Trump's appeal to Putin

Assad regime fallen: This is how the world reacts

The reign of Syria's dictator Bashar al-Assad has come to an end.

(Bild: AFP )

The 24-year rule of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad came to an end on December 8. On Sunday, the Syrian rebels declared on television that they had toppled the Assad regime. You can read the initial reactions from political leaders around the world here.

The - still - acting US President Joe Biden said in a short statement: "President Biden and his team are closely monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria and remain in constant contact with regional partners."

His successor Donald Trump linked his message to the Syrian people with an appeal to Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine (see post below). 

"Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was no longer interested in protecting him," Trump posted on his TruthSocial platform.

"Russia and Iran are currently in a weakened state, one because of Ukraine and a bad economy, the other because of Israel and its battlefield success." Trump also called on Russian President Putin to end the war in Ukraine. "I know Vladimir well. Now is his time to act. China can help. The world is waiting!"

Baerbock: "Hold Assad to account"
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock: "It is impossible to say exactly what is happening in Syria now. But one thing is clear: for millions of people in Syria, the end of Assad means the first big sigh of relief after an eternity of atrocities committed by the Assad regime. Several hundred thousand Syrians have been killed in the civil war, millions have fled. Assad has murdered, tortured and used poison gas against his own people. He should finally be held accountable for this."

The people in Syria deserve "a better future". "They have been through terrible things. An entire generation has grown up in war, hardship and humanitarian shortages, threatened by constant displacement."

Scholz: Assad's fall is "good news"
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the fall of Assad as "good news". Assad had "brutally oppressed his own people, had countless lives on his conscience and had driven numerous people to flee Syria, many of whom also came to Germany", Scholz said.

Now it is important that law and order are quickly restored in Syria. All religious communities and minorities must enjoy protection, the SPD politician added. The future rulers will be judged by this. The "malicious interference by third parties" must also end, he explained, alluding to the role of Iran, for example.

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani wrote on X: "I am following the development of the situation in Syria with concern. I am in constant contact with our embassy in Damascus and with the Prime Minister's office. I have called an emergency meeting at the Foreign Ministry at 10:30 am." Italy currently holds the G7 presidency.

"Turning point in history"
 December 8 "is a turning point in the history of Syria - a nation that has endured almost 14 years of unrelenting suffering and indescribable losses".

"Prioritize dialogue"
 The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, calls on all Syrians to prioritize dialogue and unity and to respect international law and human rights in building their new social order. He stands ready to support the Syrian people in their journey towards a stable and inclusive future.

"Are more people in danger?"
 UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher announced: "Events in Syria are unfolding with remarkable speed. More than a decade of conflict has displaced millions of people. Now many more are at risk. We will respond anywhere, anytime, in any way we can to support people in need, including reception centers - food, water, fuel, tents, blankets."

Foreign Ministry also suddenly sees "new chapter"
Meanwhile, Syria's Foreign Ministry also commented on the developments in the country without saying a word about Assad, who has fled the country. "Today a new chapter is being written in the history of Syria," the ministry announced on social media. The message spoke of a "national oath" and a "pact that unites all Syrians". Syrian embassies abroad would continue to look after compatriots.

The ministry's statement did not provide any information on the whereabouts of President Assad, who has left Syria according to information from Russia. The Foreign Ministry in Moscow also did not provide any information on Assad's whereabouts.

Russia did not take part in the talks surrounding Assad's departure, it added. The government in Moscow is extremely concerned about the events in Syria and calls on all sides to refrain from violence and to resolve all government issues by political means, it said. Russia is in contact with all groups of the Syrian opposition. It also said that Russia's military bases in Syria had been put on alert, but that there was currently no serious threat to them.

Macron: "Pay my respect to the Syrian people"
French President Emmanuel Macron said on the end of the Assad regime that the barbaric state had finally fallen. France would continue to work for the security of everyone in the Middle East.

"I pay tribute to the Syrian people for their courage and patience. In this moment of uncertainty, I wish them peace, freedom and unity," Macron wrote in a post on the online platform X.

"Interests of the Syrian people" must be safeguarded
"Dictatorship and terrorism create problems for the people of Syria, who have already been through so much, and also destabilize the region. That is why we need a political solution in which the government acts in the interests of the Syrian people. That is what we want to see. That's the kind of democracy that we think is right for the world, and hopefully that's what the Syrian people will get," British Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said in a statement.

She added: "If Assad is gone, that's a welcome change, but what comes next has to be a political solution and they have to work in the interests of the Syrian people."

Iran warns against foreign interference
The Iranian Foreign Ministry warned against foreign interference in Syria. The fate of Syria is the sole responsibility of the Syrian people, the ministry announced in Tehran. In recent years, Iran had also supported the now toppled Assad regime in Syria militarily with soldiers and weapons.

Netanyahu speaks of "historic day"
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke of a "historic day in the history of the Middle East". During a visit to the occupied Golan Heights, Netanyahu said: "The Assad regime is a central part of the Iranian axis of evil - this regime has fallen." Assad's fall was a "direct result of the blows we dealt to Iran and Hezbollah". This had triggered a "chain reaction" in the Middle East. There were now "important opportunities" for Israel, but there were also dangers.

"We will not allow any hostile force to position itself on our border," said Netanyahu. At the same time, he emphasized that Israel was interested in a "good neighbourhood" with Syria. He recalled the treatment of numerous Syrian war wounded in Israeli hospitals. He said that Israel was offering its hand to all those who were interested in peace with Israel.