Bashar al-Assad Details Escape to Russia Amid Rebel Advance

Polimatia News TemisEdu: International Spotlight

Bashar al-Assad Details Escape to Russia Amid Rebel Advance

Syrian —

Deposed Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad has broken his silence for the first time since his dramatic ouster eight days ago, offering details on his escape to Russia as rebel forces swiftly toppled his government.

Escape to Russia

Assad, who ruled Syria for 24 years, revealed on his Telegram channel that his departure from the country was unplanned. He relocated to Russia at Moscow’s urging after rebels attacked and overran a Russian military base in Latakia, where he had sought refuge.

«My departure was neither planned nor a decision made in the final hours of the battles,» Assad stated. He fled Damascus earlier that day as rebel forces stormed the capital.

Latakia Under Siege

Assad initially intended to continue fighting from Latakia but was forced to leave when the coastal base came under drone attack. «It became clear that our forces had completely withdrawn from all battle lines,» Assad said. «With no visible means of leaving the base, Moscow requested an immediate evacuation to Russia.»

He declined to disclose his current location in Russia or future plans but emphasized he had not considered stepping down voluntarily, stating, «The only course of action was to continue fighting against the terrorist onslaught.»

Regional and International Reactions

Israel’s Military Strikes

Amid the collapse of Assad’s regime, Israel launched intense airstrikes on missile warehouses in Syria. The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights described the strikes as the «most violent» since 2012. Israeli forces also seized a border buffer zone, sparking criticism for allegedly exploiting Syria’s chaos to gain territory.

U.N. and Rebel Engagement

Geir Pederson, the U.N.’s envoy to Syria, met with Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the rebel group that spearheaded Assad’s ouster. Pederson emphasized the need for a Syrian-led political transition based on a 2015 U.N. resolution, which calls for inclusive governance, constitutional reforms, and elections.

Jolani’s faction, designated a terror group by the U.S. and others, has drawn increased international attention. While some governments are open to reassessing HTS’s status, they stress that the group’s actions will determine its recognition.

European Union’s Stance

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expressed cautious optimism about Syria’s future, stating, “For us, it’s not only the words, but we want to see deeds going in the right direction.” The EU has sent an envoy to Damascus to engage with rebel leadership.

Looking Ahead

As Syria transitions away from over 50 years of Assad family rule, the country faces both optimism and uncertainty. The U.N. and international stakeholders have pledged support for rebuilding Syria, but the challenges of political stabilization and massive reconstruction loom large.

Tom Fletcher, the U.N.’s humanitarian chief, echoed the sentiment: “A week of change in five decades, and then five decades of change in a week.”

Stay tuned with Polimatia News for updates on Syria’s evolving political landscape and reconstruction efforts.