Rebels claim – Assad fled the country, Syria is now ‘free’

Damascus. The rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTAS), which opposes the Syrian government, has claimed that the “dictator” President Bashar al-Assad has fled the country. The rebels claim that Syria is now “free”.

Insurgent group HTAS said on its Telegram channel that a dark chapter has ended and a new chapter has begun. Rebels say people displaced or jailed by Assad’s rule over the past five decades can now return.

The rebels say, ‘This will be a new Syria where everyone can live in peace and justice will reign.’

Earlier, the Reuters news agency quoted two senior Syrian officials as saying that President Bashar al-Assad had left Damascus, but it was not clear where he had gone.

A look at the rapidly changing developments in Syria:

News agency Reuters, citing two Syrian officials, reported that President Bashar al-Assad left Damascus by plane for an unknown destination.
The news came as the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) said President Bashar al-Assad had left the capital.
The rebels said they had freed thousands of prisoners from the Saydnaya prison, where Assad’s opponents were tortured.
The Iran-backed Hezbollah said it had withdrawn its fighters from some areas.

The rebels had previously captured Homs, Syria’s third largest city.

Agency