Bashar al-Assad’s last moments as president of Syria were filled with fear and mystery. As rebel forces got closer to the capital, Damascus, he secretly left without telling anyone, ending his 24-year rule and his family’s long time in power.
Just before he escaped, Assad spoke to his top military and security officials, convincing them that help from Russia was on the way. But this was not true; Russia wasn’t planning to come to his aid. He told his staff he was going home after work but instead went straight to the airport. Even his closest advisor, Buthaina Shaaban, was left in the dark. She went to his house to write a speech and found it empty.
Assad’s brother, Maher al-Assad, and other family members also didn’t know about his plans. Maher eventually escaped by helicopter to Iraq and then to Russia.
How Russia Helped Assad Leave
While Russia did not send soldiers to help Assad, they made sure he could leave safely. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov talked to other countries, like Qatar and Turkey, to prevent anyone from stopping Assad’s plane. His journey began at Russia’s Hmeimim airbase in Latakia and ended in Moscow, where his family was waiting for him.
In the days leading up to his escape, Assad tried to find a safe place in the UAE but was turned away because of worries about international consequences. He also didn’t ask Iran for military help, knowing it could make Israel angry.
Videos shared by rebels showed that Assad’s home was in chaos, with things left behind, which proved he left in a hurry. His control over key cities like Aleppo and Homs was quickly fading, and rebel forces were approaching.
Assad’s last conversation was with his prime minister, Mohammed Jalali. Jalali spoke about the panic and displacement in Homs, and when he worried about the situation, Assad replied uncertainly, “Tomorrow, we will see.” By the next morning, no one could reach him.
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