Bashar Al-Assad, Family Arrive In Russia, Granted Asylum: State Media
Ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been granted asylum in Russia and is currently in Moscow with his family, according to reports by Russian state news agencies RIA Novosti and TASS. The development follows the dramatic fall of Damascus to rebel forces, effectively ending Assad’s 24-year rule and his family’s nearly five-decade reign over Syria.
Assad, who has the support of Russian establishment, reaching Russia was predicted by many since Putin has been assuring support to the former Syrian premier as the rebels started regrouping this time.
The Syrian capital was overtaken by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist group with roots in al-Qaeda. Their surprise offensive from Idlib last week saw them seize key cities, including Aleppo, Hama, and Homs, before advancing into Damascus. The swift and unopposed entry of HTS into the capital marked a decisive end to Assad’s regime. Jubilant crowds filled the streets, chanting for freedom, while rebels captured key government sites, including the presidential palace. Detention centres were overrun, and prisoners were freed, symbolising the collapse of Assad’s authority.
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Reports suggest Assad fled Damascus early on Sunday aboard an aircraft believed to be an Illyushin-76, though its disappearance from radar over Homs fuelled speculation it may have been shot down. TASS later confirmed his arrival in Moscow with his family under asylum granted on humanitarian grounds. Assad’s wife, Asma, and their children were also reported to have reached Russia safely.
Read also: Syrian Opposition Declares Start Of “New Era”; Damascus Captured, Al Assad Fled: Report
In the aftermath, regional dynamics are rapidly shifting. Iran and Hezbollah, key allies of Assad, have withdrawn their forces, marking a significant blow to their influence. Meanwhile, Israel has reinforced its borders, fearing weapons falling into extremist hands. Russia has called for UN-led negotiations to address the Syrian crisis, though its own influence in Syria now appears weakened.
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HTS leaders have declared the start of a “new Syria,” pledging an orderly transition. However, their extremist roots raise concerns about the future of governance. Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali has proposed forming a transitional government and holding free elections, but the path to stability remains uncertain.
Also Read: Damascus Has Fallen: 10 Points
The fall of Assad represents a geopolitical turning point, with the world closely watching the unfolding situation. As Syrians celebrate the end of an era, questions linger about the future of the war-torn nation and the enigmatic fate of Assad, now in exile in Russia.
