Bashar Assad and his family arrive in Moscow where they were granted asylum: reports

Former Syrian dictator Bashar Assad and his family have arrived in Moscow where they are being granted asylum, according to reports.

“President Assad of Syria has arrived in Moscow," Russian media reported, according to The Times of Israel. "Russia has granted them (him and his family) asylum on humanitarian grounds.”

The Kyiv Independent and Sky News have also reported that Assad is in Russia. 

Early Sunday morning, Islamist rebels stormed the Syrian capital of Damascus, resulting in dictator Bashar Assad fleeing the country. 

Assad’s reported departure was a pivotal moment in Syria’s 13-year civil war, potentially altering the balance of power across the Middle East where Iran and Russia have backed Assad for years.