Assad Accused of Trading Secrets for Escape

Bashar al-Assad allegedly provided Israel with detailed military information, including the locations of weapons depots and missile sites, to secure safe passage out of Syria as rebel forces captured Damascus. This claim, made by Abdulkadir Selvi of the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet, suggests that Israel agreed not to target Assad's aircraft during its flight to Russia's Hmeimim air base. Following Assad's escape, Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Syrian military infrastructure, indicating the information he provided was likely used to guide these attacks. Assad has denied intentions to flee, asserting his departure was a sudden necessity due to an imminent threat. The situation reflects the complex interplay of military and diplomatic maneuvers in the ongoing Syrian conflict, with implications for regional stability. As Israel intensifies its military actions in Syria, the fallout from Assad's reported trade of military secrets continues to unfold.