Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's departure from Syria was confirmed by Russia. According to a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry on Sunday, Assad decided to resign from the presidency and left the country as a result of certain negotiations.

“Assad left the country, giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power,” the Ministry said.

The statement did not provide information on Assad's whereabouts and clarified that Russia had not been involved in the negotiations on Assad's departure from the country.

Daniel Shapiro, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East Policy, said, “We will maintain our military presence in Syria.” Speaking in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, Shapiro noted that 900 troops in eastern Syria will remain in the country.