The Syrian armed opposition announced the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's regime and the entry of their forces into the capital, Damascus, early Sunday morning, marking the culmination of a series of swift victories in recent days.

The opposition's military operations administration confirmed that "the tyrant Bashar al-Assad has fled," declaring that "the city of Damascus is now free."

"After 50 years of oppression under Baath rule and 13 years of crime, tyranny, and displacement, we announce today the end of this dark era and the beginning of a new era for Syria," the statement added, calling on displaced Syrians abroad to return to "free Syria."

Sources from the armed opposition confirmed the withdrawal of regime officers and personnel from the Ministry of Defense and General Staff headquarters in Damascus. Syrian websites reported the suspension of all flights at Damascus International Airport and the evacuation of its staff.

Celebrations Over the Fall of the Regime

Syrians took to the streets of Damascus early Sunday morning, with gunfire echoing throughout the capital and its entrances, celebrating the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Umayyad Square in central Damascus hosted part of these celebrations, which also extended to the vicinity of the radio and television building, coinciding with the flight of army and security forces from several key locations, including the General Staff and Ministry of Defense headquarters in the capital.

Media reports indicated that many Syrian army soldiers abandoned their military posts and left the headquarters unprotected. Notable evacuated sites included military intelligence headquarters and the General Staff building in Umayyad Square.

Several Damascus residents reported that government forces had vacated the streets and celebrations were taking place across the capital following news of President Bashar al-Assad's departure.

Residents added that "several cars are roaming the streets, believed to belong to faction fighters who have entered the capital."

Where is Assad?

Conflicting reports have emerged regarding the fate of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad after losing control of Damascus to opposition factions.

Reuters reported that senior Syrian officials confirmed President Bashar al-Assad had left Damascus for an undisclosed location.

Reuters stated that two senior Syrian army officers confirmed he departed on a plane to an undisclosed destination.

Social media pages circulated claims that Bashar al-Assad had flown from Damascus to Latakia.

Flight tracking websites reported that the plane believed to be carrying Bashar al-Assad was last seen over western Homs after taking off from Damascus International Airport but later disappeared from radar screens.

These websites claimed the plane descended to an altitude of 1,600 feet and made unusual maneuvers before vanishing from radar.

Thousands Released from Sednaya Prison

In another development, the armed opposition reported early Sunday morning that they had opened the gates of Sednaya Military Prison near Damascus, one of the largest in Syria and known as a torture center in rural Damascus, after storming it.

The opposition announced early Sunday that they had stormed Sednaya Prison and successfully freed the prisoners, ending the "era of oppression."

Developments in Syria

On November 27, clashes erupted between Syrian regime forces and opposition factions in western rural Aleppo.

The factions gained control of Aleppo city center on November 30 and fully captured Idlib Governorate (northwest).

On Thursday, the factions expelled regime forces from Hama Governorate in central Syria after fierce clashes between both sides.

On Friday evening, Syrian opposition factions took control of Daraa Governorate's center near the Jordanian border after clashes with regime forces in the province, considered the cradle of the 2011 popular uprising against the regime.

On Saturday, local opposition groups seized the predominantly Druze city of As-Suwayda in southern Syria before capturing Homs Governorate and entering the capital, Damascus, early Sunday.