Russia confirms Syrian President Assad has left the country

The Russian Foreign Ministry said on December 8 that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had resigned and left the country after ordering a peaceful transfer of power.

“As a result of negotiations between Bashar al-Assad and a number of parties to the armed conflict on the territory of Syria, al-Assad has decided to step down as president and leave the country, giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power,” Reuters quoted a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry on December 8.

Russia expressed concern about the situation in Syria and called on all parties to exercise restraint and resolve issues through political means, adding that Russia has been in contact with opposition groups in Syria.

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Russia did not specify Mr. Assad's whereabouts, and stressed that it was not involved in discussions about the events surrounding Mr. Assad's departure from the country.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Russian military bases in Syria have been put on high alert, but there is currently no serious threat to them. Earlier, the Russian Embassy in Syria said that embassy staff were "fine." On December 6, the Russian Embassy asked its citizens to leave Syria.

Mr. Bashar al-Assad

Russia has been a supporter of President Bashar al-Assad in his battles with armed opposition groups in Syria over the past years. However, experts say Russia has focused on its military campaign in Ukraine and reduced its involvement in Syria.

US President-elect Donald Trump wrote on the social network Truth Social on December 8: "Russia had no reason to be there in the first place. They lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine."

Reuters on December 8 quoted Russian Senate Vice Chairman Konstantin Kosachyov as saying that Moscow is ready to support the Syrian people in certain cases, but Syrians must resolve conflicts within the country themselves.

Mr. Kosachyov said the conflict in Syria would not end even if Mr. Assad left the country. "Syria is a very difficult issue for everyone. The conflict will not end today (December 8). There are too many opposing interests and opposing forces, so the hardest part is ahead," Mr. Kosachyov wrote on his Telegram channel.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nga-xac-nhan-tong-thong-syria-assad-da-roi-dat-nuoc-185241208191529278.htm