keeping an eye on the progress of the rebels from various factions as they head towards the capital of syriaels also reported to have been very much taking control of the third city of base map. there are reports that the army that are loyal to resident assad had been falling away. we should treat those reports caution. the syrian presidency has denied any of the reports that came out earlier but bashar al—assad has left damascus, they say he is still inside the capital working. but we know that the goal of these rebels, it has long been to overthrow the assad regime and the leader of the group hts, an islamist militant group, has reiterated that as their aim. we also know that as their aim. we also know that protesters have taken down the statue of the president's father in a suburb around ten for limiters from damascus, that has come to us via the reuters news agency, who were talking to a witness to that. we have some pictures of that as well, we have a live page as you would expect up and running on bbc news website, which is looking at every twist and turn of the story. you will see tha

there are a lot of question marks. >> these are the latest pictures we are receiving from the capital of syriamascus. as you can see, lots and lots, hundreds of people there on the streets celebrating, it certainly looks like celebrations following the news and reports that president assad has left the capital to an unknown destination, that coming in by the reuters news agency, saying that the president has now left and people there are celebrating as the rebels appear to move in. in the last few moments we have had word from the white house, who have put out a statement saying that president biden and his team are closely monitoring the extraordinary events in syria and staying in constant touch with the regional partners. that statement from the white house, no doubt closely monitoring the situation there as we are here at sky news. to stay with us for our continuing coverage of the situation in syria. >> welcome back. you are watching sky news. there are reports that syria's president, bashar al assad, has left the country's capital as syrian rebel forces say they have captured damascus. n

he's live for us in damascus and russell, extraordinary things that we're seeing that in the capital of syria. the 1st friday, pres, since the full of assad, of the indeed now the pre or is over. and we have seen hundreds and hundreds of 1000 people just now leaving the area of us still are some people here trying to, to enjoy it more. this is quite new day for them to have been mean for the perhaps almost more than half a century. i never gene that has lost its 4454 years has test for them. and now, serious here have been gathering for the 1st by the year of the 4 of the redeem, to both, to, to, to celebrate and also to view night as well. because we have seen that many people up to use. and here's seeing each other for the 1st time city is coming from different parts of the city as being you can see that there are people that are still celebrating over here, still chanting and missing. people coming from other people. and just remember in 2016 the eastern part of other problems. half of this it has been leveled on people coming from homes, which was under the siege of the city of the g for

rebels closing in on the capital of syria and the putin backed government that he has put so much behind that has alarm bells going off in moscow tonight and tonight we're on the ground exclusively in syria this is not a drill. >> subway dropped the price on all their subs. 20% off any sub, any size. >> subway did what? >> any sub yep. >> for a limited time, you get 20% off when you order in the app. hurry and get this deal before it's gone. >> klein inspector has five doctor lawyers. >> the most of any law firm in america. >> and maybe that's why the new york times calls klein inspector a powerhouse. law firm. so if wrongful conduct caused a catastrophic injury or death, call klein and spector with dexcom g7 managing your diabetes just got easier. >> so what's your glucose number right now good thing you don't need a finger stick. how's all that food affect your glucose? oh, the answer is on your phone. what if you're hitting low at night? wow. it can alert you and you can even track your goals, manage your diabetes with confidence. with dexcom g7, the most accurate cgm. learn more at d

capital of damascus. and cnn tonight on the ground in syria with a major exclusive. let's go out front and good evening. >> i'm erin burnett. >> out front on this friday, the breaking news, the backpack. so here's where we are with this. sources are telling cnn that police believe they found the backpack belonging to the assassin who killed the ceo of unitedhealthcare brian thompson. abc news obtained a picture of the backpack. i'm going to just show it to you here. >> again, this is abc had gotten this picture of it. >> we are told that that backpack was found in central park in new york city. now, you know that for days now, authorities have been scouring that park. they've been looking for the backpack and it appears that they may now have it. that's crucial. of course, but what they do not have is the ceo, assassin and top new york police department officials tell cnn exclusively right now that they have reason to believe that the suspect left on a bus on wednesday hours after the killing we also have reason to believe that the person in question has left new yor

