Armed Syrian Opposition Forces Enter Aleppo, Homs, Hama, and Damascus, Almost Peacefully, as the Assad Regime Collapses, Following to Bashar's Departure to Moscow

December 8-9, 2024

*** 

Mu'hammed Al-Basheer was nominated by the victorious opposition forces as the interim Syrian prime minister, December 9, 2024.	Ah'med Al-Shara', known as Abu Muhammed Al-Joulani, the leader of the Syrian opposition forces, entered Damascus peacefully, December 8, 2024.
Syrian opposition fighters celebrate in Damascus, waving the Syrian flag of the pre-Asad era, December 8, 2024.	Syrians celebrate in the main square of 'Homs, Syria's third-largest city, which was taken by the opposition forces shortly before the fall of Damascus, December 8, 2024.
About 15 members of the former Assad regime forces and 3 Kurdish fighters were killed by a Turkish air attack on 'Ain 'Eisa countryside in Al-Raqqah, December 9, 2024.	The notorious Assad regime Saydnaya prison in Syria from which thousands of political prisoners were freed, thousands more are believed to stay under ground, December 8, 2024.
Israeli airstrikes targeted Syrian weapons warehouses of the Assad regime’s in Latakia, Baniyas, and Reef Dimashq, December 8, 2024.	Israeli occupation forces invaded more border Syrian lands and shot dead a young man from Jabatha Al-Khashab town, and kidnapped civilians in Al-Qunaitrah, December 8, 2024.
Two Arab young men were killed and others injured by the Kurdish Asayish Forces, during the celebration of the toppling of Al-Assad regime, in Al-Raqqah, December 9, 2024.	A truck pulls the head from the toppled statue of late Syrian president 'Hafez Al-Asad through the streets of the captured Syrian city of 'Hama, December 8, 2024.

On Day 428 of US-Backed Israeli Genocidal War on Gaza Strip, 4 Massacres, 52 Palestinians Killed, 142 Injured, in the Past 24 Hours, with a Death Toll of  44,664 and 105,976 Injuries, by December 7, 2024

***

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

"مِنْ أَجْلِ ذَٰلِكَ كَتَبْنَا عَلَىٰ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ أَنَّهُ مَنْ قَتَلَ نَفْسًا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا"  (الْمَائِدَةُ ، 5: 32).

"وَمَنْ يَقْتُلْ مُؤْمِنًا مُّتَعَمِّدًا فَجَزَاؤُهُ جَهَنَّمُ خَالِدًا فِيهَا وَغَضِبَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَلَعَنَهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُ عَذَابًا عَظِيمًا" (النِّسَاءُ ، 4: 93).

"إِنْ أَحْسَنتُمْ أَحْسَنتُمْ لِأَنفُسِكُمْ ۖ وَإِنْ أَسَأْتُمْ فَلَهَا ۚ " (الإسْرَاءُ ، 17: 7). 

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

"Because of that, We decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul, unless for a soul, or for corruption in the land, it is as if he had killed humankind entirely" (The Holy Quran, Al-Ma-ida, 5: 32).

"And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell, wherein he will abide eternally, and Allah has become angry with him, and has cursed him, and has prepared for him a great torment" (Al-Nisa, 4: 93).

"If you do good, you do good for yourselves; and if you do evil, (you do it) to yourselves" (Al-Isra, 17: 7). 

***

While brutal force has been used to create Zionist Israel and sustain it thus far, Zionist claims to Palestine are false. Actually, from the five thousand years of known written human history, there has been a continuous Palestinian-Canaanite presence in the Holy Land. Despite the Zionist false claims, the ancient Israelites ruled part of the land for only 85 years (during the reign of Prophets David and Solomon , peace be upon them, and Solomon's son).

 After that, the Egyptians conquered Palestine-Canaan in 925 BC, followed by Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans, before the Arab Muslim rule, starting from 636 AD.

By the Time Jesus, peace be upon him, started his mission, the three population groups of Canaanites, Palestinians, and Israelites were melted together in religion and language. Most of them became Christians when Constantine converted in 313 AD. Then, most of them became Muslims in the 7th and 8th centuries AD.

