Breaking News: Syrian President Ousted, Regime Collapses
Assad Regime Comes to an Abrupt End
Syrian state television on Sunday aired a video statement by a group of men announcing the ouster of longtime President Bashar al-Assad and the release of all prisoners from jail, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported.
Dramatic Turn of Events
The video followed a dramatic turn of events early Sunday, as anti-regime armed groups seized control of the capital, Damascus, bringing the Assad regime to an abrupt end.
Call to Protect the Institutions
The person who read out the statement called on all opposition members and citizens to protect the institutions of “the free Syrian state.”
Background to the Crisis
Clashes broke out between Assad regime forces and anti-regime armed groups on November 27 in rural areas west of Aleppo, a major city in northern Syria.
Key Developments
On November 30, anti-regime groups took control of most of the centre of Aleppo from regime forces, and on the same day, they gained control over the entire Idlib province. Last Thursday, after fierce clashes, the groups took the city centre of Hama from regime forces.
Advances in Strategic Provinces
Anti-regime groups captured some settlements in the strategically important province of Homs, a gateway to the capital Damascus, and started to advance there.
Key Victories
On Friday, armed opposition groups launched an operation in the Daraa province on Syria’s border with Jordan and recaptured the city centre from the regime forces after clashes.
Provinces Under Opposition Control
On Saturday, the entire province of Suwayda in southern Syria also came under the control of opposition groups. On the same day, local opposition groups in Quneitra also took control of the provincial center.
Homs Province Under Opposition Control
In the province of Homs, which leads to the capital, anti-regime forces took control of the provincial centre on Saturday.
Assad Regime in Disarray
Groups advancing against Assad regime forces entered the southern suburbs of Damascus later on Saturday. Regime forces also withdrew from the Defence and Interior ministries and the international airport in Damascus.
Assad’s Whereabouts Unknown
As anti-regime armed groups started to dominate the capital, the Assad regime on Sunday morning quickly lost all control of Damascus. Amid rumours of his flight from the capital, the whereabouts of the ousted Assad remain unknown.
Operation Dawn of Freedom
Separately, in Operation Dawn of Freedom launched by the opposition Syrian National Army against the terrorist organisation PKK/YPG in rural areas of Aleppo on December 1, the Tel Rifaet district centre was liberated from terrorism.
Conclusion
The ousting of President Bashar al-Assad marks a significant turning point in the Syrian conflict, as the opposition gains control of key provinces and the capital. The future of the country remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the Assad regime has come to an end.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened to President Bashar al-Assad?
- His whereabouts are currently unknown, with rumors of his flight from the capital.
- Who announced the ousting of President al-Assad?
- A group of men in a video statement aired on Syrian state television.
- What is the current state of the Syrian capital, Damascus?
- The Assad regime has lost control of the capital, with anti-regime armed groups in control.
- What is the significance of the Operation Dawn of Freedom?
- It marks a major victory against the terrorist organisation PKK/YPG in rural areas of Aleppo.