well, i don't know if this is what the opposition forces currently in the capital of syria. we're aiming for. we'll have to wait and see, but in any case, this does not improve the situation in the middle east. while the mainstream advantage just ended his to day work for a peer in beijing, china. and you just wrapped up a press conference that went over the takeaways also from that to day visit. and specifically from his meeting with the chairman of the chinese communist party seizing, paying one of the questions i was able to ask him was about syria. that topic was discussed with during his discussion with the chinese chairman of the communist party. and he said, indeed it was, the syrian situation was discussed. he said that, uh, you know, russia gave a lot of support to the assad government and that was the right thing to do. it really contributed to a lot of good things that happened in syria during the time of the struggle with terrorism. but of course, the collapse of the government and the side leading, leading to russia was something that was out of the control of r

there are celebrations and the streets of the capital and across syria. assad has reportedly fund damascus and is now in an unknown location. long time ally, russia said assault had resigned after giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power. in a statement, the russian for ministry did not say where a son was now and said the kremlin wasn't involved in talks around his departure. we can now take a look at how events on folded over the last several hours on saturday night regional leaders and special law sides ally, russia held an emergency meeting about area in doha. but it appears the country site was already sealed. want to get an idea of brothers. we are living the final moments of liberating homes by god's will. this is a historic moment that we distinguish between right and wrong law. shortly up to the rebel alliance released the statement. rebels declared the central city of homes fully liberated to the joy of pressure by law sides opponents . the damascus was next, and the rebel alliance faced hardly any resistance, a band and syrian army checkpoints, foreboding the big ann

people celebrating in the syrian city of homs after rebels claimed to have taken that country's third largest city. >> now, rebels appear to have entered syria's capital of damascus. that's according to a resident there, sources telling cnn. the country's military defense forces have fallen. joining me now, cnn political national security analyst and national security correspondent for the new york times, david sanger and cnn military analyst, retired colonel cedric leighton. good to have both of you here. as we follow this breaking news. david, i just want to get your first take on what we're watching, which is that we're hearing from a resident there in damascus that rebels have entered that city pretty remarkable. >> we don't know at this point. it's pretty much anecdotal evidence, but certainly all the momentum has been on the side of the rebels. and point that we were making before the break and that you heard from hagar chemali and others, is these rebels are no freedom fighters. they are a designated terrorist group. the u.s. has designated and where al qaeda um affiliates in fact, they were considered to be the al qaeda group in syria. they've

i saw the color face across syria and iraq of the capturing log swathes of territory rock and i became that de facto capital in syria and their reign loss of the until 2019 were russia. then began direct ministry intervention and support of bush aside. russian. it strikes elton, the tide in favor of government forces. the us been got involved launching missile strikes against government targets in response to a chemical weapons attack in hom, shay cooling? well, the conflict as long as you become a frozen one over the past 4 years until on groups launched an operation last week from in the spring and james dorsey's, emily specialist. i'm an a junk senior fellow at the estimated direct not in school of international studies at non young technological university. joseph live from single to have you with us as always, and i'll just say or less so opposition fighters. we've seen them celebrating in the capital, damascus and report suggesting that the president bush outside himself fled the situation, though still very fluid. so unclear. whatever the case though, this offensive has been extremely rapid, was it h

less than a week after opposition forces swept to the capital of pulling that rapid offensive his home to south. ready of celebrations across syria. it's the 1st friday after the al single bush on an upset, and hundreds of thousands of people are marking the victory. no, no, jo job, you know, in the capital, the head of the new administration says syria will be rebuilt. he's called on members of the public to unite. no, but the sharpest will be and i mean, i congratulate the syrian people on the victory of the blissful revolution and call on them to take to the streets to express the joy over this cheaper than the syrians travelled from all across the country to join the prayers at the historic m o we most in the heart of damascus among them, the new prime minister, some of them, but she is. he's been tasked with warming a new government victory. integration of the land. isn't just about free to change, raising flags. it's the both of a nation, the restriction with dignity in making history. similar scenes of triumphs and prayers were seen in the southern cities of that house and sway down in the northern city of a level and look

