Syria: Rebel Forces Overthrow Assad Regime, Russia Calls for UN Action

• By Ravi Singh
• Published: Mon, 09 Dec 2024 1:57 PM (IST)
• Source: The Chandigarh News

Syria: In a historic turn of events, rebel forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) have captured the Syrian capital, Damascus, ending the five-decade rule of the Assad family. This marks a significant shift in Syria’s political landscape as President Bashar al-Assad and his family flee to Moscow, where they have been granted asylum by Russia.

Rebel Victory and Statements

HTS’s leader, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, described the conquest as a “historic victory” for the Islamic nation. In a video statement he made available on Telegram, al-Jolani said, “This victory, my brothers, is historic for the region. Today, Syria is being purified. This victory is born from the people who have languished in prison, and the mujahideen broke their chains.”

The unrest, ending in a coup, is sparking celebrations across Syria and from Syrians around the world with many pulling down statues of the former President Hafez al-Assad in symbolic defiance.

#صورة_ملف_شخصي_جديدة pic.twitter.com/eyHJxDzw69

— Syrian Football Association (@SyrianFa1) December 8, 2024

International Response

• Russia: Russia has called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council to address the deepening crisis in Syria. Dmitry Polyansky, Russia’s deputy ambassador to the UN, confirmed the move through Telegram.
• United States: Hours after the insurgents seized Damascus, the U.S. launched airstrikes against ISIS camps in Syria. CENTCOM reported that the strikes had been carried out to dissuade the armed group from taking advantage of the mayhem in the aftermath of Assad’s regime downfall.
• China: Beijing called on Syria to guarantee its institutions and the Chinese people’s safety, but said it was closely monitoring the situation.

Shifts in Syria

Syrian Football Association (SFA) announced a rebranding, changing the color of the national team kit to green from red to embrace the new political era. Rebel forces discovered a garage full of luxury cars that included Ferraris, Porsches, and Audis at Assad’s presidential palace.

Assad in Exile

The flight of President Assad to Moscow represents a dramatic fall from power. Russian news agencies TASS and RIA Novosti confirmed that Assad and his family were granted asylum on humanitarian grounds.

This upheaval marks the end of an era, as the opposition forces now hold power in a country that has been suffering through years of civil war. The international community is closely watching, with uncertainty looming over Syria’s future.