Syria’s former president, Bashar al-Assad, refutes claims that his exit from Damascus was a premeditated move
Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has refuted allegations that his exit from Damascus was premeditated. He stated that Russian officials prompted his evacuation from the Hemeimim air base, located in the western coastal province of Latakia, following severe drone attacks.
In a statement released on the Syrian presidency’s Telegram channel and dated December 16, President Bashar al-Assad clarified that his exit from Syria was neither premeditated nor coincided with the last stages of the ongoing battles, contrary to certain reports. He emphasized that he continued to fulfill his official responsibilities in Damascus until the early hours of Sunday, December 8, 2024.
The statement reported that as terrorist forces entered Damascus, a strategic move to Latakia was undertaken in collaboration with Russian allies to supervise combat operations. Upon reaching the Hmeimim airbase that morning, it was evident that all military units had fully retreated from their positions, leading to the collapse of the last army strongholds.
Russian authorities reportedly called for the base’s command to organize an urgent evacuation to Moscow on the night of December 8, amid worsening conditions in the region and an assault on the Russian military base.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad clarified that he never contemplated resignation or seeking refuge during the conflict, nor was he approached with such proposals. He emphasized that the sole option was to persist in battling the terrorist assaults.
In a statement, he asserted that he has never pursued roles for personal benefit but views himself as a steward of a national initiative, bolstered by the trust of the Syrian populace who have embraced its vision.
An individual expressed steadfast confidence in the capability and determination of the group to safeguard the state, defend its institutions, and stand by their decisions until the very end.
The announcement emphasized that if the state succumbs to terrorism and loses the capacity to make significant contributions, any official position becomes devoid of purpose and its occupancy becomes futile.
President Bashar al-Assad reiterated that this matter in no way detracts from his deep-rooted sense of kinship with Syria and its citizens, a connection that remains steadfast regardless of any role or situation.
In a coordinated and unexpected offensive, militants associated with the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) organization initiated a dual-front assault against the northwestern Syrian city of Aleppo and the surrounding areas of Idlib on November 27. Advancing south, the group succeeded in taking control of several key urban centers, notably Hama, Homs, Dara’a, and Suwayda. Their campaign culminated with the capture of Damascus in the early hours of December 8.
