Attempted Coup D’Etat Taking Place in Damascus

Photo Credit: SANA

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad

The sounds of gunfire were heard in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Saturday night as speculation grew that an attempted coup d’etat was under way.

The official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) state television network was off the air Saturday night, and the news outlet’s Arabic and English language websites were unreachable as well.

Explosions and gunfire were heard near the general staff and state media building in the capital.

Local sources said Brigadier General Hassam Louka, chief of the regime’s general security directorate was attempting to oust President Bashar al-Assad, who was out of the country on Saturday.

Coup in Damascus is confirmed.

Hassam Louka Chief of the general security directorate of the Syrian regime is trying oust Bashar Al Assad. https://t.co/zWoMjCqlrG pic.twitter.com/1Ov2VuFJvz

— ScharoMaroof (@ScharoMaroof) November 30, 2024

A Russian military plane landed at Damascus International Airport on Saturday night, with speculation growing that Assad was aboard and returning from meetings in Moscow.

Unconfirmed reports also claimed Assad had been taken to a “safe house” amidst the attempted coup d’etat.

#BREAKING: 4th Division of the #Syrian Republican Guard has launched a Coup d'etat against #Assad's regime in #Damascus. Republican Guard & #Syrian Arab Army are fighting each other in Damascus. #Assad has been sent to a safe house! pic.twitter.com/Pg8AKb3f1u

— Babak Taghvaee – The Crisis Watch (@BabakTaghvaee1) November 30, 2024

Clashes were reported between the Syrian Republican Guard and the Syrian Arab Army’s 4th Division in the Kfar Sousa district of Damascus, with gunfire directed at various government buildings.

This is a developing story.