Rebels seize Damascus as Bashar al-Assad flees to Russia, ending 13 years of civil war

Syrian rebels have taken control of the capital, Damascus, forcing President Bashar al-Assad to flee to Russia. This marks the end of a 13-year civil war and five decades of Baath Party rule in Syria. The main rebel group, Hayat al-Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), led the advance alongside Turkish-backed militias. The uprising is complex, with various factions holding different ideologies, including Kurdish groups and the Syrian National Army. International reactions have varied, with some governments welcoming the change. The rebels now face the challenge of rebuilding Syria, which has suffered extensive damage and loss of life during the conflict.