Syrian rebels declared President Bashar Assad¡¯s ouster after seizing control of Damascus on Sunday, ending his family¡¯s iron-fisted rule after more than 13 years of civil war in a seismic moment for the Middle East.

The Islamist rebels also dealt a major blow to the influence of Russia and Iran in the region, key allies who propped up Assad during critical moments in the civil war.

Syria¡¯s army command notified officers on Sunday that Assad¡¯s regime had ended, a Syrian officer who was informed of the move told Reuters.