(Updated: )
Editor's Note: Reuters originally reported on Dec. 8 in an article on ongoing events in Syria that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad may have been killed in a plane crash, but later removed the reports from the article. The Kyiv Independent has updated this news article to reflect the change.
Reuters on Dec. 8 reported, citing its Syrian sources, that "there was a very high probability that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad may have been killed in a plane crash" as he was fleeing Damascus following its capture by rebels.
Reuters later deleted the reports of his possible death in the plane crash from its article on the ongoing events in Syria and Assad's toppling.
Reuters originally reported that a Syrian airplane had departed from Damascus airport around the time rebel forces were said to have taken control of the capital, suggesting Assad may have been onboard.
The plane allegedly headed towards Syria's coastal region, but made a sudden steer and flew in the opposite direction for several minutes before vanishing from radars, Reuters reported.
Reuters earlier said it was unable to confirm the passengers on board, but reported that two "Syrian sources" suggested that there was a strong possibility Assad may have perished in a plane crash.
The latest version of the Reuters article reports that Assad flew out of Damascus to an unknown destination on Dec. 8, and his current whereabouts, as well as those of his wife and children, are also unknown.
Russia's Foreign Ministry also said on Dec. 8 that Assad had resigned and fled the country, without providing details of his whereabouts.
However, German military blogger Tendar, citing flight tracking data, similarly reported on X that a plane leaving Damascus rapidly lost altitude near the Syrian city of Homs and may have crashed west of the town.
It also said that rumors were circulating that the plane may have been carrying Assad.
These claims remain unofficial and have not been verified.
The Kremlin had been a major backer of the Assad regime for years. Russia maintains a significant military presence in Syria, operating the Tartus Naval Base, the Khmeimim Air Base, and other key facilities nationwide.
When Assad's regime captured Aleppo in 2016, Russia's military intervention was fundamental in helping him succeed. In 2020, Russia, in collaboration with Turkey, brokered a ceasefire agreement with the rebels and effectively froze the conflict for years.
The fragile peace was shattered by the surprise rebel offensive launched in late November.
Oleg Sukhov
