The Mystery of Assad’s Exit

As celebrations erupted in Syria after the end of Bashar al-Assad's reign, whispers about his whereabouts started to circulate. Russian state media broke the silence with an unexpected announcement: Assad and his family were in Moscow. A source from the Kremlin confirmed this, adding that Russia had given them asylum for humanitarian reasons. Assad, who had been quiet since the uprising began and the rebels swiftly took over cities, made his last public appearance after a meeting with Iran’s foreign minister. He pledged to fight against "terrorist organizations" but had otherwise kept a low profile. As rebels neared Damascus, reports suggested Assad was nowhere in sight. His Presidential Guard was missing from his usual residence, sparking speculation about a possible escape. Syria’s presidential office initially denied these reports, stating that some media outlets were spreading false news. But after the rebels captured the capital, they claimed Assad had fled and were searching for him. In the midst of these rumors, Russia’s foreign ministry released a statement saying Assad had stepped down and left the country, seeking a peaceful transition of power. The statement clarified that Russia was not involved in these negotiations. Later, it was revealed that Assad was in Moscow. A rebel source told CNN that Assad left Damascus under Russian protection and traveled to Latakia, a region in northwest Syria where Russia has a military base. Flight data showed an intriguing pattern: a plane took off from Damascus airport around 2 a. m. local time on Sunday, heading towards the coast before making a mysterious U-turn over Homs and vanishing from maps. Whether Assad was on this flight remains unconfirmed. Russia, a longtime ally of Assad’s regime supported by President Vladimir Putin, was a logical destination. Whether Moscow is Assad’s final stop, his abrupt departure marks an end to over two decades of rule. This sudden turn of events raises questions about the future political landscape of Syria and the role of international players in the region.