Bashar al‑Assad Announces Himself After the Siege of Damascus
Long silence turned into a long‑winded speech: the former Syrian dictator finally speaks up after being forced out in December 2024.
His Exit – Not a “Plan” at All
- Assad says he never intended to leave or flee; the decision came on the spot.
- He was in Damascus until the early hours of Sunday, 8th December, “carrying out his duties” while rebels tore down the city.
- Soon after, he moved to the Latakia military base, “in coordination with our Russian allies” to oversee combat operations.
- Moscow ordered an immediate evacuation on the evening of 8th December, a day after Damascus fell.
Why He Stayed – “Fighting or Nothing”
“I didn’t consider stepping down or going into exile,” he insists. The only option, he claims, was to keep fighting the “terrorist onslaught.” Even though he didn’t spell out how that would happen, his rhetoric screams dedication.
Assad also says he’ll never “forsake” his people or the army. According to him, he’s a custodian of a national project because the Syrian people trusted him. That trust, he claims, never wavered, even when the state was falling into chaos.
Money, Moscow, and Misinformation
- FinTech reports: between 2018 and 2019, Assad airlifted $250 million in cash to Moscow.
- Records show nearly two tonnes of $100 and €500 bills flown into Russia and then deposited in sanctions‑listed Russian banks.
- He’s facing speculation and “misinformation” that he supposedly fled “on purpose.” He counters that the narrative is far removed from the truth.
Key Takeaway
In short, Bashar al‑Assad tells the world that his exodus wasn’t a carefully plotted escape but a last‑ditch move under pressure. He hangs onto the image of a defender of Syria and refuses to go extinct by “stepping down” or “seeking refuge.” Whether that story will convince skeptics remains to be seen.
