Syrian government collapses as rebels seize Damascus and Assad flees

The Syrian government collapsed early Sunday as rebels seized control of Damascus, leading to President Bashar Assad fleeing the country. Donald Trump stated that Assad's fall was due to a "weakened" Russia, which has shifted focus to Ukraine. Trump claimed that Russia and Iran, Assad's main supporters, are now less capable of providing assistance. He emphasized that Russia's interest in Syria has diminished, citing heavy losses in the Ukraine conflict. In a video statement, a rebel group announced Assad's overthrow and the release of prisoners. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali expressed readiness to engage with the opposition and mentioned losing contact with Assad before the collapse.