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Kurdish militiamen killed five Arab Syrian fighters supported by Ankara in the north-western Aleppo governorate, the Syrian National Army said on Sunday, in renewed incursions into a zone carved out by Turkey six years ago to check the expansion of its Kurdish foes.
“Five of our best young men have been elevated to martyrdom as they were repulsing an infiltration attempt,” said the group, which was set up by Turkey in 2017.
Its mission has been to help Ankara in a number of invasions that created a Turkish-controlled zone in northern Syria, with the tacit approval of Washington and Moscow. The zone foiled plans by Kurdish separatists to acquire a contiguous area in north Syria running along the border with Turkey.
Last month, retaliatory attacks flared up on the same front and one pro-Turkish fighter was killed.
Together with Iran, Turkey, the US and Russia comprise outside powers with zones of influence in Syria, established after the civil war that began in late 2011 after the authorities used deadly force to suppress a peaceful protest movement against President Bashar Al Assad.
Aleppo has emerged as one of the most complex fronts in the war, with a US-backed, Kurdish-dominated militia called the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) having carved out, with Russian support, a pocket in the Tal Rifat area north of Aleppo.
Tal Rifat is situated opposite the region of Afrin, which is part of the Turkish zone of control. The SDF forces in Tal Rifat have access through Syrian regime lines to territory the group controls in north-east of Syria, although Damascus is opposed to the SDF's presence there and labels the militia as a US stooge.
The Syrian National Army said it responded to the Kurdish infiltration on Saturday with rocket barrages on the Tal Rifat front on Sunday. There were no reports of casualties.
One source close to the SNA said the aim of the Kurdish incursions was not to take over the area but to send a message to Turkey and its allies that “they will not enjoy stability in Afrin”.
The violence has increased amid a Russian-led a drive to end hostilities between Mr Al Assad and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
This could undermine the room for manoeuvre of the Kurdish militia leadership. One of the few issues Damascus and Ankara agree on is the need undermine the SDF, and by extension, the presence of the US in Syria.
This is despite the SDF, and the People Protection Units (YPG), the largest Kurdish militia, which controls the SDF, and which is linked to the Turkish Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), having played crucial roles in helping Damascus. The top Kurdish militia commanders also have a line to Moscow, Mr Al Assad's most powerful backer.
In 2011-2012 Kurdish armed gangs linked to the PKK helped the central government crush peaceful demonstrations by Kurds in eastern Syria.
In 2016, the YPG supported an offensive by the Syrian army and Shiite militia supported by Iran, backed by the Russian air force, on Aleppo. It resulted in the capture of the eastern, rebel part of the city in December of that year.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
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Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
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Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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The permutations for UAE going to the 2018 World Cup finals
To qualify automatically
UAE must beat Iraq.
Australia must lose in Japan and at home to Thailand, with their losing margins and the UAE's winning margin over Iraq being enough to overturn a goal difference gap of eight.
Saudi Arabia must lose to Japan, with their losing margin and the UAE's winning margin over Iraq being enough to overturn a goal difference gap of eight.
To finish third and go into a play-off with the other third-placed AFC side for a chance to reach the inter-confederation play-off match
UAE must beat Iraq.
Saudi Arabia must lose to Japan, with their losing margin and the UAE's winning margin over Iraq being enough to overturn a goal difference gap of eight.
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Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
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- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
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Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
On Women's Day
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Justin Thomas: Challenge the notion that 'men are from Mars, women are from Venus'
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Neil Thomson – THE BIO
Family: I am happily married to my wife Liz and we have two children together.
Favourite music: Rock music. I started at a young age due to my father’s influence. He played in an Indian rock band The Flintstones who were once asked by Apple Records to fly over to England to perform there.
Favourite book: I constantly find myself reading The Bible.
Favourite film: The Greatest Showman.
Favourite holiday destination: I love visiting Melbourne as I have family there and it’s a wonderful place. New York at Christmas is also magical.
Favourite food: I went to boarding school so I like any cuisine really.
About Proto21
Date started: May 2018
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Based: Dubai
Sector: Additive manufacturing (aka, 3D printing)
Staff: 18
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If you go
• Remittance charges will be tackled by blockchain
• UAE's monumental and risky Mars Mission to inspire future generations, says minister
• Could the UAE drive India's economy?
• News has a bright future and the UAE is at the heart of it
• Architecture is over - here's cybertecture
• The National announces Future of News journalism competition
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MATCH INFO
World Cup 2022 qualifier
UAE v Indonesia, Thursday, 8pm
Venue: Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile
While you're here
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While you're here
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• Remittance charges will be tackled by blockchain
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• Could the UAE drive India's economy?
• News has a bright future and the UAE is at the heart of it
• Architecture is over - here's cybertecture
• The National announces Future of News journalism competition
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