Vladimir Putin allegedly "stopped taking calls" from the former Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, before he was ousted by rebels in December, according to a former aide.
Kamel Saqr, who previously worked for Assad, spoke on a podcast produced by Majeez Studios. During the interview with podcast host Hussein al-Sheikh, he discussed how he believed the Russian president may have "tricked" Assad during his final days as leader of Syria.
Newsweek, which is unable to independently verify the allegations, reached out to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation for comment via email outside of normal working hours.
Why It Matters
Putin's alleged lack of communication with Assad prior to his regime being overthrown is significant because it indicates that the Russian president could have predicted the rebels would be successful in overthrowing the nation's former president. Moreover, the Russian president's lack of communication with Assad could indicate that he was no longer invested in retaining close relations with Syria, or its former leader.
What to Know
Saqr alleged that Putin didn't pick up any of Assad's calls between the Tuesday and Thursday prior to the rebels taking over the capital, and that the Russian president fell through on helping him push back the opposition before the coup, according to the Middle East Eye.
The former Syrian aide said that Assad had visited Moscow before his regime's overthrow by rebels in late November, and at that point, they had seized a large portion of Aleppo. The two leaders were also reportedly meant to have a meeting during this time, and Saqr said that it was delayed.
Discussing Assad's request for Putin's aid against the rebels, Saqr said: "Bashar al-Assad's request to Putin was for him to personally handle the secure aerial transportation necessary to deliver military aid to support or stop the advance of the Syrian opposition."
He added that: "What happened was that the Iranians told Bashar al-Assad, 'we did not receive any signals to proceed with moving Iranian aircraft to the Hmeimim base [or to] fly through Iraqi airspace to land at the base,'" and that "the question was relayed to Moscow, but no answer came." When he was asked if this was a "trick by Putin," Saqr said there was "no other explanation."
Assad fled Syria after rebels took over Damascus in early December, marking the end of 50 years of his family's rule in the nation. He then claimed political asylum in Russia, and it is not known if the two men met since his arrival. Following Assad's overthrow, new frontlines are being drawn in Syria's 14-year civil war by newly empowered groups.
What People Are Saying
In a post on X, Hassan I. Hassan, a Syrian-American journalist, wrote: "Assad realized he was in trouble when Putin would not pick up his calls from Tuesday to Thursday (three days before his departure from Syria). At one point, Assad was told Putin was traveling (in Belarus) and wouldn't be able to take the call."
What Happens Next
Whether Assad will remain in Russia, having claimed political asylum, and if Putin has been in contact with him is unclear at this time. Similarly, whether or not Russia attempts to build political ties with the Syrian opposition now leading the country remains to be seen.
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