Syrian rebels declared President Bashar al-Assad’s removal after gaining control of Damascus on Sunday, bringing an end to his family’s decades long iron-fisted rule after more than 13 years of civil conflict. The rebels also handed a significant blow to Russia and Iran’s regional power, as crucial allies who supported Assad throughout vital points in the fight. A Syrian commander who was aware of the decision told the Reuters news agency that Syria’s army headquarters advised officers on Sunday that Assad’s regime was over.
However, the Syrian army later claimed that it was still conducting operations against “terrorist groups” in the rural areas of Deraa as well as the major cities of Hama and Homs. According to two senior army officers who spoke to Reuters, Assad, who had put an end to all forms of dissent, flew out of Damascus earlier on Sunday. Rebels claimed they had entered the capital without seeing any army deployments. Russian news agencies said that Assad and his family landed in Russia later on Sunday and were given sanctuary by the Russian government.
“We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains and announcing the end of the era of injustice in Sednaya prison,” the rebels said, referring to a large jail on the outskirts of Damascus where the Syrian government detained thousands.
“The great Syrian revolution has moved from the stage of struggle to overthrow the Assad regime to the struggle to build a Syria together that befits the sacrifices of its people,” it added in a statement.
The Syrian rebel coalition said on Sunday it is continuing work to complete the transfer of power in Syria to a transitional governing body with full executive powers.
