Syrian Rebels Take Damascus As Assad Flees Amid Global Concerns

[Social Media]

 

UPDATE: Syrian rebels say President Assad has fled as they declare they have captured capital Damascus. 'Tyrant' Assad has fled, Syria is free - rebels

Rebel forces have declared Syria "free", saying the "tyrant" President Bashar al-Assad has left. It is the end of a dark era and the beginning of a new one, HTS says on Telegram. People who were displaced or were imprisoned by the Assad regime's half-century reign can now come home, the rebels say. It will be a "new Syria" where "everyone lives in peace and justice prevails", HTS says.

 

Rebel forces appear to have penetrated the Syrian capital, Damascus, signaling the collapse of the Assad regime’s defenses. A resident of Damascus confirmed their presence, stating, “The rebels are in Barzeh,” a neighborhood within the city. The resident described scenes of intense clashes, adding, “I saw rebel fighters moving through the inner alleys of Barzeh toward Police Club Street, and I can hear very loud sounds of clashes. The electricity is cut off, and the internet is very weak, people are staying at their houses.”  

 

"Regime soldiers defecting in Damascus City Center"

It's over
🇸🇾 Regime soldiers defecting in #Damascus City Center #Syria pic.twitter.com/zGGIG3PIXv

— C4H10FO2P ☠️ (@markito0171) December 8, 2024

 

A source familiar with the rebels’ progress confirmed, “Militarily, Damascus has fallen.” The source also revealed that reconnaissance units had entered the city overnight, searching for President Bashar al-Assad, though they were unable to locate him. Rebel operatives have reportedly taken up positions in strategic areas, while high-level elements within the regime are allegedly considering defection.  

 

Rebels from multiple fronts advanced on Damascus, reaching suburbs as close as one mile from the city center. Syria’s primary rebel faction expressed their intention to focus on the capital after a day of sweeping victories across four cities. Lt. Col. Hassan Abdul Ghani stated, “We were able to liberate four Syrian cities within 24 hours: Daraa, Quneitra, Suwayda, and Homs, and our operations are continuing to liberate the entire Damascus countryside, and our eyes are on the capital, Damascus.”  

The statue of Hafez al-Assad, a symbol of the regime, has been toppled in Homs. pic.twitter.com/BaS9P3MdFF

— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) December 8, 2024

 

The rebellion comprises various groups, including the Military Operations Command, which previously seized major cities like Aleppo, Hama, and Homs. On Friday, a new rebel offensive in Daraa province swiftly captured the city and surrounding areas, pushing toward Damascus. In neighboring Suwayda, Syria’s Druze minority joined the fight against Assad’s forces. By Saturday, rebels were active in several Damascus suburbs, just miles from the presidential palace.  

 

Amid the unfolding conflict, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan emphasized that the United States would avoid direct involvement in Syria’s civil war. Speaking at the Reagan National Defense Forum, he said, “The United States is not going to dive into the middle, militarily dive into the middle, of a Syrian civil war. What we are going to do is focus on the American national security priorities and interests.” Sullivan stressed the importance of preventing an ISIS resurgence in northeast Syria and supporting regional allies, including Israel, Jordan, and Iraq.  

 

Sullivan added that the U.S. has a humanitarian obligation in the region while expressing concerns over the vanguard of rebel forces, which includes a group designated by the U.S. as a terrorist organization. He acknowledged that this group has ties to factions with “American blood on their hands.” Reflecting on the broader geopolitical implications, Sullivan noted that ongoing events in Syria were further straining Russia’s resources due to its involvement in Ukraine.  

 

Despite assurances, Sullivan admitted concerns about potential spillover effects in the region, a matter being closely monitored by U.S. officials. As the rebels tighten their grip on Damascus, the international community watches with caution, contemplating the far-reaching consequences of Syria’s escalating conflict.

