Bashar al-Assad Denies Fleeing Syria Amid Regime Collapse
Ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has publicly denied that his departure from Syria was a planned escape, addressing speculation about his movements during the fall of his regime. A statement purportedly from Assad was posted on the Syrian Presidency’s official Telegram account on Monday, marking his first public commentary since his government fell earlier this month. However, questions remain about whether Assad still controls the account, adding to the intrigue surrounding his remarks.
According to the statement, Assad remained in Damascus until the early hours of Sunday, December 8, 2024, performing presidential duties despite the ongoing collapse of his regime. He clarified that his eventual move to Russia’s Hmeimim airbase occurred only after the base itself came under attack, prompting a Russian evacuation request. “My departure from Syria was neither planned nor did it occur during the final hours of the battles, as some have claimed,” Assad stated, rejecting rumors that he had sought refuge prematurely.
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The statement described how Damascus fell, followed by the collapse of Syria’s remaining military positions and state institutions. Assad claimed that Moscow orchestrated his evacuation from Hmeimim on humanitarian grounds. This event reportedly took place on the evening of December 8, just one day after the capital fell to opposition forces. Russian officials later confirmed Assad’s arrival in Moscow, where he was granted asylum.
Notably, Assad insisted that at no point did he contemplate resignation or seek to negotiate an exit strategy, instead framing his actions as a continuation of his fight against what he termed a “terrorist onslaught.” He suggested that his role as president became meaningless after the state’s fall into hostile hands, describing the occupation of his position as “void of purpose.”
This statement adds a layer of complexity to Assad’s controversial legacy, with his departure marking the end of over a decade of conflict-ridden leadership. Whether this account aligns with events on the ground remains contested, but it underscores the turbulent final days of his presidency and Syria’s ongoing struggles.
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