FILE - This undated photo released by a militant group in 2016, shows Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of Syria's al-Qaida affiliate, second from right, discussing battlefield details with commanders in Aleppo, Syria. (Militant UGC via AP, File)
World leaders react to Assad's ouster, with French leader saying 'barbaric state has fallen' | CBC News LoadedAfter a rapid offensive by armed factions that ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, countries like the United States and Turkey caution against any resurgence of the Islamic State.
"Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer," U.S. president-elect Donald Trump posted on Truth Social. He and his insurgent force, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS – many of whose fighters are jihadis -- stand to be a major player going forward.
As Syrians expressed joy at the Assad regime's collapse, Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali called for free elections. Assad, who had not spoken in public since the sudden rebel advance a week ago, flew out of Damascus for an unknown destination earlier on Sunday, two senior army officers told Reuters. His whereabouts now — and those of his wife Asma and their two children — were unknown.
Russia, a staunch Assad ally, intervened decisively in 2015 to help Assad during Syria's civil war. But it has been tied down by the Ukraine war.Syria's civil war, which erupted in 2011 as an uprising against Assad's rule, dragged in a string of outside powers, created space for jihadist militants to plot attacks around the world and sent millions of refugees into neighbouring states.
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