The long rule of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is over after rebels swept into the capital Damascus.

The fighters declared the city “liberated” in a statement carried on state television. Syrians have been celebrating in the streets.

Assad and his family are now in Moscow after being granted asylum in Russia, according to Russian state media TASS, citing a source in the Kremlin.

The removal of Assad brings an end to more than 50 years of his family’s autocratic rule of the nation of about 23 million, which has been fractured by more than a decade of civil war.

Syrian families living in Turkey get their documents checked at the Cilvegozu border gate as they wait to cross into Syria on December 13.
Syrian families living in Turkey get their documents checked at the Cilvegozu border gate as they wait to cross into Syria on December 13.
Burak Kara/Getty Images
Syrians gather at the historic Umayyad Mosque in Damascus on December 13 for the first Friday prayers since rebels toppled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Syrians gather at the historic Umayyad Mosque in Damascus on December 13 for the first Friday prayers since rebels toppled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Nicole Tung/The New York Times/Redux
People celebrate the ouster of Bashar al-Assad at a marketplace in Damascus on December 12.
People celebrate the ouster of Bashar al-Assad at a marketplace in Damascus on December 12.
Ammar Awad/Reuters
Men exercise as the sun rises over Damascus on December 12.
Men exercise as the sun rises over Damascus on December 12.
Ammar Awad/Reuters
People wait to cross into Syria at the Oncupinar border gate, near the town of Kilis, Turkey, on December 12.
People wait to cross into Syria at the Oncupinar border gate, near the town of Kilis, Turkey, on December 12.
Khalil Hamra/AP
People carry the body of Syrian activist Mazen al-Hamada, who according to Syrian activists was found dead in a prison in Damascus on December 12.
People carry the body of Syrian activist Mazen al-Hamada, who according to Syrian activists was found dead in a prison in Damascus on December 12.
Ammar Awad/Reuters
People react as they search for prisoners at Sednaya prison in Syria on December 11.
People react as they search for prisoners at Sednaya prison in Syria on December 11.
Ammar Awad/Reuters
Rebel fighters stand next to the burning gravesite of Syria's late president Hafez al-Assad at his mausoleum in the family's ancestral village of Qardaha, in the western Latakia province, on December 11. The father and predecessor of Syria's ousted president Bashar al-Assad died in 2000.
Rebel fighters stand next to the burning gravesite of Syria's late president Hafez al-Assad at his mausoleum in the family's ancestral village of Qardaha, in the western Latakia province, on December 11. The father and predecessor of Syria's ousted president Bashar al-Assad died in 2000.
Aaref Watad/AFP/Getty Images
People gather in Al-Madan Square in Madaya, Syria, on December 11 to call for accountability of war crimes committed by the Syrian Armed Forces under the Assad regime.
People gather in Al-Madan Square in Madaya, Syria, on December 11 to call for accountability of war crimes committed by the Syrian Armed Forces under the Assad regime.
Chris McGrath/Getty Images
Hilala Meryeh, a 64-year-old Palestinian mother of four, weeps in the middle of the dingy identification room after finding her son's body at the Al-Mojtahed Hospital morgue in Damascus, Syria, on December 11. Many are flocking to morgues, hoping to identify loved ones who were either killed or imprisoned under Bashar al-Assad's government.
Hilala Meryeh, a 64-year-old Palestinian mother of four, weeps in the middle of the dingy identification room after finding her son's body at the Al-Mojtahed Hospital morgue in Damascus, Syria, on December 11. Many are flocking to morgues, hoping to identify loved ones who were either killed or imprisoned under Bashar al-Assad's government.
Hussein Malla/AP
Israeli armoured <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F12%2F10%2Fmiddleeast%2Fisrael-syria-assad-strikes-intl%2Findex.html">vehicles cross the security fence</a> that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from Syria on December 11.
Israeli armoured vehicles cross the security fence that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from Syria on December 11.
Matias Delacroix/AP
Armed fighters walk among the crowds at the Al-Hamidiyeh market inside the old walled city of Damascus on December 10.
Armed fighters walk among the crowds at the Al-Hamidiyeh market inside the old walled city of Damascus on December 10.
Hussein Malla/AP
A boy walks past a destroyed military vehicle at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Qamishli, Syria, on December 10.
A boy walks past a destroyed military vehicle at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Qamishli, Syria, on December 10.
Delil Souleiman/AFP/Getty Images
A rebel fighter rummages through personal souvenirs belonging to deposed president Bashar al-Assad at one of the rooms in the Presidential Palace in Damascus on December 10.
