Syrian rebels have declared Damascus liberated from President Bashar al-Assad’s authoritarian rule, signaling the dramatic end of his 24-year reign. Government forces have retreated from the capital, and Assad is reported to have fled to an undisclosed location on Sunday.

In a televised address, rebel leaders announced the collapse of the regime following a surprise advance into Damascus, which came shortly after their capture of Homs, a key strategic stronghold.

“We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains,” the rebels stated, referencing the release of thousands of detainees from Saydnaya prison, a site infamous for torturing Assad’s opponents.

Scenes of jubilation erupted in Damascus as thousands of citizens filled the streets chanting “Freedom” and celebrating the end of the Assad family’s five-decade rule. However, despite the apparent fall of the regime, remnants of the Syrian army reported continued operations against “terrorist groups” in Hama, Homs, and the Deraa countryside.

The downfall of Assad’s government represents a seismic geopolitical shift, dealing a significant blow to key allies Russia and Iran, which supported his regime throughout Syria’s 13-year civil war.

Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali expressed the government’s willingness to assist in forming a transitional administration, while opposition leader Hadi al-Bahra declared Damascus “without Bashar al-Assad.”

Speculation about Assad’s fate mounted after unverified footage showed a Syrian Air plane vanishing from radar after departing Damascus. A source suggested the disappearance might be due to either a disabled transponder or the plane being downed, though these reports remain unconfirmed.

The swift rebel capture of Homs was a turning point in the regime’s collapse. Thousands of residents celebrated in the city’s streets as government forces hastily withdrew, burning documents and abandoning their posts. Homs, a longstanding symbol of resistance, bore heavy scars from years of relentless siege warfare.

While Syrians celebrated their newfound freedom, international responses were measured. U.S. President Joe Biden stated that the administration was closely monitoring developments and coordinating with regional allies. Analysts, however, warned that Assad’s fall could embolden Islamist factions, raising concerns about Syria’s future governance.

The Syrian civil war, which began in 2011 as an uprising against Assad’s rule, has left the country devastated, with hundreds of thousands killed and millions displaced. As Syria embarks on an uncertain path forward, the long-term implications of Assad’s fall remain unclear.