Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has issued his first public statement since the dramatic fall of his regime earlier this month.

In a message shared via the Syrian presidency’s official Telegram channel, Assad vehemently defended his leadership, claiming he never intended to leave Syria and asserting that his departure came only after rebel forces overtook Damascus in early December.

Assad’s statement, released amid international scrutiny and accusations of war crimes, outlined his version of the events leading to the collapse of his 24-year rule.

He described his last days in Damascus, stating that he remained in the capital until December 8, the day after the city fell to opposition forces.

Assad emphasized that his evacuation was coordinated with Russia, claiming that it was only after “terrorist forces,” as he referred to the rebel groups, advanced into Damascus and targeted a Russian airbase in Latakia that he was forced to flee.

According to Assad, the attack on the base left him with no other option but to accept an emergency evacuation organized by Russian forces.

The fall of Damascus marked the end of Assad’s grip on power, which began in 2000 following the death of his father, Hafez al-Assad.

For over two decades, Bashar al-Assad maintained an iron-fisted rule, characterized by widespread human rights abuses, including the use of chemical weapons, systematic torture, and mass executions.

His statement, however, focused on his belief in the sovereignty of Syria and his commitment to fight against what he described as a “terrorist onslaught” on his nation.

“I have always believed in Syria’s national project,” Assad said in the statement, emphasizing his unwavering belief in the Syrian people’s ability to protect their state and institutions.

“I never considered resignation or seeking asylum. I remained in Syria to protect the nation, to ensure its survival.”

Despite these claims, Assad offered no indication of plans to return to Syria, leaving many to wonder about his future role in the country’s political landscape.

The Syrian civil war, which began in 2011 after widespread protests during the Arab Spring, escalated into a brutal conflict that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and displaced millions.

The war has been marked by numerous atrocities, with human rights organizations accusing Assad’s regime of orchestrating widespread violence against civilians.

The UN estimates that by March 2021, over 300,000 civilians had died in the conflict, while an additional 250,000 combatants lost their lives in the first decade of the war. Many of these deaths are attributed to the actions of Syrian government forces and allied militias.

Human rights groups have repeatedly accused Assad’s regime of perpetrating systematic torture, mass executions, and the use of chemical weapons.

Amnesty International, in a 2017 report, described the regime’s practices at Sednaya prison as a “human slaughterhouse,” documenting evidence of the killing of thousands of detainees, many of whom were reportedly subjected to torture.

As rebel forces gained ground, they uncovered further evidence of atrocities in detention centers, with tens of thousands of Syrians still missing and their fates unknown.

Assad’s statement comes after a rapid offensive by opposition groups, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which launched an offensive in November that captured several cities with minimal resistance.

The rebel forces’ swift march toward Damascus culminated in their arrival on December 8, signaling the fall of the city and the collapse of Assad’s regime.

The loss of Damascus effectively ended more than five decades of the Assad family’s authoritarian rule, marking a significant turning point in Syria’s devastating conflict.

In his statement, Assad portrayed himself as the “custodian” of a national project and a defender of Syria’s sovereignty. However, he provided no acknowledgment of the extensive human suffering and destruction that occurred under his rule.

Despite accusations of war crimes, Assad remained unapologetic, asserting that his tenure was driven by a sense of duty, not personal gain.

He claimed that the loss of state institutions rendered his position meaningless, implying that his focus had always been on safeguarding the state, rather than holding onto power for its own sake.

Internationally, Assad’s leadership has been heavily criticized, with many nations, including France, calling for accountability for the regime’s actions during the war.

France has issued international arrest warrants for Assad, his brother Maher, and two high-ranking generals over allegations of war crimes, including the use of chemical weapons in a 2013 attack on Ghouta, which killed hundreds of civilians.

Opposition groups, including HTS, have vowed to hold Assad and his associates accountable for the atrocities committed during the conflict.

The Assad regime’s forced departure comes amidst a growing realization that the Syrian war is entering a new phase. The loss of Damascus leaves the country divided, with opposition forces now in control of the capital and large portions of Syria.

The war has shifted from a battle for political power to a struggle for control of the nation’s remaining territories.

With Assad’s departure, the future of Syria remains uncertain, as the country grapples with the aftermath of nearly 13 years of conflict. In his statement, Assad did not mention the possibility of negotiating with opposition groups or seeking a political solution to the conflict.

Instead, he emphasized his belief in the power of the Syrian people to defend their state, though many critics view this as an indication of the regime’s refusal to acknowledge the need for reconciliation.

The opposition groups now in control of Damascus, including HTS, have vowed to rebuild Syria without Assad’s leadership.

They have made it clear that any efforts to restore stability in the country will involve holding Assad and his associates accountable for their alleged war crimes.

The rebel forces are also seeking international support to secure Assad’s removal from the political scene, viewing his departure as essential to any lasting peace in Syria. As the world watches the aftermath of Assad’s fall, many questions remain about Syria’s future.

With the regime’s collapse, the nation now faces the daunting task of rebuilding its fractured society and addressing the legacy of war and suffering that has defined its recent history.

While Assad’s statement may have been a defiant defense of his leadership, it is clear that the road ahead for Syria will require much more than rhetoric; it will demand reconciliation, justice, and the ability to heal a nation torn apart by conflict.