The Syrian Defence Ministry has placed its forces in a state of heightened readiness as the hunt for remnants of the Assad regime intensifies, security officials told The National on Thursday.
The campaign by Syria's new government has been linked to a series of sectarian killings since former president Bashar Al Assad was ousted in December by a rebel offensive led by Hayat Tahrir Al Sham (HTS).
One official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the ministry had obtained information of possible co-ordinated ambushes on security forces deployed in Syria's coastal provinces. Mr Al Assad's regime drew its core of support from the rugged area.
The attacks could be aimed at disrupting operations in which an increasing number of former regime officials blamed for atrocities and unlawful killings during the nearly 14-year civil war have been apprehended, the official said. About 10,000 government troops stationed on the coast are “enough to deal with any threat”, although they remain exposed to hit-and-run attacks, he added.
The new authorities, led by HTS and allied militias, have captured thousands of former Assad loyalists, particularly near the eastern coast.
Many have been released but a substantial proportion of those seized have disappeared or were killed, according to witnesses and human rights groups. No members of the upper echelons of the former ruling elite, or their senior security operatives, have been seized.
On Thursday, the authorities announced the arrest of Tayseer Mahfouz, a once-feared officer in the former military intelligence. They said he was responsible for the arrests of hundreds of peaceful demonstrators in Damascus at the start of the 2011 revolt against Assad family rule.
“He thought he was so invincible that he would tell prisoners ‘I am your God’, the official said.
The Interior Ministry also announced the arrest of Arwa Suleiman, who was allegedly behind the killing of civilians in the coastal city of Latakia. The official described Mr Suleiman as a mid-level commander in a pro-regime militia that operated in Idlib province.
The two officials said an increasing number arrests of mid-level former regime cadres in recent weeks has been made because of “local intelligence”, implying members of the Alawite minority to which Mr Al Assad belongs may have been co-operating with security forces.
Many Alawites and other minorities supported Mr Al Assad's regime against predominantly Sunni rebel groups. Syria's current President Ahmad Al Shara is also leader of HTS, a group formerly linked with Al Qaeda.
Mr Al Shara last month sent troops and militias to subdue Alawite coastal areas that formed the heartland of support for his predecessor. Sectarian bloodshed in the region ensued, culminating in the killing of at least 1,300 people, mostly Alawite civilians, in early March.
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The years Ramadan fell in May
The biog
Favourite food: Fish and seafood
Favourite hobby: Socialising with friends
Favourite quote: You only get out what you put in!
Favourite country to visit: Italy
Favourite film: Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
Family: We all have one!
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
More from Armen Sarkissian
How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
