Syrian President Bashar Assad has made his first official statement since being toppled by a rebel offensive, blaming “terrorism” for the collapse of his regime. In a statement posted to Telegram, Assad claimed that he left Syria after Russian President Vladimir Putin asked him to do so due to an intensified attack on the Khmeimim air base.
Assad stated that he had coordinated with Russian allies to oversee combat operations from Latakia and that Moscow requested his evacuation to Russia as the situation in Damascus deteriorated. He denied ever considering stepping down or seeking refuge, claiming that his only option was to continue fighting against the terrorist onslaught.
However, Assad made no comment on allegations of widespread human rights abuses committed by his regime during his 24-year rule. The fall of his regime saw jubilant fighters and residents emptying Assad’s prisons, with more than 100,000 people still believed to be missing.
The leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebel group vowed to hold those implicated in Assad’s human rights abuses accountable, while rescue workers discovered a suspected mass grave on the outskirts of Damascus.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/International/syrias-assad-blames-terrorism-regime-collapse-statement-defeat/story?id=116822284