Reports from Syrian sources suggest President Bashar al-Assad may have been killed in a plane crash while attempting to flee the country on Sunday.
Flight tracking data from Flightradar indicates a Syrian aircraft departed Damascus Airport as rebels reportedly captured the capital.
The plane initially headed toward Syria’s coastal region, a known stronghold of Assad’s Alawite sect, but abruptly reversed direction. Shortly after, the aircraft vanished from radar.
Two Syrian sources claim a high likelihood that Assad was on board and may have perished in the crash. They described the plane’s sudden U-turn and disappearance as highly unusual.
Reuters has not confirmed who was on the flight or whether Assad was among the passengers.
The reported incident follows escalating tensions in Syria, with opposition forces making significant advances in recent weeks.
Syrian rebels declared victory on Sunday after seizing Damascus and toppling President Bashar al-Assad, ending the Assad family’s five-decade rule.
The Islamist-led rebel coalition announced Assad’s ouster following their advance into the Syrian capital, encountering minimal resistance from regime forces.
Celebrations erupted across Damascus as thousands filled the streets, waving flags and chanting “Freedom.” The rebels also released prisoners from Sednaya, a prison infamous for its brutal conditions.