In his first statement since the fall of Damascus, the former president said that he went to the Russian air base in Latakia on December 8 to “oversee combat operations” as the capital was taken by the rebels. In his first statement since the fall of Damascus, the former president said that he went to the Russian air base in Latakia on December 8 to “oversee combat operations” as the capital was taken by the rebels. World / Middle East Sydney Morning Herald – Latest News