Surprising Assad statement from Russia: Resigning was a personal decision.

On November 27, Wednesday, opposition groups that launched an operation against the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria captured many cities without even entering into conflict within 12 days. After the opposition took control of the capital, Damascus, the 61-year-old Ba'ath regime was overthrown, and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad fled the country seeking refuge in Russia.

PUTIN PERSONALLY REQUESTED ASYLUM RIGHTS TO BE GRANTED

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated yesterday that the decision to grant political asylum to Bashar al-Assad was made personally by Vladimir Putin. Peskov, who said, "What is happening in Syria has surprised not only Russia but the whole world," also noted in his statement that there was no meeting with Assad on Putin's official agenda.

ASTONISHING STATEMENT

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov made a confusing statement today. Peskov said that Assad's resignation was a personal decision.

DEVELOPMENTS IN SYRIA

On November 27, clashes intensified between regime-opposing armed groups and Bashar al-Assad's forces in Syria. The groups had gained superiority in the largest provinces such as Aleppo, Idlib, Hama, and Homs between November 30 and December 7. As the groups began to enter the capital, Damascus, on December 7, with the support of mass crowds, the regime completely lost control in Damascus and many other regions, leading to its collapse. The 61-year rule of the Ba'ath Party came to an end, and regime leader Assad fled the capital.

Meanwhile, the Syrian National Army had also liberated the center of the Tel Rifaat district from the terrorist organization PKK/YPG on the first day of the Operation Dawn of Freedom launched in December.

With the liberation of the Manbij district during the operation, the region, which had turned into the largest terrorist stronghold west of the Euphrates River, was cleared of PKK/YPG.