Russia says killed commanders of ex-Qaeda affiliate in Syria

Russia's defence ministry on Wednesday said it had killed five field commanders and 32 fighters from a group formerly affiliated with Al Qaeda in strikes on Syria's Idlib province.

A British-based monitor said on Monday that Russian strikes had killed 37 civilians including children in Idlib in northwestern Syria — the highest civilian toll since the region was designated in May as a "de-escalation" zone.

"As a result of a strike, five field commanders were liquidated," the Russian defence ministry said in a statement.

It said the strike took place as the jihadist field commanders of the group formerly known as Al Nusra Front met to the south of the city of Idlib.

"Along with them 32 more fighters were killed," the ministry said.

The defence ministry did not say when the strikes took place.

It named the five senior figures killed including the commander of the southern sector of Idlib.

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The former Al Qaeda affiliate, which renamed itself Fateh Al Sham Front and became the backbone of the coalition that rules much of Idlib, is designated a "terrorist" group by the United Nations.

The Observatory said Russian air strikes on Idlib on Monday killed at least 37 civilians including 12 children.

Moscow said the strikes were carried out after a September 18 jihadist attack on Russian military police deployed in neighbouring Hama province.

Since the Hama assault, Idlib has been the target of heavy air strikes by the Syrian regime and its Russian ally.

Idlib province and some adjacent areas form one of four so-called de-escalation zones agreed in May by rebel backer Turkey and government allies Russia and Iran.

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How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now

Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.

The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.

1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):

a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33

b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.

2. For those who have worked more than five years

c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.

Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.