The Kremlin said on Monday Russia has granted political asylum to overthrown Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a decision it said was taken by President Vladimir Putin.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Assad’s specific whereabouts and said Putin was not planning to meet with him.
Syrian rebels, led by an alliance by Hayat al-Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate, reached Damascus over the weekend and overthrew Assad’s government following nearly 14 years of civil war. Assad’s overthrow, which appeared unthinkable just two weeks ago, raised hopes for a more peaceful future but also concerns about a potential security vacuum in the country, which is still split among armed groups.
Assad had been Syria’s leader since 2000, succeeding his father, who had been president for three decades.
eskov said it was too early to say what the future would hold for Russia’s military bases in Syria, adding that it would be the subject of discussion with the new rulers in Damascus.
“This is all a subject for discussion with those who will be in power in Syria,” Peskov said, adding that there was “extreme instability” in the country.
Moscow has used Syria as a staging post to fly its military contractors in and out of Africa. (CBC Canada)
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