Syrian President Bashar al-Assad
Syrian President Bashar al-AssadAFP photo

Lebanese newspaper Aldiyar, which is considered to be close to Syria's official leadership, reported Saturday that Syrian president Bashar al-Assad is in an undergtound bunker at an unknown location, where he is staying along with his senior staff and other unknown senior officials.

The bunker is serving as an operational headquarters in advance of the US attack on Syrian targets that is expected to take place by Monday at the latest.

Assad's wife, Asma, has reportedly been transferred to a safer location, along with their children. Other senior officials have taken theur families to shelters as well.

Syrian Prime Minister Wael Halki said on Saturday that his country has gotten used to having to deal with hardships and overcome them. “Thanks to our strong resolve, the unity of all the components of the homeland, the high morale, the determination to hold out and win – we will undo any attempt by our enemy to sow destruction,” he said.

The Syrian army is on the highest alert, he said.

A senior Syrian security source was quoted earlier as saying that his country “expects an American attack any moment.”