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Syrian opposition rapid offensive: fighters from near the suburbs of Damascus

Syrian opposition rapid offensive: fighters from near the suburbs of Damascus
By Faras Ghani, Ali Harb, Edna Mohamed, Maziar Motamedi, Stephen Quillen, Zaheena Rasheed, Lyndal Rowlands, Umut Uras and Virginia Pietromarchi
Published On 7 Dec 2024

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8 Dec 2024 - 13:50
 (13:50 GMT)

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You can follow live updates on the fast-moving situation in Syria here.

8 Dec 2024 - 13:45
 (13:45 GMT)

Here’s what happened today

We’ll be closing this live page shortly. 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.
8 Dec 2024 - 13:40
 (13:40 GMT)

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”.

8 Dec 2024 - 13:35
 (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 Tartous 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 Tartous 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.”

8 Dec 2024 - 13:30
 (13:30 GMT)
Explainer

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.

Abu Mohammed al-Julani checks the damage following an earthquake in the village of Besnaya in Syria’s rebel-held northwestern Idlib province, February 7, 2023 [Omar Haj Kadour/AFP]
8 Dec 2024 - 13:25
 (13:25 GMT)

Syrian side of Jaber crossing with Jordan empty

By Nour Odeh

Reporting from Jaber, Jordan-Syria border

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.

8 Dec 2024 - 13:20
 (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.

8 Dec 2024 - 13:15
 (13:15 GMT)

France’s Macron says ‘barbaric state has fallen’

French President Emmanuel Macron has praised the Syrian people’s “courage” and “patience” after opposition forces removed al-Assad from power.

“The barbaric state has fallen. Finally. I pay tribute to the Syrian people, to their courage, to their patience. In this moment of uncertainty, I wish them peace, freedom and unity,” Macron said in a post on X.

“France will remain committed to the security of all in the Middle East.”

8 Dec 2024 - 13:10
 (13:10 GMT)

Cars flooding into Syria after al-Assad’s ouster

Nour Qormosh, reporting near Idlib, Syria 

We are here, by the N-5 Highway. Cars are moving on the highway with people returning to their homes in Syria for the first time in 14 years.

The joy of the people is insurmountable. We’ve talked to the civilians here as they transport their belongings back into the country. Their joy is shared across the Syrian geography – from Idlib to Hama, Homs, Damascus, and Deraa.

This is the most significant moment in the history of the Syrian revolution.

8 Dec 2024 - 13:05
 (13:05 GMT)

Egypt calls on all parties in Syria to preserve capabilities of state

Egypt has called on all parties in Syria to preserve the capabilities of the state and national institutions, its Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry, in the first comments on the situation in Syria from an Arab government, said it was following the situation with great care, affirming its support for the Syrian people and the country’s sovereignty and unity.

8 Dec 2024 - 13:00
 (13:00 GMT)

If you’re just joining us

Let’s bring you up to speed:

  • Russia says Bashar al-Assad has left the country and given orders for a peaceful transition as opposition forces consolidate control of Damascus. His location remains unknown.
  • People are celebrating in the streets, firing festive gunfire into the air and hailing “a new Syria”, reports Zeina Khodr from the Syrian capital.
  • But others, concerned about what will come next, are choosing to remain in their homes in the city, where the opposition has declared a curfew from 4pm (13:00 GMT) until 5am (02:00 GMT).
  • Syrian opposition groups have continued their advance in northern Syria, claiming to capture the villages of Jamous, al-Far, al-Dandaliya, Jubb al-Arous and Awn al-Dadat.
  • An Iranian oil tanker en route to Syria made a U-turn after al-Assad’s fall, according to a maritime tracking agency.
8 Dec 2024 - 12:55
 (12:55 GMT)

Syrian refugees in Iraq’s Erbil celebrate fall of al-Assad

Platforms and local activists on social media released footage, verified by Al Jazeera’s Sanad agency, showing scenes of celebrations by Syrian refugees in Erbil in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq.

