The rebel forces in Syria announced on Sunday morning that "the free Syrian people have toppled the regime of Bashar Al-Assad."
Earlier, the rebels had reached "beyond enemy lines" in the Syrian capital, Damascus, and had begun searching for President Bashar Al-Assad.
The rebels stated that they had freed prisoners from the Saydnaya military prison on the outskirts of the Syrian. Two sources from the rebel forces told Reuters that there appeared to be no Syrian army deployment in the city. Al Jazeera reported that officers and security officials withdrew from the Ministry of Defense headquarters in Damascus.
Meanwhile, two senior Syrian officers told Reuters that President Bashar al-Assad had left Damascus for an unknown destination. According to reports in Syria, Assad's plane took off from the country shortly after the rebels took over the capital, but the plane later disappeared from radar and at this point it is unclear what happened to it.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition organization based in London, told the AFP news agency that the Syrian army and security forces had withdrawn from Damascus International Airport following the rebels' advance toward the capital.
Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Razi Al-Jalali made a special statement following the toppling of the Assad regime in which he said that his government is ready to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the Syrian people.
"I hope everyone will act rationally. I am ready to support the continued management of the country's affairs. We are ready to cooperate with any leadership the people choose. We extend a hand to every Syrian citizen who wishes to preserve the country's capabilities and believe that Syria belongs to all Syrians," Al-Jalali said.
Earlier, the commander of the Syrian jihadist rebel organization "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham", Abu Mohammad al-Julani, announced that his forces have "completely liberated" the city of Homs, the third largest city in Syria, from the Assad regime.
He called on his fighters not to harm soldiers from the Syrian army who are laying down their weapons.
Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV reported an Israeli strike at the Al-Qusayr crossing on the Syria-Lebanon border following the rebels' takeover of the area, which is considered a key smuggling route for Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Sources in the Syrian army told Reuters that Hezbollah forces withdrew from the town of Al-Qusayr shortly before it was taken over by rebels, and that the IDF attacked one convoy.
According to these sources, at least 150 armored vehicles carrying hundreds of Hezbollah members left the city in stages.
Israel has sent a message to the Syrian rebel forces warning that the IDF will act powerfully if forces dare to cross the Israel-Syria border and the 1974 armistice line.
At the same time, in light of the developments in Syria, the IDF has sent aerial and ground reinforcements to the Golan Heights, under command of Division 210, which operates on the Syrian border.
Bloomberg reported that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad sent a message, indirectly, to US President-elect Donald Trump, in an effort to preserve his rule. According to the report, Assad requested aid from the US through the United Arab Emirates, offering to cut ties with Iran and its proxies in exchange for aid from the West that would allow him to remain in power. Assad has also turned to Hungarian President Viktor Orban, trying to convince him that the Christian minority in Syria is in danger, and that Orban must use his connections to pressure Trump to intervene.
Meanwhile, the Syrian rebels entered Homs on Saturday, and reached the outskirts of Damascus. According to reports, the rebels already control some of Damascus' suburbs. Assad has denied reports that he fled the city, after reports said that his wife and children left Syria and escaped to Russia. A source considered well-versed in the details told CNN that the presidential guard is no longer in Assad's palace in Damascus.
Sources in the rebel forces on Saturday evening said that they took control over the prison in central Homs, and released hundreds of prisoners. In addition, residents of the city said that the Syrian government forces are retreating from Homs. Dozens of terrorists from Hezbollah's Radwan Force have fled Homs following a decision made jointly with the military that the city can no longer be defended.
Earlier, Trump clarified that, "The United States should have nothing to do with" the Syrian civil war. "This is not our fight. Let it play out. Do not get involved!"
Turkey is currently supporting some of the rebel groups, while Russia and Iran aid Assad.