to see that how on cut out on one hand, the support into a position i've been say towards the capital of syria. both on the other hand, expressing concerns of the concerns that the curtis voice is backed by the united states are increasing the control, particularly the eastern part of the country. or a school started our reporting from the turkey syria border. thank you very much for that, saying that let's go back to you. i think you heard that we were starting to talk about the regional players here. renewal mentioned the word stakeholder has the law as another stakeholder. they have in the past supported a side, militarily. they have sent men, they have sent weapons, is, has blocked a day in a position. are they able and or willing to support a side warehouse for law has been severely weakened in recent weeks. it's last hundreds, if not the 2000 fighters and its confrontation with as well. yesterday we've heard has fullest secretary general name as some say that has the lot will stand by the side of syria and do whatever it can. but there is a reality how much can, has followed to, even if

iran had established a regional empire with state capital of lebanon, syria to some degree, iraq to some that all has collapsed beginning with the israeli counteroffensive in gaza and then into lebanon, and now what we have, in syria. this is the most dramatic development in the middle east since probably the middle east since probably the yom kippur war in 1973. james jeffrey, thank you. let's speak to nicholas heras — he's senior director for strategy and programs at the new lines institute. picking up what i was discussing with james jeffrey, for the balance of power in the region, we heard from iraq yesterday, saying that countries outside the region should stay out of this, it needs to be sorted out internally. but obviously so many countries in the west and elsewhere looking on with huge interest at what is evolving in syria. interest at what is evolving in s ria. , ., ., syria. yes indeed. the regional d namics syria. yes indeed. the regional dynamics are — syria. yes indeed. the regional dynamics are extremely - dynamics are extremely important and the fact of the matter is, many

bashar al-assad reportedly receiving asylum in russia after rebel -- is la mist rebels took the capital of syriaturday. the u.s. striking isis camps and operatives across syria to prevent the terrorist organization from taking advantage of the fall of assad's regime. president-elect trump wrote this is not the united states' fight and we should have nothing to do with i he said the fall of assad's regime should lead to an immediate cease fire between russia and ukraine, saying russia is in a weakened state because of a bad economy, iran also in a weakened state because of the success israel has had. joining me now is missouri congressman mark alford. congressman, good to see you. thank you so much for being here. >> good to see you. maria: give us your take on what took place in syria over the weekend with rebels coming into damascus and taking down the palace and sending assad fleeing to russia, no less. >> well, maria, thanks for having us. look, i think this is further example of other weakness for russia, they're so occupied with the illegal, illicit war against ukraine that needs to be sett

so the toyota caliphate across syria and iraq off the capturing large swathes of territory. rocca became that de facto capital in syria, and the rain lasted until 2019 for russia. then began direct ministry intervention in support of by shaw, unless the russian strikes help turn the tide in favor of government forces. the us then go to involve launching this all strikes against government targets in response to a chemical weapons attack in hon. shake, who in the conflict as long as you become a frozen one over the past 4 years until groups launched in operation last week from it live that's bringing steven zooms. he's a professor of politics at university of san francisco and founding chair of the university's middle eastern study to joins us live from san francisco. seem good to have you with us. so we seem to have domestic pictures of position fighters in the capital, damascus. some reports now you've been suggesting that aside himself, has fled the situation. astute, obviously not clear, but whatever the case, i mean, this revel offensive has been extremely quick, extremely rapid. i'm focus to why it's hap

the intelligence agencies that, that's all these years has been, was about joining us from the capital of syria, damascus has them. thanks so much for breaking that all down for us. the new syrian administration is collecting weapons from different groups as part of a deal to unite all factions under the ministry of defense. but the agreement does not include the us back and curtis lead syrian democratic forces, which control large areas of eastern syria, encore, a designates, the kurdish lead, s d f, as a terrorist, organization, lebanon who sent back more than 70 officers of serious former regime to the new authorities in damascus, the officials had fled there after the fall of the shuttle said earlier this month . meanwhile, the new administration is stepping up its operations across the nation, especially in the north western regions of the talk you and talk to us. both areas are strong, hold of a sense of minority allied sex and if faced unrest during the past weeks, the interior ministry blames the violence on what it says are remnants of the former regime, solemn inch of a. it is at the

we begin in syria where the regime of president bashar al assad has collapsed after a lightning revel offensive the began less than 2 weeks ago. the capital of damascus has been seized by a coalition of opposition groups led by the islamists higher, tough fear. alshaun, also known as h t. s. there are celebrations in the streets of the capital and across syria. assad has reportedly fled, damascus, and is now in an unknown location. long time ally, russia says assault as resigned and had given instructions for a peaceful transfer of power. the russian foreign ministry said it didn't off know his whereabouts. we can now take a look at how events unfolded over the last few hours on saturday night regional leaders and special last us ally, russia held an emergency meeting about syria. and uh huh. but it appears the country site was already sealed up. why didn't get on my dear brothers, we are living the final moments of liberating homes, but god's will. this is a historic moment that would distinguish between right and wrong. a law. shortly after the rebel alliance released the statement. 7 rebels declared the central city of homes fully libe

