Syria Civil War Live Updates: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has fled the country of Syria for an unknown destination, endinng a fifty year regime of the . The Opposition forces in war-torn Syria entered the capital city of Damascus, early on Sunday.
Syrian Opposition said on Sunday they have begun entering the capital Damascus without any sign of army deployments. The developments mark the biggest challenge to President Bashar al-Assad’s rule since Syria’s civil war began in 2011.
“We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains and announcing the end of the era of injustice in Sednaya prison,” they added. Sednaya is a large military prison on the outskirts Damascus where the Syrian government detained thousands.
The rapidly developing events have shaken the region. Lebanon said it was closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for one that links Beirut with Damascus. Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria, too.
Eight key countries gathered with the U.N. special envoy on Syria on the sidelines of the Doha Summit for two hours of discussions Saturday night, and more will follow. The UN envoy seeks urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.”
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Syria War Live: Syrians gather at Lebanon bother to come home
Syria War Live: The past 10 days have been historic, with rebels advancing rapidly from their stronghold in northwestern Idlib, capturing Aleppo, Hama, and Homs, and now reaching Damascus, President Bashar al-Assad’s seat of power.
Syrians, in shock and disbelief, are also euphoric, particularly those who fled the country in search of safety or a better life, as the Assad government failed to improve living conditions despite declaring victory years ago.
As the humanitarian crisis worsens, with 90% of Syrians living below the poverty line, many displaced people are now gathering at the Lebanon border, hoping to return home. Those from former opposition-held areas, especially in the Damascus countryside, have been unable to return until now.
Syria War Live: Who is Bashar al-Assad?
Syria War Live: Bashar al-Assad, 59, assumed power in 2000 following the death of his father, Hafez al-Assad, who had ruled Syria since 1971. Born in Damascus, he studied medicine at the University of Damascus and later trained in ophthalmology in London.
However, following the death of his older brother, Bassel, who was initially groomed to succeed their father, Bashar returned to Syria and became the heir apparent.
Assad’s presidency has been largely defined by the brutal civil war that erupted in 2011 after Syrians demanded democratic reforms.
Assad’s government responded with violent repression, leading to widespread accusations of human rights abuses, including the use of chemical weapons, the repression of Kurdish populations, and forced disappearances throughout the ongoing conflict.
Syria War Live: Syrian Army ‘melted away’ int he face of rebellion
Syria War Live: Joshua Landis, a Syria expert and director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma told Al Jazeera that the Syrian army essentially “melted away” in the face of the advancing rebels due to a lack of funds in Damascus and widespread exhaustion.
He pointed out that the al-Assad government was crippled by sanctions, with the US controlling most of Syria’s oil and gas resources. Additionally, Israel’s relentless strikes on Syrian forces, particularly targeting Hezbollah and Iranian militias, had further weakened the army.
Syria War Live: US Congressman ‘relieved’ at fall of al-Assad
Syria War Live: Democratic Congressman Brendan Boyle says the end of al-Assad’s rule must be an “opportunity for the Syrian people to decide their own future, free of repression and sectarian violence”.
HTS, the dominant armed opposition faction that led the offensive that toppled the Syrian president, is designated as a “terrorist” group by the US.
“Having worked tirelessly over the past decade as an advocate for the Free Syria movement in Congress, I am relieved to see that the butcher has fallen,” Boyle said in a social media post.
Syria War Live: Syrian rebels declare Damascus ‘liberated’ on state TV
Syria War Live: The opposition has just issued their first statement to the Syrian people on state television.
“The city of Damascus is free,” announced one man, dressed in civilian attire.
“The tyrant Bashar al-Assad has been overthrown. All prisoners have been released from the Damascus prison. We urge our fighters and citizens to protect and preserve the property of the state of Syria. Long live Syria.”
Syria War Live: Jordan seeks ‘security, stability and unity’ of Syria
Syria War Live: Jordan’s state-run news agency, Petra, quotes an unidentified government official as saying that Amman is “monitoring the fast-moving events” in Syria.
“We stress the importance of the security, stability and unity of Syria and urge our northern neighbours to reclaim the effectiveness of their institutions,” the officials said.
“Work is ongoing to strengthen the state of security and stability in the region.”
