UK welcomes fall of Assad regime following 'unprecedented' developments in Syria

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) – Britain on Sunday welcomed the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria amid "unprecedented" developments, highlighting the importance of ensuring a political solution.

"The developments in Syria in recent hours and days are unprecedented, and we are speaking to our partners in the region and monitoring the situation closely," Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement.

He noted that the UK welcomed Bashar al-Assad’s departure because the Syrian people had endured "Assad's barbaric regime for too long."

"Our focus is now on ensuring a political solution prevails and peace and stability is restored," added Starmer.

The British premier also called on all sides to protect civilians and minorities and ensure that essential aid reaches the most vulnerable in the coming hours and days.

Over 10 days, opposition forces launched a lightning offensive, capturing key cities and then, on Sunday, the capital Damascus. The rapid advance, supported by defecting military units, led to the collapse of the Assad regime after 13 years of civil war.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Assad decided to step down and leave Syria without saying where he traveled.