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US-backed Kurdish militias have lifted a siege on security forces in eastern Syria and the two sides exchanged prisoners, local sources said on Wednesday, in accordance with a Russian-brokered deal to contain hostilities in the area, which is at the crossroads of international rivalry in the 13-year civil war.
Fighting over the past week between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Arab tribal forces supported by Iran and Damascus threatened to undermine the presence of President Bashar Al Assad's forces in Qamishli and Hasakah – two urban centres in the east, where most of Syria's oil and wheat is produced.
After initial territorial gains, the Iran-backed fighters were pushed back and the Kurdish-dominated forces laid siege to Syrian security forces in the centre of the two cities. The presence of the state's security forces there is part of a more than a decade-long deal to share control with Kurdish militias over the east, a mixed area populated by Arabs and Kurds.
One source in the east connected with both sides said the prisoner exchange involved two dozen people, including Kurdish militia members and two Syrian army officers
“The regime did what the Russians told it to do, and the Kurds cannot afford to anger Moscow,” the source said.
The US, which finances the Kurdish militias, under the SDF and other armed organisations, has been on the sidelines as Russian officers brokered the deal.
Kurdish armed presence in the east was bolstered by co-operation with Damascus after the 2011 revolt against Mr Assad.
North-east Syria's ruling Democratic Party Union (PYD), a branch of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) outlawed in Turkey, helped security forces crush demonstrations demanding Mr Assad's removal in the east. Between 2011 and 2012, the two sides started splitting control of the east, enabling the security forces to crush the mainly Arab Sunni revolt.
The Kurdish People Protection Units (YPG) emerged as a powerful armed group during the civil war and despite receiving support from the US, it has kept channels open with the Syrian regime, Russia and Iran as a buffer to Turkish incursions.
Wael Olwan, senior research fellow at the Jusoor Information Centre in Istanbul, argues that the deal brokered by Russia also benefits the US, whose troops have come under repeated attack by Iran-backed militia groups over the war in Gaza.
The attacks have increased since Iran vowed to retaliate against Israel, who it accused of the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31.
Mr Olwan said that Moscow is “flexing its muscle” in the US's sphere of influence in Syria.
“The Russians don't miss an opportunity to present themselves as a mediator between the local players in the Syrian conflict, and show that they can guarantee the interests of even the outside players,” Mr Olwan told The National.
Iran has carved out a strategic supply corridor, along the Euphrates river valley, to Hezbollah in Lebanon, starting form the city of Al Bukamal near Syria's border with Iraq.
Syria's oil production fell sharply during the civil war from 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2010, the last year before the revolt, to current estimations of 100,000 bpd.
Proceeds from the oil output, estimated at between $50 million and $100 million per month, mainly go to the Kurdish militias.
Pathaan
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SERIES SCHEDULE
First Test, Galle International Stadium
July 26-30
Second Test, Sinhalese Sports Club Ground
August 3-7
Third Test, Pallekele International Stadium
August 12-16
First ODI, Rangiri Dambulla Stadium
August 20
Second ODI, Pallekele International Stadium
August 24
Third ODI, Pallekele International Stadium
August 27
Fourth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
August 31
Fifth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
September 3
T20, R Premadasa Stadium
September 6
Secret Nation: The Hidden Armenians of Turkey
Avedis Hadjian, (IB Tauris)
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THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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US tops drug cost charts
The study of 13 essential drugs showed costs in the United States were about 300 per cent higher than the global average, followed by Germany at 126 per cent and 122 per cent in the UAE.
Thailand, Kenya and Malaysia were rated as nations with the lowest costs, about 90 per cent cheaper.
In the case of insulin, diabetic patients in the US paid five and a half times the global average, while in the UAE the costs are about 50 per cent higher than the median price of branded and generic drugs.
Some of the costliest drugs worldwide include Lipitor for high cholesterol.
The study’s price index placed the US at an exorbitant 2,170 per cent higher for Lipitor than the average global price and the UAE at the eighth spot globally with costs 252 per cent higher.
High blood pressure medication Zestril was also more than 2,680 per cent higher in the US and the UAE price was 187 per cent higher than the global price.
Top New Zealand cop on policing the virtual world
New Zealand police began closer scrutiny of social media and online communities after the attacks on two mosques in March, the country's top officer said.
The killing of 51 people in Christchurch and wounding of more than 40 others shocked the world. Brenton Tarrant, a suspected white supremacist, was accused of the killings. His trial is ongoing and he denies the charges.
Mike Bush, commissioner of New Zealand Police, said officers looked closely at how they monitored social media in the wake of the tragedy to see if lessons could be learned.
“We decided that it was fit for purpose but we need to deepen it in terms of community relationships, extending them not only with the traditional community but the virtual one as well," he told The National.
"We want to get ahead of attacks like we suffered in New Zealand so we have to challenge ourselves to be better."
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Company%20Profile
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Results
Light Flyweight (49kg): Mirzakhmedov Nodirjon (UZB) beat Daniyal Sabit (KAZ) by points 5-0.
Flyweight (52kg): Zoirov Shakhobidin (UZB) beat Amit Panghol (IND) 3-2.
Bantamweight (56kg): Kharkhuu Enkh-Amar (MGL) beat Mirazizbek Mirzahalilov (UZB) 3-2.
Lightweight (60kg): Erdenebat Tsendbaatar (MGL) beat Daniyal Shahbakhsh (IRI) 5-0.
Light Welterweight (64kg): Baatarsukh Chinzorig (MGL) beat Shiva Thapa (IND) 3-2.
Welterweight (69kg): Bobo-Usmon Baturov (UZB) beat Ablaikhan Zhussupov (KAZ) RSC round-1.
Middleweight (75kg): Jafarov Saidjamshid (UZB) beat Abilkhan Amankul (KAZ) 4-1.
Light Heavyweight (81kg): Ruzmetov Dilshodbek (UZB) beat Meysam Gheshlaghi (IRI) 3-2.
Heavyweight (91kg): Sanjeet (IND) beat Vassiliy Levit (KAZ) 4-1.
Super Heavyweight ( 91kg): Jalolov Bakhodir (UZB) beat Kamshibek Kunkabayev (KAZ) 5-0.