A rebel fighter rummages through personal souvenirs belonging to deposed president Bashar al-Assad at one of the rooms in the Presidential Palace in Damascus on December 10.
Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters
People looking for relatives talk to sanitary workers and an anti government fighter at the morgue of a hospital in Damascus on December 10, a day after bodies bearing signs of torture were found.
People looking for relatives talk to sanitary workers and an anti government fighter at the morgue of a hospital in Damascus on December 10, a day after bodies bearing signs of torture were found.
Omar Haj Kadour/AFP/Getty Images
Syrian naval ships destroyed in an overnight Israeli attack on the port city of Latakia on December 10.
Syrian naval ships destroyed in an overnight Israeli attack on the port city of Latakia on December 10.
Aaref Watad/AFP/Getty Images
A Syrian man gives documents to a Turkish gendarme to be able to cross into Syria from Turkey at the Cilvegozu border gate near the town of Antakya, southern Turkey, on December 10.
A Syrian man gives documents to a Turkish gendarme to be able to cross into Syria from Turkey at the Cilvegozu border gate near the town of Antakya, southern Turkey, on December 10.
Metin Yoksu/AP
People gather in Umayyad Square in Damascus on December 9 to celebrate the fall of the Assad regime.
People gather in Umayyad Square in Damascus on December 9 to celebrate the fall of the Assad regime.
Daniel Berehulak/The New York Times/Redux
Citizens in Syria take down statues of Hafez al-Assad, the father of Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, on December 9.
Citizens in Syria take down statues of Hafez al-Assad, the father of Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, on December 9.
Murat Sengul/Anadolu/Getty Images
A man sits outside a damaged building in Aleppo on December 9.
A man sits outside a damaged building in Aleppo on December 9.
Karam al-Masri/Reuters
People react as they wait for news of loved ones while Syrian rescuers search the Sadnaya military prison in Damascus on December 9.
People react as they wait for news of loved ones while Syrian rescuers search the Sadnaya military prison in Damascus on December 9.
Abdulaziz Ketaz/AFP/Getty Images
Teams continue to investigate <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fworld%2Flive-news%2Fsyria-war-rebels-assad-israel-12-09-24%23cm4gy45mx001p3b6m5eg8nepr">allegations of a secret compartment in Sadnaya</a> military prison in Damascus, Syria, on December 9.
Teams continue to investigate allegations of a secret compartment in Sadnaya military prison in Damascus, Syria, on December 9.
Emin Sansar/Anadolu/Getty Images
Syrians wait to cross into Syria from Turkey at the Oncupinar border gate in southern Turkey on December 9.
Syrians wait to cross into Syria from Turkey at the Oncupinar border gate in southern Turkey on December 9.
Khalil Hamra/AP
A woman walks past a heavily damaged Syrian government building, in Damascus, on December 9.
A woman walks past a heavily damaged Syrian government building, in Damascus, on December 9.
Louai Beshara/AFP/Getty Images
Rebel forces shoot in the air as they celebrate in the central Syrian city of Homs early on December 8.
Rebel forces shoot in the air as they celebrate in the central Syrian city of Homs early on December 8.
Aref Tammawi/AFP/Getty Images
Syrian opposition fighters celebrate after the government collapsed in Damascus on December 8.
Syrian opposition fighters celebrate after the government collapsed in Damascus on December 8.
Omar Sanadiki/AP
A man steps on a picture of Bashar al-Assad as people enter his residence in Damascus on December 8.
A man steps on a picture of Bashar al-Assad as people enter his residence in Damascus on December 8.
Omar Haj Kadour/AFP/Getty Images
Flames sweep through the criminal security branch of Syria's Interior Ministry in Damascus on December 8.
Flames sweep through the criminal security branch of Syria's Interior Ministry in Damascus on December 8.
Sam Hariri/AFP/Getty Images
People welcome <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fworld%2Flive-news%2Fsyria-civil-war-12-08-2024%23cm4fsbztx00053b6uguqz6tq3">Abu Mohammad al-Jolani</a>, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), before his address at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus on December 8. HTS led the rebel offensive.
People welcome Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), before his address at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus on December 8. HTS led the rebel offensive.
Aref Tammawi/AFP/Getty Images
A rebel fighter sits inside an office at the Presidential Palace after the Syrian government collapsed in Damascus on December 8.
A rebel fighter sits inside an office at the Presidential Palace after the Syrian government collapsed in Damascus on December 8.
Omar Sanadiki/AP
A woman waves a Syrian opposition flag as she celebrates at Umayyad Square in Damascus on December 8.
