**Syrian President Assad May Have Died in Plane Crash**
Reports are emerging that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad may have been killed in a plane crash while fleeing Damascus. The news comes as rebel forces continue to advance on the capital.
According to Reuters, a Syrian airplane departed from Damascus airport around the time rebel forces took control of the city. The plane allegedly changed direction and flew away from the coastal region before disappearing from radar screens.
Two Syrian sources suggested that Assad may have been on board, but this has not been confirmed by officials. German military blogger Tendar also reported that a plane leaving Damascus lost altitude near the city of Homs and may have crashed west of the town.
Assad’s regime has long been supported by Russia, which maintains a significant military presence in Syria. If Assad is indeed dead, it could weaken Russia’s regional foothold in the Middle East.
**Russia’s Involvement in Syria**
For years, Russia has been a major backer of Assad’s regime. Russian military intervention helped Assad capture Aleppo in 2016, and a ceasefire agreement was brokered with rebels in 2020. However, this fragile peace was shattered by a surprise rebel offensive in late November.
Russia continues to support Assad, but its own forces are now distracted by the conflict in Ukraine. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that Russia’s involvement in Syria has been weakened and distracted due to its war with Ukraine.
**Ukraine Conflict**
In other news, Ukrainian officials reported 1,460 casualties among Russian forces over the past day. The conflict continues to escalate, with drones targeting multiple regions of Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky met with US President-elect Donald Trump in Paris on December 7, amid world leaders’ visit to France for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral.
The meeting comes as Ukraine prepares to receive a new aid package from the US, worth $2 billion. Russia’s claims that it has taken control of a village in Donetsk Oblast have not been independently verified by Ukrainian officials.
**Global Reaction**
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that if all international partners demonstrated the same level of commitment, “Russian terror could already have been made impossible.” The comment comes as Ukraine faces ongoing attacks from Russia, including recent developments on the front line where military forces are locked in battle over small islands in the Dnipro River.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com