Barely had a moment passed since millions in Idlib breathed a sigh of relief before the latest disaster in Syria's war struck. Regime air defences yesterday shot down a Russian plane, reportedly mistaking it for an Israeli jet and killing 15 on board. Although Russia blamed Israel, the Syrian regime downing an aircraft belonging to its closest ally is, in many ways, the perfect encapsulation of how tangled the Syrian war has become. It was reminiscent of the day in November 2015 when Turkey shot down a Russian warplane, which, like numerous other potentially cataclysmic moments in this seven-year conflict, was eventually trumped by a series of fresh calamities.
The world's media, meanwhile, has reacted to news out of Sochi on Monday after a deal was reached between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan to create a demilitarised zone in Idlib, in order to separate regime troops from rebel forces.
It might offer a temporary reprieve for residents of Idlib, who have been deserted by the world, bombarded with Russian and regime bombs and exploited by myriad rebel groups.
When the demilitarised zone comes into effect, Idlib’s residents might be spared the worst of the regime’s arsenal.
It also allows Ankara to negotiate with rebel groups and keep millions of refugees away from its borders. And it cements Moscow’s power over the regime of President Bashar Al Assad, guaranteeing that Russia retains its strategic military bases in Syria.
But while a humanitarian catastrophe has been temporarily averted, the Sochi deal has added yet another level of complexity. And so too has the accidental downing of the Russian plane.
Quite apart from its dreadful humanitarian consequences, the continued militarisation of the situation in Syria is a geopolitical and strategic quagmire of epic proportions.
As defenceless Syrian civilians watch on, world powers are carving up the country to no one’s benefit but their own.
Although millions have been killed and displaced, Syria is just one part of Turkish and Russian foreign policy. Meanwhile Syria’s sovereignty lies in tatters, as its lack of representation at the Sochi meeting illustrated.
It is time to draw a line and demand a concerted effort to untangle the web of interests, armies and factions that have exacerbated this brutal war at every turn.
Yet since international powers, including the US, have reverted to purely tokenistic gestures in Syria, only Russia, Turkey and Iran have retained any leverage.
All must understand that keeping Mr Al Assad in power will not improve Syria’s turmoil. Nor will a bilateral deal between two of the conflict’s pre-eminent belligerents.
Following the meeting, Mr Putin ironically declared it “will help peace to return to Syrian soil”. Although an imminent assault has been averted, today is still a tragic day for the Syrian people, who have fallen victim once again to the callous scheming of self-interested third parties.
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Fixtures (all times UAE)
Saturday
Brescia v Atalanta (6pm)
Genoa v Torino (9pm)
Fiorentina v Lecce (11.45pm)
Sunday
Juventus v Sassuolo (3.30pm)
Inter Milan v SPAL (6pm)
Lazio v Udinese (6pm)
Parma v AC Milan (6pm)
Napoli v Bologna (9pm)
Verona v AS Roma (11.45pm)
Monday
Cagliari v Sampdoria (11.45pm)
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
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
The specs: 2018 Audi RS5
Price, base: Dh359,200
Engine: 2.9L twin-turbo V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 450hp at 5,700rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 1,900rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km
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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
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Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
2019 Asian Cup final
Japan v Qatar
Friday, 6pm
Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Price, base / as tested From Dh173,775 (base model)
Engine 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo, AWD
Power 249hp at 5,500rpm
Torque 365Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Gearbox Nine-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined 7.9L/100km
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Brief scoreline:
Burnley 3
Barnes 63', 70', Berg Gudmundsson 75'
Southampton 3
Man of the match
Ashley Barnes (Burnley)
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
