Syrian rebels storm capital of Damascus, reportedly forcing Assad to flee

Islamist rebels stormed the Syrian capital of Damascus on Sunday, forcing dictator Bashar Assad to reportedly flee the country that his family has ruled for more than a half century.

Assad’s reported departure was a pivotal moment in Syria’s 13-year civil war, potentially altering the balance of power across the Middle East where Iran has backed Assad for years.

And it came after insurgent rebels made significant gains in fighting over the last week, including capturing the city of Homs before entering Damascus.

“We declare the city of Damascus free from the tyrant Bashar al-Assad,” the insurgents’ Military Operations Command wrote on Telegram.

“To the displaced all over the world, a free Syria awaits you,” it added.

A war monitor told The Associated Press that Assad had left Syria for an undisclosed location.