Assad flees to Moscow as rebels capture Damascus, ending 50-year rule

Syrian President Bashar Assad has fled to Moscow following a significant rebel advance that captured Damascus, ending his family's 50-year rule. Russian media reported that Assad left after negotiations with rebel groups, ensuring the safety of Russian military bases in Syria. Celebrations erupted in Damascus as crowds took to the streets, waving revolutionary flags. Rebels announced the release of prisoners and declared a curfew in the capital. Abu Mohammed al-Golani, leader of the largest rebel faction, called Assad's fall a victory for the Islamic nation. The situation remains complex, with various factions still active in Syria. Rebel leaders emphasized unity among the country's diverse religious and ethnic groups, aiming to establish a "free Syrian state."