Blog

The Syrian government has fallen after a lightning offensive by anti-regime forces across the country - ending President Bashar al Assad's 24-year rule.Mr Assad has left office and the country after giving orders for there to be a peaceful transfer of power, the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement on Sunday. It did not say where he was, but said Russia had not been involved in the talks surrounding his departure.Moscow was in touch with all Syrian opposition groups, it said, and urged all sides to refrain from violence.Russia's military bases in Syria had been put on a state of high alert, but that there was no serious threat to them at the current time, the ministry added. Mr Assad's whereabouts now - and those of his wife Asma and their two children - remain unknown. ...

The lightning collapse of Bashar al Assad's regime in Syria exposes the brittleness of even the most brutal dictatorship when under pressure, but it also creates a security vacuum that carries great risk.Once the scenes of rebel euphoria subside on the streets, much will rest on the powerful group, Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS), which led the charge into Damascus overnight. Previously linked to al Qaeda, this Sunni Islamist militant faction is viewed as a terrorist organisation by many Western powers, including the UK.But the movement has sought to distance itself from its extremist roots and instead emphasise a commitment to tolerance of minorities.Read more: Latest updates from Syria Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video playe...

Rebel forces stormed though major cities across Syria in less than two weeks, culminating in the apparent downfall of Bashar al Assad.After initially vowing to fight back, the country's authoritarian president, who ruled for 24 years, has reportedly fled the capital city Damascus. With key allies Russia and Iran distracted, government defences crumbled under the weight of insurgent attacks.In a matter of days, the Assad family rule appears to have ended after 13 years of civil war that has ravaged the country.Here's how it unfolded. 26 November - attack on Aleppo The rebel attack began last Tuesday, targeting the northern city of Aleppo, which had been in government hands since 2016.30 November - Aleppo's captureSyria's military announced a withdrawal from the c...

Rebel forces claim to have taken control of the Syrian capital after storming through the country in less than two weeks.According to reports, authoritarian ruler Bashar al Assad has fled Damascus on a plane headed to an unknown destination, ending his 24-year rule. While Syrians celebrate in the streets with chants for freedom, attention will also turn to the insurgents and what happens next.Who are the rebels?The initial assault on regime forces, which began in the northern city of Aleppo last week, was carried out by a variety of Mr Assad's opponents.This included rebels under the banner of the Syrian National Army, backed by Turkey, but the offensive has mostly been led by jihadi group Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS).Once known as the Nusra Front, a former wing of al Qaeda, HTS is said to h...