Syrian army command tells officers that Assad's rule has ended, officer says

8/12/2024 12:28

Syria's army command has notified officers that President Bashar al-Assad's 24-year authoritarian rule has ended, a Syrian officer who was informed of the move told Reuters, following a rapid rebel offensive that took the world by surprise.



Syrian rebels said Damascus was "now free of Assad".



Earlier the leader who crushed all forms of dissent flew out of Damascus for an unknown destination on Sunday, two senior army officers told Reuters, as rebels said they had entered the capital with no sign of army deployments.



Thousands in cars and on foot congregated at a main square in Damascus waving and chanting "Freedom" from the long Assad family rule, witnesses said.

"We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains and announcing the end of the era of injustice in Sednaya prison," said the rebels.



Sednaya is a large military prison on the outskirts Damascus where the Syrian government detained thousands.