Damascus/New York: Ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family have reportedly sought refuge in Moscow after Russia granted them asylum, according to CNN’s Jim Scuitto.
On Sunday, Syrian rebel forces advanced into Damascus without resistance, overthrowing Assad’s government and marking the end of nearly six decades of his family’s authoritarian rule, Reuters reported. “This momentous development in the Middle East dismantled a key axis of influence for Iran and Russia in the Arab world,” the report stated. Russia subsequently provided asylum to Assad and his family.
The decision to offer Assad asylum coincides with a statement from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who claimed Russian President Vladimir Putin had lost interest in protecting the Syrian leader.
“There was no reason for Russia to be [in Syria] in the first place,” Trump posted on Truth Social and X in a widely circulated comment. He further characterized Putin as Assad’s former “protector,” suggesting Russia’s priorities had shifted due to its ongoing war in Ukraine.
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In his post, Trump said:
“Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer. There was no reason for Russia to be there in the first place. They lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine, where close to 600,000 Russian soldiers lay wounded or dead, in a war that should never have started, and could go on forever. Russia and Iran are in a weakened state right now, one because of Ukraine and a bad economy, the other because of Israel and its fighting success. Likewise, Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness. They have ridiculously lost 400,000 soldiers, and many more civilians. There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin. Too many lives are being so needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed, and if it keeps going, it can turn into something much bigger, and far worse. I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting!”
The developments signal a significant shift in geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East, with Assad’s departure potentially altering the balance of power in the region. Analysts are closely monitoring how this move will impact Russia’s and Iran’s regional influence as both nations face growing challenges on multiple fronts.
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