As the new school year begins in Syria and children resume their studies, a different kind of deadline closes in on Idlib province. Wednesday marks the cut-off point for rebels to withdraw heavy weapons from buffer zones agreed between Russia and Turkey.
The pullback is the first major test of a deal brokered by Syrian government ally Russia and Turkey last month to avoid what the United Nations warned would be the appalling humanitarian consequences of a major government offensive on the rebel stronghold.
According to the Idlib agreement, shaken on by President Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyep Erdogan in Sochi, Russia, a demilitarised zone between 15 and 20 kilometres wide ringing the province is to be established and patrolled by Turkish troops and Russian military police. In addition to this, "radical elements" are to be removed from the area by 15 October and two key highways running through Idlib reopened by the end of the year.
For weeks now Idlib’s residents have been spared the sound of jets rumbling overhead.
But while some civilians have breathed a cautious sigh of relief, the success of the agreement is not in their hands. It depends instead on the two key players on the ground – the Turkey-backed National Liberation Front (NLF) and Tahrir Al Sham, formerly Al Qaeda's Syria branch.
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Tahrir Al Sham, which controls more than two-thirds of the buffer zone around Idlib along with other groups, has so far not given any response to the truce. However on Saturday in an operation that continued until Tuesday evening Tahrir Al Sham and smaller factions quietly began withdrawing their heavy arms. By Tuesday evening both the National Liberation Front (NLF) and Tahrir Al Sham had reportedly withdrawn heavy weapons from nearly all of the planned buffer zone, suggesting a positive start to the agreement.
Over 1,000 militants have left the demilitarised zone, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters on Wednesday.
By beginning to pull out its weapons, Tahrir Al Sham was "de facto" implementing the agreement, said the head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
A source close to Tahrir Al Sham told Agence France-Presse the group had come under pressure to fall in line to avoid further hardship for the rebel zone's three million residents, many of whom have fled previous bloody government offensives on other parts of Syria.
"Everybody has been forced to agree to the initiative, though reluctantly, so that people can enjoy a bit of security and safety after long years of suffering," the source said.
"No faction, rebel or jihadist, would be able to withstand the consequences of any escalation if the deal's terms were not met," said the Observatory's Rami Abdurrahman.
However, notes Sam Heller, a senior fellow with the International Crisis Group, the rebel groups have not surrendered their weapons but merely relocated them.
It is unclear where Tahrir Al Sham have moved their arms to and whether the weaponry is still seen as a threat by the regime of President Bashar Al Assad.
"We did not observe any movement of heavy weapons outside that area. They could have been moved to trenches or secret locations," said Mr Abdurrahman.
Tahrir Al Sham "definitely had some individual figures who took a hard line [against the elements of the agreement] but you don't know how much of that is for the consumption of HTS base," Mr Heller told The National, using an acronym for Tahrir Al Sham.
Meanwhile on Monday the pro-Ankara National Liberation Front said it had completed its weapons pullback.
In an interview with The National a senior opposition official expressed optimism, saying the agreement to avert an offensive signified a major step towards a negotiated solution to the conflict and away from the regime's military push to recapture all lost territory.
"It kept the lines of the de-escalation zone unchanged, and secured the opposition control, with the Turkish army as a guarantor," said Hadi Al Bahra, a member of the Syrian negotiations commission.
“For the Russians it’s securing Hmeimim Air Base from the drone attacks. For Iran and the regime it’s more logistical [and] relates to opening the M4 and M5 routes. For the international community, it is the fight against terror, while for Turkey, it saved the civilian population and maintained its control over the area,” said Mr Al Bahra.
The seemingly positive turning point, however, has been undermined by some.
Mr Al Assad on Sunday insisted it was a "temporary measure" and Idlib would eventually return to state control.
However, says the ICG's Mr Heller, "the really decisive vote here belongs to Russia, and Russia is likely balancing a number of different considerations."
By Monday, the buffer zone must be free of all fighters – a successful withdrawal of fighters will be viewed as another step forward toward the end of the war's military phase.
More than 30,000 people have fled their homes since the regime and allied forces resumed air and ground bombardments in September. But as Idlib's children return to school and parents hope for their son's and daughter's safe return home, they can only wait and hope that the agreement holds.
"The steps that are outlined in this agreement are likely welcomed for Idlib civilians," said Mr Heller. "But if the agreement evolved further or if it proves just one step towards an outcome that is more controversial, then who knows."
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BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
The%20specs
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Results
5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Nadhra, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: AF Dars, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: AF Musannef, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: AF Taghzel, Malin Holmberg, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: M’Y Yaromoon, Khalifa Al Neyadi, Jesus Rosales
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (PA) 1,400m; Winner: Hakeem, Jim Crowley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
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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Marathon results
Men:
1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13
2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50
3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25
4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46
5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48
Women:
1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30
2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01
3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30
4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43
5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
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SPECS
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Company%20Profile
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Company Profile
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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Company%20profile
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