On December 16, 2024, significant political developments unfolded in Syria and regarding international sanctions involving North Korea and Russia.
The deposed Syrian president Bashar al-Assad broke his silence following his asylum in Russia, claiming he was evacuated from Syria on December 8, the day rebels captured Damascus. In a statement released through the Syrian presidency's Telegram channel, Assad asserted he had no intention of resigning or seeking refuge until the capital fell. He described the circumstances of his evacuation from a Russian military base amid intensified drone attacks and the collapse of his forces.
Assad's departure marks a dramatic shift in the Syrian conflict, which has seen over 500,000 casualties since its onset in 2011. The recent offensive by the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) led to the rapid loss of control over cities, culminating in the fall of Damascus. HTS, classified as a terrorist organization by various governments, has roots in the Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda.
In a separate development, the United States imposed new sanctions targeting North Korean banks, generals, and officials, as well as Russian companies involved in oil transportation. The U.S. Treasury announced these measures to disrupt North Korea's support for Russia's war in Ukraine. A joint statement from ten countries and the European Union condemned the increasing military collaboration between North Korea and Russia, particularly the reported deployment of North Korean soldiers to assist Russian forces in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported on December 14 that the Russian military had begun integrating North Korean troops into operations in the Kursk region, noting significant casualties among these soldiers.