The deposed Syrian leader has stated that he remained in Damascus until the fall of the capital, and only sought refuge afterward.
Former Syrian president Bashar Assad revealed that he left Damascus in the evening of December 8th, contradicting reports of an earlier escape. This was his first public statement since his ouster and departure earlier this month.
In his statement released Monday, Assad asserted that his departure was unplanned and not a last-minute retreat. He maintained that he had initially intended to continue fighting the rebel forces and did not consider leaving until all hope of retaining power was lost.
Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, was overthrown earlier this month when a coalition of opposition groups, largely composed of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) Islamists, swiftly seized Damascus.
Assad claimed he departed Damascus only after rebel forces entered the capital, relocating to Latakia in coordination with Russian allies to manage military operations.
However, upon reaching the Russian Hmeimim airbase, he reportedly learned that Syrian forces had completely withdrawn, and all remaining military positions had fallen.
His evacuation to Russia from Hmeimim occurred on the evening of December 8th. He emphasized that this followed the fall of Damascus and the collapse of the remaining state institutions.
Earlier this month, the Syrian ambassador to Moscow, Bashar al-Jaafari, criticized Assad’s departure as a shameful abandonment of his country, suggesting the swift collapse of his government highlighted its unpopularity.
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Assad agreed to step down following negotiations with unnamed armed groups, subsequently leaving the country and instructing officials to ensure a peaceful transfer of power. He and his family were granted asylum in Russia.