Moscow, December 16, 2024: Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has reportedly claimed he never intended to flee to Russia, in what is believed to be his first public statement since Damascus fell to rebel forces eight days ago.
The statement, shared Monday on a Telegram channel linked to the Syrian presidency, remains unverified as it is unclear who controls the account or whether Assad himself authored it.
In the message, Assad purportedly states that as Damascus fell to rebels, he traveled to a Russian military base in Latakia province to “oversee combat operations,” only to find Syrian forces retreating from their positions. He adds that the Hmeimim airbase, a key Russian military facility, came under “intensified drone strikes,” prompting Russian forces to arrange his evacuation to Moscow.
The statement, published in both Arabic and English, recounts events of December 8, when Assad claims he was besieged at the Russian base.
“With no viable means of leaving the base, Moscow requested that the base’s command arrange an immediate evacuation to Russia on the evening of Sunday, December 8,” the statement reads. “This occurred a day after Damascus fell, following the collapse of final military positions and the paralysis of remaining state institutions.”
Assad also reportedly insists that he neither considered stepping down nor sought asylum during the crisis. “At no point during these events did I consider resigning or seeking refuge, nor was such a proposal made by any party,” the statement declares. “When the state falls into the hands of terrorism and meaningful contributions become impossible, any position loses its purpose.”
Assad’s whereabouts had remained a mystery as cities and provinces across Syria fell to rebel forces, led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), in just 12 days. Speculation about his departure grew when even Syrian officials, including the prime minister, were unable to contact him after the fall of Damascus.
On December 9, Russian media reported that Assad had been granted asylum in Moscow, though this has not been officially confirmed.
The statement has raised further questions about Assad’s current status, the extent of Russian involvement in his evacuation, and the future of Syria as it transitions into rebel control.
