Syrian government falls to lightning rebel offensive as Assad flees

Syrian opposition fighters celebrate after the Syrian government collapsed, in the capital Damascus. Picture: Omar Sanadiki/AP

The Syrian government has collapsed, falling to a lightning rebel offensive that seized control of the capital Damascus and sent crowds into the streets to celebrate the end of the Assad family’s 50 years of iron rule.

Syrian state television aired a video statement early on Sunday by a group of men saying President Bashar Assad had been overthrown and all detainees in jails had been set free.