Syria on Monday accused Israeli forces of further a "military incursion" into an area near Damascus, describing it as a "blatant violation" of the Arab country's sovereignty.
In a statement, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said the incursion was carried out by a force consisting of 11 military vehicles and about 60 soldiers. It added that Israeli troops advanced into the area between Beit Jinn and Beit Jinn Farm, in the western Damascus countryside. The forces seized control of Tal Bat Al Warda, in the foothills of Mount Hermon, the ministry added.
State news agency Sana reported earlier that Israeli troops opened fire on civilians, though no casualties were reported.
They also entered several towns and villages in Quneitra countryside, including Jubata Al Khashab, Tranja, Al Rafid, Manshiyat Suwaysa, Bariqa, Beer Ajam, Kodna, Ain Ziwan and Ain Al Abed, and raided and searchedhomes before withdrawing, the agency said.
"This dangerous escalation constitutes a direct threat to regional peace and security, and once again embodies the aggressive approach pursued by the occupying authorities," the ministry said.
It added that the continuation of such breaches undermines efforts to establish stability in Syria and exacerbates tensions in the region. The ministry called on the UN and the UN Security Council to "assume their legal and moral responsibilities and take urgent and effective measures to deter the occupation authorities from their aggressive practices".
The two countries have recently engaged in talks on de-escalating the violence in southern Syria.
Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani last week met an Israeli delegation in Paris to discuss enhancing security in the region. The discussions focused on de-escalation and non-interference, as well as monitoring the ceasefire in Sweida governorate, among other issues.
Israel and Syria have never established diplomatic relations, although both signed a disengagement agreement in 1974 that created a UN-monitored buffer zone separating them. Sana reported that the Paris discussions touched on reactivating the agreement.
Cross-border Israeli strikes on Syria increased after the toppling of former president Bashar Al Assad and further intensified during the Sweida conflict, with targets including the Ministry of Defence in Damascus.
Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara will participate in the 80th session of the UN General Assembly next month and is expected to give a speech and talk about the Israeli breaches. This will be the first speech by a Syrian president since 1967.
The US in December scrapped a $10 million reward for the arrest of the Syrian leader after meetings between senior diplomats and representatives from the new government.
Last week, Mr Al Shara appointed Ibrahim Olabi, a British-educated human rights lawyer, as the country’s new ambassador to the UN, replacing Kusay Aldahak, a career diplomat who was appointed by Mr Al Assad, as UN ambassador.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Email sent to Uber team from chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi
From: Dara
To: Team@
Date: March 25, 2019 at 11:45pm PT
Subj: Accelerating in the Middle East
Five years ago, Uber launched in the Middle East. It was the start of an incredible journey, with millions of riders and drivers finding new ways to move and work in a dynamic region that’s become so important to Uber. Now Pakistan is one of our fastest-growing markets in the world, women are driving with Uber across Saudi Arabia, and we chose Cairo to launch our first Uber Bus product late last year.
Today we are taking the next step in this journey—well, it’s more like a leap, and a big one: in a few minutes, we’ll announce that we’ve agreed to acquire Careem. Importantly, we intend to operate Careem independently, under the leadership of co-founder and current CEO Mudassir Sheikha. I’ve gotten to know both co-founders, Mudassir and Magnus Olsson, and what they have built is truly extraordinary. They are first-class entrepreneurs who share our platform vision and, like us, have launched a wide range of products—from digital payments to food delivery—to serve consumers.
I expect many of you will ask how we arrived at this structure, meaning allowing Careem to maintain an independent brand and operate separately. After careful consideration, we decided that this framework has the advantage of letting us build new products and try new ideas across not one, but two, strong brands, with strong operators within each. Over time, by integrating parts of our networks, we can operate more efficiently, achieve even lower wait times, expand new products like high-capacity vehicles and payments, and quicken the already remarkable pace of innovation in the region.
This acquisition is subject to regulatory approval in various countries, which we don’t expect before Q1 2020. Until then, nothing changes. And since both companies will continue to largely operate separately after the acquisition, very little will change in either teams’ day-to-day operations post-close. Today’s news is a testament to the incredible business our team has worked so hard to build.
It’s a great day for the Middle East, for the region’s thriving tech sector, for Careem, and for Uber.
Uber on,
Dara
Fresh faces in UAE side
Khalifa Mubarak (24) An accomplished centre-back, the Al Nasr defender’s progress has been hampered in the past by injury. With not many options in central defence, he would bolster what can be a problem area.
Ali Salmeen (22) Has been superb at the heart of Al Wasl’s midfield these past two seasons, with the Dubai club flourishing under manager Rodolfo Arrubarrena. Would add workrate and composure to the centre of the park.
Mohammed Jamal (23) Enjoyed a stellar 2016/17 Arabian Gulf League campaign, proving integral to Al Jazira as the capital club sealed the championship for only a second time. A tenacious and disciplined central midfielder.
Khalfan Mubarak (22) One of the most exciting players in the UAE, the Al Jazira playmaker has been likened in style to Omar Abdulrahman. Has minimal international experience already, but there should be much more to come.
Jassim Yaqoub (20) Another incredibly exciting prospect, the Al Nasr winger is becoming a regular contributor at club level. Pacey, direct and with an eye for goal, he would provide the team’s attack an extra dimension.
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You may remember …
Robbie Keane (Atletico de Kolkata) The Irish striker is, along with his former Spurs teammate Dimitar Berbatov, the headline figure in this season’s ISL, having joined defending champions ATK. His grand entrance after arrival from Major League Soccer in the US will be delayed by three games, though, due to a knee injury.
Dimitar Berbatov (Kerala Blasters) Word has it that Rene Meulensteen, the Kerala manager, plans to deploy his Bulgarian star in central midfield. The idea of Berbatov as an all-action, box-to-box midfielder, might jar with Spurs and Manchester United supporters, who more likely recall an always-languid, often-lazy striker.
Wes Brown (Kerala Blasters) Revived his playing career last season to help out at Blackburn Rovers, where he was also a coach. Since then, the 23-cap England centre back, who is now 38, has been reunited with the former Manchester United assistant coach Meulensteen, after signing for Kerala.
Andre Bikey (Jamshedpur) The Cameroonian defender is onto the 17th club of a career has taken him to Spain, Portugal, Russia, the UK, Greece, and now India. He is still only 32, so there is plenty of time to add to that tally, too. Scored goals against Liverpool and Chelsea during his time with Reading in England.
Emiliano Alfaro (Pune City) The Uruguayan striker has played for Liverpool – the Montevideo one, rather than the better-known side in England – and Lazio in Italy. He was prolific for a season at Al Wasl in the Arabian Gulf League in 2012/13. He returned for one season with Fujairah, whom he left to join Pune.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
