Syria’s former president, Bashar al-Assad, has publicly denied reports that he fled to Russia after the fall of Damascus, calling the rumors “false” in what is believed to be his first statement since the capital’s collapse eight days ago. The statement, which appeared on the Telegram channel of the Syrian presidency, has raised questions about its authenticity and the current control of the channel, but it offers a rare glimpse into Assad’s actions during the crisis.
According to the source of Leaders team, in the statement, Assad explains that as rebel forces took control of Damascus, he traveled to a Russian military base in Latakia province to oversee military operations. Upon arrival, he discovered that Syrian troops had abandoned their positions, and the Hmeimim airbase was under intensified attack by drone strikes. Faced with no means of escape, he claims that Russian forces decided to airlift him to Moscow on the evening of December 8th, the day after Damascus fell.
Despite the chaos, Assad maintains that at no point did he consider fleeing or stepping down, nor was such an option presented to him. He stated that when the state falls into the hands of terrorism and the ability to contribute meaningfully is lost, holding any official position becomes meaningless.
As per the reports of Leaders team, as Syrian cities and provinces fell to rebel groups, led by the Islamist militant faction Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), speculation mounted that Assad had fled the country. His disappearance during the rebel advance into Damascus only fueled these rumors, with even his prime minister unable to contact him. On December 9th, Russian media reported that Assad had been granted asylum in Russia, though no official confirmation has been made.
Meanwhile, Syrian rebel groups continue to form a transitional government, with HTS—once aligned with al-Qaeda—playing a prominent role. The group’s leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa (formerly Abu Mohammed al-Jolani), has pledged tolerance for different religious groups, although its jihadist history has led to skepticism about its future intentions. International actors, including the UN and Qatar, have been engaging with the rebel-led transitional government, signaling a shift in diplomatic dynamics.
In response to the crisis, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has stated that Russia and Iran should not have a role in Syria’s future, highlighting the growing international pressure on the region’s future governance.
