Islamist forces have seized Damascus, declaring the city liberated and claiming President Bashar Assad’s departure.
On Saturday, Islamist and other rebel groups captured Damascus, declaring the Syrian capital free from Assad’s rule and alleging his flight from the city. According to Reuters, citing two senior army officers, Assad, who led Syria for nearly 25 years, left Damascus Saturday evening for an undisclosed location. Earlier that day, the jihadists announced the swift capture of Homs after a single day of fighting.
Prime Minister Mohammad al-Jalali stated he remains at home and offered to cooperate with any government chosen by the Syrian people.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra and led by a former Al-Qaeda commander, launched a surprise offensive last week from Idlib province. Jihadist forces have already driven out the Syrian Army from Aleppo, Hama, Homs, and Al-Qusayr, on the Lebanese border.
The US-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) now controls Palmyra, while the US-supported Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have taken Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria.
Since 2011, the Syrian government has faced numerous localized conflicts initiated by anti-government groups seeking Assad’s removal. Jihadist factions, often receiving foreign military support, have become prominent within the opposition.