Syrian President Bashar al-Assad faced mounting pressure to act decisively as Russia urged him to launch a political initiative to prevent a looming large-scale attack by opposition forces, Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper revealed.

The warning came just 48 hours before the operation, codenamed "Deterring Aggression," was set to begin, according to Rami Shaar, a close advisor to Russian officials.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Shaar revealed that Moscow had precise intelligence on the timing, scale, and targets of the planned attack. The data underscored the urgency for action, but despite the warnings, Assad’s response was slow.

Russia's intelligence revealed that opposition factions, bolstered by broad popular support, were advancing toward Aleppo and other key cities. Moscow quickly activated "specialized channels" to alert Syrian authorities about the impending attack. The operation was not only militarily robust but also carried significant backing from around 80% of Syrians, according to reports cited by Shaar.

Faced with these developments, Moscow engaged in urgent diplomatic efforts with Turkey and Iran to halt the attack and push for dialogue. However, these efforts faltered as the factions displayed a resolute determination to move forward.

Shaar emphasized that Russia’s primary concern was the catastrophic potential of a sectarian conflict. The Syrian army was already grappling with internal dissatisfaction, fueled by poor living conditions among soldiers and officers. These vulnerabilities, coupled with the widespread discontent among civilians, heightened the risk of collapse.

To avoid plunging Syria into further chaos, Moscow made a direct appeal to Assad. The warning was clear: "All signs point to a major disaster, and a political initiative for dialogue must be launched quickly."

Despite Russia’s insistence, Assad’s response was neither swift nor sufficient. Meanwhile, opposition forces made significant progress, advancing toward Aleppo and garnering substantial local support. The Syrian army, strained and under-equipped, began a gradual withdrawal, effectively ceding control of the city to opposition factions.

Shaar underscored the difficulty of Russia’s position, explaining that Moscow’s decision to push for de-escalation stemmed from its recognition of the attack’s widespread support and the grave consequences of a prolonged conflict.

As Aleppo fell under opposition control, it became clear that the lack of a timely political initiative had further destabilized the situation. Russia’s efforts to prevent disaster, while partially successful in averting a full-scale sectarian war, highlighted the urgent need for structural and political reforms in Syria.