ALBAWABA - As Syrian rebels had reached central Aleppo and controlled Aleppo International Airport, many questioned the location of Syrian President Bashar Assad, his wife Asma Assad and their families.
Speculations emerged on social media questioning whether Bashar Assad's family are still in Syria amid the offensive that started days ago by the opposition fighters led by the Hay’et Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group.
The opposition group announced in a statement an operation called "Deterrence of Aggression" against the Syrian regime. First, fighters began entering several towns and cities in the surrounding areas of Aleppo. Then they were seen inside Aleppo with the latest they had taken control of the international airport.
Videos of Syrian fighters tearing down photos of Bashar Assad and attacking statues that belongs to the Syrian regime in Aleppo and other towns were posted on social media.
Did Bashar Assad's family flee Syria following the Aleppo offensive?
Many Syrian activists rapidly claimed that Assad and his family had left the country immediately after the operation.
An X user, who identifies himself as an analyst and commentator on Middle Eastern politics & economic affairs, allegedly wrote that Bashar Assad and his family are now in Russia following the surprise offensive.
Furthermore, the netizen also claimed that Asma Assad's brothers are also out of Syria.
The X user allegedly said that Asma's brother Iyad is originally abroad, but Firas, her other brother, and his family are now in the UAE. Nonetheless, her parents are in London, UK.
It is worth noting that the Syrian president flew to Russia on Thursday and held a meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin to discuss the latest developments in his country amid intense fighting with rebels.
However, no official statement was made by the Syrian government regarding the family or Bashar Assad.
