Some cities become synonymous with a moment in time. Kobani, in northern Syria near the Turkish border, is one such place. The Kurdish-majority city became the focal point of the Syrian civil war in late 2014, when it was besieged by the terrorist group ISIS. Over six months, a coalition of Kurdish militias known as the YPG/YPJ – with help from other Syrian opposition groups, Iraqi Kurdish forces, the US military and others – staged a successful resistance campaign.
Hundreds of lives were lost, and much of Kobani was left in ruins. But the campaign to defend it was a turning point in the Syrian war because it set the stage for ISIS’s eventual military defeat. It was also a seminal moment for Syria’s Kurds, whose fighters gained a fearsome reputation as defenders of that community’s interests.
The upshot, however, was a revival of aspirations for Kurdish self-rule in Syria – an ambition that has persisted, implicitly or explicitly, even as the YPG/YPJ banded together with several Arab militias to form the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). When the fall of the Assad regime at the end of last year saw the rise of a transitional government in its place, many feared a new conflict would erupt between the new administration and the SDF. The country – and many of its neighbours – breathed a sigh of relief in March, when the SDF and government forces signed a deal to integrate the former into the latter.
But five months later, despite ongoing talks shepherded by the US, such integration remains on ice. This poses a significant threat to an already-fragile post-war Syrian peace.
As The National reported on Saturday, the Syrian military has plans to take two SDF-held provinces – Raqqa and Deir Ezzor – by force within the next two months if the militia does not make good on its promises to integrate and hand governing powers to Damascus.
Unity is the right objective, and allowing one community or another to assert autonomy with force undermines that
The SDF’s reluctance is easily explained; it wants a secular, federalised Syria. The new government in Damascus has kept mum about the extent to which a future Syrian constitution will be secular, though it has been clear in its desire for a centralised system.
The latter position is also understandable. Syria’s new President, Ahmad Al Shara, is trying to reunite a country with kaleidoscopic ethnic and religious diversity fractured by years of civil war and decades of authoritarian rule. Unity is the right objective, and allowing one community or another to assert autonomy with force undermines that.
A war to recapture Kurdish areas, however, would be a dire tragedy, and would threaten to return Syria to death and destruction. The SDF’s obstinance in fulfilling the terms of its deal may be frustrating – even alarming – for Damascus, but it would have been truly remarkable if its integration into the army had happened as quickly as it at first had appeared. The talks to make it happen should be given more time, and the US – upon whose “green light” the campaign will be dependent, according to a Syrian security source – should work to prevent things from getting out of control.
The SDF’s reputation was earned not just for what the militia and its predecessors did for their own communities, but for the country as a whole. Indeed, the legacy of the SDF’s Arab and Kurdish fighters’ bravery is a Syria that remains united today – from Kobani in the north to Daraa in the south. Now, their leaders must show by example that maintaining that unity requires dialogue, compromise and an ability to adhere to the country's unitary rules.
Third Test
Result: India won by 203 runs
Series: England lead five-match series 2-1
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
How much of your income do you need to save?
The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.
In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)
Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
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
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 374hp at 5,500-6,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm from 1,900-5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.5L/100km
Price: from Dh285,000
On sale: from January 2022
LEAGUE CUP QUARTER-FINAL DRAW
Stoke City v Tottenham
Brentford v Newcastle United
Arsenal v Manchester City
Everton v Manchester United
All ties are to be played the week commencing December 21.
Remaining fixtures
- August 29 – UAE v Saudi Arabia, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
- September 5 – Iraq v UAE, Amman, Jordan (venue TBC)
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
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The specs: 2019 BMW X4
Price, base / as tested: Dh276,675 / Dh346,800
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged in-line six-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 354hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 1,550rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.0L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
