Russia grants asylum to ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad

Syrian rebels took control of the capital, Damascus, along with President Bashar al-Assad’s extensive palaces. The 59-year-old authoritarian leader fled the war-torn nation and sought asylum in Moscow after his 24-year regime was overthrown by opposition forces in a rapid offensive. Meanwhile, the United States confirmed conducting multiple airstrikes targeting Islamic State positions in Syria amid the rebel advance.