Russia Declares Support for Bashar al-Assad

Russia has confirmed that Bashar al-Assad, the ousted Syrian president, has been securely transported to Russian territory and granted asylum, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. He emphasized that Russia will not extradite Assad to face trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC), as Russia is not a party to its jurisdiction. Ryabkov dismissed accusations against Assad, framing them as interference from foreign governments. Meanwhile, Israel has increased its military presence in Syria, conducting operations near Damascus, raising tensions in the region. Moscow expressed its desire for a stable future for Syria and the importance of respecting territorial integrity. The situation remains fluid as regional conflicts continue to evolve.