Syrians celebrate in streets of Damascus after Assad government falls

Syrians celebrated in the streets of Damascus on Monday after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's government. Crowds waved flags, climbed on abandoned tanks, and tore down portraits of Assad. Many exiles returned from Lebanon as celebrations erupted. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militants took control of the city, freeing thousands of prisoners from Assad's jails. HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani assured civilians of their safety and promised no retribution against low-level officials. The U.S. and other countries are monitoring the situation closely. Some European nations have paused asylum decisions for Syrian nationals amid the political changes. The future of Syria remains uncertain as new leadership emerges.