Bill Clinton's White House used a similar plane-change maneuver in 2000. But unlike July's flight, the press corps was briefed on the operation and its dangers.
Assad, who has been living in exile in Russia since his 2024 ouster, was sentenced for crimes against humanity and war crimes during the country's years-long civil war.
Dogs and drones have been deployed to search for those trapped under collapsed buildings, with local authorities reporting at least 150 deaths from the nation's strongest earthquake in a decade.