Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has denied claims that his departure from Damascus earlier this month was premeditated. In a statement shared Monday on the Syrian Presidency’s Telegram channel, Assad asserted that he remained in Damascus until the early hours of December 8, coordinating combat operations amidst the collapse of his regime.
“My departure from Syria was neither planned nor did it occur during the final hours of the battles, as some have claimed,” the statement read. “On the contrary, I remained in Damascus, carrying out my duties until the early hours of Sunday.”
The authenticity of the statement, which marks Assad’s first public comment since his ousting, could not be independently verified.
Fall of the Regime
Syrian rebels, led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), overthrew Assad’s government following a swift offensive that culminated in the capture of Damascus on December 8. With little resistance from regime forces, the rebels declared the capital “liberated.”
The statement attributed to Assad claims he moved to the Russian Hmeimim airbase in Latakia that morning. Upon arrival, he reportedly learned that the Syrian military’s last defensive positions had fallen.
“As terrorist forces infiltrated Damascus, I moved to Latakia in coordination with our Russian allies. It became clear upon arrival that our forces had completely withdrawn and that the remaining state institutions had collapsed,” the statement added.
Evacuation to Russia
Amid deteriorating security and an attack on the Russian military base in Latakia, Assad said Moscow ordered an immediate evacuation to Russia. Russian media later confirmed that President Vladimir Putin had granted Assad asylum in Moscow.
“When the state falls into the hands of terrorism and the ability to make a meaningful contribution is lost, any position becomes void of purpose,” Assad stated, suggesting his presidency had become symbolic after the collapse of the Syrian state.
