MOSCOW (TDI): In his first statement since fleeing to Russia over a week ago, former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad said that his departure from Syria was not planned.
He explained that he remained in Damascus until the city fell, only leaving the country when the military situation became unsustainable.
Assad’s statement, released on the Syrian presidency’s Telegram channel, clarified that his exit on December 8 was coordinated with Russian allies following the collapse of Syria’s final military lines.
“My departure was neither pre-planned nor occurred in the final hours of the battles, as some have suggested,” Assad stated. “I stayed in Damascus, fulfilling my duties until the early hours of Sunday, December 8, 2024.”
Assad mentioned that he had gone to Lattakia, a Russian military base in Syria, to oversee combat operations. It was there that Moscow arranged his evacuation to Russia.
“When I arrived at Khmeimim airbase that morning, it became clear that our forces had completely withdrawn from all battle lines and that the last positions had fallen,” he said.
Assad explained that, as the situation worsened, the Russian base itself came under heavy drone attacks.
With no safe way out, Russia requested an immediate evacuation, which took place on the evening of December 8, the day after Damascus fell and following the collapse of the final military positions, which paralyzed all remaining state institutions.
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He emphasized, “At no point did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge, nor was such a proposal made by anyone. The only option was to continue fighting against the terrorist assault.”
Assad also reaffirmed his long-standing position, stating that throughout Syria’s civil war, he had refused offers to abandon his nation for personal gain or compromise his people.
He claimed that both he and his family had stood alongside Syrians in the fight against terrorism for 14 years.
He added that he had never turned his back on the resistance in Palestine and Lebanon, nor betrayed his allies, asserting that such actions were inconceivable for someone who had never abandoned his people, army, or nation.
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“I never sought personal power but always considered myself a steward of a national project, supported by the belief of the Syrian people, who believed in its vision. I have always been confident in their will and ability to protect the state and its institutions to the very last moment,” he declared.
Assad concluded: “When a state falls to terrorism and is no longer capable of meaningful action, any position loses its purpose. However, this does not lessen my profound connection to Syria and its people—a bond that remains unshaken by any position or circumstance. I remain hopeful that Syria will once again be free and independent.”
