Syria civil war: Moscow gives asylum to Assad, US Strikes IS targets
Syrian civil war: The Syrian opposition forces now control the capital city of Damascus, while President Bashar al-Assad has reportedly fled the country. According to Russian media, the ousted leader has been granted asylum in Moscow. The Syrian rebel forces said that Damascus was now free of the ‘tyrant Bashar al-Assad’, announcing a “new era for Syria”....Read More
Syrian opposition forces also reportedly freed all the detainees from Damascus' notorious Sednaya jail, announcing an "end of the era of tyranny in the prison of Sednaya".
Meanwhile, Syrians toppled the statue of Assad's father, Hafez, in Damascus and marked the end of the Assad family's 50-year-long rule in the country.
Early on Sunday, the rebels announced that they had gained full control over the key city of Homs, striking a major attack on President al-Assad's 24-year-long rule. Celebrating their victory, rebels fired in the air and several others took down the Syrian president's posters.
Notably, the Syrian rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), managed to capture four key cities, Daraa, Quneitra, Suwayda and Homs, in just one day.
Syria civil war | Key points
- The Syrian rebels launched an attack on the country's government headed by President Bashar al-Assad on November 27.
- It soon began breaching the cities, with the Syrian military confirming the rebels' presence in the Aleppo city.
- Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a breakaway faction of al-Qaeda, was the one who staged the surprise offensive on Aleppo.
- Reports of President Assad seeking Russia's help in the civil war surfaced. This is because Russian President Vladimir Putin's interference in the Syrian civil war almost a decade ago worked in Assad's favour.
- Iran also reportedly was trying to help back Syria by sending fighters to the war-torn country.
- Amid escalating tensions, India advised its citizens to avoid all travel to Syria until further notice, urging those present in the country to leave at the earliest.
- US President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday said that America should refrain from military action in Syria, as an insurgent offensive reached the suburbs of the capital city of Damascus. "This is not our fight," he said.
- Syrian rebels captured four cities in a day, including the key city of Homs and President Assad's birthplace, Daraa. The rebels have said that they are focusing on Damascus, the capital of Syria.
- Syrian rebels ‘enter’ and capture the capital city of Damascus, with reports saying that President Assad has fled the country to Moscow, Russian state agency TASS reported on Sunday.
- Syrian PM says he is ready to cooperate with any leadership the people choose and is ready to hand over the government to the opposition forces in a smooth transfer. Till the official handover is completed, the Syrian rebel chief has ordered his forces to not breach the public institutions in Damascus.
Syria war LIVE: Israel deploys forces in buffer zone along northern frontier
The Israeli military on Sunday said it also sent troops to "others places necessary for its defence", meant to provide security for Israeli-controlled Golan Heights' residents.
It also added that it was "not interfering with the internal events in Syria".
Syria civil war LIVE: Govt's collapse partly due to Assad regime's political failure, says UAE diplomat
Diplomatic advisor to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) president said that the rapid collapse of the Syrian government is partly due to the "political failure" of the Assad regime.
Syria war LIVE: PM says Assad and defence minister's whereabouts unknown, report says
The Syrian prime minister has said that president Bashar al-Assad and defence minister's whereabouts are unknown since last night, AP reported.
Syria war LIVE: Assad fled Syria after losing Russia's support, says Trump, reports say
AFP reported that US President-elect Donald Trump said that Syrian president Bashar al-Assad "fled" the country after losing Russia's support.
"Assad is gone," he said on his Truth Social platform. "His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer."
Syria war LIVE: Iraq concerned over spreading 'terrorism'
Iraqi officials have said that they do not want to just stand and watch the situation taking place in Syria, Al Jazeera reported.
The biggest fear and worry for Iraqi officials said they do not want any extremism or terrorism to be exported via the border between Syria and Iraq.
Syria war LIVE: Telecom services normal, internal restored in Hama, says minister
Syria's telecommunications minister told Al Arabiya TV on Sunday that the telecom services are functioning normally across the country, adding that the internet access was also restored in Hama.
He also said he spoke with rebel chief Abu Mohammed al-Golani shortly after the Syrian prime minister also had a conversation with him.
Syria war LIVE: PM says Syria should have free elections
Syrian Prime Minister has said that the country should have free elections so that the people can choose who they want, Reuters reported.
