US strikes ISIS bases inside Syria, Biden: Assad must be punished, the fall of the regime an act of justice

President Joe Biden said Sunday that the United States will work with partners and stakeholders in Syria to explore alternatives and manage risk after rebels toppled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

In a speech at the White House, Biden said the United States would support Syria's neighbors during the transition period and would carefully monitor the rhetoric and actions of rebel groups.

President Biden said the United States does not officially know Assad's whereabouts, but noted reports that he had gone to Moscow.

He said that "Assad must be brought to justice and punished."

Biden said that Syria is in a period of danger and uncertainty and that it is the first time in years that neither Russia, nor Iran, nor the militant organization Hezbollah have an influential role in Syria.

"For years, Assad's main backers have been Iran, Hezbollah and Russia. But over the last week, their support has disintegrated, because all three of them are much weaker today than they were when I took office," said Biden, who became president in 2021.

President Biden said that US forces carried out more than 10 high-precision strikes inside Syria on Sunday, targeting camps and operatives of the Islamic State militant group.

"This is a moment that offers a historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria to build a better future for their proud country. It is also a moment of danger and uncertainty," Mr. Biden said. "As we all ask what comes next, the United States will work with our partners and stakeholders in Syria to help them seize the opportunity to manage the risk," Biden added.