Bashar al-Assad’s whereabouts unclear amid offensive on Hama, Homs in Syria
This handout picture provided by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on November 11, 2023, shows Syrian President Bashar Assad attending an emergency meeting of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in Riyadh.(Saudi Press Agency/AFP Photo)
As opposition groups continue their advance in Syria, the whereabouts of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have become a focal point of speculation.
‘Assad remains in Moscow’
According to Charles Lister, Director of the Middle East Institute, “Assad remains in Moscow, while much of his family and close allies are also abroad, primarily in Russia and the UAE.”
However, conflicting reports suggest that Assad may have left Russia for Syria on November 30. A flight belonging to the Russian Air Force, an Il-62M type of plane has landed in Damascus, Syria on 30 Nov. after departing from Moscow. Potentially carrying Assad himself, although another source claims that the Russian plane carried Russian troops and advisors to Damascus.
Is Bashar al-Assad in Russia or in Syria?
An anonymous source, posting on the social media platform X, citing anonymous sources, indicated that Bashar al-Assad and his wife and children are in Russia too.
Bashar al-Assad and his wife and children are in Russia. That’s for sure. Asma al-Assad’s brothers and their families are outside Syria: Iyad is originally abroad, but Firas and his family are now in the Emirates, and her parents are in London.
In fact, Asma was not always in Russia for treatment, but rather moved from time to time, but they all left Damascus on Wednesday night, and she took with her her personal service team, unusually, including “Milad” (don’t ask me about him, but there is a close circle in Damascus who knows this name and who he is very well).
I don’t usually circulate this kind of news, but I confirmed it from a source close to the very close circle of the family in Damascus. Is it a coincidence? Of course not, and the days will reveal everything…
X user MT77W’s claim
The source also claimed that Assad was likely aboard the Russian plane that landed in Damascus
“A Russian Air Force plane designated for transporting government figures has just landed at Damascus International Airport, coming from Russia. Bashar al-Assad is most likely on board, returning to meet with the Iranian foreign minister tomorrow, but he is confirmed to be in Moscow as of today,” X user MT77W wrote.
Syrian pro-opposition media outlet Syria TV stated that, “Special sources for Syria TV: Bashar Assad returned from Russia two hours ago and there is real concern within the regime circles.”
Rumors of a military coup in Syria
According to the Turkish journalist Ragip Soylu’s post on X, citing Sham Network, “A senior Syrian military officer has hinted that some officers may be planning a coup to seize control of the Syrian government in a bid to halt the rapid advance of rebel forces beyond Hama. However, the officer did not elaborate on what might happen to Assad in the coming stages.”
Security Researcher at AtlanticCouncil’s DFRLab, Ruslan Trad have also mentioned that that there are reports of ongoing coup in Damascus.
“The situation in Syria is becoming increasingly dynamic. There are reports of fighting in Damascus between the Republican Guard and Maher Assad’s Fourth Division. If Maher al-Assad takes power in a coup, he is likely to unleash a heavy military campaign to bring the seized areas back under control.” Trad said.
Meanwhile, increasing reports indicate an alleged ongoing coup attempt in Damascus. Local clashes have allegedly erupted between the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and regime-loyal militias.
