Russia and UAE helped Assad steal Syria's wealth

Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad secretly fled to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with family members, loyal aides, large sums of cash, classified documents and valuables before his regime collapsed in December 2024, Reuters reported.

The operation, reportedly orchestrated by Assad's close associate and economic advisor, Yasser Ibrahim, was uncovered after his WhatsApp messages, satellite imagery, and flight data were analyzed.

The Gambian-registered Embraer Legacy 600 aircraft, with the registration number C5-SKY, made four flights between Damascus and the UAE between December 6 and 8, carrying the president's relatives, presidential palace staff, more than $500,000 in cash, valuable artwork, and documents related to Assad's secret business empire.

The last flight took place on December 8 from the Russian-run Khmeimim military base, where Assad is said to have fled to Russia on the same day. The UAE and Russian governments have not commented on the operation.

The government of Syria's new president, Ahmed Shari, is trying to return state funds taken by Assad.