 

Based on a report by CNN 2024-12-09

 

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

1 hour ago, Social Media said:

As the rebels tighten their grip on Damascus, the international community watches with caution, contemplating the far-reaching consequences of Syria’s escalating conflict.

The concern is warranted. There will be a power struggle between fundamentalists and moderates for which rules. If it goes fundamentalist it could be the next Afghanistan under the Taliban situation.

[harryviking]

I am afraid it can end up in a bloody mess with all these fractions starting to fight against each other. I just hope for the best.

[thaibeachlovers]

21 minutes ago, harryviking said:

I am afraid it can end up in a bloody mess with all these fractions starting to fight against each other. I just hope for the best.

For sure it's going to be a problem with Turkey attacking the Kurds.

[john donson]

so expect a few millions more asylum seekers on their way to the west...

[Bruce Aussie Chiang Mai]

5 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

UPDATE: Syrian rebels say President Assad has fled as they declare they have captured capital Damascus. 'Tyrant' Assad has fled, Syria is free - rebels

Rebel forces have declared Syria "free", saying the "tyrant" President Bashar al-Assad has left. It is the end of a dark era and the beginning of a new one, HTS says on Telegram. People who were displaced or were imprisoned by the Assad regime's half-century reign can now come home, the rebels say. It will be a "new Syria" where "everyone lives in peace and justice prevails", HTS says.

 

Rebel forces appear to have penetrated the Syrian capital, Damascus, signaling the collapse of the Assad regime’s defenses. A resident of Damascus confirmed their presence, stating, “The rebels are in Barzeh,” a neighborhood within the city. The resident described scenes of intense clashes, adding, “I saw rebel fighters moving through the inner alleys of Barzeh toward Police Club Street, and I can hear very loud sounds of clashes. The electricity is cut off, and the internet is very weak, people are staying at their houses.”  

 

"Regime soldiers defecting in Damascus City Center"

 

A source familiar with the rebels’ progress confirmed, “Militarily, Damascus has fallen.” The source also revealed that reconnaissance units had entered the city overnight, searching for President Bashar al-Assad, though they were unable to locate him. Rebel operatives have reportedly taken up positions in strategic areas, while high-level elements within the regime are allegedly considering defection.  

 

 

Rebels from multiple fronts advanced on Damascus, reaching suburbs as close as one mile from the city center. Syria’s primary rebel faction expressed their intention to focus on the capital after a day of sweeping victories across four cities. Lt. Col. Hassan Abdul Ghani stated, “We were able to liberate four Syrian cities within 24 hours: Daraa, Quneitra, Suwayda, and Homs, and our operations are continuing to liberate the entire Damascus countryside, and our eyes are on the capital, Damascus.”  

 

The rebellion comprises various groups, including the Military Operations Command, which previously seized major cities like Aleppo, Hama, and Homs. On Friday, a new rebel offensive in Daraa province swiftly captured the city and surrounding areas, pushing toward Damascus. In neighboring Suwayda, Syria’s Druze minority joined the fight against Assad’s forces. By Saturday, rebels were active in several Damascus suburbs, just miles from the presidential palace.  

 

Amid the unfolding conflict, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan emphasized that the United States would avoid direct involvement in Syria’s civil war. Speaking at the Reagan National Defense Forum, he said, “The United States is not going to dive into the middle, militarily dive into the middle, of a Syrian civil war. What we are going to do is focus on the American national security priorities and interests.” Sullivan stressed the importance of preventing an ISIS resurgence in northeast Syria and supporting regional allies, including Israel, Jordan, and Iraq.  

 

Sullivan added that the U.S. has a humanitarian obligation in the region while expressing concerns over the vanguard of rebel forces, which includes a group designated by the U.S. as a terrorist organization. He acknowledged that this group has ties to factions with “American blood on their hands.” Reflecting on the broader geopolitical implications, Sullivan noted that ongoing events in Syria were further straining Russia’s resources due to its involvement in Ukraine.  

