Bashar al-Assad in Moscow with family after Russia grants him asylum

08 December 2024 , 18:02

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Opposition fighters celebrate the end of Al-Assad’s rule in Damascus ( Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Syrian rebels have toppled Bashar al-Assad, ending his family’s 54-year authoritarian rule after nearly 14 years of war - and the leader is now in Moscow with family

Bashar Al-Assad is reportedly in Moscow with family after he "stepped down" and "left Syria" earlier today.

Opposition fighters toppled the dictator this morning as they entered Damascus at roughly 5am local time without resistance, and captured the the state TV building, international airport, and several other strategic government facilities. 

Government forces and personnel withdrew from their positions, allowing a smooth takeover for the rebels, while Assad himself reportedly boarded a plane and fled the country. It has now emerged that the leader has been granted asylum in Moscow, Russia, according to Russian state media, citing a Kremlin source.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said earlier on Sunday that Al-Assad had left office and left the country following orders of a peaceful handover of power. The ministry did not reveal where Assad was, and added that Russia had not taken part in the talks around his departure. 

“As a result of negotiations between B. Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic, he decided to resign from the presidency and left the country, giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power. Russia did not participate in these negotiations,” the ministry said.

Thomas Brown