BEIRUT // ISIL launched a surprise assault near a besieged stronghold in northern Syria on Monday, killing residents of two villages it recaptured from US-backed fighters, a monitor said.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said ISIL dispatched a small group of fighters – including one driving an explosives-laden car – into villages south-east of their bastion of Manbij.
The villages had been seized in recent weeks by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces in their push to take the town.
“ISIL is trying to defend Manbij by sending fighters from outside the town to attack the SDF in these villages,” said Rami Abdel Rahman, the director of the Britain-based Observatory.
“Daesh executed residents,” he added.
The US-led coalition backing the SDF carried out a barrage of air strikes to defend the villages, Mr Abdel Rahman said.
The clashes killed five SDF fighters and coalition air strikes left 42 extremists militants dead.
The SDF – a Kurdish-Arab alliance with air support from the coalition – encircled Manbij nearly 10 days ago.
Since then, they have been slowed by almost daily suicide bombings as ISIL puts up a fight for the town.
Held by the extremists since 2014, Manbij was a key stop along ISIL’s supply route from the Turkish border south-east through the town of Tabqa and on to its de facto Syrian capital of Raqqa.
ISIL is also mounting a fierce defence of Tabqa, which has been under attack by Russian-backed regime forces since early June.
On Monday, a failed ISIL counterattack against regime fighters south-west of Tabqa killed at least 14 extremists and six government loyalists, the Observatory said.
“ISIL dispatched 300 fighters from Raqqa to Tabqa to help defend the town,” Mr Abdel Rahman said.
The militants launched a second counterattack in the afternoon, seizing many positions south-west of the town and pushing pro-regime fighters about 20 kilometres back from Tabqa airport.
ISIL has lost 21 fighters since it began its assault on the region on Sunday, while 32 government loyalists have also been killed, according to the Observatory.
* Agence France-Presse
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times
If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.
A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.
The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.
In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.
The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.
Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.
Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.
“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.
The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.
“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.
“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”
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%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EThe%20loss%20of%20sodium%20chloride%20in%20our%20sweat%20can%20lead%20to%20confusion%20and%20an%20altered%20mental%20status%20and%20slurred%20speech%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EBody%20temperature%20above%2039%C2%B0C%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHot%2C%20dry%20and%20red%20or%20damp%20skin%20can%20indicate%20heatstroke%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EA%20faster%20pulse%20than%20usual%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EDizziness%2C%20nausea%20and%20headaches%20are%20also%20signs%20of%20overheating%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIn%20extreme%20cases%2C%20victims%20can%20lose%20consciousness%20and%20require%20immediate%20medical%20attention%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
Nancy 9 (Hassa Beek)
Nancy Ajram
(In2Musica)
Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
