Bashar al-Assad releases first statement since fleeing to Russia

Syria’s former President Bashar al-Assad appears to say he never intended to flee to Russia – in what is purported to be his first statement since the fall of Damascus eight days ago.

Assad’s reported statement was put on the Telegram channel belonging to the Syrian presidency on Monday, although it is not clear who currently controls the channel.

In it he says that, as the Syrian capital fell to rebels, he went to the Russian military base in his stronghold in the Latakia province “to oversee combat operations” only to see that Syrian troops had abandoned positions.

The Hmeimim base had also come under “intensified attack by drone strikes” and the Russians had decided to airlift him to Moscow.

He adds that “at no point during these events did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge, nor was such a proposal made by any individual or party”.