Damascus, Syria
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Bashar al-Assad’s central bank transported approximately $250 million in cash to Moscow over a two-year period, according to a report by the Financial Times.
The FT uncovered documents revealing that Assad’s regime, while suffering a severe shortage of foreign currency, flew nearly two tonnes of cash, consisting of $100 bills and €500 notes, to Moscow’s Vnukovo airport for deposit in sanctioned Russian banks between 2018 and 2019.
These cash transfers took place at a time when Syria was heavily reliant on Russian military support, including mercenaries from the Wagner group. Simultaneously, members of Assad’s family reportedly began acquiring luxury properties in Moscow, as highlighted in the report.
The FT suggested that these transactions show the lengths to which Assad’s regime went to bypass western sanctions that had isolated it from the global financial system.
David Schenker, former US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, told the FT that such moves were expected. “The regime would have to bring their money abroad to a safe haven to be able to use it to procure the fine life... for the regime and its inner circle,” he said.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-greenlights-11-million-plan-to-double-golan-heights-population-amid-regional-tensions-784232" target="_blank">Israel approves $11 million plan to 'double' Golan Heights population</a>
Western governments and opposition figures have long accused Assad’s regime of looting Syria’s resources and resorting to criminal activities to finance the war. The cash shipments to Russia coincided with the Kremlin’s growing military involvement in Syria and Assad’s extended family’s chain of property purchases in Moscow.
Assad fled Syria on December 8, following an 11-day rebel offensive led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). After ruling Syria since 2000—following the death of his father, Hafez al-Assad—Bashar al-Assad took an early morning flight to Russia as rebels approached Damascus. The Kremlin later confirmed that Assad had been granted political asylum.
Assad’s decision to flee as the rebels advanced has angered even some of his former supporters, who see it as evidence of him looking out for himself instead of being loyal to his regime or country.
(With inputs from agencies)
Disclaimer: WION takes the utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq, and non-state actors like the Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.<o:p></o:p>

The FT uncovered documents revealing that Assad’s regime, while suffering a severe shortage of foreign currency, flew nearly two tonnes of cash, consisting of $100 bills and €500 notes, to Moscow’s Vnukovo airport for deposit in sanctioned Russian banks between 2018 and 2019.



Damascus, Syria Bashar al-Assad’s central bank transported approximately $250 million in cash to Moscow over a two-year period, according to a report by the Financial Times. The FT uncovered documents revealing that Assad’s regime, while suffering a severe shortage of foreign currency, flew nearly two tonnes of cash, consisting of $100 bills and €500 notes, to Moscow’s Vnukovo airport for deposit in sanctioned Russian banks between 2018 and 2019. These cash transfers took place at a time when Syria was heavily reliant on Russian military support, including mercenaries from the Wagner group. Simultaneously, members of Assad’s family reportedly began acquiring luxury properties in Moscow, as highlighted in the report. The FT suggested that these transactions show the lengths to which Assad’s regime went to bypass western sanctions that had isolated it from the global financial system. David Schenker, former US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, told the FT that such moves were expected. “The regime would have to bring their money abroad to a safe haven to be able to use it to procure the fine life... for the regime and its inner circle,” he said. Also read: Israel approves $11 million plan to 'double' Golan Heights population Western governments and opposition figures have long accused Assad’s regime of looting Syria’s resources and resorting to criminal activities to finance the war. The cash shipments to Russia coincided with the Kremlin’s growing military involvement in Syria and Assad’s extended family’s chain of property purchases in Moscow. Assad fled Syria on December 8, following an 11-day rebel offensive led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). After ruling Syria since 2000—following the death of his father, Hafez al-Assad—Bashar al-Assad took an early morning flight to Russia as rebels approached Damascus. The Kremlin later confirmed that Assad had been granted political asylum. Assad’s decision to flee as the rebels advanced has angered even some of his former supporters, who see it as evidence of him looking out for himself instead of being loyal to his regime or country. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes the utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq, and non-state actors like the Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Syrian conflict: Assad secretly ‘airlifted’ $250 million to Moscow before fleeing to Russia - Report

Bashar al-Assad’s central bank transported approximately $250 million in cash to Moscow over a two-year period, according to a report by the Financial Times. The FT uncovered documents revealing that Assad’s regime, while suffering a severe shortage of foreign currency, flew nearly two tonnes of cash, consisting of $100 bills and €500 notes, to Moscow’s Vnukovo airport for deposit in sanctioned Russian banks between 2018 and 2019.

