NEWS RECAP: Synagogue attack deemed terrorism, Assad’s falling and 2024 declared hottest year on record

Russian state news agency TASS has confirmed Bashar al-Assad is in Moscow and that he along with his family have been granted political asylum.

“Assad and members of his family have arrived in Moscow. Russia granted them asylum on humanitarian grounds”, the publication said, citing sources from within the Kremlin.

It remains unclear when Assad left Syria.

Reports over the weekend suggested he was already in Russia, while his wife and daughters were in neighbouring Jordan.

As rebels closed in on a major airport on Saturday, a plane was seen leaving the capital of Damascus.

Assad was not seen in Syria publicly for around a week before rebels overthrew Assad’s rule.

President Joe Biden has spoken about the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, who he believes is ‘in Russia’ calling it a historic opportunity with a “considerable risk and uncertainty”.

“A lot happening in the Middle East,” Mr Biden said from the White House.

“After 13 years of civil war in Syria, more than half a century of brutal authoritarian rule by Bashar al-Assad and his father before him.

“Rebel forces have force Assad to resign from office and flee the country

“We are not sure where he is, but the word is he is in Moscow.”

Russian State Media has reported that Assad is now in Moscow, Russia, citing Kremlin sources.

It is understood that they have granted asylum to both Assad and his family, however, these reports have not yet been independently verified.

“At long last the Assad regime has fallen,” Mr Biden said.

“It is a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria

“To build a better future for their proud country.”

“It is also a moment of risk and uncertainty.

“For years, the main backers of Assad have been Iran Hezbollah and Russia,

“Over the last week, their support collapsed.

“All three of them are weaker today than before I took office.”