In Syria, Syrian rebel forces declared the capital Damascus "free" from Bashar al-Assad, while government forces have withdrawn.
Dozens of Syrians gathered in central Damascus on Sunday (December 8) toppled and trampled a statue of President Bashar al-Assad's father, Hafez.
Rebels who entered Damascus announced the "escape" of "tyrant" Bashar al-Assad and the beginning of a "new era" in Syria after 50 years of Baathist rule. The rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham called on Syrians displaced abroad to return to a "free Syria."
No one will have to approach "public institutions" in Damascus, which will remain for now under the "supervision" of the outgoing prime minister, "until they officially change hands!" Al-jolani, head of HTS, the armed group, announced, writes "La Repubblica".
The 55-year-old Prime Minister, Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali, appointed to head the government on September 14, announced in a speech broadcast on social media that he is still in the capital and that he wants the best for the citizens. Syria, Al-Jalali said, "can be a normal country that builds good relations with its neighbors and the world."
Then there was news about the downing of Bashar al Assad's plane, but it turned out to be fake news and that an Indian Mig-29 plane had been downed.
"Bashar al-Assad's plane crashed near Homs! It took off from Damascus airport, made a turn and reached a height of 500 meters. Then it crashed!", false information was spread on social networks.
Meanwhile, the army command informs officers of the fall of the regime, the prime minister says he is ready for a possible "surrender" procedure, and the rebels declare the city "free from Assad."
Hafez al-Assad ruled Syria from 1971 until his death in 2000, establishing a brutal and murderous regime before his son Bashar came to power.
The Syrian rebels' surprise offensive began on November 27 under the leadership of the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, during which gunmen seized the northern city of Aleppo, Syria's largest, and the central city of Hama, the country's fourth largest city.
The group has roots in al-Qaeda and is considered a terrorist organization by the US and the United Nations. Its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, told CNN in an exclusive interview Thursday from Syria that the aim of the offensive was to overthrow the Assad government.