ERBIL // Lawmakers in Iraq’s largely autonomous Kurdish region voted Wednesday to authorise sending fighters to help defend the embattled town of Kobani in Syria, where fellow Kurds are facing an ISIL onslaught.
Kurdish officials said an unspecified number of fighters would be sent through Turkey to support their ethnic brethren in a battle playing out just across the Turkish border. The fight has grabbed the world’s attention and triggered sympathy for the outgunned Kurds.
Anwar Muslim, a Kobani-based senior Kurdish official, praised the decision, saying “all help is welcome.” He said there seemed to be a solidifying international push to help Kobani combat the militants.
The US conducted further 12 air strikes against ISIL on Tuesday and Wednesday, targeting the militant group near Iraq’s Mosul Dam Kobani, according to US Central Command.
As details of the deployment were being worked out, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the United States made a mistake in airdropping weapons to Kurdish fighters in Kobani earlier this week because some of the weapons ended up with ISIL.
“It turns out that what was done was wrong,” he said.
Activists said Tuesday that ISIL militants seized a small part of the airdrop.
The vote by Kurdish lawmakers comes two days after Turkey said it would help Iraqi Kurdish fighters cross into Syria to support their brethren defending the town. Turkey in recent years has built friendly ties with the leadership of the largely autonomous Iraqi Kurdish region.
Still, it was unprecedented for Turkey to promise to give Kurds passage to fight in Syria.
Ankara views the main Syrian Kurdish military force fighting ISIL — the People’s Protection Units, or YPG — as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). That group has waged a 30-year insurgency in Turkey and is designated a terrorist group by the US and Europe.
Peshmerga spokesman Halgurd Hekmat in Erbil said Wednesday there is still a lot of uncertainty on the details of the deployment, including how many forces will be sent and when.
“We’re sending the peshmerga, not to become YPG but to fight alongside the YPG,” Hekmat said. “We will send the peshmerga to do their job for as long as they’re needed and to come back after that.”
* Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
Read more from Kareem Shaheen
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)
Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'
Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.
Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.
"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.
"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.
"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."
IF YOU GO
The flights
FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.
The tours
English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people.
The hotels
Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.
St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
