Video reportedly reveals Russian troops pouring into Khmeimim airbase in Syria | Credit: SameralAtrush/X
Russia has accelerated its army withdrawal from Syria and suspended a grain take care of the nation over considerations concerning the rebel-led authorities.
Russian troopers had been filmed packing up an S-400 air defence missile system at their Khmeimim airbase as armoured personnel carriers and army vehicles poured into the compound days after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad as president.
On Thursday, it was reported that the Kremlin believed it was near placing a take care of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, which overthrew Assad, to maintain the airbase and the Tartus naval base in Syria however the standing of any such settlement stays unclear.
As properly as its two foremost bases on the Mediterranean coast, Russia had maintained a number of smaller ahead working bases throughout Syria. These now seem to have been deserted.
Assad’s exit has undermined Vladimir Putin’s methods for projecting energy throughout the Middle East and Africa which had been hinged across the bases in Syria as very important refuelling factors, analysts consider.
Russian troopers stand by army pickups as they put together to evacuate a place in Qamishli – Delil Souleiman/AFP
Satellite imagery launched by Maxar confirmed two Antonov An-124 cargo plane on the runway of the Khmeimim base. The An-124 is the biggest heavy-lift plane on this planet.
Several different smaller transport plane may be seen.
Pro-Kremlin army blogs posted photos of convoys of army vehicles heading in direction of Khmeimim and Tartus.
Ukraine’s army intelligence company, GUR, mentioned that “the remnants of the Russian army contingent from essentially the most distant areas of Syria are being withdrawn to the naval and air bases in Tartus and Khmeimim”.
“There are 4 to 5 army transport plane flying between Khmeimim and Russian airfields day by day,” GUR mentioned.
Oliver Alexander, an open-source analyst, mentioned drone footage of the built-up space across the Khmeimim base confirmed how laborious it could be for Russia to maintain it operational, even when a deal was struck with rebels.
He additionally mentioned that Russian forces had been filmed packing up a radar package that was very important for working its S-400 air defence missiles.
Mr Alexander mentioned: “The Russian S-400 is certainly leaving. They have packed up their 91N6E radar and it was parked on the apron able to be loaded on to an An-124.”
Dara Massicot, a senior fellow on the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace suppose tank, mentioned that it was clear that the Russian military was withdrawing a minimum of a part of its forces from Syria.
“With business ships and Russian navy cargo ships on the way in which, a pick-up in air visitors at Khmeimim, and consolidation from Russian ahead working bases in Syria to the principle bases, the withdrawal is choosing up steam,” she mentioned.
Michael Kofman, additionally at Carnegie, mentioned in a put up on X that it was “nonetheless unclear” if it was an entire exit by Russia however mentioned there have been “indications and rumours to that impact”.
Charles Lister, of the Middle East Institute suppose tank, mentioned withdrawal from Syria could be a “huge loss” for Moscow and would have ramifications for Russia’s operations in Africa.
Moscow, as a key ally to the Assad regime, additionally introduced wheat from Russia by means of a posh association designed to evade Western sanctions imposed on each international locations.
A Russian supply near the federal government mentioned provides to Syria had been suspended as a result of exporters are involved by uncertainty over who will handle wheat imports on the Syrian facet following the change of energy in Damascus.
The supply, who spoke on situation of anonymity owing to the sensitivity of the scenario, advised Reuters: “I feel nobody would dare provide wheat to Syria underneath the present circumstances.”
Ukraine, which offers wheat to quite a lot of different Middle Eastern international locations, instantly provided to step in and supply grain to Syria the place needed.
Vitaliy Koval, Ukraine’s agricultural minister, mentioned: “Where it’s tough, we have now to be there with our meals. We are open to supplying our meals and if Syria wants meals, then we’re there.”
It comes after Ukraine reportedly equipped drones and their operators to HTS earlier than their advance on Damascus. Ukraine mentioned that it’s keen to focus on Russian army bases and operations the world over.
