Former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad denied planning to flee Syria before Russian forces evacuated him from the Khmeimim airbase following intense attacks by opposition forces. In a statement dated 16 December, Assad claimed he intended to stay and fight until it became clear that the Syrian army had collapsed on 8 December.
Assad said Moscow arranged his evacuation after drone strikes targeted the Russian airbase in Latakia, dismissing reports that his family and aides were unaware of his departure. He also denied allegations of corruption, asserting he always prioritized Syria’s survival over personal gain.
The regime’s fall has shifted power dynamics across the region. Ahmed al-Sharaa, leader of the now-dominant Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebels, met UN envoy Geir Pedersen to discuss a political transition. Pedersen emphasized the need for an inclusive, Syrian-led government, while Western diplomats called for lifting sanctions and removing HTS from terror lists to stabilize Syria’s economy.
With Russia and Iran losing influence, Turkey and Gulf states are vying for greater control, while Israel exploits the power vacuum with strikes on Syrian military assets. Sharaa, however, ruled out conflict with Israel, declaring, “There are no excuses for foreign intervention.”
The UN and regional leaders are now focused on ensuring minority representation under HTS leadership, raising hopes—and concerns—about Syria’s next chapter after Assad’s dramatic exit.
