Syria Civil War News Live Updates: A monitor of Syria’s war on Sunday said Israeli strikes targeted government security buildings in Damascus, followed by subsequent fire, hours after rebels overran the capital following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime.
“Israeli strikes targeted a security complex in Damascus near the former regime’s buildings” including intelligence, customs and a military headquarters, said the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Damascus has cancelled all flight operations till December 18 amid the rebel takeover. The West, meanwhile, hailed Assad’s exit saying it is “good news” that his “barbaric” rule has ended, but warned that the swiftly developing situation must not descend into chaos.
Gleeful Syrians poured into the streets, celebrating with gunfire as a stunning rebel advance led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, and other opposition fighters reached the capital putting an end to the Assad family’s 50 years of iron rule.
Many gathered in central squares in Damascus, waving the Syrian revolutionary flag in scenes similar to the early days of the Arab Spring uprising, before a brutal crackdown and the rise of an insurgency plunged the country into a nearly 14-year civil war. Others ransacked the presidential palace and the Assad family residence after the president and other top officials vanished, their whereabouts unknown.
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Syria Civil War: Bashar al-Assad, His Family In Russia, Granted Asylum: Report
Ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in Russia after the rebels took over the country’s capital city Damascus on Sunday. According to reports published in Russia’s TASS, they have been granted asylum by the Russian authorities on “humanitarian grounds”.
Syria Civil War: Ready To Support Rebuilding, Says EU Chief
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU will help to rebuild a Syria that safeguards minorities. “Europe is ready to support safeguarding national unity and rebuilding a Syrian state that protects all minorities,” she said on X. “The cruel Assad dictatorship has collapsed. This historic change in the region offers opportunities but is not without risks.” She said the bloc was in touch with key leaders in Europe and the region and was monitoring the fast-moving developments. AFP
The cruel Assad dictatorship has collapsed.
This historic change in the region offers opportunities but is not without risks.
Europe is ready to support safeguarding national unity and rebuilding a Syrian state that protects all minorities.
We are engaging with European and…
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) December 8, 2024
Syria Civil War: IDF Imposes Curfew In 5 Towns In Golan Buffer Zone
Israel’s military imposed a curfew for residents of five Syrian towns in a demilitarised buffer zone of the Golan Heights, which PM Benjamin Netanyahu ordered troops to seize. “For your security you must stay at home and not go out until further notice,” Lieutenant Colonel Avichay Adraee, an Israeli army spokesperson, said on X, after Netanyahu’s order. AFP
Syria Civil War: Amnesty Demands Rights Violators Face Justice
Amnesty International called for perpetrators of rights violations in Syria to face justice, calling it a “historic opportunity” to end decades of abuses. “Suspected perpetrators of crimes under international law and other serious human rights violations must be investigated, and if warranted, prosecuted for their crimes in fair trials,” Amnesty International head Agnes Callamard said. AFP
Syria Civil War: US President Biden To Meet With National Security Advisers
American President Joe Biden will meet with his national security advisers over Syria. The US so far has been muted in its response, as other world leaders have weighed in to urge peace, hailing the fall of Assad and encouraging a political solution to stabilise the war-stricken country. “The President will meet with his national security team this morning to receive an update on the situation in Syria,” National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett posted on X. The US military has around 900 troops in Syria and 2,500 in Iraq as part of the international coalition established in 2014 to help combat the IS. It has regularly struck targets in the country including those linked to Iran-backed militias.
President Biden will meet with his national security team this morning to receive an update on the situation on Syria.
— Sean Savett (@NSC_Spox) December 8, 2024
Syria Civil War: Israeli Strikes Target Govt Security Buildings In Damascus
A monitor of Syria’s war said Israeli strikes targeted government security buildings in Damascus, followed by subsequent fire, hours after rebels overran the capital. “Israeli strikes targeted a security complex in Damascus near the former regime’s buildings” including intelligence, customs and a military headquarters, said the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. AFP
Syria Civil War: UK PM Urges Peace, Stability After Assad Fall
British PM Keir Starmer called for peace and stability in Syria after the fall of its president Bashar al-Assad in the face of an Islamist-led rebel offensive. “The Syrian people have suffered under Assad’s barbaric regime for too long and we welcome his departure,” he said. “Our focus is now on ensuring a political solution prevails, and peace and stability is restored,” he added, calling for “civilians and minorities” to be protected. AFP
Syria Civil War: Rebel Chief Calls Assad’s Fall ‘Victory To Islamic Nation’
In his first public appearance at the sprawling Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, the leader of Syria’s biggest rebel faction called the fall of Bashar al-Assad “a victory to the Islamic nation”. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) chief Abu Mohammed al-Jolani — now calling himself by his given name, Ahmad al-Sharaa — told hundreds of people that Assad had made Syria “a farm for Iran’s greed”. He gave the speech as the crowd chanted “Allahu akbar (God is greatest)”, a video shared by the rebels on their Telegram channel showed. As he entered the mosque, crowds could be seen cheering him on, videos circulating online showed.
