Bashar Assad makes first statement since fleeing Syria

Former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad has attempted to explain for the first time why he fled the country for Russia amid an opposition offensive. In a statement released by his press service, Assad called his evacuation unplanned and said it came after Damascus fell under pressure from anti-government forces.

"I was on duty in Damascus until the morning of Sunday, December 8, 2024. When opposition forces invaded Damascus, I moved to Latakia [Russia's Khmeimim military base] to coordinate military operations with our Russian allies," Assad said in a statement.

The former dictator claims that he never considered resigning or seeking asylum in another country.

"Moscow demanded that the command immediately move to Russia on Sunday evening, December 8. This happened the day after Damascus, the last military positions, fell and all remaining state institutions were paralyzed," Assad added.

Reuters reports that Assad did not warn his supporters and family members to flee Damascus. However, hours before the evacuation, the dictator gathered about 30 senior intelligence and military officials and announced that "military support from Russia was coming."