In his first public remarks since fleeing Syria, deposed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad defended his years in power and denied that his departure was planned as opposition forces approached Damascus earlier this month. The statement, released on the Syrian presidency’s Telegram channel on Monday, provided details of the former president’s exit and the fall of Syria’s capital.
Assad’s Account of His Departure
The statement claimed:
- “My departure from Syria was neither planned nor did it occur during the final hours of the battles, as some have claimed. On the contrary, I remained in Damascus, carrying out my duties until the early hours of Sunday, December 8, 2024.”
- As opposition forces entered the capital, al-Assad reportedly moved to a Russian base in Latakia to oversee combat operations. However, the base soon came under drone attack from armed opposition groups.
- “With no viable means of leaving the base, Moscow requested an immediate evacuation to Russia on the evening of December 8, following the collapse of the final military positions and the resulting paralysis of all remaining state institutions,” the statement read.
The statement has not been independently verified, and al-Assad has not made any public appearances since arriving in Russia with his family.
The Fall of Damascus and Assad’s Rule
The opposition offensive, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), began in November from Idlib, sweeping through government-held cities with little resistance. The rebels reached Damascus on December 8, ending more than 50 years of the al-Assad family’s rule over Syria.
Al-Assad’s presidency, which began in 2000 after the death of his father Hafez al-Assad, oversaw one of the most devastating conflicts of the 21st century. The war began in 2011 as part of the Arab Spring uprisings, when peaceful protests were met with brutal crackdowns. The conflict spiraled into a prolonged civil war that killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions of Syrians.
Human Rights Violations and Rebel Advances
Rights groups have long accused al-Assad’s government of widespread human rights abuses, including torture, mass executions, and detaining tens of thousands of Syrians, many of whom remain unaccounted for.
As opposition fighters took control of Syria’s jails, they reportedly discovered horrific evidence of torture and mass executions.
Al-Assad’s Defiant Statement
Despite the accusations, the statement attributed to al-Assad struck a defiant tone, as he described himself as the “custodian” of a national project:
- “I have carried an unwavering conviction in [Syrians’] will and ability to protect the state, defend its institutions, and uphold their choices to the very last moment.”
- He added, “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, rendering its occupation meaningless.”
The war-torn nation now faces an uncertain future as opposition forces consolidate control over key cities and attempt to rebuild a fragmented Syria after over a decade of conflict.
