Syria
The European Union intends to raise the issue of closing Russian bases in Syria during meetings with rebel forces. This was stated by EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas after a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels.
The NYT explains Putin's silence on Russia's military presence in Syria and the possible fall of the Assad regime. Russia is fully focused on the war in Ukraine, believing it is winning on the battlefield.
Bashar al-Assad said that he remained in Damascus until the evening of December 8 and had no plans to flee the country. Reuters and Bloomberg claim that the escape was organized by Russian intelligence without warning his family.
The IDF launched a massive air strike on military targets in the Syrian province of Tartus, destroying missile depots. The explosions were so powerful that they caused a magnitude 3 earthquake.
In 2018-2019, the Assad regime made 21 flights with cash to Moscow's Vnukovo airport. The funds were intended for deposits in sanctioned Russian banks and payment for services of the Russian Federation.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has a phone conversation with Donald Trump about the release of hostages in Gaza and the events in Syria. Trump threatens “hell” in the Middle East if the hostages are not released before his inauguration.
The Israeli Air Force carried out large-scale strikes on military targets in Syria's Tartus and Latakia. Air defense bases, surface-to-surface missile depots, and other military facilities near the Russian naval base were attacked.
Four French diplomats will travel to Syria on December 17 to establish their first contacts with the new government. The mission aims to restore French influence and assess the humanitarian needs of the population.
Syrian Christians held their first Sunday services after the overthrow of the Assad regime. The new Islamist government has promised to protect the rights of religious minorities, although Christians remain concerned.
Israel is investing 40 million shekels to increase the population in the occupied Golan Heights due to threats from Syria. The plan was announced after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad and the coming to power of a new leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa.
British Foreign Secretary confirms diplomatic contacts with the HTS rebel group in Syria. Britain will allocate 50 million pounds of aid to Syrians and seeks to protect chemical weapons stockpiles.
The Army+ app now allows transferring National Guard soldiers between units. It is planned to add the function of transfers between the Armed Forces and the National Guard, as well as to connect border guards.
The President of Ukraine discussed with government officials the program “Grain from Ukraine” on food aid to Syria. It is planned to provide wheat, flour and oil to ensure food security in the region.
Former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad secretly fled to Moscow after the rebels overthrew the regime. He took out about $135 billion and left a collection of luxury cars in Damascus.
Peter Pellegrini expressed concern about the possible entry of weapons and various groups of people into Slovakia after the war ends. The President is also considering a visit to Kyiv.
EU representatives are planning to contact Hayat Tahrir al-Sham to discuss the closure of Russian military bases in Syria. The United States is already engaged in a dialog with the new government after the overthrow of the Assad regime.
An explosion occurred on the railroad tracks near an engine plant in the Ulyanovsk railway district. The incident has complicated the logistics of the Russian military, the Ukrainian Defence Intelligence reports.
The Russian military in Syria is facing a critical shortage of water and food at the Tartus and Khmeimim bases. Moscow plans to keep up to 3,000 troops at these bases while the withdrawal from remote areas continues.
Enemy troops have begun to withdraw from advanced positions in northern Syria and the Alawite Mountains. moscow plans to maintain control over the Hmeymim air base and the naval facility in Tartus.
Hundreds of Russian troops are unable to get from Homs province to the Hmeymim airbase because of the threat of shelling. Russia plans to use 25 military transport aircraft to evacuate troops and equipment from Syria.
Turkey has announced the reopening of its embassy in Damascus, which has been closed since 2012. Burhan Keroglu, who was previously the ambassador to Mauritania, was appointed as the charge d'affaires.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has announced its readiness to provide humanitarian aid to the Syrian people through the Grain from Ukraine program. The program is coordinated with the UN World Food Program and has already attracted $180 million.
The former head of Damascus Central Prison is accused in the United States of torturing prisoners in 2005-2008. Samir Usman Alsheikh, 72, arrived in the United States in 2020 and was arrested in Los Angeles.
HTS rebels seized military bases and Captagon distribution centers, allegedly run by Bashar al-Assad's brother. Huge quantities of narcotic stimulants were found. They plan to destroy them.
Intoxicated soldiers of the terrorist country are looting while preparing to evacuate their bases in Syria. Every day, 4-5 flights are made to remove equipment, and ships are also used through the port of Tartus.
The G7 countries reaffirmed their support for the political process in Syria and called for the formation of a new inclusive government. The leaders emphasized the need to bring the Assad regime to justice and destroy chemical weapons.
The Israel Defense Forces said it could strike Iran's nuclear facilities after weakening its allies in the region. The Israeli Air Force is increasing its readiness for potential strikes despite Iran's denial of developing nuclear weapons.
BILD journalists visited Bashar al-Assad's abandoned palace in Damascus after he fled the country. The luxurious residence was looted, partially burned, and a portrait of Putin was thrown and trampled.
Syrian rebels burned the tomb of former President Hafez al-Assad in the city of Qardaha. Statues and posters of both Assad presidents were destroyed across the country during the celebration of the regime's overthrow.
Hungarian Prime Minister Orban had an hour-long phone conversation with Putin about the situation in Ukraine. He spoke about the “most dangerous weeks of the war” and Hungary's intention to seek a ceasefire through diplomacy.