Syrians hold rallies in Paris and across Europe to celebrate fall of Assad

People hold Syrian opposition flags as they celebrate at Place de la Republique in Paris. PIROSCHKA VAN DE WOUW - Piroschka Van De Wouw

Thousands of jubilant Syrians rallied in Paris, Berlin and other European cities on Sunday to celebrate the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad by Islamist rebel groups, putting an end to five decades of iron-fisted rule.

Crowds of people from France's Syrian diaspora braved the cold drizzle in Paris, chanting “Free Syria” and waving the flag of the Syrian opposition.