Syrian rebels work to form government after Assad regime falls

ITV News' International Editor Emma Murphy reports from Damascus on the attempts to get Syria back into a functioning operational state

Syrian rebels are working to form a new government, as the country attempts to rebuild after the offensive ended the Assad family's 50-year iron rule.

President Bashar al-Assad and his family fled to Moscow on Sunday, where they were granted asylum after his regime was overthrown.

ITV News' International Editor Emma Murphy, who is in Damascus, said: "This morning, there is an attempt to get this country back into some kind of functioning operational state.

"And we've seen that there is an attempt to try and get the central bank open so that people can actually access their money.

"They also want to get government ministries open so that there is some normal functioning of the nation."

Syrian citizens celebrate the Assad regime downfall. Credit: AP

Late on Monday, the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting behind closed doors to discuss the political and humanitarian situation in Syria.

The council appeared united on the need to preserve Syria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity and provide humanitarian assistance to millions.

Syria’s UN ambassador said the country’s embassies and missions have received instructions to continue doing their job during the current transitional period.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday said the UK will provide £11 million in humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable in Syria.

It came as Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned Assad as "a monster, a criminal, a butcher" and described him as the "rat of Damascus fleeing to Moscow with his tail between his legs" in the House of Commons.

The Home Office also announced it had paused decisions on Syrian asylum claims "whilst we assess the current situation", a spokesperson said.

Queues have formed at border crossings in southern Turkey and Lebanon as Syrian's who fled the country's regime begin to return home. Credit: AP

While it is fairly calm on the streets, Israel has launched more than 100 airstrikes targeting military sites in four Syrian cities.

The targeted military sites included research centres, weapons warehouses, airports and aircraft squadrons, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The attacks also disabled air defence systems and rendered multiple sites inoperable.

On Monday, the country's foreign minister said the strikes were to prevent them from falling into the hands of hostile actors.

The Israeli military began seizing control of a demilitarised buffer zone in Syria, which was created as part of the 1974 ceasefire between the countries.

Israel said the move was temporary and was meant to secure its border.

Tens of thousands of Syrians are continuing to search for their relatives at the notorious Sednaya prison, also referred to as "the slaughterhouse".

Tens of thousands of Syrian's are continuing to search for their relatives at the notorious Saydnaya prison. Credit: AP

Despite searching the prison, most people still do not know the whereabouts, or what happened to, people who disappeared years or decades ago.

The White Helmets said they had not uncovered "any unopened or hidden" areas in the prison, after there were reports of hidden cells underground.

Queues have also formed at border crossings in southern Turkey and Lebanon as hundreds of Syrians who fled the country's regime begin to return home.

Many arrived draped in blankets and coats, with some camping by the barriers overnight.

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