- A former aide to Bashar al-Assad discusses the latest collapse of the Syrian regime.
- He pointed to a “trick” of Russia’s Vladimir Putin whereas giving an interview to Saudi media.
- Russia was unwilling to come back to Assad’s help because the rebels superior.
A former aide to ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has described how he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin performed a job within the nation’s downfall.
Chatting with Saudi Arabia’s state-owned Al Arabiya information company, Kamil Saqr mentioned Putin blocked efforts to supply navy assist to Assad’s forces.
That, he mentioned, left them too weak to repel the rebels who finally toppled Assad in December.
Assad has lengthy relied on the assist of Russia and Iran to take care of energy via Syria’s protracted civil conflict.
Based on Per Saqr, the 2 allies appeared the opposite means because the devastation unfolded.
Assad was in Moscow when rebels captured Aleppo, Syria’s second largest metropolis, on November 29.
Saqr mentioned within the interview that in the course of the journey, Assad requested Putin to assist transfer weapons from Iran via a Russian-held base in Syria.
“Bashar al-Assad requested Putin to personally deal with the safe airlift wanted to assist the Syrian opposition or present navy help to cease the advance,” Saqr mentioned.
His description of the behind-the-scenes occasions couldn’t be confirmed by Enterprise Insider.
Based on Saqr, Putin agreed to a request to switch weapons utilizing Russia’s Hmeimim airbase in Syria.
“However what occurred,” he mentioned, “was that the Iranians informed Bashar al-Assad, ‘We did not get a sign to maneuver the Iranian planes to Hammeim base. [or to] Fly via Iraqi airspace to land on the bottom.
This query was despatched from Moscow however no reply was obtained.
Al Arabiya’s interviewer requested if the failed maneuver was right down to Putin’s “trick,” and replied that “there was no different rationalization.”
Right now, the Kremlin wouldn’t verify reviews that Assad was in Moscow in the course of the insurgent advance. Saqr informed Al Arabiya that he started to consider one thing was amiss after the Kremlin refused to problem a joint press assertion after the leaders’ assembly.
Russia and Iran had been two of Assad’s major worldwide allies, however neither stepped in to assist because the rebels started pushing again authorities forces at lightning pace.
Analysts say Russia was too distracted by the invasion of Ukraine to supply important assist. Iran and its ally Hezbollah, a militia primarily based in Lebanon, had been each badly weakened of their clashes with Israel.
Because the rebels superior on the capital, Damascus, Russia kicked Assad and his household in another country, sheltering them in Moscow.
Saqr mentioned within the interview that Assad waited for hours at Russia’s Hmeimim base for his flight on Dec. 8, ending 5 many years of rule by the Assad household.
“My info signifies that he remained on the base for a number of hours till the aircraft was secured, prepared, and ensured its takeoff and flight to Moscow,” Saqr mentioned.