'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
Syria’s armed opposition says its fighters have captured the capital, Damascus, and that President Bashar al-Assad has fled. His whereabouts remain unknown.
The commander of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Abu Mohammed al-Julani, says all state institutions will remain under the supervision of al-Assad’s prime minister until they are handed over officially.
The announcements come hours after the opposition groups seized several cities in a lightning offensive.
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Turkiye and Russia issued a joint statement earlier in the night, describing the crisis as a “dangerous development” and calling for a political solution.
Italian ambassador in Syria unharmed after opposition break-in: FM
Italy’s Antonio Tajani says Syrian fighters have entered the residence of the envoy to Syria, leaving him and his security detail unharmed, according to ANSA and other domestic news agencies.
“This morning an armed group entered the garden of the ambassador’s residence. They took away only three cars and that was it,” Tajani said.
The ambassador and the police officers have been moved to a secure location, the minister added.
ANSA quoted Italian ministry sources as saying rebels were going into embassies and offices of international NGOs in a search for allies of al-Assad.
The Syrian opposition has declared a curfew in the capital from 4pm (13:00 GMT) until 5am (02:00 GMT).
The move comes after its fighters took over the capital in the morning, with President al-Assad reportedly leaving it.
Russia says Syria’s al-Assad has left country, given orders for peaceful power handover
Russia’s Foreign Ministry has issued a statement saying al-Assad has stepped down, left Syria and ordered a peaceful transition of power to take place.
Moscow also said it is in touch with all Syrian opposition factions and is taking steps to ensure all citizens in Syria are safe, with its military bases on high alert.
“We appeal to all parties involved with a strong call to renounce the use of violence and resolve all governance issues through political means,” said Russia’s Foreign Ministry.
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