In a stunning turn of events, the Syrian army was left deserted by their leader Bashar al-Assad, who had ruled the country for over half a century. The capital city of Damascus was in chaos, with empty tanks and checkpoints as rebel forces took control after just 11 days of fighting.
Residents of Syria were overwhelmed by the sudden shift in power, with one woman feeling like she was in a dream as rebels celebrated the fall of Assad’s regime. The rebel leader Mohammed al-Jolani appeared publicly at the Umayyad mosque, a symbol of the former government’s stronghold.
The rebels, led by figures like Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, quickly secured control over Damascus, releasing thousands of prisoners from notorious detention centers like Sednaya. As the city celebrated the end of Assad’s rule, rebel fighters hesitated to touch public institutions, saving them for the new government.
For commander Mohammad Abu al-Zeid and his fighters, capturing Damascus was a surreal experience. They navigated the city with Google maps, their guns left untouched in their cars as they witnessed the broken remnants of the Syrian military scattered throughout the streets.
The rapid fall of Assad’s regime left many Syrians hopeful for change, as they looked towards a new future under rebel leadership. The road to Damascus may have been paved with discarded uniforms, but it now marked the beginning of a new era for the country.
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