Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has reportedly fled Damascus as rebel forces continue their rapid advance toward the capital. The Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has claimed major victories, seizing control of significant portions of Homs, a strategic city linking Damascus to Assad’s coastal strongholds. In a dramatic turn of events, videos from the region show a statue of Hafez al-Assad, Bashar’s father and predecessor, being torn down, symbolizing a significant blow to the regime’s authority.

The rebel offensive has escalated sharply in recent days, with HTS and allied factions capturing Aleppo, Idlib province, and key cities like Hama and Homs. In Homs, chaos erupted as police reportedly opened prison gates, releasing all inmates. Government forces are now reportedly redeploying near the city’s outskirts, but pro-regime sources have provided little clarity on whether urban areas have been abandoned. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has reported over 370,000 people displaced in just one week of fighting, marking the humanitarian toll of this conflict.

Amid the deteriorating situation, Damascus braces for further clashes as government troops prepare a counteroffensive. The intensifying violence raises serious concerns about Syria’s stability, with rebel forces gaining momentum and the Assad regime appearing increasingly vulnerable. Meanwhile, countries like India have issued travel advisories, urging their citizens to avoid Syria due to the escalating unrest.