In a historic turn of events, Syrian opposition forces have taken control of the capital city of Damascus, signalling the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. According to reports from Russian media, Assad has fled the country and has been granted asylum in Moscow. The opposition forces declared Damascus free of “the tyrant Bashar al-Assad” and announced the beginning of a “new era for Syria.”

One of the first acts of the opposition was to free detainees from Sednaya prison, infamous for its harsh conditions and symbolic of the regime’s oppressive rule. Declaring the end of tyranny, rebel forces opened the prison doors, marking a significant moment in their campaign.

In Damascus, Syrians toppled a statue of Hafez al-Assad, the late father of Bashar and the architect of the Assad family's 50-year rule. This act of defiance underscored the nation’s rejection of decades of authoritarian governance and heralded the fall of the Assad dynasty.

Earlier on Sunday, opposition forces announced their capture of the key city of Homs, delivering a major blow to the regime. Rebel fighters celebrated their victory with gunfire and by dismantling posters of Bashar al-Assad, a symbol of his decades-long rule.

The rapid advance of rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), culminated in the capture of four strategic cities—Daraa, Quneitra, Suwayda and Homs—within a single day. These victories have significantly reshaped the political and military landscape in Syria, setting the stage for a new chapter in the country’s history.

The Syrian civil war reached a critical turning point following a large-scale offensive by rebel forces on November 27, targeting the government led by President Bashar al-Assad. The assault, spearheaded by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a breakaway faction of al-Qaeda, quickly breached key cities, with Aleppo becoming an early battleground.

As the insurgents advanced, reports emerged of President Assad seeking Russia’s assistance, recalling President Vladimir Putin's decisive intervention in the conflict nearly a decade ago.

Iran also reportedly attempted to bolster Assad's position by deploying fighters to support his regime. Amid the escalating violence, India issued an advisory urging its citizens to leave Syria immediately and avoid all travel to the region.

Meanwhile, US President-elect Donald Trump commented on the situation, stating that America should refrain from military involvement, asserting, "This is not our fight." Within days, the rebels captured four major cities, including Homs and Daraa, Assad's birthplace, before ultimately seizing the capital, Damascus.

Reports from Russian state agency TASS confirmed Assad had fled to Moscow. Syrian Prime Minister expressed readiness to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the people, pledging a smooth transfer of power. In a bid to maintain order, the rebel chief instructed his forces to respect public institutions in Damascus until the official handover was complete.