Russia has granted asylum to deposed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. The decision was made personally by President Vladimir Putin and comes amid concerns over Russian military bases in Syria.
Al-Assad was allegedly evacuated from a Russian airbase in Latakia on a Russian plane, sparking questions about the impact of his asylum on Russia’s assets in Syria. The Kremlin has taken precautions to ensure personnel safety but declined to comment on potential consequences for its military presence.
Peskov warned that the situation in Syria is “turbulent” and has high potential for conflict, citing regional instability and tensions with neighboring countries like Ukraine. Russia remains committed to dialogue with regional players, including Turkey and Iran, as part of the Astana peace process.
The fall of al-Assad’s regime has weakened Russian and Iranian influence in the region, while Turkey has emerged stronger due to its long-standing opposition to the former president. Israel’s military has launched air attacks on suspected chemical sites in Syria, but claims to be staying out of the conflict.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/9/russia-gave-asylum-to-deposed-syrian-president-al-assad-kremlin-confirms