The collapse of Assad's rule followed a shift in the balance of power in the Middle East after many leaders of Hezbollah were recently killed by Israel.
People walk near razor wire at Masnaa Border Crossing, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, Lebanon, on Dec. 8, 2024.Syrian rebels declared they had ousted President Bashar al-Assad after seizing control of Damascus on Sunday, forcing him to flee and ending his family's decades of autocratic rule after more than 13 years of civil war.
"We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains," the rebels said. French President Emmanuel Macron said, "The barbaric state has fallen," and paid tribute to the Syrian people.When the celebrations fade, Syria's new leaders will face the daunting task of trying to deliver stability to a diverse country with competing factions that will need billions of dollars in aid and investments to rebuild.
Lebanese-based Hezbollah, which provided crucial support to Assad for years, withdrew all of its forces from Syria on Saturday as rebel factions approached Damascus, two Lebanese security sources told Reuters on Sunday. "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," it added in a statement.
Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali called for free elections in a country where Assad's opponents faced barrel bombs. The frontlines were dormant for years. Then Islamists who had once been affiliated with Al Qaeda suddenly burst into action in late November. HTS, which spearheaded the rebel advances across western Syria, was formerly an al Qaeda affiliate until its leader Golani severed ties with the global jihadist movement in 2016.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad flees Damascus as rebels move into country's capital: reportToday's Video Headlines 12/07/2024
Read more »
Syrian President Bashar Assad flees, war monitor says, as his government collapses and insurgents enter DamascusSyrian insurgents reached Damascus as part of a rapidly moving offensive that saw them take over some of Syria's largest cities.
Read more »
Iran Evacuating Military in Syria as Rebels Advance: ReportThe Iranian government is closely allied with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Read more »
Alone and broke against a renewed insurgency, is Assad's rule at risk of collapse?The last time Syrian President Bashar Assad was in serious trouble was 10 years ago.
Read more »
Alone and broke against a renewed insurgency, is Assad's rule at risk of collapse?The last time Syrian President Bashar Assad was in serious trouble was 10 years ago.
Read more »
Syrian rebel leader says goal is to ‘overthrow’ Assad regimeThe goal of Syria’s rebel coalition, as it wrests another major city from government control this week, is ultimately to overthrow authoritarian President Bashar al-Assad, according to Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the militant leader of the main group driving the country’s armed opposition.
Read more »