Former Syrian President Bashar Al Assad reportedly sent a huge amount of money, around $250 million, to Moscow between 2018 and 2019. This money was transferred in US dollars and Euros. Reports say this shows how strong Assad’s financial ties were with Russia during the Syrian Civil War.
Documents indicated that flights from the Syrian Central Bank brought cash to Vnukovo Airport in Moscow, where it was put into Russian banks. Russia has been a major supporter of Assad ever since the war began in Syria in 2011, especially when Assad was running low on money.
These transactions took place from March 2018 to September 2019, right after Russian forces helped Assad fight against rebels trying to take over Damascus. The cash transfers included big amounts, sometimes $10 million or $20 million at a time, mostly using $100 bills and €500 bills.
Recently, rebel groups, led by Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, got very close to Damascus after quickly taking control of several cities, including Aleppo. But where was Assad? He left Syria early one morning and flew to Russia. The Kremlin later confirmed that he now has political asylum there.
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