Assad and family flees Syria, land in Moscow for asylum on humanitarian grounds
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family have fled to Moscow after rebels captured Damascus in a lightning offensive that ended nearly six decades of his family’s rule. Russian authorities granted Assad asylum on humanitarian grounds, according to Russian news agencies, marking a historic shift in the Middle East’s political landscape.
Rebels entered Damascus unopposed on Sunday, overturning the Assad regime after a week-long campaign that began with the capture of Aleppo. Thousands of Syrians flooded the streets, chanting “Freedom” and celebrating the unexpected collapse of the Assad government. Many stormed the Al-Rawda Presidential Palace, looting furniture and tearing down posters of Assad.
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Amid the chaos, celebrations broke out across the city, with intermittent gunfire and people dancing in the streets. Freed prisoners ran through Damascus holding up fingers to indicate the number of years they spent in jail, marking an end to the notorious police state that had imprisoned countless Syrians under Assad’s rule.
As rebels seized the capital, a Syrian Air plane carrying Assad and his family reportedly took off from Damascus airport. The aircraft initially headed toward Syria’s coastal stronghold but made an abrupt U-turn before disappearing from radar. Confusion over the flight’s disappearance sparked speculation about Assad’s fate until Russian authorities confirmed his arrival in Moscow.
Assad’s sudden departure followed a rapid collapse of his military defenses, leaving his Alawite sect stronghold and Russian naval bases on the Mediterranean vulnerable. The fall of Damascus not only marked the end of Assad’s regime but also diminished Russian and Iranian influence in the region.
The overthrow of Assad is seen as one of the most consequential events in the Middle East in generations, disrupting Iran’s arms network and jeopardizing Russia’s Mediterranean naval presence. Israel, which had targeted Iranian-linked assets in Syria over recent months, called Assad’s downfall a direct result of its efforts against Iran and Hezbollah.
French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the development, declaring that “the barbaric state has fallen,” while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested the situation could facilitate a ceasefire deal to free hostages in Gaza.
However, challenges remain for Syria’s new leadership. Rebuilding a nation shattered by 13 years of civil war will require billions of dollars in aid, and stabilizing a diverse country with competing interests presents a daunting task.
Rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who led the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) faction, called the capture of Damascus a “new dawn” for Syria. Golani, speaking at the historic Umayyad Mosque, emphasized the importance of unity and vowed to build a Syria that honors the sacrifices of its people.
Golani has sought to reassure Syrian minorities and the international community, stating that his group opposes external attacks and will work toward inclusive governance. Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali, who served under Assad, called for free elections and confirmed discussions with Golani about managing the transitional period.
The Syrian rebel coalition announced plans to establish a governing body with executive powers, describing the transition as moving from “the struggle to overthrow the Assad regime to the struggle to build a unified Syria.”
As jubilation swept Damascus and other liberated cities, signs of lingering instability remained. Looting was reported on roads leading out of the capital, and rebel checkpoints were sparsely manned. Shops and restaurants closed early under a rebel-imposed curfew, while smoke from earlier strikes lingered over the Mazzeh district.
International observers, including the Biden administration, are closely monitoring developments. Despite the regime change, U.S. officials reported no immediate changes to their military posture in the region.
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