Syrians danced jubilantly in the streets and fired celebratory shots into the air Sunday after dictator Bashar Assad fled the country and acceded to a peaceful transition of power after Islamist insurgents took control of the capital of Damascus and ended his family's half-century reign.
The stunning fall of the Assad regime, which used chemical weapons on its own people and was backed by Iran, left large question about what happens next in Syria and the larger Middle East already gripped with war.
Russia, a close ally, said Assad left the country to an undisclosed location after negotiations with rebel groups and had given instructions to transfer power peacefully in a sudden end to 14 years of war.
Nervous neighbors called for the new rebel leaders to achieve stability and end violence quickly.
Jordan’s King Abdullah declared his country "stands with its Syrian brothers and respects their will and choices,” according to a statement issued by his office.
“His Majesty stressed the importance of safeguarding Syria’s security, citizens, and achievements, and working diligently and swiftly to impose stability while avoiding any conflict that could lead to chaos,” the statement said.
Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Assad's fall as an opportunity for change and peace.
"This is a historic day for the Middle East. The collapse of the Assad regime, the tyranny in Damascus, offers great opportunity but also is fraught with significant dangers," he wrote on X. "We send a hand of peace to all those beyond our border in Syria: to the Druze, to the Kurds, to the Christians, and to the Muslims who want to live in peace with Israel."
Assad's decision to brutally crack down on dissent during the Arab uprising triggered a 14-year civil war that ultimately led to the demise of his rule.
Syrians on Sunday waved the new revolutionary Syrian flag and ransacked his palace.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan celebrated Assad's fall, delcaring "Syria has reached a stage where the Syrian people will shape the future of their own country. Today, there is hope.”
U.S. Assistant Defense Secretary Dan Shapiro said "no one should shed any tears" about Assad's departure but drew sharp notice to the record of many in the Syrian insurgency and their ties to terrorism and human rights.
“Multiple actors” in the Syrian civil war have “a terrible track record," Shapiro told AP, as he urged all parties “to protect civilians.”
