The Bangladesh Army took control of the government on Monday, ending the tenure of the world’s longest-serving Muslim woman leader.

In a televised address, Bangladesh Army Chief Waker Uz Zaman announced that embattled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had resigned.

This announcement came shortly after enraged protesters stormed Hasina’s official residence, forcing her to flee Dhaka.

Sheikh Hasina, who had served consecutively since January 2009, has now been ousted.

Earlier today, scenes from Dhaka’s Premier’s Residence were quite the spectacle.

Protesters stormed in, ate, slept on the beds, and even took rabbits and ducks.

What Led to This?

The crisis began when students protested for fairer access to government jobs, which was met with violence, including the killing of nearly 300 people.

This sparked a broader movement for justice, ultimately forcing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to step down.

Initially, students demanded the removal of a quota system that reserved 30% of government jobs for families of those who fought for independence from Pakistan in 1971.

Despite the Supreme Court largely meeting their demands on quotas two weeks ago, the government’s harsh response to the protests since mid-July kept the unrest alive.

During the worst of the violence, the internet was completely cut off, but emerging images showed police and members of the ruling Awami League party’s student wing attacking protesters with live fire, machetes, and vehicles.

People in the capital Dhaka reported nonstop night-time raids, leading to the arrest of 11,000 people.

These raids continued overnight before a mass protest called for Monday, but then came the surprise announcement that Hasina had fled the country by helicopter.

Earlier today, scenes from Dhaka’s Premier’s Residence were quite the spectacle. Protesters stormed in, ate, slept on the beds, and even took rabbits and ducks.

Additional Reporting by The Guardian