Official announcements from the Syrian government or credible international news agencies such as Reuters or BBC

Assad Believed Killed in Plane Crash After Sudden U-Turn Near Homs

Dec 8, 2024, 09:45 AM

Two Syrian sources have told Reuters that there is a very high probability that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been killed in a plane crash near Homs. The IL-76 aircraft, believed to be carrying Assad as he fled Damascus amid rebel advances, took off from Damascus International Airport. The plane made a sudden and unexplained U-turn near Homs before disappearing from radar. Flight data from Flightradar shows the aircraft descended rapidly to 1,600 feet before vanishing. It is suspected that the plane may have been shot down after leaving Damascus. The cause of the unexpected maneuver and disappearance remains a mystery. No official confirmation has been provided, and the situation is developing.