Abu Mohammed al-Julani
Here’s what happened today
Here’s a recap of the day’s developments:
- Syrian opposition fighters have captured the capital, Damascus, and declared victory on state television.
- Russia says Bashar al-Assad has left the country and given orders for a peaceful transition. His whereabouts are unknown.
- Opposition groups have declared a curfew in Damascus, where people are celebrating in the streets, from 4pm (13:00 GMT) until 5am (02:00 GMT).
- Opposition leader Abu Mohammed al-Julani says all state institutions will remain under the supervision of al-Assad’s prime minister until they are handed over officially.
- Crowds of Syrian refugees abroad are celebrating al-Assad’s fall and planning to return home for the first time in years.
Israeli PM Netanyahu visits Syrian border, hails ‘historic day’: Report
Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu has joined military commanders for a stop at the Israel-Syrian border, where Israel plans to bolster its defences, according to Israeli media reports.
“This is a historic day in the annals of the Middle East,” Netanyahu was quoted by Israel’s i24 TV as saying.
The Israeli prime minister went on to claim that al-Assad’s fall “is a direct result of the blows we landed against Iran and Hezbollah”.
- 1h ago(13:35 GMT)
Lack of Russian panic could mean some sort of understanding with Turkiye
The Russian Foreign Ministry said it did not participate in negotiations that preceded Bashar al-Assad’s resignation, and it did not specify his whereabouts.
The military at the Russian bases in Syria are on high alert, but there are no threats to their safety.
Russia and Iran appear to be negatively affected by the opposition ousting al-Assad, said Yulia Shapovalova, reporting from Moscow.
“Both have played a major role in supporting the Assad regime since the uprising began in 2011,” she said. “Russia actually continued to be on al-Assad’s side, because just recently, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed that Syria has been its strongest ally in the Middle East.”
Shapovalova said this gave Russia influence in the Middle East, and the ability to have a base in Tartus and an air base in Hmeimim in exchange for Moscow’s support. Russia has gained a key military presence in the Mediterranean and air power in the region as a result.
“Allegedly, Russia uses its naval base in Tartus to send its mercenaries to Africa, to Sudan, Mali and the Central African Republic,” Shapovalova said.
“Judging by the lack of panic in Russian bases, it could mean an element of agreement with Turkiye could have taken place.
At the moment, we understand all flights between Moscow and Damascus have been cancelled and the atmosphere at the Syrian embassy in Moscow remains calm.”
- 1h ago(13:30 GMT)
Who is Abu Mohammed al-Julani, who led the ousting of Bashar al-Assad?
Abu Mohammed al-Julani stands at the head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group that has become the most powerful armed opposition force in Syria and led the offensive that ousted President Bashar al-Assad.
Al-Julani was born Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa in 1982 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where his father worked as a petroleum engineer. The family returned to Syria in 1989, settling near Damascus.
He was allied with top leadership at ISIL (ISIS) and al-Qaeda before resigning those ties to rebrand and present a more “moderate” image while renouncing a transnational mission for a national takeover roadmap.
The HTS continues to be designated a “terrorist” group by the UN, the US and the EU.
- 1h ago(13:25 GMT)
Syrian side of Jaber crossing with Jordan empty
The Syrian side of the Jaber border crossing between Jordan and Syria, in Deraa, has been empty.
There was no presence of security forces – at least for the last 24 hours – as Jordan allowed Syrians to return home.
In Deraa, people did not wait for the opposition groups to enter the city but took over it themselves.
People and some rebel groups that had not been known to be operating in the area captured the city and then marched north – towards Damascus – meeting with the other rebel groups there.
Deraa has been free of the al-Assad regime’s control for more than 24 hours now.
- 1h ago(13:20 GMT)
Lebanon says boosting troops on Syria border after al-Assad’s fall
The Lebanese army says it is reinforcing its presence on the border with neighbouring Syria after the government of al-Assad fell and opposition forces took the capital, Damascus.
“In light of rapid developments and delicate circumstances that the region is going through… units tasked with monitoring and controlling the northern and eastern borders have been reinforced, in conjunction with tightening surveillance measures,” the army said in a statement.
On Sunday, Syrian rebels swept into Damascus declaring they had toppled “tyrant” al-Assad, whose current whereabouts are unknown after he reportedly fled the country.
An AFP correspondent saw dozens of cars lining the main Masnaa crossing between the two countries as Syrian families returned home, with crowds cheering and chanting anti-Assad slogans.
Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said he discussed the situation at the Syrian border in a call with army commander Joseph Aoun and security forces chiefs.
Mikati insisted “in these calls on the priority of tightening control over the border and distancing Lebanon from the repercussions of the developments in Syria”, his office said in a statement.
Syria’s governing powers should not repeat past ‘atrocities’: UN commission
A UN commission responsible for probing war crimes in Syria has urged Syria’s new governing forces to avoid repeating atrocities it says were a hallmark of al-Assad’s rule.
“Today marks a historic new beginning for the Syrian people who have suffered unspeakable violence and atrocities over the past 14 years,” the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria said in a statement.
“It is incumbent on those now in charge to ensure that such atrocities are never again repeated within the walls of Sednaya (prison) or any other detention centre in Syria.”
As we reported earlier, opposition fighters claimed to have freed all the prisoners at the infamous Sednaya Prison as they stormed into Damascus.
Important to be ‘cautiously optimistic’ about Syria, says activist Omar Suleiman
Palestinian-American activist Omar Suleiman says it was vital to understand the “gravity of the moment ” for the Syrian people amid al-Assad’s ouster.
“There is a historic wrongdoing that has been undone, and that there’s cause for jubilation in that regard, and that we should celebrate with the Syrian people and center the Syrian people,” Suleiman, founder and president of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research, said.
Nevertheless, like many others, he called for everyone to be “cautiously optimistic”.
“We should be calculated, careful and make sure that we see the revolution through,” Suleiman added.
“Much of the Arab Spring … was a cause of happiness followed by a cause of great disappointment.”
The Arab Spring was series of popular uprisings which erupted in 2011 in the Middle East and North Africa including in Egypt, Tunisia, Syria and Libya.
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