Russia Says Assad Ordered Peaceful Transition before Stepping Down

The ministry stated on Sunday that Assad decided to step down after holding talks with “a number of participants in the armed conflict on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic.”

The ministry added that Assad issued “instructions for a peaceful transfer of power” but did not disclose his current location.

Moscow emphasized that it “did not participate in these negotiations” and called on all parties to avoid violence and seek political solutions to issues of governance.

"In that regard, the Russian Federation is in contact with all groups of the Syrian opposition," the ministry said.

Russia confirmed its military bases in Syria are on high alert but noted there was no immediate serious threat to their security.

The announcement follows an escalating conflict in Syria, which began on November 27 when the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched a large-scale offensive in Aleppo and Idlib provinces.

The group seized control of several areas, including parts of Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, and pushed south toward Hama.

On Sunday, HTS declared it had captured the capital, Damascus.