Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spearheaded efforts to guarantee former Syrian President Bashar al-Assads safe escape from Syria as Damascus was up to Islamist rebels, Reuters reported Friday, pointing out confidential Russian, regional and Western security sources.Lavrov was said to have actually held talks with Turkey and Qatar in Doha over the weekend, leveraging their informal connections to rebel groups to facilitate Assads departure.Russia then collaborated with nearby countries to ensure a Russian plane bring Assad would not be obstructed or targeted as it left Syrian airspace, Reuters added.Lavrov did whatever he could to guarantee Assads safe exit, a Western security source informed the news agency.Assad flew to Russias Hmeimim air base on Sunday with his airplanes transponder switched off to prevent detection, Reuters said.
From there, he traveled to Moscow, where his partner, Asma, and their 3 kids were waiting.Russia, commonly credited with conserving Assads regime during its 2015 military intervention, was unwilling to abandon Assad totally however declined to intervene militarily this time, according to a Russian diplomatic source.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated previously this week that Russias focus was now on its war in Ukraine, which is nearing its 3rd anniversary.Assads appeals for additional military support fell on deaf ears during his check out to Moscow on Nov.
28, Reuters reported.
Hours before fleeing, Assad apparently ensured about 30 army and security chiefs at a Syrian Defense Ministry conference that Russian supports were en route.He was lying to them, banished Syrian opposition leader Hadi al-Bahra claimed, pointing out a source within Assads inner circle and a local official.Russian secret agent supposedly organized Assads escape after persuading him that he could not win the battle against the rebels.Bloomberg, citing confidential sources, reported Thursday that Moscow offered Assad safe passage if he left immediately.A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are dealing with extraordinary challenges.
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