Live updates: Follow the latest on Syria
Mortada slept on the Syrian side of the Lebanon-Syria border for four nights in the dry, bone-chilling mid-December winter, hoping to find a way into Lebanon. The 27-year-old dentist never thought of remaining in his hometown of Nubl, in the Aleppo countryside of north-eastern Syria.
When armed rebels swept into Aleppo – defeating Syrian government forces in a flash offensive that would quickly prove to be the start of the end of 54 years of Assad dynasty rule – Mortada and others from his hometown fled to Damascus. And when the rebels took the capital, he fled to the Lebanese border, hoping to stay there until the dust settled.
“Nubl is a Shiite area. It has a lot of residents who joined Hezbollah [during the Syrian war] and I’m scared of revenge killings,” he told The National. “There are groups that have exploited the situation amid the security chaos and they’re using it to take revenge on other sects.”
Syria's new leader Ahmad Al Shara – head of rebel group Hayat Tahrir Al Sham – has moved to reassure minorities in the multi-ethnic, multi-confessional country, saying on Sunday that his government was "working on protecting sects and minorities from any attacks that occur between them” and from “external” actors.
Until they can be convinced of Mr Al Shara's ability to prevent reprisals, however, many are choosing to leave.
Mortada asked that his real name not be used because he was concerned his family may face retaliation for him speaking to the media. It makes for a bleak contrast with the millions of Syrians who, after more than 50 years of dictatorial oppression, are finally able to speak freely, unafraid to use their real names.
According to the UN, hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees have rushed back to their homeland from nearby countries since December 8, when the Syrian government was officially overthrown.
But some, like Mortada, quickly fled Syria as the rebels advanced. Lebanese officials told The National that about 44,000 people have fled the country for Lebanon since December 8, when the Syrian government was officially overthrown. Some are wary of what life under a previously Al Qaeda-affiliated rebel group will be like, fearing sectarian persecution or vigilante retribution from rebels.
Others, like Ali – a young man also from Nubl who was camped next to Mortada at the Syria-Lebanon border last week – have more reason to worry. Ali, who also declined to use his real name, admitted to having been a member of the Friends Forces – a collection of Iran-backed auxiliary militias consisting of Syrian and foreign recruits of the Shiite sect. When the order for surrender came, he laid down his weapons, shed his uniform and fled, fearing the rebel advance.
“Some of us were pressured into [joining], and some of us volunteered for the sake of money because the economic situation was so disastrous,” Ali said. “For me it was the money. It was double the army salary and the hours were better.”
While Syria’s new interim government has given a general amnesty for all conscripted Syrian military, Mr Al Shara has also said he “will not hesitate to hold accountable the criminals, murderers, security and army officers involved in torturing the Syrian people".
Factional complications
Syria’s more than 13-year civil war was multifaceted and geopolitically complicated. It plunged the country into economic destitution and caused the largest displacement crisis in the world. The deposed Syrian president Bashar Al Assad courted foreign backers Russia and Iran and allowed Lebanese Hezbollah and other Iran-supported, Shiite foreign mercenaries to fight in Syria – just as the armed opposition courted backers Turkey and the US, recruiting Sunni mercenaries from around the globe.
The opposition has many different factions. And some of them are determined to take revenge on us at all costs
Mortada,
27, Al Masnaa border
Many minority sects are aligned with the Syrian government. Out of self-preservation they remained loyal to Mr Al Assad’s regime, which presented itself as a secular alternative to a growing opposition. Belonging to the Alawite minority, Mr Al Assad did not hesitate to exploit sectarian division and use the fears of ethnic and religious communities to his advantage. For years, the deposed Syrian leader portrayed himself as the protector of minorities – right up until the moment he fled the country, leaving them behind.
“Jawlani has said minorities will be all right and there would be not recrimination,” said Mortada as the winter wind whipped at his face last week. He was referring to Mr Al Shara, who recently shed the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed Al Jawlani and traded militarism for diplomacy. He struck a moderate tone as his administration took over after Mr Al Assad’s fall, vowing that the country’s religious and ethnic minorities will have representation.
“To an extent I’ve seen that promise take shape on the ground,” Mortada admitted. “But the opposition has many different factions. And some of them are determined to take revenge on us at all costs.”
