Forces allied to Syria's new government on Wednesday battled with militias in the south and near the Mediterranean coast.
Sources said the fighting in the coastal city of Latakia and in the town of Sanamin in Deraa province has left at least 20 people dead since Monday, including civilians.
The clashes indicate resistance among some segments of Syrian society to the new government, led by Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, a group formerly linked with Al Qaeda. Violence has persisted in areas inhabited by members of Druze and Kurdish minorities, as well as the coast, home to ousted president Bashar Al Assad's Alawite minority.
The Interior Ministry said that a "cell" of former members of Assad loyalist militias killed two members of the security forces this week. The attackers were traced to the city's Daatour neighbourhood, and a security sweep of the area was launched. The district is regarded as a depot of the "shabbiha", auxiliaries who fought alongside Mr Al Assad's regular forces during the civil war.
"A special security force gathered information and was able to [identify] a member of the cell and overran its hiding place," an Interior Ministry statement said. It added that an unspecified number of "criminal elements" were neutralised.
A security source in Latakia said HTS force killed seven shabbiha members in Daatour. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor based in Britain, said four civilians were killed in the area.
An Alawite sheikh in Latakia told The National that heavily armed men entered Daatour in armoured vehicles and shouted sectarian slogans. They proceeded to carry out mass arrests of men, claiming that the residents were "remnants of the regime".
He said he had heard that the killing of two security troops was the reason for the raid, but: "There is no evidence that the one who attacked the security forces is from the neighbourhood. If there are outlaws, they have nothing to do with the innocent residents."
In southern Syria, HTS launched an offensive against a group led by Mohammad Al Humaid, a warlord in Sanamin who resisted the government's call to disarm.
Mr Al Humaid had carved out a degree of independence under the Assad regime, and is accused of having harboured ISIS members. His loyalists, based in western Sanamin, have clashed repeatedly with HTS in the past two months.
A local police official said the town had been under curfew since Monday after three of the warlord's fighters were killed. The group retaliated by attacking a government roadblock, after which the HTS-led forces launched an operation in the western sector where 100 of Mr Al Humaid's men were believed to be.
A security official in Deraa said 150 members of an HTS elite force, called the Red Bands, had arrived from Damascus to join the offensive, in which mid-range weapons and armoured vehicles were being used. Three members of the HTS-led security forces and eight of Mr Al Humaid's men have been killed, he said.
"The operation will not conclude before Al Humaid hands himself in," the commander said. He added that five civilians have been wounded, although there have been evening truces to allow non-combatants to leave the battle zone.
Another official said the fighting "took place in between civilian homes".
HTS forces were sent to southern areas near the border with Jordan in December, shortly after rebel forces led by HTS toppled Mr Al Assad, and appointed new local security chiefs who sought to co-opt the different local militias without the use of violence. Only Mr Al Humaid's militia refused.
HTS leader Ahmad Al Shara, now interim President, has launched the process of political transition but is considered unwilling to divest much power from Damascus. He has pledged that former Assad regime elements will face justice for crimes committed during the 2011-24 civil war, and that the new government will extend its control over the whole country.
But lawlessness has persisted, with revenge killings bringing more fears about the future, and militias of different ideologies remain entrenched in parts of the country.
HTS has launched several incursions into the coastal Alawite Mountains in pursuit of what it calls regime elements. But it has met resistance and on several occasions HTS members were killed in ambushes.
The Alawite sheikh said the Daatour raid was part of the persecution of Alawites, who dominated the political system and were disproportionately represented in the army and administration under Mr Al Assad.
He said Alawites were being dismissed from government jobs on the pretext of excess staffing, and entire Alawite families displaced from some mixed areas.
"All this deepens the gap between the people and the government, and confirms the lack of trust in the current government," he said.
He urged the international community to place greater pressure on Syria's new leaders "to achieve human justice among citizens, and to protect the people's security, instead of killing".
RESULT
Huddersfield Town 2 Manchester United 1
Huddersfield: Mooy (28'), Depoitre (33')
Manchester United: Rashford (78')
Man of the Match: Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town)
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
Klopp at the Kop
Matches 68; Wins 35; Draws 19; Losses 14; Goals For 133; Goals Against 82
- Eighth place in Premier League in 2015/16
- Runners-up in Europa League in 2016
- Runners-up in League Cup in 2016
- Fourth place in Premier League in 2016/17
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20Z%20FOLD%204
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Important questions to consider
1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?
There are different types of travel available for pets:
- Manifest cargo
- Excess luggage in the hold
- Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
Source: Pawsome Pets UAE
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The specs: Macan Turbo
Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October
Barings Bank
Barings, one of Britain’s oldest investment banks, was
founded in 1762 and operated for 233 years before it went bust after a trading
scandal.
Barings Bank collapsed in February 1995 following colossal
losses caused by rogue trader Nick Lesson.
Leeson gambled more than $1 billion in speculative trades,
wiping out the venerable merchant bank’s cash reserves.
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
UAE rugby in numbers
5 - Year sponsorship deal between Hesco and Jebel Ali Dragons
700 - Dubai Hurricanes had more than 700 playing members last season between their mini and youth, men's and women's teams
Dh600,000 - Dubai Exiles' budget for pitch and court hire next season, for their rugby, netball and cricket teams
Dh1.8m - Dubai Hurricanes' overall budget for next season
Dh2.8m - Dubai Exiles’ overall budget for next season
Squads
Pakistan: Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Babar Azam (vc), Abid Ali, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Hasnain, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Usman Shinwari, Wahab Riaz
Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne (c), Danushka Gunathilaka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Avishka Fernando, Oshada Fernando, Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka, Minod Bhanuka, Angelo Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara
Profile of Tarabut Gateway
Founder: Abdulla Almoayed
Based: UAE
Founded: 2017
Number of employees: 35
Sector: FinTech
Raised: $13 million
Backers: Berlin-based venture capital company Target Global, Kingsway, CE Ventures, Entrée Capital, Zamil Investment Group, Global Ventures, Almoayed Technologies and Mad’a Investment.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Ahmed Raza
UAE cricket captain
Age: 31
Born: Sharjah
Role: Left-arm spinner
One-day internationals: 31 matches, 35 wickets, average 31.4, economy rate 3.95
T20 internationals: 41 matches, 29 wickets, average 30.3, economy rate 6.28
Bridgerton%20season%20three%20-%20part%20one
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVarious%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nicola%20Coughlan%2C%20Luke%20Newton%2C%20Jonathan%20Bailey%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3EName%3A%20DarDoc%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Samer%20Masri%2C%20Keswin%20Suresh%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20HealthTech%3Cbr%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%24800%2C000%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Flat6Labs%2C%20angel%20investors%20%2B%20Incubated%20by%20Hub71%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi's%20Department%20of%20Health%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%2010%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey'
Rating: 3/5
Directors: Ramin Bahrani, Debbie Allen, Hanelle Culpepper, Guillermo Navarro
Writers: Walter Mosley
Stars: Samuel L Jackson, Dominique Fishback, Walton Goggins
THE RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Alnawar, Connor Beasley (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Raniah, Noel Garbutt, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 2,200m
Winner: Saarookh, Richard Mullen, Ana Mendez
6.30pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (PA) Rated Conditions Dh125,000 1,600m
Winner: RB Torch, Tadhg O’Shea, Eric Lemartinel
7pm: Al Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: MH Wari, Antonio Fresu, Elise Jeane
7.30pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,600m
Winner: Mailshot, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
CONFIRMED%20LINE-UP
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Tiger%20Stripes%20
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Company%20profile
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Switching%20sides
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