Assad says he left Hmeimim base in Syria on Dec 8 for MoscowThe comment, in a statement that was published on the Syrian presidency's Telegram channel and dated Dec 16 from Moscow, was Assad's first in public since he was toppled more than a week ago by a rebel offensive. 
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Bashar al-Assad seen here with Russian President Putin who helped prop up his regime.
Credit: PTI File Photo
Beirut: Syria's Bashar al-Assad said on Monday he was evacuated to Russia from the Hmeimim base in Syria on the evening of Dec 8 as it came under drone attacks, after leaving Damascus that morning with opposition fighters closing in.
The comment, in a statement that was published on the Syrian presidency's Telegram channel and dated Dec 16 from Moscow, was Assad's first in public since he was toppled more than a week ago by a rebel offensive.