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Aside from a letter of condolence for the death of Hassan Nasrallah, Syrian President Bashar Al Assad has been silent during Israel's elimination of much of Hezbollah's leadership over the last two months, and its intensified raids on targets linked to the group in Syria.
Hezbollah was founded by Syrian intelligence and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the 1980s. Since a 2011 revolt against the President and the ensuing civil war, the militant group has been instrumental to the survival of the regime in Damascus. It poured personnel into Syria and supervised the formation of auxiliaries supported by Tehran, who captured rebel-held cities and expanded Iran's zone of control in the country.
But the costs of maintaining this relationship may be becoming prohibitively high for Damascus.
In the wake of the success of Israel's campaign to weaken the militant group, Israel has signalled it could be willing to attack the top echelons of Syria's military, possibly including Assad’s brother Maher. He heads the Fourth Mechanised Division, the best-trained and equipped part of the army, which is also seen as the closest unit to Iran.
“There has been too much silence from Damascus,” one Arab diplomat told The National. “The Israelis have been going after the very top of their enemies, and this is bound to worry Bashar."
“It is time for him to pivot” away from Hezbollah and Iran, the diplomat said. However, the prospect of retribution from Tehran along with increased anti-Western ideological fervour in the Syrian political system, including in the mind of the President, may prevent Assad doing so, he added.
In return for Hezbollah's role in defending the regime, boosted by Russian intervention in 2015, the Syrian military has co-operated with the group, and with Iran, reportedly setting up weapons facilities in the country. Israel has mounted thousands of raids on targets in Syria to destroy these facilities, as well as hitting supply lines running from Iran to Syria and on to Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The group has also become a partner, together with the Syrian army – and the Fourth Mechanised Division in particular – in a multi-billion-dollar narcotics smuggling ring across Syria’s southern border with Jordan, according to Arab security officials. Both Hezbollah and the authorities in Damascus have denied involvement.
The alliance has stuck, despite a rapprochement with Mr Assad initiated by Arab countries in 2020 that offered financial flows to Damascus if it loosened its links with Hezbollah and stopped the narcotics trade.
Even the US, which toughened sanctions on the regime just before Joe Biden became president four years ago, devised a plan in 2021 to supply the Syrian government with energy produced in Arab countries. Washington abandoned the idea after Iran became a major supporter of Russia's war against Ukraine.
Despite its criticism of Israeli conduct in the Gaza war, Washington has supported the Israeli operations against Hezbollah in both Lebanon and Syria, although the US has taken a back seat in Syria since Russia intervened nine years ago.
Veteran Syrian political commentator Ayman Abdel Nour said the "Syrian regime will co-operate with anyone to save its head", but added it would not overtly turn against Hezbollah or Iran.
Syria is a "complicated and multi-layered" conflict, he explained, and pivoting would carry high risks for the regime. "You will not see Assad make a direct announcement to evict the militias, for example. But at one point, he could ask them to move out under the guise of redeployment, and only if he has guarantees [of protection] from Russia, the US and Turkey."
These three countries, as well as Iran, have carved out sometimes overlapping zones of control in Syria since the civil war began at the end of 2011. The war broke out after the authorities violently suppressed a peaceful protest movement demanding the President's removal.
A European diplomat following the Syrian file said that although Russia has differences with Iran over Syria, the leaders in Moscow do not want Mr Assad to turn against Tehran. The source pointed out that Iran and Syria have increasingly co-operated with Russia against Ukraine. If Mr Assad shows signs of changing course, Iran could replace him with Maher, who would be as determined as the President to "continue the reign of the Assad family".
"If Assad turns against Iran, he might tear the fabric of the regime apart, and even of his own family," the diplomat said. "But if the Israelis become really tough on him, and the Russians also become convinced somehow that he has to go, then he has no other choice."
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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Babumoshai Bandookbaaz
Director: Kushan Nandy
Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bidita Bag, Jatin Goswami
Three stars
Oppenheimer
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Drivers’ championship standings after Singapore:
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes - 263
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari - 235
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes - 212
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull - 162
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari - 138
6. Sergio Perez, Force India - 68
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Favourite vegetable: Broccoli
Favourite food: Seafood
Favourite thing to cook: Duck l'orange
Favourite book: Give and Take by Adam Grant, one of his professors at University of Pennsylvania
Favourite place to travel: Home in Kuwait.
Favourite place in the UAE: Al Qudra lakes
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Abu%20Dhabi%E2%80%99s%20Racecard
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
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The biog
Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.
"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”
Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking.
Mia Man’s tips for fermentation
- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut
- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.
- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.
- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
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November 30-December 2, at The Sevens, Dubai
Gulf Under 19
Pool A – Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jumeirah College Tigers, Dubai English Speaking School 1, Gems World Academy
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Friday Celta Vigo v Villarreal (midnight kick-off UAE)
Saturday Sevilla v Real Sociedad (4pm), Atletico Madrid v Athletic Bilbao (7.15pm), Granada v Barcelona (9.30pm), Osasuna v Real Madrid (midnight)
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo flat-six
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Price: from Dh547,600
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PROFILE OF INVYGO
Started: 2018
Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo
Based: Dubai
Sector: Transport
Size: 9 employees
Investment: $1,275,000
Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri
