Syrian President Assad killed? Speculation rife over Syrian leader's sudden disappearance
PTC News Desk: After Syrian President Bashar al-Assad fled the country, speculations now rife that the plane that he boarded has been crashed or shot down. Earlier today Assad fled the country the boarded the plane to an undisclosed location.
As per the official data, the aircraft, an Ilyushin Il-76T, was initially headed towards Syria’s coastal region. However the plane reversed and flew in the opposite direction for some time before going off the radar. Flight data indicates the jet descended sharply from 3,650 metres to 1,070 metres in the minutes before disappearing.
While the reason behind the dissappearance remain unclear, the change in flight path and loss of signal have sparked speculations of plan being shot down the moment it crossed rebel territory.
Egyptian journalist Khaled Mahmoud tweeted that the crash appeared deliberate, citing the loss of altitude.
"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," he posted on X.
Although officials have not verified Assad's condition, the sudden disappearance of the jet he is believed to be aboard has fueled speculation about the Syrian leader's fate.
- With inputs from agencies
