World leaders ‘monitoring’ situation in Syria after fall of Bashar al-Assad

Several top world leaders, including US President-elect Donald Trump, reacted on social media platforms after the toppling of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime following the entry of rebel forces in Damascus city.

Giving an update on Joe Biden’s reaction to the developing scenario in the country, White House National Security Council Spokesperson Sean Savett wrote on X: “President Biden and his team are closely monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria and staying in constant touch with regional partners.”

Calling Russia the protector of Assad and his regime, Trump said Moscow lost interest in protecting him which led to his downfall.

Writing on Truth Social, Trump said: “Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer.”

“There was no reason for Russia to be there in the first place. They lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine, where close to 600,000 Russian soldiers lay wounded or dead, in a war that should never have started, and could go on forever. Russia and Iran are in a weakened state right now, one because of Ukraine and a bad economy, the other because of Israel and its fighting success,” Trump said.

Speaking on the current situation in Ukraine, he said: “Likewise, Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness. They have ridiculously lost 400,000 soldiers, and many more civilians.”

“There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin. Too many lives are being so needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed, and if it keeps going, it can turn into something much bigger, and far worse. I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting!” he said.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he is following the situation in Syria and even called for an emergency meeting on Sunday.

“I am following with concerned attention the evolution of the situation in Syria. In constant contact with our embassy in Damascus and with Palazzo Chigi. At 10:30 I have called an emergency meeting at the Farnesina,” Tajani told X.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has fled Damascus and left for an unknown destination as rebels announced to storm the capital, media reports said.

Quoting two senior army officers, news agency Reuters reported that President al-Assad boarded a plane and left for an unknown destination.

Citing a war monitor, AFP reported that the Army and security forces had abandoned Damascus International Airport.