TASS, citing a Kremlin source, confirmed that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has arrived in Moscow with his family, where they have been granted asylum on humanitarian grounds.

The source told the news agency, “President al-Assad of Syria has arrived in Moscow. Russia has granted them (him and his family) asylum on humanitarian grounds.”

Diplomats also revealed that Russia requested a UN Security Council meeting behind closed doors on the UN peace keeping mission in the occupied Golan Heights.

Al Mayadeen

Previously, Reuters had reported that it was highly likely Bashar al-Assad had been killed in a plane crash, as the aircraft had suddenly manoeuvred and disappeared from radar.