He has long been a supporter of his regime and tonight there is news about an American journalist who was kidnapped in Syria more than a decade ago. Chief global affairs correspondent Martha Raddatz. On standby is their chief international correspondent James Joe, taking us from Beirut. History is unfolding at lightning speed in the Middle East tonight. Syrian dictator Bashar al Assad has been overthrown by rebel fighters. His presidential palace taken over by his people. His immense wealth, which he suffered under decades of dictatorship, has been discovered. Declaring victory from the state TV studio for the rebels, he said the city of Damascus has been liberated, Tyre and Bashar al Assad have been overthrown. Symbols of our family’s rule have been destroyed or torn down throughout the country.
There is joy and relief in the streets, celebrating a moment that few could have foreseen less than two weeks ago. David, this man is saying we’ve been waiting for this day for thirteen years. Today is the day the leader of the main Islamist rebel group Abu Mohammad al
Galante who broke ties with al Qaeda years ago is now projecting a more moderate image giving a victory speech at the historic Oh My Mosque in the capital city Damascus saying the victory of my brother marks a new chapter in the history of the anti-Islamist nation it is a turning point for the region Russia’s foreign ministry has now said that Eset has stepped down as Syria’s president has ordered a peaceful transfer of power Russian state media reports that he and his family are now in Moscow as it was in power.
Galante oversaw the brutal crushing of the revolution against his rule for more than twenty four years through more than thirteen years of civil war the United Nations says more than seven million Syrians have been displaced within the country. More than six million are seeking refuge abroad Russia Iran and Hezbollah had helped him cling to power but allies with those were estranged. Were in Ukraine Elsa go to Lebanon rebels took advantage of the opportunity President Biden speaking this afternoon and long ago saw the regime fall. This regime has brutalized and tortured and killed literally hundreds of thousands of people diseases series Nine hundred US troops are currently in the country as part of the fight. Biden indicated against ISIS that recruitment will continue I’m going to see ISIS try to take advantage of the vacuum.
Establishes the ability to create three safe havens. We will not let that happen, saying the US had carried out airstrikes against ISIS just today in a truthful social post Saturday I was removed from the presidency. Trump writing this is not our fight let it play out don’t get involved in this tonight, don’t I have real joy for millions of Syrians, it’s also a time of remembering. It’s also a time of real danger for the many loved ones killed by the Assad regime and their allies, hopefully violence can be contained with James Long and Forrest. For more on these fast-moving developments, join our chief global affairs correspondent Martha Raddatz to learn more about this rebel move to seize power and what it could mean.