Decoys and Fake Helicopters: New Details Emerge About al-Assad’s Escape from Syria

---

As Syrian armed opposition forces closed in on Damascus, a plan to evacuate Bashar al-Assad from Syria was ready for execution, involving various measures to “mislead” any trackers.

• Secret Turkish Deals with Russia and Iran Accelerated al-Assad’s fall

• Russia Reduces Military Presence in Syria Following al-Assad’s fall

This was revealed by the British newspaper The Sun, which reported that the plan was activated at the last moment, following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “personal” approval to extract al-Assad from Syria.

Although many details about al-Assad’s escape remain shrouded in mystery, some aspects are gradually coming to light, including the fact that al-Assad kept the operation secret even from his closest associates, fearing leaks to his enemies.

• The fall of Al-Assad Sparks Political Debate in Iran

• After Al-Assad’s Fall… Syria Closes Its Doors to the Houthis

What do we know about al-Assad’s escape?

According to earlier revelations, al-Assad told his office that he would return home after work—encouraging his commanders to keep fighting and claiming that Russian forces were on their way to assist. Instead, he headed to the airport, leaving pots boiling on the stove, and slipped out of the country unnoticed.

Bloomberg reported that al-Assad was flown out of Syria aboard a plane whose transponder had been switched off to avoid tracking.

Two sources told The Sun that Russian intelligence agents orchestrated the escape, flying al-Assad via a Russian airbase in Syria. One of the sources confirmed the transponder was turned off to ensure stealth.

• The fall of al-Assad’s Regime: Will It Affect Russia’s Influence in the Region?

• “Bashar al-Assad’s Fall: The Map of Armed Groups Under the Banner of ‘Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham’”

How did al-Assad manage to escape Syria?

Security expert Will Geddes told The Sun that al-Assad likely used decoys and other tricks to aid his escape. Geddes stated: “There’s no doubt that an emergency evacuation plan for him had been in place for many years.”

To confuse armed opposition forces, al-Assad’s team reportedly staged a “chaotic chase.” A presidential limousine was sent in the opposite direction from Damascus, carrying someone resembling his wife, himself, or a family member.

“You want to scatter your adversaries in multiple directions,” Geddes said. “You do everything to mislead the enemy, disrupt intelligence networks, and cast doubt on reported sightings.”

• Al-Assad’s Fall Weakens Iran but Doesn’t End Its Capabilities in the Middle East

• Washington Warns al-Assad against Using Chemical Weapons in Response to His Defeats

Al-Assad reportedly spent his final days at the presidential palace overseeing the evacuation of his family, wealth, and valuables. He may have stashed funds in Swiss bank accounts and prepared bribes to silence potential enemies.

To ensure his safety, al-Assad was to be transported by helicopter to the airport, avoiding traffic congestion in Damascus. Decoy helicopters were flown in different directions to divert attention from the primary aircraft.

• With the support of foreign intelligence agencies, the Muslim Brotherhood exploits events in Syria to promote their rumors

• Syria, Victim of its Geography: Why Does It Continue to Suffer?

A Mysterious Aerial Escape

According to The Sun, a strange flight path was recorded on Sunday morning by Flight Radar 24. A plane reportedly departed Damascus, flew over the Mediterranean, made a sharp turn near Homs, and then disappeared.

The aircraft, an Ilyushin Il-76T used by the Russian military, vanished from radar 40 minutes after takeoff, at 5:29 AM, with altitude data suggesting it landed in a field.

Online rumors speculated about al-Assad’s whereabouts, with some claiming the plane was shot down. However, Flight Radar 24 stated the signal was lost near Homs, likely due to outdated transponder technology or GPS jamming.

• Israel Prepares for Worst-Case Scenarios in Syria

• From Al-Qaeda’s veil to the political shirt: Who is Abu Mohammed al-Julani?

• Washington Follows the Events in Syria… What about “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham”?

• A New Study Outlines Possible Scenarios for Syria’s Future

• Timeline of Events in Syria: How Did Damascus Fall into Rebel Hands?

• Ukraine and Lebanon: Two Separate Wars That Changed Syria’s Fate