Assad says he needed to maintain combating however Russians evacuated him from Syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a gathering with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, July 24, 2024.
| Photograph Credit score: Reuters

Ousted Syrian chief Bashar Assad says he had no plans to depart the nation after the autumn of Damascus every week in the past however the Russian army evacuated him after their base in western Syria got here beneath assault.

The feedback are the primary by Assad since he was overthrown by rebel teams.

Assad stated in an announcement on his Fb web page that he left Damascus on the morning of Dec 8, hours after insurgents stormed the capital. He stated he left in coordination with Russian allies to the Russian base within the coastal province of Latakia, the place he deliberate to maintain combating.

Assad stated that after the Russian base got here beneath assault by drones, the Russians determined to maneuver him on the evening of Dec 8 to Russia. “I didn’t go away the nation as a part of a plan because it was reported earlier,” Assad stated.

“At no level throughout these occasions did I take into account stepping down or looking for refuge nor was such proposal made by any particular person or social gathering,” Assad stated within the English textual content of his assertion. “The one plan of action was to proceed combating in opposition to the terrorist onslaught.”