A member of the Syrian opposition stands next to a sign with Persian inscription reading 'Death to America' at a military position allegedly used by Iranian forces after it was captured by the Syrian opposition in the city of Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib countryside, Syria. EPA
A member of the Syrian opposition stands next to a sign with Persian inscription reading 'Death to America' at a military position allegedly used by Iranian forces after it was captured by the Syrian opposition in the city of Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib countryside, Syria. EPA
A member of the Syrian opposition stands next to a sign with Persian inscription reading 'Death to America' at a military position allegedly used by Iranian forces after it was captured by the Syrian opposition in the city of Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib countryside, Syria. EPA
A member of the Syrian opposition stands next to a sign with Persian inscription reading 'Death to America' at a military position allegedly used by Iranian forces after it was captured by the Syrian

'The city is lost': Rebel snipers force closure of Aleppo motorways, as fighting rages in northern Syria


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  • Arabic

Residents fleeing Syria's second largest city, Aleppo, say the final route out of the province has been blocked, after the town of Khanaser, on the last motorway linking the city with southern towns, was captured by militants, trapping civilians and soldiers.

Syrian military troops said they recaptured the town amid heavy fighting, but the road remains closed as violence intensifies on the outskirts of Aleppo.

Ahmad, 35, fled from Aleppo to Homs using the Ithriya-Khanaser motorway before it was fully shut and said the road was no longer safe.

“We passed by Khanaser as we were leaving and a sniper was firing at the highway, we saw several cars get hit, and the bullets were whistling by and above us, the road out of Aleppo was dangerous before and now it is impassable," he told The National. "It will be a long time before we come back, this is like the early days [of the conflict] Khanaser was the only way out.”

The city is lost, gone, it was overrun and people were running for their lives, and we managed to escape barely, millions have remained
Ahmad,
Aleppo resident

Ahmad, who works as a jeweller near the old city of Aleppo, said “the city is lost, gone, it was overrun and people were running for their lives, and we managed to escape barely, millions have remained”.

Russian and Syrian air strikes have been relentless since the city fell last week, with attacks on several areas. “Russian and Syrian air strikes started with full force on Sunday,” Ahmad said. “We don’t know what will happen, it's scary for those who are in the city. We want to go to Tartus as it will be safer, but we left everything behind.”

Displaced Syrian Kurds flee with their belongings on the Aleppo-Raqqa motorway. AFP
Displaced Syrian Kurds flee with their belongings on the Aleppo-Raqqa motorway. AFP

Rasha Nabelsi, who remained behind in the city, told The National that air strikes needed to stop because many civilians are stuck in the city. “I ask all media professionals, officials, public opinion leaders, influencers, and religious bodies inside and outside Syria, and from any political party or otherwise, to appeal to all parties on all digital, visual and audio platforms to stop the joint air strikes on the city of Aleppo and its civilian people.

“Yesterday, Syrian and Russian aviation began a bombing campaign on the city of Aleppo and its neighbourhoods. We, as civilians, refuse to be human shields or victims of any armed action by any party. Every time I hear the sound of planes flying above my heart stops in fear because the raids are landing on us.”

An anti-government fighter stands next to an armoured carrier, left behind by fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces, in the northern town of Tall Rifat. AFP
An anti-government fighter stands next to an armoured carrier, left behind by fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces, in the northern town of Tall Rifat. AFP

This comes as the city's water supply was cut off, and an estimated three million people remain. Most lived safely before this escalation.

Curfews were enforced in Aleppo city on Friday and Saturday, leading to the suspension of all public services, including universities and schools. Hospitals were inundated with injured patients and banks and ATMs were running low on cash.

Militant demands

Amid rising tension between Kurdish fighters and extremist militant groups around Aleppo, the Military Operations Management group representing the opposition coalition called on the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces to withdraw from their enclave in the Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhood, in return for safe passage and protection.

The Kurdish fighters in Sheikh Maqsoud previously rushed to capture nearby districts of Bustan Basha and Ashrafiyeh, after Syrian government troops retreated.

Mazloum Abdi said “events in north-west Syria developed rapidly and suddenly as our forces face intense attacks from several sides, with the collapse of the Syrian army and its allies”.

Ivan Hassib, a Kurdish journalist from north-eastern Syria, told The National: “The SDF has not yet left Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighbourhoods, but sources are talking about negotiations to secure a safe exit for the SDF and civilians trapped will head towards north-eastern Syria”.

“I believe that the SDF has no choice but to withdraw since it has become besieged by HTS [Hayat Tahrir Al Sham] fighters and the national army loyal to Turkey. There is relative calm [in Sheikh Maqsoud], however, there is sometimes gunfire and explosions in nearby locations. It’s under siege. The water has been cut off from the neighbourhood for two days, and there is difficulty in providing bread and food supplies.”

Given the growing complexity of the dynamics between different sides, it is clear that pressure is being exerted on the SDF, Wladimir van Wilgenburg, a Kurdish studies expert told The National.

“There is not one opposition. You have the HTS and you have the Turkish-backed SNA [Syrian National Army] groups," he added. "The SDF lost the battle in Tall Rifat with the SNA. The SDF is still in Sheikh Maqsoud and it’s not clear if they have accepted the deal that was offered by HTS, so far, they have denied.”

