Syria rebel leader vows to hold former officials accountable for war crimes after Assad's ouster

Syria's rebel leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, announced plans to pursue former government officials for torture and war crimes following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad. Assad fled as the Islamist-led opposition took control of Damascus, ending decades of his family's rule. In a rapid offensive, rebels captured key cities and freed thousands from prisons. Many Syrians celebrated the regime's collapse, while others searched for missing relatives. Israel conducted extensive air strikes on military sites in Syria, targeting weapons and naval facilities. The new leadership aims to establish a transitional government and has received support from Germany and France for cooperation based on human rights. The future of Assad remains uncertain, with reports of his possible asylum in Russia.