Bashar al-Assad reportedly granted asylum in Russia with family

Bashar al-Assad, the former president of Syria, has reportedly been granted asylum in Russia along with his family. Russian news agencies state this was done on "humanitarian grounds" following the capture of Damascus by opposition forces. Al-Assad's location was uncertain after the opposition declared his government toppled. Reports suggest he may have been evacuated by a Russian plane from a base in Latakia, Syria. In response to the situation, Russian officials have communicated with Syrian opposition leaders, who have assured the safety of Russian military bases in Syria. This development follows over 13 years of conflict in the country.