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The Bashar Al-Assad regime collapsed as the rebel forces entered Damascus on Sunday, forcing the President to flee the capital city, according to sources.
Syrian rebel groups storm Damascus, take over capital (AP Image)
Assad Regime Collapses: Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad fled Damascus as the Islamist coalition Hayat Tahrir al-Sham-led rebel forces entered the capital city on Sunday and took over key strategic positions.
They also took control of the state television and broadcasting headquarters in the city. The residents of the city reported sounds of gunfire as the Syrian capital fell.
Anti-Regime Forces Enter Damascus
They entered Damascus overnight searching for Assad, however, they failed to find him, the report said. “Militarily, Damascus has fallen,” CNN reported quoting a source familiar with the rebel groups’ movements.
The rebels were also in touch with the senior Assad regime officials who are mulling defecting, CNN reported.
Assad was “nowhere to be found in Damascus”, a source said.
His military leadership ordered the surrender of the remaining soldiers and informed the troops that the regime has collapsed, according to reports.
Rebel Groups Advance Further
The anti-regime forces have been closing in on the capital city from the north, south, and east, and reached suburbs as close as 5 miles and in one case barely a mile away from the capital city.
The main rebel group earlier said that they had captured four cities within 24 hours – Daraa, Quneitra, Suwayda, and Homs – and it would now lay its focus on Damascus.
“Our operations are continuing to liberate the entire Damascus countryside, and our eyes are on the capital, Damascus,” spokesperson Lt. Col. Hassan Abdul Ghani was quoted as saying early on Sunday.
Chaos At Damascus Airport
Chaotic scenes unfolded inside the Damascus airport as the anti-regime forces stormed the capital city.
Scores of people rushed through the security checkpoints and ran to the departure gates, attempting to flee the country.
Syria’s rebel force comprise Islamist and moderate groups who shed their differences and united to fight the Assad regime, ISIS and Iran-backed militias.
Donald Trump On Syria Situation
US President-elect Donald Trump termed Syria as a mess and said that the United States should stay out of it. He said that the removal of Assad may be the “best thing that can happen” to the country which has long seen a civil war.
“Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!” Trump posted on X.
US Not To Dive Into Syrian Civil War
US National Security Advisor that the United States will want to ensure prevention of the resurgence of ISIS, however, it would not get involved in the civil war in Syria.
He said that the US is “not going to dive into” the current Syrian situation but will take steps to prevent the ISIS resurgence.
- Location :
Damascus, Syria
