Jihadists Announce Seizure of Power in Syria
Islamists have taken control of Damascus, proclaiming the city "free," and have announced that President Bashar Assad has abandoned the capital. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Jihadists and other anti-government militias have taken control of Damascus, declaring the Syrian capital “free” from President Bashar Assad’s government and stating that he has fled the city.
As reported by Reuters, Assad, who has ruled the country for nearly 25 years, left Damascus on Saturday evening “for an unknown destination,” according to two senior army officers. This development follows the jihadists' announcement of their full control over the strategically important city of Homs, achieved after just one day of fighting.
Prime Minister Mohammad al-Jalali expressed willingness to cooperate “with any leadership chosen by the people,” while stating that he remains at his residence.
HTS, a group led by a former Al-Qaeda commander and known previously as Jabhat al-Nusra, initiated a surprise offensive from the opposition-held province of Idlib in northern Syria just last week. Jihadists have already succeeded in driving the Syrian Army from Aleppo, Hama, Homs, and Al-Qusayr, which is situated at the Lebanese border.
The US-sponsored Free Syrian Army has taken control of the historic site of Palmyra, and the Syrian Democratic Forces, also receiving US support, have captured Deir ez-Zor in the eastern part of the country.
Since 2011, Syrian authorities have been engaged in various localized conflicts as numerous anti-government groups emerged to challenge Assad's rule. Jihadist factions, particularly those receiving foreign military assistance, have become significant forces within the opposition.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
As reported by Reuters, Assad, who has ruled the country for nearly 25 years, left Damascus on Saturday evening “for an unknown destination,” according to two senior army officers. This development follows the jihadists' announcement of their full control over the strategically important city of Homs, achieved after just one day of fighting.
Prime Minister Mohammad al-Jalali expressed willingness to cooperate “with any leadership chosen by the people,” while stating that he remains at his residence.
HTS, a group led by a former Al-Qaeda commander and known previously as Jabhat al-Nusra, initiated a surprise offensive from the opposition-held province of Idlib in northern Syria just last week. Jihadists have already succeeded in driving the Syrian Army from Aleppo, Hama, Homs, and Al-Qusayr, which is situated at the Lebanese border.
The US-sponsored Free Syrian Army has taken control of the historic site of Palmyra, and the Syrian Democratic Forces, also receiving US support, have captured Deir ez-Zor in the eastern part of the country.
Since 2011, Syrian authorities have been engaged in various localized conflicts as numerous anti-government groups emerged to challenge Assad's rule. Jihadist factions, particularly those receiving foreign military assistance, have become significant forces within the opposition.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
