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Syria: Abu Mohammad al-Jawlani in Damascus, today’s story VIDEO

The jihadist leader enters the capital: new prospects for Syria?

Damascus witnessed one of the most significant moments in its recent history with the entry of Abu Mohammad al-Jawlani, head of Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS), into the Syrian capital just hours after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

The arrival of al-Jawlani and his statements

The leader of HTS, also known as Ahmed al-Sharaa, symbolically marked the event by kneeling and kissing the ground in Damascus, as shown in a video released on Telegram. Al-Jawlani visited the Umayyad Grand Mosque, greeted by a crowd chanting ‘Allah Akbar’, and declared that the victory was ‘for all Syrians’, accusing the Assad regime of unlawful detentions and repression.

‘We will not go back, the future is ours,’ he added in an interview with Syrian TV, emphasising the historical significance of the fall of the Assad government, which had been in place for 24 years.

The fall of Damascus: dynamics and immediate consequences

The advance of jihadist rebels in the night overwhelmed Damascus less than ten days after the start of an offensive that had already captured Aleppo, Hama and Homs. Eyewitnesses recounted how the rebels entered the presidential palace, the symbol of power, in the Mezzeh district without resistance.

Meanwhile, Damascus airport was closed, with flights suspended until 18 December, signalling the continuing instability in the capital.

The position of PM Mohammed Ghazi al-Jalali

Syrian PM Mohammed Ghazi al-Jalali, in office since September, said he would remain in his post until the transition to a new leadership chosen by the people is completed. In a video, escorted by rebels, he said his government is ready to work with the new authorities to ensure security and institutional continuity.

‘We are extending our hand to the opposition and guarantee that no citizen will be harmed,’ he added, calling for peaceful dialogue.

The international impact: evacuations and reactions

On the international front, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani reported an incident involving the residence of the Italian ambassador in Damascus, where an armed group stole three vehicles but without violence. Tajani also confirmed the evacuation of compatriots in Lebanon and Jordan, reassuring them of their safety.

Meanwhile, Russian military bases in Syria are on high alert. Moscow said there were no immediate threats to its embassy staff, while the Iranian embassy in Damascus was evacuated ahead of a rebel attack.

Messages from Syrian TV and symbols of a new era

The fall of the regime was also celebrated through a message broadcast on rebel-occupied state television: ‘The tyrant Bashar al-Assad has been overthrown and the oppressed prisoners in the regime’s jails have been released’.

A highly symbolic event was the release of the Saydnaya military prison, known as the ‘human slaughterhouse’ for torture documented by Amnesty International and the UN.

Tensions at the border and Israel’s reactions

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the army to take control of the buffer zone in the Golan, declaring the 1974 agreement with Syria void. Intense air raids hit strategic sites in southern Syria, close to the Israeli border, fuelling further tensions in the region.

Trump’s statements and the future of Syria

Donald Trump commented on the fall of Assad by attributing it to the loss of Russian support. In a post on Truth Social, the US president-elect highlighted how Russia is increasingly focused on Ukraine and weakened economically.

The fall of Damascus marks a momentous turning point for Syria, but the future of the country remains uncertain, with numerous local and international actors involved in a complex geopolitical reorganisation.

Syrian Rebels Announce Victory on State TV After Assad Flees Damascus

In a significant moment for Syria, rebels took over the state television channel, proclaiming the end of Assad’s 24-year rule. The news anchor announced, “To those who thought we were broken, we declare victory after 13 years of patience and sacrifice.”

This came after reports that Assad fled Damascus to an undisclosed location, with no visible military presence in the capital, marking a turning point in the Syrian conflict.