At least two radar systems were attacked by unidentified drones on Tuesday early morning at military bases in Iraq, a government spokesman confirmed, while there was no claim of responsibility for the attacks.
The first drone hit the radar system at Al Taji military base north of Baghdad, the military spokesman for Iraqi Prime Minster, Sabah Al Numan, said. Al Taji base hosted US troops several years ago and was a frequent target of rocket attacks. Another drone attacked the radar system at the Imam Ali airbase in Dhi Qar province in southern Iraq, Mr Al Numan added.
The attacks at these sites caused “significant damages”, he said.
The Iraqi forces “successfully repelled and foiled” other attempts to strike four other sites in different locations by intercepting the drones, Mr Al Numan said.
The strikes came hours after Iran launched an attack on a US military base in Qatar on Monday night, in retaliation for the US attacks on Tehran's nuclear sites. The missile attack on Al Udeid base, the largest US military site in the Middle East, left no casualties or damages.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani ordered an investigation into the attacks by a high-level technical and intelligence committee.
“All targeted sites are military locations fully affiliated with the Iraqi security forces, managed and operated by offices and personnel from our heroic security forces,” Mr Al Numan added.
“The criminal and treacherous acts will not go unpunished,” he added.
In a move to alleviate Iranian concerns, Iraq posted air defence systems in several sensitive areas around the country last week, mainly near the borders with Iran. Iraq has also lodged a formal complaint with the UN Security Council regarding Israel's breach of its airspace after it began attacking Iran 12 days ago.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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Tomorrow 2021
The specs
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What you as a drone operator need to know
A permit and licence is required to fly a drone legally in Dubai.
Sanad Academy is the United Arab Emirate’s first RPA (Remotely Piloted Aircraft) training and certification specialists endorsed by the Dubai Civil Aviation authority.
It is responsible to train, test and certify drone operators and drones in UAE with DCAA Endorsement.
“We are teaching people how to fly in accordance with the laws of the UAE,” said Ahmad Al Hamadi, a trainer at Sanad.
“We can show how the aircraft work and how they are operated. They are relatively easy to use, but they need responsible pilots.
“Pilots have to be mature. They are given a map of where they can and can’t fly in the UAE and we make these points clear in the lectures we give.
“You cannot fly a drone without registration under any circumstances.”
Larger drones are harder to fly, and have a different response to location control. There are no brakes in the air, so the larger drones have more power.
The Sanad Academy has a designated area to fly off the Al Ain Road near Skydive Dubai to show pilots how to fly responsibly.
“As UAS technology becomes mainstream, it is important to build wider awareness on how to integrate it into commerce and our personal lives,” said Major General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief, Dubai Police.
“Operators must undergo proper training and certification to ensure safety and compliance.
“Dubai’s airspace will undoubtedly experience increased traffic as UAS innovations become commonplace, the Forum allows commercial users to learn of best practice applications to implement UAS safely and legally, while benefitting a whole range of industries.”
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LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
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PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
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