Part 6/10:
Meanwhile, in Syria, the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime marks the end of a long-standing family dictatorship. Recent reports reveal that Assad, under the cloud of defeat, chose to abandon his loyalists and seek safety in Russia, leaving the chaos-ridden country behind.
Assad’s Paranoia and Deceptive Exit
Sources inside Syria describe Assad’s final days as marked by paranoia and deception. He kept his plans secret, even from close relatives and top advisers. Just before fleeing, Assad told his military commanders to hold their positions, falsely assuring them that Russian reinforcements would bolster their defense. In reality, Assad was preparing to escape to Russia via a diplomatic arrangement facilitated by trusted intermediaries.