Moscow confirms Assad has left Syria

The official Foreign Ministry statement doesn’t specify the veteran politician’s whereabouts

The Russian Foreign Ministry has confirmed that Bashar Assad has stepped down as Syrian president and left the country following negotiations with armed opposition groups amid the fall of Damascus to Islamist forces.

In a statement issued on Telegram on Sunday afternoon, officials clarified that Moscow was not involved in the talks but acknowledged Assad’s decision to transfer power “peacefully.”

“Russian military bases in Syria are on high alert. At present, there is no serious threat to their security,” the statement read. The Foreign Ministry said Moscow remains in contact with all Syrian opposition factions and is taking measures to ensure the safety of Russian citizens in the region.

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”We urge all sides to refrain from violence and resolve issues of political governance through dialogue,” the statement said. It also stressed the need to respect the views of “all ethnic and religious groups within Syrian society.”

Russia reaffirmed its support for an “inclusive political process” based on UN Security Council Resolution 2254, which calls for a peaceful resolution to the Syrian conflict through free elections and a new constitution.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and other anti-government militias took control of Damascus on Sunday. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad al-Jalali has expressed his willingness to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the people, adding that he remains at home in Damascus. The HTS offensive began last week from the opposition-held Idlib province and was led by a former Al-Qaeda commander.