Bashar-al Assad fled Syria putting an end to his 24-year regime and his family’s 50-year regime on the thrust of secrecy and deception to his country and the authorities. He misled the authorities and the army with fake promises of Russian aid to improve the situation.
Assad hid his escape plans from everyone including his officials, advisors, and even his relatives. He called a gathering of military and security officials on the eve of his escape urging them to hold on to their positions and assuring them of Russia’s support on being on its way.
On the annexation of Aleppo by the rebels, Assad assured of his talks with Moscow and their promise of military aid. All this came out to be a lie since Russia did not commit anything.
He also called his media advisor on the day of his escape to prepare a speech for him to be delivered the next day leaving him in astonishment on not finding him. He informed his presidential office manager of heading back home after his work but to his shock, he went to the airport and ran away.
He did not confide his plans in anyone. His brother Maher, the commander of Syria’s elite 4th Armored Division was unaware of his escape and therefore first flew to Iraq before heading to Russia. His maternal cousins, Ehab and Eyad Makhlouf also tried to run but were caught by the rebels leaving Ehab dead and Eyad wounded.
