Likelihood of Bashar Assad's Plane Crash

According to reports from Reuters, Bashar Assad likely perished in a plane crash. The information came from two Syrian sources, who provided the following details:

- The Il-76 plane operated by Syrian Air, presumably carrying Assad, took off from Damascus at 1:55 UTC (4:55 Syrian time).

- It was heading towards the coastal areas where Russian air and naval bases are located.

- At 2:32 UTC, the aircraft changed course, began a sharp descent, and at 2:39 UTC, it disappeared from radar screens at an altitude of about 500 meters.

One of the Reuters sources noted that the plane could have been shot down, though it's also possible that the transponder might have simply turned off. These events unfolded amidst the capture of Damascus by anti-government forces, after which Assad reportedly left the city by plane.

Subsequently, Syrian rebels announced the overthrow of Assad's regime on state television, lending credence to speculations about his possible death. Nonetheless, without official confirmation, these reports remain preliminary and require further investigation.