Iran did not support former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad because it was afraid of Israeli strikes on a plane carrying military aid.
Syrian officials said Tehran had ordered its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other associated factions not to participate in the fighting and had struck an agreement to peacefully hand over territory to the rebels.
Meanwhile, Israel has promised to intensify airstrikes against Syrian stockpiles of modern weapons. Israeli officials announced this on December 9. In addition, Israel will maintain a “limited” troop presence on the ground, hoping to prevent any threat that may arise from the overthrow of the Bashar al-Assad regime, writes Reuters.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the military “will destroy heavy strategic weapons throughout Syria, including surface-to-air missiles, air defense systems, surface-to-surface missiles, cruise missiles, long-range missiles and coastal missiles.”
At the same time, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar stressed that Israel is not interested in interfering in the internal affairs of Syria and is only concerned about the protection of its citizens.
That’s why we attack strategic weapons systems, such as remaining chemical weapons, or long-range missiles, to prevent them from falling into the hands of extremists,” Saar told reporters in Jerusalem.
Russia turned to Turkey with a request to help with the withdrawal of its troops from Syria after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime.
At the same time, Moscow wants to maintain its military bases in Tartus and Khmeimim.
The Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria collapsed on December 8th. It lasted 24 years. Iranian officials blamed Assad for not preparing for the rebel attack. Assad and his wife fled to Russia.
What’s happening in Syria after Assad’s escape
In Syria, rebels are trying to free thousands of prisoners from a secret part of the Seydna prison, located several floors below the main building.
This was reported by the BBC and Daily Mail with reference to the authorities of the Damascus municipality.
Seydna prison is located 30 km north of Damascus. It was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defense and was guided by the military police. Thousands of people were tortured, and about 13 thousand were allegedly executed.
The rebels freed the prisoners found mostly in the buildings, but discovered locked secret cells on the lower floors of the prison. According to various sources, these are three or four floors underground. All lower levels are opened using an electronic mechanism that the rebels do not have access to.
Syria’s White Helmets civil defense group said it had sent “specialized emergency teams” assisted by someone familiar with the prison. The new authorities of the Damascus municipality claim that there may be 100 thousand people there, but this data is unconfirmed information. They fear that prisoners could suffocate if the cells are not ventilated.
Over the past 10 days, rebels have released prisoners in Aleppo, Homs, Hama and Damascus. In footage published by the media, women and children can be seen, some of whom were born in Seydna prison. Some prisoners, the Daily Mail writes, seemed reluctant to leave prison for fear of reprisals, and one of those released could not speak when asked who he was. The 961 publication claims that Lebanese Claude Leshaa al-Khoury, who disappeared 40 years ago and was in Seydna prison, was found in a Syrian hospital.
According to human rights activists and former prisoners, torture was systematic. Rebels who entered the Seydna prison showed an iron press, which they claim was used to compress the prisoner’s body and break his spine.
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.