Moscow: Western intelligence behind false reports of Assad's death

Maria Zakharova, Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, claimed that the fake news about Bashar al-Assad's death in a plane crash was fabricated by intelligence agencies of countries seeking chaos in Syria.

According to Zakharova, "If this had been a mistake or a case of journalistic error, there would have been denials," Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

"This is an example of a classic fake with all the necessary components. Why? Without a doubt, the relevant services of countries interested in chaos on Syrian territory were behind this, in order to use this 'news' to achieve their specific objectives," the diplomat said.

To recall, on December 8, Reuters initially reported that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad may have been killed in a plane crash while fleeing Damascus, which had reportedly fallen to rebel forces. 

The article, citing Syrian sources, suggested there was a high likelihood that Assad was on a plane that had vanished from radar after departing from Damascus airport. 

The aircraft allegedly changed direction suddenly before losing contact. However, Reuters later removed these claims, stating it could not confirm whether Assad was aboard.

The updated Reuters report now states that Assad flew out of Damascus on December 8 to an unknown destination, with his whereabouts—and those of his family—still unclear. R

Russia's Foreign Ministry also announced on the same day that Assad had resigned and left the country, but did not provide further details.

By Aghakazim Guliyev