By Smartencyclopedia with Agencies

December 8, 2024

In a historic turn of events, former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has fled to Moscow with his family, accepting asylum offered by the Kremlin, as opposition forces close in on the Syrian capital. Assad’s departure marks the end of his two-decade rule and the collapse of a regime that spanned 53 years under his and his father’s leadership.

Assad’s Escape and Speculation Over His Movements

According to Russian state news agency TASS, Assad arrived in Moscow late on December 7, following a private jet departure from Damascus. His plane initially landed in Abu Dhabi before continuing to Russia. The timing and route of his departure from the UAE remain unclear.

Flight tracking data revealed multiple private jets traveling between Damascus and the UAE earlier in the day, fueling speculation. One jet reportedly crashed in the Syrian countryside, leading to rumors Assad may have been on board before confirmation of his safe arrival in Moscow.

Opposition Gains and Government Collapse

The rapid unraveling of Assad’s regime follows a stunning advance by opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its leader Ahmed Hussein al-Shar’a, known as Abu Al-Jolani. In just over a week, opposition groups captured Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, and two other major urban centers, pushing their frontlines to within kilometers of Damascus.

The fall of Aleppo initiated a cascade of territorial losses for government forces, with opposition fighters now controlling areas near Homs and advancing westward toward the Mediterranean coast. Regime loyalists are retreating en masse toward coastal strongholds.

Shifting Diplomatic Stances

The swift developments have prompted a notable recalibration of diplomatic rhetoric from key international players.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaking from Doha, acknowledged ongoing talks with Syrian opposition factions regarding Russia’s military base in Tartus, now under HTS control. This marks a significant shift from Moscow’s longstanding support for Assad’s regime.

Iran, another staunch ally of Assad, has also adjusted its stance. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi referred to opposition forces as “legal occupants” during an interview in Doha, abandoning the previous label of “terrorists.”

A Historic Turning Point

Assad’s departure signals a dramatic turning point in Syria’s civil war, which has raged since 2011. His exile mirrors the flight of authoritarian leaders during the Arab Spring uprisings.

In a telling precursor to this development, Assad sent his wife and three children to Moscow a week prior, an indication of the regime’s imminent collapse.

The opposition’s rapid gains and Assad’s flight leave Syria at a crossroads. The country’s future remains uncertain as opposition forces consolidate power in captured territories and the international community recalibrates its involvement.

With Assad’s exit, the world turns its attention to the prospect of a post-regime Syria and whether peace and stability can emerge from years of brutal conflict.