there are celebrations in the streets of the capital and across syria. facade has reportedly fled, damascus, and is now in an unknown location. long time alley, running through ally rather russia set aside, had resigned after giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power. in a statement to the russian foreign ministry did not say where a side was now and said that the kremlin was not involved in the talks around his departure. let's take a look now and hell. events have been folded over the last few hours on saturday night regional leaders and special law sides ally, russia, held an emergency meeting about syria. and uh huh. but it appears the country site was already sealed. are the one to get all my dear brothers. we are living the final moments of liberating homes by god's will. this is a historic moment that would distinguish between right and wrong. a law. shortly after the rebel alliance released the statement, rebels declared the central city of homes fully liberated to the joy of pressure by law sides opponents. the damascus was next and the rebel alliance faced hardly any re

the syrian capital has returned to some degree of normalcy after the unprecedented events that took place in the capital and across the country. these events have had a significant impact on syria as a whole, with the capital experiencing come after a night of unrest and weekend security. both in damascus itself and in other areas affected by militant activity. recently, opposition groups and militants entered latasha and tartarus and people have begun to gradually return to the markets. the most remain closed. as people are attempting to meet their basic needs, in general, a number of decisions have provided some relief for the streets of syria after the recent events. some government facilities such as the immigration office and the central bank in damascus were targeted in damaged and there was unrest in let tapia additionally, major city centers in tartarus were damaged. a number of decisions made by the high command of the syrian opposition include imprisonment for one year, for anyone who fires indiscriminately. there was a lot of gunfire in the capital yesterday. another decision is a 3 year prison sentence for anyone who damages state property. and they must return any

overseas rebel forces claim they have gained control of syria's capital city of damascus. the opposition has been quickly advancing on damascus after taking the country's second largest city of aleppo last week. tonight, there are reports that president bashar al assad has left damascus, though nbc news has not confirmed that. syria's prime minister says he does not intend to leave except in a peaceful manner that ensures a transitional government. bashar al assad has ruled over syria for 24 years with support from russia, iran and hezbollah. syria's complex civil war has been dormant for years, but islamists once affiliated with al qaeda recently burst into action and appeared to have brought his decades long rule to an end. the white house says it is monitoring the situation. back here at home, a hazy day across the bay area, this is what the skies look like from a few of our traffic cameras. meteorologist rob mayeda has been tracking that air quality. and is this haze going to be around for a while? it looks like we've got one more day of it, and it's a byproduct of str

of the middle east. after rebels in syria took control of the capital city, overthrew the president. nt's family has ruled syria for more than 50 years. now, syria's prime minister says this government is going to work with the rebels to ensure a peaceful transition of power. and a teenager is in custody this morning following a deadly crash in eastern contra costa county on friday night in a discovery bay, a pickup truck plowed into a security guard booth outside a gated community, killing one guard, injuring another. that teen driver was injured as well, but is expected to survive. california highway patrol has not indicated whether alcohol or speed were a factor in that fatal crash, and the napa county animal shelter is working to find homes for a group of 25 chihuahuas. animal control officers say they were found crammed into crates, dumped on the side of the road up in calistoga. no word on how they ended up there, but since then, they've all received checkups and shots during good care. the animal shelter says they'll be ready for adoption in about a week or two, and will be pro

of rebels yesterday successfully collapsed. the government in its capital city of damascus. now calling syria a free country after a 13 year civil war. the rebel groups are being led by the islamist militant group rts. in less than two weeks, they advanced across the country, taking over large cities like aleppo, homs and now the capital. syrian ally russia is not saying where bashar al assad is, but confirms he resigned his post, left the country and called for a peaceful transition of power. bashar al assad has ruled over syria in authoritarian style for nearly 25 years, with support from russia, iran and hezbollah. he inherited the post from his father, who ruled with an iron fist for three decades. while many syrians are celebrating in the streets, the end of the 50 year tyranny of the al assad family. geopolitical experts note that the coalition of groups who brought that half century rule to an end was once affiliated with al qaeda, so the situation remains in in an unbalanced territory right now. the white house says it is monitoring the situation. back here locally and new this mornin

