President Bashar al Assad has been granted asylum in Moscow on 'humanitarian' grounds after his government fell following a lightning offensive. Syrians celebrated in the streets and ransacked presidential residences as Assad fled. His whereabouts, as well as those of his wife and children, were initially unknown. Celebratory scenes have also broken out in other countries around the world. The fall of Assad's regime marks a turning point for Syria after 13 years of civil conflict.