Assad said to flee as Syrian rebels appear to move into Damascus without resistance

Assad said to flee as Syrian rebels appear to move into Damascus without resistance

The Times of Israel is liveblogging Sunday

Assad rule in Syria has ended, rebels say, as army appears to disband

Syria’s army command has notified officers that President Bashar al-Assad’s rule has ended following a lightning rebel offensive, a Syrian officer who was informed of the move tells Reuters.

Syrian rebels also say Damascus is “now free of Assad,” calling on Syrians abroad to return to their newly freed country.

An Associated Press journalist in Damascus reports seeing groups of armed civilians along the road in the outskirts of the capital and hearing sounds of gunshots. The city’s main police headquarters appeared to be abandoned, its door left ajar with no officers outside, they say.

Another AP journalist shoots footage of an abandoned army checkpoint where uniforms are discarded on the ground under a poster of Assad’s face.

Syrian exile group celebrates Assad’s apparent exit from Damascus

The head of Syria’s main opposition group abroad Hadi al-Bahra Syrian says Damascus is now “without Bashar al-Assad”.

Assad flew out of Damascus for an unknown destination on Sunday, two senior army officers told Reuters, as rebels said they had entered the capital with no sign of army deployments.

Thousands in cars and on foot congregate at a main square in Damascus waving and chanting “Freedom,” witnesses say.

Assad said to flee Damascus for unknown destination

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has boarded a plane and left Damascus for an unknown destination on Sunday, two senior army officers tell Reuters.

The report comes as rebels say they had entered the capital with no sign of army deployments.

There is no confirmation of the claim, which is also reported by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights opposition war monitor.

The New York Times reports that screen captures shared on social media purport to show only a single flight leaving Damascus as the rebels moved in. That flight went to Moscow.

Other footage appears to show chaos at the airport as staff and security leave their posts.

At Damascus Airport, Footage captures a scene of complete Chaos as Staff and Security Personnel suddenly vanish, leaving Travelers in a state of Panic, with many running in all directions. Meanwhile, Flights are abruptly Canceled, adding to the Confusion.

Insurgents claim to free inmates from large prison near Damascus

Rebels said to enter Damascus as army reportedly abandons airport

Hezbollah pulling forces out of Damascus outskirts, sending some to Latakia