Mon Dec 09 09:40:20 UTC 2024: ## Assad Granted Asylum in Russia After Rebel Victory in Syria
**Moscow/Damascus** – Ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family have been granted asylum in Russia following a swift rebel victory that concluded the country’s long-running civil war. Islamist rebels, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, achieved complete control of Syria on Sunday, capturing the capital Damascus after earlier seizing Aleppo, Homs, and other major cities. The offensive, launched on November 27th, marks a decisive end to a conflict that began with Assad’s crackdown on pro-democracy protests.
The devastating war has claimed over 500,000 lives and displaced millions. The United Nations estimates that 370,000 Syrians have been newly displaced in the recent fighting alone. Over half of the country’s population has been forced to flee their homes.
In response to the dramatic shift in power, U.S. President Joe Biden called for Assad to be held accountable for his actions during the war, while characterizing the situation as a historic opportunity for the Syrian people to rebuild their nation. The international community is bracing for a complex humanitarian crisis and the challenges of establishing a stable post-conflict government in Syria.
First Piper 