Bashar al-Assad Takes Refuge in Russia After the Fall of His Regime

Syria’s ousted president, Bashar al-Assad, has taken refuge in Russia with his family, according to reports from Russian news agencies on Sunday, December 8. After fleeing Damascus, Assad has settled in Moscow, where he was granted asylum on humanitarian grounds, according to Kremlin sources.

A flight following a swift rebel offensive

The fall of the Syrian government came after a rapid offensive led by rebel groups, including radical Islamist factions.
“Assad and his family members have arrived in Moscow. Russia, based on humanitarian considerations, has granted them asylum,” a Kremlin source told TASS and Ria Novosti.

U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed the news during remarks from the White House, stating that Bashar al-Assad is indeed in Moscow.

Assurances on Russian interests in Syria

Russian news agencies also reported that Moscow has already established contact with Syrian rebels. The rebel leaders have allegedly guaranteed the safety of Russian military bases and diplomatic institutions in Syria, including the naval base in Tartus and the military airfield in Hmeimim.

Call for an emergency UN meeting

Russia has requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, scheduled for Monday afternoon, to address the situation in Syria. Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia’s deputy representative to the UN, stated on Telegram:
“The depth and consequences of the recent events in Syria for the country and the region have yet to be fully understood.”

Moscow advocates for a political solution

The Kremlin reiterated its commitment to a political resolution to the Syrian crisis:
“Russia has always supported a political settlement. We call for the resumption of negotiations under the auspices of the UN, in the interest of the Syrian people and the development of bilateral relations between Russia and Syria,” said a Kremlin source.