Assad Talks After Being Overthrown, Russia Asks Him To Be 'evacuated' From Syria

JAKARTA - Former Syrian President Bashar Assad issued his first official statement since being ousted by rebels. Assad left Syria after a request from Moscow.

"My departure from Syria was not planned and did not occur in the final hours of fighting," Assad said in a statement posted to the presidential Telegram's official channel.

"When terrorist forces infiltrated Damascus, I moved to Latakia in coordination with our Russian allies to oversee combat operations," Assad said.

"Arriving at the Khmeimim airbase that morning, it became clear that our troops had withdrawn completely from all lines of combat and the army's final position had fallen," he added.

Menrut Assad, the situation on the ground in the region continues to worsen, the Russian military base itself was attacked intensively by a drone strike.

"Because there is no feasible way to leave the base, Moscow asks the command of the base to arrange an immediate evacuation to Russia," Assad said.

This occurred a day after the fall of Damascus, following the collapse of the military's final position and resulting in the paralysis of all state institutions.

"During this incident I did not consider resigning or seeking protection, and no such proposal was made by any individual or party," Assad said. "The only action that can be taken is to continue to fight against terrorist attacks," he continued.