International

Assad regime overthrown – Yesterday’s key events

By: SigmaLive English

Date:

Yesterday marked one of the most significant days in Syria’s recent history as the authoritarian regime of Bashar al-Assad collapsed after more than five decades in power.

The deposed president, Bashar al-Assad, fled the Syrian capital, Damascus, seeking refuge in Moscow along with his family as Islamist rebels easily took control of the city, completing their impressive offensive.

Syrians took to the streets across Syria, Cyprus, Greece, and other European countries to celebrate, chanting slogans such as “freedom” and “the end of Assad.” Meanwhile, the rebels, comprising various opposition factions, announced they were working on transitioning power to a new governing body with full executive powers.

Their leader, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, declared the victory as one “for the Islamic Nation” and warned: “The future is ours.”

At the same time, Western leaders, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and US President Joe Biden, welcomed the collapse of the Assad regime but acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Syria’s future.

Key developments from yesterday:

US forces announced they had carried out dozens of airstrikes on Islamic State targets in central Syria.

Bashar al-Assad was granted political asylum in Russia.

Israeli fighter jets reportedly conducted airstrikes targeting a military airport and the main research center in Damascus to prevent weapons from falling into the hands of Islamist forces.

Statues of the late president’s father were dragged through the streets of Damascus and Homs following their demolition.

Also read: Assad out, Trump back, and the map of the Middle East redrawn

Share post:

Popular

More like this
Related

How the Paphos crash that injured six unfolded drunk driver arrested

Police are investigating the circumstances of a road accident...

Head-on collision between two vehicles in Nisou: Two people hospitalised

A head-on collision between two vehicles occurred on Saturday...

President announces three measures on security and migration: What is changing in Cyprus

President Nikos Christodoulides has highlighted three major developments in...

ON THIS DAY: The Phantom of the Opera premieres (1986)

On 9 October 1986, the Phantom of the Opera premiere took place at Her Majesty's Theatre in London's West End, marking the beginning of one of the most successful productions in musical theatre history. Created by Andrew Lloyd Webber and starring Michael Crawford as the mysterious Phantom and Sarah Brightman as Christine Daaé, the musical would go on to captivate audiences around the world with its haunting melodies, elaborate staging and dramatic love story. From Gothic novel to West End sensation Based on Gaston Leroux's 1910 novel, The Phantom of the Opera tells the story of a disfigured musical genius who lives beneath the Paris Opera House and develops an obsessive love for a young soprano. Andrew Lloyd Webber transformed the Gothic tale into a lavish stage production, combining romance, mystery and tragedy with a powerful orchestral score. The musical introduced songs that would become theatre classics, including "The Music of the Night", "All I Ask of You", "Think of Me" and the dramatic title number. Directed by Harold Prince, with musical staging and choreography by Gillian Lynne, the original London production featured elaborate costumes, atmospheric sets and a spectacular falling chandelier that became one of the show's most recognisable moments. Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman's defining roles Michael Crawford's performance as the Phantom became one of the defining roles of his career, earning him widespread acclaim for his portrayal of the troubled character. Sarah Brightman, who was married to Lloyd Webber at the time, originated the role of Christine Daaé, bringing her distinctive soprano voice to the production. Their performances helped establish the musical's international reputation and set the standard for generations of actors who would later take on the roles. A record-breaking theatrical phenomenon The Phantom of the Opera premiere began an extraordinary run in London's West End. The original London production reached 13,629 performances before being interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020. The musical returned to the West End in 2021 and has continued its run. Its success also crossed the Atlantic, with the Broadway production opening in New York in January 1988. The show went on to become Broadway's longest-running musical, closing in April 2023 after 13,981 performances. Over the decades, The Phantom of the Opera has been performed internationally, translated into numerous languages and seen by millions of theatregoers. Forty years of The Phantom of the Opera On 9...