There is speculation about the fate of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, as reports suggest a plane he was reportedly on may have crashed or been shot down during an apparent escape from Damascus.

Open source data from online tracker Flightradar24.com shows that a Syrian Air flight took off from Damascus airport at that time Rebels claimed control of the capital. The aircraft, an Ilyushin Il-76T, was initially heading towards the coastal region of Syria.

However, it abruptly changed course and flew in the opposite direction for several minutes before disappearing from radar near the city of Homs.

Flight data suggests the jet descended sharply from 3,650 meters to 1,070 meters in the minutes before it disappeared, fueling speculation that it may have been attacked as it crossed rebel-held territory in Homs.

While the exact circumstances of the disappearance remain unclear, the sudden change in trajectory and subsequent loss of signal have led to speculation that the aircraft may have been shot down or suffered a mechanical failure.

Flightradar acknowledged there may be discrepancies in the data, citing the aircraft’s older transponder and GPS interference in the area. Despite these caveats, the website said the data provided a “fairly good indication” of the plane’s trajectory.

While the identities of those on board have not been confirmed, Syrian sources told Reuters there was a “very high probability” that Assad was killed in the incident.

“It disappeared from radar, perhaps the transponder was turned off, but I think the greater likelihood is that the plane was shot down,” a source told Reuters.

Egyptian journalist Khaled Mahmoud tweeted that the crash appeared to be deliberate, citing the loss of altitude.

“3D flight radar data from the plane suspected of carrying Bashar al-Assad indicates that it crashed. The Syrian Air IL-76 plane suddenly dropped in altitude and it seems like it was shot down,” he posted on X.

Some believe the plane was headed to Russia’s Latakia air base – considered a safe haven for Assad. The base, controlled by Russian forcesserved as an important stronghold for the embattled regime for a long time. It is also one of the few cities that the rebels did not capture.

Although authorities have not confirmed Assad’s status, the sudden disappearance of the jet he was reportedly on has fueled speculation about the Syrian leader’s fate.

The Syrian government collapsed on Sunday as rebels captured Damascus in a rapid offensive, ending five decades of iron-fisted rule by the Assad family. Cheering crowds poured into the streets to celebrate the fall of the regime.

Syrian state television broadcast a video showing a rebel group making the announcement Bashar al-Assad had fallenshortly after a war observer reported that the embattled dictator had fled by plane to an unknown destination.