Syrian Rebels Seize Damascus Amid Political Turmoil**

Syrian rebel forces have triumphantly entered Damascus, attributed to President Bashar al-Assad's unexpected departure. This shift follows extensive fighting in recent weeks, leading to a dramatic change in power dynamics in the war-torn nation.**

Syrian rebel fighters and their supporters celebrated their entry into Damascus on Sunday, reportedly facing no resistance as President Bashar al-Assad fled the country, marking a significant turning point in the 13-year civil war. Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali has announced his readiness to support a new governance structure for Syria. This development comes just 12 days after Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied rebel factions launched a major offensive in the north-west, gaining momentum after capturing Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city, and advancing rapidly towards the capital amidst the collapse of the Syrian military.

Following the initial peaceful, pro-democracy protests in 2011, the situation escalated into a devastating civil war that has led to over half a million deaths and the displacement of millions. Although recent years had seen Assad's government regain control of the majority of cities with assistance from Russia, Iran, and supportive militias, pockets of resistance remained, particularly in northern and eastern regions under Kurdish-led forces backed by the United States.

HTS, originally formed as the al-Nusra Front, has emerged as a dominant faction within the rebel coalition by consolidating control in Idlib and Aleppo regions, which are home to over four million displaced individuals. Despite previous ties to al-Qaeda, HTS has positioned itself as a competitor against the Assad regime, advocating for a revolution aimed at establishing a government based on the will of the people.

The recent offensive was portrayed as a response to government aggression, particularly against civilians in north-west Syria. With tensions high, HTS capitalized on the government’s momentary vulnerabilities, as allied forces, such as Hezbollah, were preoccupied with crises elsewhere. The rapid militant success came after they gained control of Aleppo within days, prompting a swift withdrawal by government forces.

Following the rebels' control of Hama and Homs, early in the week they declared their entrance into Damascus. They marked their victory by releasing political prisoners from Saydanaya prison, notorious for human rights abuses, and proclaimed the end of Assad's regime. Reports indicated that Assad had left Damascus just before their arrival.

In the wake of these events, Prime Minister al-Jalali expressed his openness to working with any new leadership chosen by the Syrian people. Meanwhile, the international community, including the United States, has been monitoring the unfolding events closely, seeking to understand the implications of this unprecedented shift in power within Syria.