historic and yet most and heart of the capital, the head of in your administration, how much i'll shut off as cold on sir, in to unite. as this report, the celebrations across syria. it's the 1st friday after the al single flush on an upset, and hundreds of thousands of people are marking the victory in the capital. the head of the new administration says syria will be rebuilt. he's called on members of the public to unite within but short. i congratulate the syrian people on the victory of the blissful revolution, but on call on them to take to the streets. to express the joy of this treatment, the syrians travelled from all across the country to join the prayers at the historic m. o we lost in the heart of damascus. among them, the new prime minister of the she's, he's been tasked with forming a new government. similar scenes of triumph and prayers were seen in the southern cities of that house. and so way down in the northern city of a level and looked out to you on the mediterranean coast. the new administration is promising change and millions of syrians built into the country and abroad, or hoping for a better future thoughts. and just every night, just rea

forces are promising to uphold state institutions of the capturing the capital of damascus. thousands of inmates had been freed from syria's most notorious prison scenario, where many have suffered to years of torture and abuse. teams of searching for those still held and hidden sellers. and the most go, the opposition flag has been raised to the syrian embassy. this comes a day off that bush, i'll a side slip to the russian capital over. so instead of joining us now from damascus or so can you just talk us through? what exactly is happening there? what is it, what is it like there on the streets of damascus today? a while the transition on the way of the some of the institutions, if i sort of used from santa new the city body is to me to say that they have cleared the problems to be that they are in control of every parts of the particularly when the therapy office in the past they are given, testified no more than own however now is, is the security. so when it comes to security, we see that in many parts of the city, good 70 check points and time security measures. but with mobile only to one c zillow, position faction,

here's raf sanchez. >> reporter: hey, there, after seizing control of the syrian capital damascus, syria's rebels are now consolidating their power in the capital. the leader of the main rebel group, an islamist group, arriving in damascus, giving an address in a historic mosque in the center of the city. he says he wants to lead a government for all syrians, irrespective of their religion or their sect. remember, there are a lot of fears, both inside and outside syria about this group, which has its origins in al qaeda, which is still considered a terrorist organization by the united states. but the group known as hts is really trying to show the world that it has moderated, that it has changed. it is going to great lengths to try to show that it is not a threat to minority groups, like shias, like christians inside of syria. it's one of the big questions now, how the rebels will govern. russian state media also confirming that the toppled dictator of syria, bashir al-assad is now in moscow. he arrived there with his family after fleeing syria. this marks the end of more than 50 years of

inside, syria is notorious of nail prison. suspects arrested in the new york shooting, which triggered at the fates about the insurance industry, the multiple explosions of hips, syria is capital a day after roll position fighters forced to collapse of the side vision that have been about a 100 is really airstrikes and damascus. and other parts of the country as people look to rebuild up to 13 years of civil war by so sad, a reports from damascus is ready air strikes on damascus and house, what in syria are further chat, engineering, registration is ready. army read is reporting that the mid 3 has be carrying out a series of large gifts strikes across the country. target the strategic made it to the infrastructure. this building near the state tv station was blown by, he's ready to just on december the 8th. the same date the shuttle as the left syria smoke from the attack is still rising at that maybe in square in damascus, syrians are celebrating the full of the savages to have endured the pain and loss of a for steven ward. that last what for 13 years, one minus the word like, we're happy, we've been waiting for this moment for a long time now. my husband was killed by the r

syria. and as we've been hearing earlier, large crowds have gathered on the streets of damascus to celebrate, i'm sure opposition forces to control of the capital x. those i'm of which is more on the full of assets of face that defines syria for decades, vanishes from view. boston are lots of sports re once watching over every street corner. now toward down is opposition fighters, search through damascus. the stature will be spotter also crumbles. marketing via the 53 years of the family room. the streets of the capital now flow, we sprouts celebrating with tanks and vehicles. in the early hours of sunday, the scene unfolding in damascus has main square captures the historic transformation from state television came and announcements, few serious thought that would never hear the victory of the great sermon revolution at the fall of the criminal aside, proceed a bite, then it was clear, assad government had fallen out of the city of damascus has been liberated the tyrant. the sharla side has been toppled. all the prisoners have been released from the prison of damascus. we wish that all are fighters and citizens preserve and maintain the proper

