Martin Odegaard sends clear warning to Arsenal’s rivals after Community Shield victory

Arsenal are out to win everything this season, says club captain Martin Odegaard (Picture: Getty)

Martin Odegaard sent a stark warning to Arsenal’s rivals following the side’s statement Community Shield victory over Manchester City, claiming he ‘wants to win everything’ over the coming season.

Goals from Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and Odegaard ensured the English champions picked up the first piece of silverware up for grabs this term, with City offering very little by way of response at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

Summer signing Christos Tzolis shone in the Welsh capital, assisting Havertz and Odegaard either side of half-time after Calafiori had opened the scoring just 23 seconds into the contest.

Bruno Guimaraes was also handed his debut following a high-profile £75million summer move from Newcastle and looked comfortable in the middle of the park alongside the impressive Myles-Lewis Skelly.

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Mikel Arteta’s men will no doubt be looking to carry their barnstorming form into the opening match of their Premier League title defence when they play host to newly promoted Coventry City at the Emirates on Friday.

Enzo Maresca, meanwhile, will be under pressure to oversee immediate improvements on the back of a lacklustre and disjointed performance from City, who kick off their top-flight campaign at home to Bournemouth in a week’s time.

‘We played some brilliant football, we showed our level,’ Arsenal captain Odegaard said shortly after the final whistle.

The Gunners breezed past City to get their hands on the Community Shield (Picture: Getty)

Odegaard put Arsenal out of sight just moments into the second half (Picture: Getty)

‘We showed we’re ready, serious and want to do it again.

‘We want to attack it. When you get a taste of how nice it is, you want to do it again.

‘We want to win everything.’

Arteta’s men start the new Premier League season against Coventry City on Friday (Picture: Getty)

On debutant Guimaraes, Odegaard went on: ‘I think he has been unbelievable since the first moment.

‘He has come in here and feels like such a natural part of the team although we had some big fights in the past.

‘He has been such a natural part of the team and you see his quality on the pitch, he is so good on the ball but he is also a fighter and he wins the ball.

‘Christos [Tzolis] as well on the left, he had two assists today and a strong performance. I think everyone was good today so it was good to see.’

City new boy Anderson struggled in the middle of the park (Picture: Matt Impey/Shutterstock)

Facing the media after the Gunners’ triumph, Arteta followed Odegaard in applauding new boy Tzolis, highlighting the winger’s ‘intelligence’ and ‘quality’ in the final third.

‘He’s come into the team and really organically he’s fitted in,’ the Arsenal head coach told reporters.

‘He’s a really intelligent boy, and he has a massive quality, which is that in the last 30 metres, he is so composed to pick people out in and around the box or to finish.

‘He has shown that two or three times, and he was decisive.’

Guimaraes made his Arsenal debut in Wales (Picture: Getty)

Asked if there was room for improvement in Tzolis’ game, the Spaniard added: ‘With more quality around him, the numbers will be higher. It is not a coincidence.

‘He is a really consistent player in everything he does and, yes, I’m really impressed with him.’

Arsenal have now lifted the Community Shield on 18 occasions in their history – just three short of Manchester United’s total, who hold the record with 21 victories.

Arteta has steered the north Londoners to three of these wins as a manager, lifting the prize in 2020 and 2023 prior to the team’s latest triumph.

He also won the Community Shield twice as a player, first in 2014 and then again 12 months later.

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Another major EastEnders exit as key star set to leave after four years

Ravi star Aaron Thiara is set to exit EastEnders (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

EastEnders star Aaron Thiara is set to wave goodbye to Albert Square after four years.

The actor, 33, has played fan-favourite Ravi Gulati on the BBC One soap since 2022.

Ravi was first introduced to viewers as an inmate who Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) crossed paths with while in prison. It’s safe to say he made quite the impression on viewers and not long after he was made a regular on the show, arriving in Walford to start afresh after his release.

