Bashar Assad, Syria’s ousted leader, has fled to Moscow and been granted asylum by Russian authorities, Russian media reported Sunday. The move comes just hours after rebel forces captured Damascus, ending five decades of rule by the Assad family.
Thousands of Syrians flooded the streets, celebrating with gunfire and waving revolutionary flags, marking a dramatic conclusion to the nearly 14-year civil war. The fall of Assad raises significant questions about Syria’s future and the balance of power in the Middle East.
U.S. President Joe Biden described Assad’s downfall as a “fundamental act of justice,” crediting the efforts of the U.S. and its allies in weakening Assad’s backers—Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah. However, he warned that the situation remains fraught with “risk and uncertainty,” adding that the U.S. would carefully monitor the actions of Syria’s rebel groups.
Russian media reported that Assad fled after negotiations with rebel forces to ensure a peaceful transfer of power. Russian bases and diplomatic posts in Syria are reportedly under the protection of insurgents, according to the Kremlin.
Russia has called for an emergency UN Security Council session to address the situation, signaling the geopolitical implications of Assad’s departure and Syria’s uncertain future.
