Syrian Rebels Declare Damascus Liberated

Rebel forces have declared Damascus “free” of Bashar al-Assad, Orda reports, citing The Guardian. 

Meanwhile, government forces are withdrawing amid reports that the Syrian army command informed officers that Assad’s regime had ended, according to Reuters. 

Assad reportedly fled, and Reuters reports that sources in security sources believe he may have died in a plane crash, as the aircraft to an "unexpected U-turn" and disappeared.

The Syrian army later claimed to be continuing operations against “terrorist groups” in the key cities of Hama and Homs and in the Deraa countryside. 

Against this backdrop, rebels have also offered amnesty for military and security personnel if they defect. Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali said the government is ready to aid the opposition and hand over its functions to a transitional government.

He was later seen being escorted out of his office, purportedly to a hotel to hand over government authority.

At the same time, Israel has expanded the buffer zone in Golan Heights in western Syria, while Islamic militants have taken control of 80% of the territory of Manbij province. Citing a source in the Turkish security agencies, Reuters says the "Syrian People's Army," supported by Türkiye, launched the offensive.

The Israeli military also carried out air strikes to destroy equipment.

There could be possible resistance to an incoming government from regional actors such as the United Arab Emirates and Egypt. Both see Islamist militant groups as a threat.  

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the most prominent rebel group in Syria, is designated as a terrorist group by the US.