Syria War Live Updates: Fears of New Islamic State After Bashar Al-Assad Toppled

EU Commission president speaks with King of Jordan

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen shared on X that she spoke with King of Jordan Abdullah II to discuss “the implications of the collapse of the Assad regime for Syria and the region.”

von der Leyen promised to speak with other leaders between today and the rest of the week.

Syrian PM working towards ‘quick and smooth’ transition of power

Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali emphasized the government’s efforts to ensure a smooth transition of power during the country’s ongoing political changes. Speaking to Sky News Arabia on Monday, Jalali said that most of the cabinet members in Damascus are focused on facilitating a quick and seamless shift of authority.

“We are working so that the transitional period is quick and smooth,” he stressed.

In his remarks, Jalali also expressed his willingness to engage in dialogue with Ahmad al-Sharaa, the leader of the insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. His openness to meeting with the head of the group highlights the government’s intention to explore possible negotiations and address the broader complexities of Syria’s conflict.

Biden shares tweet about Assad’s fall

U.S. President Joe Biden has shared a tweet regarding the fall of Assad.

“It is a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria to build a better future for their country,” he wrote. “It is also a moment of risk and uncertainty.

Search for missing Syrians is still on

The search for missing Syrians intensified Monday after rebel forces freed prisoners from Saydnaya Military Prison, a facility long criticized for its brutal conditions, CNN reported. Often referred to as the “human slaughterhouse” by Amnesty International, Saydnaya is located just outside Damascus and has been the site of widespread human rights abuses.

The White Helmets, or Syrian Civil Defense, announced they had deployed five specialized teams to scour the prison for any hidden or secret detention areas. In a statement, they noted that the teams were specifically looking for concealed cells or basement rooms that may still be holding prisoners.

Online speculation has been rampant, with some believing that thousands of additional detainees could still be trapped in deeper levels of the facility. This theory gained traction after a post on social media by the Damascus Countryside governorate, which urged prison workers to come forward with door codes that could open previously inaccessible parts of the prison.

However, the Association of Detainees & The Missing in Saydnaya Prison (ADMSP) quickly refuted these claims. In a statement Monday, the group insisted that all prisoners had been released by midday Sunday, calling the reports of hidden detainees “inaccurate.”

Russian forces ‘encircled in Syria’ after Assad deposed

Russian military personnel are reportedly trapped in Syria, following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad.

The deposed Syrian president has fled to Russia, where he received asylum from his long-time ally, according to Russian media.

This followed advances across the country by rebels led by Islamist-group Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS), which seized control of the capital, Damascus, in a dramatic and sudden turn in the civil war that started in 2011.

Russia was either unable or unwilling to provide the military support to keep Assad in power in the way it did in 2016, when its intervention in Syria allowed it to protect its significant military assets, such as the naval base in the port city of Tartus.

Read the full story by Brendan Cole on Newsweek.

Israeli forces enter Syria for first time in 50 years

The Israeli Defense Forces have entered Syria for the first time in 50 years, according to the Israeli outlet The Times of Israel.

Following the Syrian rebel groups’ toppling of former leader Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Israeli forces entered the Golan Heights on Sunday, territory in southwestern Syria that it has been eyeing since the 1960s. Rebel groups ended Assad’s rule as president on December 7 after seizing Damascus.

In a statement, the IDF said: “In accordance with the situational assessment following the recent events in Syria, including the entry of armed personnel into the buffer zone, the IDF has deployed forces in the buffer zone and in several other places necessary for its defense, to ensure the safety of the communities of the Golan Heights and the citizens of Israel.

“We emphasize that the IDF is not interfering with the internal events in Syria. The IDF will continue to operate as long as necessary in order to preserve the buffer zone and defend Israel and its civilians.”

Newsweek reached out to the IDF and the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment via email.

Read the full story by Maya Mehrara on Newsweek.

Rebels and Assad PM Meet to Transfer Power, Reports

Al-Jazeera news is reporting via X that a meeting to discuss transfer of power has begun between Tahrir al-Sham leader al-Julani, Syrian Prime Minister al-Jalali, and Syrian Salvation Government head al-Bashir.

