- Syrian opposition fighters say they are entering the capital, Damascus, after seizing control of the city of Homs.
- The developments mark the biggest challenge to President Bashar al-Assad’s rule since Syria’s civil war began in 2011. Earlier, the Syrian army dismissed claims that al-Assad has left the country.
- The commander of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Abu Mohammed al-Julani, says the government’s collapse is near and promises to protect people in areas the group controls.
- Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Russia issue a joint statement saying the crisis is a “dangerous development” and calling for a political solution.
How do the developments in Syria impact the Middle East?
If indeed Damascus has fallen and if indeed this is the end of al-Assad’s rule, this is a major blow for his ally Iran in the region.
In the past few years, the region has transformed.
We’ve seen the growing power and influence of Iran spread across the region, whether it was in Iraq, in Syria, and in Lebanon as well. They had local allies in these countries and the balance of power was in Iran’s favour.
It’s not just Syria, it’s in Lebanon, too.
Hezbollah, an ally of Iran, has been severely weakened, with its military capabilities degraded in the Israeli bombing campaign that lasted for weeks. The Israelis targeted their military infrastructure [and] their fighters; they destroyed areas where their supporters live, making it very difficult for the group to pick up the pieces. A ceasefire deal is in effect in Lebanon, but in that deal, Hezbollah, in one way or the other, is being told to disarm.
The Israeli military wants to ensure that Hezbollah is unable to re-arm, and in recent days, we’ve seen an intense bombing campaign by the Israelis, not just in Lebanon, but in Syria as well – because the Israeli military does not want Iran to militarily entrench itself in Syria. So this shift in the balance of power – if indeed al-Assad’s rule is now over – is a major blow to Iran but it’s too early to say what comes next for Syria.
Where is President al-Assad?
The Reuters news agency is reporting that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad boarded a plane and left to an unknown destination.
It cited two unnamed senior army officers familiar with the incident.
Earlier on Saturday, the government denied reports that al-Assad had fled Damascus. The state news agency said he remained in Damascus and was carrying out his work from the capital.
The president’s exact whereabouts are unknown, however, and he has reportedly not been seen for days.
Syrian opposition declares ‘start of new era’
The Syrian armed opposition says the end of al-Assad’s rule marks a new chapter in Syria’s history.
“After 50 years of oppression under Baathist rule and 13 years of criminality, tyranny and displacement, and after a long struggle, confronting all sorts of occupation forces, we declare today, December 8, 2024, the end of that dark era and the start of a new era for Syria,” the rebels said in a statement.
Syrian PM extends ‘hand to the opposition’
Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali says he does not plan on leaving his home and that he wants to ensure that public institutions continue to function.
“I urge all to think rationally and to think about the country,” al-Jalali said.
“We extend our hand to the opposition who have extended their hand and asserted that they will not harm anyone who belongs to this country.”
He also called on citizens to protect public property.
Al-Julani says Syria’s public institutions will remain under ex-PM
The HTS chief says all opposition forces in Damascus are prohibited from taking over public institutions, “which will remain under the supervision of the former prime minister until it is handed over officially”.
“Celebratory gunfire is also prohibited,” al-Julani added in a statement.
The Syrian opposition leader has been signing his statements with his legal name, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in an apparent effort to distance himself from his past ties to al-Qaeda.
Al-Assad’s prime minister said earlier that he will remain in Damascus to oversee state institutions.
