In a dramatic turn of events, Syria’s long-time president, Bashar al-Assad, has issued his first public statement since his departure from Syria, sparking global interest in his current whereabouts. This announcement, released via the Syrian presidency’s Telegram channel, comes after armed opposition forces seized control of Damascus earlier this month, marking a significant shift in the country’s decade-long conflict. The statement defends his leadership and offers his account of the events leading to his exit, but it also raises a critical question on everyone’s mind: where is Bashar al-Assad now?
According to the statement attributed to al-Assad, his departure was not a sudden flight but a calculated move. He claims to have remained in Damascus until the early hours of Sunday, December 8, 2024, continuing to perform his presidential duties. As rebel fighters, described as “terrorist forces” in the statement, advanced into the capital, al-Assad says he relocated to a Russian military base in Latakia, a coastal city, to “oversee combat operations.”
However, the statement further details that the Latakia base itself came under drone attacks from opposition fighters. Facing a precarious situation and lacking secure exit options, Moscow reportedly intervened, arranging an immediate evacuation to Russia for al-Assad on the evening of Sunday, December 8th. This evacuation, according to the statement, occurred a day after the fall of Damascus, coinciding with the collapse of remaining military positions and the subsequent paralysis of state institutions.
This account has not been independently verified, and al-Assad has not appeared publicly since seeking asylum in Russia. The opposition forces, spearheaded by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), launched a rapid offensive from Idlib province in November, encountering minimal resistance as they captured city after city from government control. By December 8th, they had reached Damascus, declaring an end to the al-Assad family’s five-decade rule over Syria, a reign that began with Hafez al-Assad in 1971 and continued with Bashar after his father’s death in 2000.
Al-Assad’s presidency is inextricably linked with one of the most devastating conflicts of the 21st century. The Syrian civil war erupted in 2011, initially sparked by pro-democracy protests inspired by the Arab Spring uprisings across the Middle East. When these peaceful demonstrations were met with brutal force by the government, the movement escalated into an armed rebellion.
The ensuing war has fractured Syria, resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths and displacing millions. Bashar al-Assad’s government has faced severe accusations from human rights organizations for widespread human rights abuses. Opposition forces and human rights advocates have reported discovering evidence of horrific abuses, torture, and mass executions in prisons across Syria liberated this month, further highlighting the grim legacy of his rule. Tens of thousands of Syrians who were believed to be in government detention remain unaccounted for, their fates unknown.
Despite these grave accusations and the dramatic loss of control, the statement attributed to “President Bashar al-Assad” adopts an unapologetic tone. He portrays himself as the “custodian” of a national project supported by the Syrian people, asserting his belief in their will to protect the state. He argues that when the state falls into “the hands of terrorism” and his ability to contribute meaningfully is lost, his position becomes “void of purpose.”
While the statement offers a narrative for his departure and defends his past actions, the question of where is Bashar al-Assad definitively remains somewhat open to speculation. The statement indicates he was evacuated to Russia, suggesting he is currently residing there under Russian protection. However, his precise location within Russia is not disclosed. It is plausible he could be in a secure location provided by the Russian government, possibly near Moscow or perhaps still in a coastal region like Latakia, given Russia’s continued military presence in Syria.
In conclusion, Bashar al-Assad’s recent statement provides his perspective on the dramatic events in Syria and his departure. While it confirms his asylum in Russia, the exact location of Bashar al-Assad remains undisclosed. His legacy is deeply stained by the Syrian civil war and accusations of human rights abuses, and his future, like that of Syria itself, remains uncertain. The world continues to watch as Syria navigates this new chapter in its turbulent history.
