Assad resigns and leaves Syria, Russian bases on high alert
After recent events in the capital of Syria, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs made a statement. Kremlin diplomats emphasized that the current Russian units stationed in Syria are not under threat, although they have been placed on high alert. The Kremlin also denied reports that Bashar al-Assad might be staying in Russia.
On Sunday, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Bashar al-Assad resigned from the presidency and left Syria. This information was reported by the Polish Press Agency, citing a country that has supported the regime in Damascus for years. At the same time, Russian military bases in Syria have been placed on heightened alert.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow, Assad decided to peacefully transfer power after talks with several parties involved in the Syrian conflict. A high-ranking commander was also said to have left the country with the president.
Assad, after discussions with various participants in the Syrian conflict, stepped down as president and left Syria, ordering a peaceful transfer of power, the ministry stated. Russia emphasized that it did not participate in these negotiations but remains in contact with the Syrian opposition.
Russian units in Syria are not threatened
Despite the heightened readiness of Russian military bases in Syria, Moscow assures there is currently no "immediate threat to Russian forces in Syria" of these facilities, as reported by Al Jazeera.
Reuters reports that Assad flew out of Damascus on Sunday in an unknown direction. His fate remains uncertain, and Reuters sources suggest that the plane he may have been traveling on disappeared from radar and could have been shot down.
Syrian Prime Minister Muhammad Gazi al-Jalali stated that since Saturday evening, the whereabouts of Bashar al-Assad and Defense Minister Ali Mahmud Abbas have been unknown. Earlier, on Saturday, "The Telegraph" reported that Assad's family had left the country and is staying in the Russian Federation.