Putin was mentioned to have been shocked by the sudden collapse of dictator Assad’s regime.
Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, admitted Russia had been “stunned”, just like the “entire world”.
In Syria, tens of 1000’s of individuals took to the streets, after Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the insurgent chief, referred to as on individuals to rejoice “the victory of the blessed revolution” however to keep away from firing weapons.
In Damascus, 1000’s gathered outdoors the Umayyad Mosque, a sight unimaginable simply days in the past, for the primary Friday prayers because the collapse of the Assad regime.
Russian brokers persuaded Assad to flee Damascus on Sunday morning in a non-public jet when it was clear that the rebels would seize the capital.
More than a dozen individuals with information of Assad’s closing hours in Damascus advised Reuters that he had fled with out even telling his youthful brother, commander of an elite tank unit, or different allies as a result of he feared that he could be betrayed.
They described how Assad had lied to his military commanders, telling them to make a stand and watch for Russian back-up, which he knew was not coming.
Nadim Houri, the chief director of the Arab Reform Initiative regional suppose tank, mentioned: “Assad didn’t even make a final stand. He didn’t even rally his personal troops.”
From Damascus, Assad flew to the Khmeimim air base after which to Moscow, the place his spouse and three youngsters had been ready for him.
Sources added that this was Assad’s second journey to Moscow in lower than a fortnight.
Panicked by the velocity and success of the HTS advance, they mentioned that Assad had secretly travelled to Moscow on Nov 28 to beg for Russian army intervention. Three regional diplomats mentioned, although, that these pleas had been rejected. The Kremlin has not commented.
03:21 PM GMT
Thanks for following our stay protection. That’s all for right now.
Here’s a round-up of the largest tales:
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Jubilant Syrians take to the streets after insurgent chief requires celebration of revolution
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EU seeking to make contact with new Syrian management ‘quickly’
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Celebrate our victory however don’t hearth weapons, insurgent chief tells Syrians
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UN: Syrian new regime sending ‘constructive’ indicators
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Israeli troops to stay in Syria over winter
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Emergency assembly held on Syria’s chemical weapons
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‘If the West acted sooner, Assad would have been gone’, says Wes Streeting
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Former head of Syrian jail charged with torture in US
03:13 PM GMT
Druze in Syria say they wish to be a part of Israel as they concern new ‘Isis-like’ rulers
The residents of a Druze group in southern Syria have expressed a need be a part of Israel to stop a attainable assault on the minority by radical Islamists.
A video circulating on social media reveals a gathering of Druze within the Syrian village of Hader which is situated contained in the buffer zone separating Israel from Syria, now totally managed by the IDF.
“If we have now to decide on, we’ll select the lesser evil. And even when it’s thought-about evil to ask to be annexed to the (Israeli) Golan, it’s a a lot lesser evil than the evil coming our approach,” a person says to a crowd of individuals in Arabic, in accordance with a translation by Times of Israel.
The unnamed man advised the general public meeting that the “evil” coming their approach “would possibly take our girls, would possibly take our daughters, they may take our homes.”
“Bashar al-Assad left. What do we have now left? Nothing. We requested to be annexed to the Golan to protect our dignity,” he continued.
Some 700,000 Druze stay in Syria whereas about 20,000 Druze stay within the Israel-annexed Golan Heights adjoining to the town of Hader the place the calls to hitch Israel had been made. Another roughly 150,000 Druze stay inside Israel.
03:07 PM GMT
Jubilant Syrians take to the streets after insurgent chief requires celebration of revolution
Tens of 1000’s of Syrians have taken to the streets throughout the nation, heeding the decision of their new insurgent chief to rejoice “the victory of the blessed revolution”.
Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, who led the insurgent coalition that seized energy, referred to as on Syrians earlier on Friday “to go to the streets to specific their pleasure”, however to keep away from capturing weapons.
In Damascus, 1000’s gathered outdoors the Umayyad Mosque – a sight unimaginable simply days in the past – for the primary Friday prayers because the ousting of Bashar al-Assad.
