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An explosion struck a gas pipeline near one of Syria’s major electricity generation stations in the Damascus countryside, according to official media cited by the source. The blast occurred shortly before the deadly attack on an electricity-company bus in Homs province and followed another incident two days earlier that authorities described as sabotage against a pipeline in eastern Syria. The available text does not identify who caused the latest explosion or provide sufficient evidence establishing whether it was deliberate.

Seven people were killed and four others injured when gunfire targeted a bus carrying civilians in Syria’s central Homs province, according to the Syrian state news agency SANA. An unnamed security source told AFP that the bus was transporting engineers and workers employed by a private electricity company. Syrian security forces opened an investigation to identify those responsible for the attack. The available report did not identify the attackers or establish a motive for the shooting.

The United States and its coalition partners formally concluded Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. The withdrawal ended the coalition’s military mission while Washington said it would continue providing training and targeted intelligence support to Iraqi partners. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi said the end of the coalition mission did not end Iraq’s fight against terrorism but marked a transition toward full Iraqi responsibility for national security and stability.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reiterated Riyadh’s support for Yemen’s internationally recognized government through the coalition supporting legitimacy, saying Saudi Arabia backs efforts to restore government authority and stability and counter Houthi attacks. In the same annual policy address, he reaffirmed Saudi support for Sudan’s unity, stability and state institutions and called for protecting Sudanese civilians from the consequences of war. The statements outlined continuing Saudi positions toward two major regional conflicts.

Turkish authorities launched a fifth wave of enforcement actions in the investigation into alleged investment-fund and stock-market manipulation. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said search, seizure, and detention orders were issued against 34 suspects. According to his statement, 217 suspects had been investigated by that stage, with 56 detained and 88 placed under judicial-control measures. Authorities are also examining trading records, money movements, personal connections, and transactions involving 26 stocks suspected of being subjected to speculation or manipulation.

Istanbul prosecutors ordered the freezing of assets belonging to former Justice and Development Party deputy chair Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya and her husband, İlyas Kaya, as part of an investigation into Turkey’s investment-fund crisis. Kaya had resigned from all her party positions after opposition allegations concerning substantial profits from transactions involving shares in shipbuilding company Özata Denizcilik. The asset freeze represents a new step in the continuing investigation into alleged manipulation and unusual financial gains connected with investment funds and equities.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced the creation of a council chaired by Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz to investigate an investment-fund crisis that has disrupted Turkey’s financial markets since mid-September. Erdoğan also called for accelerating the liquidation of 131 funds previously frozen by the Capital Markets Board, with the process expected to take six months and return funds to investors. The crisis followed difficulties by investment funds in meeting redemption requests and contributed to significant volatility in Istanbul’s stock market.

Israeli forces carried out explosions in the southern Lebanese towns of Mays al-Jabal, Majdal Zoun, and Zawtar al-Sharqiya, while artillery fire targeted Wadi al-Salouqi and several homes on the western outskirts of Mays al-Jabal. The report also said an Israeli Merkava tank positioned in the town of Bayyada fired artillery shells toward Mansouri. The operations occurred alongside broader Israeli military activity and changes in force deployment across southern Lebanon.

The Israeli military announced that the Golani Brigade combat team, operating under the 36th Division, was leaving its operational deployment in southern Lebanon for a period of rest after seven months of activity. The force had operated in what Israel describes as its security zone in southern Lebanon. The move comes as Israel reduces the number of brigades deployed in the south from eight to six, while maintaining a military presence in the area rather than announcing a full withdrawal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated on Wednesday that the diversion of a Flydubai flight traveling from the UAE to Israel towards Saudi Arabia was not believed to be a hijacking. Initial emergency signals sent by the pilot—including code 7700 for general emergency and code 7500 for unlawful interference—prompted the Israeli Air Force to dispatch two fighter jets. Israeli media estimates later indicated the incident stemmed from an internal dispute between pilots on board, and the flight safely landed in Saudi Arabia where arrangements were made to transport passengers onwards.

Lieutenant General Khairi al-Tamimi, secretary-general of the eastern Libyan General Command, received French Ambassador Thierry Vallat and newly appointed military attaché Tanguy Troguier on Tuesday. The meeting focused on developing relations, coordination and exchanges of expertise. It occurred alongside the arrival of the French support vessel Loire at Benghazi naval base, highlighting continuing French engagement with eastern Libya’s military authorities and broader international efforts concerning Libya’s divided security institutions.

Libya’s Government of National Unity sought to expand security cooperation with the United States during acting Interior Minister Emad al-Trabelsi’s visit to Washington. Al-Trabelsi met senior U.S. officials, including Massad Boulos and National Security Council official Wayne Wall. According to the Libyan government, discussions covered security cooperation, capacity-building, expertise exchange, irregular migration and border security. Both sides emphasized continued coordination and support for efforts aimed at strengthening security and stability in Libya.