The Syrian government collapsed early Sunday, falling to a lightning rebel offensive that seized control of the capital of Damascus.
Hours after Syrian rebels took over the Bashar Assad government, a video appeared, allegedly showing a group of armed men escorting Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali out of his office and to the Four Seasons hotel. Asad’s whereabouts are unknown; however, some reports suggest he might have boarded a plane to flee the country.
The Syrian government collapsed early Sunday, falling to a lightning rebel offensive that seized control of the capital of Damascus. With the unexpected reversal of fortune for Asad, the civil war in Syria, which destroyed the country’s economy and forced millions to seek refuge in the West and neighbouring countries, will likely end.
Following the news of the fall of the Asad government in the war-stricken country, PM Ghazi al-Jalali called for free elections. Jalali further noted that he had communicated with rebel commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani to discuss how the transitional period should be handled.
The United States said it would maintain its presence in eastern Syria and take measures to prevent the resurgence of Islamic State, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Daniel Shapiro said on Sunday.
