Rebels declare end of Assad’s rule in Syria

Syrian rebel forces announced on Sunday morning they have overthrown president Bashar al-Assad, ending over 50 years of the Assad family’s rule. They declared Damascus liberated and promised to release all prisoners, branding Assad a ‘tyrant.’ The rebels’ offensive in Syria progressed rapidly, capturing cities like Aleppo, Hama, and Homs before focusing on Damascus. The Syrian army offered little resistance, and reports suggest Assad has fled the country. The rebellion is led by the islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), once an al-Qaeda arm but distanced since 2016. HTS is considered a terrorist organization by the UN and USA. The political future of Syria remains uncertain, with concerns of potential violent power struggles.