Lagatar24 Desk
Damascus: In a dramatic turn of events, Damascus has fallen to rebel forces, marking the end of Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year rule over Syria. Early reports from senior army officers suggest that Assad boarded a plane from the capital, heading to an undisclosed location, deepening the mystery surrounding his fate.
The Fall of Damascus
The swift rebel offensive began a week ago with the surprise capture of Aleppo. Assad’s forces crumbled under pressure, losing strategic cities, including Homs, which severed Damascus from the Alawite-dominated coastal region housing Russian military bases.
Rebels celebrated the capture of Damascus, but Assad’s whereabouts remain unknown. His wife, Asma, and their two children are also unaccounted for, adding to the uncertainty.
A Mysterious Flight
As Damascus fell, a Syrian Air plane reportedly departed the city’s airport, initially heading toward Syria’s coastal region. According to flight tracking service Flightradar24, the aircraft made a sudden U-turn before vanishing from radar.
Two Syrian sources speculate that the plane may have been downed. “The transponder could have been switched off, or it’s possible the aircraft was taken down,” one source said, refusing to provide further details.
Speculations and Theories
Rumors about Assad’s possible escape are rife. Some believe he may seek asylum in Moscow or Tehran, his key allies. However, conflicting reports have muddled the narrative.
While Syrian state media initially insisted Assad was still in Damascus, they have since fallen silent. Iranian agencies released a photograph allegedly showing Assad meeting an Iranian official in Damascus, but its authenticity remains questionable.
The only verified flight leaving Syria after Homs fell was a commercial plane to the UAE, though it remains unclear if Assad and his family were on board.
A Leadership in Limbo
The collapse of Assad’s government has left Syria in political chaos. Rebel-held areas erupted in celebrations, but the fate of Assad, a pivotal figure in Syria’s decade-long civil war, is shrouded in mystery.
“If he was on that plane, the probability of him being alive is slim,” a Syrian official said, reflecting the uncertainty gripping the nation.
