A search operation is currently underway for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Just a few hours ago, news broke that the Syrian Government has reportedly collapsed and the President has fled the country. According to the Open-source flight trackers, the last plane to depart Damascus was an Illyushin-76 aircraft, flight number Syrian Air 9218. This aircraft was believed to be carrying Al-Assad.

Reports indicate that the plane took off before opposition fighters seized full control of Homs and its capital, Damascus Early Sunday, including the airport. The plane is alleged to have gone east, followed by north, before its signal was lost as it circled over Homs.

Since Syria’s armed opposition fighters entered the city, Al-Assad was neither spotted nor heard publicly. Rebel forces are reportedly trying to locate Assad after speculation erupted about his escape from Syria.

Did Bashar Al-Assad’s Plane Crash?

In a social media post, an Egyptian writer and journalist Khaled Mahmoued wrote, “Sudden Disappearance and Altitude Change Suggests It Was Shot Down!!”

On Bashar al-Assad’s Plane Crash, he said, “Unconfirmed information is being circulated about the sudden descent of the plane that was reportedly carrying Assad after it disappeared from radar and dropped suddenly from an altitude of over 3,650 meters to 1,070 meters in a few minutes, just outside Lebanese airspace north of Akkar. 3D flight radar data of the plane suspected of carrying Bashar al-Assad indicates that it crashed. The Syrian Air IL-76 aircraft’s altitude dropped suddenly, and it seems it was shot down.”

Rumours Swirl About Syrian President’s Whereabouts

Rumours surrounding the Syrian President’s whereabouts have been circulating on social media. An X user wrote, “This appears to confirm that the plane was shot down, whoever might have been on board. Sudden, sharp, momentary increase in barometric pressure = explosion.” Others are questioning the authenticity of the news. However, there is no official confirmation of the news.