Rebels declare new era, end of Assad rule
Highlights-
- Syrian army says Assad rule has ended
- Assad boards plane, leaves Damascus, say senior army officers
- Assad's destination unknown, officers say
- Rebels enter Damascus
- Thousands celebrate "Freedom" in Damascus
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad boarded a plane and left Damascus for an unknown destination on Sunday, Reuters reported, quoting two senior army officers. Meanwhile, rebel forces in Damascus have declared the capital city "free" of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad as government forces withdraw.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The conflict in Syria has been ongoing since 2011 after peaceful pro-democracy protests flared into armed warfare. Since then, more than half the pre-war population of 23 million have been forced from their homes, with millions fleeing abroad as refugees.
Who are the rebels: The rebels launched their surprise offensive on Nov. 26, attacking from areas to the north and northwest of Aleppo. They swept into the city on Nov. 29-30, forcing out government forces. The attack was initiated by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Formerly known as the Nusra Front, it was al Qaeda's official wing in the Syrian war until breaking ties in 2016. HTS, led by Abu Mohammed al-Golani, opens new tab, has long been the dominant force in the Idlib region, part of an arc of the northwest where rebels maintained a foothold despite Assad's gains elsewhere. The United States and Russia, Turkey and other states designate it a terrorist group. Another rebel alliance has launched a separate offensive from areas north of Aleppo. These rebels are backed by Turkey and organised under the banner of the Syrian National Army.
Follow the LIVE UPDATES -
12:25pm
Rebels on Syrian state TV say toppled 'tyrant' Bashar al-Assad
Syrian rebel factions said Sunday morning in a message broadcast on state television that they had toppled "tyrant" Bashar al-Assad and freed unjustly detained prisoners, while calling for the safeguarding of state property.
A group of people were shown at the state television news studio, with one reading a statement from the "Damascus Conquest operations room" announcing "the liberation of the city of Damascus and the fall of the tyrant Bashar al-Assad and the release of all the unjustly detained from the regime prisons", calling on fighters and citizens to safeguard the "property of the free Syrian state".
Source: AFP
12:05pm
Rebels on Syrian state TV say they released all those 'unjustly detained' under Assad and urge safeguarding property of 'free' Syrian state.
Syrians in the capital Damascus cheered on Sunday as they trampled on a toppled statue of President Bashar al-Assad's father Hafez, AFPTV images showed.
Hafez al-Assad ruled Syria from 1971 until his death in 2000, setting up a paranoid, brutal system of government that his son inherited. On Sunday, Islamist-led rebels declared Bashar al-Assad had fled the country following a lightning offensive that overran the country.
Source: AFP
12:01pm
Syrian army says operations ongoing against "terrorist groups" in key regions
The Syrian army said early on Sunday that its forces were pressing ahead with military operations against "terrorist groups" in the countryside of Hama, Homs and Deraa, areas that have witnessed escalating clashes in recent days.
The statement comes after rebel forces announced on television they had freed Damascus and ousted President Bashar al-Assad's government.
The Syrian army said there was a need for awareness of what it described as a large-scale plot targeting the country, urging citizens to remain vigilant in defending Syria's stability and sovereignty.
Source: Reuters
11:15am
Syria rebel chief orders forces not to approach Damascus institutions
The leader of Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, ordered forces Sunday not to approach official institutions in Damascus, saying they would remain under the prime minister until they are "officially" handed over.
"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 said in a statement on Telegram, using his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa instead of his nom de guerre, and adding: "It is forbidden to shoot into the air."
Source: AFP
10:40am
Biden monitoring 'extraordinary events' in Syria: White House
US President Joe Biden is keeping a close eye on "extraordinary events" transpiring in Syria, the White House said late Saturday, after a war monitor said President Bashar al-Assad fled the country and rebels declared they have taken the capital.
"President Biden and his team are closely monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria and staying in constant touch with regional partners," National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said in a statement on social media.
