An Israeli air strike on a weapons depot near Damascus has killed 11 people, mostly civilians, according to a war monitor, the latest in hundreds of strikes targeting Syria's military capabilities after its former president Bashar Al Assad was deposed.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the depot, near the industrial town of Adra, north-east of the capital, was storing weapons that had belonged to the Assad regime.
The Israeli military has not yet commented on the strike on Sunday, but says its targets in Syria are Iran-backed groups that backed Mr Al Assad.
Adra residents confirmed the explosion. Adra resident Khaled Ghazi previously told The National that such weapons stockpiles had become open to the public after the overthrow of the Assad regime.
“There are many weapons warehouses here that haven’t been secured despite our attempts to inform authorities and the Military Operations Command,” Mr Ghazi said.
Although Israel has struck Syria many times since its civil war broke out in 2011, attacks have stepped up significantly since Mr Al Assad's fall to rebels led by the Hayat Tahrir Al Sham group, this month.
One strike on the Mediterranean port of Tartus is thought to have detonated enough ammunition to register a 3.1 magnitude earthquake 10km off the coast.
Israeli troops also moved into a buffer zone in the occupied Golan Heights when Mr Al Assad fled to Russia on December 8, saying its troops and tanks were there for “defence”.
As well as targeting Iran-backed groups that backed the Assad regime, Israel also wants to remove any threat posed by weapons in Syria. The country is now governed by HTS, which is designated as a terrorist organisation by the US, UN Security Council and EU.
HTS has demanded that Israel cease its strikes.
The specs
Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder
Transmission: CVT auto
Power: 181bhp
Torque: 244Nm
Price: Dh122,900
Your Guide to the Home
- Level 1 has a valet service if you choose not to park in the basement level. This level houses all the kitchenware, including covetable brand French Bull, along with a wide array of outdoor furnishings, lamps and lighting solutions, textiles like curtains, towels, cushions and bedding, and plenty of other home accessories.
- Level 2 features curated inspiration zones and solutions for bedrooms, living rooms and dining spaces. This is also where you’d go to customise your sofas and beds, and pick and choose from more than a dozen mattress options.
- Level 3 features The Home’s “man cave” set-up and a display of industrial and rustic furnishings. This level also has a mother’s room, a play area for children with staff to watch over the kids, furniture for nurseries and children’s rooms, and the store’s design studio.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Scores in brief:
Boost Defenders 205-5 in 20 overs
(Colin Ingram 84 not out, Cameron Delport 36, William Somerville 2-28)
bt Auckland Aces 170 for 5 in 20 overs
(Rob O’Donnell 67 not out, Kyle Abbott 3-21).
if you go
The flights
Emirates offer flights to Buenos Aires from Dubai, via Rio De Janeiro from around Dh6,300. emirates.com
Seeing the games
Tangol sell experiences across South America and generally have good access to tickets for most of the big teams in Buenos Aires: Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Independiente. Prices from Dh550 and include pick up and drop off from your hotel in the city. tangol.com
Staying there
Tangol will pick up tourists from any hotel in Buenos Aires, but after the intensity of the game, the Faena makes for tranquil, upmarket accommodation. Doubles from Dh1,110. faena.com
