Deposed Syrian president Assad granted asylum in Moscow

by Mick the Ram

After Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) successfully drove President Bashar al Assad out of office, and his government quickly crumbled behind him, his whereabouts were initially unknown. Now it has emerged that Assad and members of his family have been granted asylum in Moscow with the personal blessing of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Mr Assad brutal 24-year rule came to a dramatic end when his government fell following a lightning offensive and it is being reported that Moscow struck a deal with the Syrian opposition leaders, after securing a guarantee from the rebels for the safety of Russian military bases and diplomatic institutions in Syria.

A major concern for the Russians are those bases, namely a naval base in Tartous and an airbase in Latakia. The Tartous facility is Russia’s only Mediterranean repair and replenishment hub, and Moscow has used Syria as a staging post to fly its military contractors in and out of countries in Africa.

It is understood Assad was evacuated by a Russian plane from the Russian airbase in Latakia for what are being described as humanitarian reasons. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “Of course, such decisions cannot be made without the head of state agreement. It is his decision,” obviously referring to Putin. He did add that the president was not planning to meet with the humiliated former Syrian leader and also declined to comment on Assad’s specific whereabouts in the Russian capital.

Assad’s fall is undoubtedly a major blow to both Russia and Iran and Mr Peskov said Moscow was in contact with Ankara and other regional players on the situation in Syria and that Russia was ready for dialogue with all countries of the region in the face of the instability that lies ahead.

As the former president fled, footage on social media showed families gleefully ransacking presidential palaces in Damascus, with some taking selfies in the grand settings and luxury cars being driven away, as tens of thousands celebrated in the streets and gathered in a main square of the capital, chanting and celebrating what they see as freedom.