Editorial 09.12.24
Almost all of Monday’s front pages lead with the ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and what the future now looks like for a liberated Syria. Some of the front pages note Assad has fled to Moscow whilst others question whether worse is to come as the rebels take charge.
Only a handful of tabloids lead on other news including the car crash involving a Premier League player, a story of a young girl who died of cancer and the storm that battered Britain over the weekend.
The back pages are dominated by the weekend’s Premier League action, most notably Chelsea overturning a 2-0 deficit to beat Spurs 3-2.
‘Assad fall’
‘Stunning offensive ends 24-year rule,’ reports the FT.
The Financial Times says the “stunning offensive” by the rebels has ended Assad’s 24-year rule. The paper notes the “euphoria” of Syrians, quoting one young man saying: “Today, I can breathe for the first time.”
‘Israel taken control of buffer zones after Assad soldiers fled,’ says Telegraph.
The Daily Telegraph reports that Israel – which already occupies the Golan Heights (historically part of Syria) – has “seized territory on the border and bombed military targets” in Syria, saying action is needed to stem new threats. The paper says Israel has now taken control of the buffer zone after Assad’s soldiers abandoned their posts.
‘Rebels freed prisoners including women and children,’ says The Times.
The Times shows the toppling of a statue of Assad’s late father. The paper reports that the rebels freed prisoners – many who had been locked up for simply opposing the regime. The paper says women and children were among those released, adding that families across the country are hoping to be united with their relatives who were among the tens of thousands who disappeared during the 13-year civil war.
‘What now?’ asks the Metro.
The Metro asks “What now?” – saying Moscow has said Assad left the talks with “other participants in the conflict”. The paper reports Assad has fled to Russia, a country that has backed the Syrian regime militarily in recent years.
‘People pulled down portraits and statues of Assad and his father,’ says The Guardian.
The Guardian reflects on celebrations sweeping the country. The paper says crowds of people waving flags and pulling down portraits and statues of Assad and his father. The paper says as well as Assad’s family fleeing, the road linking Damascus to Beirut was “lined with discarded army uniforms,” the paper adds.
‘Declared victory for Islamic nation,’ highlights the i.
The i features a full-page picture of a woman waving a Syrian rebel flag with the paper saying the opposition forces declared “victory for Islamic nation.” The paper reports that refugees abroad crowded the country’s borders in the hope they can one day return home.
‘Britain welcomes end to barbaric regime,’ highlights The Independent.
The Independent reports the “dictator and his family” have fled to Moscow as ally Russia has granted them asylum. It reports that Britain has welcomed the end to the “barbaric regime” but reports the future looks uncertain for Syria.
‘Evil Assad flees,’ is The Sun newspaper take.
The Sun says “Evil Assad fled to Vlad” noting Russia has granted asylum to the president and his family.
‘Refugees in Lebanon hail the coup but world is watching nervously,’ says the Express.
The Daily Express says refugees in neighbouring Lebanon hailed the coup and reports thousands of Syrians took to the streets to chant “Assad is gone.” But the paper adds that the world is “watching nervously… as players in the powder-keg Middle East vie for supremacy, amid fears that leaderless Syria may erupt again in full-blown civil war”.
‘Is the worse to come? asks the Mail saying the toppling ushers in a moment of risk and uncertainty.’
But the Daily Mail asks “Is worse to come?”. The paper quotes Joe Biden calling the toppling of the Assad regime “a moment of risk and uncertainty” which the paper says is down to the Syrian rebels’ “grim record of terrorism”.