Ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad | Photo: Shutterstock
Following today’s (Sunday) reports that the private plane of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad crashed and that it is highly likely he is no longer alive, a Kremlin source announced tonight to Russian media that Assad and his family have been granted humanitarian asylum in Moscow. Yesterday it was reported that his wife, Asma, and children had left Damascus, and it is now known that they landed in Moscow, though the timing of their arrival and their current whereabouts remain unclear. Assad’s brother, Maher Assad, who commanded the Syrian army, has also fled, but his destination is unknown.
Biden: “There’s a Rumor He’s in Moscow”
U.S. President Joe Biden addressed Assad’s escape in his speech tonight, following the regime’s collapse during the war with the rebels. He said, “The United States is not sure where he is. There’s a rumor he’s in Moscow. His regime has finally fallen. This is a moment of risk and uncertainty, but the U.S. will work with its partners and stakeholders in Syria to help them seize the opportunity and manage the risk.”
Biden emphasized that the U.S. intends to support Syria’s neighbors during this “transitional period.” He also mentioned plans to speak with regional leaders and send emissaries to the Middle East: “We have taken into account the statements of the leaders of the rebel groups. We will examine their words and their actions.”
The Fall of Assad’s Regime
This historic event marks the climax of a process that began a week and a half ago with the start of a Syrian rebel offensive from the Idlib enclave toward Assad-controlled territories. The rebels quickly captured city after city, advancing from Aleppo to Hama and the outskirts of Homs. This sparked a renewed uprising of rebel cells in southern Syria, which took control of provinces bordering Israel and attacked Damascus from the south. Assad’s army was unable to withstand the pressure and quickly collapsed in every battle it fought.
As a result of the regime’s collapse, videos circulated online showing the rebels capturing several symbols of the regime, including Assad’s palace in Damascus, Ba’ath Party offices, television and radio buildings, and more. The rebel takeover, broadcast even on state television in Iran, represents a dramatic turning point in the Syrian conflict, which has lasted over a decade.
