Syrian rebels declare Damascus liberated as Assad reportedly flees to Russia

Syrian rebels have declared the capital, Damascus, "liberated" after a rapid advance that led to the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad, who has reportedly fled to Russia. This marks the end of over 50 years of Assad family rule amid widespread celebrations in Syria and abroad. Rebel forces have also taken control of the notorious Saydnaya Military Prison, releasing many political prisoners. The situation has prompted jubilant scenes in cities like Aleppo, where crowds celebrated the regime's collapse, while concerns remain about the future governance of Syria and the safety of minority groups. The U.S. and other nations are closely monitoring the developments, with President Biden emphasizing support for a peaceful transition of power. Meanwhile, Israel has deployed military forces to the Golan Heights buffer zone, citing security concerns following the regime's fall.