Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad kept his plans to flee Syria secret, deceiving aides, officials, and even relatives, Reuters reported. Just hours before fleeing to Moscow, Assad assured around 30 army and security chiefs at the defense ministry that Russian military support was imminent. He urged ground forces to hold their positions, according to a commander present at the briefing, Reuters reported. On December 7, Assad told his office manager he was going home but went to the airport instead, Reuters reported. Assad also called his media adviser, Buthaina Shaaban, and asked her to come to his home to write him a speech; however, when she arrived no one was there. 00:00 – INTRODUCTION 01:49 – ASSAD DID NOT REVEAL HIS EXIT PLAN TO HIS BROTHER?03:15 – ASSAD FEARED ISRAELI ATTACKS IF IRAN INTERVENED?n18oc_world n18oc_crux