Deposed Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad is said to have commented for the first time on his escape to Moscow. In a letter, the torture dictator explains his view of things – and he feels misunderstood.
His escape from Syria was not voluntary, Assad said in a one-page statement written in English and distributed on his former presidency’s Telegram channel. At first it could not be verified whether the statement was genuine.
“I remained in Damascus and fulfilled my duties until early Sunday morning, December 8,” the statement said. In the course of the ‘terrorists’ offensive on Damascus, Assad traveled to the Russian military base in Latakia.
“As the situation on the ground in the area continued to deteriorate, the Russian military base came under increasing drone attacks.” Moscow then ordered an immediate evacuation of the base to Russia by the evening of December 8.
Assad wants to have acted in the interests of the people
“At no time during these events did I consider resigning or seeking asylum,” Assad said, the statement said. “I have never sought positions for personal gain, but have always seen myself as the guardian of a national project.”
Assad further claimed that he was “staunchly committed” to the goal of enforcing the will of the Syrian people and protecting the Syrian state and its institutions.
Fighters led by the Islamist group HTS captured Damascus a week ago on Sunday and overthrew longtime ruler Assad. The capture of the Syrian capital was preceded by a rapid advance of the militias through the country. Assad, accused of kidnapping, torture and murder of dissidents, fled to Russia.
Source: Krone
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