50-Year Assad Family Rule Ends In Syria

In a historic turn of events, the Assad family's half-century rule in Syria has ended following a rapid 10-day rebel offensive that reached Damascus, as reported by Bassem Mroue and Zeina Karam for the Associated Press (AP).

According to Rami Abdurrahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Assad fled Damascus by plane early Sunday. I Photo: President of Russia

Syrian state television broadcast a statement from a rebel group, the Operations Room to Conquer Damascus, confirming President Bashar Assad’s overthrow and the release of all detainees from government jails.

The group urged opposition fighters and citizens to protect state institutions in the newly declared "free Syrian state."

According to Rami Abdurrahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Assad fled Damascus by plane early Sunday.

Iranian state television corroborated the reports of his departure, citing Al Jazeera. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali, in a video statement, signaled readiness to hand over power to a transitional government.