HTS declares end of Syrian government as extremists swarm Damascus

The Syrian prime minister said he is ready to 'hand over power smoothly' to the self-proclaimed transitional government led by the former Al-Qaeda branch in Syria

News Desk

DEC 8, 2024

https://thecradle.co/articles/hts-declares-end-of-syrian-government-as-extremists-swarm-damascus

Leaders from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) announced early on 8 December the toppling of the Syrian government after their forces took control of the capital, Damascus, just over 10 days after launching a shock offensive that saw little to no opposition from the armed forces.

“After long years of injustice, tyranny, and oppression, and after great sacrifices made by the sons and daughters of this dear homeland, we announce today to the great Syrian people and the entire world that the regime of Bashar al-Assad has fallen and that he has fled the country, leaving behind a legacy of destruction and suffering,” HTS said in a statement in which it refers to itself as the “National Transitional Council.”

The UN-designated terrorist organization also pledged to “preserve the unity and sovereignty of Syrian territory … protect all citizens and their property, regardless of their affiliations" and to “achieve comprehensive national reconciliation,” the statement adds.

"To all military forces in the city of Damascus, it is strictly forbidden to approach public institutions, which will remain under the supervision of the former Prime Minister until they are officially handed over, and it is also forbidden to fire bullets in the air," HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Julani said in a separate statement.

Julani's announcement coincided with a televised address by Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali, who said the remnants of the government are “ready to hand over power smoothly.”

“We want to ensure the continuity of the work of state institutions and security for all. I want everyone to think rationally, and we extend our hand to the opposition. Syria is for all Syrians,” Jalali said.

Over the past 10 days, HTS and Syrian National Army (SNA) fighters – most of them former members of Al-Qaeda and ISIS – took control of the cities of Aleppo, Hama, and Homs before advancing on Damascus.

In response, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) continuously “repositioned” its troops to avoid clashing with the extremists, citing the protection of civilians before folding entirely on Sunday.

Nevertheless, heavy battles were reported at the Sayyeda Zainab Shrine in Damascus, where a few dozen Shia Muslim fighters reportedly gathered to protect the holy site from the Salafi extremists.

No official information has been released about the whereabouts of President Bashar al-Assad. However, moments before the extremist groups took control of Damascus International Airport, open-source flight trackers recorded a single plane in Syria’s airspace. 

The Illyushin76 aircraft, with flight number Syrian Air 9218, was the last flight to take off from the airport. It initially flew east before turning north. A few minutes later, its signal disappeared as it circled over Homs.

Hours after HTS took control of Damascus, Israeli tanks were reportedly seen moving into the buffer zone in the Quneitra area of the occupied Golan Heights.

Israel's Army Radio reported on Sunday morning that the army raised the readiness of its forces in the occupied Syrian Golan as officials announced plans to carry out offensive operations in the buffer zone near Quneitra under the pretext of strengthening the border defenses.