Other priorities: Putin responded to Assad's plea for help, media say.

Putin does not plan to intervene in the situation in Syria

According to Sky News Arabia and Bloomberg, Russian President Vladimir Putin has no intention of intervening to save Bashar Assad's regime from opposition fighters who have seized several cities. Russia has informed Assad that any arrival of Russian forces in the country will be limited due to other priorities.

According to a source close to the Kremlin, Russia has no plan to rescue Assad, who remains in power thanks to the Russian army. Earlier, on December 6, Assad and his government left Damascus after losing support from Russia, and his departure is linked to negotiations in Iran. Assad's wife and three children traveled to Russia last week.

American forces conducted airstrikes on several targets in Syria as part of their self-defense.