Official announcements from the United Nations or involved parties

Trump: Assad Flees Syria as Opposition Seizes Damascus, Russia Withdraws Support

Dec 8, 2024, 07:40 AM

President-elect Donald Trump announced that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has fled Syria after losing support from Russia. Trump stated that Russia, led by President Vladimir Putin, is no longer interested in protecting Assad, citing Russia's loss of close to 600,000 soldiers in Ukraine and economic challenges. He called for an immediate ceasefire and the start of negotiations. The Syrian opposition declared on state television that they have freed Damascus, overthrown Assad's regime, and released all prisoners. Reports indicate that protesters have torn down monuments of Assad's father, Hafez al-Assad, including on Arwad Island. The overthrow of Assad marks the end of the 50-year rule of his family, and opposition forces are calling it a revolution.