Syria civil war: Assad’s shocking final deal with Israel for his freedom exposed; What big allegations reveal?
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Claims of Military Secrets Traded for Escape
According to Turkish journalist Abdulkadir Selvi, writing for Hurriyet, Assad allegedly shared a detailed list of Syrian weapon storage sites, missile systems, and aircraft locations with Israel. The arrangement was reportedly aimed at ensuring his plane would not be targeted by Israeli fighter jets as he fled. Selvi described his source as reliable and stated, “He [Assad] gave a list with the location of weapons depots, missile systems, and warplanes as a guarantee that Israel would not target him during his flight.”
The UK-based The Sun also reported the allegations but noted the lack of specific details. The timing of Israeli airstrikes following Assad’s departure lends some credence to Selvi’s claims, as Israel targeted military depots almost immediately after the fall of Assad’s government.
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Israeli Airstrikes on Syrian Military Sites
Israeli airstrikes began on December 8, 2012, targeting key Syrian military positions. These strikes were aimed at preventing advanced weaponry from falling into the hands of extremist factions as Syria descended into chaos. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported significant damage, including a strike on a weapons base in Tartus, which caused an explosion comparable to a 3.0-magnitude earthquake.Israel’s Defence Forces (IDF) defended the operations, asserting, “We are acting to prevent weaponry from falling into the hands of extremist forces in Syria.” Israeli warplanes were also reported to have struck multiple locations across the country, intensifying their campaign in post-Assad Syria.
Assad’s Escape to Russia
Amidst the rapid collapse of his regime, Assad fled Syria on a helicopter to Russia, where he was offered refuge by President Vladimir Putin. Reports suggest Assad’s departure was executed in extreme secrecy. Russian intelligence operatives orchestrated the escape, with the former president’s plane using a switched transponder to avoid detection. Bloomberg reported that Assad had not even informed his closest advisors about his plans, leaving Syria’s leadership in disarray.
Speaking later about his escape, Assad stated, “Upon arrival at the Khmeimim airbase that morning, it became clear that our forces had completely withdrawn from all battle lines and that the last army positions had fallen.”
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New Leadership in Syria and Regional Tensions
With Assad’s departure, Ahmed al-Sharaa assumed leadership in Syria. Al-Sharaa, in stark contrast to his predecessor, has refrained from escalating tensions with Israel. While addressing the situation, he noted, “The Israelis have clearly crossed the disengagement line in Syria, which threatens a new unjustified escalation in the region.” He added, “The general exhaustion in Syria after years of war and conflict does not allow us to enter new conflicts.”
Rebel forces began their offensive in late November 2012, rapidly advancing towards Damascus. By early December, they had taken control of large swathes of the capital, forcing Assad to flee. In the wake of his departure, Israeli strikes on Syrian military sites raised suspicions about the precision of the operations.
Despite the compelling timeline, questions persist about the veracity of the claims. Observers have pointed out that Russia, a staunch supporter of Assad, played a critical role in his regime’s survival and eventual extraction. It seems improbable that Moscow would have allowed a deal with Israel that could compromise its interests in Syria. Furthermore, the lack of corroborative evidence weakens the claims, leaving them open to scepticism.
As Syria continues to grapple with the aftermath of its civil war, these allegations serve as a reminder of the complex alliances and betrayals that shaped the conflict’s trajectory.
