Syria’s Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in Russia and have been granted asylum by the Russian authorities, Russian news agencies reported on Sunday, citing a Kremlin source.

The Interfax news agency quoted the unnamed source as saying: “President Assad of Syria has arrived in Moscow. Russia has granted them (him and his family) asylum on humanitarian grounds.”

Russian news agencies, citing a Kremlin source, said that Syrian opposition leaders have guaranteed the safety of Russian military bases and diplomatic missions inside Syria.

The TASS state news agency said: “Russian officials are in contact with representatives of the armed Syrian opposition, whose leaders have guaranteed the safety of Russian military bases and diplomatic institutions on the territory of Syria.”

Speculations grow about Assad’s death in plane crash

Earlier, reports circulated that the Syrian president’s jet, an IL-76, crashed following his alleged escape from Damascus amidst a rebel takeover of the capital. While official confirmation is lacking, various news outlets and social media are abuzz with accounts of the incident.

According to flight tracking website Flightradar24, a Syrian Airlines plane departed Damascus International Airport at the same time as rebels seized control of the city. Initially heading towards the Syrian coast, the plane abruptly changed course, flying in a different direction for several minutes before disappearing from radar near Homs.

Data suggests the aircraft descended rapidly before vanishing, raising concerns about the safety of those on board.

Speculation is rife regarding the plane’s fate and the president’s whereabouts. Some sources suggest the IL-76 may have been shot down by rebels, who possess significant anti-aircraft capabilities, especially given the reported abandonment of equipment by the Syrian army.

Another theory proposes the transponder was deliberately switched off to avoid tracking.

Alternatively, it’s speculated the plane may have been headed to a Russian airbase in Latakia, considered a safe haven for Assad, though this remains unconfirmed by authorities.

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Turkish media outlets have also reported the alleged crash, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the incident.

While there’s no definitive confirmation of the plane’s destruction or the president’s fate, the conflicting reports and lack of official statements have created significant international intrigue.