Part 7/10:
Assad’s desperate bid for safety involved clandestine negotiations. He visited Moscow on November 28th seeking military aid but was refused. As the rebel forces seized key territories—most notably Aleppo—Assad’s situation deteriorated rapidly. He faced the humiliating realization that his military was too weak for a defendable last stand.
The Escape Plan Unfolds
In a series of covert operations, Assad first sought asylum in the UAE but was denied. Turning to Russia, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov took charge of securing Assad’s safe passage, orchestrating negotiations with rebel groups, including the Islamist HTS (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham), to ensure safe passage for the dictator.