Supporters of the Syrian opposition wave the country’s opposition flag during celebrations of the rebel takeover of Damascus, in Place de la Republique, Paris, France, on Sunday. Photo by Mohammed Badra/EPA-EFE

U.S. President Joe Biden was to meet with his national security team Sunday morning to receive an update on the situation on Syria,” National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett posted on X.

Biden has been closely monitoring the “extraordinary” events, Savett said in an earlier statement, and the administration has been “in constant touch with regional partners.”

President-elect Donald Trump took to social media on Sunday morning about the situation.

“Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

“There was no reason for Russia to be there in the first place. They lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine, where close to 600,000 Russian soldiers lay wounded or dead, in a war that should never have started, and could go on forever. Russia and Iran are in a weakened state right now, one because of Ukraine and a bad economy, the other because of Israel and its fighting success.”

On Saturday, he said the United States” should have nothing to do” with conflicts involving Syria.

Russia had limited reaction the the change of power. “As a result of negotiations between B. Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic, he decided to resign from the presidency and left the country, giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power,” Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement obtained by The Guardian. “Russia did not participate in these negotiations.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was “historic day” and direct result of blows dealt to Hezbollah and Iran by Israel.

MIDDLE EAST

Iran

The foreign ministry said it expects “friendly” relations to continue with Syria, despite the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Iran was a key backer of Assad.

“Determining Syria’s fate and deciding its future is solely the responsibility of its people, free from destructive interference or external imposition,” the ministry said, according to CNN. “Achieving this goal requires the swift cessation of military conflicts, prevention of terrorist activities, and the initiation of national dialogues with the participation of all segments of Syrian society. … The Islamic Republic of Iran, emphasizing Syria’s status as an important and influential country in the West Asia region, will spare no effort to help establish security and stability in Syria. To this end, Iran will continue its consultations with all influential parties, particularly within the region.”

Iraq

Iraq’s spokesman has urged “non-interference in Syria’s internal affairs,” including foreign meddling.

Baghdad “reaffirms the necessity of respecting the free will of all Syrians and emphasizes that Syria’s security, territorial integrity, and its independence are of utmost importance – not only for Iraq but also for the stability and security of the entire region,” government spokesperson Bassem Al-Awadi said to CNN.

Afghanistan

“We express hope that the process of power transition be carried out in a manner aligned with the aspirations of the Syrian people, paving path for the establishment of an independent and service-oriented Islamic government, which prioritizes national reconciliation, avoids divisions and retribution, and adopts a policy of general amnesty to foster unity among all Syrians,” Taliban’s foreign ministry said in a CNN report.

Lebanon

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati held a call with leaders of the army and security services. He stressed “the priority of tightening control over the border situation and distancing Lebanon from the repercussions of the developments in Syria,” according to a government readout.

Jordan

King Abdullah, whose nation shares its northern border with Syria, urged stability and avoidance of further conflict in Syria.

“Chairing a National Security Council meeting, His Majesty stressed the need to safeguard Syria’s security, and the safety and achievements of its citizens, and to work urgently to ensure stability and avoid any conflict that could lead to chaos,” a statement from The Royal Hashemite Court said.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has been communicating with all regional actors on Syria and is determined to do what is possible to avoid a chaotic outcome for the country.

Egypt

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement: “Egypt follows with a great attention the change taking place in the Arab Republic of Syria, and affirms its support to the Syrian state and people as well as to Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Egypt urged all Syrian parties to preserve the country’s properties and state institutions and prioritizing the greater interest by unifying goals and priorities.

Qatar

The Foreign Ministry said it was “closely monitoring the developments in Syria” and emphasized “the necessity of preserving national institutions and the unity of the state to prevent it from sliding into chaos,” according to Aljazeera.

EUROPE

Britain

Deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, called the development “welcome news” and told Sky News that Assad “wasn’t exactly good to the Syrian people”.

She called for a political resolution “in line with the UN resolutions”, stressing that: “We need to see civilians and infrastructure protected. Far too many people have lost their lives. We need stability in that region.”

France

French President Emmanuel Macron described Syria as a “barbaric state” before the takover.

“I pay tribute to the Syrian people, to their courage, to their patience,” he wrote on X.com. “In this moment of uncertainty, I send them my wishes for peace, freedom, and unity. France will remain committed to the security of all in the Middle East.”

Germany

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock posted on X: At this point it is impossible to assess what exactly is happening in Syria right now. But one thing is clear: The end of #Assad is a big relief for millions of people in Syria – after an eternity of atrocities committed by the Assad regime.”

European Union

Foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said that the end of Assad’s rule in the country is a “positive and long-awaited development,.

“Our priority is to ensure security in the region,” Kallas posted on X.com. “I will work with all the constructive partners, in Syria and in the region,” she said. “The process of rebuilding Syria will be long and complicated and all parties must be ready to engage constructively.”

Ukraine

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha praised the fall, writing on X.com: “Assad has fallen. This is how it has always been and will always be for dictators who bet on [Vladimir” Putin. He always betrays those who rely on him. The main goal now is to restore security in Syria and effectively protect its people from violence.”

ASIA

Turkey

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said at a news conference: “Today, there is hope. The Syrian people cannot achieve this alone. The international community must support the Syrian people. … We will continue to support a force to establish stability and security in Syria,” he said.

He noted the Islamic State and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party could take advantage of the instability in Syria.

China

The Foreign Ministry called for a return to “stability” in Syria.

“The Chinese government has actively assisted Chinese citizens who are willing to leave Syria in a safe and orderly way, and has maintained contact with … Chinese citizens who remain in Syria,” the statement said. “We urge the relevant Syrian parties to take practical measures to ensure the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel in Syria.”