 

Despite assurances, Sullivan admitted concerns about potential spillover effects in the region, a matter being closely monitored by U.S. officials. As the rebels tighten their grip on Damascus, the international community watches with caution, contemplating the far-reaching consequences of Syria’s escalating conflict.

 

Based on a report by CNN 2024-12-09

 

 

 

 

5 minutes ago, john donson said:

so expect a few millions more asylum seekers on their way to the west...

Lucky, he fled to his buddy Putin, or he would be doing a replay of Mussolini by now. 

[lordgrinz]

The inconvenient truth is that Syria was better with Assad, like most Muslim countries, they are only ever under control when being ruled over by brutal and powerful leaders. Unless another Assad like leader emerges, expect a huge and bloodier mess to ensue.

[PETERTHEEATER]

I assume all those asylum seekers in UK can now return home?

[black tabby12345]

Good to know the fall of Poo-tin's best friend in Middle East.

As brutal as Poo-tin; massacred 200000 of own people by now.

 

[MicroB]

6 hours ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

I assume all those asylum seekers in UK can now return home?

 

I suppose like all those Free Poles went back home when Lech Walesa was elected. They were asylum seekers as well, changed the character of whole towns in the English Midlands, forcing local people to eat smoked pork sausages. The nerve of it.....

 

Wait, they didn't. Neither did Gregory down at the local Football Supporters Club moaning about what Stalin did to his beloved Ukraine. The couple running the local Indian restaurant didn't go back to Uganda after Idi Amin fled to Saudi Arabia.

 

Many Syrians will of course return home. Why would they. Britain is full of people who they don't know, never met, but who hate them anyhow. Many will stay, tough it out, as the UK is now their home, just like Nigel Farage's Hugenot ancestors did.

 

My Thai wife is firmly convinced that the majority of British people hate foreigners, especially Asians. Not sure where she got that idea from.

[MicroB]

4 hours ago, black tabby12345 said:

Good to know the fall of Poo-tin's best friend in Middle East.

As brutal as Poo-tin; massacred 200000 of own people by now.

 

 

 

One hopes that they have learned lessons. What's being seen now is the 100 year unfolding of past Empires, Ottoman, British and French.

 

In Tunisia, they sort of worked it through after a couple of corrupt Presidents fled, and have a functioning democracy.

Libya was a strange one; Gaddafi actually designed the country to have no government. Everything was done by essentially local councils, answerable to jim, the "Jamahiriya". Essentially, he made sure that the Army couldn't do to him, what he and the other young officers did to the previous government. Gaddafi could have died of old age in office, and the same outcome would have happened.

 

In Afghanistan, what state functions there were, basically disappeared when the Soviets pulled out. Later on, Afghan diaspora tried to rebuild government based on little more than folk memory. Little wonder that was easy to crumble.

 

In Iraq, the Americans thought they could have applied the 1945 Germany model to the country, when instead they shuld have applied the Japan 1945 model.

 

In Syria, there is still a sort of functioning state, though Assad's stupidity and weakness meant it is severely corroded (he was not, as portrayed, a "Strong Man", with a powerful force of personality, he was a weak and vain man, easily manipulated. Rather pathetic really).

 

At the moment, the likely successor is Abu Mohammed al-Golani. His interview with CNN was interesting;

 

 

Bit early to take him at his word, but initial signs are promising, as is the news coming out of Homs. But he is certainly self-aware, he knows he is talking to the world, and I think he knows Syria will need the help of the world for many years; 90% of the population is below the poverty line. Syria was never one of the richest Arab states. It never really had the oil riches the illiterate Al Sauds enjoyed. But it has a long and sophisticated history. Unlike Al Zarqawi, he wasn't a former drug dealer-gangster, nor a theologian-academic like Al Baghdadi (who was probably more comparable to Pol Pot, given his academic-driven vision of Islamic rule.  Al Baghdadi came from a religious family, apparently had a PhD from an Islamic University. Pol Pot studied in Europe, and became deeply involved in Maoist-Anarchist movements, and applied all of that to Year Zero Cambodia, in an utterly monstrous and depraved way). Al-Golani comes from a wealthy Damascus family. His Nom de Guerre portrays a bit of a chip on his shoulder about the Golan Heights, or maybe that, along with the dalliance with a turban, robes and BDUs, was all part of a theatrical act. maybe his interview is part of a theatrical act. He will be judged.

