ALBAWABA - In his first public remark since his regime's fall, former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said his exit was unplanned and denied any refuge request in Russia.
The statement was posted Monday by the former Syrian Presidency's official social media account days after Assad fled to Russia after opposition forces seized Damascus on December 8. After established media channels failed to post the announcement, the previous regime's account shared it.
The message began, “After several unsuccessful attempts to release this statement via Arab and international media, the only option was to use the former Presidency's social media platforms.”
Assad stated that he "did not leave Syria as part of a planned effort or during the final hours of fighting." He claimed to have managed his duties in Damascus until early Sunday morning, despite opposition forces closing in.
Assad moved to Latakia with Russian soldiers as the opposition advanced, he said. "Once at Hmeimim airbase, it became clear that military forces had withdrawn from all battlefronts and the final positions had collapsed," claimed he.
In response to increasing drone attacks on the Russian base, Assad said Moscow demanded his quick evacuation to Russia on Sunday evening, after Damascus fell and state institutions collapsed. He stressed that refuge or resignation were never discussed. "The only option was to continue resisting the terrorist onslaught," he said.
Over five decades of Assad family dominance ended when Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, commanded by Ahmed al-Sharaa (Abu Mohammad al-Jolani), took Damascus. After years of authoritarianism, the opposition took power quickly.
The new transitional government under Mohammed al-Bashir has prioritized economic recovery and stabilization. Al-Bashir's interim government has three months to restore security and basic services.
