Bashar al-Assad and Family Granted Political Asylum in Russia Amid Regime Collapse

In a dramatic turn of events, former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family have fled Syria and been granted political asylum in Russia. A Kremlin source confirmed this development to the Russian news agency Interfax on Sunday, citing "humanitarian reasons" for their relocation. The announcement came shortly after Assad’s plane reportedly disappeared from air traffic radars, leading to speculation about his safety.

The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed Assad’s departure from Syria, marking the end of his regime. Minutes before the announcement, a transport plane was seen departing from a Russian airfield in Latakia, Syria. This, coupled with the sudden disappearance of Assad's plane from the radar, sparked widespread uncertainty about his fate. Some reports even suggested the possibility of a plane crash, though this remains unconfirmed.

As Russian news outlets reported Assad’s departure, it was revealed that he and his family would find refuge in Russia, which had not been directly involved in discussions surrounding his exit from Syria. This move comes as a result of the collapse of Assad’s regime, following significant rebel advances and shifts in the political landscape of Syria.

The Kremlin has yet to comment on the next steps for Assad and his family, and the future of the former president remains unclear. However, for the first time, a documentary about Assad will be released in Russia on Sunday, offering a glimpse into his time in power following the fall of his regime.

Meanwhile, the Syrian opposition has assured Russia that its military bases and diplomatic missions in Syria will remain safe. This assurance comes from leaders of the armed Syrian opposition, who have expressed their commitment to protecting Russian assets in the country, as reported by Russian news agencies.

Russia has had a strong presence in Syria since 2015, when it intervened in support of the Assad regime against various anti-government forces. In return, Assad has consistently supported Russia, particularly in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022.