Live updates: Follow the latest on Syria
Iraq on Tuesday commemorated the seventh anniversary of its victory over ISIS, a day that once symbolised hope and resilience. Yet this year’s milestone is overshadowed by renewed fears of a potential resurgence of the extremist group, spurred by escalating instability in neighbouring Syria.
In a lightning offensive, Syrian rebels led by extremist group Hayat Tahrir Al Sham (HTS) managed to overthrow Syrian president Bashar Al Assad and take control of the country. Mr Al Assad fled to Moscow, where he was granted asylum along with his family on humanitarian grounds, ending nearly six decades of his family's iron-fisted rule.
The rebel assault, which began on November 27, has raised fears in Baghdad of instability across Iraq's western border and a possible spillover of sectarian violence. Since the HTS assault, Iraq has stepped up security along its 600km border with Syria, deploying thousands of troops and members of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), an umbrella group of factions under the Iraqi army that includes several pro-Iranian militias.
“We commemorate a day that all Iraqis take pride in when they achieved, seven years ago, a decisive and evident victory over the defeated ISIS gangs,” Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani said in a televised speech as representatives of various Iraqi security forces stood behind. “The Victory Day has become a landmark in the journey of our people.”
He warned “there are still those who delude themselves, waiting for the opportunity to breathe life into those who remain of them [ISIS]”.
When Mr Al Assad was in power, extremists, linked mainly to Al Qaeda in Iraq and ISIS, crossed into Iraq from Syria after the 2003 US-led invasion, which was followed by years of sectarian killings. In mid-2014, ISIS controlled large parts of northern and western Iraq along with land in Syria, unleashing a devastating war for nearly four years and declaring an “Islamic Caliphate”.
In December 2017, Iraqis declared victory after a gruelling war with the terrorists in which thousands of people were killed and hundreds of thousands displaced. Entire towns and neighbourhoods were reduced to rubble in the fighting in northern and western Iraq.
ISIS has lost virtually all the territory it held in mid-2014 but still carries out sporadic attacks within Iraq and has a presence in Syria, too.
HTS leader Ahmad Al Shara, formerly known as Abu Mohammed Al Jawlani, has attempted to rebrand his group as a pragmatic player, distancing it from its extremist origins.
In a video addressed to Iraqi government last week, he called for “strategic and economic co-operation” with Iraq, emphasising that HTS’s focus was on toppling the Assad regime, not expanding into Iraq.
But Baghdad remains sceptical. “We warn against the consequences of fuelling conflicts that lead to further destruction, hotspots for extremism and the causes of wars,” Mr Al Sudani said on Tuesday.
"Today, we are closely monitoring the events in neighbouring Syria and we are hopeful that the countries of the region, and the world as a whole will, act responsibly to preserve Syria's security and sovereignty," he added, before stressing the importance of "leaving the choice to the Syrian people and respecting their free will, alongside the international responsibility to safeguard Syria's territorial integrity and protecting its diversity".
The US administration shares the same concerns with Iraq and has assured Syria’s neighbouring countries of its commitment to address any threat. On Sunday, the US Central Command (Centcom) said its forces had conducted dozens of air strikes on ISIS targets in central Syria. In a statement, Centcom said its strikes were aimed at ensuring the group did not exploit the current situation in Syria.
On Monday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that ISIS would try to use this period to gain a foothold in Syria but said his country was determined not to let that happen.
"The end of this regime is a defeat for all who enabled its barbarity and its corruption, none more than Iran, Hezbollah and Russia," he said. "So, this moment presents a historic opportunity, but it also carries considerable risks.
"History shows how quickly moments of promise can descend into conflict and violence. ISIS will try to use this period to re-establish its capabilities, to create safe havens. As our precision strikes over the weekend demonstrate, we are determined not to let that happen."
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
Indoor Cricket World Cup Dubai 2017
Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free
Fixtures - Open Men 2pm: India v New Zealand, Malaysia v UAE, Singapore v South Africa, Sri Lanka v England; 8pm: Australia v Singapore, India v Sri Lanka, England v Malaysia, New Zealand v South Africa
Fixtures - Open Women Noon: New Zealand v England, UAE v Australia; 6pm: England v South Africa, New Zealand v Australia
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
MATCH INFO
Who: UAE v USA
What: first T20 international
When: Friday, 2pm
Where: ICC Academy in Dubai
Bangladesh tour of Pakistan
January 24 – First T20, Lahore
January 25 – Second T20, Lahore
January 27 – Third T20, Lahore
February 7-11 – First Test, Rawalpindi
April 3 – One-off ODI, Karachi
April 5-9 – Second Test, Karachi
Keane on …
Liverpool’s Uefa Champions League bid: “They’re great. With the attacking force they have, for me, they’re certainly one of the favourites. You look at the teams left in it - they’re capable of scoring against anybody at any given time. Defensively they’ve been good, so I don’t see any reason why they couldn’t go on and win it.”
Mohamed Salah’s debut campaign at Anfield: “Unbelievable. He’s been phenomenal. You can name the front three, but for him on a personal level, he’s been unreal. He’s been great to watch and hopefully he can continue now until the end of the season - which I’m sure he will, because he’s been in fine form. He’s been incredible this season.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s instant impact at former club LA Galaxy: “Brilliant. It’s been a great start for him and for the club. They were crying out for another big name there. They were lacking that, for the prestige of LA Galaxy. And now they have one of the finest stars. I hope they can go win something this year.”
Poacher
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Company profile
Name: One Good Thing
Founders: Bridgett Lau and Micheal Cooke
Based in: Dubai
Sector: e-commerce
Size: 5 employees
Stage: Looking for seed funding
Investors: Self-funded and seeking external investors
If you go
The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road.
The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
