2024-12-09 10:16:00
Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Russia confirmed on Monday (December 9) that former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been granted asylum in Russia following his ousting by rebel forces. However, Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to elaborate on when Assad arrived in Moscow, stating, “I have nothing to say on this.”
While no meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Assad is currently scheduled, the Kremlin revealed that granting Assad asylum was Putin’s decision, reported news agency Associated Press.
The situation in Syria remains volatile, with Russian officials describing the global conflict potential as “high,” pointing to ongoing turmoil in Ukraine and the Middle East. The Kremlin acknowledged the difficulty of the current period in Syria, emphasizing the need for dialogue with regional powers to address the instability.
Officials also noted that discussions regarding Russia’s military presence at its bases in Syria are ongoing, adding, “It is too early to say” whether such deployments will continue under the new Syrian leadership.
Precautionary measures are reportedly being taken at Russian bases in Syria, with efforts underway to maintain contact with individuals who can address security concerns. The Kremlin said, “Everything is being done to get in touch with those who can deal with security,” while underscoring the importance of ensuring stability in the region.
Meanwhile, Peskov confirmed there have been no recent contacts between Moscow and US President-elect Donald Trump regarding the Syrian crisis.
Rebels in Syria announced on Sunday that they had seized control of the capital, Damascus, in a swift offensive, and proclaimed the end of President Bashar al-Assad’s decades-long “tyranny”.
The 59-year-old autocratic leader fled the war-hit country and landed in Moscow where he was given asylum following the toppling of his 24-year-old regime by opposition forces in a lightning offensive.
The Syrian capital saw celebrations as fighters and a section of residents took to the streets cheering. Rebel factions, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), declared Damascus “liberated” and said, “We announce the freedom of our city and the fall of the tyrant Assad”.
The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group began its lightning offensive two weeks ago, capturing the key cities of Aleppo, Homs, Hama before proceeding to Damascus unopposed and seizing control of the Syrian capital on Sunday. Government forces loyal to Assad were forced to retreat as rebels captured control of key cities one by one, in a move that challenged the Assad family’s nearly six decades of autocratic rule.