Source: AFP
10:10am, 8 December
Rebels announce 'new era' after 'tyrant' Bashar al-Assad 'fled'
Syrian rebels said Sunday that President Bashar al-Assad had fled the country, calling on citizens abroad to return to a "free Syria" and saying that Damascus was free of the "tyrant".
"The tyrant Bashar al-Assad has fled" and "we declare the city of Damascus free", the rebel factions said on Telegram, adding that "after 50 years of oppression under Baath rule, and 13 years of crimes and tyranny and (forced) displacement... we announce today the end of this dark period and the start of a new era for Syria".
Source: AFP
09:38am
Syrian PM says ready to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the people
Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali said Sunday he was ready to "cooperate" with any leadership chosen by the people and for any handover process, after rebels said President Bashar al-Assad had fled the country.
"This country can be a normal country that builds good relations with its neighbours and the world... but this issue is up to any leadership chosen by the Syrian people. We are ready to cooperate with it (that leadership) and offer all possible facilities," Jalali said in a speech broadcast on his Facebook account.
Source: AFP
09:002am, 8 Dec
Assad has left Damascus, say senior army officers
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad boarded a plane and left Damascus for an unknown destination on Sunday, two senior army officers told Reuters, as rebels said they had entered the capital with no sign of army deployments.
Thousands in cars and on foot congregated at a main square in Damascus waving and chanting "Freedom", witnesses said.
"We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains and announcing the end of the era of injustice in Sednaya prison," said the rebels.
Sednaya is a large military prison on the outskirts Damascus where the Syrian government detained thousands.
Source: Reuters
History of the war in Syria
March 2011
Protests against Assad's rule spread across Syria
The protests, which began in Deraa in southern Syria, spread across the country. Security forces responded with arrests and shootings.
July 2012
Assad launches air raids on towns and cities
The strikes targeted towns and cities that had rebelled against his rule, where once peaceful protesters began carrying arms. Thousands were killed.
Aug. 2013
Washington declares the use of chemical weapons a red line
But a gas attack on densely populated rebel-held Eastern Ghouta on the outskirts of Damascus killed hundreds of civilians without triggering a U.S. military response.
Sept. 2014
Washington builds an anti-Islamic State coalition and starts air strikes
The strikes helped Kurdish forces turn the jihadist tide but created friction with ally Turkey.
Sept. 2015
Russia joins the war on Assad's side
With additional backing from Iran, Russian warplanes and military aid swiftly turned the course of conflict against the rebels.
April 2017
The United States launches a cruise missile attack on a Syrian government airbase near Homs
This action was taken after a poison gas attack on rebel-held Khan Sheikhoun.
Dec. 2019 - March 2020
The Russian-led offensive in northwest Syria displaces about one million civilians
Marking the worst humanitarian crisis since the conflict began, Ankara sends thousands of soldiers across the border to help stem the offensive. Turkey says it will not stop Syrian refugees from reaching Europe and opens its borders. Thousands flee for Greece.
June 2020
The United States announces the toughest U.S. sanctions against Damascus
Known as the "Caesar Act", the sanctions had wider powers to freeze the assets of anyone dealing with Syria, regardless of nationality, and covered more industrial sectors from construction to energy.
Dec. 2020 - March 2021
Israel steps up air strikes against various parts of Syria, especially the east
The strikes were aimed at hitting targets to prevent further Iranian entrenchment in the region.
Feb. 2021
Joe Biden's U.S. administration carries out an airstrike in Syria's east alongside the Iraqi border
The strike targeted a structure belonging to what it said were Iran-backed militia.
March 2023
Biden warns Iran after tit-for-tat strikes in Syria
U.S. President Joe Biden warned Iran that the United States would "act forcefully" to protect Americans, after the U.S. military carried out air strikes against Iran-backed forces in retaliation for an attack in Syria that killed an American contractor and injured several U.S. troops.
May 2023
Arab states bring Syria's Assad back into fold
Arab states turned the page on years of confrontation with Assad by letting Syria back into the Arab League, a milestone in his regional rehabilitation even as the West continues to shun him after years of war.
Source: Reuters
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