Damascus, Dec 08 (V7N) — President Bashar al-Assad has reportedly fled Syria as rebel forces claim victory, declaring the country free from decades of authoritarian rule. The news, reported by Reuters, cites two senior Syrian officials confirming Assad's departure from Damascus to an undisclosed location.

The Islamist rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which spearheaded the recent offensive, announced on its Telegram channel: "This marks the end of a dark era and the beginning of a new one."

The fall of Assad's government has sparked celebrations in Damascus, with large crowds gathering to rejoice in what they see as the dawn of a new chapter for Syria. "People imprisoned or displaced under Assad's regime can now return home safely," said an HTS spokesperson.

As the regime crumbled, the rebels reportedly freed thousands of political prisoners from Sednaya, the capital’s notorious prison. In a significant development, Hezbollah forces—long allied with Assad—have withdrawn from key Syrian cities.

The collapse of Assad's regime ends over half a century of rule by the Assad family. Bashar al-Assad's father, Hafez al-Assad, seized power in 1970 and maintained a tight grip on the country for over 30 years. After his death in 2000, Bashar assumed control, ruling Syria with an iron fist amid widespread accusations of repression and corruption.

A Middle East analyst described the development to the BBC as "the final moment of 54 years of dictatorship."

While HTS claims a new era for Syria has begun, the country's future remains uncertain amid ongoing challenges of rebuilding and uniting its fractured society.

END/RH/AJ