Wisma Putra, through the honorary consul of Malaysia in Syria, is actively in communication with Malaysians in the country.

“As of now, all 37 registered Malaysian students and five other Malaysians in the country are reported to be safe,” the ministry said in a statement.

Syrian rebels said today they have ended Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year authoritarian rule, in their first announcement on state television following a lightning offensive that took the world by surprise, Reuters reported.

But the Syrian army later said it was continuing operations against “terrorist groups” in the key cities of Hama and Homs and in the Deraa countryside.

Assad, who had before this crushed all forms of dissent, flew out of Damascus to an unknown destination earlier as rebels said they had entered the capital with no signs of army deployment.

Wisma Putra encouraged Malaysians in Syria and in countries in the Middle East region to register their presence via e-Konsular at https://ekonsular.kln.gov.my for updates and assistance.

“The ministry will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of Malaysians.”

Malaysians in need of consular assistance may contact the honorary consul of Malaysia in Syria at +963 93324 5555 or [email protected], or the embassy of Malaysia in Amman, Jordan, at +962 6 590 2400 / +962 6593 4343 or [email protected].