Hezbollah Issue Defiant Message

Via a post from his X account, Lebanon Hezbollah MP Fadlallah has suggested that the Iran-backed militant group will continue its efforts to oppose Israel despite the loss of support from the Assad regime “the resistance remains strong, despite the seriousness of the developments in Syria, it has no effect on the strength of the resistance.”

Israel Strikes Suspected Chemical Weapons Sites

Israel’s foreign minister says it has struck suspected chemical weapons sites and long-range rockets in Syria in order to prevent them from falling into the hands of hostile actors.

“The only interest we have is the security of Israel and its citizens,” said Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Saar on Monday.

“That’s why we attacked strategic weapons systems, like, for example, remaining chemical weapons, or long-range missiles and rockets, in order that they will not fall in the hands of extremists.”

Israeli Forces Enter Syria

In an unprecedented move, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have entered Syrian territory for the first time in five decades, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions. This development comes on the heels of Syrian rebel groups toppling the regime of former leader Bashar al-Assad, who was overthrown after Damascus fell to opposition forces on Dec. 7.

Israeli troops advanced into the Golan Heights on Sunday, an area of southwestern Syria that has been a flashpoint of contention since the 1960s. The move underscores Israel’s strategic concerns in the wake of Assad’s collapse, as instability looms over its northern border.

In an official statement, the IDF clarified its position “In accordance with the situational assessment following the recent events in Syria, including the entry of armed personnel into the buffer zone, the IDF has deployed forces in the buffer zone and in several other places necessary for its defense, to ensure the safety of the communities of the Golan Heights and the citizens of Israel.”

Russian Forces ‘Encircled in Syria’

Russian military personnel are reportedly trapped in Syria, following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad.

The deposed Syrian president has fled to Russia, where he received asylum from his long-time ally, according to Russian media.

This followed advances across the country by rebels led by Islamist-group Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS), which seized control of the capital, Damascus, in a dramatic and sudden turn in the civil war that started in 2011.

Russia was either unable or unwilling to provide the military support to keep Assad in power in the way it did in 2016, when its intervention in Syria allowed it to protect its significant military assets, such as the naval base in the port city of Tartus.

Syrian opposition forces have announced on Telegram their forces have moved swiftly to assert control and stabilize the country and provided security assurances to foreign diplomatic missions and Russian military bases still stationed in Syria.

This development comes as Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala weighed in on Russia’s role in the conflict, remarking that its support for Assad “ultimately did not work out.” The Czech government, which has withdrawn its diplomatic staff from the Embassy in Damascus, has closely monitored the unfolding situation. Despite the upheaval, Interior Minister Vít Rakušan assured that the events in Syria pose no direct threat to the Czech Republic.

The Indonesian Foreign Ministry also offered reassurances regarding its citizens in Syria. It confirmed that all 1,162 Indonesians residing in the country remain safe amid reports of sporadic attacks following Assad’s fall.

Meanwhile, the opposition coalition has announced significant progress in securing the capital, Damascus, and re-establishing public order. The group’s leaders declared that their transition plan is nearly complete, with a new government prepared to take office immediately. This rapid response aims to mitigate fears of a potential power vacuum and restore confidence among Syrian citizens and the international community.

‘Human Slaugherhouse’ Prison Liberated

Following the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, thousands of detainees, including women and children, have been liberated from Syria’s notorious prisons. Among the facilities targeted was Saydnaya Prison, infamous for severe human rights abuses and described by Amnesty International as a “human slaughterhouse.”

After insurgents rapidly advanced across Syria in just over a week, bringing an end to the Assad family’s five-decade-long rule, emotional scenes unfolded as families reunited with loved ones who had been imprisoned on political charges.

Rebel forces have freed numerous prisoners from facilities formerly used for execution and torture, leading to widespread jubilation as former detainees reunite with their families, while crews continue to work across the country to ensure those still detained can be located and freed.

Kremlin Confirms Putin Personally Granted Assad Asylum

Russian President Vladimir Putin personally decided to grant political asylum to former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the asylum but declined to disclose Assad’s current location, stating that President Putin has no plans to meet with him at this time. This development follows the recent overthrow of Assad’s government by Syrian rebels, leading to his departure from Syria.