Syria War Live: Syrians hail ‘Berlin Wall moment’
Syria War Live: “Today is the end of 54 years of the reign of Assad family in Syria. This is the only regime I knew all of my life,” Guardian quoted doctor Zaher Sahloul, a Syrian-American physician who organised medical missions into Syria, including hospitals in Aleppo that were targeted by Syrian and Russian airstrikes.
“I don’t cry often in my adult life but today I did. It has been fourteen long years of horror. This is our Berlin Wall moment,” he said.
Syria War Live: Active search underway for exiled Assad
Syria War Live: An active search is underway for Bashar al-Assad with rebels questioning Syrian military officers and intelligence officials who might have knowledge about his movements, according to a source familiar with the rebels’ operations, CNN reported
Syria War Live: Al-Julani again urges fighters to protect public institutions
Syria War Live: The HTS chief is renewing his call for opposition fighters to be humble and gentle with people.
“Protect and guard the public institutions and property. They are owned by the Syrian people, and you are their protectors,” he says in a new statement.
Syria War Live: The downfall of President Bashar al-Assad
Syria War Live: The fall of President Bashar al-Assad marks a defining moment in Syria’s tumultuous history.
Assad’s grip on power had endured for 14 years, even as the nation fragmented in a brutal civil war that became a battleground for both regional and international powers.
As the Associated Press notes, his downfall is a stark contrast to his early days in office in 2000, when he was seen as a potential reformer following his father’s three-decade authoritarian rule. A Western-educated ophthalmologist, the 34-year-old Assad was initially viewed as a gentle, tech-savvy leader with a passion for computers.
However, when protests erupted against his rule in March 2011, Assad quickly abandoned hopes of reform, opting instead for the violent tactics of his father’s regime to suppress dissent. What began as an uprising soon escalated into a full-blown civil war, with Assad using military force to crush opposition-held areas, aided by his allies Iran and Russia.
International human rights organizations have documented widespread torture and extrajudicial executions in government-run prisons.
The Syrian conflict has resulted in nearly half a million deaths and displaced half of the country’s pre-war population of 23 million. As the war intensified, millions of Syrians fled to neighbouring countries and beyond, seeking refuge in Europe.
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Syria War Live: In Pics jubilant residents of Syria
Syria War Live: In Pics jubilant residents of Syria
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Syria War Live: Key events in Syria’s civil war
Syria War Live: Over the 13 years of conflict, Syria has suffered over 350,000 deaths, millions of displaced citizens, and widespread devastation. Here are some of the pivotal moments:
March 2011: Peaceful protests erupt in Damascus and Daraa, met with a violent crackdown by the Assad regime, sparking an armed uprising.
July 2012: The Battle of Aleppo intensifies, with opposition forces seizing significant parts of the city. Syrian forces retake it four years later.
August 2013: A chemical weapons attack in Eastern Ghouta kills hundreds, prompting global condemnation and Syria’s agreement to dismantle its chemical stockpile.
June 2014: ISIL declares a caliphate across Syria and Iraq, capturing vast territories, with Raqqa serving as its de facto capital until 2019.
September 2015: Russia intervenes militarily to support Assad, with air strikes tipping the balance in favor of government forces.
April 2017: The US launches missile strikes on Syrian government targets in retaliation for a chemical attack in Khan Sheikoun, marking their first direct military engagement with Assad’s forces.
November 2024: After years of stagnation, armed groups from Idlib launched a major operation, reigniting the conflict.
Syria War Live: Rebels enter presidential palace in Damascus
Syria War Live: Syrian rebels enter the precinct of the Presidential Palace in Damascus
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Syria War Live: Syrians topple Hafez al-Assad’s statute in Aleppo
Syria War Live: Syrians toppled over another statue of Syria’s late president Hafez al-Assad as rebel fighters arrived in Damascus on Sunday Hafez al-Assad.
This comes after President Bashar al-Assad fled Damascus ending more than five decades of his family’s rule over the country
Syria War Live: White Helmets rescuers say they will provide services across Syria
Syria War Live: The Civil Defence rescue service, which is known as the White Helmets and is active in opposition-controlled areas, says it will now provide services throughout the country.
