Anti-government fighters celebrate at Umayyad Square in Damascus
Anti-government fighters celebrate at Umayyad Square in Damascus
Syrian rebels have said that they have ended Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year authoritarian rule, in their first announcement on state television following a lightning offensive that took the world by surprise.
Syria’s army command notified officers that Assad’s regime had ended, a Syrian officer who was informed of the move told Reuters.
Syrian rebels said Damascus was “now free of Assad” and called on citizens abroad to return to a “free Syria” and saying it was free of the “tyrant”.
“After 50 years of oppression under Baath rule, and 13 years of crimes and tyranny and (forced) displacement… we announce today the end of this dark period and the start of a new era for Syria,” the rebels said on Telegram.
Earlier Mr Assad flew out of Damascus for an unknown destination, two senior army officers told Reuters, as rebels said they had entered the capital with no sign of army deployments.
Thousands in cars and on foot congregated at a main square in Damascus waving and chanting “Freedom”, witnesses said.
“We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains and announcing the end of the era of injustice in Sednaya prison,” said the rebels.
Read: Syrian rebels’ lightning offensive: 11 days to the fall of Damascus
Sednaya is a large military prison on the outskirts Damascus where the Syrian government detained thousands.
A Syrian airplane took off from Damascus airport around the time the capital was reported to have been taken by rebels, according to data from the Flight radar website.
The aircraft initially flew towards Syria’s coastal region, a stronghold of Mr Assad’s Alawite sect, but then made an abrupt U-turn and flew in the opposite direction for a few minutes before disappearing off the map.
Reuters could not immediately ascertain who was on board.
Meanwhile Iran’s embassy was stormed by Syrian rebels following their capture of Damascus while Iraq evacuated its embassy in Syria and moved staff to Lebanon.
Anti-government fighters celebrate following the capture of Damascus
Syrian PM says ready to co-operate with any leadership chosen by the people
Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali he was ready to “co-operate” with any leadership chosen by the people.
In a speech broadcast on his Facebook account, premier Mr Jalali said: “this country can be a normal country that builds good relations with its neighbours and the world.”
“But this issue is up to any leadership chosen by the Syrian people. We are ready to co-operate with it (that leadership) and offer all possible facilities,” he added.
Mr Jalali said he was “ready for any handover procedures”.
Rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani said state institutions will be supervised by former Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali until they are handed over, signalling efforts to secure an orderly transition after rebels declared an end to Bashar al-Assad’s rule.
Signed in his real name – Ahmed al-Sharaa – Mr Golani’s statement banned military forces in Damascus from approaching public bodies and prohibited the firing of guns in the air.
In an interview with Al Arabiya news agency, Mr Jalali – appointed prime minister by Assad in September – said he had been in contact with Mr Golani to discuss managing the current transitional period, and said Syria should hold free elections.
Mr Jalali said he remained in his home and was ready to support continuity of governance.
The Syrian rebel coalition also said it is continuing work to complete the transfer of power in Syria to a transitional governing body with full executive powers.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied factions have pressed a lightning offensive since 27 November, sweeping swathes of the country from government control, including major cities Aleppo, Hama and Homs.
Provinces in the country’s south and east have also fallen from government hands after local fighters seized control and Mr Assad’s forces withdrew.
Mr Golani ordered his forces not to approach official institutions in Damascus, saying they would remain under the prime minister until they were “officially” handed over.
