Syria news live: Israel bombards ‘more than 100’ Syrian military sites as PM agrees handover of power to rebels

Former Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger joked that Tulsi Gabbard could offer ousted Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad “safe harbor” in her home.

Kinzinger, who made the joke a day before the fall of the Assad regime, spoke openly about Donald Trump’s choice as director of national intelligence after visiting Syria in 2017, where she met the tyrant while a member of the Democratic House.

“I wonder if @TulsiGabbard will offer Assad safe harbor in her home?” the former Illinois standout threw an X. “They’re great friends.”

The Israeli military incursion into southern Syria has arrived about 25 km southwest of the capital Damascus, Reuters reported, citing two regional security sources.

A Syrian security source said Israeli troops had reached Qatana, which is 10 km into Syrian territory east of the demilitarized zone that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria.

Israeli troops have reportedly carried out more than 100 airstrikes on military sites across Syria since the fall of the Assad regime, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Israel did not specify the number of these airstrikes, but told the UN Security Council that they would be “limited and temporary”.

Israel’s air force launched more than 100 airstrikes on military sites in four Syrian cities, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The strikes killed two people and caused extensive damage to key military facilities.

Targeted military sites included research centers, weapons depots, airports and aircraft squadrons, the rights group said. The attacks also disabled air defense systems and rendered several sites inoperable.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar claimed yesterday that he had hit suspected chemical weapons sites and long-range missiles in Syria to prevent them from falling into the hands of enemy actors.

The US State Department said it is not actively reviewing the “foreign terrorist organization” designation of the main Syrian rebel group that toppled the government of President Bashar al-Assad this weekend.

However, it said such designations are under constant review and that even while in effect, the designation does not prevent US officials from talking to members or leaders of the group.

“There is no specific review as to what happened” over the weekend, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.

“However, we always review. Based on their actions, there could be a change in our stance on sanctions, but today we have nothing.”

He said a review could be launched if HTS takes steps to reverse the reasons for its appointment. It would be based entirely on their actions, he said.

Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Jalali said he had agreed to hand over power to the rebel-led Salvation Government, an administration based in rebel-held territory in northwestern Syria.

Top rebel commander Ahmed al-Sharaa, better known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, met with Jalali and Vice President Faisal Mekdad to discuss a transitional government, Reuters reported citing sources.

The prime minister said the handover could take days.

The transfer of power followed 13 years of civil war and the end of more than 50 years of brutal rule by the Assad family, leaving Syrians at home and millions of refugees abroad hopeful but deeply uncertain about their country’s future.

Armed rebels in Syria who overthrew the government of Bashar al-Assad last weekend say they will not impose a religious dress code on women.

“It is strictly forbidden to interfere with the dressing of women or impose any requirements related to their clothing or appearance, including requirements for modesty,” the Islamist rebel coalition said on social media.