Did Esad Die or Flee to Russia?
The Mysterious Disappearance
In a sudden turn of events, the Syrian regime led by Bashar al-Assad lost control in the capital city of Damascus as anti-regime groups began to enter the city center. Rumors started circulating about Assad leaving Damascus on a plane, which might have crashed. Two Syrian army officials speaking to Reuters mentioned that Assad took off on Sunday to an unknown destination. Speculations are rife that the plane might have crashed.
Russia’s Critical Announcement
Hours after the incident, Russia made a crucial announcement. They declared that Bashar al-Assad had left the country. Moscow expressed concerns about the ongoing events in Syria and stated that Assad had given orders for a peaceful power transfer. Russian officials mentioned that military bases in Syria were put on high alert. They emphasized that Russia was not involved in the power transfer process but was in contact with all parties involved. They called for all sides to avoid violence and resolve issues peacefully.
Where Could Assad Be?
Reports suggesting Assad’s escape from Syria raised eyebrows. The Charge d’Affaires of the Syrian Embassy in Qatar, Bilal Turkiah, hinted in an interview with Alaraby TV that Assad had left Syria and possibly headed to ally Russia. Samir Al-Abdullah, the Policy Director at the Harmoon Institute for Contemporary Studies in Istanbul, claimed that Assad had fled to Russia with his family.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Assad’s British-born wife, Asma Assad, and three children had left Syria last week, with other family members moving to the United Arab Emirates. There are even claims that Assad could be in the UAE. Enver Gargash, the Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE Presidency, mentioned that he had no information on this matter. He expressed concerns about radicalism and terrorism still being significant issues in Syria. Gargash criticized Assad for not using diplomatic support from various Arab countries to communicate with neighboring countries and opposition groups.
Was Assad’s Plane Shot Down?
On the FlightRadar24 flight tracking website, an aircraft seen taking off from Damascus airport and last spotted west of Homs was alleged to be carrying Bashar al-Assad. The plane passed over Homs before disappearing from radar northwest of the city, descending to 1600 feet and making “unusual movements.”
The aircraft lost altitude and disappeared west of Homs. With Homs now entirely under control of the HTS, militants are reported to have seized air defense systems in the area. The erratic behavior of Assad’s plane before the radar signal was lost has led to speculation that the aircraft may have been shot down.
The use of the air defense systems by HTS remains a question. However, the relatively lower maneuverability and speed of a cargo jet raise the possibility of the aircraft being hit by a kamikaze UAV or a lancer-style missile.
The missing aircraft’s potential crash site map
What’s even more intriguing is the loss of the aircraft’s signal near a location close to the Homs International Airport. Considering this information, the aircraft might have made an emergency landing in Homs. The identity of the pilot remains unknown, but it is a known fact that Bashar al-Assad holds a pilot license.
