Syria will be free and independent again – Bashar al-Assad's first statement after being ousted, stating that Syria is not a terrorist liberation movement.

Syria will be free and independent again – Bashar al-Assad's first statement after being ousted, stating that Syria is not a terrorist liberation movement.

Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad claimed in a statement via PersToode that he never planned to leave the country during the wartime. After the armed opposition group Tahrir al-Sham took control of Damascus, Assad was moved to Moscow. He made this statement in a message published on Syria's Presidential Telegram channel on Monday.

Assad said, "I was in Damascus until December 8 during the attacks by terrorist groups, fulfilling my duties. As the situation worsened, I was transferred to the Hmeimim base in Latakia to coordinate military operations with Russian allies."

He also said, "From the first day of the war, I never bargained for my personal interests. I stood by my people and soldiers."

Assad claimed that from his position, he showed determination to continue the fight against terrorism. However, after the Russian military base was targeted by a drone attack on Sunday, December 8, he was relocated to Moscow.

In his statement, he further stated, "My love and sense of duty toward my country and people remain unshaken. Syria will once again be free and independent."

Assad's remarks have sparked new discussions in international circles, with many seeing it as an explanation of his stance on Syria's current situation.