Assad’s Final Hours in Damascus: Alleged Statement Sheds Light on Departure

In what appears to be his first public statement since the collapse of his regime, Bashar al-Assad has reportedly detailed the final hours leading up to his departure from Damascus to Russia. The statement, published on the Syrian presidency’s Telegram channel, has not been independently verified but offers a rare glimpse into the events surrounding the fall of Damascus.

According to the statement, Assad remained in the capital until the early hours of Sunday, December 8, 2024, following the entry of opposition forces into the city. Contrary to earlier reports of a planned escape, the deposed leader claimed his departure was unanticipated and necessitated by rapidly deteriorating circumstances.

“With terrorism expanding in Syria and reaching Damascus on the evening of Saturday, December 7, 2024, questions began to arise about my fate and whereabouts,” the statement reads. Assad asserted that he had fulfilled his responsibilities in Damascus until the final hours of the battles.

The document describes how Assad was transported to the Hmeimim airbase in Latakia with the assistance of Russian forces after Damascus fell. Upon arrival, he discovered that all military positions had been abandoned, and the army had suffered a complete collapse. The situation at the base itself was reportedly precarious, with drone attacks further complicating the evacuation process.

“Given the impossibility of leaving the base in any direction, Moscow requested the base command to secure my immediate evacuation to Russia on Sunday evening, December 8,” Assad claimed. He denied allegations that he sought asylum or offered to resign, maintaining that his intent was to continue a defensive resistance.

Nevertheless, the statement acknowledged the futility of remaining in power after the state’s collapse. “With the state falling to terrorism and losing its ability to function, there is no meaning for an official to remain in such a position,” Assad stated.

The former president defended his record during Syria’s prolonged conflict, claiming he had consistently stood by his allies and his people. “Someone who never abandoned the resistance in Palestine and Lebanon, and never betrayed his allies, cannot abandon his own people or betray them,” he wrote. He emphasized that his leadership was rooted in a national project supported by loyal followers, not personal ambition.

Assad also addressed criticisms of his conduct during the conflict, stating that he had remained in Damascus alongside his family and the army throughout the 14 years of war. “I stood with our officers and soldiers on the front lines and faced terrorism under bombardment and the threat of invasion multiple times,” he said.

This account comes as new reports emerge about financial dealings linked to Assad’s regime. The Financial Times recently revealed that between 2018 and 2019, approximately $250 million in cash was transported from Syria to Russia. These funds, delivered in high-denomination bills, were reportedly deposited in sanctioned Russian banks. The transfer has raised questions about the regime’s financial networks and the role they played in sustaining Assad’s rule during the conflict.

The statement also follows the opposition’s military campaign, dubbed “Operation Deterrence of Aggression,” which began on November 27. The offensive, launched from Idlib and Aleppo, rapidly advanced through Hama and Homs before reaching Damascus in the early hours of December 8. This marked the end of the Assad family’s 50-year rule over Syria.

The situation remains fluid as observers assess the implications of Assad’s departure and the future trajectory of Syria in the post-Assad era.