Assad's vanished exit: Secret plan for asylum thwarted
Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had planned to leave the country for Russia, resign from office, and transfer power to a transitional government, ultimately handing it over to the rebels, according to sources from Qatari diplomatic circles in a conversation with "Bild." The dictator had also sought asylum in several countries, but his requests were denied.
As reported by "Bild," negotiations took place in the Qatari capital. The plan was for Assad to resign on Saturday, December 7, and then travel to Russia. It was anticipated that the main political force would be the Turkey-supported "Syrian National Army," rather than the Islamist group "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham." However, the plan was not realized.
Assad "received a denial"
Anas al-Abda, a member of the political committee of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces (NCSORF), told the Russian agency TASS that "Assad sent inquiries to several countries requesting asylum, but received a denial."
"So far, we do not have certain information about Assad's whereabouts. We know he requested permission to enter several countries, including Russia, but was denied. It is possible he went to one of the African countries," the agency's source informed.
Meanwhile, the Hungarian government denied reports appearing 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 Assad's resignation from the presidency and his departure from Syria. The ministry 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 carrying Assad left Damascus almost immediately after the rebels entered the city. Data from Flightradar indicates that the aircraft initially 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 November 27. 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 gained control of a significant part of Aleppo province, including its capital, and established full control over the Idlib province.
On December 5, they captured Hama after government forces fled the city. Kurdish units supporting the opposition took control of Deir ez-Zor, including strategic border crossings with Iraq.
On the morning of December 8, the rebels seized Damascus and declared Assad's overthrow.
