News From Cyprus
(241209) -- DAMASCUS, Dec. 9, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Dec. 8, 2024 shows thick smoke after an explosion in Damascus, Syria. Syrian armed opposition forces seized full control of Damascus on Sunday, ending over five decades of the Assad family rule.
Russia's Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had "decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully." (Photo by Monsef Memari/Xinhua) Syria needs ties with Iran also in the future, based on mutual respect, says former rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, who is now de facto Syria’s leader.
He leads the armed Islamist group HTS, which spearheaded the lightning offensive that led to Bashar al-Assad and his regime losing power.