Syrian President Assad Seeks Asylum in Russia Following Escape from Syria

In a dramatic turn, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has reportedly fled Syria and arrived in Moscow, seeking asylum as confirmed by Russian state media. This development could reshape geopolitical dynamics in the region.

According to Russian state media, Bashar al-Assad, the former president of Syria, has arrived in Moscow after escaping from Damascus.

Russia has been a crucial ally of Assad’s regime, and now reports suggest that the former president and his family will be granted asylum there.

Assad fled as the rebel group HTS took control of the capital over the weekend. Prior to this, Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, a leader of the rebels, spoke to enthusiastic crowds in a mosque in Damascus.

The BBC is the sole Western news organization providing reports from inside Damascus.

“I was just meters away from Jawlani—seeing him in the heart of Old Damascus felt surreal,” writes our correspondent, Feras Kilani.

Our correspondents have observed crowds celebrating in the streets and witnessed Syrians looting Assad’s former residence.

They have also heard explosions in Damascus. Unconfirmed reports suggest that Israel is striking the city, although there has been no comment from Israel on the matter.

Russian military support played a crucial role in maintaining Bashar al-Assad’s hold on power for the past nine years.

READ ALSO:Syrian Rebels Claim President Assad Has Fled, Declare Capture of Damascus

However, in just a few days, the Kremlin’s Syria initiative has fallen apart, and Moscow seemingly lacks the power to intervene.

The collapse of the Assad regime deals a significant blow to Russia’s prestige.

In 2015, by dispatching thousands of troops to support President Assad, one of Russia’s primary goals was to establish itself as a global power.

It appeared to be Vladimir Putin’s first significant challenge to the power and dominance of Western nations beyond the former Soviet sphere, and it seemed successful.

As a result of providing military support, the Syrian government granted Russia 49-year leases for its air base in Hmeimim and naval base in Tartus. This arrangement allowed Russia to establish a significant foothold in the Eastern Mediterranean. These bases served as crucial hubs for rotating military contractors into and out of Africa.

Assad was Russia’s most steadfast ally in the Middle East, with the Kremlin heavily investing in him. They committed extensive resources—financial, military, and political—to ensure he remained in power. The Russian authorities will face challenges portraying his overthrow as anything other than a setback for Moscow.