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Assad Flees to Moscow, Ending 50-Year Family Rule in Syria

Dec 13, 2024, 01:43 PM

Bashar al-Assad, the former President of Syria, fled to Moscow in the early hours of Sunday, December 8, as his regime collapsed under the pressure of advancing rebel forces. According to multiple sources cited by Reuters, Assad deceived or kept in the dark his aides, officials, and even close relatives about his plans to escape. He assured military and security chiefs that Russian military support was imminent, urging them to hold out, but this was a ruse. Instead of returning home as he told his office manager, Assad headed to the airport. He also misled his media adviser, asking her to prepare a speech at his residence, only for her to find it empty upon arrival. Assad did not inform his younger brother Maher, the commander of the elite 4th Armored Division, about his escape plan. Maher later fled to Russia via Iraq. Two of Assad's cousins, Ehab and Eyad Makhlouf, were ambushed by rebels while trying to escape to Lebanon, with Ehab reportedly killed. Assad's escape was facilitated by Russian intelligence, who secured his passage to Moscow, ending his family's 50-year rule over Syria. His wife Asma and their three children were already in Moscow. Videos and images posted by rebels showed personal items left behind, indicating a hasty exit. Russia and Iran had previously declined to provide military support to Assad, but Moscow ensured his safe departure. Assad's last prime minister, Mohammed Jalali, spoke with him on the phone the night before his escape, with Assad's final words being 'Tomorrow, we will see.'