Recently ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is not dead and is safe in Moscow, as confirmed by Russian media on Monday.
According to BBC News, Bashar al-Assad and his family arrived in Moscow on Sunday evening and were granted humanitarian asylum.
The news came after growing speculation about Assad’s whereabouts following recent regional developments.
Earlier, international media reported that the former Syrian president may have died in a plane crash after fleeing Syrian, taken over by rebels.
Uncertainty regarding Assad’s whereabouts:
The aircraft reportedly took an unexpected route before vanishing from radar, raising suspicions regarding its fate.
Flight tracking data indicated that a Syrian Air flight departed Damascus airport around the time rebel forces seized control of the capital.
The plane initially appeared to head toward Syria’s coastal region, a known Alawite stronghold and a base of support for Assad.
However, it abruptly changed course, flying in the opposite direction for several minutes before disappearing.
While the identities of those on board have not been confirmed, local sources speculate that Assad may have been on the flight.
“The plane’s sudden maneuver and disappearance have led to widespread speculation that Assad could have been killed,” said two individuals familiar with the matter.
The incident coincided with significant turmoil in Syria, as rebels claimed to have seized control of Damascus, marking a potential end to Assad’s long-standing regime.
Syrian rebels have reportedly taken control of the capital city, Damascus, marking a significant shift in the nation’s ongoing conflict.
President Bashar al-Assad is said to have fled the city early Sunday, with his current location unknown.
The development brings an apparent end to the Assad family’s decades-long rule after 13 years of civil war.
The fall of Damascus has struck a major blow to Assad’s key allies, Russia and Iran, whose influence in the region now faces serious challenges.
