LONDON, England – President Bashar Al-Assad and his regime came to an abrupt end as an opposition group, said on X that “the Assad regime, Russia and Iran have been officially defeated in Syria by the Syrian people.”
President Bashar Al-Assad and his family fled to Moscow and received asylum ahead of the rebel advance. He has arrived in Moscow, Russian media said Sunday.
President Joe Biden said Sunday that the sudden collapse of the Bashar Al-Assad government ” is a moment of considerable risk and uncertainty,” Biden said. “But I also believe this is the best opportunity in generations for Syrians to forge their own future free of opposition.”
Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East,” Biden said. “We will engage with all Syrian groups, including within the process led by the United Nations, to establish a transition away from the Assad regime toward independent, sovereign” Syria “with a new constitution.”
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke recently with Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan to discuss developments in Syria and emphasized the importance of protecting civilians, including members of minority groups, across Syria.
According to a readout attributable to US Department of State, spokesperson Matthew Miller: “The Secretary discussed the need for a political solution to the conflict, consistent with UN Security Council Resolution 2254, and extended his congratulations to foreign minister Fidan on the selection of ambassador Feridun Sinirlioglu as the OSCE secretary general and looks forward to continued cooperation in the region.
In related development, National Security Agency/ Central Security Service recently issued ‘Guidance urges visibility and device hardening against PRC-Affiliated threat actor.’
“Vigilance is key for defending against network compromise,” said Dave Luber, NSA Cybersecurity Director. “Always have eyes on your systems and patch and address known vulnerabilities before they become targets.”
On Sunday, Blinken said in a statement: ‘The Syrian people finally have a reason for hope.’
“After 14 years of conflict, the Syrian people finally have reason for hope. The Assad regime’s refusal since 2011 to engage in a credible political process and its reliance on the brutal support of Russia and Iran led inevitably to its own collapse. The United States strongly supports a peaceful transition of power to an accountable Syrian government through an inclusive Syrian-led process. During this transitional period, the Syrian people have every right to demand the preservation of state institutions, the resumption of key services, and the protection of vulnerable communities.
“We will be closely monitoring developments as they unfold and engaging with our partners in the region. We will support international efforts to hold the Assad regime and its backers accountable for atrocities and abuses perpetrated against the Syrian people, including the use of chemical weapons and the unjust detention of civilians such as Austin Tice. We have taken note of statements made by rebel leaders in recent days, but as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words, but their actions. We again call on all actors to respect human rights, take all precautions to protect civilians, and to uphold international humanitarian law.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, said in a statement: “The developments in Syria in recent hours and days are unprecedented and we are speaking to our partners in the region and monitoring the situation closely.
“Our focus is now on ensuring a political solution prevails, and peace and stability is restored. We call on all sides to protect civilians and minorities and ensure essential aid can reach the most vulnerable in the coming hours and days,” said the Prime Minister from 10 Downing Street.
Prime Minister Starer noted, the Syrian people have suffered under Assad’s barbaric regime for too long and we welcome his departure.
Global Affairs Canada latest travel advisory says Avoid all Travel to Syria due to ongoing armed conflict, terrorism, criminality, arbitrary detention, torture and forced disappearance. If you’re in Syria, you should consider leaving if it’s safe to do so.
“Given the recent events in Syria, the depth and consequences of which for this country and the entire region are yet to be fully understood, Russia has requested urgent closed consultations at the UN Security Council,” Russia’s First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy said Sunday on Telegram.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said that he had ordered the military to “take control” of the buffer zone.
