And an update tonight on the latest in the Middle East.

Syria has appointed a new caretaker prime minister, Mohammed al-Bashir, a rebel linked government leader who will hold the post for three months while there's a transition of power.

It comes, of course, after the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad, a brutal dictator who ruled for decades.

The days since have brought new chaos to the country.

Turkey on Tuesday made advances towards U.S. backed Kurdish forces in northern Syria.

Meanwhile, Israel has stepped up its aggression in Syria.

Israel's defense minister today confirmed the Israeli military launched a series of strikes and has destroyed more than 80% of the Syrian army's capabilities.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken today said the U.S. will support new Syrian leaders who reject terrorism and respect the rights of minorities.

Senior correspondent Joanna Gagis has reaction from refugees in new Jersey who fled their homeland when the Civil War broke out over a decade ago.

A lot of people were crying, crying because they are heavy and because they remember their, their their be their babies.

There is celebration in Wayne on Sunday as a large population of Syrian born residents, many from Paterson, reacted to the news that President Bashar al Assad had fled Syria after rebels overthrew the government.

It's nice.

I love this film because I'm 14, 15 years.

It's too much, too long, too much.

Moms.

I know what it feels.

I'm waiting for this.

16 years.

Many of them, like Mohammed Hilal, who owns this Mediterranean eatery Reem al-Sham, were forced to flee Syria when Assad took power following nearly 30 years of his father's rule.

In 2011, the country devolved into a brutal civil war that's claimed the lives of nearly half a million people, many women and children.

They controlled Syria for 50 years.

Okay.

Syria starts to be very dangerous.

The checkpoint.

Anywhere they take the people to the jail without reason, wherever it may be.

Maybe the police.

Officer, maybe he looks, to the.

Any man who doesn't like him go to jail, you know, for for no reason.

That's why I don't feel safe for my for my life.

And my family.

That's why we, we went to Jordan, and we stay over there, like, six years.

And after that, the immigration called me to, if I like to come to America.

Mohammed Al called, followed a similar path, fleeing to Jordan before coming to America to open his own restaurant.

He can turn your home to what's what's what's the, the government and not free.

And I like this event.

Speech and talk and do anything you can't.

Both say they lost family members after they were detained in those prisons without cause.

And their communication with loved ones in Syria has been limited because Assad's government shut off internet access.

They're hopeful it'll be restored soon.

This week it's coming back and everything's coming back.

We talked to my sister and my uncles some the people over there, and I said, there's no certainty yet as to what kind of government will replace the Assad regime.

But folks in the Syrian community here in Patterson say anything is better than that.

And they're hopeful for a Syria that's finally free.

At least that color is done.

And here's the regime.

It's done.

It's new Syria.

I think the new government, he got to be good job in Syria because the Syria for everybody, for all religion.

Does that mean a democracy?

You have to be nows be with us.

Everything is chance.

Everything was chance.

This would be better.

More, more better.

Are you not afraid that someone could come in just like Assad?

You know?

No.

I don't know who's coming, but I think this would be much better.

Everything will be okay.

No problem.

No bomb, not kids.

No.

No jail for them.

I want the honest government.

Respect the people.

Respect the people rights.

Just like, human rights.

I hope to see Syria a great and, a wonderful, again.

And the people lived all together and really be, you know, and that's what happened.

That's what happened.

And in this moment of hope, they're each planning their first trip back to their homeland in at least 14 years to see those they've left behind and mourn the loved ones killed by Assad's regime.

In Paterson, I'm Joanna Gagis, NJ Spotlight News.