On December 8, Reuters quoted its own sources as saying that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had left Damascus for an undisclosed location. Meanwhile, rebels were advancing rapidly into the center of Damascus without encountering any resistance from the Syrian army.
Rebel forces gather in the city of Homs, Syria. (Photo: Reuters)
Israel, UAE react
In another development, Syrian rebels continued their lightning offensives across the country. On December 7, the group claimed control of the Quneitra and Daraa areas near the border with Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) vowed to respond strongly in case the group "turns to our side."
The Israeli military added that it was helping UN forces on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights repel an attack by gunmen near the town of Hader, close to the Israeli border.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened the security cabinet to discuss developments in Syria.
IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi also stressed that "we do not interfere in events in Syria" , but only "work to prevent threats in the region, and prepare for various possibilities".
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar also said his country does not interfere in Syrian developments, but is concerned about violations of the 1974 disengagement agreement between the countries.
Meanwhile, the foreign affairs adviser to the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Mr. Gargash, said he did not know whether Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was in the UAE. Commenting on the situation in Syria, he said that the country "has not yet escaped" the crisis.
Mr Gargash blamed the fall of Mr Assad's regime on political failure. The UAE adviser said the Syrian leader had never used the "lifeline" that many Arab countries had offered him in the past, including the UAE.
Sources told Reuters in early December that the US and UAE had discussed the possibility of lifting sanctions on Mr Assad if he “disengaged” from Iran and cut off arms routes to Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Iranian embassy attacked
The Iranian embassy was attacked by Syrian rebels after they took control of Damascus, according to Iran's English-language Press TV. Meanwhile, the Iraqi embassy was evacuated and its staff was moved to Lebanon. The Russian embassy said its staff were safe. Russia has urged its citizens to leave Syria.
Syrian rebels said they had begun attacking Kurdish-led forces in the northern Syrian town of Manbij.
Source: https://vtcnews.vn/dien-bien-syria-chieu-8-12-israel-uae-len-tieng-dai-su-quan-iran-bi-tan-cong-ar912243.html
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