Syria's Bashar Al Assad government reported to have been toppled, indicating a significant shift in power dynamics, as rebel fighters have reportedly entered the capital city of Damascus following a rapid advance.

According to a Syrian opposition war monitor, President Bashar Al Assad has left the country. The speed of this offensive has been remarkable, with the government's control collapsing within just a few days after the rebels initially breached military lines in Aleppo. Prior to their entry into Damascus, the rebel forces successfully captured Homs, Syria's third-largest city, which government forces had abandoned.

Four cities—Daraa, Quneitra, Suwayda, and Homs—fell from Assad's control in a mere 24-hour timeframe. The Turkish-backed group Hayat Tahrir Al Sham (HTS) initiated the breakthrough by overcoming the defenses in Aleppo, ending a long-standing stalemate that had persisted in the region for years. This unexpected turn of events has allowed the opposition to achieve what they have sought since the onset of the civil war in 2011: the overthrow of the Assad regime.

The fall of Aleppo has had a domino effect, leading to the rapid loss of additional cities as the rebels advanced toward Damascus.

On the early hours of Sunday, rebel forces took control of Sednaya prison, located on the outskirts of the capital, releasing all inmates, a potential signal of the impending end of the Assad family's five-decade rule.

Notably, this marks the first instance of opposition forces reaching Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops regained control over areas surrounding the capital after a prolonged siege.

However, reports indicate that this time, Damascus has indeed fallen, with Bashar Al Assad reportedly absent and potentially having fled the country.