Espreso. Global

U.S. State Department holds Russia responsible for crimes against civilians in Syria

10 December, 2024 Tuesday
13:28

The U.S. State Department accused Russia of backing the brutal regime of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad, stating it has much to answer for before the Syrian people

client/title.list_title

This statement was made by U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.

"You have seen Russia prop up a brutal regime that has murdered hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrian civilians, that has gassed its own people," he said.

He highlighted how Russia targeted civilians in Syria and now shelters the dictator responsible for those crimes.

"What I would say is that certainly Russia has a lot to answer for when it comes to the Syrian people," Miller added.

Miller also noted that decisions regarding Russian military bases in Syria should be made by the Syrian people. He emphasized that over the past decade, those bases have only brought catastrophic consequences for Syria.

What is happening in Syria

A large-scale offensive by opposition forces against government troops is currently underway in Syria. On the morning of November 27, opposition forces launched an attack, capturing 56 settlements in Aleppo and Idlib provinces and advancing to the outskirts of Aleppo after two days of fighting.

On November 30, Russian warplanes bombed Aleppo for the first time since 2016, as Syrian rebels reached the city center. At the same time, Russia pledged additional military aid to the Assad regime.

The same day, Reuters reported that Syrian rebels had seized the city of Maraat al-Numan in Idlib province, gaining control of the entire region.

Facing heavy losses and rising panic within its ranks, Russia dismissed Sergei Kisel, the commander of its forces in Syria. The situation for Russian troops in the country continues to worsen, with rebel advances in the south and urban battles taking place in Hama, Homs, and Suwayda.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry blamed Russia and Iran for the worsening security situation in Syria.

On December 4, US forces launched a self-defense strike against weapons systems in eastern Syria. By December 5, Syrian rebels had entered Hama, forcing regime forces to retreat. The next day, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry warned citizens against traveling to Syria.

As of December 6, rebels led by the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) were nearing Homs, Syria’s third-largest city. Meanwhile, a US-backed alliance led by Syrian Kurds had captured Deir ez-Zor, a key city on the Iraqi border.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered to help Bashar al-Assad shape Syria’s future, but Assad rejected the offer.

On December 7, opposition forces announced the capture of Daraa in southwestern Syria. Later that day, they entered Damascus, declaring the fall of Assad’s regime. Reports claim Assad fled the country.

There is a high probability that Bashar al-Assad died in a December 8 plane crash while fleeing rebels closing in on Damascus. Russia claims he left the country voluntarily.

On December 8, Russia began withdrawing warships from its base in Tartus after Damascus fell to the rebels.

Syrian Prime Minister Muhammad al-Jalali later called for free elections, saying the people must decide the country’s leadership.

German outlet Bild reported that Assad had planned to hand over power to pro-Turkish forces and flee to Russia, with negotiations allegedly taking place in Doha.

Russian media reported that Assad and his family had arrived in Moscow, where they were granted asylum.

Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate claimed Russia staged disinformation about Assad’s plane crash to cover its operation to extract him.

Israeli ground forces crossed the demilitarized zone into Syria for the first time since 1973’s October War.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called the fall of Assad’s regime a "historic moment" for Syria.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned that the Islamic State may exploit the collapse of Assad’s regime to regain strength.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Wednesday
5 February
10:31
Exclusive
Russia likely increases Shahed drone warhead to 90kg — Kharkiv official
10:13
Over 45,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed in war with Russia — Zelenskyy
09:55
Russia loses 1,140 soldiers, 52 artillery systems, 9 tanks in one day of war in Ukraine
09:36
Updated
Russian ballistic missile strike on Ukraine’s Izyum kills 5, injures 55
2025, Tuesday
4 February
21:45
Gimli robotic complex joins Ukraine's army, aiding in evacuation and resupply
21:30
Exclusive
When could Ukraine hold elections after the war? Lawyer explains
21:12
Ryanair plans to resume flights to Lviv, Kyiv 4-6 weeks after war ends
20:57
Black Sea tankers wreck: IMO holds Russia responsible
20:40
"Don't let them drain resources": military commander reacts to Trump
20:23
Polish Military Institute of Armament Technology, Ukrainian NAUDI agree to cooperate
20:07
Exclusive
USAID funding freeze: Expert Riabtsev on potential risks for Ukraine’s energy sector
19:51
Exclusive
Trump's proposal to get rare metals from Ukraine is political move – analyst
19:35
"We are open to U.S. investments": Zelenskyy responds to Trump's statement on rare earth elements
19:08
Ukraine to introduce mandatory psychological aid training for doctors – First Lady
18:50
Exclusive
Ukrainian forces may have to withdraw from Chasiv Yar – military analyst
18:33
Von der Leyen urges EU to find "most creative way" to use Russian assets for Ukraine
18:15
Exclusive
Western weapons can now strike deep into Russia, but new problem emerges
17:54
U.S., Ukraine did not discuss elections before 2025 — Ambassador Markarova
17:34
Updated
"The situation is critical": IAEA chief visits key substations vital for Ukraine's nuclear power plants
17:14
Russian national hockey team banned from 2026 World Championship
16:55
Ukraine’s HIV response at risk amid U.S. aid freeze
16:33
Support for military aid to Ukraine declines in Poland
16:15
Russia equips Gerbera foam drones with warheads
15:56
Ukraine’s parliament approves defense loan agreement with UK
15:32
Ukrainian troops release GoPro footage of repelling Russian assault, eliminating two squads
15:14
OPINION
Ukraine’s power sector withstands winter challenges, but risks remain
14:55
Ukraine’s embassy facilitates meetings between Zelenskyy, Trump teams — Ambassador
14:33
Hopes for Russian democracy met harsh reality – Ex-MP Kendzior on Ukrainian diaspora in 1990s
13:57
Review
Russian advance slows down, how Ukrainian Armed Forces approaches change. Serhiy Zgurets' column
13:35
U.S. firefighters document impact of Russian strikes in Ukraine, set to release second film
13:16
Exclusive
Ukraine takes key step in reforming Armed Forces management system – military expert
12:55
Norway provides significant aid to Ukraine but profits from war-driven revenues
12:34
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, January 15-22
Russian forces scale back assaults in Pokrovsk sector: Ukrainian officer explains why
12:14
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, January 22-29
Russian forces pushing to launch battle for Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region
11:51
Ukraine retakes positions in Kupyansk, Russian command threatens troops with execution for retreating
11:32
OPINION
Where will Putin and Trump meet?
11:15
North Korean troops no longer fighting in Russia’s Kursk region — South Korean intel
10:53
110 clashes reported at front as Russian forces launch over 6,000 attacks on Ukraine
10:34
Russian army continues to suffer heavy losses despite slowing offensive – ISW
10:13
Scholz calls Trump’s proposal to trade Ukrainian rare earths for U.S. aid "very selfish"
More news