HTS announces fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied opposition factions declared on Sunday that the regime of Bashar al-Assad has been overthrown in Syria.
The announcement, made via Syrian state television for the first time, proclaimed, “The tyrant Bashar al-Assad has been overthrown.”
The opposition’s swift control over Homs, a key city in central Syria, paved the way for their advance into Damascus. Crowds of Syrians gathered in Umayyad Square, chanting in solidarity with the Syrian revolution as gunfire echoed in the capital, according to the opposition outlet Syria TV.
Reports from The Wall Street Journal, citing Syrian security officials, suggest that Bashar al-Assad fled the country in the early hours of Sunday to an undisclosed destination.
HTS’ Operations Command formally announced the end of al-Assad’s rule, declaring,”After 50 years of oppression under Ba’ath rule and 13 years of crime, tyranny, and displacement, we announce today, on Dec. 8, 2024, the end of this dark era and the beginning of a new era for Syria.”
The Prime Minister of the toppled Syrian regime, Muhammad al-Jalali, stated, “We are ready to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the people and extend our hand to every Syrian citizen keen on preserving the country’s resources.”
Al-Jalali emphasized the importance of safeguarding state institutions as shared assets of the Syrian people, urging all citizens to prioritize the nation’s stability.
The HTS’ Salvation Government released a statement outlining plans to rebuild the county’s infrastructure and create a safe environment for displaced Syrians. They called for a comprehensive process of social reconciliation founded on justice and accountability.
Meanwhile, in the south, the Horan Free League reported Israeli forces entering the city of Ba’ath in Quneitra amid heavy air activity.
Moreover, the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, Qatar, Iran, Turkey, and Russia, convening in Doha, called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a transition to a political solution. Their joint statement emphasized the collective goal of resolving the Syrian crisis through dialogue and cooperation.