Assad’s regime is said to have lifted hundreds of millions of dollars to Moscow, the Russian capital where he is currently living in exile after the fall of his Syrian government
Bashar Al-Assad has issued his first statement from hiding, more than a week after he fled Syria for Moscow, claiming the country’s people still love him after shamelessly plundering hundreds of millions from them.
The Syrian presidency’s telegram channel published a statement this afternoon purportedly from the despot extraordinarily claiming the country is now under the control of “terrorist forces”. The lengthy note adds that Assad didn’t escape Syria and flee to Moscow, instead choosing to leave in an “unplanned” move on December 8, while “carrying out my duties”.
The former premier also shockingly claims that he considered himself “a custodian of a national project” and was supported by the people. But recent reports have suggested that he pilfered hundreds of millions from the country’s national bank and airlifted a nine-figure sum to the Russian capital.
The note begins with an insistence that his departure was “not planned”, adding that he only chose to flee once a Russian military base cam under fire. It states: “First, my departure from Syria was neither planned nor did it occur during the final hours of the battles, as some have claimed. On the contrary, I remained in Damascus, carrying out my duties until the early hours of Sunday December 8, 2024.
“As terrorist forces infiltrated Damascus, I moved to Latakia in coordination with our Russian allies to oversee combat operations. Upon arrival at the Khmeimim airbase that morning, it became clear that our forces had completely withdrawn from all battle lines and that the last army positions had fallen.
“As the field situation in the area continued to deteriorate, the Russian military base itself came under intensified attack by drone strikes. With no viable means of leaving the base, Moscow requested that the base’s command arrange an immediate evacuation to Russia on the evening of Sunday 8 December.”
“This took place a day after the fall of Damascus, following the collapse of the final military positions and the resulting paralysis of all remaining state institutions. 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.”
The statement goes on to add that Assad “refused to barter the salvation of his nation for personal gain” and “to compromise his people in exchange for numerous offers and enticements”, a very different picture to one that has developed through recent financial records seen by the Financial Times.
The publication reports that Assad’s regime flew several tonnes worth of banknotes in $100 bills and €500 notes to Moscow’s Vnukovo airport, where they were to be deposited at banks between 2018 and 2019. In total, it is believed Assad transported around $250 million in cash to Moscow during a two-year period in which his regime was indebted to Russia for its military support.
The statement goes on to claim that Assad did not seek positions “for personal gain” and that he “believed in a Syrian national project”. It says: “I have never sought positions for personal gain but have always considered myself as a custodian of a national project, supported by the faith of the Syrian people, who believed in its vision.
“I have carried an unwavering conviction in their will and ability to protect the state, defend its institutions, and uphold their choices to the very last moment. When the state falls into the hands of terrorism and the ability to make a meaningful contribution is lost, any position becomes void of purpose, rendering its occupation meaningless.
“This does not, in any way, diminish my profound sense of belonging to Syria and her people – a bond that remains unshaken by any position or circumstance. It is a belonging filled with hope that Syria will once again be free and independent.”
