World leaders are hoping that stability can be preserved in Syria after former president Bashar al-Assad's regime was overthrown by rebels.

US President Joe Biden vows support for partners in the region, diplomacy and, if necessary, military force to prevent the country descending into chaos.

Assad is in Moscow after fleeing Damascus, Russian state media report, and will reportedly get asylum there - he left after rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) swept into the capital.

Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, HTS's leader, later addressed cheering crowds in a Damascus mosque.

The rebels have been releasing inmates from Syria's prisons, with many more reported to still be in captivity underground.

President Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria has fallen, after a sudden offensive by Islamist rebel groups yesterday.

It was led by the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), alongside allied rebel factions, and brought an end to the Assad family's 50-year rule.

The offensive started just twelve days ago, with two major cities falling to the rebels over the weekend.

Homs, Syria's third largest city, was taken on Saturday after just one day of fighting.

On Sunday, HTS-led rebels announced they had entered the capital Damascus, releasing prisoners from the notorious military prison Saydnaya.

Former president Bashar al-Assad - who had long vowed to "crush" the rebels with the help of his allies, has fled to Russia, with state media there reporting he has been granted asylum.

Source: BBC

BDST: 1251 HRS, DEC 09, 2024
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