Maher Assad's Fate Revealed After Bashar's Flight to Moscow

Six days after the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime and his subsequent flight to Moscow, sources have disclosed the fate of his brother, Maher Assad, who was left behind. Maher, who commanded the Fourth Division of the Syrian Army and held significant influence within the state, reportedly fled Damascus in the wake of his brother’s departure.

Sources indicate that following Bashar’s escape to Moscow early on Sunday, Maher left the capital with officers from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, taking secret routes to northeastern Syria that were previously used for smuggling weapons and drugs, and were under the control of the Fourth Division. It is believed he reached Iraq with the assistance of the Syrian Democratic Forces, which has collaborated with Maher’s division in drug trafficking operations.

Notably, Maher did not flee to Russia’s Hmeimim Air Base on the Syrian coast. This decision is attributed to his longstanding ties with Iranian influence within the Syrian military, which enabled him to cultivate relationships with Hezbollah and Iranian-backed Iraqi factions. These connections provided him access to illicit smuggling and funding networks extending between Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon.

Sources speculate that Maher Assad may leave Iraq for either Iran or Russia, suggesting that the Iraqi government may encourage his departure in an effort to avoid entanglement in Syrian affairs while seeking to reset relations with Syria.

Arrangements are reportedly being made for his travel to Moscow in the coming hours or days, unless disrupted by Iranian Revolutionary Guard officers or Iranian-backed Iraqi factions who may wish to retain him for future use.

Additionally, Reuters reported from three officials that Bashar did not inform his younger brother Maher of his escape plan to Moscow. One official revealed that Maher left via helicopter to Iraq before eventually heading to Russia.