Several airstrikes hit the Syrian capital of Damascus just hours after the opposition rebels took control of it. A powerful airstrike hit the neighbourhood where the Bashar Assad regime's security and customs headquarters were based.
Thousands of Syria ns tried to begin the long journey back to their homes yesterday after the end of 13 years of civil war, with huge queues forming to get into the country.
'Spontaneous returns to Syria are expected to continue throughout 2025,' the UN refugee agency added in its assessment of the country.Syrian rebels seized the capital Damascus unopposed on Sunday, sending fleeing after a 13-year civil war and six decades of his family's autocratic rule. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has said there is already some evidence of Syrians returning
'The flip side is, if this is the harbinger of another period of greater chaos in Syria, then there is still a large number of people in the country who have not left, many of whom may feel unsafe and may try to leave the country.' Almost 400,000 Syrians have left their homes since rebel forces launched a major offensive last week, sparking fears that thousands could flee to the UK and Europe in the coming months.Syrian refugees are seen waiting to enter to their country at the Lebanese border with Syria
However experts believe that if deposed president Bashar al-Assad's downfall leads to more stability in the country then it could have the opposite effect, with Syrians returning home in their thousands. Alp Mehmet, chairman of MigrationWatch UK, said: 'We can expect tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of those displaced, or who flee from the new regime, to make their way to the EU and UK - both legally and illegally.There are some signs that this may already be happening. Cyprus, one of the nearest gateways to Europe, has already seen a surge in Syrians fleeing from neighbouring Lebanon following conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
However, he said there is 'cautious hope' that it could mark a new chapter in Syria's history, with those who previously fled the war now hoping to return to their country. 'That will serve our interests too. It will help Lebanon reduce Hezbollah's influence. And it will create a buffer against Iran. If that doesn't work, then brace yourself.'
A toddler is seen walking out of a Syrian prison cell inside tyrant President Bashar al-Assad's 'human slaughterhouse'People yelped joyfully as they were freed where some had been incarcerated for decades, holding up their hands to signal how long they were imprisoned forUS President Joe Biden cheered Assad's fall but acknowledged that it was also a moment of risk and uncertainty.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Assad's fall was thanks to blows Israel had dealt to Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah, once the lynchpin of Assad's security forces.Supporters of the rebels who toppled Assad have entered some Syrian embassies around the world to hoist their flag. A deal to secure Russia's air base in Syria's Latakia province and its naval facility at Tartous on the coast would come as a relief to Moscow.The facility is Russia's only Mediterranean repair and replenishment hub, and Moscow has used Syria as a staging post to fly its military contractors in and out of Africa.
Unverified footage reportedly shows rebels 'opening cells one by one' by breaking down walls, and they are said to have rescued 'hundreds of inmates, including women and young children'.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'Iron press' used 'to crush prisoners in Assad's 'human slaughterhouse' is uncovered' as Syrians...The prison - nicknamed the 'Human Slaughterhouse' - is synonymous with heinous torture, executions and human rights abuses carried out by the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, who was toppled by Syrian rebel forces this weekend.
Read more »
Moment Syrians ransack Assad’s palaces & explore luxury car collection after 24-year regime crumbled o...Moment Syrians ransack Assad’s palaces & explore luxury car collection after 24-year regime crumbled overnight
Read more »
Tears of joy in Manchester as Syrians dream of returning home after fall of Assad regimeIt's been years since they fled their country's bloody civil war - but now Syrian refugees are savouring the prospect of seeing their homeland and loved ones once again.
Read more »
Syrians ransack Assad's abandoned palace dressing rooms taking huge Louis Vuitton boxes before...Syrians have stormed Bashar al-Assad's presidential palace in Damascus as rebels declare that the country is 'free' from the 'tyrant'. Rebels mile around inside the despot's palace after he reportedly this morning fled on a plane.
Read more »
Tortured refugee rejoices as he plans return to Syria following fall of Assad's regimeA tortured Syrian journalist has shared his joy following the fall of Assad's government, telling LBC the leader 'must be punished for his crimes'.
Read more »
Coronation Street star hints at soap return after six yearsFormer Coronation Street actress Helen Flanagan - who has played Rosie Webster on the ITV soap since 2000 - has hinted she could return to the cobbles after six years
Read more »