In Aleppo, Hama and Homs – all cities taken by the insurgent coalition forces in fast succession throughout their 12-day offensive – residents cheered, cried and danced freely on the streets.
Exhilarated crowds chanted “one, one, one, the Syrian individuals is one!” and waved the three-star Syrian independence flag, which nobody dared increase throughout Assad’s brutal rule.
“We are gathering as a result of we’re glad Syria has been freed, we’re glad to have been liberated from the jail during which we lived,” Nour Thi al-Ghina, 38, from Damascus, mentioned.
03:02 PM GMT
EU seeking to make contact with new Syrian management ‘quickly’
The EU is looking for to ascertain diplomatic contact “quickly” with Syria’s new insurgent rulers, a high-ranking EU official mentioned Friday.
“What we are actually pondering is to ascertain contacts, to move messages about our expectations,” the official advised AFP, including that the outreach could be at “working degree”.
03:01 PM GMT
Pictured: Russian army convoy on the highway from Damascus
A Russian army convoy on the highway to Damascus, reportedly heading in direction of the Moscow-controlled Tartus naval base
02:33 PM GMT
Listen: Inside Homs with Syria’s White Helmets
In our most up-to-date podcast episode of Battle Lines, Farouq Habib from Syria’s White Helmets speaks about returning to his residence metropolis of Homs for the primary time in over a decade.
He tells us concerning the devastation Bashar al-Assad wreaked throughout Syria, and the way the nation can heal now that the regime has fallen.
Plus: The Telegraph’s senior overseas correspondent Sophia Yan has been on the Turkish-Syrian border. She’s been talking to refugees excited to lastly be capable of return, but additionally to Turkish Alawites who proceed to have an affinity for Assad.
Listen right here.
02:01 PM GMT
Austria presents Syrian refugees €1,000 to go residence
Austria’s authorities mentioned on Friday it’s providing Syrian refugees a “return bonus” of €1,000 to maneuver again to their residence nation after the autumn of Bashar al-Assad.
Karl Nehammer, the conservative Chancellor, reacted rapidly to Assad’s overthrow on Sunday, saying the identical day that the safety scenario in Syria needs to be reassessed in order to permit deportations of Syrian refugees.
Austria’s authorities, underneath stress from the hard-Right, has mentioned it’s going to deal with voluntary deportations. It has additionally stopped processing Syrians’ asylum purposes, as have greater than a dozen European international locations.
Syrians are the largest group of asylum-seekers in Austria.
01:48 PM GMT
Watch: Celebrations within the cities of Suwayda and Hama
Celebrations in Suwayda City sq. after liberation from the Assad regime | Credit: Suvwayda24/X
Celebrations in Hama City sq. after liberation from the Assad regime | Credit: Levant_24_/X
01:39 PM GMT
In photos: Mass celebrations throughout Syria
Syrians elevating a large independence-era flag, as they rejoice the autumn of Bashar al-Assad in Damascus – AFP
Syrians rejoice within the capital with a baby holding a toy gun – AP
Syrians cheer and dance on statues in Aleppo on Friday – REUTERS
People collect on the streets of Suwayda in southwestern Syria – AFP
Flares are let off and flags raised within the outdated city of Damascus – AP
A girl attracts the colors of the impartial flag adopted by the brand new Syrian rulers on a lady’s face outdoors the Umayyad Mosque – REUTERS
01:22 PM GMT
Celebrate our victory however don’t hearth weapons, insurgent chief tells Syrians
The chief of the insurgent coalition that seized energy in Syria final week has referred to as on Syrians to take to the streets to rejoice “the victory of the revolution” however to not hearth weapons.
“I want to congratulate the good Syrian individuals on the victory of the blessed revolution,” mentioned Abu Mohammed al-Jolani in a video message on Friday, showing in a white shirt and vest, a notable departure from his standard army fatigues.
