Palestinian group Hamas congratulated the Syrian people for achieving their “aspirations for freedom and justice” after toppling President Bashar al-Assad, Reuters reports.

“We stand strongly with the great people of Syria … and respect the will, the independence, and the political choices of the people of Syria,” the group said in a statement.

Hamas said it hoped that post-Assad Syria would continue “its historical and pivotal role in supporting the Palestinian people”.

In a separate statement, Ziad al-Nakhala, head of the Islamic Jihad, echoed that sentiment.

“The Islamic Jihad hopes Syria will remain a real support for the Palestinian people, their just cause, as it has always been,” said Nakhala.