The Syrian presidentβs plane has reportedly left the capital, and the countryβs armed forces have withdrawn from positions in Damascus
Hayat Tahrir-al-Sham (HTS) jihadists and other anti-government militias entered Damascus on Saturday, taking control over the Syrian capital. A Syrian military source has told Reuters that the armed forces have been informed that the era of President Bashar Assad is over, while flight data websites have shown that his presidential plane has left the city.
Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad al-Jalali has already offered to cooperate βwith any leadership chosen by the people,β also claiming that he remains in his home.
HTS, a group led by a former Al-Qaeda commander and previously known as Jabhat al-Nusra, launched a surprise offensive from the opposition-held province of Idlib in northern Syria last week.
Jihadists have already driven the Syrian Army from the cities of Aleppo, Hama, Homs, and Al-Qusayr at the border with Lebanon.
Update:Β 11:31Β Β ESTΒ 08-12-24
Just In: The militants who captured Damascus have announced a curfew until Wednesday in the Syrian capital, which will start at 4pm and end at 5am.
Just In: A Syrian IL-76T coming from Damascus lost fast altitude near Homs and possibly crashed west of that city. There are rumors that it was Assadβs plane.
Just In: Bashar Al Assad’s home being looted.
Just In: The Israeli prime minister says he has ordered the military to βseizeβ a UN-patrolled buffer zone between the Israeli-occupied and Syrian-controlled Golan Heights.
Just In: Explosions are reportedly being heard in Damascus. Footage of a large fire purportedly raging through the Immigration Department building is circulating online.
Just In: Massive Israeli Air Force airstrikes on the Mezzeh airbase near Damascus.
Syrian sources say Assad may have been killed in plane crash during escape https://t.co/VCvt48tYBg via @timesofisrael
— Silvia Elizabeth Palacios (@SilviaE71071006) December 8, 2024