Ali and Mortada’s fear of retaliation is not unfounded. As HTS and other groups advanced into government territory last month, videos of summary executions of Syrian army soldiers by angry rebels – in one video, they are referred to as “Alawite pigs” – circulated across social media. In the first week of Syria’s new era without Assad rule, a rebel fighter interviewed by The National said he hoped to “take revenge on the Alawites for what they did to us”.
So far such incidents have been isolated and quickly shut down by HTS, but some of the country’s minorities remain reticent, preferring to leave until Syria’s governance becomes clearer. Most of the people at the Masnaa border crossing into Lebanon, which is closed to Syrians without a visa, were Shiite. Families, some of whom had been there for days, huddled together against the wind. On the other side, at the entrance into Syria, people streamed through freely.
Ali Khansa, 73, a grandfather, told The National he plans to go to Lebanon for now for the sake of his family and “an ordinary fear of unpredictability and what’s to come”. But he said he plans to return to his hometown – the mainly Shiite Sayeda Zainab in the Damascus countryside, which was also a base for Hezbollah and commanders in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – “no matter what”.
“If most of the residents are too frightened of returning to Sayeda Zainab, I’ll still go back. I’m an old man and no one would bother me.”
Mortada and Ali eventually found a way into Lebanon, Mortada said in a text message on arriving in the Lebanese capital Beirut on Wednesday. “But only after we almost died from the cold,” he added. “Still, turning back wasn’t an option. At least, not right now.”
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Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
The five new places of worship
Church of South Indian Parish
St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch
St Andrew's Church Al Ain branch
St John's Baptist Church, Ruwais
Church of the Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle, Ruwais
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Name: Samar Frost
Born: Abu Dhabi
Hobbies: Singing, music and socialising with friends
Favourite singer: Adele
THURSDAY'S ORDER OF PLAY
Centre Court
Starting at 10am:
Lucrezia Stefanini v Elena Rybakina (6)
Aryna Sabalenka (4) v Polona Hercog
Sofia Kenin (1) v Zhaoxuan Yan
Kristina Mladenovic v Garbine Muguruza (5)
Sorana Cirstea v Karolina Pliskova (3)
Jessica Pegula v Elina Svitolina (2)
Court 1
Starting at 10am:
Sara Sorribes Tormo v Nadia Podoroska
Marketa Vondrousova v Su-Wei Hsieh
Elise Mertens (7) v Alize Cornet
Tamara Zidansek v Jennifer Brady (11)
Heather Watson v Jodie Burrage
Vera Zvonareva v Amandine Hesse
Court 2
Starting at 10am:
Arantxa Rus v Xiyu Wang
Maria Kostyuk v Lucie Hradecka
Karolina Muchova v Danka Kovinic
Cori Gauff v Ulrikke Eikeri
Mona Barthel v Anastasia Gasanova
Court 3
Starting at 10am:
Kateryna Bondarenko v Yafan Wang
Aliaksandra Sasnovich v Anna Bondar
Bianca Turati v Yaroslava Shvedova
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Citizenship-by-investment programmes
United Kingdom
The UK offers three programmes for residency. The UK Overseas Business Representative Visa lets you open an overseas branch office of your existing company in the country at no extra investment. For the UK Tier 1 Innovator Visa, you are required to invest £50,000 (Dh238,000) into a business. You can also get a UK Tier 1 Investor Visa if you invest £2 million, £5m or £10m (the higher the investment, the sooner you obtain your permanent residency).
All UK residency visas get approved in 90 to 120 days and are valid for 3 years. After 3 years, the applicant can apply for extension of another 2 years. Once they have lived in the UK for a minimum of 6 months every year, they are eligible to apply for permanent residency (called Indefinite Leave to Remain). After one year of ILR, the applicant can apply for UK passport.
The Caribbean
Depending on the country, the investment amount starts from $100,000 (Dh367,250) and can go up to $400,000 in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take between four to five months to receive a passport.
Portugal
The investment amount ranges from €350,000 to €500,000 (Dh1.5m to Dh2.16m) in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take a maximum of six months to receive a Golden Visa. Applicants can apply for permanent residency after five years and Portuguese citizenship after six years.
“Among European countries with residency programmes, Portugal has been the most popular because it offers the most cost-effective programme to eventually acquire citizenship of the European Union without ever residing in Portugal,” states Veronica Cotdemiey of Citizenship Invest.
