The leaks presented by Al-Arabiya channel reveal new details that call for a deep reconsideration of the structure of the former Syrian regime, and the intense power struggles witnessed in its corridors, and complex security interactions that extended from Damascus to Moscow and Tehran, in light of fragile alliances and lack of trust within the circle close to the authority.
According to these leaks, Brigadier General Suhail al-Hassan, known as “The Tiger,” emerged as a key player in the military scene, as he recruited fighters through the “Al-Bustan” Charitable Society, while the Russian army was his most prominent supporter on the ground, to the point that the Russian aviation was receiving orders directly from him during military operations.
On the field side, the information stated that the Syrian aviation adopted a policy of dropping explosive barrels, some of which weigh up to a ton, in one of the bloodiest periods in the Syrian conflict, and indicated that the idea of using this method goes back to Suhail Al-Hassan himself.
On the political and security level, the leaks revealed the role of Luna Al-Shibl, Bashar Al-Assad’s former media advisor, who prevented “Al-Nimr” from appearing in the official media, believing that he aspires to reach the presidency, which increased Al-Assad’s fears about the possibility of Al-Hassan replacing him.
In the same context, Al Arabiya reported that Suhail al-Hassan was expressing in his private sessions his fear of being assassinated, accusing Bashar al-Assad of being behind any possible attempt, as part of a policy aimed at eliminating anyone seen as a direct threat to the head of the regime.
The leaks showed the existence of direct hostility between Al-Hassan and Maher Al-Assad, the president’s brother, amidst intense competition within the military establishment, while Bashar Al-Assad was not aware of the strength of the relationship between the “Tiger” and the Russians.
The information also stated that a meeting between Bashar al-Assad and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Khmeimim military base witnessed the presence of Suhail al-Hassan without al-Assad’s prior knowledge, while al-Hassan himself was not aware of al-Assad’s presence at the meeting itself, in a scene that reflects the extent of the complexity and secrecy in managing the relationship with Moscow.
The leaks also revealed that a number of senior officers of the former Syrian regime were stationed in both Iran and Russia, within the framework of broad security and military coordination, which indicates the extent of the divisions and lack of trust within Bashar al-Assad’s inner circle.