Syria war LIVE: PM in touch with rebel chief over current situation, reports
Syrian Prime Minister al-Jalali told Al-Arabiya that he has had contact with rebel chief Abu Mohammed al-Golani on how to manage the current period.
The PM had earlier said that he was ready to cooperate with any leadership that the people chose.
Syria war LIVE: Syrians topple Assad's father's statue in Damascus
Syrians in Damascus cheered on Sunday as they trampled on a toppled statue of President Bashar al-Assad's father Hafez, TV images showed.
Hafez ruled Syria from 1971 until his death in 2000, setting up a paranoid, brutal system of government that Bashar inherited from him.
Syria war LIVE: Jordan presses on important of preserving Syria's stability
Jordan on Sunday pressed on the importance of preserving the stability and security of Syria, the state news agency reported.
The remarks came hours after President Bashar al-Assad fled Damascus and rebels took control of the capital city.
Jordan said that strengthening the state of security in the region "is being worked" on.
Syria war LIVE: Rebel chief renews calls for fighters to 'protest' public institutions
Syrian rebel group leader Mohammed al-Jolani has renewed his call for opposition fighters and said, "“Protect and guard the public institutions and property. They are owned by the Syrian people, and you are their protectors," Al Jazeera reported.
Syria war LIVE: US Prez Biden monitoring 'extraordinary events in Syria'
The White House has said that President Joe Biden and his team “are closely monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria and staying in constant touch with regional partners”, Al Jazeera reported.
Syria war LIVE: Oppn says looking to 'deepen ties' with friendly countries
Al Jazeera reports that the Syrian rebel forces are looking to deepen ties with friendly countries.
“The liberated Syria looks to deepen ties with all the brotherly and friendly nations on the basis of mutual respect and interests,” it said. “We will aim to play a constructive role in the region and the world to achieve security and stability.”
Syria war LIVE: Turkey-based opposition leader says will meet with global players over next stage
The head of Syria's main opposition group abroad, Hadi al-Bahra, told Al Jazeera Mubasher TV on Sunday that they would meet with Arab and European countries and the United Nations to agree on next stage for the country.
Syria war LIVE: Opposition committed to 'social unity', says report
An arm of the Syrian opposition, the Administration of Political Affairs, reaffirmed its pledge to work for all the Syrians.
“The liberation of Syria is a victory for all of its children who have sacrificed for the unity of its land and people,” the statement was cited as saying by Al Jazeera.
“In this occasion, we assert our commitment to strengthening social unity and confirming the principles of justice and dignity for all the components of Syrian society," it added.
Syria war LIVE: Illyushin76, last flight to take off from Damascus
As Syrian rebels claimed that President Bashar al-Assad fled the country, taking a plane to an unknown location, open source flight-trackers recorded just one plane in the Syrian airspace.
An Illyushin76 aircraft, flight number Syrian Air 9218, was the last flight to take off from Damascus, Al Jazeera reported.
The flight reportedly first flew east, then turned north and minutes later its signal disappeared while it was circling over Homs.
Syria war LIVE: An end to Assad family's 50-year rule
The Syrian government, led by President Bashar al-Assad, has appeared to have fallen on Sunday, in what was an end to the 50-year rule of the Assad family.
Assad has reportedly fled the country for an undisclosed location. He took a flight from Damascus.
Syria war LIVE: Syrian rebel chief orders forces to not approach Damascus institutions
Syrian rebel group HTS' leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani has ordered forces to not approach official institutions in Damascus until they are "officially" handed over, adding that till then they would remain under the prime minister, AFP reported.
"To all military forces in the city of Damascus, it is strictly forbidden to approach public institutions, which will remain under the supervision of the former prime minister until they are officially handed over," Jolani's statement on Telegram was cited by the news agency.
Syria war LIVE: Syrian rebel says it will not seek revenge
Syrian rebels have said that the country will be a place of peaceful co-existence, where justice will prevail.
"We turn the page on the dark past and open a new horizon for the future," the rebels said.
Syria war LIVE: PM ready to handover govt to opposition, says report
AP reports that the Syrian prime minister has said that he is ready to handover the government to the opposition forces in a peaceful transition.
Syria war LIVE: Syrian Rebels declare 'new era'
After President Bashar al-Assad fled the country earlier in the day, Syrian rebels have announced that end of a dark period for the nation, declaring the start of a "new era for Syria".