In the years since, Ravi has become a pivotal part of the Square and featured in numerous key storylines, from being revealed as the secret son of Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry) to later killing both Nish and abusive adoptive father Ranveer.

The introduction of ex Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy) and daughter Avani (Aaliyah James) provided for plenty of great material over the years, as did his romance with Denise Fox (Diane Parish).

Ravi’s romance with Priya proved popular with viewers (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

Earlier this year, Ravi was sectioned amid a struggle with his mental health, with star Aaron delivering a powerhouse performance throughout.

He has since returned to the Square, with Ravi making a bid to win back Priya, who he pops the question to next week

But it seems his time in Walford is set to come to an end. According to The Sun, star Aaron will be leaving at the end of the year.

‘Aaron has been at the centre of the some of the soaps biggest storylines since his arrival as bad-boy Ravi back in 2022,’ a source told the publication.

Ravi has become a true staple of the Square (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

‘He’s an incredibly popular member of the cast and the fans love him.

‘He’s decided to focus on new projects, but will stay on set until the end of the year to see out some juicy storylines his character has in store.’

Metro has reached out to EastEnders for comment.

The question is: if Ravi truly is leaving EastEnders, just what will ultimately lead to his exit?

In recent scenes, he’s been trying to uncover who it is that Priya has been having an affair with – but will he succeed?

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.

If you’ve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@metro.co.uk – we’d love to hear from you.

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Former Cambridge University academic Jason Arday found dead at home

Jason Arday has been found dead (Picture: University of Cambridge Faculty/SWNS)

Former Cambridge University academic Jason Arday has been found dead at his home in London.

Metropolitan Police said they were called out by the London Ambulance Service at 3.12pm today.

Arday was found ‘unresponsive’ at the property on Daley Thompson Way, Battersea, as first reported by The Telegraph.

A spokesperson for the Met said: ‘Sadly, a 41-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.

‘His next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

‘At this time, his death is being treated as unexpected but is not believed to be suspicious.

The 41-year-old academic resigned nine days ago (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

‘The case is being investigated by officers from the Met’s Central South Command Unit. A file will be prepared for the coroner.’

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson added that they arrived on the scene at 3.06pm.

‘We sent a number of resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, an advanced paramedic in a fast response car and members of our Hazardous Area Response Team.’

Arday’s death comes after he resigned from his role as a professor at Cambridge nine days ago, one he took on in 2023 as its youngest-ever Black professor.

Speaking after the news of his death broke, Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice said she was ‘desperately saddened’, adding: ‘Our heartfelt sympathies go to Jason Arday’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.’

Arday’s academic work focused on areas including race, education, and social inequality.

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Arday was the youngest-ever Black professor at Cambridge University (Picture: EPA)

On August 5, he stepped down from his department in sociology of education amid accusations of plagiarism, with an investigation launched into his ‘appointment and tenure’.

He denied the claims against him but admitted he had made mistakes and cited an ‘unrelenting level of public scrutiny’ as his reasons for resigning, adding in his resignation letter that the ‘personal cost’ of such criticism had become ‘too great’, taking a toll on him and his loved ones.

Describing the reaction as a ‘personal attack’, he said that stepping away was the ‘only way to bring this chapter to an end’.

Arday stressed that his decision to resign should ‘not be mistaken for an acceptance of the narratives that have surrounded [him]’.

The academic came under review due to allegations concerning his PhD thesis, other work, and accounts of his personal achievements.

Controversy also swarmed his claims about his life and fundraising, such as how he previously said he completed a 600-mile endurance challenge in six days but later said it had taken 12 days. 

He also clarified a widely reported claim that he had raised £5.5million for charity, explaining that the fundraising was a group effort of 100 people and not carried out by him alone.

He said he was stepping down from his role due to ‘unrelenting public scrutiny and personal attacks’ (Picture: Joe Giddens/LOCOG/PA Wire)

Additionally, he claimed he appeared on the TV show Seven Up!, the original instalment of which was broadcast two decades before he was born.

