Media: Russia grants asylum to Bashar al-Assad as opposition forces enter Damascus

Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has arrived in Moscow and has been granted asylum by Russia.

The decision was reportedly made on humanitarian grounds and includes members of Assad's family, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

“Assad, along with his family, has arrived in Moscow. Russia, based on humanitarian considerations, has provided them with asylum,” the source said.

The development comes amid significant advances by opposition forces in Syria. Over the past weeks, opposition armed groups launched a large-scale offensive against government troops, capturing key provinces, including Aleppo, Idlib, and Deir ez-Zor. On December 7, these forces entered Damascus, forcing Assad to step down and leave the country following intra-Syrian negotiations.

The Kremlin has emphasized the urgency of resuming United Nations-led negotiations to resolve the Syrian crisis. Leaders of the armed opposition have reportedly assured Moscow of the safety of Russian military and diplomatic missions within Syria.

The Syrian conflict, which has raged for over a decade, appears to have entered a new phase, with the opposition consolidating control over major cities such as Aleppo, Homs, and Daraa. The rapid territorial gains and Assad’s departure mark a turning point in the protracted civil war.

International observers are closely watching how these developments will influence the balance of power in the region and the potential for a political resolution to the conflict.