Sun Dec 08 07:00:00 UTC 2024: ## Syrian Opposition Claims Assad’s Fall, Enters Damascus
**Damascus, Syria** – Syrian opposition forces have announced the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime after entering the capital, Damascus. Reports indicate that Assad fled the country late Saturday night, heading to an undisclosed location, according to multiple high-ranking Syrian officials and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The announcement followed the reported withdrawal of Hezbollah fighters from Damascus and Homs, heading towards Lebanon and the Syrian coast. Syrian Prime Minister Mohamed Jallali declared his willingness to cooperate with any government chosen by the people and facilitate a smooth transfer of power. He stated his intention to be at the cabinet meeting on Sunday morning to oversee this process.
A commander from Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, issued a statement urging military forces within Damascus to refrain from approaching public institutions, which will remain under the supervision of the former Prime Minister until official handover. He also prohibited celebratory gunfire.
While the opposition claims control, reports of heavy gunfire continue within Damascus, with conflicting accounts of the level of fighting. One resident told CNN that opposition fighters were present in the Barzeh neighborhood and that clashes were ongoing, with power outages and limited internet access. Reuters also reported hearing heavy gunfire from multiple sources. Earlier, HTS fighters announced the complete capture of Homs, a city north of Damascus.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Syrian soldiers and officers received orders to withdraw from Damascus International Airport following a private plane’s departure on Saturday night. The Observatory also noted that hundreds of Syrian soldiers in Damascus were seen changing into civilian clothes.
The situation remains fluid, with reports suggesting a power vacuum and ongoing uncertainty regarding the future of Syria. The extent of opposition control and the level of resistance remain unclear, as the situation continues to develop.
First Piper 