Assad regime falls after 54 years as ousted president reportedly flees the country
Syrian rebel organizations announce beginning of a 'new era' in Syria: 'The free Syrian people have overthrown Bashar al-Assad.'
The Syrian rebels entered Damascus last night (between Saturday and Sunday) and announced, "Damascus is now free from Assad." A Syrian officer told Reuters that the Syrian army had informed officers about the regime's collapse.
Rebel sources told Al-Jazeera that officers and soldiers from the army had withdrawn from the Ministry of Defense building and the Syrian General Staff headquarters. Two senior Syrian officers told Reuters that President Bashar al-Assad had left Damascus for an unknown destination.
The rebels were also documented seizing control of Damascus' radio and television building. Footage on social media showed thousands of citizens gathering in the capital's main square to celebrate.
Additionally, prisoners were seen being released from Saydnaya Prison, Assad's infamous prison of horrors near the capital, as the rebels arrived there.
It was reported that the rebels reached the Al-Sayyida Zaynab neighborhood, the Shiite district and a stronghold of pro-Iranian militias. According to reports from Syrian opposition figures, forces of the Syrian regime's army have begun withdrawing from Damascus International Airport, and military personnel securing the site were instructed to retreat into the capital.
A senior rebel official, Hassan Abd al-Rani, announced that forces have begun advancing toward Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria and that hundreds of regime personnel in the area have surrendered to the rebels.
This region has a presence of Democratic Syrian Forces (DSF), Kurdish forces that took control of the area in recent days amid the unfolding developments.
The Syrian regime's prime minister, Mohammad Razi al-Jalali, stated in a recorded video that he remains at his home in Syria and has not left the country. He added that he is willing to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the people and to transfer authority smoothly.
The leader of the organization spearheading the rebels, Ahmad al-Sharaa, known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, issued a statement calling on all armed groups in Damascus to refrain from approaching public institutions still under the control of the former prime minister until authority is officially transferred. He also prohibited celebratory gunfire.
Omer Shahar is a correspondent for KAN 11 news.
