WATCH: Bashar al-Assad, Syrian president, reportedly flees as rebels enter Damascus

Syria rebels said they are encircling Damascus as some persons now believe Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime could collapse within daysAl-Assad served as the president of Syria since July 2000, but multiple reports indicate that he has been forced to fleeThe Syrian leader has not been seen or heard from publicly since rebels entered the capital early on Sunday morning, December 8Legit.ng journalist, Ridwan Adeola Yusuf, has over 9 years of experience covering global affairs.

Damascus, Syria – Early on Sunday, December 8, rebel fighters claimed they captured the Syrian capital of Damascus.

As reported by Reuters, the rebels announced that President Bashar al-Assad had fled and that liberation had come to the people.

Syrian rebels claim Assad reportedly flees the capital.
Photo credit: Bashar Al-Assad
Source: FacebookNBC News also noted the development.

The media platform quoted Hassan Abdul-Ghani, senior commander of the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), as saying in a post on WhatsApp:

“We declare the city of Damascus free from the tyrant Bashar al-Assad. “To the displaced people around the world, Free Syria awaits you.”The mood in Damascus appears to be one of confusion and fear, with many people unable to find out exactly what is going on as rebel factions approach ever closer, the BBC reported.

Assad’s location was not immediately known, but multiple media reports indicate he has left Damascus.

Also, fighters with the Syrian opposition movement Hayʼat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) breached the capital Damascus early Sunday, December 8, reportedly freeing prisoners held in the country’s Sednaya Prison, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

In the same vein, gunfire has been reported in the centre of Damascus.

Syria crisis: Prime minister speaksMeanwhile, Syrian prime minister (PM), Mohammad Ghazi Al-Jalali, said he is prepared to “cooperate with any leadership chosen by the people”.

He added that he is “ready for the handover process”.

Watch his video below:

Read more Syria news:Syria’s Assad in first official visit to Aleppo since warSyria’s Ambassador To Baghdad Quits Assad’s GovernmentUNESCO grants heritage status to Aleppo soap as Syria war flaresIran launches barrage of missiles at IsraelEarlier, Legit.ng reported that Iran launched missiles towards Israel.

The attack — in retaliation for Israel’s campaign against the Hezbollah group in Lebanon — marked a significant escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict.

Proofreading by James, Ojo Adakole, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng