Assad had brutally suppressed the Arab Spring uprisings, provoking anti-government forces to try and bring down his regime.

But with Russia distracted in Ukraine and Iran’s proxies fighting Israel, Syrian rebel groups have launched a surprise offensive in recent days.

They took the crucial cities of Aleppo and Hama this week, and now have their eyes set on Homs and the Syrian capital, Damascus.

Middle East expert Charles Lister cited a source who claimed Assad may have already fled Syria after a plane departed Damascus earlier today.

He said: “Source — earlier tonight, a plane flew into Damascus from the east, likely containing an Iran VIP. It then flew to the UAE.

“Hours later, Assad is reportedly missing. He may have fled.”

The Syrian government denied that Assad had left the country.

The anger of Syrian rebels was clear on Friday when the statue of Assad’s father and predecessor – Hafez al-Assad – was decapitated.

Footage showed the bronze head being dragged through the streets from the back of a vehicle after it was torn down.

The advance of rebel groups in Syria is being led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an Islamist militant group.

The group has links to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State.

Their leader Abu Mohammed al-Julani said: “You are on the edges of Homs and Damascus, and the fall of the regime is within sight.

“I renew my call to you, my brothers, to be merciful and gentle when dealing with our people in the cities and villages that you enter.”

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