The morning news reported rebels' control of Homs, followed by their rapid advance into Damascus. By early afternoon, multiple sources confirmed Assad's flight from Syria, with the Kremlin later announcing his arrival in Moscow. The Syrian Prime Minister indicated readiness to cooperate with the new leadership, while HTS leader al-Jolani entered Damascus.
In parallel, Notre-Dame's reopening ceremony proceeded as planned, with Macron attending the inaugural mass. The timing allowed him to respond to Syrian developments between religious ceremonies, declaring the end of the "state of barbarity." The concurrent events created a striking media contrast between reconstruction and destruction.
The political dimension emerged as France officially welcomed Assad's fall, while Trump called for immediate ceasefire negotiations in Ukraine, positioning himself as a potential mediator through Macron's diplomatic channels.