They cheered the fall of al-Assad’s regime and chanted slogans, calling for unity between Arabs and Kurds.

8 Dec 2024 - 12:50
 (12:50 GMT)

Photos: People ransack al-Assad’s private residence in Damascus

[Hussein Malla/AP Photo]
[Hussein Malla/AP Photo]
[Hussein Malla/AP Photo]
[Hussein Malla/AP Photo]
[Hussein Malla/AP Photo]

8 Dec 2024 - 12:45
 (12:45 GMT)

Syria-bound Iranian oil tanker turns back after al-Assad falls

An Iranian oil tanker was on course to cross the Suez Canal to reach Syria but made a U-turn after the fall of the al-Assad regime, according to a maritime tracking agency.

Iranian Suezmax tanker LOTUS, due to deliver about 750,000 barrels of Iranian crude to Syria, is now returning, according to TankerTrackers.

It said it expects fuel shortages in Syria as a result, adding that China could now potentially acquire the additional Iranian crude at a discount.

8 Dec 2024 - 12:40
 (12:40 GMT)

Italian ambassador in Syria unharmed after opposition break-in: FM

Italy’s Antonio Tajani says Syrian fighters have entered the residence of the envoy to Syria, leaving him and his security detail unharmed, according to ANSA and other domestic news agencies.

“This morning an armed group entered the garden of the ambassador’s residence. They took away only three cars and that was it,” Tajani said.

The ambassador and the police officers have been moved to a secure location, the minister added.

ANSA quoted Italian ministry sources as saying rebels were going into embassies and offices of international NGOs in a search for allies of al-Assad.

8 Dec 2024 - 12:35
 (12:35 GMT)

WATCH: Opposition fighters take over Kassab border crossing with Turkiye

Opposition fighters have released the footage below, verified by Al Jazeera’s Sanad agency, which shows they have taken over the Kassab border crossing with Turkiye.

The crossing is located in the Latakia governorate and was also taken over by rebels during the civil war about a decade ago.

Translation: Syrian opposition factions announce control of Kassab border crossing with Turkiye.

8 Dec 2024 - 12:30
 (12:30 GMT)

Syrian opposition forces announce curfew in Damascus

The Syrian opposition has declared a curfew in the capital from 4pm (13:00 GMT) until 5am (02:00 GMT).

The move comes after its fighters took over the capital in the morning, with President al-Assad reportedly leaving it.

8 Dec 2024 - 12:25
 (12:25 GMT)

Russia says Syria’s al-Assad has left country, given orders for peaceful power handover

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has issued a statement saying al-Assad has stepped down, left Syria and ordered a peaceful transition of power to take place.

Moscow also said it is in touch with all Syrian opposition factions and is taking steps to ensure all citizens in Syria are safe, with its military bases on high alert.

“We appeal to all parties involved with a strong call to renounce the use of violence and resolve all governance issues through political means,” said Russia’s Foreign Ministry.

8 Dec 2024 - 12:20
 (12:20 GMT)

No immediate threat to Russian forces in Syria: Moscow

The Russian Foreign Ministry says the military personnel at the bases in Syria are on high alert, according to TASS news agency.

It added that there was currently no threat to their security.

TASS earlier reported that Russian diplomats in Syria were safe.

Moscow, a staunch al-Assad ally, intervened in the conflict in 2015 in favour of the now-overthrown president.

8 Dec 2024 - 12:15
 (12:15 GMT)

Syrian opposition groups claim to capture more towns in northern Syria

In a post on Telegram, Syrian opposition forces engaged in Operation Dawn of Freedom – mostly falling under the Syrian National Army – claim they have taken over numerous villages in northern Syria.

The villages include:

  • Jamous
  • al-Far
  • al-Dandaliya
  • Jubb al-Arous
  • Awn al-Dadat