Moscow: Bashar al-Assad, the ousted President of Syria, and his family have arrived in Russia after being granted asylum by Russian authorities on “humanitarian grounds,” according to Russian news agencies.
The Kremlin confirmed the family’s relocation on 8th of December.
The whereabouts of al-Assad were uncertain after opposition forces captured Damascus, declaring the fall of his regime.
Reports suggest that al-Assad may have been evacuated via a Russian plane from a Syrian airbase in Latakia, though the plane’s transponder was turned off during departure.
US President Joe Biden commented on the situation, acknowledging that al-Assad might be in Moscow but stressing that the fall of the Syrian regime marked a significant moment for Syria’s future. Biden described it as a historic opportunity for the Syrian people to rebuild their country.
New opportunities are now opening up for the people of Syria and for the entire region.
Looking ahead, the United States will do the following.
First, we will engage with Syrian groups – including within the process led by the United Nations – to establish the transition away…
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 9, 2024
Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry had confirmed al-Assad’s resignation and departure from Syria, while reports indicated that opposition fighters had ransacked his lavish home and declared Damascus “free.”
Despite the regime’s collapse, Russian news outlets also reported that Syrian opposition leaders assured Russian officials that military bases and diplomatic missions in Syria would remain protected.
This follows Russia’s active involvement in the Syrian conflict, where their support helped al-Assad regain control of most of Syria after heavy bombing campaigns from 2015 onward.
The war, which began as an uprising against al-Assad in 2011, led to devastating loss of life and mass displacement, lasting for 13 years and bringing an end to the al-Assad family’s rule.
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