The jihadist forces of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) announced the fall of the Assad government on Sunday morning, following rapid advances through the Syrian cities of Homs and Damascus. Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) General Commander Mazloum Abdi portrayed the change as an opportunity to bring justice and rights to all Syrians.
“The tyrant Bashar al-Assad has been overthrown,” HTS announced on Syrian state television. During the night, tanks of HTS forces and their allies reached the centre of Damascus and the central Umayyad Square, taking control of the city. Some sources reported that Assad had left the country on Sunday morning, but his current condition and whereabouts are still unclear.
The prime minister of the ousted Syrian regime said in a video on Sunday morning that he is continuing to work to protect public institutions, and asked the Syrian people not to damage public offices and property. “[The government] is ready to work with any leadership chosen by the people,” he added, leaving open the possibility of elections being held. The Syrian Prime Minister was taken by HTS to hand over power in Damascus on Sunday morning.
Commander Abdi of the SDF stressed the importance of the day. “We are living through historic moments in Syria as we witness the fall of the authoritarian regime in Damascus,” he announced. “This change is an opportunity to build a new Syria based on democracy and justice, that guarantees the rights of all Syrians,” he concluded.
