Syria civil war: Moscow gives asylum to Assad, US Strikes IS targets

As the insurgents swept across Syria in just 10 days to bring an end to the Assad family's 50-year rule, they broke into prisons and security facilities to free political prisoners and many of the tens of thousands of people who disappeared since the conflict began back in 2011.

Videos shared widely across social media showed dozens of prisoners running in celebration after the insurgents released them from the notorious prisons, some barefoot and others wearing little clothing. One of them screams in celebration after he finds out that the government has fallen.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on people of Syria to seize a "historic opportunity" for a stable and peaceful future, following the sudden fall of the "dictatorial regime" of president Bashar al-Assad.

The UN Secretary-General also said that the future of Syria should be determined by its people.

In a statement released on Sunday, Guterres said, "After 14 years of brutal war and the fall of the dictatorial regime, today the people of Syria can seize a historic opportunity to build a stable and peaceful future. The future of Syria is a matter for the Syrians to determine, and my Special Envoy will be working with them towards that end."

Afghanistan Taliban congratulated the leadership of rebel group Hayat Tahrir as-Sham (HTS) in Syria which has overthrown the President Bashar al-Assad regime, and hoped for unified and stable system in the country

In a statement released on Sunday and cited in a news agency ANI report, Afghanistan expressed hope for a peaceful and unified transition towards a sovereign Islamic government that reflects the aspirations of the Syrian people.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) congratulates the leadership of Hayat Tahrir as-Sham (HTS) movement and the people of Syria on the recent advancements resulting in the removal of factor of conflict and instability, and the fall of the capital Damascus to the people of Syria under the leadership of HTS. We express hope that the remaining phases of the revolution will be managed in a way that secures a peaceful, unified and stable system," Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in the press statement.

Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the 42-year-old leader of the insurgent group that forced Syrian President Bashar Assad out of the country and ended his regime, is said to have worked for years to distance himself from his extremist past and present a more moderate face to the world. Read more

US airstrikes hit dozens of Islamic State targets in central Syria on Sunday as President Joe Biden cautioned that Bashar al-Assad’s fall from power could open the door to a resurgence of Islamic extremism.

“We’re clear-eyed about the fact that ISIS will try to take advantage of any vacuum to reestablish its capabilities and create a safe haven,” Biden said in remarks at the White House. “We will not let that happen.”

About 900 US troops are deployed to Syria as part of a mission to prevent a resurgence of Islamic State. Biden said that mission “will be maintained.”

Egypt urged all Syrian parties on Sunday to prioritise the nation's supreme interest by unifying objectives and priorities to pave the way for a comprehensive and inclusive political process that would foster internal harmony and peace and restore Syria's regional and international role.

According to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement carried by Ahram Online, Cairo called on the Syrian parties to safeguard the country's resources and national institutions.

Egypt also stressed its support for the Syrian state and people and its commitment to Syria's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, the ministry added.

(via ANI)

Russia requested an emergency session of the UN Security Council to discuss the situation in Syria, Moscow's deputy ambassador to the UN Dmitry Polyanksy posted on Telegram. Multiple diplomatic sources later told AFP that the UNSC will convene for an emergency closed door meeting Monday afternoon to deliberate Syria in the aftermath of president Bashar al-Assad's fall in the country.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “This is a historic day for the Middle East. The collapse of the Assad regime, the tyranny in Damascus, offers great opportunity but also is fraught with significant dangers.”

Israeli forces had — temporarily seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established by a 1974 ceasefire agreement, after Syrian troops abandoned their positions, Netanyahu said.

All Indian nationals in Syria are safe, government sources cited in a news agency PTI report said on Sunday, hours after Islamist rebels captured power in Damascus evicting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from power.

The Indian embassy continues to remain operational in Damascus, they said.

The sources said the embassy is in touch with all Indian nationals, and they are safe.

The embassy remains available to assist Indian nationals in Syria, they said.

According to official data, there are about 90 Indian nationals in Syria, including 14 who are working in various UN organisations.

