Russia announced on Monday that it has granted political asylum to exiled former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, according to an Associated Press report. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin made the decision to offer asylum to Assad, who resigned and fled Syria following a surprise rebel attack that ended his regime. Peskov, however, did not disclose Assad’s exact location and stated that Putin had no plans to meet with the former president.

Assad’s departure marks the end of his nearly 14-year rule over Syria. His regime was overthrown just 11 days after rebels launched a surprise offensive, which followed more than a decade of civil war that was largely dormant until the recent rebel resurgence. The war began in 2011, when Assad’s violent crackdown on anti-government protests escalated into a full-blown civil conflict, involving multiple factions and foreign powers.

Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, leader of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which led the attack that toppled Assad, declared the event a “historic victory” for the region. Speaking at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus on Sunday, he celebrated the rebels’ success and their ability to reclaim Syria from Assad’s rule.

The fall of Assad’s regime represents a significant shift in Syria’s political landscape, and the rebel victory has raised questions about the future of the country. Russia’s decision to offer asylum to Assad further complicates the situation, as it shows Moscow’s continued support for the former leader, despite the changing tides in Syria. It remains uncertain how this will affect the broader conflict and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.