Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim
Ousted Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad’s plane crashed.
Fact
Months old video showing an IAF aircraft crash in Rajasthan.
Syrian rebels seized control of Damascus on Sunday ending decades of Bashar al-Assad and family’s rule in the country after over 13 years of civil war. As this news broke, discussions about al-Assad’s whereabouts gained momentum on social media, with several users sharing a video claiming to show an aircraft carrying the Syrian dictator engulfed in flames.
Several social media users, sharing the seven-second-long-clip, claimed that Bashar al-Assad’s plane crashed in Homs after taking off from Damascus. Newschecker, however, found the video to be old and unrelated to the recent events in Syria.
Such posts can be seen here, here and here.
Also Read: Video Of Clashes Between College Students In Dhaka Goes Viral With False Communal Spin
Why ‘The Plane Crash’ Speculations?
Bashar al-Assad reportedly boarded a Syrian aircraft at Damascus airport early on Sunday as rebels took charge. Notably, a Syrian Air Ilyushin Il-76T cargo plane did take off from Damascus at 03:59 local time with an undisclosed destination. However, as per data from Flightradar24, the plane vanished from the radar around Homs.
Fact Check/Verification
A Google lens search on the keyframes of the viral video led us to an X post by @Saju__302, dated September 3, 2024. Carrying the same video, the post said that it was the incident from an IAF MiG series aircraft crash.
Taking a clue, we looked up keywords “IAF Mig Crash,” and “September 2024” on YouTube which yielded a report by India Today, dated September 2, 2024. Featuring a similar video showing an aircraft on fire, it stated, “MiG-29 Fighter Jet Crashes In Rajasthan Due To A Technical Snag, Pilot Safe.”
Another report on the crash by CNN-News 18 further added that the incident happened in Barmer “during a routine night training mission.”
A comparison of the viral video and the video of the MiG-29 fighter jet crash can be seen below.
Also Read: Cooking Rotis On Direct Gas Flame A Major Health Hazard? Here’s What We Found
A slightly different version of the viral video was also shared by the Indian Express in September 2024.
Multiple outlets such as this, this and this reported that an IAF MiG-29 crashed in Rajasthan’s Barmer due to a technical snag during a night training mission. The pilot was reportedly safe.
In an X post, dated September 2, 2024, the Indian Air Force also confirmed, “During a routine night training mission in Barmer sector, an IAF MiG-29 encountered a critical technical snag, forcing the pilot to eject. The pilot is safe and no loss of life or property was reported. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered.”
Where Is Bashar al-Assad?
Russian news agencies quoting Kremlin sources stated that Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in Moscow and been granted asylum “out of humanitarian considerations.”
There is no official confirmation about al-Assad’s whereabouts by the time of writing this article.
Notably, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that al-Assad had “decided to resign from the presidency and left the country, giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power” after negotiations with a “ number of participants in the armed conflict” in Syria.
We were not independently able to ascertain al-Assad’s whereabouts, however, the viral video does not show the Syrian dictator’s plane on fire.
Also Read: Did Centre Exempt Senior Citizens Above 75 From Paying Income Tax? Here’s The Truth Behind Viral ‘Big Announcement’
Conclusion
Hence, the viral video claiming to show ousted Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad’s plane crashed was found to be old and unrelated to the recent developments in the country.
Result: False
Sources
YouTube Video By India Today, Dated September 2, 2024
YouTube Video By Indian Express, Dated September 2, 2024
X Post By Indian Air Force, Dated September 2, 2024
If you would like us to fact-check a claim, give feedback or lodge a complaint, WhatsApp us at 9999499044 or email us at checkthis@newschecker.in. You can also visit the Contact Us page and fill out the form. Follow our WhatsApp channel for more updates.
Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
