Syrian rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa told Reuters in a written statement quoted by BTA that he would disband the security forces of the ousted regime in Bashar Assad.
His forces swept across Syria in a lightning offensive that toppled the Assad family's 50-year rule, replacing it with a three-month-old transitional government of ministers that ruled a rebel enclave in northwestern Syria.
The military command linked to his group, which is known as "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham", has already said it will grant amnesty to the servicemen.
Now he will also "disband the security forces of the previous regime and close the notorious prisons,”, Sharaa said in a statement provided exclusively to Reuters by his office.
Syrians are flocking to the infamous prisons where the Assad regime is believed to have held tens of thousands of prisoners, desperately searching for their loved ones. Some of them have been released alive, others have been identified among the dead, but thousands more have yet to be found.
Sharaa also said that it is carefully searching for possible chemical weapons and coordinating its actions with international organizations to secure them. The group has already announced that it will not use these weapons under any circumstances.
The leader of "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham" reiterated that he would form a government of technocrats. The current transitional government is set to rule until March 2025, according to a statement from his group.
Syrian rebel fighters destroyed the tomb of late President Hafez Assad, father of deposed President Bashar, in the family's hometown, the BBC reported, quoted by BTA.
Videos verified by British media show gunmen chanting as they walk around the burning mausoleum in Kardaha, in the northwestern coastal region of Latakia.
Rebels led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham swept through Syria in a lightning offensive that toppled the 54-year rule of the Assad dynasty. Bashar Assad fled to Russia, where he and his family were granted asylum.
Statues and portraits of late President Hafez and his son Bashar were destroyed across the country amid cheers from Syrians celebrating the end of their rule, the BBC reported.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz that it is important for the US and Israel to be in close cooperation regarding events in Syria, the Pentagon said, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA. after their conversation.
"Secretary Austin emphasized the importance of close consultations between the United States and Israel on developments in Syria,", a Pentagon statement said.
Austin told Katz that Washington was monitoring developments in Syria and that he supported a peaceful, inclusive political transition, the US Defense Department added.
The Party of Arab Socialist Revival ("Baath"), which has ruled in Syria for more than 60 years, announced the termination of its activities in the country, which fell under the control of the armed opposition, TASS reported, quoted by BTA.
"Suspension of party work and activity in all forms and aspects until further notice," said the decision of the central leadership of the "Baath" published in the official party newspaper.
Furthermore, the party decided to hand over its weapons, equipment and vehicles to the Interior Ministry of the interim Syrian government. Other property and cash assets will be under the supervision of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Justice.