Turkey has launched a ground and air cross-border offensive against Kurdish militants in northern Iraq, Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said early on Monday.
Turkish jets and artillery struck targets belonging to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, before commandos, supported by helicopters and drones, crossed into the neighbouring region by land or were airlifted by helicopters, Mr Akar said in a video posted on the ministry’s website.
The jets “successfully” struck shelters, bunkers, caves, tunnels, ammunition depots and headquarters belonging to the PKK, AP reported Mr Akar as saying.
The PKK has bases in northern Iraq and has used the territory for attacks on Turkey.
Operation Claw Lock is aimed at “preventing terror attacks” to “ensure our border security”, Mr Akar said.
Turkey has conducted cross-border aerial and ground operations against the PKK over the past decades. The latest offensive was centred in northern Iraq’s Metina, Zap and Avashin-Basyan regions, Mr Akar said.
“Our operation is continuing successfully, as planned. The targets that were set for the first phase have been achieved,” he said.
He said the incursion was targeting “terrorists” and that “maximum sensitivity” was being shown to avoid damage to civilians and cultural and religious structures.
There was no immediate statement from the PKK.
The PKK took up arms against the Turkish state in 1984. More than 40,000 people have been killed in the conflict, which in the past was mainly focused in south-east Turkey.
Turkish officials privately say they believe Baghdad is firmly on their side in fighting the PKK, which is also designated a terrorist group by the US and the EU.
W.
Wael Kfoury
(Rotana)
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School uniforms report
BIO
Favourite holiday destination: Turkey - because the government look after animals so well there.
Favourite film: I love scary movies. I have so many favourites but The Ring stands out.
Favourite book: The Lord of the Rings. I didn’t like the movies but I loved the books.
Favourite colour: Black.
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ELIO
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Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
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Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
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Four out of five stars
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Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
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The bio:
Favourite film:
Declan: It was The Commitments but now it’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
Heidi: The Long Kiss Goodnight.
Favourite holiday destination:
Declan: Las Vegas but I also love getting home to Ireland and seeing everyone back home.
Heidi: Australia but my dream destination would be to go to Cuba.
Favourite pastime:
Declan: I love brunching and socializing. Just basically having the craic.
Heidi: Paddleboarding and swimming.
Personal motto:
Declan: Take chances.
Heidi: Live, love, laugh and have no regrets.
A Long Way Home by Peter Carey
Faber & Faber
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Engine: Turbocharged four-cylinder 2.7-litre
Power: 325hp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
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On sale: now
yallacompare profile
Date of launch: 2014
Founder: Jon Richards, founder and chief executive; Samer Chebab, co-founder and chief operating officer, and Jonathan Rawlings, co-founder and chief financial officer
Based: Media City, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: 120 employees
Investors: 2014: $500,000 in a seed round led by Mulverhill Associates; 2015: $3m in Series A funding led by STC Ventures (managed by Iris Capital), Wamda and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority; 2019: $8m in Series B funding with the same investors as Series A along with Precinct Partners, Saned and Argo Ventures (the VC arm of multinational insurer Argo Group)
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Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Draw:
Group A: Egypt, DR Congo, Uganda, Zimbabwe
Group B: Nigeria, Guinea, Madagascar, Burundi
Group C: Senegal, Algeria, Kenya, Tanzania
Group D: Morocco, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Namibia
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Group F: Cameroon, Ghana, Benin, Guinea-Bissau
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Dos
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