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Iran has been temporarily deterred from conducting attacks against American forces in Iraq and Syria but its support for Hamas and Hezbollah continues unabated, the head of US Central Command said on Thursday.
Gen Michael Kurilla outlined a grim picture of the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and its subsequent war in Gaza, pointing to attacks by Iran-backed militant groups in Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq and Syria, as well as threats to maritime traffic in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
“The events of October 7 not only permanently changed Israel and Gaza – it created the conditions for malign actors to sow instability throughout the region and beyond,” Gen Kurilla told the Senate Armed Services Committee.
“Iran exploited what they saw as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape the Middle East to their advantage.”
On January 28, Iran-backed militants killed three US troops at a base in Jordan after conducting more than 150 strikes against American forces in Iraq and Syria since October 7.
Retaliatory strikes in Iraq have deterred Iranian proxies there for the moment, Gen Kurilla said. The National earlier reported that Iraqi militias backed by Iran have halted their attacks against US forces in the region in the context of an “unannounced truce” that involves Tehran and the Iraqi government.
“They are deterred right now in Iraq and Syria and their support to the Iranian-aligned militia groups in terms of attacks, but not necessarily in terms of their funding and equipping,” Gen Kurilla said told senators.
US launches retaliatory strikes on Iran-backed targets in Iraq and Syria – video
Militants have not attacked US forces in Iraq or Syria since February 4, but Gen Kurilla cautioned that “deterrence is always temporary” and said Iran is not deterred in its backing of Hezbollah, the Houthis and Hamas.
The US has been leading an international response to near daily Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and has shot down dozens of drones and missiles.
Gen Kurilla said the US needs to increase the production of directed energy weapons such as lasers and microwave beams so it can more cost-effectively tackle threats from drones and missiles in places like the Red Sea.
He said such systems are already deployed in the region and could potentially save the US taxpayer a lot of money given that interceptor missiles can cost up to $5 million each.
“We want to get directed energy for a cost $1 or $2 a round. We do have those right now in the Middle East that the army has provided us,” Gen Kurilla said.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Punchy appearance
Roars of support buoyed Mr Johnson in an extremely confident and combative appearance
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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The specS: 2018 Toyota Camry
Price: base / as tested: Dh91,000 / Dh114,000
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 298hp @ 6,600rpm
Torque: 356Nm @ 4,700rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
Women%E2%80%99s%20T20%20World%20Cup%20Qualifier
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RACECARD%20
%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3E9pm%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Maiden%20(PA)%20Dh70%2C000%20(Dirt)%202%2C000m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E9.30pm%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh70%2C000%20(D)%202%2C000m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E10pm%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Al%20Ain%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Prestige%20(PA)%20Dh100%2C000%20(D)%202%2C000m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E10.30pm%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Maiden%20(PA)%20Dh70%2C000%20(D)%201%2C800m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E11pm%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EWathba%20Stallions%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh70%2C000%20(D)%201%2C600m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E11.30pm%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Maiden%20(PA)%20Dh70%2C000%20(D)%201%2C400m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E12am%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Maiden%20(PA)%20Dh70%2C000%20(D)%201%2C400m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Results:
Men's 100m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 15 sec; 2. Rheed McCracken (AUS) 15.40; 3. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 15.75. Men's 400m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 50.56; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 50.94; 3. Henry Manni (FIN) 52.24.
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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
