Russia gave asylum to deposed Syrian President al-Assad, Kremlin confirms
The decision to grant asylum to Bashar al-Assad comes amid concerns over Russian military bases in Syria.
By Tips & Tricks News Guide
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been granted asylum in Russia after fleeing a swift offensive by opposition forces. Peskov stated that President Vladimir Putin made the decision personally.
"Such decisions cannot be made without the head of state. It is his [Putin’s] decision," Peskov told reporters in Moscow on Monday. However, he declined to disclose al-Assad’s exact location and noted that Putin currently has no plans to meet with him.
"The Russian authorities have granted political asylum," reported News Guide from Moscow. "Reports are suggesting that Russia has not abandoned the former Syrian president during these challenging times. Al-Assad was reportedly evacuated by a Russian plane from the Russian airbase in Latakia."
Shapovalova noted that the decision to offer asylum raises questions about its impact on Russia's interests in Syria.
"The key issue now is the future of Russian military bases, particularly the naval facility in Tartous and the airbase in Hmeimim, Latakia," she added.
Our correspondent noted that the Kremlin is implementing measures to ensure the safety of its personnel. However, reports from Tartous indicate that there is no immediate threat at this time.
The Kremlin stated it was too early to speculate on the future of Russia's military bases in Syria. "This will be a matter for discussion with whoever assumes power in Syria," Peskov said.
The facility in Tartous serves as Russia's sole Mediterranean repair and replenishment hub and has been a key staging ground for deploying military contractors to various African countries.
Addressing the broader regional and international landscape, the Kremlin spokesman warned of turbulent times ahead, marked by a heightened risk of conflict. "We see the situation unfolding around Ukraine, observe many conflicting statements on the matter, and recognize the escalating potential for conflict in other regions, including the volatile Middle East," he said.
Concerns rise around future Syria leadership
The rapid advance of an opposition alliance led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate, caught the world off guard on Sunday, including Russia.
Although HTS remains designated as a terrorist organization by the United Nations and most nations, it has spent years attempting to reshape its image and distance itself from its al-Qaeda origins to gain acceptance from foreign states and minority groups within Syria.
Peskov stated that Moscow remains in contact with Ankara and other regional actors regarding the situation in Syria and is prepared for dialogue with all countries in the region amid the instability ahead.
Russia, Türkiye, and Iran have regularly engaged in trilateral discussions on Syria’s future as part of the Astana peace process.
The fall of al-Assad has dismantled a key stronghold through which Iran and Russia exerted influence across the region. Türkiye, traditionally aligned with al-Assad’s adversaries, has emerged strengthened, while Israel celebrated the collapse as a result of its actions against al-Assad’s Iranian-backed allies.
On Monday, the Israeli military released photos of its forces stationed in the Mount Hermon border area. It reported conducting airstrikes on suspected chemical weapons facilities and long-range rocket sites to prevent them from falling into the hands of opposition fighters.
Israel also targeted Iranian-linked sites in Syria on Sunday and moved tanks into a demilitarized buffer zone to contain potential spillover from the chaos but emphasized its intent to remain uninvolved in the conflict.
When we learn of a mistake, we acknowledge it with a correction. If you spot an error, please let us know at tipsandtricks36980@gmail.com
Post a Comment