International Assad to speak out for first time on flight to Moscow
Syria's ousted ruler Bashar al-Assad is said to have spoken out for the first time about his flight to Moscow.
16.12.2024, 16:16
SDA
This was not voluntary, Assad explained in a one-page statement written in English and distributed on the Telegram channel of his former presidency in Syria. It was not initially possible to verify whether the statement was genuine.
"I stayed in Damascus and carried out my duties until early Sunday morning, December 8," the statement said. In the course of the offensive by "terrorists" on Damascus, Assad had traveled to the Russian military base in Latakia. "As the situation on the ground in the area continued to deteriorate, the Russian military base was also increasingly attacked with drones." Moscow then ordered an immediate evacuation of the base to Russia for the evening of December 8.
"At no time during these events did I consider resigning or seeking asylum," Assad said in the statement. "I have never sought positions for personal gain, but have always seen myself as the guardian of a national project." Assad also claimed that he had been "unwaveringly" committed to the goal of enforcing the will of the Syrian people and protecting the Syrian state and its institutions.
Russia had supported Assad for years. After his overthrow, Assad was granted asylum in Russia.
