Bashar al-Assad Issues First Statement After Leaving Syria

In a surprising development on the Syrian front, ousted President Bashar al-Assad issued a controversial statement on Monday, December 16, 2024, published on the official Syrian presidency channel on Telegram. The statement reveals the circumstances surrounding Assad's departure from Syria amid the dramatic events unfolding in the country.

Statement Details

In his statement, Assad confirmed that his departure from Syria was not pre-planned and did not occur in the final hours of battle. He outlined the sequence of events as follows:

• He remained in Damascus until the early hours of Sunday, December 8, 2024.
• As terrorist forces infiltrated Damascus, he coordinated with Russian allies to move to Latakia to oversee combat operations.
• Upon arriving at Hmeimim base, it became clear that Syrian forces had retreated from all combat lines and that the last military positions had fallen.
• With the deteriorating field situation and increased attacks on the Russian base, Moscow requested his immediate evacuation to Russia.

Assad's Position

Assad emphasized several points in his statement:

• He asserted that he never considered stepping down or seeking asylum at any point during these events.
• He defended his administration, stating that he remained in Damascus fulfilling his duties until the very last moment.
• He described the events as leading to the state's fall into "the hands of terrorism."

International Reactions

International reactions to the fall of Assad's regime varied:

• United States: President Biden described the event as "a fundamental act of justice" and a historic opportunity for the Syrian people.
• European Union: Called for an inclusive dialogue led by Syrians and owned by Syrians.
• France: President Macron labeled Assad's regime as a "barbaric state" and expressed relief over his departure.
• United Kingdom: The Prime Minister welcomed Assad's exit and called for a political solution.

Humanitarian Situation

Amid these developments, Syria faces significant humanitarian challenges:

• Approximately 100,000 people have been displaced to northeastern Syria.
• There has been a sharp rise in food prices, with bread costs increasing by 900% in some areas.
• Hospitals are overwhelmed with a high number of injury and trauma cases.

Here is the full translation of the statement: 

Statement by President Bashar al-Assad on the Circumstances of His Departure from Syria

Moscow - December 16, 2024

With the spread of terrorism in Syria and his arrival in Damascus on Saturday evening, December 7, 2024, questions began to arise about the President's fate and whereabouts, amid a flood of speculation and narratives far from the truth, which formed the basis for the international terrorism's installation as a liberation force for Syria.

In this critical historical moment when the truth must be clear, there is a need for a brief clarification. The circumstances and subsequent complete communication blackout for security reasons did not allow for this, which does not exempt from providing a brief account of all details that occurred later, when the opportunity permits.

To begin, I did not leave the country as planned, as rumored. Rather, I stayed in Damascus during the final hours of the battles. I remained in Damascus following my responsibilities until the early morning hours of Sunday, December 8, 2024. With the spread of terrorism within Damascus, I moved in coordination with Russian friends to Latakia to monitor combat operations. Upon arrival at Hmeimim base in the morning, with the withdrawal of forces from all battle lines and the fall of the army's last positions, and with the increasing deterioration of the field situation in that region and the escalation of attacks on the Russian military base itself with guided missiles, Moscow requested the base command to arrange immediate evacuation to Russia on Sunday evening, December 8 - the day following Damascus's fall and after the collapse of the last military positions and subsequent paralysis of other state institutions.

During these events, the subject of asylum or stepping down was not raised by me or anyone else. The only option presented was to continue fighting defensively against the terrorist offensive.

In this context, I emphasize that since day one of the war, I refused to trade the country's salvation for personal safety or to bargain over my people with offers and temptations. I am the same person who stood with officers and soldiers on the front lines, mere meters away from terrorists in the most dangerous clashes. I am the one who did not leave during the hardest years of war, staying with family and people facing terrorism under bombardment and the threat of terrorists storming the capital more than once during fourteen years of war. One who did not abandon non-Syrians in the resistance in Palestine and Lebanon, and appreciated those who stood with him, cannot be the same person who abandons his people to whom he belongs, or betrays his army.

I have never been a seeker of positions for personal gain. Rather, I considered myself the bearer of a national project supported by people who believed in it. I carried the certainty of that people's will and their ability to preserve their state's voice and defend its institutions and choices until the last moment. With the state's fall to terrorism and the inability to offer anything, the position becomes meaningless with no purpose for the official to remain in it. This in no way means abandoning the genuine national belonging to Syria and its people - an unwavering belonging that no position or circumstance can change, filled with hope for Syria's return as free and independent.

End