Photos: Reuters
The flag of the Syrian rebel groups, featuring three stars, has been hoisted over the Syrian embassy building in Moscow. Russian news agencies reported on Sunday that Bashar Al Assad was in Moscow with his family, following the swift entry of rebel fighters into Damascus, which marked the end of nearly six decades of Assad family rule. Standing on the embassy balcony, Syrians cheered and sang as they raised the green, red, black, and white Syrian opposition flag amidst falling snow.
"Today, the embassy has reopened and is operating normally under a new flag," an embassy representative informed TASS state news agency. Russia has been a crucial ally of Assad. One source mentioned that the rebels, who ousted Assad in a rapid offensive, "guaranteed the security of Russian army bases and diplomatic institutions within Syria's territory."
Meanwhile, the Kremlin stated on Monday that it was premature to predict the future of Russia's military bases in Syria, noting that it is a topic of discussion with the new authorities. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov revealed that it was President Vladimir Putin's decision to grant Assad asylum in Russia. (With inputs from Reuters, AFP)
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