After being overthrown by jihadist rebels, former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia with his family. According to the Turkish media Türkiye Gazetesi, he transported goods worth about 135 billion dollars, UNN reports.
Only one of Bashar al-Assad's latest purchases, one of 349 Ferrari F50s in the world, costs 5.2 million euros. At the same time, Syria has lost 87% of its GDP over 13 years of civil war, a country where the majority of the population survives on only seven euros a day, El Independiente writes. A week ago, Bashar al-Assad was forced to leave his Lamborghinis and Aston Martins in the mega-garage of his palace in Damascus and flee to Moscow. There he was granted asylum “on humanitarian grounds”.
Khaled Beye, an intelligence officer in the Damascus regime, claims that Assad smuggled $135 billion to Russia.
У гаражі Асада знайшли колекцію люксових авто Ferrari, Audi та Mercedes08.12.24, 14:22
Before last fall, there was a huge showdown. There was a great rivalry between pro-Russian commanders and Iranian-backed commanders. The first clash took place between the Aleppo commander, General Mohammad Safadli, and General Suheil Hassan, who was loyal to Russia. The flow of information between military intelligence and the army stopped. The defeat, which began on the day Aleppo fell, brought the opposition to Damascus,” Beye said.
Addendum
A few hours before he fled to Moscow on Saturday, December 7, Assad allegedly informed about 30 army and defense ministry security chiefs that Russian military support was on the way, while urging ground troops to resist, according to a witness.
російські військові в Сирії: займаються мародерством та готуються до евакуації13.12.24, 01:39
He told the director of the president's office that he was going to the palace, but went to the airport. He also instructed his media adviser, Butayna Shaaban, to write a speech for him.
The remains of food found in the presidential palace, as well as a Vuitton suitcase worth several thousand euros, indicate that Bashar al-Assad left in a hurry. He left Damascus by plane, flying under the radar with his transponder turned off to avoid detection. He traveled through Hmeimim, to the Syrian coastal city of Latakia, and from there to Moscow.
In the Russian capital, his wife Asma and three children Hafez, Karim, boys and the only girl, Zain, were already waiting for him.
According to the Daily Mail, Asma's parents, British citizens Fawaz Ahras, a cardiologist, and Sahar Ahras, a retired diplomat, left their residence in North Acton ten days ago.
To recap
Ahmad al-Sharaa plans to disband the Assad regime's security forces and close prisons. The rebels will grant amnesty to conscripts and form a new government of technocrats by March 2025.
Ізраїль розглядає можливість удару по ядерних об'єктах Ірану - ЗМІ12.12.24, 21:49