Concerns in Iraq

Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani voiced concern over the unfolding events in Syria in a phone call with the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

During the call, Mr Al Sudani informed Mr Erdogan that Iraq “will not remain a spectator to the grave consequences in Syria, particularly the ethnic cleansing of various communities and sects”, according to the official readout.

“Iraq has previously suffered from terrorism and the repercussions of extremist groups controlling areas in Syria and will not allow such events to be repeated,” the statement said. He underscored the importance of respecting Syria’s sovereignty and unity, pledging Iraq’s efforts to ensure the security of both nations.

He underlined that Islamic countries should “avoid internal divisions, and what is happening in Syria today benefits the Zionist entity which has deliberately hit Syrian army positions, paving the way for terrorist groups to seize additional areas in Syria”, referring to recent Israeli strikes inside Syria.

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
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
T20 WORLD CUP QUALIFIER

Results

UAE beat Nigeria by five wickets

Hong Kong beat Canada by 32 runs

Friday fixtures

10am, Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi – Ireland v Jersey

7.30pm, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Canada v Oman

Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

VEZEETA PROFILE

Date started: 2012

Founder: Amir Barsoum

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: HealthTech / MedTech

Size: 300 employees

Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)

Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Key changes

Commission caps

For life insurance products with a savings component, Peter Hodgins of Clyde & Co said different caps apply to the saving and protection elements:

• For the saving component, a cap of 4.5 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 90 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term). 

• On the protection component, there is a cap  of 10 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 160 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term).

• Indemnity commission, the amount of commission that can be advanced to a product salesperson, can be 50 per cent of the annualised premium for the first year or 50 per cent of the total commissions on the policy calculated. 

• The remaining commission after deduction of the indemnity commission is paid equally over the premium payment term.

• For pure protection products, which only offer a life insurance component, the maximum commission will be 10 per cent of the annualised premium multiplied by the length of the policy in years.

Disclosure

Customers must now be provided with a full illustration of the product they are buying to ensure they understand the potential returns on savings products as well as the effects of any charges. There is also a “free-look” period of 30 days, where insurers must provide a full refund if the buyer wishes to cancel the policy.

“The illustration should provide for at least two scenarios to illustrate the performance of the product,” said Mr Hodgins. “All illustrations are required to be signed by the customer.”

Another illustration must outline surrender charges to ensure they understand the costs of exiting a fixed-term product early.

Illustrations must also be kept updatedand insurers must provide information on the top five investment funds available annually, including at least five years' performance data.

“This may be segregated based on the risk appetite of the customer (in which case, the top five funds for each segment must be provided),” said Mr Hodgins.

Product providers must also disclose the ratio of protection benefit to savings benefits. If a protection benefit ratio is less than 10 per cent "the product must carry a warning stating that it has limited or no protection benefit" Mr Hodgins added.

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. 

Essentials

The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes. 
 

Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes. 


In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes. 
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.

Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

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.

Abu Dhabi traffic facts

Drivers in Abu Dhabi spend 10 per cent longer in congested conditions than they would on a free-flowing road

The highest volume of traffic on the roads is found between 7am and 8am on a Sunday.

Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.

The day was the least congestion in Abu Dhabi in 2019 was Tuesday, August 13.

The highest levels of traffic were found on Sunday, November 10.

Drivers in Abu Dhabi lost 41 hours spent in traffic jams in rush hour during 2019

 

THE SPECS

Range Rover Sport Autobiography Dynamic

Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8

Transmission: six-speed manual

Power: 518bhp

Torque: 625Nm

Speed: 0-100kmh 5.3 seconds

Price: Dh633,435

On sale: now

Day 2, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Dinesh Chandimal has inherited a challenging job, after being made Sri Lanka’s Test captain. He responded in perfect fashion, with an easy-natured century against Pakistan. He brought up three figures with a majestic cover drive, which he just stood and admired.

Stat of the day – 33 It took 33 balls for Dilruwan Perera to get off the mark. His time on zero was eventful enough. The Sri Lankan No 7 was given out LBW twice, but managed to have both decisions overturned on review. The TV replays showed both times that he had inside edged the ball onto his pad.

The verdict In the two previous times these two sides have met in Abu Dhabi, the Tests have been drawn. The docile nature of proceedings so far makes that the likely outcome again this time, but both sides will be harbouring thoughts that they can force their way into a winning position.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20profile
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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
Sweet%20Tooth
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Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

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About%20My%20Father
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The five pillars of Islam
The National in Davos

We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.

Some of Darwish's last words

"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

The Brutalist

Director: Brady Corbet

Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn

Rating: 3.5/5

Emergency

Director: Kangana Ranaut

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry 

Rating: 2/5

The specs: 2019 Mini Cooper

Price, base: Dh141,740 (three-door) / Dh165,900 (five-door)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder (Cooper) / 2.0-litre four-cylinder (Cooper S)
Power: 136hp @ 4,500rpm (Cooper) / 192hp @ 5,000rpm (Cooper S)
Torque: 220Nm @ 1,480rpm (Cooper) / 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (Cooper S)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 4.8L to 5.4L / 100km

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

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Company%20Profile
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World Test Championship table

1 India 71 per cent

2 New Zealand 70 per cent

3 Australia 69.2 per cent

4 England 64.1 per cent

5 Pakistan 43.3 per cent

6 West Indies 33.3 per cent

7 South Africa 30 per cent

8 Sri Lanka 16.7 per cent

9 Bangladesh 0

Tips for job-seekers
  • Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
  • Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.

David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East

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

Updated: December 04, 2024, 7:43 AM`