.
Source link
