Syrian state television announced the ouster of Bashar al-Assad on Sunday, as anti-regime forces seized control of Damascus.
The statement declared the release of all prisoners and called for citizens to protect the “free Syrian state.”
The regime’s collapse followed rapid advances by opposition forces, beginning November 27 with clashes near Aleppo.
By November 30, opposition groups had taken Aleppo’s center, Idlib province, and, soon after, Hama and Homs.
Southern provinces Daraa and Suwayda fell on Friday and Saturday, while Damascus succumbed early Sunday.
Regime forces abandoned key institutions, including the airport, leaving Assad’s whereabouts unknown.
Separately, the Syrian National Army liberated Tel Rifaat from PKK/YPG control in “Operation Dawn of Freedom.”
Syria now enters a critical period of rebuilding and transformation after decades of Assad’s rule.