“I name on them to go to the streets to specific their pleasure with out firing bullets and scaring individuals,” he added, simply days after he advised his fighters that the brand new Islamist regime wouldn’t settle for the “chaos of weapons showing on our streets”.
His warning got here after a person, who was celebrating with 1000’s on the streets of Raqqa on Thursday, reportedly misplaced management of his machine gun and mistakenly opened hearth on a crowd.
The gunfire sparked skirmishes between younger males and native rebels linked to US-backed Kurdish forces. At least one particular person was killed and 15 wounded, witnesses mentioned.
12:56 PM GMT
UN: Syrian new regime sending ‘constructive’ indicators
Syria’s new interim authorities have requested the United Nations refugee company to stay within the nation following the ousting of president Bashar al-Assad, sending a “constructive” sign, the organisation mentioned Friday.
The company mentioned that they had had “some contact with the interim authorities”, Gonzalo Vargas Llosa, UNHCR’s consultant in Syria, including: “The preliminary indicators that they’re sending us are constructive”.
“The wants are completely big,” he mentioned.
12:28 PM GMT
What is captagon, the drug that earnt Assad billions?
The collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s Syrian regime has thrown mild into the darkish corners of his rule, together with the industrial-scale export of the banned drug captagon.
The insurgent fighters have seized army bases and distribution hubs for the amphetamine-type stimulant usually generally known as “poor man’s cocaine” – which has flooded the black market throughout the Middle East. The new regime has vowed to destroy all that they discover.
Captagon turned Syria into the world’s largest narco state. It turned by far Syria’s greatest export, dwarfing all its authorized exports put collectively, in accordance with estimates.
Experts consider that Assad used the specter of drug-fuelled unrest to place stress on Arab governments.
A insurgent fighter holds a big haul of the medicine, also known as the ‘poor man’s cocaine’ – REUTERS
Captagon tablets inside an apple-shaped container – REUTERS
12:11 PM GMT
Watch: Syria’s interim PM al-Bashir arrives at Umayyad Mosque
12:09 PM GMT
EU announce ‘air bridge’ to ship Syria help through Turkey
The European Commission on Friday introduced the launch of an “air bridge” operation to ship an preliminary 50 tonnes of well being provides to Syria through neighbouring Turkey.
The gadgets from EU stockpiles in Dubai can be flown to Adana, Turkey for distribution in Syria “within the coming days,” a fee assertion mentioned.
An extra 46 tonnes of reduction provides can be trucked from a stockpile in Denmark.
11:28 AM GMT
In photos: Syrians rejoice first Friday prayers since Assad’s fall
Thousands of Syrians converged on the landmark Umayyad Mosque in Damascus forward of Friday prayers, the place Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the chief of the rebels forces, is anticipated.
Men, girls and kids flocked to the mosque, an uncommon sight in Damascus, with some elevating the Syrian independence flag, utilized by the opposition because the 2011 rebellion.
Some chanted: “One, one, one, the Syrian individuals is one”.
People attend the primary Friday prayers contained in the Umayyad Mosque following Bashar al-Assad’s fall in Damascus – REUTERS
A person along with his little one rejoice contained in the mosque on Friday – REUTERS
They chanted ‘One, one, one, the Syrian individuals are one’ and made ‘V’ indicators for victory – REUTERS
Thousands got here collectively to hope on Friday – AP
11:17 AM GMT
Bahrain king tells Syrian insurgent chief ‘I’m able to cooperate’
King Hamad advised Syrian insurgent chief Abu Mohammed al-Jolani that Bahrain is able to cooperate with the brand new regime on Friday.
In a letter, the monarch mentioned Bahrain, which is the present Arab summit president, was able to “proceed consultations and coordination with Syria”.
11:03 AM GMT
Killed Syrian activist Hamada: ‘Even it prices me my life I’ll pursue them’
10:45 AM GMT
Israeli troops to stay in Syria over winter
Israeli troops have been ordered to “put together to stay” all through the winter in a UN-patrolled buffer zone between Israeli and Syrian forces within the strategic Golan Heights.
