Opposition fighters capture presidential palace in Damascus as Assad's location remains unknown

Syrian opposition fighters have captured the Presidential Palace in Damascus, marking a significant shift in control as Bashar al-Assad's location remains unknown. This follows a rapid offensive that led to celebrations in the capital. State television broadcast a statement from the opposition group, Operations Room to Conquer Damascus, claiming al-Assad has been overthrown and all prisoners released. They urged fighters and citizens to protect the institutions of a "free Syrian state." The conflict in Syria began in 2011 as a protest against al-Assad's rule and escalated into a major war involving foreign powers. The ongoing violence has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and millions displaced.