Rebel Forces declared Syria free

Rebel Forces declared Syria free

                        Photo: AFP

Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Shams (HTS) has declared the country 'liberated'. The group made the announcement after dictator President Bashar al-Assad fled the capital, Damascus.

This Sunday morning, HTS said in a Telegram post, "Dictator Bashar al-Assad has fled." This marked the end of a dark age and the beginning of a new one.

"Syrians displaced or imprisoned during the Assad regime's half-century rule can now return home," the rebel group announced.

"It will be a 'new Syria', where all will live in peace and justice will prevail", said HTS.

Rebels began celebrating after hearing news of Bashar al-Assad's escape.

Before this, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad fled by plane early on Sunday morning.

After capturing the city of Homs, as the rebels began to enter the capital Damascus, he flew to an unknown destination.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a war monitor, said a private plane took off from Damascus airport. Perhaps Bashar al-Assad escaped on that plane. It took off after being bid farewell by the government forces at the airport.

According to media reports, after taking control of the city of Homs, rebel fighters began to enter the capital Damascus without any obstacles.

In a message, rebel leader Mohammad al-Jolani called on fighters to treat civilians well. He said, 'My brothers, I appeal to you once again - in the towns and villages you enter, treat the people with kindness and humility.'

Three women pose for a photo in Jaramana

He reiterated his promise of amnesty to government forces after surrendering their arms. Meanwhile, the mayor of al-Qaim city in Syria, bordering Iraq, said that about 2,000 Syrian soldiers have crossed the border and taken refuge in Iraq.

According to various local sources in Syria, panic has spread there as the government troops have withdrawn from their positions around Damascus.

Sources confirmed that rebel forces have advanced into the western Damascus countryside. They said government troops had been withdrawn from various towns in Eastern Ghouta. In such a situation, a rush of people to buy food products has been observed in the markets of Damascus.

Sources: BBC, Al Jazeera