As many in Syria celebrated the end of the long rule of Bashar al-Assad, rumors swirled about his whereabouts. Russia says he fled Syria – where to exactly is unclear. Assad has not been seen or heard from since rebels declared Damascus “liberated” after sweeping through the capital and seizing key sites. The location of his wife and two children are also not known. Since the uprising began, and the rebels rapidly advanced through the country, Assad has kept a low profile. After meeting with Iran’s foreign minister last weekend, he pledged to fight “terrorist organizations” but has otherwise made little comment as the rebels captured major cities. Assad’s Presidential Guard were also no longer deployed at his usual residence, as they would be if he was there, the source said, fueling speculation ahead of Sunday’s developments that he may have escaped. Syria’s presidential office denied that Assad had left…
