Blog

Singing, dancing, hugging and crying. Hundreds of Syrians have gathered in Manchester city centre to celebrate the end of the regime, a regime many fled in fear of their lives. Their faces are full of joy and tears as years of fear, worry and disappointment make way for hope. They wave flags saying "freedom" and cheer as an impromptu fireworks display lights up the sky.Many refugees said they've dreamt of this moment for years. I've never been approached by so many people wanting to tell their story.After years of repression, they want the world to hear what they've been through. Refugee Yasmin said her words are her weapon, which is why she had to flee Syria. But now she no longer has to be quiet.She said she was "ecstatic to see President Assad's repressive regime finally over. ...

Sir Keir Starmer has welcomed the fall of Bashar al Assad, saying Syrians "have put up with his brutal regime for far, far too long".The prime minister said his government is "talking to regional allies" as he urged Syrians to find "a political way forward", adding that "it's very important that civilians and minorities are protected in this process. "But [I'm] very, very pleased that Assad has fallen," he said.Syria latest: Curfew imposed by rebels Image: Syrian opposition fighters celebrate the fall of the government, in Damascus. Pic: AP Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:59 ...

Seizing military bases, toppling regime statues, freeing prisoners and capturing major cities – this is just a fraction of what Syrian rebel forces have achieved in just over a week.Sky News has tracked the shock offensive that has ousted President Bashar al Assad, using over 60 geolocated videos that show how they advanced through major cities and captured the capital Damascus. While Assad, who has now left the country, had earlier vowed to "crush" the offensive, visual evidence shows how quickly his regime has fallen.This is how the offensive unfolded.Until just over a week ago, Assad's Russian-backed forces controlled much of Syria. Now the opposition groups - led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS) - a former al Qaeda affiliate previously known as the Nusra Front - have ca...

Syria's ousted President Bashar al Assad has arrived in Moscow, Russian state media has confirmed. Mr Assad and members of his family arrived in the city on Sunday, a Kremlin source told the TASS news agency. The source said: "Assad and his family members have arrived in Moscow. Russia, for humanitarian reasons, has granted them asylum."Mr Assad left the Syrian capital of Damascus after his government fell following a lightning offensive by anti-regime forces across the country - bringing his 24-year rule to an end.He left after giving orders for there to be a peaceful transfer of power, the Russian foreign ministry said earlier today. As Mr Assad fled, footage circulating on social media showed families ransacking presidential palaces in Damascus, with some taking selfies in the grand set...

Notre-Dame Cathedral has held its first mass since it reopened following the disastrous fire of 2019.French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, attended the liturgy at the Paris landmark, along with clergy, dignitaries, and guests. Nearly 170 bishops from France and around the world took part, as well as one priest from each of the parishes in the Paris diocese and one priest from each of the seven Eastern-rite Catholic churches, accompanied by worshippers from these communities. Image: Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich gave the inaugural mass. Pic: AP Image: Clergy at the mass at Notre Dame Cathedral. Pic: AP ...