Syrian police have seized a haul of weapons allegedly being smuggled to Kurdish-held territory, where tension is simmering over control of the country.
Rocket launchers, ammunition and other "medium and light weapons" were found "expertly hidden" in the back of a van near Damascus, Syria's Interior Ministry said. The driver was arrested in what was described as a "meticulously planned ambush".
Syria's internal security forces said the weapons were heading to areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) a mainly Kurdish militia that still holds significant chunks of territory after a 13-year civil war that ended with the removal of Bashar Al Assad from power.
Syrian authorities said "investigations are under way to identify others involved in the operation" to smuggle weapons in the Damascus countryside. They said legal proceedings may follow.
The SDF has become a thorn in the new Syrian government's side as it tries to cement its authority over the country. Clashes have broken out between government forces and the SDF, which has not integrated into Syria's army as envisaged in a March deal.
In the latest skirmish, Syrian state media said on Sunday that SDF fighters "attempted to infiltrate army positions" east of Aleppo. The Kurdish militia says it is coming under attack by government forces, even as it continues to fight off ISIS remnants as it did during the civil war.
The peace process faltered after Syria's President Ahmad Al Shara rejected Kurdish demands for a federal system in which the areas under SDF control might retain significant powers. Mr Al Shara called Syrian unity a “red line”.
Unrest in southern Syria involving the Druze minority has also cast doubt on Mr Al Shara's reconstruction efforts. A ceasefire was declared under US and Israeli pressure in July, but Sweida province remains under pressure with a lack of food and supplies.
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Nations League
League A, Group 4
Spain v England, 10.45pm (UAE)
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Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Company name: Farmin
Date started: March 2019
Founder: Dr Ali Al Hammadi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: AgriTech
Initial investment: None to date
Partners/Incubators: UAE Space Agency/Krypto Labs
MATCH DETAILS
Juventus 2 (Bonucci 36, Ronaldo 90 6)
Genoa 1 (Kouame 40)
Ruwais timeline
1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established
1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants
1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed
1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.
1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex
2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea
2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd
2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens
2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies
2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export
2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.
2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery
2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital
2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13
Source: The National
Results
6.30pm Madjani Stakes Rated Conditions (PA) I Dh160,000 I 1,900m I Winner: Mawahib, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
7.05pm Maiden Dh150,000 I 1,400m I Winner One Season, Antonio Fresu, Satish Seemar
7.40pm: Maiden Dh150,000 I 2,000m I Winner Street Of Dreams, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
8.15pm Dubai Creek Listed I Dh250,000 I 1,600m I Winner Heavy Metal, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.50pm The Entisar Listed I Dh250,000 I 2,000m I Winner Etijaah, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson
9.25pm The Garhoud Listed I Dh250,000 I 1,200m I Winner Muarrab, Dane O’Neill, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
10pm Handicap I Dh160,000 I 1,600m I Winner Sea Skimmer, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
Second ODI
England 322-7 (50 ovs)
India 236 (50 ovs)
England win by 86 runs
Next match: Tuesday, July 17, Headingley
