Where is Bashar al-Assad? Rumours swirl despite denials he's fled Damascus
The atmosphere in Damascus seems filled with uncertainty and anxiety, as many residents struggle to understand the situation while rebel groups draw nearer.
In various neighborhoods, signs of the Assad family's authority have been removed or knocked over.
The interior ministry claims it is establishing a strong protective barrier around the capital. However, government troops have significantly struggled to offer similar protection in the cities, towns, and villages that have been captured by rebel groups throughout the nation.
There are lots of speculation regarding President Bashar al-Assad's location, as individuals are tracking flights to and from Damascus to determine if he has possibly departed the city.
His office has rejected all these claims, stating that he is still working in Damascus, but there has been no evidence to support this.
Syria continues to be a fractured nation, bearing the lasting wounds of years of civil conflict. Even with a noticeable deadlock and stability that lasted for nearly four years, this situation has changed just recently, only a week and a half ago.
Assad's reputation as an outcast among other Arab leaders was over, but there had been little advancement in Syria in creating a sustainable future for its citizens in the wake of the conflict.
However, President Assad's presence appeared to be a flawed, yet definitive conclusion to the long-running and deadly conflict that had persisted for years.
If he is no longer involved, there will be a power vacuum once again, and it's uncertain who will take control. There isn't a cohesive opposition ready to step in. The rebel groups have a track record of being divided and engaging in infighting.
The movement leading the recent revolt against President Assad is rooted in Al Qaeda's extremist beliefs. The group's leader has attempted to calm the fears of other communities in Syria by promising not to enforce their ideology on anyone. However, it's natural for these communities to feel concerned about what the future might hold.
Concerns are growing that Syria might fall into an even worse situation, with different groups fighting for power. In a region that is already extremely unstable and unpredictable, this could lead to further serious turmoil.
For the time being, a common hope binds numerous Syrians, both within the country and abroad. This hope is something many thought they would never feel again: the possibility of returning to their homes, which were lost in the tragic war ignited by Assad's brutal crackdown on protests and dissent.
