Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Takes Political Asylum in Russia with Family

Ousted Syrian 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 sought asylum in Moscow, the capital of Russia. This information was confirmed by Russia's state news agencies RIA Novosti and TASS, citing the Kremlin.

Residing in Moscow with Russia’s Permission

According to a TASS report, "Bashar al-Assad has arrived in Moscow with his family. Russia has granted them residence permission."

Moscow Calls for UN Discussions

Moscow has called for discussions at the United Nations regarding Syria’s current situation and has urged bilateral talks with rebel groups. Kremlin sources revealed that Russia has already initiated discussions with the rebel leadership, who have assured that they will not harm Russian military bases.

Damascus Falls to Rebels

With long-standing support from allies like Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah, Bashar al-Assad successfully defeated rebel groups in 2021. However, the current scenario is different. Ongoing conflicts such as the Ukraine war and tensions between Iran and Israel have limited the support these allies can provide to Assad.

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

Next Steps After Taking Refuge in Moscow

Analysts believe that international involvement, including UN discussions and efforts toward Syria's reconstruction, will be crucial. 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 has confirmed that Bashar al-Assad’s wife, Asma al-Assad, and their three children are currently residing in Moscow.