“Our crews will reach to every city in Syria to plant peace and hope,” the service said in a statement.
Syria War Live: Rebellion in Syria marks collapse of ‘Iran’s artifice’ across the Middle East: US official
Syria War Live: A US official told CNN that the unfolding events in Syria signal the collapse of “Iran’s artifice” in the Middle East. The potential downfall of the Iran-backed Assad regime follows the significant weakening of Tehran’s key proxies, Hezbollah and Hamas, in recent conflicts with Israel over the past 14 months.
President Joe Biden and his administration are “closely monitoring” the situation, with National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett confirming that the US is maintaining constant communication with regional partners.
Syria War Live: Latkia, still under Assad control erupts in celebrations
Syria War Live: Syria’s government now has control of only three of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Latakia and Tartus.
Syria War Live: If you are joining us now…
Syria War Live: Here’s the latest update —
Syria’s armed opposition has announced the capture of the capital, Damascus, declaring it “free of the tyrant Bashar al-Assad.” Rebel forces claim that Assad, who ruled for 24 years, has fled the country, triggering celebrations across Damascus and Aleppo.
Abu Mohammed al-Julani, leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), stated that opposition forces in Damascus are prohibited from seizing public institutions, which will remain under the supervision of the former prime minister until an official handover takes place. Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali, who remains in Damascus, affirmed his commitment to ensuring the smooth functioning of public services.
Earlier, the opposition reported that its fighters had taken control of Homs, Syria’s third-largest city and a significant symbol in the revolution against Assad’s regime.
Syria War Live: After Damascus, Syrian opposition says it is advancing west of Deir ez-Zor
Syria War Live: The Syrian opposition reports progress in the western countryside of Deir ez-Zor, with their Administration of Military Affairs confirming ongoing advances in the area.
Deir ez-Zor is currently under the control of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which are predominantly Kurdish, after Syrian government troops withdrew earlier this week. The region, located in eastern Syria, also hosts around 900 US military personnel. The Euphrates River serves as the de facto boundary of SDF-controlled territory.
It remains uncertain whether opposition forces will push for control of the city or expand eastward across the river, which could potentially lead to direct conflict with US forces and their allies.
Syria War Live: White Helmets proclaim historic day in Syria
Syria War Live: Syria’s White Helmets civil defence forces has released a statement about the extraordinary events of the past few days.
“The sun of freedom rises on the Syrians… the moment that has been long awaited for years… even decades… Syria, the homeland, is writing history today,” the group said in a video statement posted on X.
Syria War Live: Syrians celebrate worldwide
Syria War Live: Reports emerged that Syrians in Germany celebrated the rebels’ takeover of Damascus in northern Syria. These Syrians in Germany had applied for asylum claiming persecution by former President Bashar-al- Assad.
Syria War Live: WATCH toppling of Assad’s statue in Homs
Syria War Live: Reminder of Iraq after Saddam Hussein was captured, Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh, the Rajapaskha clan fled Sri Lanka, profoundly symbolic moment was witnessed for Syria: the toppling of Assad’s statue in Homs after the rebels took control, facing little resistance.
Homs is regarded as the capital of the Syrian revolution that began in 2011 and suffered one of the most brutal crackdowns
Syria War Live: Syria looks to ‘deepen ties’ with friendly countries: Opposition
Syria War Live: Syria looks to ‘deepen ties’ with friendly countries, says Opposition leaders
While it remains unclear who will rule Syria after al-Assad, the opposition has released a statement outlining its vision for the country’s future foreign policy.
“The liberated Syria looks to deepen ties with all the brotherly and friendly nations on the basis of mutual respect and interests,” it said. “We will aim to play a constructive role in the region and the world to achieve security and stability.”
Syria War Live: Biden monitoring ‘extraordinary events in Syria’
Syria War Live: The White House has released a brief statement on the fall of al-Assad.
“President Biden and his team are closely monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria and staying in constant touch with regional partners,” it said.
Syria War Live: How did Turkey respond?
Syria War Live: Turkiye is yet to make an official statement of Sunday morning’s development.
However, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reiterated his position in recent days, expressing his support for the opposition’s advance and said that he hopes they will not face any issue and reach to Damascus.
And now, the opposition is in the capital city.
