Bashar al-Assad's 24-year-long regime was overthrown today (Sunday, December 8) by opposition forces.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, after capturing Damascus, the capital of Syria, announced the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government via Syrian state television.
The Syrian army command also issued a statement confirming that the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had fallen.
According to reports, President Bashar al-Assad has been transferred to an unknown location outside Syria.
In a statement, Assad's opponents declared: "After years of injustice, oppression, and sacrifice by the sons and daughters of this beloved nation, we announce to the great people of Syria and the entire world that Bashar al-Assad's regime has fallen. He has fled the country, leaving behind a legacy of destruction and suffering."
Meanwhile, Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Jalali, in a video message from his home, stated that the government is ready to hand over power to the opposition.
The Prime Minister said: "To the opposition who have extended their hands and affirmed that they will not harm any individual belonging to the Syrian homeland, I declare that this is a normal country, a country that seeks good relations with its neighbors and the world. However, this matter is now in the hands of the leadership chosen by the Syrian people. We are prepared to cooperate with them to provide all possible resources."
Meanwhile, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham welcomed the advancement of his forces into key Syrian cities in a video message.
Abu Mohammad al-Julani, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, stated: "My dear brothers. We are living the final moments of liberating Homs by God's will. This is a historic moment that will distinguish between right and wrong. We call on our brothers the mujahedeen, as we have called on them before, to be kind to people, for those who lay down their weapons should be made safe, and those who run away, should be left to be."
The opposition forces, continuing their advances, managed to capture the cities of Aleppo, Hama, and Daraa recently, and early this morning (Sunday), they reached Damascus, the capital of Syria.
Simultaneously, with the entry of Assad's opponents into Damascus, thousands of prisoners, including political detainees, were released from the city's prisons.
A Damascus resident said: "We feel joy. After 13 years of pressure and the disaster that engulfed our lives, the regime oppressed and harmed us. Now we are free without fear or oppression. We will rise from within, stronger and more united, and continue to build a better future."
This follows a swift offensive launched by Assad's opponents on Wednesday, November 27, which saw them capture the key city of Aleppo. This victory accelerated their progress across other parts of Syria.
Finally, after 12 days of clashes, opposition forces managed to enter Damascus, forcing Bashar al-Assad to flee Syria and take control of the capital.