• Syrian dictator Bashar Assad has resigned and fled his country.
• Rebel forces said they seized control of the capital, Damascus.
• The collapse of Assad's government could have major global implications.

Syrians around the world celebrated as rebels, after more than a decadelong fight, finally toppled the country's longtime leader, Bashar Assad, on Sunday.

The Russian foreign ministry said on Sunday that Assad had resigned from his position as Syrian president and left the country. Russian state news reported that Assad had arrived in Moscow, where he's been granted asylum.

Syrian anti-government forces announced early on Sunday morning that they had advanced into Damascus, Syria's capital.

In a post on social media, rebel commander Hassan Abdul-Ghani said: "We declare Damascus free from the tyrant Bashar al-Assad."

"Today 8-12-2024 Syria is officially free," he added in a later post.

Hassan Akkad, who fled Syria in 2015 and is now based in the UK, posted to X, "Syria is free. Syria is free. Syria is free. Syria is free. Syria is free. Syria is free. Syria is free."

World leaders react

President-elect Donald Trump said on Truth Social on Sunday that Assad had "fled his country" after losing Russia's support.

"Assad is gone," Trump wrote. "His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer."

In a press briefing on Sunday, President Joe Biden called the fall of Assad's government "a fundamental act of justice" and "a moment of opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria to build a better future for their proud country."

Biden said the US would support Syria's neighbors Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Israel "should any threat arise from Syria during this transition." Biden said the United States would also "maintain our mission against ISIS" inside the country, referring to the terrorist group operating in the region.

The US military conducted at least a dozen airstrikes inside Syria on Sunday, "targeting ISIS camps and ISIS operatives," Biden said.

The United States will also support Syria through the United Nations to create a new government through a process determined by the Syrian people, Biden said.

"The United States will do whatever we can to support them, including through humanitarian relief, to help restore Syria after more than a decade of war and generational brutality by the Assad family," Biden said.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a Sunday statement, echoed the president's sentiment, saying the US "will support international efforts to hold the Assad regime and its backers accountable for atrocities and abuses perpetrated against the Syrian people, including the use of chemical weapons and the unjust detention of civilians such as Austin Tice."

The Syrian people, Blinken added, "finally have reason for hope."

Kaja Kallas, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, called Assad's resignation "a positive and long-awaited development."

"It also shows the weakness of Assad's backers, Russia and Iran," Kallas said in a statement. "Our priority is to ensure security in the region. I will work with all the constructive partners in Syria and in the region."

Geir Pedersen, the UN's Special Envoy for Syria, said in a statement, "Today marks a watershed moment in Syria's history."

How rebels took control of Aleppo

In late November, the coalition of rebel groups launched a surprise offensive led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, which traces its origins to the Al Qaeda terrorist network. It has more recently promoted more moderate views.

The rebels quickly took control of Aleppo, one of Syria's largest cities, Hama, and the strategic city of Homs, which sits at an important crossroads linking Damascus to the coast.

Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of HTS, is a Syrian who fought against US occupation in Iraq with Al Qaeda. He is believed to have cut ties with the terrorist organization in 2016 but is still designated a terrorist by the US, which has placed a $10 million bounty on his head.

Al-Jolani has sought to portray himself as a more moderate leader and promoted messages of religious and ethnic inclusivity as HTS pushed toward Damascus. Still, HTS has a reputation as a hardline Islamist faction.

"This victory, my brothers, is a victory for the entire Islamic nation," Al-Jolani said in a speech to his followers this weekend, per a translation by CNN. "This new triumph, my brothers, marks a new chapter in the history of the region."

What Assad's ousting means for Russia and Iran

The collapse of Assad's government could have significant global implications, especially for Russia and Iran, which have been two of Assad's strongest allies.

Moscow operates two major military facilities in Syria — the Hmeimim airbase and the Tartus naval base — which have given its forces crucial access to the Mediterranean Sea and a base to launch operations into Africa.

Losing access to these bases would scupper many of Russian President Vladimir Putin's plans in the region, Zineb Riboua, a research fellow and program manager at the Hudson Institute's Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East, wrote on X: "Without a strong Russian military base in Syria, all of Putin's plans collapse."

While Russia intervened to prop up Assad in 2015, its priorities have since shifted to the war in Ukraine, and it had appeared reluctant to divert any significant resources to help Assad this time around.

On Sunday, Russia's foreign ministry said there was no security threat to its military bases in Syria but that they were on high alert.

For Iran, Syria has been part of an important land corridor stretching from Tehran to Baghdad, Damascus, and Beirut, helping it support key regional proxies such as the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

"For Iran, Syria is absolutely essential in order to maintain its proxy network," Natasha Hall, a senior fellow with the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, previously told Business Insider.

But Tehran, too, has been distracted by its conflict with Israel, while Hezbollah has been left in disarray after Israel killed its longtime leader and wounded thousands of its fighters with exploding pagers and walkie-talkies.

In a separate post on TruthSocial on Saturday, Trump called on the United States to stay out of the situation in Syria, writing: "Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!"

This story is being updated as the situation unfolds.

Boise State star running back and Heisman Trophy hopeful Ashton Jeanty helped the Broncos punch their ticket to the College Football Playoffs with another incredible showing in the Mountain West championship game on Friday night. 

But his first thought wasn’t how another 200-plus yard game improved his Heisman chances. It was his faith. 

"First of all, I’ve got to thank God," Jeanty told FOX Sports in an interview on the field after the 21-7 victory over UNLV. 

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"The way He’s been moving through this team and blessing us – God’s favor is over us."  

