Assad Flees as Rebels Seize Control of Damascus

The Syrian government appears to have collapsed following a rapid rebel offensive, ending the Assad family's 50-year rule. President Bashar Assad reportedly fled the country as insurgents entered Damascus, marking the first time opposition forces have reached the capital since 2018. The Syrian Prime Minister expressed readiness to transition power to the opposition. The rebels, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, have seized key cities, including Homs, Aleppo, and Hama, with little resistance from Syrian forces. The UN and international diplomats are calling for urgent talks to ensure a political transition.