Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has issued an official statement addressing the events surrounding his departure from Syria earlier this month, following the fall of Damascus to terrorist forces. In his detailed account, Assad rejected claims of fleeing the country or abandoning his leadership role, instead presenting his actions as a calculated response to preserve the capacity to continue resisting what he described as a terrorist onslaught against Syria.
President Assad confirmed that on the evening of Saturday, 7 December 2024, as terrorist forces advanced into Damascus, he remained in the capital, fulfilling his duties until the early hours of the next day. Faced with the deteriorating situation, Assad moved to the coastal city of Lattakia to coordinate operations in collaboration with Russian allies. However, by the morning of Sunday, 8 December, the Syrian military’s remaining positions had collapsed, and the Hmeimim airbase in Lattakia came under heavy drone attacks.
Amid this escalation, Russian officials facilitated his evacuation to Moscow later that evening. Assad clarified that the decision to leave Syria was taken in light of the military’s inability to secure his safety or maintain control, leaving him with no viable options to continue his leadership from within the country.
Assad vehemently denied allegations that he had planned his departure or sought refuge as the situation unraveled. He emphasized that his actions were driven by a commitment to continue the struggle against terrorism, not a relinquishment of his responsibilities. He stated:
“At no point during these events did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge, nor was such a proposal made by any individual or party. The only course of action was to continue fighting against the terrorist onslaught.”
The president’s statement also criticized the dissemination of false narratives aimed at portraying the terrorist invasion of Syria as a revolutionary movement, which he described as part of an international effort to distort the truth.
Assad reflected on his leadership during Syria’s protracted 14-year war, asserting that his steadfastness during previous crises, including repeated incursions into Damascus, illustrated his enduring commitment to Syria. He stressed his personal involvement in the fight against terrorism, often alongside soldiers on the front lines.
“The person who has never abandoned the resistance in Palestine and Lebanon, nor betrayed his allies who stood by him, cannot possibly be the same person who would forsake his own people or betray the army and nation to which he belongs,” he declared.
In his closing remarks, Assad expressed a sense of profound belonging to Syria and reaffirmed his hope for its eventual liberation. He portrayed his departure not as an abandonment, but as a necessary step to sustain efforts against terrorism. He described his role as a “custodian of a national project” that transcended personal gain or positional authority.
“When the state falls into the hands of terrorism and the ability to make a meaningful contribution is lost, any position becomes void of purpose, rendering its occupation meaningless,” he stated.
Assad’s statement comes at a time of heightened uncertainty for Syria, as the fall of Damascus marks a critical juncture in the country’s 14-year civil war. His departure from Syrian soil signals both a symbolic and practical shift in the conflict, raising questions about the future of Syria’s government, the fate of its remaining loyalist forces, and the broader geopolitical dynamics in the region.
Assad pledged to provide a more comprehensive account of the events at an appropriate time, acknowledging the current challenges in communication and ongoing security concerns. His declaration underscores a persistent resolve to shape the narrative and rally support for his vision of Syria’s future.
