Janice R. Andrews
Bashar al-Assad, the former president of Syria, has broken his silence for the first time since his regime was ousted on December 8 by opposition forces in Damascus. In a statement released through Syrian presidential social media accounts, Assad refuted claims that he had planned to leave Syria, stating he remained in Damascus until the early morning hours of December 8.
Assad explained that, as violence spread further into Damascus, he was forced to relocate to Latakia, where he coordinated with Russian allies to oversee military operations. He added, “Upon arriving at the Hmeimim airbase, it became evident that all combat lines had collapsed, and the last military positions had fallen.”
The former president described how escalating drone attacks on the Russian base and the deteriorating situation led Moscow to request his immediate evacuation to Russia that evening. Acknowledging the regime’s collapse, Assad admitted, “With the state falling into the hands of terrorism, holding onto power no longer had any value.”
Following the overthrow of Assad, the Syrian opposition, led by factions like Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), declared the “liberation of Damascus” and announced the formation of a temporary transitional government led by Mohammed al-Bashir. This new government is set to stay in power until March 1, 2025.
The fall of Assad’s 24-year regime marks a critical moment in Syria’s long-running civil war, with opposition forces celebrating a major victory. The future of Syria now rests with the transitional government as it faces immense challenges ahead.