In an interview with The Times before his resignation, Arday stated: ‘I am accountable for the mistakes I’ve made. I hold myself accountable, and other people should hold me accountable.

‘We’re talking about academia here. I didn’t murder somebody.

‘I think the cruelty that I’ve experienced and the positioning of me as this kind of liar and fantasist is totally unacceptable.’

Discussing the claims about his work, Arday attributed some citation problems in his earlier academia to the way he absorbs information.

He said that he used mimicry as part of learning while autistic.

Arday denied plagiarism claims against him but admitted he had made mistakes (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

It came after an analysis of his PhD thesis allegedly showed ‘more than 100 passages’ were either identical or near-matches to the work of other students.

This included a 2009 PhD thesis by a Brunel University student, according to the Daily Telegraph, where the plagiarism claims were first published. It said Arday did credit her 17 times.

While Arday refuted any allegations of deliberately copying material after similarities were noted, the dispute ultimately prompted wider questions about Cambridge’s appointment procedures.

Previously, Liverpool John Moores University, which awarded Arday’s doctorate, had already investigated allegations concerning his thesis. He was cleared of misconduct.

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Millions startled by emergency alert with wildfire warning after UK blazes

An emergency alert was issued amid the fifth heatwave (Picture: Annabel Lee-Ellis/PA Wire)

Millions were sent into panic tonight as an emergency alert appeared unexpectedly on their phones.

At around 7pm, people across England and Wales received a notification, warning against lighting anything that could spark a wildfire, including barbecues, campfires, and fireworks.

It read: ‘There is a very high risk of wildfires nationally. Residents, landowners and visitors should not undertake any activity that could start a fire, including disposable barbecues, firepits, garden incinerators or fireworks.

‘Even a small flame can rapidly develop into a major wildfire, placing lives, homes, businesses and emergency responders at risk.

‘Follow official updates and report signs of fire immediately by calling 999. Search gov.uk/alerts for more information.’

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has urged the public to ‘take the emergency alert seriously’.

The alert was issued in response to the risk of wildfires

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The Labour leader wrote on X: ‘This evening, an emergency alert has been sent to people across England and Wales as the wildfire risk remains very high. The request came directly from fire and rescue services.

‘I was in Stourbridge today and saw first-hand the devastating impact these fires have had on people’s homes and lives.

‘Our priority now is to keep everyone safe and prevent more fires from starting.

‘During this period of extreme heat, I’m asking everyone to take extra care. Please do not light any fires in gardens, the countryside or other open spaces, including parks, moorland and wooded areas.

‘Our firefighters and emergency responders are working around the clock in incredibly difficult conditions.

‘We can all help them. Please take the emergency alert seriously and follow the guidance in place.’

Homes in Stourbridge, West Midlands, were destroyed by wildfire (Picture: Ryan Jenkinson/Getty Images)

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Earlier today, the PM issued a temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbeques due to the ‘significant risk’ they pose.

Louise Haigh, the First Secretary of State, said Friday’s message was ‘the most extensive use of the UK’s emergency alert system in response to an active incident’.

The system was first used in a test format in April 2023.

Since then, five other emergency alerts have been issued as a means of protecting people across the UK, including during storms.

They are accompanied by a unique siren-like sound, designed to capture attention and be noticeably different from any other notification or text message.

Haigh added that the government ‘took the decision’ to issue the alert ‘in response to the continued risk proposed by wildfires’.

Over 70% of England is now in drought (Picture: Reuters)

She said it ‘reflects the seriousness with which the government is acting to safeguard people and property’.

‘During this period of extreme heat, we are asking people to take simple steps to limit the risk of further fires.

‘By following the safety guidance, everyone can play their part in protecting local communities and supporting our frontline services who are working around the clock to keep people safe.’

The alert follows the outbreak of several major blazes, including a wildfire in the West Midlands, where 19 homes were destroyed.

