‘Wished to keep fighting’: Syria’s Assad in first comment after ouster

However, the situation escalated when the Russian base itself came under drone attack, prompting a further evacuation to Russia later that same night. “I did not leave the country as part of a plan, as was reported earlier,” Assad said, adding, “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. The only course of action was to continue fighting against the terrorist onslaught.”

How Assad was pushed out 

After nearly 15 years of civil war, the final push to overthrow Assad took place in less than two weeks. On December 8, rebel forces seized control of the capital, Damascus, while Assad reportedly fled to an undisclosed location. Syria has been embroiled in civil war since 2011, following the Arab Spring, which saw widespread protests against authoritarian regimes. Hafez al-Assad ruled Syria with an iron fist from 1971 until his death in 2000, after which his son Bashar took over. Assad’s regime, dominated by the Alawite sect, faced discontent from the Sunni majority, especially amid rising unemployment and economic disparity. Initial peaceful protests were met with violent repression, escalating into armed conflict.

The conflict features a multitude of factions with varying goals and external support. The group that captured Damascus, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), emerged from al-Qaeda’s Syrian branch and seeks to establish a Sunni Islamic state. In contrast, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), primarily Kurdish militias, aim for greater autonomy but are not direct enemies of Assad. The Turkey-backed Syrian National Army opposes both Assad and Kurdish forces. Foreign involvement complicates the situation further. Iran, Russia, and Hezbollah support Assad, while the US and Turkey back anti-Assad factions, primarily targeting the Kurds.

The recent fall of Damascus was attributed to diminished support for Assad from Iran and Russia, preoccupied with other conflicts. As the rebels advanced, they faced little resistance from the Syrian Army. Despite Assad’s unpopularity, many viewed him as a stabilizing force against Sunni extremism. His rise to power was unexpected; he was an ophthalmologist in London before becoming president. Initially perceived as a potential reformer, his brutal response to protests dashed hopes for liberalisation.

(With Inputs from Associated Press)