Author: Daily Sabah With Reuters
Syria’s anti-regime forces captured Homs central prison on Saturday and freed hundreds of prisoners, two opposition sources said. Another opposition source said fighters had begun to enter deeper into after breaking through army defences from the city’s eastern gateway.
South Korean prosecutors have opened a criminal case listing President Yoon Suk Yeol as a suspect in their investigation of his declaration of martial law last week, Yonhap news agency reported on Sunday.
Anti-regime bloc leader Ahmed al-Sharaa said on Sunday that it was prohibited to go near public institutions that he said will remain under the supervision of the “former prime minister” until it is officially handed over. Regime leader Bashar al-Assad fled Damascus on Sunday as rebels entered the capital and Syria’s army command notified officers that Assad’s 24-year rule had ended, a Syrian officer who was informed of the move told Reuters. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said he remained in his home and was ready to support continuity of governance.
The head of Syria’s main opposition group abroad Hadi al-Bahra Syrian said on Sunday that Damascus is now “without Bashar al-Assad”. Assad flew out of Damascus for an unknown destination on Sunday, two senior army officers told Reuters, as anti-regime forces said they had entered the capital with no sign of army deployments. Thousands in cars and on foot congregated at a main square in Damascus waving and chanting “Freedom”, witnesses said. Just hours earlier, anti-regime groups announced they had gained full control of the key city of Homs after only a day of fighting, leaving Assad’s 24-year rule dangling…
The head of Syria’s main opposition group abroad, Hadi al-Bahra, told Al Jazeera Mubasher TV on Sunday that they would meet with Arab and European countries and the United Nations to agree on next stage for the country.
Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen underscores the clear desire expressed by millions of Syrians that stable and inclusive transitional arrangements are put in place, according to a statement published on Sunday. The diplomat urged all Syrians to prioritize dialogue, unity, and respect for international humanitarian law and human rights as they seek to rebuild their society, adding he stands ready to support the Syrian people in their journey toward a stable and inclusive future.
The United States will maintain its presence in eastern Syria and will take measures necessary to prevent a resurgence of Daesh [ISIS], Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Daniel Shapiro said on Sunday. Speaking hours after Syrian opposition announced they had toppled Bashar al-Assad’s government, Shapiro called on all parties to protect civilians, particularly minorities, and to respect international norms. “We are aware that the chaotic and dynamic circumstances on the ground in Syria could give Daesh space to find the ability to become active, to plan external operations, and we’re determined to work with those partners…
The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had left office and departed the country after giving orders there be a peaceful handover of power. In a statement, the ministry did not say where Assad was now and said Russia has not taken part in the talks around his departure. “As a result of negotiations between B. Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic, he decided to resign from the presidency and left the country, giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power. “Russia did…
More than 44,708 Palestinians have been killed and 106,050 injured in Israel’s military offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, the Gaza health ministry said in a statement on Sunday.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump called on Sunday for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations between Ukraine and Russia to end “the madness”, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky and the Kremlin to list their conditions. Trump made his comments just hours after meeting Zelenskiy in Paris for their first face-to-face talks since Trump won last month’s U.S. election. Trump has vowed to bring about a negotiated end to the conflict, but so far has not provided details. “Zelensky and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, adding that Kyiv…