Bashar al-Assad’s central bank transported approximately $250 million in cash to Moscow over a two-year period, according to a report by the Financial Times. The FT uncovered documents revealing that Assad’s regime, while suffering a severe shortage of foreign currency, flew nearly two tonnes of cash, consisting of $100 bills and €500 notes, to Moscow’s Vnukovo airport for deposit in sanctioned Russian banks between 2018 and 2019. These cash transfers took place at a time when Syria was heavily reliant on Russian military support, including mercenaries from the Wagner group. Simultaneously, members of Assad’s family reportedly began acquiring luxury properties in Moscow, as highlighted in the report. The FT suggested that these transactions show the lengths to which Assad’s regime went to bypass western sanctions that had isolated it from the global financial system. David Schenker, former US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, told the FT that such moves were expected. “The regime would have to bring their money abroad to a safe haven to be able to use it to procure the fine life... for the regime and its inner circle,” he said. Also read: Israel approves $11 million plan to 'double' Golan Heights population Western governments and opposition figures have long accused Assad’s regime of looting Syria’s resources and resorting to criminal activities to finance the war. The cash shipments to Russia coincided with the Kremlin’s growing military involvement in Syria and Assad’s extended family’s chain of property purchases in Moscow. Assad fled Syria on December 8, following an 11-day rebel offensive led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). After ruling Syria since 2000—following the death of his father, Hafez al-Assad—Bashar al-Assad took an early morning flight to Russia as rebels approached Damascus. The Kremlin later confirmed that Assad had been granted political asylum. Assad’s decision to flee as the rebels advanced has angered even some of his former supporters, who see it as evidence of him looking out for himself instead of being loyal to his regime or country. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes the utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq, and non-state actors like the Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Monday (Dec. 2) that the recent offensive by rebel factions in his country's north was an attempt to redraw the map of the region.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Monday (Dec. 2) that the recent offensive by rebel factions in his country's north was an attempt to redraw the map of the region. President Assad made this remark during a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian. According to a statement from the Syrian presidency, Assad said, "The terrorist escalation reflects the far-reaching goals of dividing the region and fragmenting the countries in it and redrawing the map in line with the objectives of the United States and the West." In a shock offensive, rebel factions breached Aleppo last Friday (November 28) and clashed with government forces for the first time since 2016. The advance on Aleppo followed a shock offensive by insurgents on Wednesday (November 26). Rebels take stock of gains in north President Assad's remark on Monday came as rebel factions took stock of their gains in north Syria. Also read | Who are the Syrian rebels who have taken Aleppo after shock offensive? In the northern town of Maaret al-Numan, rebel fighters took stock of their gains, inspecting armoured vehicles with Syrian government markings, a report by the news agency Reuters said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that more than 400 people have been killed in the major rebel offensive on government-controlled areas in the country's north. The death toll includes 214 rebels from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and allied factions who launched the offensive, 137 pro-government forces, and 61 civilians. Watch: Statue of Assad's brother torn down in Aleppo On Saturday, a statue of Bashar al-Assad's brother, Bassel, was torn down in Aleppo by armed men. Historic moment in Allepo now, as the statue of Bassel al-Assad, brother of Putin's puppet Bashar al-Assad is ripped down. pic.twitter.com/tpC0hszYDh — Jay in Kyiv (@JayinKyiv) November 30, 2024 × Bassel al-Assad was seen as the likely successor to his father, Hafez al-Assad, before he died in a car crash in 1994. In 2000, Bashar al-Assad became the President of Syria after his father's death. It is not yet known who were the men who tore down the statue. (With inputs from agencies)

Syrian conflict: Assad says strife in north a bid to redraw the region's map