Bashar al-Assad, the ousted President of Syria, addressed his unexpected departure from the country in a statement shared on the Syrian Presidency Telegram account on Monday. The authenticity of the statement, purportedly from Assad, remains uncertain as to whether he still controls the account. This would have been his first public comment since his regime’s downfall earlier that month.
The statement clarified that Assad’s exit from Syria was not premeditated, contrary to some claims suggesting otherwise. It stated that Assad remained in Damascus fulfilling his duties until the early hours of Sunday, December 8, 2024. According to the Syrian Presidency account on Telegram, Assad then relocated to Russia’s airbase in Hmeimim on the same day, where the Russian authorities requested his evacuation when the base came under attack.
In the face of the escalating situation, Moscow facilitated Assad’s immediate evacuation to Russia on the evening of December 8, following the fall of Damascus and the collapse of the remaining military strongholds. The statement emphasized that during these critical events, Assad never considered stepping down or seeking refuge, as continuing to combat the terrorist threat remained the primary focus.
Assad reflected on the diminishing relevance of his position as president in a country overrun by terrorists, noting that in such circumstances, any leadership role loses its significance and purpose. He expressed his conviction that when governance falls into the hands of terrorism and the ability to contribute constructively dissipates, the occupation of any position becomes futile.