Syria Civil War: Closely Following Developments, Says China
China said it hopes Syria “returns to stability as soon as possible”. Beijing “is closely following the development of the situation in Syria and hopes that Syria returns to stability as soon as possible”, the foreign ministry said. “The Chinese government has actively assisted Chinese citizens who are willing to leave Syria in a safe and orderly way, and has maintained contact with… Chinese citizens who remain in Syria,” it said. “We urge the relevant Syrian parties to take practical measures to ensure the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel in Syria.” It added: “At present, the Chinese embassy in Syria is still holding strong, and we will continue to provide full assistance to Chinese citizens in need.” While Russia and Iran have been Syria’s closest backers in recent years, China’s ties to the country have grown. It is one of only a handful of countries outside the Middle East that Assad has visited since Syria’s civil war began in 2011. AFP
Syria Civil War: In Contact With All Syria Stakeholders, Says Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has been communicating with all regional actors on Syria and is determined to do what is possible to avoid chaos, an official said. “We are in constant communication with Turkey and every stakeholder involved,” the official said, adding that the kingdom was not aware of Assad’s whereabouts. His failure to re-engage several regional actors and the opposition was to blame for his downfall, the official said. “The Turkish government attempted to engage and coordinate with the Syrian government, but these overtures were met with refusal,” he added. “The current situation is a direct consequence of the Syrian government’s lack of engagement in the political process. This outcome reflects the inevitable result of such intransigence.” REUTERS
Syria Civil War: Fall Of ‘Brutal Assad Dictatorship’ Welcome, Says Ireland
Ireland said the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria was a welcome development, but urged the country to protect its civilians from more violence and ensure a peaceful power transition. “The fall of the brutal Assad dictatorship in Syria is to be welcomed. The priority must now be to prevent chaos and vacuum and to ensure the protection of the civilian population and a peaceful transition,” said Irish PM Simon Harris on X.
The fall of the brutal Assad dictatorship in Syria is to be welcomed. The priority must now be to prevent chaos and vacuum and to ensure the protection of the civilian population and a peaceful transition. pic.twitter.com/hmnec3J11r
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) December 8, 2024
Syria Civil War: Damascus Under Curfew Till Tomorrow Morning
Syria’s Islamist-led rebels announced a curfew in Damascus until the following morning. The rebel factions’ joint operations room, headed by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, “announces a curfew in the city of Damascus starting from 4:00 pm (1300 GMT) until 5:00 am (0200 GMT)” on Monday, it said in a statement on Telegram. AFP
Syria Civil War: Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham Chief Arrives In Damascus
Syria’s rebels said the leader of Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, arrived in Damascus hours after fighters seized the capital and said they ousted President Bashar al-Assad. Identifying him by his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa, the statement on Telegram said he had “knelt down prostrating to God in thanks” on the ground after arriving in the Syrian capital. A video showed him kneeling in a field and bringing his head to the ground. A statement that was read on Syrian state television, which rebels took over, quoted Jolani as saying: “We continue to work with determination to achieve the goals of our revolution… We are determined to complete the path we started in 2011”. The televised statement said “we will not stop fighting until all the rights of the great Syrian people are secured. The future is ours and we are moving towards victory”. AFP
Syria Civil War: Afghan Taliban ‘Congratulates’ Syrian People, Rebels
Afghanistan’s Taliban government congratulated the Syrian people and Islamist-led rebels after they declared they had taken Damascus and ousted President Bashar al-Assad. “We express hope that the process of power transition be carried out in a manner aligned with the aspirations of the Syrian people, paving path for the establishment of an independent and service-oriented Islamic government,” a foreign ministry statement said, calling for Syria to be able to “move forward free from external interference”. AFP
Syria Civil War: Egypt Calls For Consensus, Reconstruction
Egypt urged for national consensus and reconstruction in Syria. In a statement by the foreign ministry, it urged all Syrian parties “to unify objectives and priorities and initiate a comprehensive and inclusive political process that lays the groundwork for a new phase of consensus and internal peace”. The country said it is committed to working with regional and international partners to help the Syrian people, facilitate reconstruction efforts and support the safe return of refugees to their homeland. The foreign ministry reaffirmed “its stand alongside the Syrian state and people and supports them in preserving Syria’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity”. AFP
