Breaking: Assad’s IL-76 Jet Disappears from Radar, Speculation Swirls Over President’s Fate
The Syrian government has not issued any official statements regarding Assad's status
Reports are emerging regarding the potential crash of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s jet, an Ilyushin IL-76, amid a rapid takeover of Damascus by rebel forces.
While there is no official confirmation of the incident, various news outlets and social media platforms are filled with speculation surrounding the aircraft’s fate and Assad’s whereabouts.
According to flight tracking data from Flightradar24, a Syrian Airlines plane took off from Damascus International Airport around the same time rebels claimed control of the capital. Initially, the aircraft was headed toward Syria’s coastal region, possibly to Latakia, a known stronghold for Assad. However, shortly after takeoff, it abruptly changed course and flew in the opposite direction before disappearing from radar near Homs.
Reports indicate that the plane experienced a sudden altitude drop from approximately 3,650 meters to 1,070 meters in mere minutes before vanishing, raising concerns it may have been shot down or suffered mechanical failure.
There is rampant speculation that Assad may have been aboard the plane at the time of its disappearance. Some sources suggest that the aircraft could have been targeted by rebel anti-aircraft capabilities as it crossed into contested territory.
Egyptian journalist Khaled Mahmoued stated that 3D flight radar data indicates a crash, reinforcing theories that the jet was shot down.
The incident coincides with a significant shift in power dynamics within Syria, as rebel forces have rapidly advanced and taken control of key locations in Damascus. Reports indicate that Assad fled the capital just before its fall, with some claiming he may have been en route to Russia’s Latakia airbase for safety.
The Syrian government has not issued any official statements regarding Assad’s status or the fate of the aircraft, leaving many questions unanswered.
