Syrian government forces lifted restrictions and opened the roads leading to the Kurdish districts of Aleppo, in a sign of easing tension days after the army and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) came to the verge of major urban warfare.
Pedestrians and cars were allowed to move from a main entrance, called the Serian, into Sheikh Maqsoud, a hilltop district controlled by the SDF.
A convoy of lorries carrying vegetables entered the area, where supplies had started to run low, through roadblocks manned by young government security personnel dressed in black, and then through to the other side, which is controlled by Asayish, the internal security forces of the Kurdish-led administration that controls parts of north-eastern Syria.
Mustafa, the owner of a roasted chicken shop in Sheikh Maqsoud, said fresh supplies would be arriving soon from farms on the outskirts of Aleppo, making it possible to resume sales after his frozen stock ran out. During a week of siege, other goods were smuggled into Sheikh Maqsoud on foot and by drones, he said, but “smuggling chicken would not have been easy”.
A Kurdish source told The National that although the SDF military leadership had expected the Asayish to hold the front if the government had launched a major push into the district, the fighting would not have been contained to Aleppo. “The Kurds in Aleppo are the most vulnerable militarily,” the source said. “The SDF would have had to act by activating other fronts if the siege became more severe.”
Sheikh Maqsoud and the adjacent district of Ashrafieh, which was also surrounded, are home to tens of thousands of Kurds. The two neighbourhoods have remained under SDF control even after rebel groups toppled the dictator Bashar Al Assad last December, ending nearly 14 years of civil war.
The new President, Ahmad Al Shara, has been pushing for the SDF to be integrated into the army. In March, he signed a deal with the SDF commander Mazloum Abdi to begin the process, but no timeline was provided. The agreement remains just “ink on paper”, Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani said during a visit to Turkey on Wednesday. The SDF has also refused government demands for the de facto disbanding of the group.
The Kurdish issue in Syria has turned into a major sticking point since the new government took over in December after ousting the Assad regime. It has failed to find an accommodation with most minorities in the majority Sunni Muslim country.
The SDF, which emerged with US backing, has resisted pressure from Turkey and the Damascus authorities to disband, and has kept control over large areas of northern and eastern Syria. More Kurds have coalesced around the SDF since sectarian massacres of members of the Alawite minority on the coast in March and the Druze in southern Syria in June.
Clashes broke out in Aleppo city this week after a period of simmering tension but the government announced a ceasefire on Tuesday. The US is likely to have played a role in the de-escalation. However, government forces maintained their presence around Sheikh Maqsoud, allowing people to leave but not re-enter the area. Many feared this was a tactic to empty Sheikh Maqsoud in preparation for an all-out offensive by government forces.
The SDF said its forces foiled an “infiltration attempt by Damascus government militants” on the Tishreen Dam front, on the eastern edge of Aleppo governorate, on Thursday.
One of the attackers was killed before the others withdrew, according to an SDF source, who said the attack indicated that the authorities intend to keep up pressure on the SDF despite the easing in Aleppo.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Mubadala World Tennis Championship 2018 schedule
Thursday December 27
Men's quarter-finals
Kevin Anderson v Hyeon Chung 4pm
Dominic Thiem v Karen Khachanov 6pm
Women's exhibition
Serena Williams v Venus Williams 8pm
Friday December 28
5th place play-off 3pm
Men's semi-finals
Rafael Nadal v Anderson/Chung 5pm
Novak Djokovic v Thiem/Khachanov 7pm
Saturday December 29
3rd place play-off 5pm
Men's final 7pm
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.
World record transfers
1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Croatia v Hungary, Thursday, 10.45pm, UAE
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Company%20profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Europe wide
Some of French groups are threatening Friday to continue their journey to Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the European Union, and to meet up with drivers from other countries on Monday.
Belgian authorities joined French police in banning the threatened blockade. A similar lorry cavalcade was planned for Friday in Vienna but cancelled after authorities prohibited it.
Results
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
Brief scoreline
Switzerland 0
England 0
Result: England win 6-5 on penalties
Man of the Match: Trent Alexander-Arnold (England)
The specs: 2018 Maxus T60
Price, base / as tested: Dh48,000
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder
Power: 136hp @ 1,600rpm
Torque: 360Nm @ 1,600 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Fuel consumption, combined: 9.1L / 100km
Read more about the coronavirus
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
ARSENAL IN 1977
Feb 05 Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland
Feb 12 Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal
Feb 15 Middlesbrough 3-0 Arsenal
Feb 19 Arsenal 2-3 West Ham
Feb 26 Middlesbrough 4-1 Arsenal (FA Cup)
Mar 01 Everton 2-1 Arsenal
Mar 05 Arsenal 1-4 ipswich
March 08 Arsenal 1-2 West Brom
Mar 12 QPR 2-1 Arsenal
Mar 23 Stoke 1-1 Arsenal
Apr 02 Arsenal 3-0 Leicester
