Syrian leader Assad is said to have transferred $135 billion to Russia before fleeing to Moscow.

Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad allegedly transferred $135 billion to Russia, according to Khalid Bey, an intelligence officer from the ousted Syrian regime, speaking to the Turkish newspaper Turkiye Gazetesi.

On December 8, rebel forces took control of Damascus, ousting Assad and effectively ending his rule over Syria. This event sparked celebrations among Syrians both in the country and abroad. In Damascus, rebels and civilians ransacked Assad's palaces, revealing his lavish lifestyle, which included an extensive car collection, such as a Ferrari F50. Assad has since sought refuge in Russia.

Major Bey claimed that Assad had secretly transferred $135 billion to Russia, though he did not provide further details on how the money was moved. Bey also discussed the tensions between pro-Russian and pro-Iranian factions within Assad’s loyalist army, noting a battle between General Muhammad Safadli, loyal to Iran, and General Suheil Hassan, loyal to Russia. According to Bey, the collapse of Aleppo marked the beginning of a series of defeats for Assad's forces, leading to the opposition's advance toward Damascus.