“Due to the scenario in Syria, it’s of essential safety significance to keep up our presence on the summit of Mount Hermon,” a spokesman for Israel Katz, Israel’s defence minister, mentioned on Friday.
On Sunday, Israeli forces took management of the demilitarised zone and the Syrian facet of Mount Hermon, which overlooks Damascus, in a transfer that the UN mentioned violated its 1974 armistice with Syria.
Israel later confirmed its troops had moved to “extra factors” past the buffer zone to guard its border, though it stays unclear how far into Syrian territory they’ve superior.
Mr Katz mentioned that Israel goals to impose a “sterile defence zone” in southern Syria that will be enforced with no everlasting troop presence.
Antonio Guterres, UN chief, mentioned he was “deeply involved” on Thursday over “in depth violations” of Syrian sovereignty and by the tons of of Israeli strikes on the nation.
An Israeli soldier posed with a sniper on high of Mount Hermon, Syria’s highest peak which overlooks Damascus – IDF
10:29 AM GMT
Pictured: Russian forces ‘getting ready to evacuate’ northern Syria
A Russian Air Force Kamov Ka-52 Alligator army assault helicopter is pictured with different vehicles and autos on the Russian airbase in Qamishli – AFP
Russian army autos and artillery weapons are pictured flying the Russian flag – AFP
Russian troopers stand by army pickups as they put together to evacuate a place in Qamishli
10:16 AM GMT
Emergency assembly held on Syria’s chemical weapons
The US ambassador to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has mentioned the autumn of the Assad regime was a historic likelihood to rid Syria of chemical weapons “as soon as and for all”.
The OPCW held a closed-door emergency assembly on Thursday to hunt approval for funding and help to a chemical non-proliferation course of in Syria.
The OPCW, established in 1997 underneath the Chemical Weapons Convention, requires its 193 member states to declare and dismantle their chemical weapons applications.
The Assad regime is accused of repeatedly utilizing chemical weapons on civilians through the nation’s protracted civil battle.
09:49 AM GMT
Dispatch: ‘Hero’ who uncovered Assad horrors tortured to demise by regime in its closing hours
Few may bear to look lengthy at his face, with its sunken, sorrowful eyes so filled with ache – however when Mazen al-Hamada spoke, you might not assist however pay attention.
He spoke to audiences throughout the West, in lecture theatres and parliaments, bearing witness to the darkness of the Assad regime in low, pressing tones.
Sometimes, he confirmed them his wrists, scarred by the chains from which he hung till he misplaced consciousness. He would communicate of the beatings and the rapes he and others suffered, his haunted eyes reddening on the reminiscence.
On Thursday, they laid Hamada to relaxation in central Damascus, the capital coming to a halt as its residents gathered to honour the person who turned the embodiment of a nation’s struggling and who now had turn into as highly effective a logo in demise as he was in life.
Hamada was one of many final casualties of the 13-year rebellion in opposition to Bashar al-Assad, tortured to demise by a vindictive regime in its demise throes simply hours earlier than the advancing rebels flung open the doorways of the notorious Sednaya jail the place he was held.
Read the complete dispatch right here.
Mazen Hamada’s coffin and {photograph} being carried by means of the streets of Damascus – Heidi Pett for The Telegraph
09:36 AM GMT
Streeting: ‘If the West acted sooner, Assad would have been gone’
09:26 AM GMT
Blinken tells Turkey it’s ‘crucial’ to work in opposition to Isis in Syria
Antony Blinken, US secretary of state, advised Turkey it was “crucial” to work in opposition to a resurgence of the Isis in Syria following the autumn of Bashar al-Assad.
“Our nation labored very laborious and gave rather a lot over a few years to make sure the elimination of the territorial caliphate of Isis to make sure that that risk doesn’t rear its head once more. And it’s crucial that we hold at these efforts.”
His remarks got here after assembly Hakan Fidan, Turkye’s overseas minister, in Ankara on the second leg of his Syria disaster tour.
