On Sunday, December 8, 2024, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has left the country following his loss of control over the capital, Damascus, to opposition forces. In a statement, the ministry noted that "Assad has relinquished his position and departed after ordering a peaceful transfer of power," although it did not disclose his current whereabouts.

Meanwhile, Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Jalala stated that communication had been established with armed opposition factions through the "Southern Operations Room." An initial agreement was reached to maintain public services and state institutions.

Regarding Assad's location, Jalala mentioned that he had no information on the matter, with the last communication occurring on Saturday evening to discuss service-related issues. He also denied knowledge about the status of Assad's family and their situation in the presidential palaces.

Conflicting reports have emerged about the fate of Bashar al-Assad after opposition forces entered Damascus. Social media platforms circulated claims that he fled on a plane from Damascus to Latakia.

Flight tracking websites indicated that the aircraft believed to be carrying Assad was last seen over western Homs after departing from Damascus International Airport but subsequently vanished from radar screens. Reports suggest that the plane descended to an altitude of 1,600 feet and exhibited "unusual maneuvers" before disappearing.

In a significant turn of events, opposition factions entered and took control of Damascus early on December 8, as government forces withdrew from public institutions and streets. This marks the end of over 61 years of Ba'ath Party rule and 53 years of Assad family governance.

Prior to this, on November 27, clashes erupted between government forces and opposition factions in western Aleppo, leading to the opposition's control over Aleppo city and Idlib province. Subsequently, they seized Hama, Daraa, Suwayda, Homs, and finally, Damascus.