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Upon arriving in Moscow, Al-Assad was granted asylum but faced severe restrictions that limited his and his family's freedom. His wife, Asma, a British citizen born in the UK, found the constraints unbearable. She sought a divorce and attempted to return to the UK, only to discover that she was barred from entering her home country, forcing the family to endure their circumstances in Moscow.
Al-Assad's Statement: A Distorted Narrative
In light of his dramatic departure from Syria, Al-Assad released a statement asserting that fleeing the country was not his decision, but rather one made by Russia. According to him, he remained committed to fighting against rebel forces up until the final moments in Damascus, framing himself as a stalwart leader who was forced to abandon his post.