Syrian rebels capture Damascus, target Iranian embassy
Syrian rebels who have gained control of Damascus launched an assault on the Iranian embassy in the Syrian capital on Sunday, Reuters reported, citing local media. The agency also noted the evacuation of Iraq's embassy in Syria, with the embassy staff relocated to Lebanon.
Syrian rebels captured Damascus and staged a storming of the Iranian embassy. As a result of the attack, the interior of the facility was destroyed, and images of the damaged premises surfaced on social media.
Recordings also show a banner with images of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and the head of Iran's Al-Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, being destroyed by the crowd.
In response to these events, Iraq decided to evacuate its diplomatic staff from Syria.
On Friday, "The New York Times" reported on the planned evacuation of the Iranian embassy in Damascus due to the escalating conflict. However, the Iranian Foreign Ministry denied these reports, stating that the diplomatic mission is functioning normally. Regardless, the situation in Syria remains tense, and the actions of the rebels suggest further escalations of the conflict.
The Bashar al-Assad regime, supported by Moscow and Tehran, was declared toppled by Syrian rebels. Facing the offensive, Iran began evacuating its military personnel from Syria. Meanwhile, the Russian embassy in Syria assures that its staff is safe. The conflict in Syria is attracting international attention, and its development may have far-reaching consequences.
Thousands of people gathered on Sunday at the main square in Damascus, witnesses report. The gathered crowd is chanting "Freedom!" after decades of Assad family rule. The Syrian opposition is supported by Ankara.
