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

Assad was granted asylum in Russia.

Russian media reported that Bashar al-Assad is in Moscow with his family, putting an end to all speculation about the Syrian president's whereabouts.

Citing Kremlin sources, TASS reported that Assad and his family members were granted asylum in the Russian capital. "Assad and his family members have arrived in Moscow. Russia, for humanitarian reasons, has granted them asylum," the TASS source said.

TASS added: "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."

Assad's whereabouts remain unknown following reports that he fled Damascus. Earlier, Russia confirmed he had left Syria, but did not say where he was or whether Moscow would grant him asylum.

Israel attacks Syrian capital.

On December 9th, Reuters, citing its own sources, reported that Israel carried out multiple attacks on Syria, including military bases in the capital Damascus.

Israel attacks the Syrian capital. (Photo: Reuters)

Sources indicate that Israel has just carried out bombing raids on a key research center in the Syrian capital, Damascus. This center has long been suspected of being used by Iran to develop long-range guided missiles.

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

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights further reported that Israeli fighter jets also carried out numerous airstrikes targeting the Mezzeh military airfield area.

The planes also targeted the vicinity of the village of Beitima in the Jabal al Sheikh area, a rural region west of Damascus. Residents there heard explosions and saw thick smoke rising shortly afterward.

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

"A historic 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, Netanyahu said he had ordered Israeli forces to seize several areas within the buffer zone to ensure Israel's security.

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

Israel has occupied the Golan Heights since 1967, and the area has since been established as a buffer zone. Simultaneously, since the beginning of 2024, Israel has carried out 163 attacks on Syrian territory, including 137 airstrikes 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