Former leader of Syria Bashar al-Assad has issued his first statement since fleeing the country following the fall of Damascus.
Assad aired his statement on the official Syrian President Telegram channel. However, despite his post, it is unclear whether he was the one who wrote it and who is in control of the social media page.
According to the statement, he fled from Syria to Russia on December 8th, the day after Damascus fell. The former Syrian President expressed his determination to continue the battle.
“This [leaving Syria for Russia] took place a day after the fall of Damascus, following the collapse of the final military positions and the resulting paralysis of all remaining state institutions,” said Assad. “At no point during these events did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge. The only course of action was to continue fighting against the terrorist onslaught.”
Bashar al-Assad’s statement
“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,” said Assad.
Assad fled the capital following an offensive from the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), and, on December 9th, Russian media reported he had arrived in the country and had been granted asylum. He said in the statement that he remained in the capital “carrying out [his] duties” until the rebels attacked.
“With no viable means of leaving the base, Moscow requested that the base’s command arrange an immediate evacuation to Russia on the evening of Sunday 8th December,” said Assad in the statement.
However, according to the BBC, Assad was nowhere to be found, as the Syrian Prime Minister, Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali, could not reach him while the HTS was making its way through Syria, capturing city after city until reaching Damascus.
Meanwhile, the Islamic group is forming a transitional government, marking the end of al-Assad’s 24-year reign over Syria.
Assad’s statement in English.
“I have never sought positions for personal gain.”
Says the man with millions of dollars worth of cars in an abandoned garage… among all kinds of other riches we’ve seen first hand pic.twitter.com/qXbzXZunJ2
— James Longman (@JamesAALongman) December 16, 2024
Islamic group HTS
The HTS is Syria’s most powerful rebel force, but it was initially established under a different name, Jabhat al-Nusra, in 2011. Upon its inception, members pledged allegiance to the infamous terrorist group Al-Qaeda.
The group broke ties with Al-Qaeda in 2016 and changed its name when it merged with other Islamic groups, forming the powerful HTS. The leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, who previously went by the name Abu Mohammad al-Julani, has pledged tolerance for different religious denominations, but it remains to be seen whether that sentiment will continue to hold true throughout the rule of HTS.
The group’s prior affiliation with Al-Qaeda raises doubts as to whether claims of religious tolerance are true, as several Islamic groups who have taken over countries have enforced strict rule (and intolerance) over citizens.
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