Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad released his first public statement on Monday following his ousting on December 8, asserting that he remained committed to fighting in Syria until Russian forces evacuated him.
Assad stated that he remained in Damascus until the early hours of December 8, the day rebel forces led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) entered the capital. He claimed he then moved to Latakia in coordination with Russian allies to oversee combat operations. Upon arriving at Khmeimim Air Base on Syria’s northern coastline, Assad said it became clear that the Syrian army had “completely withdrawn” from all positions and the last military strongholds had fallen.
Assad explained that intensified drone strikes on Khmeimim Air Base, where Russian forces have operated since 2015, left no viable means for him to remain in Syria. He said that Russia requested his evacuation to Moscow on December 9, a day after Damascus fell, due to the deteriorating security situation.
“This took place after the collapse of the final military positions and the resulting paralysis of all state institutions,” Assad said. “At no point during these events did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge.”
Assad portrayed himself as a leader committed to Syria’s defense, claiming that he stayed in the country for as long as possible. He described himself as a “custodian of a national project” who refused to abandon Syria for personal gain. Assad added, “I stood alongside the officers and soldiers of the army on the front lines, just meters from terrorists in the most dangerous and intense battlefields.”
Assad expressed hope that “Syria will once again be free and independent.” but made no mention of his regime’s human rights violations or the country’s devastating 14-year civil war.
HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, earlier vowed to hold accountable those responsible for human rights abuses under Assad’s rule.
Since Assad’s departure, Israeli forces have conducted airstrikes targeting military sites across Syria, reportedly destroying air defense systems and remnants of the Syrian army’s arsenal. Israeli troops also seized a border buffer zone, sparking criticism and accusations of violating the 1974 ceasefire agreement.
