Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad Has Fled To Russia For Asylum As People Enter The Presidential Palace
A Kremlin source told Russian news media on Sunday, Dec. 8, that al-Assad is in Moscow with his family, having been granted asylum on humanitarian grounds.
After rebels liberated Syria from the regime of president Bashar Al-Assad in a lightning offensive, al-Assad has fled to Russia, where he has been granted asylum, Russian state media reported.
A Kremlin source told Russian news media on Sunday, Dec. 8, that al-Assad is in Moscow with his family, having been granted asylum on humanitarian grounds, Reuters reported.
Al-Assad had fled Damascus earlier on Sunday when rebels swept into the capital unopposed, toppling his regime after 13 years.
Celebrations erupted across the country as crowds filled the streets of Damascus and other cities, chanting “God is great” and anti-Assad slogans.
The same day, people were seen walking inside the presidential palace in Damascus, with some taking pieces of furniture with them.
Russia's Foreign Ministry said Assad had given orders for a peaceful transfer of power, according to Reuters.
Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali has said he intends to stay and ensure a peaceful transition of power.
Rebels said in a statement on Sunday that al-Jalali will supervise government institutions until a transitional government is formed.
Led by Islamist group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), rebel forces launched their surprise offensive on Nov. 27, advancing in government-held areas and seizing most of Aleppo, the second-largest city in Syria, in just three days.
After taking over Aleppo, they advanced into Homs city on Dec. 7, then in the early hours of Dec. 8, they announced they had captured Damascus and overthrown al-Assad, marking an end to a brutal 13-year civil war and more than 50 years of the al-Assad family's rule.
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