The fall of the Assad regime is a “moment of historic opportunity” for the Syrian people, Biden says

President Biden said on Sunday afternoon news conference that the US will support Syria’s neighboring nations and help bolster stability in the region after dictator Bashar al-Assad fled the country amid an ongoing civil war.

“Finally, the Assad regime has fallen. This regime brutalized and tortured and killed literally hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrians. The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice. It is a moment of historic opportunity for the people long-suffering Syria to build a better future for its proud country, it is also a time of risk and uncertainty,” Biden said during a press conference from the White House on Sunday.

Biden detailed that after the departure of Assad before the rebel forces, the US will support neighboring countries of Syria – such as Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Israel – “if any threat from Syria arises during this transition period”. Biden said that effort will include senior administration officials meeting with world leaders and that the president will also speak directly with leaders of neighboring nations.

“Secondly, we will help stability, we will ensure stability in eastern Syria. Protect any personnel, our personnel, against any threat, and we will remain our mission against ISIS will continue, including the security of detention facilities where ISIS fighters are being held as prisoners.” Biden continued the US plan of action after the collapse of the Assad regime. “…. Third, we will engage with all Syrian groups, including within the United Nations-led process to establish a transition from the Assad regime to an independent, sovereign Syria.

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Bashar al-Assad fled Syria after rebels stormed the capital Damascus on Saturday. Assad, whose government has repeatedly used chemical weapons on its residents, fled with his wife and children.

Biden said the United States had no confirmation of Assad’s whereabouts, noting that “there is word that he is in Moscow.”

Syria has been in the midst of a nearly 14-year civil war as Islamist rebels sought to topple Assad and his family’s dynasty, which had ruled the country for the past 50 years.

“The United States will do everything it can to support (the Syrians), including through humanitarian aid, to help restore Syria after more than a decade of war and generations of brutality by the Assad family ” Biden said.

“And finally, we will remain vigilant. Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that defeated Assad have their own history of terrorism and human rights violations. We have taken note of the statements of the leaders of these rebel groups in recent years . And they’re saying the right things now, but as they take greater responsibility, we’ll evaluate not just their words, but their actions,” he continued Sunday.

The president noted that the US will also continue efforts to secure American journalist Austin Tice, who has been missing in Syria for more than a decade.

“We are aware that there are Americans in Syria, including those who reside there, as well as Austin Tice, who was taken prisoner more than 12 years ago. We remain committed to returning him to his family,” Biden said.

Faced with reports of Assad’s escape, President-elect Trump warned that the US does not get involved in the civil war.

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“Syria is a mess, but it’s not our friend, and THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT,” he wrote.

Trump added on Truth Social on Sunday morning: “Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him anymore. There was no reason to for Russia to do it. First, they lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine, where nearly 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 success in fighting,” his post continued. “Likewise, Zelensky and Ukraine would like to come to an agreement and stop the madness. They have lost a ridiculous 400,000 soldiers, and many more civilians. There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin.” .

Syrian insurgents are reaching the gates of Damascus, threatening the decades-old ASSAD regime

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the fall of the Assad regime on Sunday, saying it was a “direct result” of Israel’s attacks on Iran and Hezbollah, although he noted that the overall situation is “fraught with significant dangers”. Israel is in the midst of a more than year-long war after Hamas launched attacks against the nation on October 7, 2023.

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“This is a historic day for the Middle East. The collapse of the Assad regime, the tyranny in Damascus, offers great opportunity but is also fraught with significant dangers. This collapse is the direct result of our strong action against Hezbollah and Iran, the Assad government. It caused a chain reaction of all those who want to be freed from this tyranny and their oppression,” Netanyahu said on Sunday.

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“We send a hand of peace to all those who are beyond our border in Syria: the Druze, the Kurds, the Christians and the Muslims who want to live in peace with Israel. We will follow the events very carefully. If we can establish relations of neighborliness and peaceful relations with the new forces emerging in Syria, that is our desire, but if we do not, we will do whatever is necessary to defend the State of Israel and the Israeli border,” Netanyahu added.

Fox News Digital’s Michael Lee and Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.