Former President Bashar al-Assad has reportedly fled Syria and arrived in Moscow following the collapse of his regime due to a successful rebel offensive, according to Russian state media outlet TASS.
Assad, accompanied by his family, sought refuge in Russia after the Kremlin granted them asylum, a source within the Russian government confirmed.
On November 27, Syrian opposition forces launched a large-scale attack on government positions, swiftly gaining ground. By Saturday, rebel factions claimed control over several key cities, and by Sunday morning, they had entered Damascus, forcing Assad’s forces to retreat.
This advance led to significant political changes, with TASS reporting that Assad “resigned” following negotiations with opposition leaders and subsequently fled the country.
Experts suggest that the fall of Assad’s regime could shift the regional power dynamics, particularly weakening the influence of Assad’s key allies, Iran and Russia.
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Both nations, which had previously provided crucial military and political support to Assad, were unable to prevent the collapse of his government. According to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, Assad’s downfall is partly attributed to the abandonment by both Russia and Iran.
“Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, no longer had an interest in protecting him,” Trump remarked, adding that the two countries were currently in weakened positions—Russia grappling with issues in Ukraine and a struggling economy, while Iran faces ongoing challenges with Israel.
In response to the shifting situation, Russian officials have reportedly engaged with representatives of the Syrian opposition.
A Kremlin source told TASS that Russia has long advocated for a political resolution to the Syrian crisis and is pushing for the resumption of UN-mediated peace talks. Additionally, the source revealed that Russian diplomats are in communication with opposition leaders, who have assured the safety of Russian military bases and diplomatic facilities in Syria.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed the UN’s commitment to working with the Syrian people to determine the country’s future, emphasizing the need for an inclusive political process.
