Syria’s ousted President Bashar al Assad has arrived in Moscow, Russian state media has confirmed.
The supply stated: “Assad and his family members have arrived in Moscow. Russia, for humanitarian reasons, has granted them asylum.”
Mr Assad left the Syrian capital of Damascus after his authorities fell following a lightning offensive by anti-regime forces throughout the nation – bringing his 24-year rule to an finish.
His whereabouts, in addition to these of his spouse Asma and their two kids, have been initially unknown.
As Mr Assad fled, footage on social media confirmed households gleefully ransacking presidential palaces in Damascus, with some taking selfies within the grand settings, as hundreds celebrated within the streets.
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A gaggle of individuals taking a selfie in a presidential palace in Damascus, Syria. Pic: AP
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A Syrian opposition fighter sits inside an workplace on the Presidential Palace. Pic: AP
Individuals additionally entered a constructing close to the Damascus palaces, which housed luxurious vehicles thought to belong to the previous president.
In movies shared on-line, individuals could possibly be seen driving in round inside a storage, previous rows of purple sports activities vehicles and large 4x4s.
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Individuals enter Syrian presidential palace
1000’s of Syrians, in vehicles and on foot, additionally gathered in a essential sq. within the Damascus chanting for freedom.
In the important thing metropolis of Homs – which insurgent fighters seized after only a day of combating – hundreds extra crammed the streets after the military withdrew, dancing and chanting “Assad is gone, Homs is free”, and “Long live Syria and down with Bashar al Assad”.
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Individuals experience Assad statue by streets
The nation’s worldwide airport in Damascus was deserted, and rebels stated that they had entered the infamous Saydnaya navy jail north of the capital, the place human rights teams say hundreds of Syrians have been tortured and killed by the Assad regime.
A video circulating on-line purported to point out rebels breaking open cells and releasing dozens of feminine prisoners, who appeared shocked and confused. A minimum of one small little one could possibly be seen amongst them.
Celebratory scenes have additionally damaged out in different nations all over the world, with Syrians gathering to mark the historic event in cities reminiscent of Madrid, Manchester and Tripoli, in northern Lebanon.
The autumn of Mr Assad’s regime marks a turning level for Syria after 13 years of civil battle. It had confronted a battle on three fronts – Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS) from the north, the Southern Entrance, and a Kurdish group within the east.
HTS is a Sunni Islamist militant faction, as soon as often known as the Nusra Entrance, a former wing of al Qaeda.
It has lengthy been designated a terrorist group by the US. In 2016, it minimize its ties with al Qaeda amid an effort to look average.
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File pic: AP
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A person walks previous a damaged portrait of the late Syrian President Hafez Assad within the ransacked residence. Pic: AP
Syrian rebels, made up of the varied opposition teams, stated they have been working to transition energy to a brand new governing physique with full govt powers.
“The great Syrian revolution has moved from the stage of struggle to overthrow the Assad regime to the struggle to build a Syria together that befits the sacrifices of its people,” the coalition stated in an announcement, describing occasions as a brand new start for “great Syria”.
HTS chief Abu Mohammed al Jolani, who led the insurgency, declared “the future is ours” in an announcement learn out on Syrian state TV.
He stated there was “no room for turning back” and his group was “determined” to proceed on the trail it began in 2011.
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Abu Mohammad al Jolani talking on the Nice Umayyad Mosque in Damascus
Addressing a crowd contained in the sprawling Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, he later described the autumn of Assad as a “victory to the Islamic nation”.
“A new history, my brothers, is being written in the entire region after this great victory,” he added.
World leaders react to President Assad’s fall
Russia – which, alongside Iran, helped prop up the Assad regime – has requested an emergency assembly of the UN Safety Council to debate the state of affairs in Syria, a Kremlin official posted on Telegram.
Elsewhere, US President Joe Biden labelled Mr Assad’s fall a “fundamental act of justice” but additionally “a moment of risk”, and Sir Keir Starmer referred to as for all sides to guard civilians and guarantee assist reached the weak.
“The developments in Syria in recent hours and days are unprecedented, and we are speaking to our partners in the region and monitoring the situation closely,” the British PM stated.
“The Syrian people have suffered under Assad’s barbaric regime for too long and we welcome his departure. Our focus is now on ensuring a political solution prevails and peace and stability is restored.”
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Syrian refugees ‘cannot wait to return dwelling’
US President-elect Donald Trump stated the States mustn’t get entangled within the battle as Syria “is not our friend” in a publish on Reality Social.
In a recent replace on Sunday morning – earlier than it was confirmed Mr Assad had been given asylum in Moscow – he added: Assad is gone. He has fled his nation. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by [Russian President] Vladimir Putin, was not eager about defending him any longer.
“Russia and Iran are in a weakened state right now, one because of Ukraine and a bad economy, the other because of Israel and its fighting success.”
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Individuals step on the Syrian authorities’s flag outdoors the Syrian embassy in Madrid. Pic: Reuters
Israeli airstrikes hit Damascus, in line with reviews
Israel has carried out three airstrikes in opposition to a significant safety advanced in Damascus, two regional safety sources have advised Reuters.
The IDF has additionally focused a analysis centre within the Syrian capital, they stated. In accordance with Israel, the centre was utilized by Iranian scientists to develop missiles.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the ousting of Mr Assad as a “historic day”.
On a go to to the world close to the border with Syria, he stated he had ordered Israeli forces to grab a buffer zone within the Golan Heights, including: “We will not allow any hostile force to establish itself on our border.”
Mr Netanyahu stated stated this was essential to “ensure the protection of all Israeli communities in the Golan Heights” after Syrian troopers deserted their positions there.
Golan was captured by Israel within the 1967 Mideast battle, and later annexed. The worldwide group, besides the US, views it as occupied territory.
