A senior ISIS extremist died during a military operation in Syria, state-linked Sana news outlet has reported.
The terrorist, Abu Salem Al Iraqi, “triggered his explosive belt” and blew himself up after being surrounded and wounded, Sana reported, quoting Syrian forces.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a conflict monitor, confirmed that the Iraqi militant died in the southern Deraa province.
A security source said Al Iraqi had been a military chief in the extremist group. But his real name was not provided.
ISIS members often operate under pseudonyms based on their country or town of origin.
The observatory said Al Iraqi had been hiding out in the area since 2018, and had taken part in killings and attacks there.
Deraa province has mostly been under regime control since 2018.
Opposition groups – which have supposedly disarmed – still control some areas, under a truce struck with Russia, an ally of the Syrian government.
There has been sporadic violence in the province, including cases where security forces have been ambushed. But the level of fighting is insignificant when compared to the height of the civil war.
ISIS retains some influence in north-eastern Syria, much of which is under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces, a US-backed militia made up of mostly Kurdish fighters.
The militia has been on the offensive against the terrorist group and said recently that 17 ISIS “leaders and operatives” had been killed in June. The head of ISIS in Syria was killed in a raid on June 27.
Former ISIS leader Abu Ibrahim Al Hashimi Al Qurayshi was killed in Idlib province by US special forces in February.
In north-eastern Syria, ISIS coexists with several militant groups aligned with Al Qaeda. However, extremist leaders are under constant tracking and surveillance by US intelligence agencies.
The extremist group also has a presence in Syria's far north, parts of which are occupied by Turkish-backed groups.
In July, senior ISIS commander Maher Al Agal was killed in a US drone strike in Afrin, a Kurdish-majority province occupied by Turkish-backed rebels.
After a swift rise to prominence in 2014 in Iraq and Syria, during which it conquered vast areas of territory, the extremist group's self-proclaimed “caliphate” collapsed under a wave of offensives.
ISIS was defeated in Iraq in 2017 and in Syria two years later, but sleeper cells of the extremist group still carry out attacks in both countries.
Syria's war, which began in 2011, has left 500,000 people dead and forced about half of the country's pre-war population from their homes.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
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Results
5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m; Winner: Mcmanaman, Sam Hitchcock (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
6.05pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Bawaasil, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
6.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Bochart, Fabrice Veron, Satish Seemar
7.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Mutaraffa, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
7.50pm: Longines Stakes – Conditions (TB) Dh120,00 (D) 1,900m; Winner: Rare Ninja, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.25pm: Zabeel Trophy – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Alfareeq, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
9pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 2,410m; Winner: Good Tidings, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
9.35pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Zorion, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi
The five pillars of Islam
Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
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