MOSCOW – Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in Moscow, where they have been granted asylum on “humanitarian considerations,” according to Russian news agencies citing Kremlin sources. The development ends days of speculation about Assad’s whereabouts after rebel forces seized control of Damascus.
Russian state TV confirmed Assad’s arrival and reported that the Russian foreign ministry announced his resignation from the presidency, along with instructions for a peaceful transfer of power in Syria.
Assad’s departure marks a dramatic turning point in Syria’s 13-year civil war, during which Russia emerged as a staunch ally, maintaining two key military bases in the country and conducting a nine-year air campaign to bolster Assad’s regime. Despite its support, Russia was unable to prevent the collapse of Assad’s government in the face of a swift rebel offensive that capitalized on distractions faced by his other key ally, Iran.
Escape Amid Chaos in Damascus
The Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies declared early Sunday that Assad had fled Damascus after their fighters entered the city without resistance. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that a plane believed to be carrying Assad departed from Damascus International Airport late Saturday, hours before security forces abandoned the facility.
Flight tracking data suggested a Syrian Air Ilyushin Il-76T cargo plane left the airport at 03:59 local time (01:59 GMT) on Sunday. The aircraft initially flew towards Syria’s Mediterranean coast, a stronghold of Assad’s Alawite sect, before abruptly turning eastward and losing signal over Homs.
While the plane’s final destination was unclear, data from Flightradar24 also revealed that a Russian military aircraft departed from Latakia’s international airport on Sunday, later landing in Moscow. Russian state TV reported that Assad and his family were on board.
Russia Moves to Secure Influence
Russian officials have reportedly initiated talks with representatives of the Syrian armed opposition, ensuring the security of their military bases and diplomatic missions in Syria. Russia’s involvement in the war, including its controversial airstrikes, has drawn widespread criticism for causing civilian casualties and extensive damage to infrastructure.
The SOHR estimates that over 21,000 people, including 8,700 civilians, were killed in Russian military operations.
Assad’s departure marks a significant shift in Syria’s power dynamics, as Russia works to maintain its strategic foothold in the war-torn country while facilitating a transition of power.