Assad's unexpected exit: Secret plan derailed by asylum refusals
Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad planned to leave the country and go to Russia, then resign from office and transfer power to a transitional government, eventually handing it over to the rebels, according to sources from Qatari diplomatic circles in a conversation with "Bild." The dictator had also requested asylum in several countries but was denied.
As reported by "Bild," negotiations were conducted in the capital of Qatar. The plan was for Assad to resign on Saturday, 7th December, and go to Russia. It was anticipated that the main political force would become the Turkey-supported "Syrian National Army", rather than the Islamist group "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham." However, the plan was not realised.
Assad "received a denial"
A member of the political committee of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces (NCSORF), Anas al-Abda, told the Russian agency TASS that "Assad sent inquiries to several countries requesting asylum but received a denial."
- So far, we do not have concrete information about Assad's whereabouts. We know he requested permission to enter several countries, including Russia, but he was denied. It is possible he went to one of the African countries - the agency's source informed.
Meanwhile, the Hungarian government denied reports in a local media outlet that Assad had arrived in Budapest.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that Ankara has no information on the whereabouts of the former Syrian president.
Assad resigned. Russia confirms
Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Assad resigned from the presidency and left Syria. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that Moscow did not participate in these negotiations but remains in contact with all Syrian opposition groups.
According to sources from the Reuters agency, the plane with Assad left Damascus almost immediately after the rebels entered the city. Data from Flightradar indicates that the aircraft headed towards the coastal region of Syria, but then turned back and disappeared from the radar.
- It disappeared off the radar—possibly the transponder was switched off, but it's more likely the aircraft was taken down - explained a Reuters correspondent.
It is unknown whether Assad was indeed on board that plane and where he is currently located.
Lightning offensive by the rebels
The offensive by the fighters began on 27th November. The groups "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham" (HTS) and the "Syrian National Army" played a key role in the operation.
Within just a few days, the rebels took control of a significant part of Aleppo province, including its capital, and established full control over Idlib province.
On 5th December, they took Hama after the government forces fled the city. Kurdish units supporting the opposition captured Deir ez-Zor, including strategic border crossings with Iraq.
On the morning of 8th December, the rebels seized Damascus and declared Assad's overthrow.
