Trump on Assad's Fall: Putin 'Was Not Interested In Protecting Him Any Longer'

President-elect Donald Trump weighed in on the fall of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad after a rebel group seized control of Damascus, ending five decades of Assad family rule.

What Happened: On Sunday, Trump shared his reaction to Assad’s exit from Syria after 24 years in power on his social media platform, Truth Social. 

“Assad is gone. He has fled his country,” Trump said in the post.

“His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer. There was no reason for Russia to be there in the first place,” Trump wrote. “They lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine, where close to 600,000 Russian soldiers lay wounded or dead, in a war that should never have started, and could go on forever.”

Trump also commented on the weakened state of both Russia and Iran, attributing it to the Ukraine conflict and Israel’s military success, respectively. He called for an immediate ceasefire and the commencement of negotiations.

Also Read: Trump Urges Israel To Target Iran Nuke Sites: ‘Hit Nuclear First And Worry About The Rest Later’

“Russia and Iran are in a weakened state right now, one because of Ukraine and a bad economy, the other because of Israel and its fighting success,” Trump continued. “Likewise, Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness. They have ridiculously lost 400,000 soldiers, and many more civilians. There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin.”

Assad, notorious for using chemical weapons on his own people, fled with his family, as per Syrian television reports. The destination of the fleeing family remains undisclosed.

Following Assad’s departure, Syrians gathered in central squares of Damascus to celebrate. Syria has been embroiled in a nearly 14-year civil war as Islamist rebels sought to overthrow Assad and terminate the Assad family’s rule over the Syrian Arabian Republic.

Why It Matters: The departure of Bashar Assad marks a significant turning point in the Syrian conflict. Assad’s rule has been characterized by brutal repression and the use of chemical weapons against his own people. His exit could pave the way for a potential political transition in Syria, although the future remains uncertain.

Trump’s comments reflect the international community’s concern over the ongoing conflicts in Syria and Ukraine. With Russia’s involvement in both conflicts, the geopolitical landscape is increasingly complex.

The call for a ceasefire and negotiations underscores the urgency of resolving these conflicts and restoring stability in the region.

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