Bashar al-Assad & family granted asylum in Russia

Moscow: Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in Russia, with Russian authorities confirming that they have granted them political asylum.

This follows claims by Syrian rebels that Assad fled Damascus after taking control of the capital. Reports suggest Assad boarded a plane and left for an unknown location, while Damascus saw crowds suggest at public squares and military tanks being abandoned.

Rebel forces, however, do not have concrete intelligence on Assad’s whereabouts. Meanwhile, a joint statement from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Russia emphasized the need for a political solution to end the military operation and protect civilians, highlighting the regional and international security risks posed by Syria’s current situation.