Ex-Syrian president Assad 'granted asylum' in Moscow

Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad left office on Sunday after his government fell following a lightning offensive.

News ID: 5562

Date: 09 December 2024 - 10:43

TABNAK, Dec 09: Assad and members of his family arrived in the Russian capital on Sunday, a Kremlin source told the TASS news agency.

The source added: "Russia, for humanitarian reasons, has granted them asylum."

Assad's location was confirmed as Russian news agencies said Moscow had struck a deal with Syrian opposition leaders. A source said the rebels have guaranteed the safety of Russian military bases and diplomatic institutions in Syria.

Whereabouts of the former Syrian president, as well as those of his wife Asma and their two children, were initially unknown.