Syria Civil War: New Leaders Must Ensure ‘Atrocities’ Not Repeated, Says UN
The UN described Bashar al-Assad’s fall from power as a “historic new beginning” for Syrians, urging those taking charge to ensure the “atrocities” committed under his regime are not repeated. “Today marks a historic new beginning for the Syrian people who have suffered unspeakable violence and atrocities over the past 14 years,” the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria said, pointing in particular to those held for years in arbitrary detention. “It is incumbent on those now in charge to ensure that such atrocities are never again repeated within the walls of Sednaya (prison) or any other detention centre in Syria.” AFP
Syria Civil War: Iraq Urges Respect For ‘Free Will Of All Syrians’
Iraq urged respect for the “free will” of all Syrians and the country’s territorial integrity. “Iraq reaffirms the necessity of respecting the free will of all Syrians and emphasises that the security, territorial integrity and independence of Syria are of paramount importance,” government spokesman Basim Alawadi said in a statement. AFP
Syria Civil War: ‘Dictators Who Bet On Putin’ Destined To Fall, Says Ukraine
Ukraine welcomed the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, saying authoritarians who rely on Moscow are destined to fall, while noting Kyiv’s support for Syria’s people. “Assad had fallen. This is how it has always been and will always be for dictators who bet on (Russia leader Vladimir) Putin. He always betrays those who rely on him,” foreign minister Andriy Sybiga said on social media, reaffirming Kyiv’s “support for the Syrian people”. AFP
Syria Civil War: Iran Expects ‘Friendly’ Ties To Continue
Iran said it expects the “friendly” relations with Syria to continue. “The relations between the two nations of Iran and Syria have a long history and have always been friendly, and it is expected that these relations will continue,” a foreign ministry statement said. The country said it will adopt “appropriate approaches” towards Syria as per the behaviour of “effective actors” in Damascus. Iran’s foreign ministry said Tehran “will adopt appropriate approaches and positions”, regarding Syria while “taking into account the behaviour and performances of the effective actors” in Damascus. AFP
Syria Civil War: Must Not Descend ‘Into Chaos’, Says Qatar
Qatar warned Syria must not be allowed to slide into chaos. It said it was “closely monitoring the developments in Syria” and stressed on “the necessity of preserving national institutions and the unity of the state to prevent it from descending into chaos”. Qatar, which gave early support to the rebels after Assad’s government crushed a peaceful uprising in 2011, leading to the civil war — has remained a fierce critic of the Syrian leader. “The ministry calls upon all parties to engage in dialogue to safeguard the lives of the citizens,” the statement said, voicing Qatar’s “unwavering support for the Syrian people and their choices”. AFP
Syria Civil War: Jordan King Supports ‘Syrian Brothers, Respects Their Will’
Jordan’s King Abdullah II said his government “stands by its Syrian brothers and respects their will and choices”. According to a royal statement, the king told his National Security Council that there was a “need to protect Syria’s security, its citizens” and to work towards “stability and avoid any conflict that may lead to chaos”. AFP
Syria Civil War: Boosting Troops On Border, Says Lebanon
The Lebanese army said it was reinforcing its presence on the border with neighbouring Syria. “In light of rapid developments and delicate circumstances that the region is going through… units tasked with monitoring and controlling the northern and eastern borders have been reinforced, in conjunction with tightening surveillance measures,” the army said. Dozens of cars lined the main Masnaa crossing between the two countries as Syrian families returned home, with crowds cheering and chanting anti-Assad slogans. Lebanese PM Najib Mikati said he discussed the situation at the Syrian border in a call with army commander Joseph Aoun and security forces chiefs. He insisted “in these calls on the priority of tightening control over the border and distancing Lebanon from the repercussions of the developments in Syria”, his office said. Authorities said Lebanon hosts around two million Syrians, while more than 8,00,000 are registered with the UN — the highest number of refugees per capita in the world. Many fled Syria after its civil war began following the repression of anti-government protests in 2011. AFP
Syria Civil War: New Administration Mustn’t ‘Pose Threat’ To Neighbours, Says Turkey
Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan said that any new government in Syria must not threaten neighbouring nations, after Islamist-led rebels took its capital Damascus. He said Turkey had worked with Syrians and regional and international actors to “assure the regional countries that the new administration and new Syria will not pose a threat for its neighbours, on the contrary, the new Syria will address the existing problems, will eliminate the threats”. AFP
