Reports suggest that former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad may have died in a plane crash while attempting to flee Damascus. According to Reuters, citing Syrian sources, the aircraft Assad was aboard likely crashed or was shot down during his escape from the capital, which had fallen to jihadist forces.
Flight data from Flightradar indicates that a Syrian Air flight departed Damascus airport as the city was overtaken by rebels. Initially heading toward Syria’s coastal region, the aircraft abruptly reversed course before disappearing from radar.
Reuters could not confirm Assad’s presence on the flight, but two Syrian sources claim it is highly probable he was onboard. “The plane disappeared from radar—possibly due to a disabled transponder, but it’s more likely the aircraft was shot down,” one source stated.
Syrian Prime Minister Muhammad Gazi al-Jalali announced on Sunday that Assad’s whereabouts, along with those of Defense Minister Ali Mahmud Abbas, have been unknown since Saturday evening. Earlier, Reuters reported that Assad had left Damascus in an undisclosed direction, following years of suppressing dissent and imprisoning thousands.
This developing story remains unconfirmed. The observers await further information.