Jeanty, who confirmed that Friday’s title game would be his last at Boise State before entering the NFL Draft next year, has openly spoken about his faith and the role that it’s played in his life. In an interview early this season, Jeanty spoke about the "ultimate transformation" he underwent and how he credited his faith for that change.

"I like to say that I’m a Christian cleverly disguised as an All-American running back," he said at the time. "I’ve learned that God has blessed me with amazing talents. I’ve just been able to do a lot of great things with it, but at the same time, not losing yourself in it and understanding that my identity is in Christ."

BOISE STATE WINS MOUNTAIN WEST CHAMPIONSHIP AS FIRST EXPANDED CFP BRACKET BEGINS TO TAKE SHAPE

Jeanty ran for 209 yards and a 75-yard touchdown to push his total to 2,497, just 132 yards short of the all-time FBS record. The title game also marked his sixth game this season where he ran over 200 yards. 

But for Jeanty, Friday’s win was always a collective effort. 

"This means everything. This is everything we’ve worked for, and to come out here and accomplish it, you’ve got to give credit to the team – offense, defense, special teams coming together tonight.

"It’s amazing, it’s a dream come true," he continued. "I love this team. I love the way we came together, the connection and the love we have is stronger than anything." 

Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter is the Heisman Trophy frontrunner, but the Buffaloes were left out of the Big 12 championship game and won’t make a playoff appearance. The ballots will be cast long before the CFP begins, but Boise State coach Spencer Danielson believes Jeanty has already earned it. 

"In regards to the Heisman, I ask all voters to please just watch the film, watch the stats," Danielson said. "That will show you that he’s the best football player in the country. . . . If you’re a Heisman candidate, you should play in a championship game. And to see what he did in a championship game for his team also speaks volumes."

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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The Florida Gators delivered a crushing blow to No. 9-ranked Ole Miss’ hopes of making the College Football Playoff, beating the Rebels 24-17 Saturday. 

The Rebels had a chance to tie the game late, but quarterback Jaxson Dart threw two interceptions in the final two minutes. 

On the first interception, Dart took a shot to the end zone into triple coverage, getting picked off by Bryce Thornton with just under two minutes left.

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The Rebels' defense forced a three-and-out following the interception while using all their timeouts, giving Dart and the Rebels another chance to tie the game with just over a minute left. 

However, Dart did not take advantage. With just under 30 seconds left, Dart overthrew his wide receiver, and Thornton, once again, was in position to intercept the pass and end the game. 

Saturday’s loss marked the first time Dart has thrown multiple interceptions in a game in two seasons. 

Florida quarterback DJ Lagway opened the scoring in the first quarter by connecting with Elijhah Badger on an 8-yard touchdown.

Dart responded by connecting with star wide receiver Tre Harris on a deep shot, tying the score at seven after the 43-yard touchdown.

NO. 1 COLLEGE FOOTBALL RECRUIT FLIPS COMMITMENT FROM LSU TO MICHIGAN IN SHOCKING MOVE

The Rebels quarterback stayed hot, hitting wide receiver Cayden Lee for a 22-yard touchdown to give Ole Miss a 14-7 lead in the second quarter. 

It was the Gators’ turn to respond. Lagway hit running back Jadan Baugh on a screen pass, and Baugh did the rest, scampering in for a 25-yard touchdown to tie the game 14-14. 

After trading field goals in the third quarter to make it 17-17, the Gators' offense went to work. 

Running back Montrell Johnson Jr. punched in a touchdown from nine yards out to put the Gators on top 24-17, where the score held.

Johnson Jr. ran for 107 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, while Lagway threw for 180 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in the win. 

Dart threw for 323 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions while rushing for 71 yards in the loss. Lee ended the day with six catches for 94 yards and a touchdown. 

It was the Gators' second straight game beating a ranked opponent while being unranked, something they hadn’t done since 2003. 

The win for the Gators makes them bowl eligible as they improved to 6-5 with the win. The Gators will look to keep it rolling when they take on the rival Florida State Seminoles next Saturday. 

The loss drops the Rebels to 8-3 and likely takes them out of College Football Playoff contention. The Rebels will look to bounce back when they take on Mississippi State next Saturday. 

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The UNLV Rebels wanted better conditions for a punt, but then the unthinkable happened.

With just over a minute to go in the second quarter on Friday night against San Jose State, UNLV got into a punt formation from their own 47-yard line, but with rain pouring down, they took a timeout in efforts to get a dry ball for the snap.

There had been an errant snap earlier, so no one can blame the coach.

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A dry ball came onto the field, yet it didn't stay that way for much longer, considering the rain.

Well, the Rebels got back into the punt formation, and the snap airmailed the punter, with the first bounce around the 25-yard line. 

The ball continued to roll toward the end zone and inside the 10-yard line, and after the punter bobbled the ball twice, it eventually rolled past the end zone, resulting in a safety.

"Maybe they should have done the wet ball," said color commentator Petros Papadakis.

Sure, the ball still managed to get wet, but it's hard to imagine this one was as soaked as the previous one.

The snap put the Spartans up 16-10, but those actually would be the last points they'd score.

OHIO STATE ENDS INDIANA'S UNDEFEATED CAMPAIGN CONVINCINGLY, PUTTING DAMPER ON HOOSIERS' PLAYOFF HOPES

The 24th-ranked Rebels wound up scoring 17 unanswered points to finish the game, earning a 27-16 victory despite the mishap. They improved to 9-2 with the rainy victory.

UNLV began the second half with a field goal and then took the lead with a touchdown toward the end of the third quarter. 

San Jose State punted on their final four drives of the game.

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