Damascus is in the hands of Islamist-led rebels who herald the beginning of a “new era” in Syria after 50 years of Baath Party rule.

The leader of the insurgents, Al-Jolani, kneels and kisses the ground: "The future is ours, the dictator has fallen, and this is a victory for the entire Islamic nation."

A 13-hour curfew was declared in the city as rebels, partying and looting, stormed the Central Bank.

Militia raids embassies, including the Italian one . "They were looking for men from the regime," Tajani said, who also clarified that "the ambassador and the staff, as well as the carabinieri on duty at the embassy, are safe."

The Assad regime is thus over, with the dictator having fled with his family to Moscow where Putin has granted them political asylum .

And while Biden says Assad must "be brought to justice and punished" and that the United States will not allow "ISIS to re-establish itself in Syria" , the UN Security Council has called an extraordinary meeting for today.

Israeli ground forces have meanwhile entered the country for the first time since the Yom Kippur War of October 1973, to stabilize control of the border area.

Lebanon and Jordan close their borders, while Crosetto announces "possible arrivals from the Balkan route".

(Online Union)