BREAKING: Syrian Capital Of Damascus Falls To Al-Qaeda Offshoot, Assad Reportedly Flees Country
Militants with Hayʼat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) — an islamist group that was formerly the official Al-Qaeda offshoot in Syria before rebranding in the mid-2010’s — have occupied the Syrian capital of Damascus after a lightening offensive across government territory over the last two weeks.
Late last month, HTS rapidly advanced from their stronghold in Idlib, located on the border with Turkey in Northwestern Syria, and occupied the nation’s second largest city of Aleppo. The city was the site of one of the most fierce battles of the 21st century from the beginning of the Syrian Civil War in 2012 until rebel groups were expelled in 2016.
Russian air power and support from Iran and its proxies such as Hezbollah played a key role in Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s hold on the country, presenting an opportunity for HTS with both countries occupied with other conflicts.
(VOTE: Should JD Vance Run For President In 2028?)
HTS continued their advance across Syria over the past two weeks. On Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, each called on Assad to sit for talks with Syrian opposition forces, seemingly signaling an imminent end to Assad’s rule.
Russia — which maintains a naval base on Syria’s Mediterranean coast — could be seen moving heavy equipment and anti-air batteries out of their bases as of Saturday afternoon.
As of Friday night, HTS had taken control of the city of Homs, the site of another bloody, years-long revolution that has the distinction of being the birthplace of the Syrian revolution.
By Saturday evening in Syria, reports emerged that HTS militants had reached the outskirts of Damascus. The reports were soon confirmed, as HTS fighters could be seen at the Damascus International Airport.
In the city’s suburbs, demonstrators could be seen tearing down statues of Assad’s father, former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad.
Bashar al-Assad has reportedly fled the city ahead of the HTS advance.
This is a developing story.
(FREE REPORT: Take Advantage Of Trump’s New “IRS Loophole” ASAP)