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What we know
-
A coalition of Syrian rebels
has toppled President Bashar al-Assad’s government
and captured the capital, Damascus
.
- President Joe Biden called it a “moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria” in remarks at the White House today.
- Russian state media reported that Assad landed in Moscow after having fled. A senior Biden administration official confirmed that Russia has given Assad asylum.
- Assad, who was Syria s president for over two decades and inherited the post from his father, Hafez al-Assad, has given orders for a peaceful transition of power, according to Russia, a close ally of the regime.
-
Celebrations broke out in Damascus after rebels claimed victory in the 13-year civil war. In less than two weeks, rebel groups
advanced across Syria
, taking the cities of
Aleppo and Homs
before seizing Damascus.
-
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham
, which led the assault along with other groups, has historic ties to Al Qaeda and is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. It has recently appeared to renounce more extremist elements.
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