Lavrov Leads Effort for Assad's Escape from Syria

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov led efforts to facilitate the safe escape of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from Syria as Damascus fell to Islamist rebels, according to Reuters. Lavrov coordinated with Turkey and Qatar to leverage their connections with rebel groups and ensured Assad's safe passage to Russia. Despite Russia's previous military support for Assad, Moscow refused further intervention, focusing instead on its ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Assad's appeals for more military aid were ignored, and Russian intelligence reportedly organized his escape, convincing him he could not win against the rebels.