Syria War Live: What does fall of Assad mean for Russia?
Syria War Live: The downfall of the Assad regime represents a pivotal moment in the Middle East, ending the family’s decades-long authoritarian rule over Syria and delivering a significant setback to Russia and Iran, which lose a crucial ally in the region.
“We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners, releasing their chains, and marking the end of the era of injustice in Sednaya prison,” the rebels declared, referring to the infamous military prison on the outskirts of Damascus, where thousands of detainees were held by the Syrian government.
Syria War Live: What comes next for Syria?
Syria War Live: Syrian Turkey-based opposition leader tells Al Jazeera Mubasher TV they will meet with Arab, European countries, and the UN to discuss the next stage.
Syria War Live: Syrian opposition committed to ‘social unity’
Syria War Live: The Administration of Political Affairs, an arm of the Syrian opposition, reiterates its pledge to work for all Syrians.
“The liberation of Syria is a victory for all of its children who have sacrificed for the unity of its land and people,” it said in a statement.
“In this occasion, we assert our commitment to strengthening social unity and confirming the principles of justice and dignity for all the components of Syrian society.”
Syria War Live: Dawn breaks in Damascus, reveling people chant ‘Allah Akbar’
Syria War Live: Dawn is breaking over the Syrian capital Damascus after an extraordinary sequence of events.
Television footage showed rebels in fatigues firing celebratory rounds into the sky, and yelling “Allah Akbar” hours after Islamist rebels claimed control of the city, and amid reports President Bashar al-Assad has fled the country to an unknown location.
On the streets people climbed on tanks to chant and gathered to celebrate.
Syria War Live: Assad’s plane crashed?
Syria War Live: Several unconfirmed reports have stated that the aircraft Bashar al- Assad was travelling in has crashed near the town of Al-Suwayri in northern Syria.
Some netizens also mentioned that the sudden disappearance of Assad’s plane from radar is indicative of the fact that it was shot down.
“Sudden Disappearance and Altitude Change Suggests It Was Shot Down!!
Unconfirmed information is being circulated about the sudden descent of the plane that was reportedly carrying Assad after it disappeared from radar and dropped suddenly from an altitude of over 3,650 meters to 1,070 meters in a few minutes, just outside Lebanese airspace north of Akkar.
3D flight radar data of the plane suspected of carrying Bashar al-Assad indicates that it crashed.
The Syrian Air IL-76 aircraft’s altitude dropped suddenly, and it seems it was shot down.” wrote a netizen.
Syria War Live: Aleppo erupts in celebrations
Syria War Live: 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.
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Syria War Live: Assad was on the last flight from Damascus
Syria War Live: Moments before opposition fighters took control of the Damascus airport, open source flight trackers recorded a single plane in Syria’s airspace.
An Illyushin76 aircraft with flight number Syrian air 9218 was the last flight to take off from Damascus. President Assad is reportedly on this aircraft.
First, it flew east, then it turned north.
A few minutes later, its signal disappeared as it circled over Homs.
Syria War Live: Al-Assad family ruled Syria for more than 50 years
Syria War Live: The Al-Assad family ruled Syria for over 50 years, with Bashar al-Assad inheriting power from his father, Hafez al-Assad, who governed Syria from 1971 until his death in 2000.
Bashar, a former medical student, became president in July 2000, also taking on roles as the head of the Ba’ath Party and commander-in-chief of the military. When protests erupted in 2011 calling for democracy, al-Assad responded with a brutal crackdown, labeling opposition as “terrorists.”
His harsh response led to a prolonged civil war, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Syrians and allegations of chemical weapon use against civilians.
Despite the ongoing conflict, al-Assad held elections in government-controlled areas, which were widely criticised as undemocratic.
Though he never fully defeated the opposition, al-Assad managed to maintain power with the backing of his loyal supporters, particularly the Alawite political faction.
Syria War Live: WATCH the video statement of PM Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali
Syria War Live: 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.
Syria War Live: Israeli army tanks enter Syria
Syria War Live: Israeli army tanks and armored vehicles enter Quneitra Governorate, southwest Syria, reports War Monitor. Hebrew Media outlet (GLZ) reports that the “IDF and the Northern Command launched an attack in the buffer zone in the Quneitra area, in order to strengthen the defense of the border.
