- Bashar Assad has resigned his place as president and left Syria.
- Insurgent forces mentioned they seized management of Syria’s capital, Damascus.
- The collapse of Assad’s authorities might have main world implications.
Syrians around the globe celebrated after rebels, after greater than a decadelong struggle, lastly toppled the nation’s longtime chief, Bashar Assad, on Sunday.
The Russian international ministry mentioned on Sunday that Assad had resigned from his place as Syrian president and left the nation. Russian state information reported that Assad had arrived in Moscow, the place he is been granted asylum.
Syrian anti-government forces introduced early on Sunday morning that they’d superior into Damascus, Syria’s capital.
In a submit on social media, insurgent commander Hassan Abdul-Ghani mentioned: “We declare Damascus free from the tyrant Bashar al-Assad.”
“Right now 8-12-2024 Syria is formally free,” he added in a later submit.
President-elect Donald Trump mentioned on Fact Social on Sunday that Assad had “fled his nation” after dropping Russia’s help.
“Assad is gone,” Trump wrote. “His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not inquisitive about defending him any longer.”
In a press briefing on Sunday, President Joe Biden referred to as the autumn of Assad’s authorities “a basic act of justice” and “a second of alternative for the long-suffering folks of Syria to construct a greater future for his or her proud nation.”
Biden mentioned the US would help Syria’s neighbors Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Israel “ought to any risk come up from Syria throughout this transition.” Biden mentioned america would additionally “keep our mission towards ISIS” contained in the nation, referring to the terrorist group working within the area.
The US navy performed no less than a dozen airstrikes inside Syria on Sunday, “concentrating on ISIS camps and ISIS operatives,” Biden mentioned.
America may even help Syria by means of the United Nations to create a brand new authorities by means of a course of decided by the Syrian folks, Biden mentioned.
“America will do no matter we will to help them, together with by means of humanitarian reduction, to assist restore Syria after greater than a decade of conflict and generational brutality by the Assad household,” Biden mentioned.
Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s Excessive Consultant for Overseas Affairs and Safety Coverage, referred to as Assad’s resignation “a optimistic and long-awaited improvement.”
“It additionally exhibits the weak point of Assad’s backers, Russia and Iran,” Kallas mentioned in an announcement. “Our precedence is to make sure safety within the area. I’ll work with all of the constructive companions in Syria and within the area.”
Geir Pedersen, the UN’s Particular Envoy for Syria, mentioned in an announcement, “Right now marks a watershed second in Syria’s historical past.”
The coalition of insurgent teams launched a shock offensive in late November led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which traces its origins to the Al Qaeda terrorist community, although has extra just lately promoted extra reasonable views.
The rebels shortly took management of Aleppo, considered one of Syria’s largest cities, Hama, and the strategic metropolis of Homs, which sits at an necessary crossroads linking Damascus to the coast.
The collapse of Assad’s authorities might have vital world implications, particularly for Russia and Iran, which had been two of Assad’s strongest allies.
Moscow operates two main navy services in Syria — the Hmeimim airbase and the Tartus naval base — which have given its forces essential entry to the Mediterranean Sea and a base to launch operations into Africa.
Dropping entry to those bases would scupper lots of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s plans within the area, Zineb Riboua, a analysis fellow and program supervisor on the Hudson Institute’s Heart for Peace and Safety within the Center East, wrote on X. “With out a robust Russian navy base in Syria, all of Putin’s plans collapse.”
Whereas Russia intervened to prop up Assad in 2015, its priorities have since shifted to the conflict in Ukraine, and it had appeared reluctant to divert any vital assets to assist Assad this time round.
Russia’s international ministry mentioned on Sunday that there was presently no safety risk to its navy bases in Syria however that they have been on excessive alert.
For Iran, Syria has been a part of an necessary land hall stretching from Tehran to Baghdad, Damascus, and Beirut, serving to it help key regional proxies such because the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
“For Iran, Syria is completely important with a purpose to keep its proxy community,” Natasha Corridor, a senior fellow with the Center East Program on the Heart for Strategic and Worldwide Research, beforehand advised Enterprise Insider.
However Tehran, too, has been distracted by its battle with Israel, whereas Hezbollah has been left in disarray after Israel killed its longtime chief and wounded 1000’s of its fighters with exploding pagers and walkie-talkies.
In a separate submit on TruthSocial on Saturday, Trump referred to as on america to remain out of the state of affairs in Syria, writing: “Syria is a large number, however isn’t our good friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!”
This story is being up to date because the state of affairs unfolds.
