Syrian rebel-fighters in Idlib province, which is dominated by militant groups. AFP
Syrian rebel-fighters in Idlib province, which is dominated by militant groups. AFP
Syrian rebel-fighters in Idlib province, which is dominated by militant groups. AFP
Syrian rebel-fighters in Idlib province, which is dominated by militant groups. AFP

Syria suffers surge in violence as shelling rocks Idlib and Daraa


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Syria is in the grip of some of its worst violence in years, with military activity surging in the southern region of Daraa, bordering Jordan, and shelling reported in the rebel-held province of Idlib in the north-east.

One person was killed in government shelling in Daraa's southern town of Tafas Daraa, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Sporadic clashes began on Tuesday, local media reported, after regime forces advanced on farms in the area.

Activists said a civilian was killed in the shelling while some local media reported the deceased as a member of a rebel group fighting the government.

Local outlet Daraa24 said civilians were also killed as a result of government shelling on outlying rural areas, with a renewed regime offensive expected in the area.

People visit the graves of loved ones at a cemetery on the first day of the Muslim feast of Eid Al Adha in Idlib on June 28, 2023. Omar Haj Kadour / AFP
People visit the graves of loved ones at a cemetery on the first day of the Muslim feast of Eid Al Adha in Idlib on June 28, 2023. Omar Haj Kadour / AFP

Once the scene of some of the heaviest fighting of the war, Daraa has faced a simmering insurgency in recent years, with small cells of rebels in the area launching hit-and-run attacks against government forces and planting roadside bombs.

Intense fighting during the country’s 12-year-long civil war died down in the area after a 2021 agreement was reached by Damascus and rebel groups.

Under the deal, many surrendered their weapons and moved with their families to rebel-held areas in the north, mainly Idlib.

Clashes were also reported in Saraqib, in a rural part of Idlib province, where regime forces fired at the Hayat Tahrir Al Sham militant group.

At least 13 people were killed in government shelling in Idlib last month.

Idlib is dominated by militant groups while large stretches of Syria’s border with Turkey are controlled by Turkish-backed militias.

The conflict in the north of the country has simmered for years, with neither side strong enough to take control of the terrain.

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Date started: January, 2014

Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe

Based: Dubai

Sector: Education technology

Size: Five employees

Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.

Partners/incubators: Turn8 Accelerator; In5 Innovation Centre; Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme; Dubai Future Accelerators; FHI 360; VSO and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3)

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Cyberbullying or online bullying could take many forms such as sending unkind or rude messages to someone, socially isolating people from groups, sharing embarrassing pictures of them, or spreading rumors about them.

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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.

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History's medical milestones

1799 - First small pox vaccine administered

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1861 - Louis Pasteur published his germ theory which proved that bacteria caused diseases

1895 - Discovery of x-rays

1923 - Heart valve surgery performed successfully for first time

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1952 - First organ transplant - a kidney - takes place 

1954 - Clinical trials of birth control pill

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1998 - The first adult live-donor liver transplant is carried out

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Power: 480hp at 6,500rpm

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Profile

Company name: Spare

Started: March 2018

Co-founders: Dalal Alrayes and Saurabh Shah

Based: UAE

Sector: FinTech

Investment: Own savings. Going for first round of fund-raising in March 2019

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Updated: July 06, 2023, 11:28 AM`