Ahmad Al Odeh, centre, had refused to merge his Eighth Brigade militia with the new Syrian government's army. AFP
Ahmad Al Odeh, centre, had refused to merge his Eighth Brigade militia with the new Syrian government's army. AFP
Ahmad Al Odeh, centre, had refused to merge his Eighth Brigade militia with the new Syrian government's army. AFP
Ahmad Al Odeh, centre, had refused to merge his Eighth Brigade militia with the new Syrian government's army. AFP

Powerful southern Syrian militia disbands under pressure from government


Khaled Yacoub Oweis
  • English
  • Arabic

A militia controlling a strategic area of southern Syria has disbanded after coming under political and military pressure from the new government in Damascus, in a boost to President Ahmad Al Shara's drive to bring all armed groups in the country under its control.

The peaceful dissolution of the 3,000-strong Eighth Brigade militia, announced by its spokesman late on Sunday, follows a new approach by the central authorities in dealing with holdout groups, based on projecting strength while trying to avoid major confrontation.

The government faced an international outcry after its campaign to quell opposition in Syria's coastal region, the heartland of the Alawite sect that formed the core support of ousted president Bashar Al Assad, flared up into sectarian massacres last month.

A video statement from spokesman Akram Al Horani said the Eighth Brigade, which had controlled areas near the border with Jordan in southern Syria for the past seven years, had "completely disbanded" and started handing over its weapons to the government to "strengthen security and stability and the sovereignty state".

Mr Al Shara's militant group Hayat Tahrir Al Sham (HTS), formerly affiliated with Al Qaeda, led a rebel offensive that toppled Mr Al Assad in December, ending nearly 14 years of civil war. Since then his government has been seeking establish control over the country by incorporating the myriad militias, mostly formed during the civil war, into a new national army, with posts for their leaders, or by crushing them. On March 6, HTS forces overran the southern city of Sanamayn, ending a threat from a warlord called Mohammad Al Humaid, who had refused to disband.

The Eighth Brigade, whose power base was centred in and around the historic city of Busra Al Sham, refused to join the new army despite having committed to do so in January, mainly because its leader Ahmad Al Odeh was not offered a senior position, an HTS official told The National.

"If his force was larger, he would have been given a high rank in the new army," the official said.

Ahmad Al Odeh previously commanded a Syrian rebel force in a coalition that fought against the Assad regime with backing from the US and Arab states. AFP
Ahmad Al Odeh previously commanded a Syrian rebel force in a coalition that fought against the Assad regime with backing from the US and Arab states. AFP

A predecessor to the Eighth Brigade, also led by Mr Al Odeh, was part of a southern rebel coalition that waged an insurgency in southern Syria with US and Arab backing until 2018, when the US struck a deal with Russia for the Assad regime to take most of the area. However, Mr Al Odeh managed to preserve a large degree of independence from the regime by striking a deal with Moscow to become its surrogate.

But this time Mr Al Odeh was outmanoeuvred. The HTS official said the killing last week in Busra Al Sham of Bilal Al Masatfeh, a former militia ally of Mr Al Odeh who had turned against him and allied with HTS, set in motion a chain of events that eventually led to the Eight Brigade's surrender.

Mr Al Masatfeh belonged to Al Mekdad, a large clan in Busra Al Sham. Fearing a popular backlash, Mr Al Odeh agreed to hand over four men suspected of killing Mr Al Masatfeh to the central authorities. But instead of sending a small force to collect the four men, an armoured force of 1,200 HTS fighters entered Busra Al Sham at the weekend, residents say.

An Eighth Brigade commander, who did not want to be named, told The National Mr Odeh contemplated attacking the HTS force but did not do so because it would ultimately have been a "losing battle".

"We had the power to besiege them in Busra Al Sham, but this would have been an excuse [for Mr Al Shara] to respond with a whole army," the commander said.

The HTS official said the government was unlikely to pursue Mr Al Odeh, whose whereabouts are not known, because it had achieved its objective of neutralising his militia.

The new government's efforts to extend its authority received another boost at the weekend when Kurdish militias ceded a significant degree of control over two key areas under a deal between their leader, Mazloum Abdi, and Mr Al Shara, signed last month. Government security forces entered Sheikh Maqsoud, the main Kurdish neighbourhood of Aleppo that is situated on a hilltop near the city's northern outlets. On the edge of Aleppo governorate, government forces also took control of the Tishreen Dam on the Euphrates river, which had been in the hands of Kurdish forces for a decade.

