In the early stages of the US-led war on ISIS in Syria, US officers would inform the Syrian military when coalition warplanes would be crossing into the country to strike at the group.
“The Syrian regime would turn off its air defences,” says a former European envoy who witnessed communication exchanges between the two sides at a command centre in Amman between 2014 to 2015.
The military channel was open, although the US, Jordan and other countries flying planes in the coalition supported rebel groups fighting President Bashar Al Assad.
With his survival still at stake in that period, Mr Assad had an interest in showing that he could still be useful for Washington, which baulked at striking his troops directly.
There has since been a rapprochement between the Syrian president and Jordan, and with other Arab countries, with crucial encouragement from Moscow.
The changes culminated in the readmission of Damascus to the Arab League last month, after a Chinese-brokered detente between Saudi Arabia and Iran, Mr Assad’s second most powerful ally.
So when a reported Jordanian air strike killed a Syrian drug dealer in southern Syria six weeks ago, speculation rose that it was conducted in co-ordination with the Syrian military.
The May 8 attack near the border with Jordan was the first use of air power against a player in the multi-billion-dollar-a-year narcotics trade centred in southern Syria.
The drugs, which consist mainly of the amphetamine pills known as Captagon, flow to Jordan and then to Saudi Arabia.
Captagon has emerged as the most lucrative component of a war economy that developed in Syria since the country plunged into civil war in late 2011, after the uprising against the ruling Assad family became militarised. In that year, the Arab League suspended Syria's membership.
A western diplomat in Amman said “the regime appears to have given its consent” for the air strike, pointing out absence of any reports of it in Syrian official media. The diplomat emphasised a lack of operational details to make a definitive judgment about the issue.
This narrative helps Mr Al Assad project himself as a partner in an escalating drug war on the Syrian-Jordanian border, and distance himself from Iran. Jordan has accused the Syrian army and pro-Iranian militias of fuelling the drugs trade.
The illicit trade boomed in 2018. In that year, the Syrian military regained control of most of the southern part of the country from the western and Arab-backed rebel groups.
A Jordanian official downplayed suggestions that there was co-ordination with Damascus on the air strike.
“Fighter jets can fire at targets from fairly long distances,” he said, suggesting that the strike may have been carried out without the plane entering Syria.
The target, Murei Al Ramthan, was a local figure who acted as a link between narcotics manufacturers in Syria and Lebanon and the export market, says Syrian researcher Ryan Maarouf.
Ramthan was not a producer, nor an important member of military or militia units linked to the cartels, said Mr Maarouf, who works at Suwayda24, an organisation of citizen journalists in southern Syria.
At least five of Al Ramthan’s children were reportedly killed in the attack.
Over the past several weeks, fear of more air strikes drove some of his peers to evacuate border areas with Jordan to the interior. On their way, they freely crossed Syrian army and intelligence roadblocks, says Mr Maarouf.
“Trust between them and the regime has been shaken,” he said. “One day the regime could sacrifice them, but it continues to provide them with cover.”
'Summer holiday' for smugglers
Gauging whether the air strike have curbed drug flows is difficult because the attack coincided with summer, when mostly clear weather makes smuggling easier to spot by Jordanian border guards, he said.
“Summer is an annual holiday for smugglers,” Mr Maarouf said. “They will come back in the [autumn]. May be they will change smuggling routes and take more precautions.”
Co-ordinates of the strike on Google Earth show the outline of a building where Al Ramthan reportedly lived in the village of Shaab, 20km north of the border with Jordan.
The village is part of the Black Desert, a volcanic plateau that has historically contained main smuggling routes. The co-ordinates were provided by a member of the Syrian opposition, who monitors developments in southern Syria.
Saud Al Sharafat. Directer of the Shorufat Center for Globalization and Terrorism Studies in Amman, said even if Damascus co-operated with Jordan in the air strike, the kingdom remains dissatisfied with a lack of “a clear and frank commitment” from Mr Assad to halt the drug flows.
But Jordan, he said, acquiesced to a Saudi-led drive to rehabilitate Syria to the Arab League, as Iran wanted, without securing such a commitment.
Unlike other Arab countries that have been improving ties with Damascus, Jordan depends on aid from the US, which has opposed the Arab rapprochement with Mr Assad.
The US has also paid hundreds of millions of dollars to bolster Jordan’s defences with Syria, and has troops in Syria near its south-eastern border with Jordan, which could give Washington influence over Jordanian policies towards Syria.
A western military official, who was recently in Amman, told The National that “regardless of the development of ties between Syria and Saudi Arabia and others, Jordan will continue to be sending messages to the Syrian regime that smuggling must be stopped, or certain groups on the ground will be attacked”.
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
The drill
Recharge as needed, says Mat Dryden: “We try to make it a rule that every two to three months, even if it’s for four days, we get away, get some time together, recharge, refresh.” The couple take an hour a day to check into their businesses and that’s it.
Stick to the schedule, says Mike Addo: “We have an entire wall known as ‘The Lab,’ covered with colour-coded Post-it notes dedicated to our joint weekly planner, content board, marketing strategy, trends, ideas and upcoming meetings.”
Be a team, suggests Addo: “When training together, you have to trust in each other’s abilities. Otherwise working out together very quickly becomes one person training the other.”
Pull your weight, says Thuymi Do: “To do what we do, there definitely can be no lazy member of the team.”
De De Pyaar De
Produced: Luv Films, YRF Films
Directed: Akiv Ali
Cast: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Rakul Preet Singh, Jimmy Sheirgill, Jaaved Jaffrey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
Gulf rugby
Who’s won what so far in 2018/19
Western Clubs Champions League: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens: Dubai Hurricanes
West Asia Premiership: Bahrain
What’s left
UAE Conference
March 22, play-offs:
Dubai Hurricanes II v Al Ain Amblers, Jebel Ali Dragons II v Dubai Tigers
March 29, final
UAE Premiership
March 22, play-offs:
Dubai Exiles v Jebel Ali Dragons, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Hurricanes
March 29, final
Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten
Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a month before Reaching the Last Mile.
Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
Bundesliga fixtures
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
Places to go for free coffee
- Cherish Cafe Dubai, Dubai Investment Park, are giving away free coffees all day.
- La Terrace, Four Points by Sheraton Bur Dubai, are serving their first 50 guests one coffee and four bite-sized cakes
- Wild & The Moon will be giving away a free espresso with every purchase on International Coffee Day
- Orange Wheels welcome parents are to sit, relax and enjoy goodies at ‘Café O’ along with a free coffee
360Vuz PROFILE
Date started: January 2017
Founder: Khaled Zaatarah
Based: Dubai and Los Angeles
Sector: Technology
Size: 21 employees
Funding: $7 million
Investors: Shorooq Partners, KBW Ventures, Vision Ventures, Hala Ventures, 500Startups, Plug and Play, Magnus Olsson, Samih Toukan, Jonathan Labin
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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