Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family have reportedly sought asylum in Moscow, following the fall of Damascus to rebel forces. Russian news agencies RIA Novosti and TASS, citing Kremlin insiders, confirmed Assad’s arrival in the Russian capital on humanitarian grounds.
This significant turn of events comes after Syrian rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—a faction associated with a former Al-Qaeda commander—launched a swift and decisive offensive from Idlib province. Within days, the rebels overran key cities, including Aleppo, Hama, Homs, and Al-Qusayr near the Lebanese border, before advancing to seize Damascus. Assad’s 24-year rule effectively ended with the capture of the Syrian capital.
Kremlin sources disclosed that Assad and his family’s asylum was granted as part of a humanitarian initiative, while Moscow reiterated its call for renewed United Nations-led peace talks to resolve the Syrian crisis. Russian officials emphasized the need for international dialogue to stabilize the region.
Meanwhile, the leadership of Syrian armed opposition groups assured Russian authorities of the safety and continued operation of Russian military bases and diplomatic missions within Syria. Observers note that this assurance may indicate the rebels’ willingness to establish diplomatic relations with Moscow as they consolidate their control over the country.
This dramatic development highlights the fragile and volatile nature of Syria’s ongoing conflict, marking a new chapter in the region’s geopolitical landscape.
