ABU DHABI // The UAE ordered a squadron of F-16 fighter jets to Jordan on Saturday to support the kingdom in airstrikes against ISIL militants in Syria and Iraq.
The order was issued by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
“The initiative reaffirms the UAE’s unwavering and constant solidarity with Jordan and its leading role and immense sacrifices for the security and stability of the region, as embodied by the martyr and hero Maaz Al Kassasbeh,” said Wam, the state news agency.
The deployment was aimed at supporting Jordan’s military in the fight against “the brutal terrorist organisation”, which “showed all the world its ugliness and violation of all religious and human values through abominable crimes” that caused “outrage and disgust”, Wam said.
A plane flown by the Jordanian air force pilot Al Kassasbeh crashed near the ISIL stronghold of Raqqa on December 24.
The militants burned him alive 10 days later, and released video footage of the atrocity last week.
A US security official said that among all the Arabian Gulf countries the pilot’s brutal execution had been “a unifying event, doubling their resolve to take the fight to Daesh”.
After the US secretary of state John Kerry discussed security with Gulf ministers at a meeting in Munich, another US official said the UAE had “reaffirmed its commitment to the coalition” against ISIL.
* Agence France-Presse
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
The specs
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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)
Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
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The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5