President of Syria Bashar al-Assad fled as rebels overthrow his government

President of Syria, Bashar al Assad has fled Damascus on a plane for an unknown destination after rebels reprotedly overthrown his government.

A group of fighters in the Syrian opposition forces announced in a statement broadcast live on Syrian national television on Sunday that the “tyrant al-Assad has been toppled” and that all prisoners have been freed from a major prison facility in Damascus.

“The city of Damascus has been liberated. The tyrant Bashar al-Assad has been toppled. All the prisoners have been released from the prison of Damascus,” a leader of the group said.

“We wish all our fighters and citizens preserve and maintain the property of the state of Syria. Long live Syria,” he added.

The opposition said al-Assad, whose family ruled Syria for more than 50 years, had fled the capital. His whereabouts remain unknown.

Syria’s army command has now notified officers that his 24-year rule has ended, an officer who was informed of the move told Reuters.

Thousands celebrating in the streets

Soon after, the rebels announced it was prohibited to go near public institutions that will remain under the supervision of the “former prime minister”.

Thousands of Syrians, in cars and on foot, have congregated at a main square in Damascus chanting for freedom.

Omar Horanieh, a resident of the capital, told Al Jazeera that before opposition fighters entered the city, he heard loud blasts and sounds of shooting.

He said once the fighters entered the city, “everyone was shouting God is the greatest”.

Celebrations were also reported in the city of Latakia as well as along the border with Lebanon.

Syrian PM speaks

As Syrians expressed joy, Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali called for free elections so Syrians can choose who they want.

“I am here in my home,” Ghazi al Jalali said.

“I have not left it and do not intend to leave, except in a peaceful manner that ensures the continued functioning of public institutions and state facilities, promoting security and reassurance for our fellow citizens.”

He said he would go to his office to continue work in the morning and called on Syrian citizens not to deface public property.

He did not comment on reports Mr Assad has fled Damascus.

End of Syria’s civil war

Syria’s civil war, which erupted in 2011 as an uprising against Assad’s rule, dragged in big outside powers, created space for jihadist militants to plot attacks around the world and sent millions of refugees into neighbouring states.

The frontlines of Syria’s complex civil war were dormant for years. Then Islamists once affiliated with Al Qaeda suddenly burst into action, posing the biggest threat to Assad.

Israel, which has severely weakened the Iran-backed groups Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, will likely celebrate the fall of Assad, another of Iran’s key regional allies. But the prospects of an Islamist group ruling Syria will likely raise concerns.

World leaders react

As the pace of events stunned Arab capitals and raised fears of a new wave of regional instability, here is how world leaders react:

Geir Pedersen, UN envoy to Syria

“What is important is that we are able to find a situation where there is a political way out of this. And that political way needs to be very different from what it has been before, it needs to be a process that is inclusive of everyone, and where we really focus on the need for unity, stability, where Syria is able to restore its sovereignty and its territory. There are lots of wounds that need to be healed.”

US President Joe Biden

“President Biden and his team are closely monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria and staying in constant touch with regional partners,” the White House said in a statement.

Amichai Chikli, Israeli diaspora affairs minister

Chikli says the opposition advances in Syria “are far from a cause for celebration” for his country, as he calls for the renewal of Israel’s control at Mount Hermon in the occupied Golan Heights and the establishment of a new line of defence based on the 1974 ceasefire line with Syria.

“Most of Syria is now under the control of affiliate organisations of” al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS), he was quoted as saying by the Israel Hayom newspaper.

The majority of Syria’s Golan Heights region was occupied by Israel in 1967 and subsequently annexed in 1981.