Syria war LIVE: Public institutions to remain under 'former PM', reports say
Syrian rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa on Sunday said that it was prohibited for anyone to go near public institutions, adding that these will remain under the supervision of the "former prime minister" until it is officially handed over.
Syrian PM Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali earlier in the day said that he was ready to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the people.
Syria war LIVE: Rebels tell Syrians abroad, ‘Syria awaits you’, reports
The Syrian rebels have termed the fall of Assad's regime as a "moment of freedom after decades of pain and suffering", Al Jazeera reported.
"To Syrians abroad all over the world, Syria awaits you," they said.
Syria war LIVE: Rebels say 'tyrant Bashar al-Assad has fled', report says
Syrian rebels claim that they have captured the capital city of Damascus, announcing the fall of Assad's regime, Al Jazeera reported.
"The tyrant Bashar al-Assad has fled," the opposition forces said in a statement.
Syria war LIVE: Syrian rebels say 'Damascus free of Assad', say reports
Syrian rebels are saying that Capital Damascus is "now free of Assad", Reuters reports.
Syria war LIVE: 'Black phase in history of Syria has ended', says Syrian oppn leader
Syrian opposition figure Abdul Hadi Al Bahra has said that a "black phase in the history of Syria has ended", Reuters reported.
Syria war LIVE: What is the main cause of the Syrian civil war
The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, the main rebel group in Syria, has said that the aim of its offensive is to ‘overthrow’ President Bashar al-Assad's regime and “liberate” the country.
Syria war LIVE: Syrian PM says ready to cooperate with any leadership, reports
Syrian Prime Minister has said that he is ready to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the people, AFP reports.
Syrian civil war LIVE: Govt forces withdraw from defence ministry HQ
The Assad regime's forces have withdrawn from the Defence Ministry headquarters in Damascus, Al Jazeera Arabic reports citing Syrian rebels sources.
This comes amid reports of the Syrian opposition forces entering the capital city and President Bashar al-Assad leaving from there to an unknown location.
Syrian civil war LIVE: Rebels capture Public Radio and TV building in Damascus, says report
The Syrian rebels have taken control over the Public Radio and TV building in the capital city of Damascus, Al Jazeera Arabic reports citing opposition forces.
Notably, this building is a significant and symbolic site in Syria.
Syrian civil war LIVE: It all began with Aleppo
The Syrian opposition forces, HTS, launched a surprise offensive against President Bashar al-Assad's regime on November 27, beginning with entering Aleppo city.
From there, the rebels had no looking back to do. Intensified fights with the Syrian army continue as the latter's defences begin collapsing in several places, now including the capital city of Damascus.
Syria civil war LIVE: Chaos at Damascus airport
As dozens of people try to flee Capital Damascus amid rebels' advance, chaos unfolded at the city's airport, CNN reported.
Visuals showed people rushing through security checks and running towards the departure gate to flee the country before the rebels block the exit paths.
Syrian civil war LIVE: US concerned over possible ISIS 'resurgence'
An AFP report said that the United States wants to ensure that the intense fighting in Syria does not lead to a possibility of "resurgence of ISIS" or "humanitarian catastrophe", White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said.
“We have seen reports of ISIS trying… to reconstitute to a certain extent,” Sullivan said.
He said that America is working towards taking "steps ourselves, directly and working with the Syrian Democratic Forces, the Kurds", to ensure ISIS doe not "get new oxygen out of this".
Syria civil war LIVE: President Assad leaves Damascus, say report
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has boarded a plan and left from Damascus to an unknown destination, two senior army officers were cited as saying by Reuters.
Syria civil war LIVE: Rebels free detainees at prison near Damascus, reports say
Aljazeera reported that Syrian rebels have freed all the prisoners at the Sednaya Prison near the Capital Damascus.
"We announce the end of the era of tyranny at Sednaya Prison," the opposition was cited as saying.
Syrian civil war LIVE: Opposition forces entering Damascus, say reports
The Administration of Military Affairs, for the Syrian opposition forces, said in a statement, "Our forces have started entering the capital Damascus," Al Jazeera reported.
Syrian civil war LIVE: UN 'carefully monitoring' Syria's situation
The United Nations is "carefully monitoring the fast-moving situation in Syria with concern", UN relief chief Tom Fletcher posted on X.
"Our core teams remain on the ground to deliver assistance. All sides must ensure civilians are protected, can move freely, & access is facilitated to those in need of humanitarian support, wherever they are," he added.