 

But he might be irrelevant. It wasn't the HTH that took Damascus, but a group from south of the City. He's taking the plaudits, like a Charles de Gaulle marching into Paris did (or Chiang Kei Shek in Taipai). The first test is whether the current Prime Minister ends up swinging from  lamp post, then we know the script that is being followed.

 

There is little said about the whereabouts of the Syrian General Staff; these were men promoted not because of competance or military prowess, but because of sychophancy, which would have been measured in what brutal method they could apply to kill terrorists/their own people. They also would have been promoted based on trust, and affiliated to the Alawites. Is there a Syrian Khalifa Haftar, with access to the good Syrian military kit.

 

While the rebels are appealing to members of the old regime to remain at their posts, the news from Sednya prison might be a portant. Allegedly, doors to sections were sealed shut, and ventilation turned off, before the prison guards fled.

 

Hollywood's version of the previous capture of Damascus by a loose Arab alliance who all hated each other

 

 

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

16 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

The inconvenient truth is that Syria was better with Assad, like most Muslim countries, they are only ever under control when being ruled over by brutal and powerful leaders. Unless another Assad like leader emerges, expect a huge and bloodier mess to ensue.

Better for whom? Certainly not for the prisoners in Assad's torture prisons.

 

Sadly, it does seem that Syria is in for internal conflict between the opposing factions. The opposition was united only in wishing to see Assad gone.

IMO, a neighbouring country will be stirring the pot as the last thing they want is a united country, which will turn it's attention to illegally occupied Syrian land.

[thaibeachlovers]

2 hours ago, MicroB said:

One hopes that they have learned lessons. What's being seen now is the 100 year unfolding of past Empires, Ottoman, British and French.

Excellent 2 posts.

 

IMO the only thing certain is that "they" have not learned "lessons".

 

Too much profit in wars, preferably far from the US, and not resulting in US boys returning home in body bags.

Also, while everyone's attention is diverted to the latest conflict overseas who knows what "they" are getting up to at home?

[rickudon]

Meanwhile, Israel is taking advantage of this collapse, carrying out over 250 air attacks on Syrian targets and has seized even more of the Golan hights. They are, they claim, destroying arms stockpiles etc. Reality is Israel wants to see Syria as weak as possible, also use divide and rule - will probably try to provoke more sectarian violence. Last thing they want is a strong, unified Syria.

[thaibeachlovers]

2 hours ago, rickudon said:

Meanwhile, Israel is taking advantage of this collapse, carrying out over 250 air attacks on Syrian targets and has seized even more of the Golan hights. They are, they claim, destroying arms stockpiles etc. Reality is Israel wants to see Syria as weak as possible, also use divide and rule - will probably try to provoke more sectarian violence. Last thing they want is a strong, unified Syria.

Agree 100%. I heard that the number of air attacks was much higher than that.

Israel has unilaterally violated the agreement it had with Syria.

 

https://www.timesofisrael.com/un-slams-violation-of-1974-disengagement-deal-as-israel-acts-in-syria-buffer-zone/

UN slams ‘violation’ of 1974 Syria disengagement deal as Israel acts in buffer zone

[Patong2021]

On 12/8/2024 at 8:48 PM, john donson said:

so expect a few millions more asylum seekers on their way to the west...

Nope. Europe is already saying no longer grounds for asylum.

