BEIRUT — Islamist-led rebels declared that they had overrun Damascus in a lightning offensive on Sunday, sending President Bashar al-Assad fleeing and ending five decades of Baath rule in Syria.
Residents in the Syrian capital were seen cheering in the streets of Damascus as the rebel factions heralded the departure of 'tyrant' Assad and 'declare the city of Damascus free.'The president's reported departure comes less than two weeks since the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group launched its campaign challenging more than five decades of rule by the Assad family.'After 50 years of oppression under Baath rule, and 13 years of crimes and tyranny and displacement...
The Syrian army said that, in addition to the area around Damascus, it was reinforcing positions in the south, and operations against the rebels were beginning in the Hama, Homs and Daraa areas.AFP has been unable to independently verify some of the information provided by the government and the rebels, as its journalists cannot reach the areas around Damascus where the rebels say they are present.
Rebels Seize Capital As Assad Flees
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