In a dramatic and historic turn of events, Syrian opposition fighters have announced that Syria has been “liberated” following their successful storming of Damascus. The opposition claimed that President Bashar al-Assad has fled the capital city to an undisclosed location, bringing an end to more than 50 years of Assad family rule over Syria.

The swift and stunning advance by the opposition forces followed 13 years of brutal civil war, which devastated the country and displaced millions. As news of the fall of Assad’s regime spread, joyous celebrations erupted across Damascus and other cities, as well as along the border with neighboring Lebanon. Thousands of displaced Syrians who had fled the violence began making their way back to their homes in what many see as a new dawn for Syria.

Reactions from around the world have poured in, with varying perspectives on the significance of Assad’s ousting and the country’s uncertain future.

United Nations

UN Special Envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, called for a “political way out” of the conflict, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity in the peace process. He urged the need for a focus on Syria’s unity, sovereignty, and long-term stability. “There are lots of wounds that need to be healed,” Pedersen said.

China

The Chinese government expressed hope that Syria would return to stability quickly. Beijing also confirmed that it had taken steps to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals in Syria. “We will continue to provide full assistance to Chinese citizens in need,” the Foreign Ministry said.

Egypt

The Egyptian government called on all parties to preserve Syria’s state institutions and sovereignty, offering its support to the Syrian people and urging national unity.

European Union

Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat, celebrated the fall of Assad as “a positive and long-awaited development,” noting the weakening influence of Assad’s backers, Russia and Iran. The EU’s priority, Kallas stated, was to ensure regional security and help rebuild Syria in a “long and complicated” process that required constructive engagement from all parties.

France

French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the collapse of Assad’s regime, calling it the “fall of a barbaric state.” In a message posted on social media, he praised the resilience of the Syrian people and expressed his hopes for their peace and freedom.

Germany

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described Assad’s departure as “good news,” noting the long-lasting oppression under his rule. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock welcomed the change, but warned that Syria must not fall into the hands of radical groups.

Iran

Iran, a key backer of the Assad regime, expressed respect for Syria’s sovereignty and national unity, calling for an end to military conflict and the start of a national dialogue. Iran emphasized that its longstanding ties with Syria would continue, despite the regime’s collapse.

Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Assad’s fall “an historic day,” highlighting the weakening of Iran’s influence in Syria. Netanyahu also announced that Israel had seized control of a buffer zone in the Golan Heights, a region that had been under Syrian control prior to the war.

Italy

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani expressed concern about the situation in Syria and revealed that he had been in constant contact with the Italian embassy in Damascus. Tajani called for careful monitoring of the evolving crisis.

Lebanon

The Lebanese army announced it was reinforcing its presence on the border with Syria, in response to the rapidly changing situation. Border control measures have been tightened to prevent any spillover from Syria’s unrest.

Philippines

The Philippine government urged restraint and called for the protection of civilians. The Philippines also expressed concern for its nationals in Syria, advising them to stay in contact with the Philippine Embassy in Damascus.

Qatar

Qatar warned that Syria must not fall into chaos following Assad’s ousting. The Gulf country emphasized the need to preserve national institutions and state unity in order to avoid the rise of extremist groups.

Russia

The Russian government confirmed that Bashar al-Assad had resigned and left the country after discussions with various parties involved in the conflict. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that Russian forces in Syria were on high alert but stressed there was no immediate threat to them.

Turkey

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed the collapse of Assad’s government, calling it the natural result of years of turmoil. Fidan warned against allowing terrorist organizations to take advantage of the power vacuum and stressed the need for opposition unity to avoid further destabilization.

United Arab Emirates

UAE’s diplomatic adviser, Anwar Gargash, warned of the dangers of a political vacuum in Syria and stressed the destructive nature of prolonged conflict. Gargash called for all sides to prioritize stability and peace.

United States

The U.S. government, including President Joe Biden, said it was closely monitoring the unfolding situation in Syria. President-elect Donald Trump, in a post on Truth Social, congratulated the opposition on Assad’s departure, claiming that Russia’s withdrawal of support had led to the collapse of the Assad regime.

Yemen

The information minister of Yemen praised the fall of Assad, drawing parallels between the collapse of Assad’s regime and the defeat of Iran-backed forces in Yemen. The minister expressed confidence that Iran’s regional ambitions were in decline.

As Syria moves into an uncertain new phase, international powers are watching closely, with many urging for a peaceful political transition. However, the road ahead for Syria remains fraught with challenges, as various factions vie for influence and the threat of extremism looms large.