09:03 AM GMT
‘Take to the streets and rejoice the revolution’, says insurgent chief
The chief of the Islamist rebels that seized energy in Syria final week referred to as on Syrians to take to the streets to rejoice “the victory of the revolution” on Friday.
“I want to congratulate the good Syrian individuals on the victory of the blessed revolution and I name on them to go to the streets to specific their pleasure,” mentioned Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, now utilizing his actual title Ahmed al-Sharaa.
08:51 AM GMT
Turkey won’t ever ‘enable weak spot’ in struggle in opposition to Isis in Syria
Turkey won’t ever ease up within the struggle in opposition to Islamic State in Syria, regardless of its operations in opposition to Kurdish fighters seen as key to containing the terrorists, Recep Tayyip Erdogan advised Antony Blinken.
“Turkey won’t ever enable any weak spot to come up within the struggle in opposition to Isis,” Mr Erdogan advised the US secretary of state late Thursday.
Since the autumn of the Assad regime, there have been ongoing preventing in Syria’s north between US-backed Kurdish forces and Turkey-backed rebels.
Washington and Ankara supported Syrian rebels through the 13-year civil battle however clashed over one of many factions – the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The SDF is the principle ally in a U.S. coalition in opposition to Isis terrorists. It is spearheaded by the People’s Protection Units (YPG), which Ankara sees as an extension of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants that it outlaws and who’ve fought the Turkish state for 40 years.
Antony Blinken, US secretary of state, shakes fingers with Recep Tayyip Erdogan throughout their assembly at Ankara – Reuters
08:40 AM GMT
Watch: Israeli strikes inside Syria
08:35 AM GMT
In photos: Families proceed to seek for solutions inside Sednaya jail
Search efforts by kin of prisoners proceed at Sednaya jail, close to Damascus, generally known as the ‘human slaughterhouse’ – Getty Images Europe
Thousands of individuals had been mentioned to have been tortured and executed contained in the sprawling jail underneath Assad’s rule – Getty Images Europe
A person digs inside a jail cell in search of solutions of misplaced loves ones – Shutterstock
08:16 AM GMT
107 documented deaths in Assad’s prisons in 2024
Since early 2024, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) has documented the demise of 107 civilians underneath torture and over poor healthcare in Assad regime prisons and safety centres.
The useless together with a political activist, a college pupil, a author, an engineer, an Islamic thinker, a civilian with US nationality, two regime military defectors and a civilian from Tripoli.
07:55 AM GMT
China ‘deeply involved’ about Syria
Beijing’s high diplomat Wang Yi advised his Egyptian counterpart that China is “deeply involved” concerning the scenario in Syria.
“The two sides are deeply involved concerning the present scenario in Syria and name for respect for Syria’s sovereignty,” Wang mentioned throughout a joint press convention in Beijing with Badr Abdelatty, Egypt’s overseas minister.
He urged the prevention of “terrorist and extremist forces from profiting from the chaos”.
07:49 AM GMT
Former head of Syrian jail charged with torture in US
The former head of a infamous Syrian jail was charged Thursday within the United States with torturing opponents of the now-collapsed regime of Bashar al-Assad.
Samir Ousman Alsheikh, 72, who has been within the US since 2020, ran Damascus Central Prison, recognized domestically as Adra Prison, from 2005 to 2008 and is accused of torturing detainees.
“It’s an enormous step towards justice,” mentioned Mouaz Moustafa, govt director of the US-based Syrian Emergency Task Force. “Samir Ousman al-Sheikh’s trial will reiterate that the United States won’t enable battle criminals to return and stay within the United States with out accountability, even when their victims weren’t US residents.”
The suspect was detained in July at LA International Airport on expenses of immigration fraud, particularly that he denied on his US visa that he had ever persecuted anybody in Syria, in accordance with a felony grievance.
07:46 AM GMT
Hello and welcome to our stay protection
We’re bringing you all the most recent updates from Syria within the wake of the autumn of the Assad regime.
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