Armed conflicts and attacks

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad leaves the country on a flight from Damascus International Airport to Moscow, Russia. (BBC News) (Al Jazeera)

• https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cwy8xzxe0w7t
• https://www.livemint.com/news/world/syria-news-live-bashar-al-assad-hayat-tahrir-al-sham-us-russia-iran-iraq-civil-war-damascus-aleppo-homs-hama-11733624419642.html

Armed conflicts and attacks

Russian state media reports that Bashar al-Assad is in Moscow, and that he and his family have been granted asylum by the Russian government. (Euronews) (Sky News)

• https://www.euronews.com/2024/12/08/syrian-rebels-take-the-capital-damascus-say-bashar-al-assad-has-fled-the-country
• https://news.sky.com/story/syrias-president-bashar-al-assad-is-in-moscow-and-has-been-granted-asylum-confirms-russian-state-media-13269955

Armed conflicts and attacks

Rebel forces take control of Sednaya Prison and begin releasing thousands of prisoners, including many political prisoners. (Barron's)

• https://www.barrons.com/news/syria-rebels-monitor-say-gates-open-at-damascus-notorious-sednaya-jail-2f669832

Armed conflicts and attacks

At least 16 Palestinians are killed in Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, including in Deir al-Balah and the Bureij refugee camp. (Al Jazeera)

• https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/8/israeli-attack-on-gaza-camp-kills-five-displaced-family-members

Sports

In professional baseball, the New York Mets sign Dominican outfielder Juan Soto to a $765 million, 15-year contract, the largest contract in Major League Baseball history. (Reuters)

• https://www.reuters.com/sports/reports-juan-soto-lands-record-15-year-765m-deal-with-mets-2024-12-09/