People gathered around a damaged statue of former Syrian president Hafez Al Assad in Qamishli, Syria, on Sunday, following the announcement by Syrian rebels that they had ousted President Bashar Al Assad.
On Sunday, groups of Syrians explored the palaces of President Bashar Al Assad after his ouster, moving from room to room, taking photographs, and some even removing furniture or ornaments. A video obtained by Reuters showed people entering the Al Rawda Presidential Palace, where children ran through the grand rooms and men slid a large trunk across the ornate floor. Several men were seen carrying smart chairs over their shoulders. In a storeroom, cupboards had been looted, with objects scattered across the floor.
Another video, verified by Reuters, depicted scenes from the Muhajreen Palace, where groups of men and women walked across a white marble floor and through tall wooden doors. A man was seen carrying a vase, and a large cabinet stood empty with its doors ajar.
Syrian rebels took control of Damascus on Sunday, forcing Assad to flee and bringing an end to his family's decades-long rule after more than 13 years of civil war, marking a significant moment for the Middle East. Assad, who had not made a public appearance since the sudden rebel advance a week ago, left Damascus for an unknown destination earlier on Sunday, according to two senior army officers who spoke to Reuters. Rebels claimed they had entered the capital without encountering any army deployments.
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