Communities were also left ‘devastated’ in Stoke-on-Trent after fires gutted houses and forced people to flee. Some of them lost ‘everything’.

Angela Rayner, the Communities Secretary, detailed plans for future responses to incidents.

Temperatures soared into the high 30s this week (Picture: James Veysey/Shutterstock)

‘As well as supporting firefighters on the ground now, my department will hold a summit bringing together fire chiefs, the National Fire Chiefs’ Council, the Fire Brigades Union and other key organisations to look at our future response.

‘To the residents affected, particularly those who lost their homes and their life’s possessions to fire – we will work with the mayor and local leaders to make sure you are supported.’

The UK is currently experiencing its fifth heatwave, with the hottest day of the year thus far recorded this week.

On Thursday, temperatures provisionally reached 38.1°C at Kew Gardens in London, the second time this year the country has seen temperatures hit 38°C.

Amber health alerts are still in place due to the weather conditions putting vulnerable groups at additional risk.

Meanwhile, over 70% of England and all of Wales is officially in drought, with Burnham referring to Britain as a ‘tinderbox’ right now and admitting that we must ‘face up’ to the ‘changing climate’.

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The extreme heat has led to overwhelming demand in hospitals and chaos on public transport due to delayed and cancelled services.

Additionally, two trains derailed within 24 hours – one near Lewes railway station in East Sussex yesterday and another near Wickford in Essex this afternoon.

While investigations into the exact causes of the derailments are ongoing, steel tracks have been seen bent out of shape, and it is a known fact that they can become curved in such conditions.

Network Rail executive Martin Frobisher said the ‘unprecedented hot and dry weather that we have experienced this summer’ had presented exceptional challenges to the railway’.

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Arsenal begin talks to sign Victor Osimhen from Galatasaray

Arsenal are weighing up a move to sign Victor Osimhen (Getty)

Arsenal have held talks with Galatasaray over a deal to sign Victor Osimhen, according to reports.

Osimhen came close to a move to the Premier League two years ago as Chelsea held advanced talks to sign the striker from Napoli.

However, the Nigeria international instead joined Galatasaray on an initial loan deal before the Turkish club made the deal permanent for €75 million (£64.8m) last summer.

Osimhen has played a major role in helping Galatasaray win consecutive league titles with 59 goals in 74 appearances across the last two seasons.

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According to The Telegraph, Osimhen is now on Arsenal’s radar as the striker has been mentioned during talks with Galatasaray over deals for Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri.

Arsenal had initially made Julian Alvarez their top attacking target, however, Atletico Madrid continue to stand firm over the striker’s availability and are even refusing to negotiate with Barcelona, who have already had a €100m (£86.7m) bid rejected this summer.

Galatasaray have submitted a bid to sign Gabriel Martinelli from Arsenal (Shutterstock)

Galatasaray have already submitted a €45m (£38.4m) bid for Martinelli, however, reports in Brazil claim that the 25-year-old has told Arsenal’s hierarchy that he is not prepared to move to the Turkish league.

Arsenal are also understood to have offered Ethan Nwaneri for €40m (£34.1m) and Galatasaray are now moving ahead with a deal to sign the 19-year-old, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Marseille.

Osimhen, meanwhile, was offered to Arsenal in 2024 but the Gunners turned down a move for the Nigerian striker as they believed a deal with Napoli would have been too expensive.

In an exclusive interview with Metro last year, John Obi Mikel revealed that the striker remained keen on joining a club capable of winning the Champions League.

‘I think we want to see him in the Champions League so maybe Arsenal might be the destination. Maybe there is a door open there for Victor,’ said Obi Mikel, who was involved in Chelsea’s talks to sign Osimhen in 2024.

‘I’ve had a few conversations with him. I won’t say much about what those conversations were but he is working to make sure he ends up at a top, top European league where he can showcase his talent and compete to win the Champions League.’

