Former Syrian Presidential Aide Reveals Assad‘s Outreach to Russia, Iran, and Turkey
A leaked revelation by former Syrian presidential aide, Kamel Sukkar, sheds light on President Bashar al-Assad’s diplomatic maneuvers during the crucial phase leading up to the fall of Aleppo. Sukkar, in a podcast via the "Mix" platform, detailed Assad’s efforts to secure military aid from Russia and Iran, and his rebuffs towards engaging with Turkey.
Assad’s Unanswered Calls to Putin
Sukkar disclosed that Assad attempted to contact Russian President Vladimir Putin over three consecutive days preceding December 8, 2016, when the opposition took control of Damascus. Assad’s Urgent request for military assistance went unanswered, painted a stark picture of his desperation and Russia’s lukewarm support.
Iranian Aircraft and US Threats
In a surprising turn, Sukkar revealed that Iran informed Assad they couldn’t guarantee the safe passage of Iranian aircraft to Syria via Iraqi airspace. The US had supposedly threatened to shoot down any such aircraft, leading to their withdrawal.
Syria’s Military and Economic Deterioration
Sukkar painted a dismal picture of Syria’s military and economic state prior to Aleppo’s fall. The military was in poor condition and cannot sustain combat, while the economy was in severe decline.
Assad’s Refusal to Engage with Turkey
Sukkar disclosed that Iraq informed Syria on December 6, 2016, of Turkey’s refusal to engage with Assad at that time. Assad’s refusal to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was seen as a flight from the political realities and consequences of the conflict.
Rejecting Russian Mediated Talks with Turkey
Moreover, Sukkar confirmed that Assad declined Russian envoy Alexander Lavrentiev’s attempts to broker a meeting with Erdoğan. Additionally, Assad resisted talks at the ministerial level, insisting only on security-level discussions between the two countries. Sukkar highlighted that Assad’s refusal to heed Russia’s advice did not sit well with the Russian side.
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