syria.% years of civil war and more than five decades of rule by the assad family ended last weekend as rebels took the capital the u.s. cbs's elizabeth palmer reports from damascus. >> reporter: as we approached what used to be a closely guarded frontier, we found all the guards had melted away. we just crossed the syrian border, and that gunfire is celebratory gunfire. those are either fighters with the group that's taken over in syria or they may just be jubilant armed citizens. in downtown damascus the fighters who seized the capital on sunday were parading their weapons. syrians looked on, smiling, not quite believing their eyes. these men are with an islamist group, hayat tahrir al-sham, or hts. their leader is abu mohammed al jolani, a conservative sunni muslim. and yesterday he spoke at the ancient umayad mosque. "this is a victory for the islamic nation," he said, "and a new history for the region." jolani has also promised to protect christians and other syrian minorities. now the dictator bashar al assad has fled. delighted citizens tore down symbols of the regime. some even went for a joyride on th

has been granted asylum in moscow after fleeing a rebel army that has taken complete control of syria's capitaldamascus. the swift-moving events are now raising questions about the future of the country and the wider region. on sunday night israel sent tanks and troops into a border area with syria, saying the move was to protect israeli residents. cbs's imtiaz tyab reports from the syrian-turkish border. >> reporter: in the heart of damascus's historic old city syrian rebels celebrated the fall of the regime they'd been battling for nearly 14 years. scenes like this would have been unthinkable just one week ago. but president bashar al assad is gone. his palace, once impenetrable, now open to a photo-taking public. assad's astonishing defeat was at the hands of an alliance of armed rebel groups who launched a lightning-fast offensive and who faced little resistance from the syrian army. rebel forces say they have now, quote, fully liberated a number of major cities and have also emptied prisons that had become a symbol of the widespread arrests and torture under assad's oppressive rule. in a c

the g 7 group of leading nations we'll meet to discuss the syria crises on friday. smoke rising over the syrian capital up to the latest is really air strikes. dozens of them, huge military targets across the country. according to syria and media reports, they included and fields, munitions, depos and the facility linked to the production of chemical weapons. e's real says it's acting to stop arms from getting into the hands of extreme his forces. i know who was deemed we were taking all the actions necessary to try to ensure our security and then with regard to the new situation created in syria for most of the so we all on tuesday, writers, news agents and he's really media published reports suggesting is really for us as a role, so deepening their incursion into syrian territory. security sources say they were supported just 25 kilometers from the syrian capital. a claim denied by these really army that's up to israel, took over a demo to raise buffer zone in the golan heights. the area south west of damascus was a next by israel for decades ago. but it's still regarded by most countries as part of

it comes hours after rebel groups took control of syria's capital, forcing assad to flee.an who led the addressed cheering supporters soon after. he told supporters soon after. he told supporters that all syrians could now breathe freely. he said assad's leadership had spread and corruption. barbara plett usher was the first western journalist to enter damascus since the city fell and she sent us this report. this is an extraordinary moment, a seismic change in syria's balance of power. the strongman of damascus, bashar al—assad, is gone. rebels have declared victory. we were the first western journalists to reach the capital, just hours after it fell. this is where people are celebrating in the central umayyad square, civilians and rebels. you can hear the sound of celebratory gunfire. people are driving around in their cars, they are giving me peace signs. they are saying that life is going to be so much better now that bashar al—assad is gone. but there is a mix ofjoy and fear in the city. there are those who supported bashar al—assad, who felt they were protected by hi

of qardaha in northwest syria. authorities have warned those who tortured or killed detainees under the previous regime will be hunted down. large crowds gathered in the suburb of the capital for what they believed would be a public execution for those who committed atrocities under the assad regime. jeremy bowen sent this update. a warning -- there are some disturbing images in his report. jeremy: if only moving from dictatorship to freedom was as simple as climbing onto an abandoned tank and posing for pictures. the assad family was in power long before these children's parents were even born. for a half-century a lot of anger built up and it is being released. sometimes politely by quiet families at the former president's home. it was looted after the assads's lead at the end of what had to be an elegant lifestyle. the house is secured by hds. they borrowed the fighters' guns for photos. the visitors were still getting used to living without fear of the regime. >> people were living in hell. he was in his palace. they did not care what he was going through. he made them live in fear, hunger and humiliation. people would only whisper to us because they were still afraid.

