The Assad reign in Syria came to an end on Sunday when rebel forces captured Damascus, forcing the Syrian President to flee to Russia in a stunning fall.
Hassan Abdul-Ghani, a senior commander of the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, claimed victory for the group that had stormed across Syria and entered Damascus overnight.
“We declare the city of Damascus free from the tyrant Bashar al-Assad,” he said in a post on WhatsApp. “To the displaced people around the world, Free Syria awaits you.”
Thousands of Syrians were seen in social media videos celebrating across Damascus overnight, with crowds honking horns, waving flags, and firing their guns into the air.
Russia confirmed that Assad fled the country and relinquished the presidency.
“As a result of negotiations between Bashar Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic, he decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully,” according to a Russian Foreign Ministry statement.
On Sunday, it was confirmed that Assad had fled to Moscow.
Syria’s prime minister, Ghazi al-Jalali, remained in his home, he said he does not intend to leave “except in a peaceful manner that ensures the continued functioning of public institutions and state facilities, promoting security and reassurance for our fellow citizens.”
The U.S., which has about 900 American troops in northern Syria, has been closely monitoring developments in the country.
The takeover of the capital by HTS militants was seen as a blow to Assad and his regime — who had been in power for over 24 years — and Russia, Iran and Iranian-backed Hezbollah.
A 2020 ceasefire left Assad in control of 70% of Syria, but some 6.8 million Syrians have fled the country.
With Assad falling, videos on social media have shown lines of cars filled with Syrians returning to their country.
