Ejected from Syria after an offensive by Islamist rebels, Bashar al-Assad is believed to be in Moscow this Monday, December 9, 2024.
The rebel offensive carried out since November 27 in Syria caused the fall and flight of Bashar al-Assad, ex-president who had been in office since 2000. What we know, this Monday, December 9, 2024.
Bashar al-Assad in Russia?
According to the Russian news agency TASS, the Kremlin, which hosted Bashar al-Assad and his family, granted political asylum to the former Syrian president. A source from the Moscow institution, contacted by the same agency, assures that “Russian officials are in contact with representatives of the Syrian armed opposition“, whose leaders “guaranteed the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic missions on Syrian territory.” If Moscow refused to confirm the presence of the former Syrian president on his land, Joe Biden confirmed it on the evening of December 8.
This Monday late morning, TASS indicates that the decision to grant political asylum to Bashar al-Assad and his family was taken by Vladimir Putin.
How is France positioned?
On Franceinfo, the resigning Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, said: “This is good news for freedom and the Syrian people. We have a special envoy for Syria who is there very regularly and who communicates with all parties. He is in the region at the moment and will be in Syria in the coming days.”
“As for me, I was able to exchange with my Syrian, Jordanian and Turkish counterpartsand what emerges from these exchanges is the will that in the political transition all minorities can be represented, can find their place,” he added, saying the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al Cham must prove his wish to rule out extremism.
What international reactions?
While several diplomatic sources announced to AFP the holding, as a matter of urgency, of a UN Security Councilmany other countries reacted. Joe Biden and the United States, who spoke of a “historic moment”, also said of Bashar al-Assad that he must “be accountable”.
For its part, China called for finding a “political solution” while Turkey hopes that an “inclusive government” will be formed. Saudi Arabia also spoke, demanding that Syria do not fall into “chaos and division”.
As for Poland, it drew a parallel with the Kremlin, saying that “even the cruelest regime can fall and Russia and its allies can be defeated.” Iran also commented on the events, saying that the Syrian government had “never asked it to help.”
A heavy toll
According to a latest assessment dated December 8 at the end of the day, since the start of the rebel offensive on November 27, 910 people were killed, including 138 civilians.
