December 18, 2016 (Sunday)
Armed conflicts and attacks
- Syrian Civil War, Aleppo offensive (November–December 2016)
- Rebels attack and burn several buses en route to evacuate ill and injured people from the besieged Syrian villages of Al-Fu'ah and Kafriya. (The Guardian)
- Yemeni Civil War (2015–present)
- December 2016 Aden suicide bombings
- An explosion outside a military camp in southern Yemen kills at least 49 people and injures many more. The explosion is believed to have been caused by a suicide bomber wearing an explosive vest. (AP) (BBC)
- December 2016 Aden suicide bombings
- Israeli–Palestinian conflict
- A rock throwing 19-year old Palestinian is killed by IDF troops amid clashes in the West Bank village of Beit Rima. (Daily Sabah) (Haaretz)
- 2016 Al-Karak attack
- Unknown militants stage a number of attacks across the city of Al-Karak in Jordan, killing five people and injuring at least 10 others. (Al Jazeera)
Arts and culture
- Fifth Harmony announces Camila Cabello's departure from the group. (Billboard)
- Stephanie Del Valle of Puerto Rico is named as Miss World 2016. (The Telegraph)
Disasters and accidents
- At least 49 people die in Irkutsk, Russia after consuming hawthorn-scented bath essence as if it were alcohol. The product has been found to contain methanol. (The New York Times) (BBC News)
- 2016 Indonesian Air Force Lockheed C-130 Hercules crash
- An Indonesian military Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport plane crashes in Papua province killing all 13 people on board. (AP via Star Tribune)
International relations
- Gambian presidential election, 2016
- Leaders from the West African bloc ECOWAS and from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation plead with Gambian long-time President Yahya Jammeh who lost in the recently held elections to step aside or face consequences. (Al-Jazeera) (Quartz)
Politics and elections