Syrian President Bashar al-Assad revealed he was evacuated from Syria's Hmeimim airbase to Moscow on December 8 as the site faced intense drone strikes. The announcement, shared via the Syrian presidency's Telegram channel on December 16, described a dramatic exit as opposition forces closed in on Damascus earlier that day.
The Backstory
The evacuation highlights Russia's continued involvement in Syria's decade-long conflict. Assad's statement framed the move as 'necessary' amid escalating tensions—a reminder of how fragile regional stability remains.
Why It Matters
For young geopolitics buffs tracking global flashpoints, this update underscores the high-stakes chess game between Assad's regime, opposition factions, and international allies like Russia. Drones are becoming the new normal in 21st-century warfare, and this incident is a case study in real-time crisis management.
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Assad says he left Hmeimim base in Syria on December 8 for Moscow
cgtn.com