– The former Syrian president Bashar al Assad claimed his evacuation from Damascus to Russia was not “premeditated” and was instead requested by Moscow. In a statement, al Assad also states that Syria is now “in the hands of terrorists”.
“My departure from Syria was not planned and did not take place during the last hours of the battle, contrary to some accusations,” al Assad said in a statement on the presidency’s Telegram channel, the first since he was overthrown more than a week acts as a rebel offensive. “Moscow asked (…) for an immediate evacuation towards Russia on the evening of Sunday 8 December”, added Assad, stating that Syria is now “in the hands of terrorists”.
Former Syrian President Bashar al Assad also said he never considered resigning or fleeing Syria. He said he was evacuated to Russia from Russia’s Hmeimim base in Syria on the evening of December 8, having left Damascus that morning as opposition fighters approached.