In his first statement since fleeing Damascus, the former Syrian leader Bachar al-Assad wanted to clarify the circumstances of his departure to Russia. He, for the occasion, particularly insisted on the unforeseen nature of this evacuation, refuting any prior planning.
According to the words of the deposed president, it is Moscow which would have required his immediate evacuation on the evening of Sunday, December 8. Al-Assad now claims that Syria has fallen “in the hands of terrorists”, marking a dramatic turning point in the country’s history. A way for him to contradict the claims of the rebels having regained control of Syria.
The fall of Damascus leads to the flight of Bashar al-Assad
Events precipitated on the night of December 7 to 8, when the rebel forces of the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) made a dazzling advance towards the Syrian capital after retaking the country’s main cities. This lightning advance forced the Syrian leader to hastily leave the country he ruled with an iron fist.
The Sunday following his departure, Islamist rebels entered Damascus and proclaimed the liberation of the capital, thus marking the effective end of the Al-Assad regime. This historic event represents a major upheaval in the balance of power in the Middle East, even though no one really knows what will happen to the country in the weeks to come.
Russian exile confirmed by the principal concerned
The presence of Bachar al-Assad on Russian territory was officially confirmed the following Tuesday by the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, putting an end to speculation about its whereabouts. Some also seemed to believe in a possible accident in mid-flight. An official confirmation of Moscow followed by a first speech which was obviously eagerly awaited.
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