After days of silence, the title that Assad used for himself caught attention.

After the clashes that began in Syria on November 27, following the entry of jihadist groups led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) into Damascus on December 8, Bashar al-Assad was overthrown and left the country. After the opposition took control of the country, the first statement from Bashar al-Assad came.

USED THE TITLE "PRESIDENT"

In a statement published on the Telegram channel of the Syrian Presidency, Bashar al-Assad announced that he remained in Damascus until the morning of December 8 and left the country later that same day. It did not go unnoticed that in his statement, he referred to himself with the title "President."

The message published under the signature of Bashar al-Assad stated:

"First of all, my departure from Syria was not planned and did not occur in the last moments of the war, as some have claimed. On the contrary, I was fulfilling my duties in Damascus until the early hours of Sunday, December 8, 2024. When terrorist forces infiltrated Damascus, I moved to Latakia to coordinate operations with our Russian allies. Upon our arrival at Hmeymim airbase that morning, it became clear that we had completely withdrawn from all front lines and that the last military positions had fallen. As the situation in the region continued to deteriorate, the Russian military base itself was also subjected to intense drone attacks. When there was no way out, Moscow requested that the command of the base arrange for an emergency evacuation to Russia on the evening of Sunday, December 8. This occurred one day after the fall of Damascus and after all remaining state institutions were paralyzed due to the collapse of military positions.

"THE ONLY OPTION WAS TO CONTINUE THE FIGHT"

During these events, I neither considered resigning nor sought asylum; such an offer was not made by any individual or party. The only option was to continue the fight against the terrorist attack. From the first day of the war, the person who refused to sell the nation's salvation for personal gain or compromise is the same person who accompanied soldiers and officers at the front lines of the army. That person has stood against terrorists in the most dangerous areas of the war; however, even in the most difficult moments, he did not abandon his country and people. This same person has remained with his family under bombings targeting the capital and constant terrorist attacks for over 14 years and has fought against terrorism. A person who has never abandoned his support for the resistance in Palestine and Lebanon, nor disappointed those who are loyal to it, cannot also be the one who abandons his own people in difficult times.

"UNTIL THE LAST MOMENT..."

I have never sought a position for personal gain; I saw myself as a guardian of a national project. I carried this project, supported by the faith of the Syrian people who believe in its vision, with an unwavering belief in the will and capabilities to protect the state. I took on the responsibility of defending its institutions and preserving its choices until the last moment. When the state fell into the hands of terrorism and the ability to make a meaningful contribution was lost, any position loses its purpose, and occupying that position becomes meaningless. However, this does not diminish my deep sense of belonging to Syria and its people in any way. This is a bond that is not affected by any position or circumstance. This belonging is filled with hope that one day Syria will be free and independent again.