The rapid developments in Damascus came only hours after rebels said they had captured the strategic city of Homs.
Syrian rebels declared President Bashar al-Assad's ouster after seizing control of Damascus on Sunday, ending his family's iron-fisted rule after more than 13 years of civil war in a seismic moment for the Middle East. The rebels also dealt a major blow to the influence of Russia and Iran in the region, key allies who propped up Assad during critical moments in the conflict.
The United States will continue to maintain its presence in eastern Syria and will take measures necessary to prevent a resurgence of the self-proclaimed Islamic State, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Daniel Shapiro told the Manama Dialogue security conference in Bahrain's capital on Sunday.
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