Assad flees to Russia and receives asylum after rebels seize control of Damascus

Bashar al-Assad has fled to Moscow and been granted asylum after rebels took control of Damascus, marking a significant shift in Syria's civil war. The rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham led a rapid offensive, ending Assad's 13-year rule. Thousands of prisoners were freed during the takeover, and celebrations erupted in Damascus as the regime collapsed. The U.S. confirmed its military presence in northeastern Syria to prevent a resurgence of ISIS amid concerns over the new rebel leadership. World leaders expressed cautious optimism about the situation, with calls for a political solution and protection of civilians. The UN plans an emergency meeting to discuss the implications of Assad's fall and the future of Syria.