Live: Over 100,000 bodies found in mass grave near Damascus

The Israeli military said on Sunday it has deployed forces in the UN-monitored buffer zone with Syria and at a number of points necessary for defence in lights of the latest events.

Reporting by Reuters

Syrians took to the streets in Damascus and across the country to celebrate the ousting of Bashar al-Assad.

Jordan affirmed on Sunday the importance of preserving the stability and security of Syria, the state news agency reported, after President Bashar al-Assad fled Damascus and rebels took control of the capital ending his 24-year regime.

Jordan added that bolstering the state of security in the region "is being worked on", said the news agency.

Reporting by Reuters

Videos posted online showed Syrians the residence of ousted president Bashar al-Assad in Damascus after he reportedly fled to an unknown destination. 

صور من داخل قصر بشار الأسد في حي المالكي بدمشق #قناة_العربية#سوريا pic.twitter.com/gD4cTXI8M7

— العربية سوريا (@AlArabiya_SY) December 8, 2024

Footage posted by Syrian rebels showed armed fighters inside the Mezzeh Air Base in Damascus, strolling next to Air Force aircraft.

إدارة العمليات العسكرية من داخل مطار المزة العسكري #إدارة_العمليات_العسكرية #ردع_العدوان pic.twitter.com/tNvjeknKGv

— حسن عبد الغني (@hasanabdalgany) December 8, 2024

Syrian rebels announced in a televised statement early on Sunday that they have freed Damascus and overthrown President Bashar al Assad's 24-year regime, adding that all prisoners have been released.

Assad, who had crushed all forms of dissent and jailed thousands, flew out of Damascus for an unknown destination earlier on Sunday, two senior army officers told Reuters, as rebels entered the capital with no sign of army deployments.

Reporting by Reuters

In case you're just joining us, here is what happened overnight in Syria: 

• Syrian rebels have overthrown Bashar al-Assad's rule. 

• Opposition fighters entered the capital Damascus around 5 am local time without resistance.  

• They quickly captured the international airport, the TV and radio building and many other security and government buildings. 

• Government forces and personnel reportedly withdrew from their positions, allowing a smooth takeover for the rebels. 

• Meanwhile, President Bashar al-Assad reportedly boarded a plane before rebels reached the capital and fled to an unknown location. His current whereabouts are unclear.  

• Rebels also freed thousands of political prisoners from the notorious Sednaya prison and other state security jails.

• Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said in a video that he remains in his home and was ready to support continuity of governance.

• Rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, more commonly known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani, instructed fighters to go near public institutions that he said would remain under the supervision of the "former prime minister" until it is officially handed over.

Videos posted online showed protesters toppling the statue of late Syiran President Hafez al-Assad in Damascus. 

#ساحة_عرنوس وسط #دمشق
سقط #الأسد pic.twitter.com/0quoARyvyb

— ZAMANALWSL - زمان الوصل (@zamanalwsl) December 8, 2024

US President Joe Biden and his team are monitoring the "extraordinary events in Syria" are in touch with regional partners, the White House said on Saturday.

"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.

Reporting by Reuters

Syrian rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, more commonly known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani, said on Sunday that it was prohibited to go near public institutions that he said will remain under the supervision of the "former prime minister" until it is officially handed over.

President Bashar al-Assad fled Damascus on Sunday as rebels entered the capital and the Syria's army command notified officers that Assad's 24-year rule had ended, a Syrian officer who was informed of the move told Reuters.

Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said he remained in his home and was ready to support continuity of governance.

Reporting by Reuters

Rebels said their fighters have begun entering the city of Deir Ezzor as hundreds of government forces were surrendering.  

Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said in a video that he remains at home, ready to support the continuity of governance.

Al-Jalali called for the preservation of state institutions "for everyone" and expresses readiness to cooperate with any new leadership chosen by the Syrian people.

رسالة من رئيس وزارء نظام الأسد "محمد غازي الجلالي":: انا في منزلي ولم اغادر سوريا pic.twitter.com/FVp4QMQuBH

— شبكة شام الإخبارية (@ShaamNetwork) December 8, 2024

More from Hasan Abdel Ghani, a military leader in the rebels' operations room:

"To all displaced Syrians, a free Syria awaits your return."

Here is what Hasan Abdel Ghani, a military leader in the rebels' operations room, has said on X:

"After 50 years of oppression under Ba'ath rule, and 13 years of crime, tyranny, and displacement, following a long struggle and resistance against all forms of occupation forces, we announce today, on 8-12-2024, the end of this dark era and the beginning of a new chapter for Syria."

بعد 50 عامًا من القهر تحت حكم البعث، و13 عامًا من الإجرام والطغيان والتهجير، وبعد كفاح ونضال طويل ومواجهة كافة أشكال قوى الاحتلال، نعلن اليوم في 8-12-2024 نهاية هذه الحقبة المظلمة وبداية عهد جديد لسوريا.#إدارة_العمليات_العسكرية #ردع_العدوان

— حسن عبد الغني (@hasanabdalgany) December 8, 2024

Syrian rebels have announced that the Assad government has fallen.