Syrian rebels announced in a televised statement early on Sunday that they have freed Damascus and overthrown President Bashar Assad’s 24-year regime, adding that all prisoners have been released.
Assad, who had crushed all forms of dissent and jailed thousands, flew out of Damascus for an unknown destination earlier on Sunday, two senior army officers said, as rebels entered the capital with no sign of army deployments.
As rebels entered the city, residents reported heavy gunfire. The government said Saturday that Assad was continuing to run the country from the capital as speculation swirled regarding his whereabouts.
