President Bashar al-Assad has denied claims that he intended to flee Syria after the rebel takeover, Middle East Eye reports on December 16th. He issued what is purported to be his first statement since being overthrown earlier this month. The statement dismisses allegations of an escape plan. It was published on the Facebook page of the Syrian Presidency. This page had been linked to the now-deposed government.

Read more: Georgia’s New President: EU Membership Must Protect National Values

In the statement, Assad asserts that a “flood of misinformation” surrounds the details of his departure from Syria:

My departure was neither planned nor did it happen in the final hours of the battles, as some have claimed. On the contrary, I remained in Damascus, fulfilling my duties until the early hours of Sunday, December 8, 2024.

He explained that he subsequently relocated to Latakia to “oversee combat operations” at the Hmeimim airbase alongside his Russian allies. However, following a drone attack on the base, Moscow’s leadership ordered his evacuation to Russia.

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,” said the statement.

The only course of action was to continue fighting against the terrorist onslaught,

-he also added.

Middle East Eye and agencies