So, Palestinian Muslims, Christians, and Jews are the ones who have the right to claim descent from ancient Israelites, Palestinians, and Canaanites, not Zionists from other continents.

No matter what the Zionists and their supporters do, they cannot change the will of God, Who promised the Holy Land to Abraham and his descendants, basically the Palestinian Muslims and Christians.

No matter how much persecution and aggression the Zionists and their supporters inflict upon the Palestinian people, they will never be able to force them out of the Holy Land, which Allah, praise to Him, promised for them, and kept His promise ever since.

This is a necessary brief background to understand the US-Backed Zionist Israeli continuous wars against the Arab nation generally, and the Palestinian people in particular, which included the wars of 1948, 1956, 1967, 1978, 1982, the brutal crushing of the two Uprisings (1987-1993 and 2000-2004), 2009, 2012, 2014, 2021, and the current genocidal war on Gaza (Since October 7, 2023), which has culminated in a blockade of Gaza since 2007. In addition, the Israeli occupation and apartheid regime has launched so many covert operations, raids, and air strikes on many Arab states since 1948.

Conquering and colonizing Palestine has been the first step of the Zionist plan to establish the Israeli empire in the Middle east, from the Nile to the Euphrates. Thus, Egypt was forced to sign a peace treaty with Israeli in 1978, Iraq was destroyed twice, in the 1991 and 2003 wars, Syria was destroyed by the civil war and by the foreign powers during the period 2011-2024, and the rest of the Arab states recognized Israeli state, to avoid the same fate faced by Egypt, Iraq, and Syria.

***

‎Who is Mu'hammed Al-Basheer in charge of forming a transitional Syrian government? ‎

‎Al-Dustour, Jordan, December 9, 2024. 03:57 PM‎

‎Syrian opposition factions have decided to task engineer Mu'hammed Al-Basheer with forming a new Syrian government to manage the transitional period.‎

‎This came after a meeting to determine arrangements for the transfer of power and avoid Syria entering into chaos, which took place between the commander in the Department of Armed Opposition Operations, A'hmed Al-Shara', Bashir and the Prime Minister of the former regime, Mohammed Al-Jalali, who was tasked with running the affairs of the government.‎

‎Who is Basheer?‎

‎The Syrian Prime Minister, whose assignment is expected to be announced soon, was born in Idlib governorate in 1983, holds a degree in electrical and electronic engineering from the Department of Communications at the University of Aleppo (2007), and a certificate of Sharia and Law from Idlib University (2021), and served as Director of Association Affairs, and then Minister of Development and Humanitarian Affairs in the Salvation Government of the revolution in Idlib in 2022.‎

‎Meetings with diplomatic missions‎

‎Meanwhile, the opposition's Department of Political Affairs is holding intensive meetings with foreign diplomatic missions to discuss the security and political situation in Syria following the overthrow of the Asad regime.‎

‎The Department of Political Affairs in Damascus said it would work to create conditions and ensure a safe environment to receive returning Syrians, and called on Syrians forced to leave the country to return and contribute to the construction of Syria.‎

‎The Department of Political Affairs in Damascus added that it will open a new page in the history of Syria entitled construction, development and work to address the effects of the past through transparent mechanisms aimed at achieving lasting peace.‎

‎She stressed that she will seek a constructive role in the region and the world in order to achieve security and stability, and to build a state of law that guarantees dignity and justice and institutions that meet the aspirations of the Syrian people.‎

‎The Department of Political Affairs in Damascus pointed out that the next stage requires comprehensive societal reconciliation based on justice and equality and strengthening Syria's relationship with all countries on the basis of respect.‎

***

***

‘Dawn of Freedom’: Chronicles of the day Syria ended 50 years of Assad’s rule

By Siraj Wahab

Arab News, December 09, 2024

Syrians at home, refugees wake up to new reality led by Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham Saudi Arabia calls for efforts to prevent Syria from falling into disarray

RIYADH:

Syrians at home and refugees abroad experienced a historic day on Sunday, as they awoke to news of the collapse of the Assad regime that had ruled the country for more than five decades.

Forces led by Abu Mu'hammed Al-Joulani of Hayat Ta'hreer Al-Sham, or HTS, took control of the capital Damascus on Sunday morning, the culmination of a rapid attack that began with the taking of Aleppo less than two weeks ago.

Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Al-Jalali was seen being escorted by Al-Golani’s men to a meeting in which he reportedly handed over power, while anti-regime groups announced on state TV that President Bashar Asad had been overthrown and all prisoners released.

Assad and his family arrived in Russia and were granted asylum by the Russian authorities, Russian news agencies reported, citing a Kremlin source.

The Interfax news agency quoted an unnamed source as saying: “President Assad of Syria has arrived in Moscow.

Russia has granted them (him and his family) asylum on humanitarian grounds.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the Israeli military to “seize” a demilitarized buffer zone on the Golan Heights-Syria border as a result of the overthrow of Assad.

“We will not allow any hostile force to establish itself on our border,” he said.

Netanyahu said the events in Syria were “a direct result of the blows we have inflicted on Iran and Hezbollah.”

Saudi Arabia called for efforts to prevent Syria from falling into disarray.

“The Kingdom affirms its support for the brotherly Syrian people and their choice,” the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The Kingdom appealed for “concerted efforts to preserve the unity of Syria and the cohesion of its people, so as to prevent it falling into chaos and division.”

A US National Security Council spokesperson posted on social media that “President (Joe) Biden and his team are closely monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria and staying in constant touch with regional partners.”

“The United States will continue to maintain its presence in eastern Syria and will take measures necessary to prevent a resurgence of (Daesh),” Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Daniel Shapiro told the Manama Dialogue security conference in Bahrain.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the fall of Assad.

“The developments in Syria in recent hours and days are unprecedented, and we are speaking to our partners in the region and monitoring the situation closely.

The Syrian people have suffered under Assad’s barbaric regime for too long and we welcome his departure,” Starmer said in a statement.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told a press conference in Doha: “Turkiye calls on all actors to act with prudence and be watchful”.

***

'Hamas congratulates Syria, PIJ hopes Syria remains Palestine backer

By Al-Mayadeen English

Monday, December 9, 2024

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement reaffirms Syria’s sovereignty, calls recent developments a domestic matter, and expresses hope for Syria's continued support of the Palestinian cause.

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) Movement Secretary-General Ziyad al-Nakhalah affirmed that the recent developments in Syria are a domestic matter, reflecting the choices of the Syrian people.

In a statement, al-Nakhalah expressed hope that Syria would continue its historic role as a steadfast ally and genuine supporter of the Palestinian people and their just cause.

Meanwhile, Israeli media reported on Monday that the recent Israeli occupation airstrikes on Syria were "the most intense since the October War of 1973," citing Israeli Air Force sources. Channel 13 stated that Israeli jets targeted approximately 100 locations in Syria over the past 24 hours.

'Hamas congratulates Syrian people, condemns Israeli aggression

'Hamas has extended its congratulations to the Syrian people for achieving their aspirations for freedom and justice. In a statement, the Islamic Resistance Movement called on all components of Syrian society to unite, foster national cohesion, and move beyond the challenges of the past.

The movement reaffirmed its unwavering support for Syria's unity, territorial integrity, and respect for the independence and political choices of the Syrian people.

'Hamas expressed confidence in the Syrian people's ability to overcome current challenges and achieve progress, stability, and prosperity.

The statement emphasized Syria's historic role in supporting the Palestinian cause and its Resistance, underscoring the country's importance at Arab, Islamic, and international levels.

'Hamas also strongly condemned the repeated Israeli aggression against Syrian territories, rejecting any Zionist ambitions or plans targeting Syria's land and people. The movement reiterated its solidarity with Syria against these attacks.

***

***

Note: The following news stories are from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), on December 9, 2024.

***

Horrific massacre | Turkish drone kills family of 11 civilians, including six children, in Ain Issa countryside

SOHR, December 9, 2024  

Al-Raqqah province: 11 civilians of the same family, including six children and some women, were killed in an attack by a Turkish drone on a house in the SDF-controlled village of Al-Mustariha in Ain Issa countryside in northern Al-Raqqah. 

This coincides with the state of panic in the region over the latest military escalation. 

