Syrian president flees, Gaza violence escalates, global turmoil

• Syrian President Bashar al-Assad left the capital, Damascus, aboard a plane that departed in an unknown direction on Sunday night — reported global agencies, citing local media and sources within the Syrian army. This information was confirmed in a conversation with the German dpa agency by Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). Earlier, Syrian rebels reported that their forces entered Damascus without encountering resistance from government troops. In the morning, social media reported that the aircraft, which Assad might have been on, disappeared from radar. Videos from the airport also emerged online, showing supporters or associates of Assad trying to reach the plane.

• At least 34 people were killed on Saturday in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip — reported Reuters, citing local medical sources. Hamas released a video of an Israeli hostage held in the Gaza Strip. The Gaza Strip's Ministry of Health earlier reported at least 30 dead and dozens injured in Saturday's attacks, with fatalities occurring, among others, in strikes on the cities of Gaza and Rafah. Rockets hit a hospital, injuring children.

• Former South Korean Defence Minister Kim Yong Hyun was arrested on Sunday. The prosecution charged him with treason in connection with his role in the declaration and implementation of martial law by President Yoon Suk Yeol last Tuesday — reported Reuters, citing local media. The former Minister of National Defence was arrested on charges of treason as part of an investigation into the declaration of martial law by President Yoon Suk Yeol. It lasted only 6 hours and was revoked under pressure from parliament and public protests.

• People in masks and black clothing brutally attacked participants of a pro-European demonstration in downtown Tbilisi on Saturday. Journalists were also victims of the violence. According to media reports, the police did not intervene.

• Portuguese and Spanish police officers seized nearly 4 tonnes of cocaine on the Atlantic on Saturday, which was alleged to be smuggled into Europe on a ship travelling from Venezuela. Ten crew members were detained. Officers boarded the Venezuela-flagged vessel when it was 1,600 kilometres west of the Canary Islands. "Onboard, 110 packages of cocaine, each weighing 35 kilograms," clarified the Portuguese police.

Source: PAP/Reuters/X/WP