Russia said on Sunday that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had “resigned from his position” and left Syria, under pressure from rebel groups led by radical Islamists who routed his army. Already this night, an NGO had announced its flight from power in the face of the rebels’ dazzling offensive. They have announced that they had entered the capital Damascus, where heavy gunfire was heard.
“Tyrant Bashar al-Assad has fled” et “we proclaim the city of Damascus free“, announced this coalition of rebel groups in messages shared on the Telegram application. “After 50 years of oppression under the power of the Baath (party), and 13 years of crimes, tyranny and (forced) displacement, (…) today we announce the end of this dark period and the beginning of ‘a new era for Syria“, she added.
Mr. Assad’s departure for an unknown destination took place with the greatest discretion. The time of his departure, but also his destination, are the subject of speculation, even among the Syrian and foreign officials interviewed.
Since the start of their offensive on November 27 in northwest Syria, the rebels have quickly conquered several major key cities and had announced targeting Damascus, threatening to bring down the Syrian president. “Assad left Syria via Damascus International Airport before members of the armed and security forces left” the site, told AFP the director of the OSDH, Rami Abdel Rahmane. The AFP was not immediately able to confirm from an official source the whereabouts of the president who has ruled Syria for twenty -four years.
The Syrian government army has announced to its officers that the regime of Bashar al-Assad has ended, military sources confirmed to the German news agency dpa.
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