Bashar al-Assad stated on Monday that Syria is currently under the control of terrorism, marking his first public comment since being ousted.
“My departure from Syria was neither planned nor did it occur during the final hours of the battles,” said a statement on the ousted presidency’s Telegram channel, adding “Moscow requested… an immediate evacuation to Russia on the evening of Sunday December 8” after he moved to Latakia early that day.
“When the state falls into the hands of terrorism and the ability to make a meaningful contribution is lost, any position becomes void of purpose,” the statement added.