Syrian civil war LIVE: ‘Final stage’ of HTS offensive being carried out
Earlier, HTS spokesman Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on Telegram that his group was carrying out the “final stage” of its offensive by trying to takeover Damascus.
Syrian civil war LIVE: Turkey rejects claims of involvement in current offensive
Though Turkey has been a key supporter of the fighters seeking to overthrow President Assad's regime, its officials have rejected claims of any involvement in the current offensive in Syria, AP reported.
Syrian civil war LIVE: Aim of rebels' offensive is ‘overthrowing’ Assad regime
The Syrian rebels, led by HTS, have just one major aim in their offensive, and that is to “overthrow” president Bashar al-Assad's regime.
HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani had reaffirmed the same in an interview with CNN earlier this week.
Syrian civil war LIVE: Security forces have left Damascus airport, say reports
According to AFP, the Syrian civil war monitor has said that the Syrian army and security forces have left the Damascus airport.
Syrian civil war LIVE: Hezbollah withdraws from Homs, Damascus outskirts, say reports
Hezbollah is withdrawing its forces from the outskirts of Capital Damascus and the Homs are, AFP reported citing a source close to the Lebanese group on Sunday.
The group has "instructed its fighters in recent hours to withdraw from the Homs area, with some heading to Latakia (in Syria) and others to Hermel area in Lebanon", the source told AFP.
They added that Hezbollah fighters have also withdrawn from their posts around Damascus.
Syrian civil war LIVE: Amid rising conflict, President Assad's whereabouts unknown
As the conflict in Syria continues to intensify, the whereabouts of President Bashar al-Assad remain unknown.
The government, earlier, was forced to deny rumours that the Syrian president had fled the country.
The 24-year-long rule of Assad has been brought to the edge by the Syrian rebels, who now have control of majority of the key cities. The rebels are now inching closer towards the capital city of Damascus.
Syrian civil war LIVE: EU closely monitoring situation in Syria
The European Union is closely monitoring the volatile situation in Syria, EU spokesman Anouar El Anouni posted on X.
"We urge all parties to protect civilians and ensure the safety of humanitarian aid workers. We reiterate our call for a political solution consistent with UNSCR 2254 (UN Security Council Resolution 2254)," he added.
Syrian civil war LIVE: Intense shooting sounds heard in Damascus, say reports
Two residents, cited by Reuters, said that intense sounds of shooting is being heard in the centre of the Syrian capital of Damascus.
Syrian civil war LIVE: Assad regime has control of only 3 provincial capitals
For the first time ever in Syria's long-standing civil war, the government has control of only three of the 14 provincial capitals, Damascus, Latakia, and Tartus.
Amid the surprise attack from Syria's most powerful insurgent group, the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, president Bashar al-Assad's regime is starting to hang by a thread.
Syrian civil war LIVE: Assad regime's defenses collapse in Damascus
Defenses of President Bashar al-Assad's forces have collapsed in the capital city of Damas, reports said.
According to a CNN report, a resident told the media organization that rebel forces appear to have entered Damascus amid the collapse of Assad regime's defenses.
"The rebels are in Barzeh. I saw rebel fighters moving through the inner alleys of Barzeh toward Police Club Street, and I can hear very loud sounds of clashes. The electricity is cut off, and the internet is very weak, people are staying at their houses," the resident was quoted as saying.
Syrian civil war LIVE: Syrian forces withdraw from Damascus airport
As Syrian rebels close in on the capital city, reports have said that Syrian forces are withdrawing from the Damascus international airport.
Syrian civil war LIVE: What Trump said about Syrian conflict
US President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday said that America should refrain from military action in Syria. "This is not our fight," he said.
The comments came in the backdrop of Syrian rebel forces capturing key cities in the country, keeping its focus stern on Capital Damascus.
Syrian civil war LIVE: Hezbollah force withdraws from Qusayr city, says report
Pro-Iranian Hezbollah has withdrawn from the Syrian city of Qusayr along its country, Lebanon's border shortly before rebel forces seized it, Syrian army sources were cited as saying on Sunday by Reuters.
They told the news agency that at least 150 armored vehicles carrying hundreds of fighters left the city in phases.
Notably, Qusayr has been a key supply route for the militia's arms transfer and flow of fighters in and out of Syria since Hezbollah seized it in 2013.