In his first public statement since fleeing Syria, former president Bashar al-Assad claimed his evacuation was unplanned. Assad said his Russian allies decided to remove him from Hmeimim airbase in Latakia during a heavy drone attack. He insisted his departure was not a decision made during the final battles, as some reports suggested.
The ousted leader, whose family ruled Syria repressively for over 50 years, described himself as a steadfast figure who stayed in Damascus until its fall. Opposition forces, led by the Islamist group Hayʼat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), captured Damascus on 8 December after a swift offensive that began in northern Syria.
Assad Defends His Leadership Amid Accusations
Assad rejected accusations of corruption and portrayed himself as a custodian of a national project supported by the Syrian people. He claimed, “I have never sought personal gain but dedicated myself to Syria’s vision.” These remarks contrast starkly with reports of his family’s amassed wealth, including luxury cars and designer goods, uncovered after his regime’s fall.
As Syrians celebrated the end of Assad’s rule, thousands searched for loved ones who disappeared into his brutal prison system. Sites like the infamous Sednaya prison symbolize the regime’s legacy of torture and killing. US President Joe Biden called Assad’s removal a “fundamental act of justice” and urged Syrians to seize this moment to rebuild their nation.
