Day: December 8, 2024

A Syrian airplane took off from Damascus airport around the time the capital was reported to have been taken by rebels

Anti-regime forces declare Damascus ‘free’ of Assad as government forces withdraw presence

Opposition forces have taken control of the capital after a significant offensive. Here is how it unravelled.

Notre Dame reopened after the disastrous fire. Here’s all you need to know before planning your trip

The Notre Dame Cathedral hosted its first Sunday Mass following Saturday evening’s ceremonial reopening. President Emmanuel Macron called the project “a jolt of hope” for France.

Islamist rebels overthrow Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, ending his family’s half-century of rule.

President-elect Donald Trump praised the future King of England during a historic meeting in France. Trump met with Prince William on Saturday (7 December) at the British Embassy in Paris after attending the reopening ceremony of the Notre Dame Cathedral. Earlier in the day, the President-elect met with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksy. Walking into the British Embassy to meet Prince William, Trump declared: “He’s a good man.” Trump shook William’s hand and told reporters the Prince of Wales is doing “a fantastic job” before heading to a separate room to sit down and talk.

* 2011 – The first protests against Assad quickly spread across the country, and are met by security forces with a wave of arrests and shootings. Some protesters take up guns and military units defect as the uprising becomes an armed revolt that will gain support from Western and Arab countries and Turkey. * 2012 – A bombing in Damascus is the first by al Qaeda’s new Syrian affiliate, the Nusra Front, which gains in power and starts crushing groups with a nationalist ideology.

Crowds gather at a main square after opposition fighters seize Syrian capital.