Rebel leader declares Assad's regime has fallen in historic victory for Syria

Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), declared the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime a historic victory for Syria. Celebrations erupted as reports indicated Assad fled to Moscow, marking a significant shift in the country's power dynamics. In a speech at the Umayyad Mosque, Jolani emphasized the rebel takeover as a new beginning for Syria, stating, "Today, Syria is being purified." He highlighted the end of Assad's oppressive rule and the liberation of the Syrian people from decades of conflict. Jolani, previously linked to al-Qaeda, has adopted a more moderate image in recent years. His leadership has been credited with the rapid collapse of Assad's government, which had ruled for over fifty years amid a brutal civil war.