Syria’s ousted President Bashar al-Assad and his family have reportedly arrived in Russia after being granted asylum on “humanitarian grounds,” according to Russian news agencies citing a Kremlin source.
The reports from Interfax, TASS, and Ria Novosti surfaced Sunday, confirming the family’s arrival. This follows the capture of Damascus by opposition forces earlier in the day, which marked the fall of al-Assad’s government after a rapid offensive lasting less than two weeks.
Al-Assad’s exact movements had been unclear, with some reports suggesting he was evacuated by a Russian military plane from a base in Latakia, Syria. The aircraft reportedly departed with its transponders turned off. Al Jazeera’s Yulia Shapovalova, reporting from Moscow, noted that the BBC’s Russian service had mentioned similar claims.
Speaking from the White House, President Joe Biden commented on al-Assad’s uncertain location, saying, “There is word he is in Moscow.” Biden also described the regime’s collapse as a pivotal moment, stating, “The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice. It’s a historic opportunity for the long-suffering Syrian people to build a better future.”
Earlier on Sunday, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that al-Assad had resigned and left Syria. Following the opposition’s declaration of victory, Damascus residents were seen celebrating in the streets, while crowds looted al-Assad’s lavish residence. Rebel factions declared the capital “free” shortly after taking control.
Russian news outlets also reported that Syrian opposition leaders have assured the safety of Russian military and diplomatic facilities within the country. TASS quoted a Kremlin source stating, “Russian officials are in contact with representatives of the armed Syrian opposition, who have guaranteed the safety of Russian bases and diplomatic institutions in Syria.”
This assurance comes despite Russia’s active role in the Syrian conflict, where its military intervention in 2015 turned the tide of the war in al-Assad’s favor. Until the recent opposition offensive, Russian support had enabled al-Assad to maintain control over key territories.
The events of Sunday mark the end of a 13-year conflict that concluded more than five decades of al-Assad family rule. What began as peaceful protests in 2011 against al-Assad escalated into a devastating war, drawing in foreign powers, killing hundreds of thousands, and displacing millions worldwide.
