Deposed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in Moscow, where they have reportedly been granted asylum by Russia, according to Russian state media outlet TASS.
This dramatic development comes in the wake of the swift fall of Assad’s regime following a large-scale offensive by Syrian rebel forces. On Sunday morning, opposition fighters stormed Damascus, seizing control of the capital and forcing government forces into a chaotic retreat.
In a startling revelation, TASS reported that Assad “resigned” during intra-Syrian negotiations before fleeing the country. His arrival in Moscow marks the definitive end of his 13-year reign, a turbulent era marked by a devastating civil war that plunged Syria into chaos.
The rapid collapse of Assad’s government is poised to redefine the Middle East’s geopolitical dynamics. Experts suggest that the inability of Assad’s key allies Russia and Iran to provide robust support in the regime’s final days has eroded their influence in the region.
US President-elect Donald Trump weighed in on the matter, attributing Assad’s downfall to the waning power of his backers.
“His protector, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was no longer interested in protecting him,” Trump remarked, citing Russia’s preoccupation with the Ukraine war and its economic challenges. He also highlighted Iran’s setbacks in its ongoing conflicts with Israel.
Interestingly, while hosting Assad, the Kremlin appears to be recalibrating its stance. TASS quoted a Kremlin insider affirming Russia’s willingness to engage with Syria’s new rebel leadership and support a political settlement through UN-mediated talks.
“Russia has always supported a political resolution to the Syrian crisis. We are in touch with representatives of the armed Syrian opposition, who have guaranteed the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic missions in Syria,” the source disclosed.
Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the UN’s commitment to assisting Syria through this critical transitional phase.
“We will work with the Syrian people to determine the country’s future,” he declared, signaling the international community’s readiness to aid in rebuilding the nation.