President Joe Biden said Sunday that the U.S. government believes missing American journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared 12 years ago near the Syrian capital, is alive and that Washington is committed to bringing him home after Bashar Assad’s ouster from power in Damascus, AP reported.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has expressed optimism about Syria's future following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Sharing a post on X, Trudeau wrote, "The fall of Assad's dictatorship ends decades of brutal oppression. A new chapter for Syria can begin here -- one free of terrorism and suffering for the Syrian people."

US airstrikes hit dozens of Islamic State targets in central Syria on Sunday as President Joe Biden cautioned that Bashar al-Assad’s fall from power could open the door to a resurgence of Islamic extremism, Bloomberg reported.

At least 26 combatants were killed Sunday as Turkish-backed Syrian fighters launched an offensive on the northern Manbij area, days after seizing a Kurdish-held enclave.

US President Joe Biden on Sunday said deposed Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad should be "held accountable" but called the nation's political upheaval a "historic opportunity" for Syrians to rebuild their country.

UK welcomes Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the fall of Bashar Assad’s calling it a “barbaric regime” in Syria. He also called for the restoration of “peace and stability" in the country.

The British leader also urged all sides to protect civilians and ensure aid could reach the vulnerable as he responded to the overthrow of the Syrian regime.

Saudi Arabia called on Sunday for efforts to prevent Syria from falling into disarray after the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad by Islamist rebels.

Brandishing the flag of the opposition, dozens of Syrian refugees in Iraq's Kurdistan region on Sunday celebrated the fall of ousted President Bashar al-Assad, dubbing the Syrian leader's fall a victory for the “revolution”, AFP reported.

After nearly 14 years of civil war, Syrians gathered near the centuries-old citadel with many of them breaking out into the traditional dabkeh dance on the streets.

Russia said it had called for a UN Security Council meeting on Monday to discuss the situation in Syria, after a lightning offensive by Islamist-led rebels forced president Bashar al-Assad from power.

Russian state news agencies report ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad and family are in Moscow and given asylum.

Syria War LIVE: More than 900 people, including 138 civilians, have been killed since Syrian rebels launched a major offensive 11 days ago, which culminated in their control of Damascus, according to a war monitor on Sunday.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that it had "documented 910 deaths since the launch of the rebel operation on November 27." The toll includes 138 civilians, 380 Syrian troops and allied fighters, and 392 rebels.

Government sources speaking to PTI claimed that Indian citizens in Syria are "safe", and said the embassy remains functional.

According to official data, there are about 90 Indian nationals in Syria, including 14 who are working in various UN organisations.

Supporters of the Syrian rebels that ousted President Bashar al-Assad entered the Syrian embassy in Athens on Sunday and hoisted the rebel flag from the rooftop.

Police entered the embassy compound and detained four people, but left the flag flying. Later in the day, at Athens' central Sytagma square, dozens of jubilant Syrian opposition supporters waved rebel flags, danced and hugged each other. (Reuters)

Syria War LIVE: Amnesty International called on Sunday for perpetrators of rights violations in Syria to face justice.

"Suspected perpetrators of crimes under international law and other serious human rights violations must be investigated, and if warranted, prosecuted for their crimes" Agnes Callamard, head of the rights groups.

She added that any prosecutions should be in "fair trials and without the possibility of the death penalty".

Syria War LIVE: Germany's foreign minister Annalena Baerbrock stated that the Syrian people were tortured by president Assad and he should be held accountable for his crimes. She also expressed caution against radical groups taking charge in the country.

"Assad has murdered, tortured and used poison gas against his own people. He must finally be held accountable for this.” she said.

“The country must not now fall into the hands of other radicals - regardless of the guise. We therefore call on the parties to the conflict to live up to their responsibility for all Syrians. This includes the comprehensive protection of ethnic and religious minorities such as Kurds, Alawites or Christians and an inclusive political process that creates a balance between the groups," she added.

Syria War LIVE: Deputy assistant secretary of defence for the Middle East, Daniel Shapiro told the Manama Dialogue security conference in Bahrain that the US will maintain its presence in Syria.

"The United States will continue to maintain its presence in eastern Syria and will take measures necessary to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State," he said.

Shapiro called on all parties to protect civilians, particularly minorities, and respect international norms.