Syria latest news: Thousands celebrate fall of Assad amid fears chemical weapons could fall into wrong hands
Fears are growing that terrorist groups may get hold of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Thousands across Syria have taken to the streets to celebrate the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s brutal regime and the end to a catastrophic civil war.
The rallies will see thousands marking an end to 53 years of authoritarian rule under the Assad family since 1971, when Hafez al-Assad became president under the Ba’ath Party following the 1970 Coup.
Syrian rebel leader Abu Mohammad al-Golani has urged the public not to fire shots during celebrations after a man reportedly lost control of his machine gun and accidentally fire on bystanders during celebrations in Raqqa on Thursday.
“I invite them to take to the streets to express their joy without firing bullets and scaring people. After that, let’s build the country,” Mr Golani said in a video address, according to CNN.
It comes amid fears that Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile will be smuggled out of the country. Hamish de Bretton Gordon, the former head of the British Army's chemical weapons unit, told Sky News: "We know ISIS and al Qaeda know all about chemical weapons and would like to get hold them, so that is a real concern.”
It is “not ideal” for Israel to be bombing Assad’s chemical weapons sites, Mr Gordon added.
Israeli forces seize buffer zone along occupied Golan Heights after Assad’s downfall
I asked Republicans about Tulsi Gabbard’s remarks on Syria. This is what they said
These Syrians watched their town be destroyed in war as Assad kept them away. Now they are vowing to rebuild
Syria doesn’t have to become a jihadi hellhole
Russian security boss holds talks with China’s Xi Jinping
Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council and former president of Russia, held talks with Chinese president Xi Jinping on Thursday.
The pair discussed the crises in both Ukraine and Syria, according to the TASS state news agency.
Austria may begin forced deportations of Syrians back to homeland - foreign minister
Austria’s forced deportation of Syrian refugees back to their original homeland will only happen when it is safe, the foreign minister said.
Chancellor Karl Nehammer called for a reassessment of security in Syria to enable the return of refugees to their home country. Similar to many centre-right parties in Europe, the ruling People’s Party (OVP) is under pressure from the far-right.
Asked when the returns might happen, Alexander Schallenberg told Reuters that “when it is possible, we will do it immediately”. He added: "I don't know (when). Can you see into the future?"
Austria was the first of more than a dozen European countries to announce a suspension on processing Syrians’ asylum applications.
Comment | How can Putin be defeated? Assad’s fall provides lesson for West
The fall of the Assad regime in Syria has led to questions over Russia’s ability to sustain its military adventures abroad. Russia had supported Assad militarily for over a decade, building on long-standing ties between Moscow and Damascus. But the rapid advance of anti-government forces this month saw Russia apparently powerless to influence the situation beyond a number of airstrikes (as always, apparently mostly delivered on civilian targets) in support of government forces.
That has inevitably led people to draw conclusions about Russia’s ability to project power overseas, and what it may mean for the course of the war in Ukraine.
But hasty comparisons should be avoided. There is a world of difference between a distant operation in support of a friend of Moscow clinging to power and a major war on Russia’s own borders for territory which Vladimir Putin has declared should be Moscow’s to rule.
Keir Giles writes:
How can Putin be defeated? Assad’s fall provides lesson for West
The end of Bashar al-Assad’s rule in Syria has led to many asking questions about Russia’s ability to project power overseas, and what it may mean for the course of the war in Ukraine. Here, Keir Giles explains why we should be wary of any hasty conclusions
Pictured: The American found in Syria after seven months in prison
A picture has emerged of Travis Timmerman, the American who was detained in Syria for seven months.
Mr Timmerman was trying to make his own way out of Syria after being freed from prison after the lightning offensive which ousted the Bashar al-Assad regime on the weekend.
Russia-Turkey relations have not deteriorated due to Syria, Moscow says
Russia’s deputy foreign minister said bilateral relations between Moscow and Ankara have not detariorated as a result of the Syrian civil war, according to the Interfax news agency.
“We are in dialogue with Turkey on all issues,” Alexander Grushko said.
Family of missing Austin Tice say they are ‘incredibly hopeful’ the US journalist will be found in Syria
The family of a US journalist who was captured in Syria more than a decade ago has said they are “incredibly hopeful” he will be returned.
Austin Tice was just 31 years old when he was captured close to Damascus in August 2012, while covering the Syrian civil war. It is believed he was taken by the Syrian government.
The complexity of the situation in Syria had made it difficult to know who had captured him or where he was being held, but after rebels ousted the Assad regime last week, the family had renewed hopes the journalist could be recovered.
Tom Watling reports:
Family of Austin Tice say they have new hope the journalist will be found in Syria
The brother of Austin Tice, Jacob, says they believe every effort is being made to find the journalist in Syria
Residents return to devastated Syrian village after 13 years
American found alive after seven months in Syrian prison
An American who spent seven months in Syrian prison has been found be rebels searching the country.
Travis Timmerman was trying to make his own way out of Syria after being freed from prison after the lightning offensive which ousted the Bashar al-Assad regime on the weekend, CBS News reported.
Mr Timmerman, of Missouri, told CBS that he had entered Syria without permission for “spirirual purposes” before he was detained. On Monday, he was freed by two armed men with AK-47s.
Explainer | What is the Golan Heights and why is the territory so important to Israel and Syria?
The Golan Heights, situated in the southwest corner of Syria and bordering Israel, Lebanon and Jordan, is a 1,000 square mile rocky plateau around 40 miles (60 kilometres) from Damascus, although it possesses a significance far beyond that and has been a political flashpoint for decades.
Israeli has occupied the Golan Heights since the 1980s and now its troops have seized the demilitarised buffer zone, in response to the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s brutal dictatorship in Syria.
Troops have also been deployed beyond the demilitarised buffer zone and into Syrian territory, with Israeli defence minister Israel Katz saying Israeli forces had been ordered to create a “sterile defence zone” in southern Syria, adding that they would not retain a permanent presence. Israel had previously described reports from Syrian sources that it had breached the buffer zone as “false”.
But what is the Golan Heights and why does Israel consider it so important?
What is the Golan Heights and why is it so important to Israel and Syria?
Israel entered the buffer zone in the Golan Heights hours after Bashar al-Assad’s Syrian regime crumbled
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments