Assad: 'I did not flee. Syria in the hands of terrorists'

Former Syrian President Bashar al Assad reappears and states that his evacuation from Damascus to Russia was not 'premeditated' and was instead requested by Moscow. In a statement, al Assad also claims that Syria is now 'in the hands of terrorists'. Assad claims that his evacuation from Syria on eight December was not planned but was requested by Russia after the base in Hmeimim, where he said he had gone to coordinate Russia's military intervention, was attacked by drones.

In a statement, the former Syrian president added that he remained in Damascus "to carry out my duties" until the early morning hours of the 8th. "At no time did I consider resigning or seeking refuge, nor was this proposal made by anyone or any faction" in the days of Hayat Tahir al Sham's seizure of the country, Bashar Assad wrote in a statement. "The only way was to fight against the massacre carried out by terrorists," he added.

"When the state falls into the hands of terrorists and the possibility of making significant contributions is lost, any position becomes devoid of purpose, rendering the occupation of that office, meaningless. This in no way diminishes my deep sense of belonging to Syria and its people, a bond that remains unchanged in any position or circumstance. It is a belonging filled with the hope that Syria will once again be free and independent,' Bashar Assad wrote in a statement.