Syrian Ousted President Takes Political Asylum in Russia with Family

Syrian Ousted President Takes Political Asylum in Russia with Family

Ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, along with his wife Asma al-Assad and their three children—Zain al-Assad, Karim al-Assad, and Hafez al-Assad—has taken asylum in Moscow, the capital of Russia. The information was confirmed by Russian state news agencies RIA Novosti and TASS, citing the Kremlin.

Residence in Moscow with Russia’s Approval

A report by TASS stated, "Bashar al-Assad has arrived in Moscow with his family. Russia has granted them permission to reside."

Moscow Calls for UN Discussions

Moscow has called for discussions at the United Nations regarding the current situation in Syria and urged bilateral talks with rebel groups. According to Kremlin sources, Russia has already engaged in discussions with rebel leaders, who have assured that Russian military bases will not be harmed.

Damascus Falls to Rebels

With longstanding support from allies Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah, Bashar al-Assad successfully defeated rebel groups in 2021. However, the current scenario has shifted. Ongoing conflicts, including the Ukraine war and tensions between Iran and Israel, have limited the assistance these allies can provide to Assad.

As a result, the rebel coalition Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) captured Syria's capital, Damascus, within 12 days. The rebels entered the capital on Sunday, prompting Bashar to flee the country.

Next Steps After Taking Refuge in Moscow

Analysts believe international involvement in discussions at the United Nations and efforts toward Syria’s reconstruction will be critical. However, uncertainties remain about how long Bashar al-Assad and his family will stay in Russia and what their future holds.

Family Information

The Kremlin confirmed that Bashar al-Assad’s wife, Asma al-Assad, and their three children are currently residing in Moscow.