Syrian rebels declared on Sunday ousted President Bashar al-Assad after seizing control of the capital city of Damascus. Bashar al-Assad has reportedly fled Syria, putting an end to five decades of Ba’ath rule in this country.

Rebels of the Hayʼat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) movement entered Damascus on Sunday, a week after taking Syria’s second-largest city, Aleppo. The New Arab confirmed rebel factions said on Telegram, “We announce today the end of this dark period and the start of a new era for Syria.” In a broadcast statement, Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali has offered a peaceful transition of power. The prime minister said he is ready to cooperate with any new leadership the Syrian people choose. HTS rebels were also freed prisoners in various facilities. Hundreds of detainees were allegedly freed from Sednaya Prison, known for containing anti-regime insurgents and political prisoners.

Various States and international organizations have reacted to the end of al-Assad’s rule. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has hailed the end of Syria’s dictatorial regime, as he called the Office of the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria to work with the Syrian people towards their future. To that end, UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen urged “all Syrians to prioritize dialogue, unity, and respect for international humanitarian law and human rights as they seek to rebuild their society”. Here, the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 2254 is regarded as crucial to ensure a stable government.

Similarly, President Biden has described the end of Assad’s regime as “a fundamental act of justice”. Several world leaders have recalled this as an opportunity for Syria to rebuild. Representatives such as Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, offered support to “safeguarding national unity and rebuilding a Syrian state that protects all minorities”. Human rights organizations have also welcomed the news. Amnesty International urged the importance of redress and justice after decades of grave human rights violations.

Formerly al-Qaeda-affiliated HTS has been considered a terrorist group by the US since 2018. Currently, the US Central Command confirmed airstrikes continue targeting known ISIS camps in central Syria. Operations seek to “ensure that ISIS does not seek to take advantage of the current situation to reconstitute in central Syria.”