Steve Rosenberg

First of all, this is a statement released on the Telegram channel of the presidency of the Syrian Arab Republic, purported to be Assad's first comment since he had to flee Syria just over a week ago. So the statement basically amounts to an attempt by Assad to justify his actions in those last few hours. and to deny that he abandoned Syria.

So, for example, he claims that he remained in Damascus until the early hours of Sunday, the 8th of December, but then moved to the Russian airbase, the Khmeimim airbase in Latakia, to oversee combat operations. But it became clear, he says in the statement, that the last positions of the Syrian army had fallen. And then he claims that the Russian military base itself came under attack

So, for example, he claims that he remained in Damascus until the early hours of Sunday, the 8th of December, but then moved to the Russian airbase, the Khmeimim airbase in Latakia, to oversee combat operations. But it became clear, he says in the statement, that the last positions of the Syrian army had fallen. And then he claims that the Russian military base itself came under attack

intensified attack by drone strikes. Interestingly Russia hasn't mentioned anything about that up till now. Anyway according to the statement Moscow then requested that the commanders of the base arranged an immediate evacuation to Russia on the evening of Sunday the 8th of December and he flew to Moscow.

intensified attack by drone strikes. Interestingly Russia hasn't mentioned anything about that up till now. Anyway according to the statement Moscow then requested that the commanders of the base arranged an immediate evacuation to Russia on the evening of Sunday the 8th of December and he flew to Moscow.

He adds in the statement that at no point during these events did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge and he adds that he hopes that Syria will once again be free and independent.

He adds in the statement that at no point during these events did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge and he adds that he hopes that Syria will once again be free and independent.

Well, we had very little information from the Russians. But I remember going back to Sunday, the 8th of December, the Russians said that Assad had agreed to step down. Kremlin source said he had come to Moscow. There was no talk about the Russian airbase coming under attack. And actually, Russia had denied at the time taking part in negotiations before Assad's departure.

Well, we had very little information from the Russians. But I remember going back to Sunday, the 8th of December, the Russians said that Assad had agreed to step down. Kremlin source said he had come to Moscow. There was no talk about the Russian airbase coming under attack. And actually, Russia had denied at the time taking part in negotiations before Assad's departure.

So there are various things in this statement that have come out today which don't quite square with what Russia has said. Interestingly, Vladimir Putin has said absolutely nothing publicly about the fall of Assad or events in Syria. What we're now more than a week away.

So there are various things in this statement that have come out today which don't quite square with what Russia has said. Interestingly, Vladimir Putin has said absolutely nothing publicly about the fall of Assad or events in Syria. What we're now more than a week away.

After those dramatic events, nothing from the Kremlin leader, even though earlier today, President Putin addressed a meeting of senior military leaders, which was shown live on television, an event I expected him to make some reference to Syria at. There was nothing at all. He spoke mostly about Russia's war in Ukraine, about the alleged threat from NATO, nothing at all about Syria.

After those dramatic events, nothing from the Kremlin leader, even though earlier today, President Putin addressed a meeting of senior military leaders, which was shown live on television, an event I expected him to make some reference to Syria at. There was nothing at all. He spoke mostly about Russia's war in Ukraine, about the alleged threat from NATO, nothing at all about Syria.

And there could be a couple of reasons for that. For one thing, what has happened in Syria is... a major embarrassment for the Kremlin when you consider that for nine years, the Russians poured resources into trying to make sure that Assad stayed in power. He was the Kremlin's main man. He was the closest ally for the Kremlin in the Middle East.

And there could be a couple of reasons for that. For one thing, what has happened in Syria is... a major embarrassment for the Kremlin when you consider that for nine years, the Russians poured resources into trying to make sure that Assad stayed in power. He was the Kremlin's main man. He was the closest ally for the Kremlin in the Middle East.

But also, you know, some reports suggest that the Russians are in talks with the new Syrian leadership to try to retain their military bases, the two main Russian military bases in Syria.

But also, you know, some reports suggest that the Russians are in talks with the new Syrian leadership to try to retain their military bases, the two main Russian military bases in Syria.