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Gabriel Martinelli sends message to Arsenal board over £42m transfer

Arsenal are demanding a £42m transfer fee for Gabriel Martinelli (Getty)

Gabriel Martinelli has told Arsenal’s hierarchy that he is not interested in a move to Galatasaray, according to reports in Brazil.

The 25-year-old scored 11 goals for Arsenal last season as Mikel Arteta’s side won the Premier League title and reached the Champions League final where they were beaten by Paris Saint-Germain.

Arsenal have already sold Leandro Trossard this summer as the Belgian completed his £15.3 million move to Besiktas last month.

The Gunners have strengthened the left side of their attack with the arrival of Christos Tzolis in a £34m deal from Club Brugge.

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According to ESPN Brasil, Arsenal are also looking to sell Martinelli before the end of the summer transfer window and have set a €50m (£42.7m) asking price.

The report claims that Martinelli has been offered to clubs in Saudi Arabia and Turkey, who have indicated that they would be willing to meet Arsenal’s valuation.

Galatasaray have made an approach to sign Gabriel Martinelli (Shutterstock)

However, Martinelli is said to have informed Arsenal’s management that he ‘is not interested in playing in alternative markets at this time’.

Arsenal have also not ruled out the idea of keeping Martinelli for the upcoming season, even though his contract is due to expire next summer and would allow him to leave as a free agent.

Elsewhere, reports in Turkey on Wednesday night claimed that Arsenal have rejected a €40m (34m) offer from Galatasaray for Martinelli.

Arsenal are understood to have offered Ethan Nwaneri for €40m (£34.1m) and the Turkish club are now moving ahead with a deal to sign the 19-year-old, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Marseille.

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When is the next solar eclipse?

Missed the solar eclipse? Here’s when the next one is… (Picture: Reuters)

If you missed the 2026 solar eclipse, you’ll have to wait a while for the next one.

Tonight, crowds gathered across the continent to watch the ultra-rare phenomenon as more than 90% of the Sun became obscured by the Moon.

It marked the most significant eclipse since 1999, so it’s no surprise thousands queued in the streets to get their hands on eclipse glasses, hoping to catch a glimpse safely.

Others resorted to homemade viewing methods of cereal boxes and colanders, while photographers snapped away on their fancy cameras.

Expert advice was rife in the build-up, as people were warned against looking at the eclipse with the naked eye or even via their phone cameras due to the risk of damage.

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The Met Office also highlighted eight UK locations as the spots to catch an impressive view, including Plymouth, Cardiff, Birmingham, London, Inverness, Edinburgh, Belfast, and Newcastle.

Crowds gathered across the UK for the 2026 ultra-rare celestial event (Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

How did you watch the 2026 solar eclipse?Comment Now

Described as a once-in-a-generation event, tonight’s eclipse took place between 6.17pm and 8.06pm, with exact timings depending on location.

But if you were otherwise engaged, you might not get the same chance again.

When is the next solar eclipse?

The next total solar eclipse visible in the UK is not due until September 23, 2090.

There may be some hope, however, as experts have noted that the next comparable event visible in the UK will come in 2081.

September 3 that year marks the next time the Sun will be covered by the Moon more than 90% again.

Scientists have said that Cornwall and the south coast will be the best places to observe from.

There’s a while to go until history repeats itself (Picture: NASA/Bill Ingalls)

As for other future events worth jotting down in your eclipse calendars, for those enthusiastic enough and willing to travel, on August 2, 2027, a partial solar eclipse will occur in the UK skies. It will be totally visible in areas of southern Spain, North Africa, and the Middle East.

According to the Royal Museums Greenwich, the following partial eclipses will be 50% coverage in 2030, 40% coverage in 2053, and 60% coverage in 2066.

The RMG adds that, in 2075 and 2082, there will be further partial eclipses with 70% coverage, and one in 2088 with 40% coverage.

There will be ‘a handful’ of minor eclipses in between, but it remains that 2026 was the most notable form of the celestial event for some time.

