Syrian opposition fighters have declared that the nation has been “liberated” after they stormed the capital and introduced that President Bashar al-Assad had fled the capital metropolis to an unknown vacation spot.
Joyous celebrations erupted in Damascus and different components of the nation, together with alongside the border with neighbouring Lebanon, with many displaced Syrians deciding to return residence.
The gorgeous opposition advance got here after 13 years of brutal battle, placing an finish to greater than half a century of the rule of the al-Assad household.
Right here’s a collection of worldwide reactions to the information. This web page will probably be up to date as extra statements are available:
United Nations
“What’s vital is that we’re capable of finding a scenario the place there’s a political means out of this,” Geir Pedersen, UN envoy to Syria, mentioned.
And that political means must be very totally different from what it has been earlier than, it must be a course of that’s inclusive of everybody, and the place we actually concentrate on the necessity for unity, stability, the place Syria is ready to restore its sovereignty and its territory. There are many wounds that should be healed.”
China
Beijing “is intently following the event of the scenario in Syria and hopes that Syria returns to stability as quickly as doable”, the overseas ministry mentioned in an announcement.
“The Chinese language authorities has actively assisted Chinese language residents who’re keen to depart Syria in a protected and orderly means, and has maintained contact with… Chinese language residents who stay in Syria,” the ministry mentioned.
“We urge the related Syrian events to take sensible measures to make sure the security of Chinese language establishments and personnel in Syria,” it added.
“At current, the Chinese language embassy in Syria continues to be holding robust, and we’ll proceed to offer full help to Chinese language residents in want.”
Israel
Amichai Chikli, Israeli diaspora affairs minister, says the opposition advances in Syria “are removed from a trigger for celebration” for his nation, as he requires the renewal of Israel’s management at Mount Hermon within the occupied Golan Heights and the institution of a brand new line of defence based mostly on the 1974 ceasefire line with Syria.
“Most of Syria is now underneath the management of affiliate organisations of” al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS), he was quoted as saying by the Israel Hayom newspaper.
The vast majority of Syria’s Golan Heights area was occupied by Israel in 1967 and subsequently annexed in 1981.
Italy
“I’m following with involved consideration the evolution of the scenario in Syria,” Italian International Minister Antonio Tajani mentioned on X.
“I’m in fixed contact with our embassy in Damascus and with the workplace of the Prime Minister. I’ve known as an emergency assembly,” he added.
United Arab Emirates
Anwar Gargash, UAE diplomatic adviser to the president, mentioned non-state actors shouldn’t be allowed the chance to take advantage of political vacuums.
“Unfolding occasions in Syria are additionally a transparent indication of political failure and the damaging nature of battle and chaos,” Gargash advised the Manama Dialogue safety discussion board within the Bahraini capital.
United States
“President [Joe] Biden and his crew are intently monitoring the extraordinary occasions in Syria and staying in fixed contact with regional companions,” the White Home mentioned in an announcement.
In the meantime, in an announcement posted on his Reality Social platform, President-elect Donald Trump mentioned al-Assad had “fled his nation” after dropping the backing of Russia.
“Assad is gone. He has fled his nation. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not thinking about defending him any longer.
“There was no cause for Russia to be there within the first place. They misplaced all curiosity in Syria due to Ukraine, the place near 600,000 Russian troopers lay wounded or useless, in a battle that ought to by no means have began, and will go on ceaselessly.”
Yemen
Moammar al-Eryani, data minister of Yemen’s internationally recognised authorities, mentioned on X: “The Yemenis, with their knowledge and steadfastness, are capable of thwart the plans of Iran and its Houthi software to violate their land and tamper with their future, simply as these plans failed in Syria and Lebanon.”
He added that Iran’s “expansionist undertaking, which used sectarian militias as instruments to finish the Persian Crescent, sow chaos, undermine the sovereignty of states … is collapsing”.
Philippines Division of International Affairs
“The Philippines calls on all involved events to train restraint and chorus from additional violence, to avert additional casualties and deaths of civilians.
“We categorical concern concerning the scenario of our Filipinos in Syria and advise them to take the mandatory precautions and keep involved with the Philippine Embassy in Damascus.”