Syria War Live: Netizens chant ‘Greater Israel Project’
Syria War Live: “Syria has FALLEN. Mossad and its traitorous puppets in the U.S. government have overthrown the regime of Bashar al-Assad. We’re watching the Greater Israel Project play out right in front of our eyes.”, says war observers on X
Syria War Live: Rebels in Syria proclaim end of ‘dark era’
Syria War Live: Rebels in Syria have announced a new era in Syria after 50 years of Baath rule.
“After 50 years of oppression under Baath rule, and 13 years of crimes and tyranny and (forced) displacement… we announce today, 12-8-2024, the end of this dark period and the start of a new era for Syria.”
Syria War Live: Syrian rebels prohibit ‘celebratory gunfire’
Syria War Live: 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.
Syria War Live: Syrian rebels distances themselves from Al Qaeda
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.
Syria War Live: Meet leaders who fled their countries amid uprising
Syria War Live: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad boarded a plane and left for an unknown destination, as reported by Reuters citing officials. Syria has remained a fractured nation plagued by a prolonged history of civil wars.
However, it is not the first time the president, prime minister and leaders have fled the country during a crisis. To Check list click here
Syria War Live: How did Assad’s regime in Syria fall so quickly?
Syria War Live: David Des Roches, an associate professor at the Near East South Asia Center for Security Studies, explained the rapid success of the Syrian rebels’ offensive by pointing to the “lack of morale and leadership” within the Syrian army.
He noted that since the 2014 intervention by Iranian and Russian forces, reports indicated that the Syrian Arab Army was poorly led, more focused on extorting bribes from civilians than on combat.
Des Roches told Al Jazeera that the fighting was largely carried out by Iranian-led proxies with Russian air support. With Russian air power removed and the proxies unable to engage effectively, the Syrian army became a demoralised, corrupt force, ill-equipped and unwilling to take risks. (Al Jazeera)
Syria War Live: Syria falls, Assad disappears, calls of ’God is great’ echoes from mosques
Syria War Live: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has left Damascus amid significant challenges to his rule, with opposition forces entering the capital. Protests erupted in Homs, celebrating perceived victories, while the ongoing civil conflict continues to escalate since it began in 2011.
For a timline of the 13 years click here
Syria War Live: Syrian PM extends ‘hand to the opposition’
Syria War Live: Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali says, “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.
The Middle East has seen chaos with the fall of governments in the past. When invading American forces toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in 2003, state agencies and public sites were looted as anarchy prevailed.
Syria War Live: War Monitor hails ‘next era of the Levant’
Syria War Live: X account ‘War Monitor’ hailed ‘first day in the next era of the Levant’ after rpeorts of Assad fleeing and his decade long regime falling into the hands of rebels emerged.
Syria War Live: Rebels prohibited to go near public institutions
Syria War Live: Syrian rebels say it is prohibited to go near public institutions that will remain under the supervision of the ‘former PM’, reports War Monitor
Syria War Live: Visuals from Damascus
Syria War Live: People celebrate in joy as military informs that the Assad regime has felled. People gathered in Umayyad Square and chanted Al-Sarout’s songs.
See visuals
Syria War Live: Assad’s military informs that the regime has collapsed
Syria War Live: As President Assad fled damascus on Sunday, his military informed that the decades long regime of Bashar-Al-Assad’s regime in Syria has collapsed.
Syria War Live: What does Assad’s allies say?
Syria War Live: 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.
Syria War Live: Syrian PM says he remains in his home in Damascus
Syria War Live: Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali says he does not plan on leaving his home as he aims to ensure that public institutions continue to function.
“I urge all to think rationally and to think about they 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.
Syria War Live: Assad fled Syria even before Rebels entered Damascus?
Syria War Live: Rami Abdurrahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reported early Sunday that President Bashar al-Assad fled Syria for an undisclosed location, as insurgents claimed to have entered Damascus following a rapid advance.
Abdurrahman told The Associated Press that Assad took a flight from Damascus on Sunday. Iranian state television, a key ally of Assad, also confirmed his departure, citing Al Jazeera, but offered no further details. The Syrian government has not made any official statement regarding Assad’s whereabouts.