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Tottenham begin talks to sign £51m former Arsenal star

Spurs are in talks with Monaco over a deal for Folarin Balogun (USSF/Getty Images)

Tottenham have opened talks with Monaco over a deal for Folarin Balogun, according to reports in France.

Monaco signed Balogun in a £35 million deal from Arsenal three years ago and the 25-year-old has scored 31 goals in 91 games for the Ligue 1 side.

Balogun also impressed at the World Cup this summer with three goals in four appearances for the United States.

Balogun was also at the centre of controversy at the World Cup after United States President Donald Trump personally called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to ask for the striker’s red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina to be overturned.

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Balogun’s one-game World Cup ban was suspended for a year, which allowed him to play in the last-16 stage but the United States were beaten 4-1 by Belgium.

According to L’Equipe, Tottenham have now made a move for Balogun ‘in recent hours’ and the Premier League club have ‘laid the groundwork’ for a deal worth €60 million (£51.2m).

Folarin Balogun scored 19 goals for Monaco last season. (AFP via Getty)

The report adds that Newcastle United and clubs in Spain have also registered their interest in Balogun this summer.

Spurs’ move for a new striker comes after Dominic Solanke missed their 1-1 draw with Getafe last Saturday due to an ankle problem.

Solanke started just 12 games in all competitions last season after undergoing ankle surgery last September.

Roberto De Zerbi has also raised doubt over Richarlison’s future as the Brazilian has just a year left on his contract with Spurs.

‘He’s unbelievable in terms of attitude and behaviour. But, in the end, we have to respect what he wants to do,’ De Zerbi said last week.

‘I didn’t understand well because sometimes he says he wants to stay, sometimes he wants to leave. We have to speak anyway. There is not any problem. He’s a lovely guy.’

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Ousted dictator Bashar al-Assad sentenced to death almost two years after fleeing Syria

More than 150,000 are estimated to have disappeared and likely been killed under Assad’s regime (Picture: Reuters)

Former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad has been sentenced to death for crimes against humanity and war crimes during his time in office.

In December 2024, Syria’s 14-year civil war came to an end and Bashar, along with his younger brother, Maher, fled to Russia, where they’ve remained to this day.

This week, a Syrian court sentenced Assad and his brother to death in abstentia at the Criminal Court of Damascus.

Judge Fakhareddine al-Aryan said: ‘Bashar Assad used state agencies to commit war crimes and crimes against humanity.’

Syria’s new government has repeatedly asked Russia to release the Assads to them so they can face prosecution.

Syrians gathered outside the courts to celebrate (Picture: Getty)

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Throughout the years of civil war in Syria, nerve agents, chlorine barrel bombs and mustard gas were used to torment civilians who disagreed with Assad’s Government. 

More than 150,000 are estimated to have disappeared and likely been killed under Assad’s regime after civil war erupted in 2011.

Over half a million Syrians were killed when the government used chemical weapons against civilians and carpet-bombed many cities, including Aleppo and Damascus.

The scale of Assad’s organised killings is something not seen ‘since the Nazis’, according to former US war crimes ambassador Stephen Rapp.

The sentence was a long time coming for Syrians who lost countless friends and family members to Assad’s regime (Picture: Getty)

The Assad family ruled over Syria for over 50 years. Bashar’s father, Hafez al-Assad, was also iron-fisted in his rule.

In 1982, Hafez al-Assad ordered the army to ‘quell’ an uprising in the town of Hama from the Muslim Brotherhood against his government.

Reports say more than 1,000 civilians were killed – but the exact number, like in many instances during the Assad reign, is believed to be much higher than official reports dictate.

Bashar al-Assad was also a brutal ruler. His forces utilised sexual violence as a form of warfare against Syrians, in addition to the bombing and use of chemical weapons.

Sexual violence was used against men inside Syrian prisons as a form of torture by authorities, Human Rights Watch found.

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