In his first public remarks since fleeing Syria, former President Bashar al-Assad defended his decades-long rule, denying claims that his departure was pre-planned as opposition forces entered Damascus. Assad’s statement, attributed to him and released via the Syrian presidency’s Telegram channel on Monday, claims Syria had “fallen into the hands of terrorism,” Al Jazeera reported.
The statement comes days after Assad was granted asylum in Russia following the collapse of his regime under a strong rebel offensive led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from the northwestern province of Idlib.
Assad’s Statement on His Departure
Assad refuted reports that he fled during the final moments of battle, asserting he was fulfilling his duties in Damascus until the “early hours of Sunday, December 8, 2024.”
- He claimed that as rebel forces, described by him as “terrorist forces,” breached Damascus, he relocated to a Russian military base in Latakia to oversee operations.
- According to the statement:“With no viable means of leaving the base, Moscow requested immediate evacuation to Russia on the evening of December 8, a day after Damascus fell.”
Assad portrayed himself as an unrepentant leader, stating his role was as the “custodian” of a national project supported by Syrians:
“When the state falls into the hands of terrorism and meaningful contribution becomes impossible, any position becomes void of purpose.”
The Collapse of Assad’s Regime
The regime’s downfall culminated after HTS-led opposition forces launched an offensive last month, swiftly advancing from Idlib to the heart of Damascus by December 8. The offensive marked the end of over 50 years of the al-Assad family’s authoritarian rule, which began with Hafez al-Assad in 1971.
Assad’s presidency, which began in 2000, witnessed the devastating Syrian Civil War, triggered by peaceful pro-democracy protests during the 2011 Arab Spring. These demonstrations were met with brutal crackdowns, escalating into one of the most destructive conflicts of the 21st century.
Human Rights Abuses and Legacy
- The war left hundreds of thousands dead and displaced millions, fragmenting Syria into warring territories.
- Rights groups have long accused Assad’s government of rampant human rights violations, including:
- Mass torture and executions in government prisons.
- The disappearance of tens of thousands of detainees.
- With opposition fighters recently freeing prisons across Syria, new evidence of torture and abuses has emerged, according to reports.
Regional Dynamics and Assad’s Future
With Assad now in Russian asylum, questions loom over his long-term role in Syrian politics, as HTS and other opposition groups consolidate power. The fall of Damascus marks a turning point in the country’s complex history, though instability and competing factions continue to challenge Syria’s path forward.
The collapse of Assad’s regime, after more than two decades of rule, concludes a chapter of authoritarian governance that shaped Syria’s tragic trajectory during the prolonged civil war.