Rebel fighters claimed they captured the Syrian capital of Damascus early Sunday as government forces loyal to the country's president, Bashar al-Assad, were routed in a mater of days. The rebels' claim would open a new chapter in the 13-year-long civil war that has ravaged the ancient land. The Syrian government has detained thousands at the military prison on the outskirts of Damascus, according to Reuters. HTS rebels claimed Saturday that they had captured the city, a day after also claiming to have seized the city of Daraa. A 2020 ceasefire left Assad in control of 70% of Syria, but some 6.8 million Syrians have fled the country.

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Persons: Bashar al, Assad, Hassan Abdul, Ghani, “, ” Hassan Abdul, Deir, ”, Charles Lister Organizations: NBC, Command, Reuters, Russian, U.S, Hamas, Syrian, Human Rights, Al, United Nations, Middle East Institute Locations: Damascus, mater, Free Syria, Russia, Iran, Iranian, Homs, Daraa, The U.S, Syria, Aleppo, Hama, “, Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Raqqa, Al Qaeda, United States, Europe, Portugal, Poland, Washington