Jawlani has moved to form a transitional government, get the buses running and turn the power back on.

We declare the city of Damascus free from the tyrant Bashar al-Assad,” a rebel leader said on WhatsApp. “To the displaced people around the world, Free Syria awaits you.”

Tens of thousands of people held in Syria's notorious prisons have been freed in the 10 days since the insurgents began their lightning advance across the country that ended with the toppling of President Bashar Assad.