Reuters published a report that revealed what the ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad did in the last hours of his rule with “his brother Maher, Buthaina Shaaban, and his senior army commanders.”
The agency said in its report, “Bashar al-Assad did not inform any of his relatives and aides of his plan to go to moscow with the collapse of his rule, and he relied on deception and concealment to plan his exit from Syria.”
Reuters reported that its correspondents in Damascus found a document at the Air Force Intelligence headquarters in the Syrian capital,which shows an aspect of the poor organizational state of the Syrian army forces prior to the fall of the regime.
According to the agency, “In an indication of the extreme concern that has gripped the Syrian regime, the General Administration of Syrian Air Force Intelligence, which is one of the main agencies close to the Assad family, accused its men of laxity at guard points throughout the country after the armed opposition overran one of the checkpoints in the south.” On December 1,I warned them of severe punishment if they did not fight,” according to the document.
The agency, in a report in which it talked about the reason for the collapse of the Syrian army, quoted a large number of sources as saying that “despite orders and threats, increasing numbers of soldiers and officers began to flee, instead of confronting the armed opposition, and the soldiers were seen leaving their positions, wearing civilian clothes, and returning to their homes.” Their homes, and Reuters journalists who entered Syria on Sunday found that military uniforms were still scattered in the streets of Damascus.
The agency quoted a senior military intelligence officer as saying, “Anger among the military ranks escalated in particular in the past year, adding that there was increasing dissatisfaction with former President Bashar al-Assad, even among his senior supporters who belong to the Alawite sect,” as he put it.
Two officers, one of whom recently retired and the other defected, said, “The anger of many mid-ranking officers has escalated in the past few years because the army’s sacrifices and victories during the war did not translate into improved salaries, conditions, and resources, and corruption and poor morale were rampant in the country.” Army ranks.”
Oglu added, “There is no other country where citizenship can be obtained as easily as Türkiye.”
He added: “The areas from which most of the Syrian refugees who fled the Assad regime arrived have been cleared, and thus the conditions that required the presence of refugees in Turkey have practically disappeared.”
He continued: “syrian refugees should be returned to their country, quickly, and without wasting any time.”
the head of the opposition party said: “In our party, we propose to encourage Syrians to return to their country, in the first six months of 2025, and as of July 1, 2025, the (temporary protection status) granted by the government to Syrians must be cancelled.”
He stated: “The 238,000 nationalities granted to Syrians must be cancelled, and the (re-admission) agreement concluded with Europe in exchange for money must be promptly terminated (summary of the agreement: returning Syrian refugees from Europe to Turkey, in exchange for European financial support for Turkey).”
He pointed out that “a state (Teröristan) is now being established in syria, and Türkiye must not allow this.”
He pointed out that “everyone defends the territorial integrity of Syria, and in Turkey also everyone talks about respecting the unity of those territories, but Israel is annexing lands in Syria and expanding its own geography, launching air strikes on the strategic centers of the Syrian army, and sinking the Syrian navy in the port of Latakia before the eyes of the world.” All together.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday, Friday, during the eighth regular regional conference of the ruling Justice and Progress Party, in the state of Sakarya, northwestern Turkey, that “the process of the Syrians’ return to their country has begun, but those who wish to remain in Turkey are our guests.”
Last updated: December 14, 2024 – 15:09
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What were the key factors that contributed to the collapse of Bashar al-assad’s regime in Syria?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Syrian Affairs Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome to our ongoing coverage of the Syrian conflict. Today, we’re delving into some recent revelations about the last hours of Bashar al-Assad’s rule, as reported by Reuters. joining us is Dr. Layla Hamadi, a renowned expert in Middle Eastern politics. Dr. Hamadi, thank you for being here.
dr. Layla Hamadi: Thank you for having me. It’s great to be here to discuss such critical developments.
Time.news Editor: Let’s start with the report’s key finding. It was revealed that Assad relied on deception to plan his escape to Moscow as his regime was collapsing. What does this say about his leadership style and the state of the regime at that point?
Dr. Hamadi: It speaks volumes. Assad’s reliance on deceit suggests a deep-seated paranoia and suggests that he didn’t trust even his closest allies and family. The chaos within the regime was palpable, and this secrecy likely stems from a lack of confidence in his support network. It shows how isolated he had become as the opposition gained ground.
Time.news Editor: The document found at the Air Force Intelligence headquarters highlighted disarray within the Syrian army and concerns about lax security. How critical is this disarray to understanding the eventual downfall of Assad’s regime?
Dr. Hamadi: It’s absolutely critical. The military has been the backbone of Assad’s power. The documented fears of laxity and neglect indicate not just low morale but also a basic crisis of authority within the ranks. When a regime can no longer maintain control over its own military, it shows a clear indication of weakness that the opposition can exploit.
Time.news editor: The report mentions that there was a severe warning issued to troops regarding their performance at checkpoints. In your opinion, what does this communicate about the regime’s strategies at the time?
Dr.Hamadi: This reflects a desperate attempt to maintain control thru intimidation. When you resort to threats rather than inspiration, it signals a regime that’s on its last legs. It’s not uncommon for authoritarian governments to use fear tactics, but when that’s your primary strategy, it frequently enough backfires, causing further discontent among the ranks.
Time.news Editor: Given all this information, what potential repercussions could this have on the future political landscape in Syria?
Dr. Hamadi: These revelations could have significant implications. The crumbling of Assad’s rule may embolden opposition forces and spark further discord among his remaining loyalists. moreover,this could lead to a power vacuum in which various factions vie for control,making it even more challenging to achieve stability. International actors will need to be cautious, as the situation remains volatile and unpredictable.
Time.news Editor: Lastly, Dr. Hamadi, what are the broader implications of Assad’s flight to Moscow for Syrian civilians and the ongoing humanitarian crisis?
Dr. hamadi: Assad fleeing to Moscow might signify a shift in power dynamics both within and outside Syria. For civilians, this could mean further suffering, as competing factions will likely fight for dominance, potentially leading to continued violence and instability. The humanitarian crisis, which has already reached catastrophic proportions, could worsen unless a coherent and swift response is mobilized by the international community.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Hamadi, for your insights into this complex situation. As always, we appreciate your expertise and look forward to your analysis as events develop.
Dr. Hamadi: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial to keep the conversation going about Syria, as its future is still very much uncertain.