The 22,000 ISIL documents obtained by German intelligence make fascinating reading. Above all, they demonstrate the terror group’s meticulous record keeping. Most of the documents are questionnaires of prospective recruits, detailing their personal details, as well as level of education, any previous fighting experience and even what “role” they are seeking in the group.
The importance of such documents, which were leaked by a disillusioned former extremist, is obvious. Not only does German intelligence now know the names of recruits, it also knows which ISIL member recommended them (another question) and where else they fought, allowing links between recruits to be traced.
Moreover, it will sow discord within the ranks of ISIL itself. With so many of its recruits exposed – some of whom will have risen to important positions within the group – ISIL will have to start purging some of those exposed, a process that will trigger infighting and defections.
At the same time, there is no room for complacency. The files date from the end of 2013, before the group declared a “caliphate” and before some of their significant victories such as the takeover of Mosul in Iraq. It is likely that recruitment only increased after those events, meaning there are many more ISIL members who are still unknown. To take one example: the documents list 16 British citizens, but UK intelligence has suggested hundreds may have travelled to Syria. In the very short term, the risk of attacks has just increased – if any of those named are in European or Arab countries, there is now a good reason to carry out attacks before the security services come knocking.
Moreover, this cache of documents, while significant, actually helps ISIL. With governments in Europe and the Arab world now aware of the exact identities of their citizens in ISIL, there is no way back for these individuals. Even if they have become disillusioned with the group, since they cannot re-enter their lives back home, they have little choice but to keep fighting. The leak has actually made ISIL stronger in some respects.
The overall effect, then, will at least be mixed. While ISIL may be weakened in the short-term – and particularly will have its recruitment networks weakened – in the medium-term its fighters will have fewer options but to stay with the group. The battle against ISIL is far from over, even if a significant blow has been dealt.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
RESULTS
Bantamweight: Jalal Al Daaja (JOR) beat Hamza Bougamza (MAR)
Catchweight 67kg: Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR) beat Fouad Mesdari (ALG)
Lightweight: Abdullah Mohammed Ali (UAE) beat Abdelhak Amhidra (MAR)
Catchweight 73kg: Mosatafa Ibrahim Radi (PAL) beat Yazid Chouchane (ALG)
Middleweight: Yousri Belgaroui (TUN) beat Badreddine Diani (MAR)
Catchweight 78KG: Rashed Dawood (UAE) beat Adnan Bushashy (ALG)
Middleweight: Sallah-Eddine Dekhissi (MAR) beat Abdel Enam (EGY)
Catchweight 65kg: Yanis Ghemmouri (ALG) beat Rachid Hazoume (MAR)
Lightweight: Mohammed Yahya (UAE) beat Azouz Anwar (EGY)
Catchweight 79kg: Souhil Tahiri (ALG) beat Omar Hussein (PAL)
Middleweight: Tarek Suleiman (SYR) beat Laid Zerhouni (ALG)
The five pillars of Islam
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Elvis
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COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
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How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Profile of Tarabut Gateway
Founder: Abdulla Almoayed
Based: UAE
Founded: 2017
Number of employees: 35
Sector: FinTech
Raised: $13 million
Backers: Berlin-based venture capital company Target Global, Kingsway, CE Ventures, Entrée Capital, Zamil Investment Group, Global Ventures, Almoayed Technologies and Mad’a Investment.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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PSG's line up
GK: Alphonse Areola (youth academy)
Defence - RB: Dani Alves (free transfer); CB: Marquinhos (€31.4 million); CB: Thiago Silva (€42m); LB: Layvin Kurzawa (€23m)
Midfield - Angel di Maria (€47m); Adrien Rabiot (youth academy); Marco Verratti (€12m)
Forwards - Neymar (€222m); Edinson Cavani (€63m); Kylian Mbappe (initial: loan; to buy: €180m)
Total cost: €440.4m (€620.4m if Mbappe makes permanent move)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets