An active search operation is currently underway for the ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, as Syrian opposition factions interrogate military officers and intelligence officials who may be aware of al-Assad’s movements after their takeover of Damascus and the official end of al-Assad’s rule, according to a source described as “informed” by CNN.
The American site “Axios” reported that a plane of the type “Ilyushin-76” is suspected of carrying al-Assad, having left Damascus Airport shortly before the opposition entered.
The plane headed northwest and then veered near the city of Homs, rapidly lowering its altitude before disappearing.
Initially, the plane flew towards the Syrian coast but changed its course before mysteriously vanishing, flying in the opposite direction for a few minutes before disappearing from the map.
Reuters reported, citing two Syrian sources, that there is a very high possibility that al-Assad was killed in a plane crash, as the reason for the plane’s sudden course change and disappearance from the radar remains unknown.
Another source told the agency that the plane disappeared from radar, and its transponder might have been turned off, but the more likely scenario is that it crashed.
Early this morning, Sunday, Reuters reported that al-Assad left Damascus for an unknown destination, with the Military Operations Administration of the Syrian opposition subsequently announcing al-Assad’s escape, coinciding with their declaration that Damascus is free from his rule, urging Syrians worldwide to return to a free Syria.
The Military Operations Administration stated, “After 50 years of oppression under al-Baath rule, and 13 years of crimes, tyranny, and displacement, and after a long struggle and confrontation with all forms of occupying forces, we announce today, on December 8, 2024, the end of this dark era and the beginning of a new age for Syria.”
As the opposition factions entered Damascus, the overall commander of the military operations, Ahmed al-Sharaa, called on the opposition factions to protect public property and preserve it, as it belongs to the Syrian people, in order to continue painting the victory of the greatest revolution known in modern history, as he described it.
Following al-Assad’s escape, the Syrian Prime Minister, Muhammad Ghazi al-Jalali, stated in a video recorded from his home that he would be at the headquarters of the Prime Minister’s office, ready to hand over the government headquarters.
For its part, the Military Operations Administration issued a statement addressed to all military forces in Damascus, prohibiting any approach to public institutions, which will remain under the supervision of the former Prime Minister until they are officially handed over, and forbidding firing in the air.