Rebels claim victory in Damascus as Assad flees after 13 years of civil war

Rebels in Syria have claimed victory in Damascus, forcing President Bashar Assad to flee after 13 years of civil war. The offensive began on November 27, leading to the capture of major cities, including Aleppo and Hama. Assad's departure marks a significant power shift in Syria, raising concerns for India, which has maintained close ties with Damascus. India has supported Syria on international issues and called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict since it began in 2011. The new ruling group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has ties to al-Qaida but claims to have reformed. They face the challenge of rebuilding a war-torn country that requires substantial aid to recover from years of conflict and economic hardship.