Prime Minister Keir Starmer celebrates the ousting of Bashar al-Assad, urging international efforts for peace and stability in Syria

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has welcomed the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria, describing it as the end of a “barbaric” rule that has long oppressed the Syrian people. Starmer’s remarks came after the dramatic collapse of Assad’s government on Sunday, following a swift rebel offensive. Russian state media reports that Assad has sought asylum in Moscow, marking the end of his leadership in Syria.

In a statement released shortly after his arrival in the United Arab Emirates, Starmer expressed his support for the Syrian people, who, he said, had “suffered under Assad’s brutal regime for far, far too long.” He reiterated the UK’s commitment to a political solution for Syria’s future, emphasising the need for stability and peace in the war-torn country.

“We welcome the departure of Assad, but our focus now is on ensuring a political solution that will bring peace and stability,” Starmer said. “The international community must work together to support the Syrian people, protect civilians, and ensure that essential aid reaches those in need.”

Starmer’s remarks were echoed by various political figures, including Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel, who called for the protection of all Syrian communities, and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, who condemned Assad as a “vile dictator” and highlighted the importance of free and fair elections in Syria’s future.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, speaking on BBC’s Sunday programme, also stressed the need for a political solution in line with the United Nations’ resolution. She underscored the importance of a government that would protect civilians and infrastructure, though she did not directly address the controversial question of whether the UK would engage with the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which has been integral to the recent uprising.

HTS, initially founded as an affiliate of al-Qaeda, has been a divisive force in Syria. Despite publicly breaking away from al-Qaeda, the group remains proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK, the UN, and several other nations. Its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, has made efforts in recent years to distance HTS from terrorism, and the group’s actions over the past weeks have been described as those of a “liberation movement” rather than a terrorist organisation. Former MI6 chief Sir John Sawers argued that the UK should reconsider its stance, given the group’s evolving message.

Celebrations erupted across the UK as news of Assad’s downfall spread. In Manchester, Syrians gathered in the city centre to celebrate the fall of the regime, with many singing, dancing, and shedding tears of joy. Similar scenes were reported in Belfast, where the Syrian community marked the end of Assad’s rule.

THE GUARDIAN

In the Today in Focus podcast titled Inside Damascus after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, foreign correspondent William Christou travels to Syria’s capital just hours after the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad, whose brutal regime had ruled for over fifty years. Assad, who had been president since 2000, had endured the violent uprisings against his rule, ultimately regaining most of Syria’s territory after a decade-long civil war, but the country’s stability was fragile. Beneath the surface, Syria was plagued by a hollowed-out state, widespread poverty, and a populace weary of the regime’s oppression.

Christou details how, just two weeks ago, it seemed like Assad’s government might persist, despite mounting unrest. However, an Islamist rebel offensive from the north quickly dismantled Assad’s control, capturing major cities such as Aleppo, Hama, and Homs, before ultimately taking Damascus. The sudden fall of the capital led to celebrations across the country as Syrians rejoiced in the regime’s collapse, marking a potential turning point after 13 years of civil war.

The podcast also explores the release of tens of thousands of prisoners who had been tortured and disappeared under Assad’s rule, with many of them freed from the regime’s notorious prisons. Michael Safi speaks to Damascus resident Anas Aldruby, who reflects on the years of living under Assad’s increasingly oppressive regime, and the tense final days as rebels closed in on the capital.

This episode offers an intimate glimpse into the post-Assad era in Syria, examining the jubilation and uncertainty that accompanies the regime’s dramatic downfall and the broader implications for the war-torn country.

INDEPENDENT

On Sunday, 8 December, rebel opposition forces stormed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s private residence in Damascus after the collapse of his government. Footage from inside the deserted palace shows armed fighters exploring the lavish interior, with some seen walking out with appliances reportedly taken from the building. The images capture a stark contrast to the palace’s former grandeur, now overrun by opposition forces.

As the news of Assad’s fall spread, large crowds gathered in the streets of Damascus to celebrate the regime’s collapse. Jubilant Syrians chanted, prayed, and fired celebratory gunshots into the air, marking a historic moment in Syria’s civil war. This was the first time since 2018 that opposition forces had entered the capital, when Syrian government troops had regained control over the surrounding areas after years of intense fighting and sieges.

The storming of Assad’s palace signifies a dramatic shift in the power balance, as rebels, once besieged and fragmented, have now managed to overrun the heart of the regime’s stronghold. The scenes of chaos and celebration reflect the deep animosity towards Assad’s rule and the hope for a new chapter in Syria’s long and brutal civil war. However, the aftermath raises questions about Syria’s future as the nation grapples with the fallout of Assad’s fall and the uncertainty of what comes next.