Bashar al-Assad and Family Arrive in Moscow Amidst Turmoil
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Moscow, Dec 8 (NationPress) The former President of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, along with his family, has made their way to Moscow after fleeing the tumultuous situation in the Middle East, with media sources citing high-level officials that they have been granted asylum by Russia.
A prominent Russian news outlet, referencing a source from the Kremlin, stated that the asylum was granted to Assad and his family on humanitarian grounds.
Russia, a steadfast ally of Syria, has emphasized the importance of resuming discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing crisis in the Middle Eastern country under the auspices of the United Nations.
Assad resigned from his position as President of Syria and departed the country shortly after rebel factions seized control of the capital, Damascus.
The BBC reported that early on Sunday morning, the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its affiliates proclaimed that "the tyrant Bashar al-Assad has fled" following their entry into the city without any resistance.
Assad has not been photographed since his meeting with the Iranian Foreign Minister in Damascus a week prior, during which he had vowed to "crush" the rebel forces that were rapidly gaining ground.
In a remarkable turn of events on Sunday, opposition groups in Syria took over the capital, Damascus, after a swift offensive that resulted in the fall of several major Syrian cities within days.
After their takeover, opposition fighters appeared on state television to announce what they termed the fall of Damascus and the conclusion of President Bashar al-Assad's reign.
A military-clad individual, flanked by armed fighters, delivered a statement on air, labeling it "Statement No. 1." He claimed that rebel factions had successfully captured Damascus.
According to opposition activists, the rebel forces entered the Syrian capital at dawn on Sunday, as reported by the Britain-based war monitoring group, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, and the Xinhua news agency.
The monitor indicated that numerous government soldiers were instructed to withdraw from Damascus International Airport, seen removing their military attire and changing into civilian clothing.
Various media outlets have reported on Assad's departure from the country, citing rebel forces.
Xinhua reporters in Damascus observed intense gunfire echoing through the streets, with significant traffic from vehicles leaving the capital.
Civilians took to the streets, brandishing the "revolution flag," an older flag used in Syria before the governance of Hafez al-Assad, the late father of Bashar al-Assad.
The Syrian Prime Minister, Mohammad Ghazi Al-Jallali, expressed his readiness to work with any leadership selected by the Syrian populace.
Military opposition leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad Al-Julani, announced that Al-Jallali would manage public institutions until an official transfer of power is achieved.
