Syrian rebels declared an end to President Bashar al-Assad's rule after seizing control of Damascus, forcing him to flee and ending his family's decades of rule after more than 13 years of civil war in a seismic moment for the Middle East.
Leaders around the world have been reacting to the move:
Taoiseach Simon Harris
Taoiseach Simon Harris said that while the fall of the Assad regime in Syria is to be welcomed, the priority must now be to prevent chaos and to ensure a peaceful transition.
Mr Harris said the world must act now to prevent tyranny from filling the vacuum in Syria.
He said the people of Syria have "long wanted a future free of isolation".
He added that recent events have offered a "once in a generation opportunity for regime change".
Mr Harris concluded by saying that the future of Syria must be determined through a peaceful transition along with free and fair elections.
US President Joe Biden
"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.
US President-elect Donald Trump
"Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer," Mr Trump posted on Truth Social.
"Russia and Iran are in a weakened state right now, one because of Ukraine and a bad economy, the other because of Israel and its fighting success."
Russian Foreign Ministry
The ministry said in a statement, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has left office and departed the country after giving orders for there to be a peaceful handover of power.
The ministry did not say where Mr Assad was now and said Russia did not take part in the talks around his departure.
it said Russia's military bases in Syria had been put on a state of high alert, but that there was no serious threat to them at the current time.
The statement said that Moscow is in touch with all Syrian opposition groups and urges all sides to refrain from violence.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan
"Syria has reached a stage where the Syrian people will shape the future of their own country, today there is hope," Mr Fidan said in a press conference in Doha.
"The Syrian people cannot do this alone. Turkey attaches importance to Syrian territorial integrity.
"A new Syrian administration must be established inclusively, there should be no desire for revenge. Turkey calls on all actors to act with prudence and to be watchful.
"Terrorist organisations must not be allowed to take advantage of this situation. Opposition groups must be united. We will work for stability and safety in Syria."
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed the fall of Mr Assad as "good news" and urged a political solution to stabilise for the war-stricken country.
"Bashar al-Assad oppressed his people brutally. He has countless lives on his conscience and has driven numerous people to flee, many of whom have arrived in Germany," Mr Scholz said in a statement.
US Pentagon Official Daniel Shapiro
"The United States will continue to maintain its presence in eastern Syria and will take measures necessary to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State," Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Daniel Shapiro said.
Mr Shapiro called on all parties to protect civilians, particularly minorities, and respect international norms.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani
"I am following with concerned attention the evolution of the situation in Syria. I am in constant contact with our embassy in Damascus and with the office of the Prime Minister," Mr Tajani said on X.
UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen
Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen underscores the clear desire expressed by millions of Syrians that stable and inclusive transitional arrangements are put in place, a statement said.
He urged all Syrians to prioritise dialogue, unity, and respect for international humanitarian law and human rights as they seek to rebuild their society, adding he stands ready to support the Syrian people in their journey toward a stable and inclusive future.
"Today marks a watershed moment in Syria's history - a nation that has endured nearly 14 years of relentless suffering and unspeakable loss... This dark chapter has left deep scars, but today we look forward with cautious hope to the opening of a new one - one of peace, reconciliation, dignity, and inclusion for all Syrians."
UN aid chief Tom Fletcher
"Events in Syria moving at remarkable pace. More than decade of conflict has displaced millions. Now many more are in danger.
"We will respond wherever, whenever, however we can to support people in need, including reception centres - food, water, fuel, tents, blankets," he said in a post on X.
Britain's Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner
"Dictatorship and terrorism create problems for the people of Syria who have faced so much already and also destabilises the region. That's why we have to have a political solution where the government is acting in the interests of the Syrian people. That's what we want to see."
"That's the type of democracy that we say is right for the world, and that, hopefully, is what the Syrian people will get.
"If Assad has gone, that's a welcome change, but what comes next has to be a political solution, and they have to be working in the interests of the Syrian people," said Ms Rayner.
