Bashar Assad flees Syria, ending 14-year rule amid civil war collapse

Syrian President Bashar Assad has fled the country, ending his nearly 14-year rule amid a devastating civil war. His departure marks a significant shift after years of conflict that saw Syria become a battleground for various regional and international powers. Assad's government had regained control over most of Syria in recent years, despite ongoing Western sanctions. However, a recent surprise offensive by opposition groups in northwest Syria led to a rapid collapse of government forces, with Assad's allies unable to intervene effectively. Assad initially appeared as a reformer when he took power in 2000, but his regime resorted to violent repression during the 2011 protests. The civil war has resulted in nearly half a million deaths and massive displacement, fundamentally altering the country's landscape.