[Patong2021]

On 12/8/2024 at 9:24 PM, lordgrinz said:

The inconvenient truth is that Syria was better with Assad, like most Muslim countries, they are only ever under control when being ruled over by brutal and powerful leaders. Unless another Assad like leader emerges, expect a huge and bloodier mess to ensue.

 

How awful of you to excuse and justify the imprisonment, torture, and murder of hundreds of thousands of  Syrians.

As the  inventory of horrors is made public, not a word from the   community that took to the streets  to complain about Israel.

Young boys violently sodomized,  men forced to to club each other to death, others having their limbs ripped off, garroted or crushed in presses. Ah yes, this is your perfect world. The Syrian people have a right to choose their destiny. If they choose the extremist option then they will suffer the consequences. If they choose the  pragmatic peaceful option, then they will prosper.

 

Syria is free today because of Israel. Has Israel not  weakened Hezbollah and  weakened the Iranian occupation, the Syrian people would not be breathing  easier today.  

[Bkk Brian]

6 hours ago, rickudon said:

Meanwhile, Israel is taking advantage of this collapse, carrying out over 250 air attacks on Syrian targets and has seized even more of the Golan hights. They are, they claim, destroying arms stockpiles etc. Reality is Israel wants to see Syria as weak as possible, also use divide and rule - will probably try to provoke more sectarian violence. Last thing they want is a strong, unified Syria.

Yep doing the West a favour. The US has also been striking in Syria but the UN don't criticize them, they only criticize Israel for doing it.

 

US strikes 75 ISIS targets in Syria after Assad regime collapses

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2024/12/09/us-strikes-75-isis-targets-in-syria-after-assad-regime-collapses/

[lordgrinz]

5 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

 

How awful of you to excuse and justify the imprisonment, torture, and murder of hundreds of thousands of  Syrians.

As the  inventory of horrors is made public, not a word from the   community that took to the streets  to complain about Israel.

Young boys violently sodomized,  men forced to to club each other to death, others having their limbs ripped off, garroted or crushed in presses. Ah yes, this is your perfect world. The Syrian people have a right to choose their destiny. If they choose the extremist option then they will suffer the consequences. If they choose the  pragmatic peaceful option, then they will prosper.

 

Syria is free today because of Israel. Has Israel not  weakened Hezbollah and  weakened the Iranian occupation, the Syrian people would not be breathing  easier today.  

 

Delusional much?

[Patong2021]

3 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

 

Delusional much?

In awe of diabolical tyrants much? You praise Assad. He was kept in power because of the presence of Hezbollah militia units. In 2017, 10,000  elite Hezbollah fighters were assigned to  Syria. The number fluctuated over the years  from a high of 20,000 to a low of 2000.  Hezbollah provided the ground troops. Iran provided the missile battery units and Russia provided the air cover. Once Israel weakened  Hezbollah, and pounded key Iranian missile batteries,  the Syrian rebels took the opportunity to dispose of the Syrian army in a few days.  If it was not for Israel's actions in south Lebanon, Syria would not  have been liberated.

[lordgrinz]

9 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

In awe of diabolical tyrants much? You praise Assad. He was kept in power because of the presence of Hezbollah militia units. In 2017, 10,000  elite Hezbollah fighters were assigned to  Syria. The number fluctuated over the years  from a high of 20,000 to a low of 2000.  Hezbollah provided the ground troops. Iran provided the missile battery units and Russia provided the air cover. Once Israel weakened  Hezbollah, and pounded key Iranian missile batteries,  the Syrian rebels took the opportunity to dispose of the Syrian army in a few days.  If it was not for Israel's actions in south Lebanon, Syria would not  have been liberated.

 

I'm not praising anyone, just making a statement, powerful and brutal leaders are what keep Muslim nations in check. Like it or not, another brutal leader will inevitably fill his shoes. If you think Islam wants democracy and freedom, you are indeed delusional.

