Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, after a 24-year reign, has fled the country with his family and arrived in Russia. The announcement of Damascus’ capture by rebels was broadcast on state TV, prompting thousands to gather at Umayyad Square in the capital to celebrate liberation.
Russian news agencies, citing Kremlin sources, reported that Assad and his family have been granted political asylum in Russia.
According to the Interfax news agency, Assad arrived in Moscow after rebels claimed control of the government. Russia provided asylum to Assad and his family on humanitarian grounds, sources said.
Prior to his arrival, there were rumors that Assad’s plane had crashed. His aircraft had taken an unusual route before disappearing from radar.
Flight data from Flightradar indicates that a Syrian Air Force plane departed Damascus as rebels seized control of the capital. Initially, the plane headed towards Syria’s coastal regions, a stronghold of Assad’s Alawite community, but abruptly changed course and vanished from radar after flying in the opposite direction for several minutes.
Al Jazeera reported that the Ilyushin 76 aircraft, flight number Syrian Air 9218, was the last flight to depart Damascus. It first headed east, then turned north, and disappeared from radar shortly after circling near Homs.
