Never considered resigning or fleeing Syria: Assad's first remarks from Russia

19-Dec-2024

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Ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Monday issued his first statement since the dramatic fall of his regime last week, asserting that "asylum was never an option, but Russia evacuated him due to drone attacks in Damascus", according to news agency AFP.

"First, my departure from Syria was neither planned nor did it occur during the final hours of the battle, as some have claimed. On the contrary, I remained in Damascus, carrying out my duties until the early hours of Sunday 8th December 2024," Assad said in a written statement from Russia.

"As terrorist forces infiltrated Damascus, I moved to Lattakia in coordination with our Russian allies to oversee combat operations. Upon arrival at the Hmeimim airbase that morning, it became clear that our forces had completely withdrawn from all battle lines and that the last army positions had fallen," he said.

In the statement, Assad lamented the current state of the nation, describing Syria as being "in the hands of terrorism". He even called himself a leader dedicated to a national vision, claiming his departure had no personal motives.

"I have never sought positions for personal gain but have always considered myself a custodian of a national project, supported by the faith of the Syrian people, who believed in its vision," Assad said.