Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is not in Damascus. This is reported by CNN with reference to its source, reports UNN.
The official version of the Syrian president's office is that Assad did not flee the capital. But a source familiar with the situation told CNN that Assad is not in any of the places in the city where he would be expected to be found.
Assad's presidential Guard is no longer in his usual place of residence, as it would be if he were there, the source said, fueling rumors that Assad may have fled Damascus.
Traditionally, this guard has provided Assad's internal security, and some of them are expected to accompany the president when he is on his way.
According to the source, rebel forces do not have reliable intelligence on Assad's whereabouts, and they are continuing their efforts to find him.
Meanwhile, Syrians in the northwestern suburbs of Damascus celebrate the rebel offensive on the capital. The rebels, apparently, are already approaching the city center.
Earlier, the southern rebels, who launched an offensive just a day ago, said they had reached the "gates" of the capital.
It should be noted that the successful rebel offensive began a successful offensive against the Assad regime just over a week ago. According to analysts, if the rebels continue their successful offensive, the Assad regime could fall in just a few days. International organizations have already started talking about the need for a peaceful transition of power in the country.