In a shocking revelation, ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad claims his departure from Syria was entirely unplanned, according to a statement shared on the official Syrian Presidency Telegram account. The announcement surfaced on Monday, shedding light on the chaotic circumstances surrounding his flight from the country.

Assad reportedly moved to Russia’s airbase located in Hmeimim, Syria, on the morning of Sunday, December 8, following emerging threats as the base came under aggressive attack from rebel forces. Russian authorities allegedly urged Assad to evacuate amidst the intensifying conflict.

The authenticity of the Telegram account and the statement remains uncertain, raising questions about its legitimacy as this marks one of the first comments attributed to Assad since his regime crumbled earlier this month.

"My departure from Syria was neither planned nor executed in the final hours of the conflict, contrary to some reports," the statement read. "I stayed in Damascus performing my presidential duties until the early hours of Sunday, December 8, 2024."

The exiled leader disclosed that upon arriving at the Hmeimim airbase, he learned of the fall of the last remaining army positions. He recounted that as a result of the overwhelming situation, Russian forces swiftly arranged for his evacuation to Moscow that same evening, following the dramatic fall of Damascus to opposition fighters who declared the capital "liberated."

Assad maintained his steadfastness throughout the turmoil, claiming that he never contemplated resigning or seeking refuge. "At no point during these events did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge. The only action was to continue fighting against the terrorist onslaught," he asserted.

The former president lamented that his role had become "void of purpose," attributing this decline to what he described as "terrorists" taking control of the state. "When the state falls into the hands of terrorism and the ability to make a meaningful contribution is lost, any position becomes void of purpose," he added.

Witnesses reported that Syrian rebels faced minimal resistance as they stormed into the capital, marking a significant shift in power dynamics.

After his rapid relocation, Assad and his family secured asylum in Moscow, categorized by Russian state media as being granted for "humanitarian reasons." An official source revealed that Russia had taken this step to support its strategic interests in the region.

The Kremlin, emphasizing the need to safeguard its military bases and diplomatic missions within Syria, has maintained ties with the newly emerging leadership. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov highlighted the importance of communicating with those now controlling the situation, although he refrained from disclosing specifics regarding the number of Russian troops stationed in Syria or any evacuation plans being considered.

As the situation continues to evolve in Syria, many are left questioning what this means for the future of the nation and the broader geopolitical landscape. Will Assad's comments ignite further tensions or signal an opportunity for stabilization? Stay tuned as we cover further developments in this unfolding saga!