A woman waves a Syrian opposition flag as she celebrates at Umayyad Square in Damascus on December 8.
Bakr Al Kassem/AFP/Getty Images
Fighters celebrate at Umayyad Mosque in Damascus on December 8.
Fighters celebrate at Umayyad Mosque in Damascus on December 8.
Rami Al Sayed/AFP/Getty Images
A fighter with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) celebrates with residents after the SDF took control of the city of Al-Hasakah on December 8.
A fighter with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) celebrates with residents after the SDF took control of the city of Al-Hasakah on December 8.
Ahmed Mardnli/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Opposition fighters burn a military court in Damascus on December 8.
Opposition fighters burn a military court in Damascus on December 8.
Hussein Malla/AP
A damaged portrait of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad hangs in Qamishli on December 8.
A damaged portrait of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad hangs in Qamishli on December 8.
Delil Souleiman/AFP/Getty Images
Syrians celebrate the arrival of opposition fighters in Damascus on December 8.
Syrians celebrate the arrival of opposition fighters in Damascus on December 8.
Omar Sanadiki/AP
People gather around Umayyad Square in Damascus on December 8.
People gather around Umayyad Square in Damascus on December 8.
Omar Haj Kadour/AFP/Getty Images
An anti-government fighter stands guard over detained pro-government soldiers outside the central city of Homs on December 8.
An anti-government fighter stands guard over detained pro-government soldiers outside the central city of Homs on December 8.
Omar Haj Kadour/AFP/Getty Images
A man walks by a broken portrait of the late Syrian president Hafez al-Assad as people search his son's ransacked private residence in the Malkeh district of Damascus on December 8.
A man walks by a broken portrait of the late Syrian president Hafez al-Assad as people search his son's ransacked private residence in the Malkeh district of Damascus on December 8.
Hussein Malla/AP
A woman shouts as people celebrate in Homs on December 8.
A woman shouts as people celebrate in Homs on December 8.
Muhammad Haj Kadour/AFP/Getty Images
Rebel forces shoot in the air as they celebrate in Homs on December 8.
Rebel forces shoot in the air as they celebrate in Homs on December 8.
Aref Tammawi/AFP/Getty Images
A person drives on a deserted street in Damascus on December 7.
A person drives on a deserted street in Damascus on December 7.
Omar Sanadiki/AP
Syrian opposition fighters ride along the streets in the aftermath of the takeover of Hama, Syria, on December 6.
Syrian opposition fighters ride along the streets in the aftermath of the takeover of Hama, Syria, on December 6.
Ghaith Alsayed/AP
An anti-government fighter shoots a banner with a picture of Assad that hangs on the facade of a municipal building in Hama on December 5.
An anti-government fighter shoots a banner with a picture of Assad that hangs on the facade of a municipal building in Hama on December 5.
Bakr Alkasem/AFP/Getty Images
Smoke rises from the site of an airstrike that targeted the rebel-held northern city of Idlib on December 2.
Smoke rises from the site of an airstrike that targeted the rebel-held northern city of Idlib on December 2.
Omar Haj Kadour/AFP/Getty Images
Anti-government fighters ride military vehicles as they drive along a road in the eastern part of Aleppo on December 1.
Anti-government fighters ride military vehicles as they drive along a road in the eastern part of Aleppo on December 1.
Aref Tammawi/AFP/Getty Images
Cars are set on fire during battles with government forces after opposition fighters entered central Aleppo early on November 30.
Cars are set on fire during battles with government forces after opposition fighters entered central Aleppo early on November 30.
Omar Haj Kadour/AFP/Getty Images
People walk past the rubble of a damaged building at the site of airstrikes targeting anti-regime fighters in Aleppo on November 30.
People walk past the rubble of a damaged building at the site of airstrikes targeting anti-regime fighters in Aleppo on November 30.
Aaref Watad/AFP/Getty Images
Anti-government fighters patrol central Aleppo on November 30.
Anti-government fighters patrol central Aleppo on November 30.
Muhammad Haj Kadour/AFP/Getty Images
Smoke billows in the distance as damaged cars are seen at the site of regime airstrikes targeting opposition fighters in Aleppo on November 30.
Smoke billows in the distance as damaged cars are seen at the site of regime airstrikes targeting opposition fighters in Aleppo on November 30.
Aaref Watad/AFP/Getty Images
Fighters fire towards Syrian Army troops in the Al-Rashidin District on the outskirts of Aleppo on November 29.
Fighters shoot towards Syrian Army troops in the al-Rashidin district on the outskirts of Aleppo on November 29.
Bakr Alkasem/AFP/Getty Images