Newshour

The Syrian President, Bashar Al Assad, managed to fly out of Damascus for Russia, before rebels led by the Islamist HTS group entered the capital last night. The rebel leader addressed crowds inside the historic Umayyad Mosque in the capital and told Syrians that they can now breathe freely. We hear from our correspondents in Damascus and Moscow and speak to one of what are likely to millions of Syrians forced to live abroad who now wants to go home. Also on the programme we take a look at a cautious international reaction to the change of leadership, as the United States calls it a moment of risk and uncertainty.(Photo: President Putin & Former President Assad; Credit: Reuters)

Five decades of authoritarian Assad family rule in Syria have ended with the president fleeing the capital before it fell to rebels without resistance. His former international backer, Russia, says he's left the country. In this special edition of Newshour focusing on events in Syria, we ask what's next for a country that's been torn apart by civil war forcing millions of people to flee? Will there be an orderly transition of power to the rebels ? Why did the regime collapse so suddenly ? We'll hear from supporters and critics of the Assad government. And from the Red Cross in a chaotic Damascus - what the future is for the hundreds of thousands tortured and detained under Assad's murderous rule.(Photo: People celebrate after Syrian rebels announced they've ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in Beirut, Lebanon December 8, 2024. Credit: REUTERS/Ahmad Al-Kerdi)

The latest reports from Syria say Islamist rebels are closing in on the centre of the city of Homs - as they continue their advance to Damascus. On this programme we will hear from the Syrian opposition as well as the UN envoy Geir Pederson.Also on the programme: The singer Angelique Kidjo on the re-dedication of the Notre Dame cathedral in Pais.(Picture: A member of the Syrian opposition stands at an entrance to the Hama governorate on the Damascus-Aleppo International Highway, Syria. Credit: MOHAMMED AL RIFAI/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Rebel forces in southern Syria have reportedly captured most of the Deraa region - the birthplace of the 2011 uprising against President Bashar al-Assad.Also on the programme: we hear from South Korea after a tumultuous week in politics there; and the cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris is set to welcome visitors once more. (Image: Rebel fighters pass a tank in Homs countryside, after Syrian rebels pressed their lightning advance in Syria on 7 December 2024. Credit: Reuters/Mahmoud Hasano)