Syrian opposition to investigate Austin Tice's disappearance
The Syrian opposition will establish a commission to find Austin Tice, an American journalist who went missing in Syria in 2012, as well as others who have disappeared under the Assad regime, the coalition leader told NBC News.
"We need to investigate whether he was transferred to Iran or still in Syria, because we heard some stories that at some period of time they didn’t feel secure, so they may have transferred him to Iran," said Hadi al-Bahra, president of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces.
Tice's whereabouts remain unknown, but his family said last week that they had heard from a "significant source" that he was still alive, according to The Washington Post.
Photos: Syrians pose for photos, carry off chairs, in Assad palace
Two men pose for a selfie while walking through the halls of Syrian President Bashar Assad’s presidential palace today in Damascus.
People carry chairs as they leave Al-Rawda Presidential Palace today in Damascus in a still from a video.
The Syrian presidential palace today in Damascus.
A group poses for a photo on a couch in Assad’s presidential palace in Damascus.
Syrian opposition reportedly takes control of city near Russian air base
Russian state media reported today that Syrian rebel forces have overtaken Jableh, a Syrian city that sits near the Russia-operated Khmeimim air base.
TASS, a Russian state media outlet, said it was told over the phone that opposition forces were in the downtown area during the day and shooting was heard. The unnamed eyewitness told TASS that everything was "calm" at the moment.
GOP Rep. Mike Turner: Trump will look for a 'diplomatic solution' for U.S. troops in Syria
Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, the chair of the House Intelligence Committee, said today that he expects President-elect Donald Trump to "look for a diplomatic solution" when asked whether Trump would pull the remaining U.S. troops out of Syria.
“Well, I think, you know, one of the things that Donald Trump will make clear is, is that any, any threat to U.S. troops will be unbelievably responded to. So everyone should understand absolutely the United States troops are to be secure,” Turner said during an interview on CBS' "Face the Nation."
Turner said that Trump "absolutely supports the Kurds" and that the president-elect would "look for a diplomatic solution."
"I think there’ll be an assessment as to whether or not those troops should remain," he added. There are currently about 900 U.S. troops in northern Syria.
Turner was also asked whether he had an idea of Assad's location, to which he responded, “Not at this time.”
Rebels open prison gates after seizing Damascus
Rebel group HTS has freed prisoners from the nation's infamously brutal detention system today after seizing the capital Damascus and overthrowing the government.
"We announce to the Syrian people the news of the liberation of our captives and the breaking of their chains, proclaiming the end of the era of oppression in Sednaya Prison," it said in a WhatsApp group, referring to the nation's most notorious prison, where thousands of people were executed during the war.
Syrian rebels later announced on television the release of “all unjustly detained prisoners” from the regime’s prisons.
Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a U.K.-based monitoring group, said in a Facebook post earlier that "those who are released must be considered as prisoners of conscience and not criminals."
IDF warns Syrians to stay inside as troops push into buffer zone
IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee has urged the residents of five villages in southern Syria to stay at home as troops push into the buffer zone between Israeli-occupied territory and Syria.
"The fighting inside your area is forcing the IDF to move and we do not intend to harm you," he posted on X. "For your safety, you must stay in your homes and not go out until further notice."
Earlier today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered Israeli forces to seize the buffer zone on the Syrian border.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a U.K.-based monitoring group, said Israeli warplanes had targeted warehouses near Damascus, as well as other military sites in the countryside.
Biden to meet with national security team on Syria
President Joe Biden will meet with his national security team this morning to receive an update on the situation in Syria, the White House said today.
The National Security Council previously said that Biden would remain in close contact with regional partners as the U.S. monitored the "extraordinary events" there.
Photos: Government soldiers detained in Homs
Detained members of the Syrian government security forces are gathered outdoors at a makeshift detention facility in Homs today after rebel forces entered Syria’s third city last night.
Egypt affirms support for Syrian sovereignty
Egypt's foreign ministry has released a statement affirming the nation's support "for the Syrian state and people" following the collapse of its government.
"Egypt is following with great interest the changes witnessed by the sisterly Syrian Arab Republic," it said on WhatsApp, pledging to support Syria's sovereignty and the unity of its territories.
The statement also called on "all Syrian parties, with all their orientations, to preserve the capabilities of the state and its national institutions, and to give priority to the supreme interest of the country."
Syrian state institutions will be supervised by former Prime Minister Mohammed Jalali until they are handed over, rebel leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani said on Sunday, signaling efforts to secure an orderly transition after rebels declared an end to Bashar al-Assad’s rule.
Iraq urges respect for 'free will of all Syrians'
Iraq has reaffirmed its support for the "security, territorial integrity, and independence of Syria" following the collapse of its government, spokesperson Bassem Al-Awadi said today.
"Iraq reaffirms the necessity of respecting the free will of all Syrians," he said, emphasizing the importance of not interfering with its internal affairs.
"Such interference will only deepen conflict and division, with the Syrian people, who have already paid a heavy price, being the primary victims," he added.