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Syria live updates: Iran's Khamenei says rebels, US won't achieve goals

Rebels are consolidating control over the country after Assad fled to Russia.

ByDavid Brennan, Meredith Deliso, and Nadine El-Bawab
Last Updated: December 11, 2024, 8:23 AM EST

Rebel forces in Syria captured the capital Damascus and toppled the regime of President Bashar Assad in a lightning-quick advance across the country.

Meanwhile, the ceasefire in Lebanon is holding despite ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah targets, which Israeli officials say are responses to ceasefire violations by the Iranian-backed militant group. The Israel Defense Forces continues its intense airstrike and ground campaigns in Gaza.

Tensions also remain high between Israel and Iran after tit-for-tat long-range strikes in recent months and threats of further military action from both sides.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
Dec 09, 2024, 1:24 PM EST

Top US hostage negotiator in Lebanon, official says

The special presidential envoy for hostage affairs is in Lebanon as the Biden administration tries to capitalize on the fall of the Assad regime to uncover information on the whereabouts of missing American freelance journalist and Marine Corps veteran Austin Tice, according to a U.S. official.

The envoy, Roger Carstens, was in Doha last week but traveled to Beirut when the Assad regime fell, the official said. The Biden administration is working through multiple partners in the Middle East -- most notably Lebanon and Turkey -- to track people coming out of Syrian jails.

However, U.S. officials say they still have very little intelligence on Tice's whereabouts and can't say with certainty that he is even in Syria.

Tice went missing while covering the civil war in August 2012.

-ABC News' Shannon K. Kingston

Dec 09, 2024, 1:22 PM EST

White Helmets offering reward for info on 'secret' Syrian prisons

The Syria Civil Defence, aka the White Helmets, announced Monday it is offering a $3,000 reward for any direct information that will lead them to Assad's "secret" Syrian prisons.

The organization addressed former security officers and those working in the security branches for help in accessing the prisons, adding they will maintain the confidentiality of sources.

Dec 09, 2024, 1:09 PM EST

Turkey opening border gate with Syria for return of migrants

Turkish President Erdogan said Monday that Turkey is opening the border gate with Syria for the return of migrants.

Erdogan said they are opening the Yayladağı border gate to crossings "in order to prevent congestion and ease traffic."

There were long lines at the border earlier awaiting this decision.

Dec 09, 2024, 12:14 PM EST

Germany and Austria pause Syrian asylum

Germany and Austria have paused asylum for Syrian refugees after Assad's regime was toppled.

The German interior minister called the situation in Syria "very confusing" and that due to the unclear situation, they have "imposed a freeze on decisions for asylum procedures that are still ongoing until the situation is clearer."

Nearly 1 million Syrian refugees live in Germany.

Austria's interior minister has also instructed the ministry to "prepare an orderly repatriation and deportation program to Syria."

Nearly 100,000 Syrian refugees live in Austria.

-ABC News' Will Gretsky

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