AhlulBayt News Agency: Bashar al-Assad, the former President of Syria, who stepped down from power after the armed opposition, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, took control of Damascus, issued a statement on Monday through the Syrian presidency's Telegram channel, announcing that he had remained in Syria until the last moments and had not left the country until Sunday, December 8.
The full text of the statement attributed to Assad, issued from Moscow, is as follows:
As terrorism spread throughout Syria, ultimately reaching Damascus on the evening of Saturday, December 7, 2024, questions arose about the fate and whereabouts of the President. This occurred amidst a flood of false information and narratives that were completely detached from reality, narratives that aimed to portray international terrorism as a revolutionary liberation movement for Syria.
At this critical juncture in the country's history, where truth must take precedence, it is essential to address these distortions. Unfortunately, the circumstances at the time, including the complete severance of communication for security reasons, delayed the publication of this statement. This statement will not replace a detailed account of the events that transpired, and these details will be provided at the appropriate time.
Firstly, my departure from Syria was neither planned nor occurred in the final hours of the battles, as some have claimed. On the contrary, I remained in Damascus and performed my duties until the early hours of Sunday, December 8, 2024. With the infiltration of terrorist forces into Damascus, I was transferred to Latakia (Hmeimim airbase) in coordination with our Russian allies to oversee the military operations.
Upon arriving at Hmeimim airbase that morning, it became clear that our forces had completely withdrawn from all battle lines, and the last army positions had fallen. As the situation on the ground deteriorated, the Russian military base itself came under intense drone attacks.
As there was no way to exit the base, Moscow requested that the base commander arrange for an emergency evacuation to Russia for the evening of Sunday, December 8. This occurred a day after the fall of Damascus and following the final collapse of military positions and the paralysis of all remaining government institutions.
At no point during these events did I consider resigning or seeking asylum, nor was such a proposal made by anyone or any group. The only possible course of action was to continue fighting against the terrorist invasion.
I emphasize that the individual who, from the first day of the war, refused to compromise on saving his country for personal interests and did not risk his people by succumbing to numerous offers and temptations, is the same person who stood just a few meters away from the terrorists in the most dangerous and intense battlefields, alongside army officers and soldiers on the front lines.
He is the same person who, during the darkest years of the war, did not leave the country but remained with his family alongside his people, resisting terrorism in the face of bombardment and repeated threats of terrorist infiltration into the capital throughout the 14 years of war.
Furthermore, the person who has never abandoned the resistance of Palestine and Lebanon and has not betrayed the allies who stood by him cannot abandon his people or betray the army and nation to which he belongs.
I have never sought a position for personal interests but have always considered myself the guardian of a national project, a project in which the Syrian people believed and trusted its vision. I have always believed in the will and ability of the Syrian people to protect their government, defend its institutions, and support their choices until the very end.
When the government falls into the hands of terrorism and loses its ability to play a meaningful role, any position or title becomes meaningless and empty, and occupying or holding it becomes pointless. This in no way diminishes my deep sense of belonging to Syria and its people, a bond that is not shaken by any position or circumstances. This is a sense of belonging filled with hope, hope that Syria will once again be free and independent.
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The full text of the statement attributed to Assad, issued from Moscow, is as follows:
As terrorism spread throughout Syria, ultimately reaching Damascus on the evening of Saturday, December 7, 2024, questions arose about the fate and whereabouts of the President. This occurred amidst a flood of false information and narratives that were completely detached from reality, narratives that aimed to portray international terrorism as a revolutionary liberation movement for Syria.
At this critical juncture in the country's history, where truth must take precedence, it is essential to address these distortions. Unfortunately, the circumstances at the time, including the complete severance of communication for security reasons, delayed the publication of this statement. This statement will not replace a detailed account of the events that transpired, and these details will be provided at the appropriate time.
Firstly, my departure from Syria was neither planned nor occurred in the final hours of the battles, as some have claimed. On the contrary, I remained in Damascus and performed my duties until the early hours of Sunday, December 8, 2024. With the infiltration of terrorist forces into Damascus, I was transferred to Latakia (Hmeimim airbase) in coordination with our Russian allies to oversee the military operations.
Upon arriving at Hmeimim airbase that morning, it became clear that our forces had completely withdrawn from all battle lines, and the last army positions had fallen. As the situation on the ground deteriorated, the Russian military base itself came under intense drone attacks.
As there was no way to exit the base, Moscow requested that the base commander arrange for an emergency evacuation to Russia for the evening of Sunday, December 8. This occurred a day after the fall of Damascus and following the final collapse of military positions and the paralysis of all remaining government institutions.
At no point during these events did I consider resigning or seeking asylum, nor was such a proposal made by anyone or any group. The only possible course of action was to continue fighting against the terrorist invasion.
I emphasize that the individual who, from the first day of the war, refused to compromise on saving his country for personal interests and did not risk his people by succumbing to numerous offers and temptations, is the same person who stood just a few meters away from the terrorists in the most dangerous and intense battlefields, alongside army officers and soldiers on the front lines.
He is the same person who, during the darkest years of the war, did not leave the country but remained with his family alongside his people, resisting terrorism in the face of bombardment and repeated threats of terrorist infiltration into the capital throughout the 14 years of war.
Furthermore, the person who has never abandoned the resistance of Palestine and Lebanon and has not betrayed the allies who stood by him cannot abandon his people or betray the army and nation to which he belongs.
I have never sought a position for personal interests but have always considered myself the guardian of a national project, a project in which the Syrian people believed and trusted its vision. I have always believed in the will and ability of the Syrian people to protect their government, defend its institutions, and support their choices until the very end.
When the government falls into the hands of terrorism and loses its ability to play a meaningful role, any position or title becomes meaningless and empty, and occupying or holding it becomes pointless. This in no way diminishes my deep sense of belonging to Syria and its people, a bond that is not shaken by any position or circumstances. This is a sense of belonging filled with hope, hope that Syria will once again be free and independent.
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