Syrian turmoil: Was Bashar Al‑Assad lost in a plane crash?
Reports from Reuters suggest that the ousted president of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, may have died in a plane crash. Syrian sources indicate that the plane might have been shot down.
On Sunday, Reuters reported a high probability that Bashar al-Assad, the former president of Syria, perished in a plane crash. This information comes from two Syrian sources suggesting the plane might have been shot down.
According to data from the Flightradar service, a Syrian Air plane took off from Damascus airport just as the city was seized by rebels.
Revolt in Syria. The president's plane may have crashed
Initially, the aircraft was heading towards the Syrian coast, but it suddenly turned back, flying in the opposite direction for a few minutes before disappearing from radar.
Reuters emphasizes that it is uncertain who was on board the plane. However, Syrian sources claim that Assad may have been one of the passengers.
A rebellion is ongoing in Syria
The President was reportedly trying to flee by plane after a rebellion erupted in Syria.
After seizing Damascus, Syrian rebels stormed the Iranian embassy on Sunday, Reuters reported, citing local media.
The agency also reported the evacuation of the Iraqi embassy in Syria, with embassy staff relocated to Lebanon. The reasons for this decision were not disclosed.
In contrast, the Russian embassy in Syria assured that its staff is "okay," according to the Russian agency TASS.
The regime of Bashar al-Assad, whose downfall was declared by the rebels on Sunday, was supported by Moscow and Tehran. The Syrian opposition receives backing from Ankara.
Thousands gathered on Sunday in the main square in Damascus, witnesses report. The crowd chanted "Freedom!" after decades of Assad family rule.