Bashar al-Assad flees to Russia as rebels seize control of Damascus

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has fled to Russia after losing control of Damascus to Islamist-led rebels. This marks a significant shift in the ongoing conflict, which has lasted nearly 14 years and resulted in over 500,000 deaths. Assad's regime weakened due to a combination of demoralized forces and reduced support from allies like Russia and Iran. The recent rebel offensive, which began on November 27, quickly captured key cities, including Aleppo and Homs. Initially seen as a reformer, Assad's leadership turned brutal during the Arab Spring protests in 2011. His crackdown on dissent led to a devastating civil war, but the recent rapid advances by opposition forces have led to his downfall.