Months Before the Fall: How Did Putin Plan to Hand Over Control of Syria to Asma al-Assad?

SadaNews - A report by the British newspaper "The Observer" revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed, in the months leading up to the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024, a scenario to remove al-Assad from power and replace him with his wife, Asma al-Assad, in an attempt to maintain Moscow's influence in Syria.

According to the report, the Kremlin viewed Asma al-Assad as the most capable figure to ensure the continuity of the regime's institutions, at a time when Putin increasingly believed that Bashar al-Assad was no longer able to manage the situation.

The report indicated that the Russian president considered al-Assad a "weak leader" increasingly reliant on Russian support to remain in power, which led Moscow to prepare a list of names to succeed him, topped by Asma al-Assad.

It added that Putin presented the idea to al-Assad, but the latter rejected it and showed no willingness to relinquish power.

The report noted that Asma al-Assad, who was born in the UK and previously worked in the banking sector, was not merely performing a ceremonial role but held significant influence within state institutions, especially on economic issues.

Furthermore, it explained that businessmen who refused to comply with her directives or transfer their assets to individuals close to the presidency faced financial pressure and governmental actions, generating discontent within the regime's circles.

According to the report, with the onset of the opposition factions' attack on Damascus in December 2024, Russia refrained from intervening to save the regime, before Bashar al-Assad fled to Moscow on December 8, where he has since resided after obtaining political asylum, despite international arrest warrants issued against him.

In contrast, the report highlighted that Asma al-Assad left Syria in August 2024 to receive treatment in Russia before continuing her travels abroad.

Despite the European and British sanctions imposed on her, she frequently visits Dubai, where she and her husband own properties, according to the report.