Assad Calls on Soldiers to Resist as He Flees

Hours before his evacuation from Damascus, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad urged around 30 military personnel and security staff to hold their positions during a meeting at the Ministry of Defense on December 7, despite the army already fracturing. This was reported by Reuters.

Assad reportedly told his chief of staff that he would return home after work, but instead moved towards Damascus Airport. He also called his media advisor and asked him to come to his residence to draft a speech. However, when the advisor arrived, Assad was not at the residence.

According to American media reports, the evacuation operation for Assad was carried out spontaneously by Russian special services once it became clear that the collapse was inevitable.