Syria Civil War: Spain Says Backs ‘Peaceful, Stable’ Solution
Spain said it will support a peaceful solution for Syria that provides stability for the region, following the reported fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime. Foreign minister Jose Manuel Albares said Madrid wants “any solution for the future of Syria to be a peaceful one… that benefits the Syrian people and in some way brings new stability to the Middle East and not more instability”. “We have to take steps to ensure that it’s the Syrian people who decide how they are governed and by whom in future and, of course, that Syria’s territorial integrity is maintained,” he said, adding that he hoped there will not be a “Balkanisation” of Syria, “with different regions controlled by different groups”. AFP
Syria Civil War: Embassy Operational In Damacus, All Indians Safe, Says MEA
India said it has continued to operate its embassy in Damascus amid the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria. The embassy is in touch with all Indian nationals and they are all safe, said sources in the ministry of external affairs. “Our Embassy continues to remain operational in Damascus, Syria. Embassy is in touch with all Indian nationals, and they are safe. Embassy remains available to assist Indian nationals in Syria,” they said.
Syrian Civil War: Ordered Military To ‘Seize’ Buffer Zone, Says Netanyahu
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the Israeli military to “seize” a UN-patrolled buffer zone between the Israeli- and Syrian-controlled Golan Heights. He said a 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria “has collapsed”, so he “directed the (military) yesterday to seize the buffer zone and the commanding positions nearby. We will not allow any hostile force to establish itself on our border”. He further said the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in Syria was a “historic day in the… Middle East” and the fall of a “central link in Iran’s axis of evil”. “This is a direct result of the blows we have inflicted on Iran and Hezbollah, Assad’s main supporters. It has triggered a chain reaction across the Middle East, empowering those seeking to break free from this oppressive regime,” he added during a visit to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
היום בגבול סוריה: זה יום היסטורי בתולדות המזרח-התיכון. לא נאפשר לשום כח עוין להתבסס בגבולנו. pic.twitter.com/9RUuikfKS5
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) December 8, 2024
Syrian Civil War: Assad Fall ‘Positive, Long-Awaited’, Says EU
The EU’s top diplomat hailed the fall of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad and said it pointed to the weakness of some of his supporters, including Russia. “The end of Assad’s dictatorship is a positive and long-awaited development. It also shows the weakness of Assad’s backers, Russia and Iran,” Kaja Kallas said in a post on X. She said the EU’s priority was to “ensure security” in the region and pledged to work with “all the constructive partners” in Syria and more broadly across the area. “The process of rebuilding Syria will be long and complicated and all parties must be ready to engage constructively,” she added. AFP
Syrian Civil War: France Hails Fall Of ‘Barbaric’ Assad Regime
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s “barbaric state” in Syria, and sent wishes of peace to the war-torn nation’s people. “The barbaric state has fallen. At last,” he wrote on X. “I pay tribute to the Syrian people, to their courage, to their patience. In this moment of uncertainty, I send them my wishes for peace, freedom, and unity.” The country welcomed the fall of Assad following more than a decade of “violent oppression against his own people”, while appealing to Syrians for “unity and reconciliation, and to reject all forms of extremism”, foreign affairs minister spokesman Christophe Lemoine said in a statement. AFP
Syrian Civil War: Germany Welcomes Assad’s Ouster As ‘Good News’
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed the fall of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad as “good news” and urged a political solution to stabilise for the war-stricken country. “Bashar al-Assad oppressed his people brutally. He has countless lives on his conscience and has driven numerous people to flee, many of whom have arrived in Germany,” he said. The country’s top diplomat also called the fall of the Syrian leader “a great relief”, while warning against radicalisation. “The end of Assad represents for millions of people in Syria a great relief,” said Annalena Baerbock, adding, “the country must not now fall into the hands of other radicals, whatever form they take.” AFP
Syria Civil War: Damascus Cancels Flight Ops Till December 18
The Damascus International Airport on Sunday cancelled the arrival and departure of flights for all types of aircraft until December 18 amid the swiftly developing situation following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime and the rebel takeover. A notice said all flights at the Damascus airport were suspended until December 18.