BAGHDAD //Suicide bombings in Baghdad and on the Iraq-Syria border killed at least 48 people and injured scores more today, in attacks on anti-al Qa'eda tribal forces.
The first explosion hit members of a Sahwa, or Awakening Council, as they queued to collect overdue salaries at an army base in the Radwaniya district, south-west of Baghdad. The blast killed 45 people and wounded more than 40, making it the worst single attack on Iraqi security forces this year.
A military official in Baghdad's central operations command, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The National that the bomber was believed to have been a former Sahwa Council member.
The second attack, which took place in al Qaim, on the Iraq-Syria border, was similar but claimed fewer lives. A militant wearing a suicide vest stormed into the headquarters of a local Sahwa Council and started shooting.
As they returned fire he detonated his bomb, killing at least three and wounding six others. Security officials in the area also believe he was a former Sahwa member, which, if true, is an alarming development.
Tribal leaders have warned that the Sahwa Councils, which played a key role in stabilising the country since 2006, are now in danger of unravelling as the Iraqi government phases out US$300 (Dh1,100) per fighter monthly payments.
That cash, previously handed over by the US military, underpinned the Sahwa movement, by which tribes that had been allied with al Qa'eda switched sides with ruthless efficiency, turning their guns on the Islamic militants.
The Shiite-dominated government in Baghdad, never happy about having well-armed Sunni tribal militias, decided to wind them down, promising to find alternative jobs for fighters. But, with unemployment rife, that has not been happening according to tribal leaders, leaving disillusioned and impoverished former Sahwa members to look, once more, in the direction of al Qa'eda.
"We suspect the bomber had been in the Sahwa but the Iraqi government stopped paying the salaries for some of the members so he returned to al Qa'eda," Humood Khalaf, an Iraqi police lieutenant in al Qaim, said in a telephone interview.
"This is a serious problem and indicates that some of the people who used to work for the Sahwa are working for al Qa'eda now."
Abu Rafaat, 59, a Sahwa council leader in al Qaim, said the attack came as part of a stiffening resistance by Islamic militants in the area.
"Al Qa'eda hit us from time to time, and we still hit them regularly but the war is much more difficult than it was in 2006," he said. "The al Qa'eda fighters are living among us and have good relations with society so it's hard to find them."
The economic situation in al Qaim was described as dire by residents, making it an ideal place for Islamist militancy to flourish.
"The situation is getting worse and worse here," said Saad Abed al Jaleel, 26, an unemployed graduate of teacher training college.
"We have no work, there are no real government services here - actually we have nothing. Al Qa'eda attracts the young who don't have jobs."
A further two members of Sahwa Councils were wounded in minor attacks south of Baghdad today.
More than four months after March's parliamentary election, Iraqi politicians have yet to agree on a new government. Militants have continued to stage attacks during the impasse, although US commanders say they remain on course to cut their forces to 50,000 by the beginning of September.
foreign.desk@thenational.ae
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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.
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Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
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'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Generational responses to the pandemic
Devesh Mamtani from Century Financial believes the cash-hoarding tendency of each generation is influenced by what stage of the employment cycle they are in. He offers the following insights:
Baby boomers (those born before 1964): Owing to market uncertainty and the need to survive amid competition, many in this generation are looking for options to hoard more cash and increase their overall savings/investments towards risk-free assets.
Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980): Gen X is currently in its prime working years. With their personal and family finances taking a hit, Generation X is looking at multiple options, including taking out short-term loan facilities with competitive interest rates instead of dipping into their savings account.
Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996): This market situation is giving them a valuable lesson about investing early. Many millennials who had previously not saved or invested are looking to start doing so now.