Ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family have landed in Moscow and been granted asylum, Russian state media reported following a dramatic Islamist-led rebel takeover of Syria.
“Assad and members of his family have arrived in Moscow,” a Kremlin source confirmed to TASS and RIA Novosti news agencies. “Russia granted them asylum on humanitarian grounds,” the source added.
Speculation about Assad’s whereabouts dominated social media on Sunday. Flight-tracking platforms noted a Syrian Air plane departing Damascus around the time the capital fell to rebel forces. Data from Flightradar revealed the aircraft initially headed towards Syria’s coastal Alawite stronghold but abruptly reversed course before vanishing from radar.
This sudden disappearance sparked theories that the plane had either been shot down or deliberately switched off its transponder. With Assad now confirmed in Russia, the latter seems most likely.
The Fall of Assad’s Regime
Assad’s departure marks the collapse of his family’s five-decade grip on power, a reign rooted in the Baathist ideology established by his father, Hafez al-Assad. The Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, a faction with origins in Al-Qaeda, led the offensive, declaring an end to what they called “50 years of oppression.”
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“After 50 years of oppression under Baath rule, and 13 years of crimes and tyranny and displacement… we announce today the end of this dark period and the start of a new era for Syria,” the rebels announced on Telegram.
Celebrations and Symbolism Across Syria
Across the country, citizens tore down statues of Hafez al-Assad in a powerful display of defiance. In Damascus, HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani visited the historic Umayyad Mosque, receiving warm greetings from the gathered crowds.
In a symbolic move, HTS fighters broke into Sednaya prison near Damascus, known for its harrowing history of human rights abuses, and announced the “end of the era of tyranny.”
The swift changes in Syria have drawn international attention. UN war crimes investigators described the developments as a “historic new beginning,” while urging new leaders to prevent atrocities from being repeated.
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The White House confirmed that President Joe Biden is monitoring the situation closely. US President-elect Donald Trump commented, stating, “Assad has fled his country” following the apparent loss of Russian support.
Rebel Offensive Timeline
HTS began its rapid advance on November 27, capturing major cities including Homs, where prisoners were also freed. The group’s success has effectively dismantled the Assad regime’s control, opening a new chapter in Syria’s tumultuous history.
As the Assad family seeks refuge in Russia, Syria faces a pivotal crossroads. The fall of one of the Middle East’s longest-standing regimes offers hope for many, but significant challenges lie ahead for a nation ravaged by years of war and authoritarian rule.
