CNN reported that “50 years of authoritarian rule in Syria is over” as rebels completely overtook the capital of Damascus Sunday.
“President Bashar al-Assad is missing,” announced Viktor Blackwell, adding “The Russian foreign ministry announced minutes ago that he left Syria and gave instructions to peacefully transfer power but Russia says that they did not participate in these and, this is their word, ‘negotiations.’ Assad has not been seen since this morning.”
CNN then cut to rebels cheering in the streets of the city of Damascus and tearing down monuments to the Assad family.
The news was met with celebration across Syria and beyond as rebel supporters cheered in the streets. They tore down reminders of the now-deposed ruling family and the ex-president.
Co-host Amara Walker continued, “Rebels and civilians are already inside his palace, as you see here roaming through its rooms, the kitchen ransacking it. We’ve also seen images of children arriving with their families, others carrying out furniture. And this morning, new video shows rebels escorting Syria’s prime minister there, in that suit, reportedly to a hotel to officially hand over the government’s authority. This happened shortly after the prime minister released this video message, saying that he is ready to work with the new leadership.”
The now ex-Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi al-Jalali said on tape, “We are ready to cooperate with any leadership
“The prime minister said this takeover happened quickly. It really did,” Walker continued. “Just in a few days, rebels swept through the country, capturing cities in just over a week’s time ,and now they are searching for Assad, although, again, we are hearing that he has left the country.”
Watch the clip above via CNN.