Foreign Secretary Lammy Slams Assad as ‘Monster’ Amid Collapse of Regime, Signals Humiliation for Russia

Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria has collapsed, with the dictator fleeing to Moscow in a desperate bid to seek asylum. Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned Assad as a “monster” as reports about the atrocities within his prisons, where countless political prisoners were tortured and killed, continued to surface.

Lammy mocked Assad’s former self-proclaimed image as the “Lion of Damascus,” stating, “Now, the reality is clear: Assad is the rat of Damascus, scurrying off to Moscow with his tail between his legs.”

The Foreign Secretary highlighted that the UK government had decided against re-engaging with Syria under Assad’s rule, given the dictator’s flagrant violations of international law, including the use of chemical weapons on his own people. Lammy also suggested that Assad’s downfall represented a “humiliation” not just for him, but also for Russia and Iran, key allies who had supported his regime.

“Assad’s demise isn’t only a personal failure; it’s a blow to Russia and Iran,” Lammy remarked, noting that the so-called ‘axis of resistance’ led by Iran was faltering. Lammy further criticised Russian President Vladimir Putin, who had tried to prop up Assad for over a decade, saying that Putin’s intervention had only led to the fall of a dictator and his subsequent flight to Moscow.

The collapse of Assad’s regime is being seen as a major political defeat for Russia, with military experts highlighting the potential for evacuation of Russian forces from Syria. Putin’s military involvement, which began in 2015 to support Assad’s government, has now been overshadowed by Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine, limiting Moscow’s capacity to maintain its influence in Syria.

Reports from military analysts suggest that the Kremlin has already begun preparations to withdraw its military assets from Syria, with satellite images showing transport aircraft at a Russian air base in Latakia province. These moves are seen as a sign that Russia’s hold over its strategic military positions in Syria is increasingly uncertain.

The future of Russia’s military presence in Syria remains unclear, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stating that it is “premature” to discuss the matter until new leadership is established in Damascus. He acknowledged the “extreme instability” in the region following the rapid advance of the militia group Hayat al-Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which played a significant role in the regime’s downfall.

Meanwhile, Lammy addressed questions regarding HTS, which has distanced itself from al-Qaeda and is attempting to present itself as a more moderate force. He stated that the UK would monitor HTS’s actions closely and would assess whether it would remain on the proscribed list, depending on their treatment of civilians in areas under their control.

The crisis in Syria continues to unfold, with the fate of both the country’s leadership and the future of Russian influence hanging in the balance.