Since early 2024, the Syrian Observatory has reported 191 airstrikes carried out by Turkish drones on different positions in areas controlled by Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria (AANES). These attacks killed 55 persons and injured over 49 combatants and 73 civilians, including six women and three children. 

The fatalities are distributed as follows: 32 members of military formations operating in SDF-controlled areas. Three regime soldiers. 20 civilians, including a woman and six children. Here is a regional distribution of Turkish airstrikes on SDF-held areas in 2024: Al-Hasakah: 140 airstrikes left three regime soldiers, 24 combatants and six civilians, including a woman, dead. 

Al-Raqqah: Seven airstrikes left four combatants and 11 civilians dead. Aleppo: 45 airstrikes left four combatants and three civilians dead. 

***

Following fierce clashes | Turkish-backed factions take control of Manbij and 50 militiamen and members of “Manbij Military Council Forces” killed

SOHR, December 9, 2024

Aleppo province: “Manbij Military Council Forces” withdraw from Manbij city in eastern Aleppo, except for some positions on back lines, following seizure of the city by Turkish-backed factions operating under the banner of “Dawn of Freedom” operations room.
 
Fierce clashes erupted between the two sides in the city, along with heavy bombardment by ground forces. In addition, Turkish forces attacked Qarqozaq bridge in order to prevent the delivery of reinforcement sent by Syria Democratic Forces.
 
According to SOHR sources, the clashes left 50 combatants dead; they are 15 Turkish-backed militiamen and 35 members of “Manbij Military Council Forces” and Internal Security Forces (Asayish).
 
Manbij area in eastern Aleppo countryside has witnessed violent clashes between “Manbij Military Council” and factions operating under the banner of “Dawn of Freedom” operations room on several frontlines, including the villages of Tokhar, Awn Dadat, Arab Hassan and Al-Arimah. This coincides with the flight of Turkish drones over the region to support the factions’ advancement.
 
According to reliable SOHR sources, cells in Manbij city instigated chaos among civilians, leading to armed clashes between them and the Internal Security Forces “Asayish.”
 
 Manbij area and the countryside also witnessed a displacement of residents toward neighboring areas in eastern countryside and  Ain Al-Arab (Kobani).
 These cells also looted and stole civilian properties after the residents fled.
 
On Saturday, SOHR sources reported that a Turkish kamikaze drone exploded in a military post of “Manbij Military Council Forces” in Manbij city, killing two members of the military council.

***

After having endured torture for years | Prisons and detention centres opened on the “Freedom Day”

SOHR, December 8, 2024

The doors of Saydnaya notorious prison have been opened for thousands of prisoners who have been arrested by the regime security services during the period of the rule of Al-Assad’s family, where the prisoners have been freed, after having endured brutal torture for years.
 
Moreover, the prisoners have been freed from Adra central prison in Rif Dimashq, where SOHR activists have reported seeing prisoners in streets in different areas, including the international highway near Al-Wafideen camp, and they were holding their bags and confirmed that the prison’s door were opened for them.
 
While in Duma city, some families have met several prisoners who have been recently freed, while other prisoners expressed their confusion regarding their next destination, after having been freed from prisons.
 
Yesterday, police officers opened the doors of Homs central prison without providing any explanations. After having left the prison, several prisoners gathered in Al-Karaj area near the air-force intelligence branch, amid a state of panic and concerns about being used as human shields by regime forces.
 
According to prisoners’ testimonies, the release of prisoners took place without any former warnings, which triggered a state of concern and astonishment among prisoners.
 
Meanwhile, some prisoners managed to reach their families in near areas, while others stayed in concern, fearing attacks and conspiracies.

***

Al-Assad regime falls | Regime soldiers and officers withdraw from Damascus international airport as private plane believed to carry Bashar Al-Assad takes off

SOHR, December 8, 2024  

Damascus province: SOHR activists have reported that regime soldiers and officers have received orders to withdraw from Damascus international airport, and they have already withdrawn from the airport, after a private plane having taken off from the airport.
 
The plane believed to carry Bashar Al-Assad.
 
SOHR activists in Damascus have also reported seeing hundreds of regime soldiers taking off their military uniform, after having been informed that they were laid off, as Al-Assad regime had fallen.

***

***