In a dramatic escalation of Syria's decade-long conflict, rebel forces announced Sunday that they had \"freed Damascus\" and toppled President Bashar al-Assad. The bold claim comes as verified footage shows armed groups maneuvering through the capital's streets, though the situation remains fluid.
⚡ Conflicting reports: While rebels declared victory, Syria's military insists it maintains control and is conducting \"counter-terrorism operations\" in Hama, Homs, and rural Deraa. Social media videos show smoke rising near key government buildings, but independent verification remains challenging.
🌐 Global implications: If confirmed, this would mark a tectonic shift in Middle Eastern geopolitics. Regional powers and international observers are scrambling to assess the situation as Damascus residents report intermittent gunfire and closed shops across multiple districts.
📹 Street-level chaos: Citizen journalists shared raw clips of rebels patrolling suburban neighborhoods while state media broadcast images of troops deploying armored vehicles. The information war mirrors the physical conflict raging on the ground.
🔍 What's next? Analysts warn the coming 72 hours could determine whether this is a symbolic incursion or sustainable power shift. With Russia and Iran historically backing Assad, all eyes are on how international players might respond.
