Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reportedly resigned and fled the country as violent protests continue to shake the nation.
According to an aide speaking to Al Jazeera, Hasina boarded a military helicopter to escape the escalating turmoil after protesters defied a national curfew and stormed the Prime Minister’s palace in Dhaka.
The unrest, which has seen close to 300 fatalities over recent weeks, escalated dramatically following a night of deadly violence that claimed nearly 100 lives.
Despite the government’s attempts to quell the protests, demonstrators have remained resolute, with calls for a massive march on Dhaka intensifying.
As news of Hasina’s departure spread, the atmosphere in Dhaka shifted to one of celebration among the protesters.
The Chief of Army Staff, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, has cancelled his planned address to the nation and is now engaging in talks with major political parties, including the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), in an effort to address the crisis.
