Turkey worked with Qatar and Russia to secure Bashar al-Assad’s safe departure to Moscow, sources told Reuters, ending his 24-year rule and a half-century family dynasty.
Turkey played a pivotal role in facilitating Syrian President al-Assad’s clandestine escape to Russia as rebel forces overran Damascus, according to sources familiar with the events.
Despite officially denying contact with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Turkey, along with Qatar, leveraged backchannel diplomacy with the Islamist rebel group to ensure Assad’s safety during his flight to Moscow, sources told Reuters. Assad’s dramatic exit occurred on December 8, days after Syrian opposition forces captured Aleppo and launched a rapid offensive toward the capital.
Three regional diplomats said Turkey’s cooperation was part of a larger effort led by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who secured agreements from neighboring countries to guarantee the safe passage of Assad’s plane. While Ankara declined to confirm any direct involvement with HTS or the Russian evacuation plan, diplomatic sources described Turkey’s actions as instrumental in preventing further escalation in the region.
Assad’s hasty departure ended his 24 years of rule and marked the fall of his family’s five-decade control over Syria. His wife, Asma, and their three children were already in Moscow before his escape. Videos posted on social media by rebel forces in Damascus showed abandoned belongings and uneaten meals left in the presidential palace, hinting at the abruptness of his exit.
As the situation unfolded, Turkish officials remained tight-lipped about their role. A government representative stated that no request had been made to use Turkish airspace but refrained from addressing the alleged negotiations with HTS. The Qatari government and HTS have also yet to comment on their involvement.