Photo: OMAR HAJ KADOUR / AFP / Getty Images
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has reportedly fled Damascus as rebels claim they have entered the capital, according to a report from Reuters. The rebel forces, consisting of various factions, have taken strategic positions within the city, with some sources indicating that Damascus has "fallen militarily."
In a post on Telegram, the rebel forces declared Damascus "free."
"We declare the city of Damascus free from the tyrant Bashar al-Assad,” they wrote, according to CNN. "To the displaced all over the world, a free Syria awaits you."
A source familiar with the advance told CNN that operatives are occupying key locations in the capital. The rebels have also claimed to have liberated the notorious Saydnaya Military Prison.
As the situation unfolds, there are reports of chaos at Damascus airport, with people attempting to flee the country. The Syrian rebels are reportedly in contact with senior Assad regime officers who are considering defecting. Meanwhile, the United States has stated it will not intervene in the Syrian civil war but will focus on preventing the resurgence of ISIS.
The rapid advance of the rebels has led to speculation that Assad's regime could fall within days. The rebels have already captured several cities, including Aleppo and Hama, in a swift offensive. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing clashes reported in various parts of Damascus.