Syria LIVE | Israel strikes Damascus, seizes more territory in occupied Golan Heights
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has stated that the presence of Israeli forces in Syrian territory is a "temporary" and "limited" measure aimed at safeguarding Israel’s security
Ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad has fled to Moscow and received asylum from his longtime ally, Russia, the media in the latter country said on Sunday (December 8), within hours of Syrian rebels seizing control of Damascus and ending Assad and his family’s 50 years of iron rule.
According to news AP, thousands of Syrians poured into the streets that echoed with celebratory gunfire, waving the revolutionary flag in scenes that recalled 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.
The swiftly moving events raised questions about the future of the country and the wider region.
Also read: For US, Israel, fall of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad is the biggest in a slew of victories
“Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East,” US President Joe Biden said, crediting action by the US and its allies for weakening Syria’s backers — Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah. He called the fall of Assad a “fundamental act of justice” but also a “moment of risk and uncertainty,” and said rebel groups are “saying the right things now” but the US would assess their actions.
Russia has requested an emergency session of the UN Security Council to discuss Syria, according to Dmitry Polyansky, its deputy ambassador to the UN, in a post on Telegram.
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Live Updates
- 9 Dec 2024 1:13 PM IST
‘Need to work towards preserving unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity’: India on Syria
India on Monday said it is monitoring the situation in Syria and called on all stakeholders to “work towards preserving the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity” of the West Asian country.
In a brief statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, the government said, "We advocate a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political process respecting the interests and aspirations of all sections of Syrian society." The embassy in Damascus, the Syrian capital, "is in contact with the Indian community, for their safety and security", the government also said.
The MEA's statement comes amid chaos in Syria following Islamist-led rebel factions' lightning advance into the capital over the past two weeks, which forced President Bashar al-Assad to flee the country on Sunday.
- 9 Dec 2024 12:36 PM IST
More than 900 dead in offensive: Report
Since Syrian rebels launched their offensive against Bashar al-Assad on November 27, more than 900 people, including 138 civilians, have reportedly been killed in the violence.The toll also includes 380 Syrian troops and allied fighters and 392 rebel forces, reported news agency AFP citing Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.. - 9 Dec 2024 11:01 AM IST
Ferrari F50 among Assad’s massive car collection
Video footage coming in from Syria has shown ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s car collection, housed in a garage near his main palace in Damascus.
One video showed more than 40 luxury cars in a warehouse in Damascus, reported CNN.
Some of the cars include a red Ferrari F50 (priced over $3 million), a Lamborghini, a Rolls Royce, and a Bentley.
- 9 Dec 2024 10:57 AM IST
China calls for safety of its institutions, nationals
Beijing is closely monitoring the situation in Syria and hopes that stability will return soon in the country, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson has said.
“We urge relevant parties in Syria to ensure the safety and security of the Chinese institutions and personnel in Syria,” the Chinese spokesperson said.
The spokesperson further added that the China’s Embassy in Syria remains operational and that the Chinese government has “been actively helping Chinese nationals who wish to leave the country”.
- 9 Dec 2024 10:53 AM IST
Developments will be beyond ‘American control’: Iranian envoy
The Iranian ambassador to Syria has warned that the fallout of the Bashar al-Assad regime’s collapse will be beyond American control and can lead to a conflict between regional countries and Turkey, according to CNN.
“I believe the developments in the region will be beyond American control and could seriously disrupt their strategic objectives,” Hossein Akbari said, as reported by Iranian state news agency IRNA on Sunday.
Akbari pointed out that the fall of the Assad government — which Iran had supported — had “created a complex alignment between northern and southern forces (in Syria), which could lead to conflict among certain Islamic and Arab countries with Turkey.” - 9 Dec 2024 8:57 AM IST
US bombs IS sites in Syria
The US has targeted over 75 sites in Syria, apparently to prevent Islamic State from conducting external operations.
The US military reportedly conducted airstrikes on over 75 key positions. The mission deployed various aircraft from the United States Air Force inventory.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) issued a statement explaining that these strikes were executed as part of their continuing efforts to disrupt, weaken, and prevent IS from conducting “external operations”. - 9 Dec 2024 8:55 AM IST
Hundreds of prisoners freed
Syrian opposition fighters have released hundreds of prisoners since capturing Damascus, Al Jazeera has reported.
In one video posted on social media and verified by Al Jazeera, a young man said: “I had no name in the prison, just a number. I lost my identity, my name and my character. I was taken by the regime and my family assumed I was dead. My family did not know my whereabouts. Many fellow prisoners were also taken without their families’ knowledge. They spent years and years behind bars.”
In another verified video, a group of men said their rescue came on the day they were scheduled to be executed. “Now we are standing in the heart of Damascus,” one man said, standing with three others. “I swear to God Almighty, this man and I were scheduled to be hanged on this day, only 30 minutes ago. I swear to God Almighty, 54 men were to be executed today.”