[rickudon]

On 12/12/2024 at 5:13 AM, Bkk Brian said:

Yep doing the West a favour. The US has also been striking in Syria but the UN don't criticize them, they only criticize Israel for doing it.

 

US strikes 75 ISIS targets in Syria after Assad regime collapses

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2024/12/09/us-strikes-75-isis-targets-in-syria-after-assad-regime-collapses/

Israel is not attacking ISIS - they never have. They only care about weakening and destabilizing their neighbours, unless they do what Israel wants.

[Bkk Brian]

18 minutes ago, rickudon said:

Israel is not attacking ISIS - they never have. They only care about weakening and destabilizing their neighbours, unless they do what Israel wants.

rubbish, typical anti Israel hate

 

Israeli officials said the strikes across Syria were aimed at destroying strategic weapons and military infrastructure to prevent them being used by rebel groups that drove Assad from power, some of which grew from movements linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State.

https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/israel-says-its-air-strikes-destroyed-most-of-syrias-strategic-weapons-stockpiles/

[rickudon]

Hmm  yes, like a small derelict navy, and also a number of public buildings as well. If Israel was concerned about 'strategic' weapons, why did they never hit them before? Maybe because they were afraid it would weaken Assad too much? Israel didn't care about how many Syrians  Assad killed. Likewise, they never targeted the rebels either. The last thing Israel wanted was an end to the Syrian civil war.

[Bkk Brian]

Just now, rickudon said:

Hmm  yes, like a small derelict navy, and also a number of public buildings as well. If Israel was concerned about 'strategic' weapons, why did they never hit them before? Maybe because they were afraid it would weaken Assad too much? Israel didn't care about how many Syrians  Assad killed. Likewise, they never targeted the rebels either. The last thing Israel wanted was an end to the Syrian civil war.

Keep it up @rickudon your hate for Israel is shining:

 

Israel’s Bold Action Against Syria’s Chemical Arsenal Benefits the World

 

 

[Nick Carter icp]

3 minutes ago, rickudon said:

Hmm  yes, like a small derelict navy, and also a number of public buildings as well. If Israel was concerned about 'strategic' weapons, why did they never hit them before?

 

Because Israel had an agreement with Assad/Syria , now Assad has gone the agreement is no longer in place  

 

3 minutes ago, rickudon said:

 

Maybe because they were afraid it would weaken Assad too much? Israel didn't care about how many Syrians  Assad killed. Likewise, they never targeted the rebels either. The last thing Israel wanted was an end to the Syrian civil war.

 

   Why should Israel be concerned about how many Syrians Assad killed ? 

   Yes, Israel would prefer it if Syrians are fighting among themselves , rather than Syrians attacking Israel 

[stevenl]

18 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

Because Israel had an agreement with Assad/Syria , now Assad has gone the agreement is no longer in place  

 

 

   Why should Israel be concerned about how many Syrians Assad killed ? 

   Yes, Israel would prefer it if Syrians are fighting among themselves , rather than Syrians attacking Israel 

Israel had an agreement with Syria. They want to renegade on that agreement, Assad having fled is just an excuse.

[Nick Carter icp]

3 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Israel had an agreement with Syria. They want to renegade on that agreement, Assad having fled is just an excuse.

 

   The agreement was with Assads' Syria , now that  Assads Syria no longer exists , the agreement was voided .

   The new Syrian regime isn't going to abide by any of the old regimes agreements 

[stevenl]

2 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   The agreement was with Assads' Syria , now that  Assads Syria no longer exists , the agreement was voided .

   The new Syrian regime isn't going to abide by any of the old regimes agreements 

Excuses and crystal ball views.

[Nick Carter icp]

2 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Excuses and crystal ball views.

 

  You dont need to be a soothsayer to realise that the new Syrian regime isn't going to follow the old Assad Syrian regime's rules and agreements .

   They toppled him for a reason, they didn't topple him so they can do the same as he did