Syria developments on December 9: President Bashar al-Assad takes asylum in Russia

Assad 'granted asylum' in Russia

Russian media reported that Bashar al Assad is in Moscow with his family, ending all speculation about the Syrian President's whereabouts.

Citing a Kremlin source, TASS said Mr. Assad and his family members were granted asylum in the Russian capital. "Mr. Assad and his family members arrived in Moscow. Russia, for humanitarian reasons, granted them asylum," the TASS source said.

"Russian officials are in contact with representatives of the Syrian armed opposition to ensure the safety of Russian military bases and diplomatic missions on Syrian territory," TASS added.

Mr Assad’s whereabouts remain unknown after reports he fled Damascus. Russia previously confirmed he had left Syria, but did not say where he was or whether Moscow had granted him asylum.

Israel attacks Syrian capital

On December 9, Reuters quoted its own sources as saying that Israel carried out many attacks on Syria, including a military base in the capital Damascus.

Israel attacks Syria's capital. (Photo: Reuters)

Israel has carried out a bombing raid on a key research center in the Syrian capital Damascus, long suspected of being used by Iran to develop long-range guided missiles, sources said.

At the same time, the Israeli army carried out another attack targeting customs headquarters and military intelligence in a security complex in the capital Damascus.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights added that Israeli warplanes also carried out several airstrikes targeting the Mezzeh military airport area.

The planes also targeted the area around the village of Beitima in the Jabal al Sheikh area of western Damascus, where residents heard explosions and heavy smoke shortly afterwards.

Earlier, the Israeli military issued a warning to five towns in southern Syria, asking residents to stay home "until further notice" as fighting continued in the area. Several jets believed to be Israeli also targeted Syria's former Khalkhala air base.

"Historical Day"

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the fall of the Assad regime as a " historic day". During a visit to the area near the border with Syria, Mr Netanyahu said he had ordered Israeli forces to occupy areas in the buffer zone to ensure Israel's security.

" We will not allow any hostile force to be present on our borders," the Israeli leader said.

Israel has occupied the Golan Heights since 1967 and the area has been a buffer zone since then. At the same time, since the beginning of 2024, Israel has carried out 163 attacks on Syrian territory, including 137 air strikes and 26 ground attacks.

Kong Anh (Source: Sky News)

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/dien-bien-syria-ngay-9-12-tong-thong-bashar-al-assad-ti-nan-o-nga-ar912315.html