The ousted Syrian regime leader, Bashar al-Assad, issued his first statement following the collapse of his regime and his escape to the Russian capital, Moscow. He insisted that leaving Syria was “not a choice” and claimed that his preference had been to “stay and fight” against what he described as “spreading terrorism.”
Assad released the statement via the official Syrian Presidency page on social media, calling it the only available medium for dissemination:
“Several unsuccessful attempts were made to publish this statement through Arab and foreign media.”
“Spreading Terrorism” and Denial of Planned Escape
In the statement, Assad referred to the opposition factions that seized control of Damascus as “spreading terrorism,” denying claims that he had pre-planned his escape.
He began by saying:
“In this pivotal historical moment, when the truth must have its place, it is necessary to clarify through a brief statement. The circumstances, along with a complete communication blackout for security reasons, did not allow me to speak earlier.”
Assad added:
“Firstly, I did not leave the country as part of any premeditated plan, as has been widely claimed. Nor did I flee during the final hours of the battles. I remained in Damascus, fulfilling my responsibilities until the early hours of Sunday, December 8, 2024.”
Escape to Russia Amid Military Collapse
He explained that as opposition forces advanced further into Damascus, he coordinated with Russian allies to relocate to Latakia to continue overseeing military operations. Assad claimed:
“Upon arriving at the Hmeimim military base in the morning, it became clear that forces had withdrawn from all battle lines, with the final positions of the army collapsing amid deteriorating field conditions and escalating drone attacks on the Russian base itself.”
He continued:
“Given the impossibility of leaving the base in any direction, Moscow requested the immediate evacuation to Russia on the evening of Sunday, December 8, the day after Damascus fell and the last military positions collapsed, rendering state institutions paralyzed.”
Defiance and Rejection of Resignation
Assad asserted that neither he nor any of his officials had considered resignation or seeking asylum, emphasizing:
“The only option on the table was to continue fighting in defense against the terrorist offensive.”
He portrayed himself as unwavering, stating:
“I have refused, since the very first day of this war, to trade my country’s salvation for personal safety or to compromise with any offers or incentives. I stood alongside the officers and soldiers of my army on the front lines, only tens of meters away from terrorists, in the fiercest and most dangerous battles.”
Loyalty to Allies and Resistance
Assad attempted to reinforce his image as a regional supporter of resistance in Palestine and Lebanon, saying:
“The one who stood by the Palestinian and Lebanese resistance and never betrayed his allies cannot be the same person who would abandon his own people or betray his army.”
He continued:
“I never sought positions of power for personal gain. I considered myself a man with a national mission, supported by a people who believed in this project. I carried unwavering faith in the will of the Syrian people and their ability to defend their nation until the very last moment.”
Acknowledging the Fall of the State
Assad admitted the fall of the state but claimed that his departure was inevitable, stating:
“When the state falls into the hands of terrorism, and the ability to offer anything meaningful is lost, the position itself becomes meaningless. However, this does not mean abandoning my deep and unchanging national identity, rooted in Syria and its people.”
Avoidance of Critical Issues
Notably, Assad’s statement did not address the reasons behind the rapid collapse of his military or the atrocities revealed in the aftermath of his fall, including the horrors of Sednaya Prison.
