Bashar al-Assad explained step by step how he escaped to Russia.

On November 27, armed opposition groups led by HTŞ began their operations in Syria. After the opposition advanced to the capital, Damascus, in 12 days, Bashar al-Assad and his family sought refuge in Russia. It was announced by the Kremlin that the right to seek asylum in Moscow was granted personally by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

While various scenarios regarding Assad's escape were being discussed, the first statement from the ousted leader came after his flight. In a written statement, Assad mentioned that he went to Latakia under the coordination of the Russians after the opposition entered Damascus, stating, "It was very clear that on the first morning I spent at Hmeymim Base, all our forces had abandoned their positions and all fronts had collapsed."

HE DESCRIBED HIS ESCAPE

Assad, who stated, "The Hmeymim base was hit by drones, so I had to be evacuated to Russia immediately on December 8," concluded his remarks by asserting that even in defeat, the hope for a free and independent Syria had not been shaken.

WHAT HAD HAPPENED IN SYRIA?

On November 27, clashes intensified between regime-opposing armed groups and Bashar al-Assad's forces in Syria. The groups had gained superiority in the largest cities such as Aleppo, Idlib, Hama, and Homs between November 30 and December 7.

As the groups began to enter the capital, Damascus, on December 7, with support from the masses, the regime completely lost control in Damascus and many other regions, leading to its collapse. The 61-year rule of the Ba'ath Party came to an end, and regime leader Assad fled the capital.

Meanwhile, the Syrian National Army had also liberated the district center of Tel Rifaat from the terrorist organization PKK/YPG on the first day of the Operation Dawn of Freedom, which was launched in December. With the liberation of the district of Manbij, the region, which had turned into the largest terrorist stronghold west of the Euphrates River, was cleared of PKK/YPG.