Greece
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Greece is €250,000, making it the cheapest real estate residency visa scheme in Europe. You can apply for residency in four months and citizenship after seven years.
Spain
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Spain is €500,000. You can apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after 10 years. It is not necessary to live in Spain to retain and renew the residency visa permit.
Cyprus
Cyprus offers the quickest route to citizenship of a European country in only six months. An investment of €2m in real estate is required, making it the highest priced programme in Europe.
Malta
The Malta citizenship by investment programme is lengthy and investors are required to contribute sums as donations to the Maltese government. The applicant must either contribute at least €650,000 to the National Development & Social Fund. Spouses and children are required to contribute €25,000; unmarried children between 18 and 25 and dependent parents must contribute €50,000 each.
The second step is to make an investment in property of at least €350,000 or enter a property rental contract for at least €16,000 per annum for five years. The third step is to invest at least €150,000 in bonds or shares approved by the Maltese government to be kept for at least five years.
Candidates must commit to a minimum physical presence in Malta before citizenship is granted. While you get residency in two months, you can apply for citizenship after a year.
Egypt
A one-year residency permit can be bought if you purchase property in Egypt worth $100,000. A three-year residency is available for those who invest $200,000 in property, and five years for those who purchase property worth $400,000.
Source: Citizenship Invest and Aqua Properties
Race card
5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; 5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; 6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (PA) 1,400m
The nine articles of the 50-Year Charter
1. Dubai silk road
2. A geo-economic map for Dubai
3. First virtual commercial city
4. A central education file for every citizen
5. A doctor to every citizen
6. Free economic and creative zones in universities
7. Self-sufficiency in Dubai homes
8. Co-operative companies in various sectors
9: Annual growth in philanthropy
Profile of Bitex UAE
Date of launch: November 2018
Founder: Monark Modi
Based: Business Bay, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: Eight employees
Investors: Self-funded to date with $1m of personal savings
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360Vuz PROFILE
Date started: January 2017
Founder: Khaled Zaatarah
Based: Dubai and Los Angeles
Sector: Technology
Size: 21 employees
Funding: $7 million
Investors: Shorooq Partners, KBW Ventures, Vision Ventures, Hala Ventures, 500Startups, Plug and Play, Magnus Olsson, Samih Toukan, Jonathan Labin
Warlight,
Michael Ondaatje, Knopf
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
The%20specs
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Leaderboard
63 - Mike Lorenzo-Vera (FRA)
64 - Rory McIlroy (NIR)
66 - Jon Rahm (ESP)
67 - Tom Lewis (ENG), Tommy Fleetwood (ENG)
68 - Rafael Cabrera-Bello (ESP), Marcus Kinhult (SWE)
69 - Justin Rose (ENG), Thomas Detry (BEL), Francesco Molinari (ITA), Danny Willett (ENG), Li Haotong (CHN), Matthias Schwab (AUT)
The specs: 2018 Ford Mustang GT
Price, base / as tested: Dh204,750 / Dh241,500
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Gearbox: 10-speed automatic
Power: 460hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque: 569Nm @ 4,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.3L / 100km
What is the Supreme Petroleum Council?
The Abu Dhabi Supreme Petroleum Council was established in 1988 and is the highest governing body in Abu Dhabi’s oil and gas industry. The council formulates, oversees and executes the emirate’s petroleum-related policies. It also approves the allocation of capital spending across state-owned Adnoc’s upstream, downstream and midstream operations and functions as the company’s board of directors. The SPC’s mandate is also required for auctioning oil and gas concessions in Abu Dhabi and for awarding blocks to international oil companies. The council is chaired by Sheikh Khalifa, the President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi while Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, is the vice chairman.
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
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The%20Specs
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FOOTBALL TEST
Team X 1 Team Y 0
Scorers
Red card
Man of the Match
THE BIO
Bio Box
Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader
Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Favorite food: seafood
Favorite place to travel: Lebanon
Favorite movie: Braveheart
Teams
Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi
Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag
Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC
Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC
Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan
Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals
The Transfiguration
Director: Michael O’Shea
Starring: Eric Ruffin, Chloe Levine
Three stars
Pad Man
Dir: R Balki
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte
Three-and-a-half stars
