Hayat Tahrir al-Sham captures Damascus as Assad reportedly flees, marking a shift in Syria's civil war

Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian leader, has reportedly fled Damascus as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham captured the city, marking a significant shift in the Syrian civil war. This development is a major setback for Iran and Russia, who have supported Assad since 2011. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, led by Muhammad al-Jawlani, has gained control over several key cities, including Hama and Daraa. Al-Jawlani, previously associated with al-Qaeda, has rebranded himself as a pragmatic leader opposing Assad, working with Turkey-backed forces. The fall of Assad comes amid challenges for Iran and Russia, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and recent conflicts involving Israel. Iran has begun evacuating its assets from Syria, indicating a decline in its influence in the region.