New details have emerged regarding the escape of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from Damascus on December 7, accompanied by his son Hafez and loyal aides. According to Le Figaro, Assad fled through a previously dug tunnel connecting the presidential palace to the nearby Mezzeh military airport. His departure was unplanned, and he did not inform even close family members, including his brother Maher al-Assad, who also fled to the same Russian base 36 hours later. The days leading up to his escape were chaotic amid advancing opposition forces.