The deposed president of Syria Bashar al-Assad arrived in Moscow, the capital of Russia, after forces led by Islamists entered the Syrian capital and put an end to more than half a century of rule by the Assad family.
The mystery surrounding Assad’s whereabouts was finally clarified late Sunday night. According to a Kremlin official familiar with the situation, he arrived in the Russian capital and, according to the state news agency TASS, he and his family were granted asylum.
As the rebels took over Damascus and ransacked the presidential palace, several media reports suggested that Assad would seek refuge with allies: either in Russia — given that Vladimir Putin came to his rescue in 2015 — or in Iran.
Continues after advertising
The United Arab Emirates, which played a role in his final days and in his desperate attempt to hold on to power, was also mentioned.
Assad’s children and his wife, Asma, are also in Moscow.
Continues after advertising
Russia, this time, decided not to intervene in the Syrian situation. Vladimir Putin, Russian president, showed a willingness to welcome Assad, but did not want to get massively involved in Syria. Putin’s attention was diverted to Ukraine, where he launched an invasion in 2022.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not respond to a request for comment on Assad’s asylum.