rebel forces seizing the capital of damascus in syria. was president biden yesterday from the white house pledging support to syria and its neighbors after the collapse of the assad regime. this is about a minute and a half of president biden yesterday. [video clip] >> we now see new opportunities opening up for the people of syria and the entire region. united states will do the following. first, we will support syria's neighbors including jordan, lebanon, iraq, and israel should any threat arise from syria through this transition. i will speak with leaders of the region in the coming days. i have had long discussions with all our people early this morning. i will send senior officials from my administration to the region as well. second, we will help to ensure stability in eastern syria, protect our personnel against any threats, and remain on our mission against isis, including security of detention facilities where isis fighters are being held as prisoners. we are clear eyed about the fact isis will try to take advantage of any vacuum

of weapons. the new government beginning to take shape in the capital city of syria. plus a house hearing today looks into those drones flying all over one state's airspace that they have to close down segments. now some of that airspace includes where trump lives when he is in new jersey. the national security concerns are real. >> i'm not okay with having unknown objects, drones or otherwise flying over the united states, fly over critical infrastructure and military bases or over any area that are not approved. we need to have an appropriate answer for that. >> harris: steve hilton in "focus" next. veteran homeowners, car payments are getting out of control. get a newday 100 va cash out loan at lower mortgage rates to pay off those high rate car loans. - you give eye exams. - i give... fresh starts. better vision, healthy eyes... everybody wants that. - “hero doc saves vision!” - well, i- “hero owl saves money!” use your vision insurance for exams, glasses, and contacts - all at america's best. for the better part of a century, harry & david has been making gourmet

closely monitoring extraordinary developments out of syria where president bashar al assad has reportedly left the country after rebels seized control of the capitalowing 14 years of brutal civil war, syria is in the hands of rebel forces. russia, a close ally of assad, says assad left the country after negotiating a peaceful transfer of power. it was not immediately known where he is. rebel forces in damascus were met with cheers. some shouting "freedom." reuters reports assad's departure marks the end of five decades of iron-fisted rule by the assad family. the rapid turn of events comes just a week after rebels reignited their campaign against assad. the fall of assad's regime. there are more celebrations that we are seeing from the syrian people and now we are going to turn to the former director of syria and lebanon at the national security council. she's the host of youtube's "oh, my word" and adjunct professor at columbia university. thank you for being with us. the sudden advances, the speed at which we saw rebel forces take syria, took everyone in the international community by surprise. what do you attribute this immediate resurgence to?

the city they call the capital of the revolution. now a crucible for syria's new start. east six people have died from a powerful earthquake off the coast of the southern pacific. the capital was the hardest hit at the epicenter of the 7.3 magnitude quake -- quake and in a intense aftershock continued through the evening. authorities are beginning recovery operations at several damaged buildings, including the american embassy. officials say it was the strongest earthquake in decades in nearby australia says it will provide whatever help is needed. is home to more than 300,000 residents across 80 islands. a bbc investigation has found reports of at least 565 children being killed, maimed, or injured by crude bombs in the indian state of westbank all the last ree decades. the homemade devices have been used by political activists during electoral violence, as a tool of intimidation to silence opponents, especially during elections. the bbc's correspondent reports from west bengal. some viewers may find some scenes distressing. reporter: crude bombs are homemade explosives

this happened a few miles from the center of the syrian capital. a statue of syria'sleader was pulled down. the rebels sensed that victory was in the sites but this has happened more quickly than anyone predicted. >> translator: dear brothers, we are living in the final moments of the liberation of the city of hama . this is the historic event that will distinguish between truth and falsehood. we advise our brothers in the resistance as we have previously advised them, to show compassion for the people. those who lay down their weapons should be granted safety. >> reporter: syrian government forces seem to be fleeing. the military government basin hama was abandoned and regime soldiers are abandoning their posts. they are seen changing out of the military fatigues into civilian clothing and fading into the population. every building in town square the rebels take, symbols and images of the regime are being torn down as syria faces a new and unknown reality. the coming hours and days will be crucial. not just for the future of syria, but for wider middle east stability