Syria's President Bashar al-Assad addresses the new members of parliament in Damascus, Syria in this handout released by SANA on August 12, 2020.
Video Ad Feedback
Assad says he didn’t plan to flee Syria, in apparent first public statement

A statement posted to social media in Moscow appears to detail the events leading to former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad’s decision to flee the country for Russia. CNN’s Frederick Pleitgen breaks it down.

2:40 • Source: CNN
World News 13 videos
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad addresses the new members of parliament in Damascus, Syria in this handout released by SANA on August 12, 2020.
Video Ad Feedback
Assad says he didn’t plan to flee Syria, in apparent first public statement
2:40
Now playing
• Source: CNN
po.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
Pope Leo says spat with Trump is not focus of his Africa trip
0:41
Now playing
• Source: CNN
A satellite image shows the ship movement at the Strait of Hormuz on April 2, 2026, in Space.
Video Ad Feedback
Iranian gunboats fired on tanker, shipping body says as Iran reimposes restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz
2:53
Now playing
• Source: CNN
The US Army's 11th "Arctic Angels" Airborne division, outside of Fairbanks, Alaska. CNN was invited out to look at how the military is incorporating drones into every aspect of modern day warfare.
Video Ad Feedback
How the US military is preparing for the future of war
6:34
Now playing
• Source: CNN
thumb_22547828_348694.46499999997_thumb.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
Iran says Strait of Hormuz is open for remainder of ceasefire
4:08
Now playing
• Source: CNN
OnLocation_GoT_digvid_V1.00_00_16_19.Still002.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
Friendly giant from ‘Game of Thrones’ rides Northern Ireland's screen tourism wave
3:10
Now playing
• Source: CNN
clipped thumbnail - nabatieh-lebanon-residents-return-ceasefire-israel-hezbollah-litani-intldsk - CNN ID 22548519 - 00:00:00;00
Video Ad Feedback
Residents of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon return home and venture out after ceasefire takes effec
0:46
Now playing
• Source: CNN
118912_LebanonCelebration digvid.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
Ceasefire sparks celebrations across Lebanon
0:35
Now playing
• Source: CNN
thumb_22547533_20419.056_thumb.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
Miami's World Cup ticket frenzy
2:05
Now playing
• Source: CNN
118877_NorthKoreaNuclearProgram_Horizontal_Clean_Thumb.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
Watchdog warns of rapid North Korea nuclear expansion
0:46
Now playing
• Source: CNN
thumbnail shipping chairman hormuz 4.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
How do shipowners navigate Trump's blockade?
2:40
Now playing
• Source: CNN
Screenshot 2026-04-14 at 9.12.23 AM.png
Video Ad Feedback
Russia pressures students to join drone force
3:37
Now playing
• Source: CNN
118792_HungaryDancingPolitician_HD thumbnail CLEAN.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
Hungarian politician is a dancing machine
0:45
Now playing
• Source: CNN