RESULT

Valencia 3

Kevin Gameiro 21', 51'

Ferran Torres 67'

Atlanta 4

Josip Llicic 3' (P), 43' (P), 71', 82'

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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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

Test

Director: S Sashikanth

Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan

Star rating: 2/5

Developer: Ubisoft Montreal / Ubisoft Toronto
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, Windows
​​​​​​​Release Date: April 10

 

Company: Instabug

Founded: 2013

Based: Egypt, Cairo

Sector: IT

Employees: 100

Stage: Series A

Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors

The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

How to avoid crypto fraud
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Racecard

6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah Group Two (PA) US$55,000 (Dirt) 1,600m

7.05pm: Meydan Trophy (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,900m

7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (D) 1,200m

8.15pm: Balanchine Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m

8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,000m

9.25pm: Firebreak Stakes Group Three (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,600m

10pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,410m

The National selections: 6.30pm: RM Lam Tara, 7.05pm: Al Mukhtar Star, 7.40pm: Bochart, 8.15pm: Magic Lily, 8.50pm: Roulston Scar, 9.25pm: Quip, 10pm: Jalmoud

BELGIUM%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3EGoalkeepers%3A%20Thibaut%20Courtois%2C%20Simon%20Mignolet%2C%20Koen%20Casteels%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EDefenders%3A%20Jan%20Vertonghen%2C%20Toby%20Alderweireld%2C%20Leander%20Dendoncker%2C%20Zeno%20Debast%2C%20Arthur%20Theate%2C%20Wout%20Faes%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMidfielders%3A%20Hans%20Vanaken%2C%20Axel%20Witsel%2C%20Youri%20Tielemans%2C%20Amadou%20Onana%2C%20Kevin%20De%20Bruyne%2C%20Yannick%20Carrasco%2C%20Thorgan%20Hazard%2C%20Timothy%20Castagne%2C%20Thomas%20Meunier%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EForwards%3A%20Romelu%20Lukaku%2C%20Michy%20Batshuayi%2C%20Lo%C3%AFs%20Openda%2C%20Charles%20De%20Ketelaere%2C%20Eden%20Hazard%2C%20Jeremy%20Doku%2C%20Dries%20Mertens%2C%20Leandro%20Trossard%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Score

Third Test, Day 1

New Zealand 229-7 (90 ov)
Pakistan

New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
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  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
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  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The Buckingham Murders

Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu

Director: Hansal Mehta

Rating: 4 / 5

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20electric%20motors%20with%20102kW%20battery%20pack%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E570hp%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20890Nm%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERange%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Up%20to%20428km%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh1%2C700%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE BIO

Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13 

Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier

Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife 

What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents. 

Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.

Teri%20Baaton%20Mein%20Aisa%20Uljha%20Jiya
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amit%20Joshi%20and%20Aradhana%20Sah%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECast%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shahid%20Kapoor%2C%20Kriti%20Sanon%2C%20Dharmendra%2C%20Dimple%20Kapadia%2C%20Rakesh%20Bedi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Match info

Manchester United 1
Fred (18')

Wolves 1
Moutinho (53')

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20WallyGPT%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2014%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESaeid%20and%20Sami%20Hejazi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20raised%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%247.1%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2020%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%20round%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Cricket World Cup League Two

Teams

Oman, UAE, Namibia

Al Amerat, Muscat

 

Results

Oman beat UAE by five wickets

UAE beat Namibia by eight runs

Namibia beat Oman by 52 runs

UAE beat Namibia by eight wickets

 

Fixtures

Saturday January 11 - UAE v Oman

Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia

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%3Cp%3ESixteen%20boys%20and%2015%20girls%20have%20gone%20on%20from%20Go-Pro%20Academy%20in%20Dubai%20to%20either%20professional%20contracts%20abroad%20or%20scholarships%20in%20the%20United%20States.%20Here%20are%20two%20of%20the%20most%20prominent.%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EGeorgia%20Gibson%20(Newcastle%20United)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EThe%20reason%20the%20academy%20in%20Dubai%20first%20set%20up%20a%20girls%E2%80%99%20programme%20was%20to%20help%20Gibson%20reach%20her%20potential.%20Now%20she%20plays%20professionally%20for%20Newcastle%20United%20in%20the%20UK.%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMackenzie%20Hunt%20(Everton)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EAttended%20DESS%20in%20Dubai%2C%20before%20heading%20to%20the%20UK%20to%20join%20Everton%20full%20time%20as%20a%20teenager.%20He%20was%20on%20the%20bench%20for%20the%20first%20team%20as%20recently%20as%20their%20fixture%20against%20Brighton%20on%20February%2024.%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press

Updated: April 14, 2025, 2:34 PM