Syrian rebel forces entered Damascus before dawn, following the previous day's capture of Homs and Daraa. By early morning, Assad had fled the capital, with initial reports suggesting an escape by air. The Syrian army declared the end of Assad's rule, while Iran withdrew its remaining personnel.
By noon, rebels had taken control of the presidential palace, which was later set ablaze. Celebrations erupted across Damascus as prison gates opened. Israel conducted strikes on chemical weapons facilities, while Kurdish forces declared support for the transition.
Evening reports confirmed Assad's arrival in Moscow, where Putin granted him asylum. The rapid collapse of the regime sparked debate about Syria's future under potential Islamist leadership, particularly regarding Al-Dschaulani's arrival in Damascus. German media shifted focus to implications for Syrian refugees and regional power dynamics, while Netanyahu claimed partial credit for the regime's collapse through what he termed a "chain reaction" strategy.