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Turkish police officers watch a demonstration in Istanbul against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's canal project. AP Photo
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan prays during the ground-breaking ceremony of Sazlidere Bridge in Istanbul on June 26, 2021. Reuters
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan greets his supporters as he arrives at the ground-breaking ceremony of Sazlidere Bridge over the planned route of Istanbul Canal on June 26, 2021. Reuters
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Demonstrators in Istanbul hold a placard that reads '"Canal is destructıon' during a protest in Istanbul, on Saturday, June 26, 2021. AP Photo
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Demonstrators opposing Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Istanbul Canal project chant slogans as they are challenged by Turkish police officers in Istanbul on June 26, 2021. AP Photo
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during the ground-breaking ceremony of Sazlidere Bridge in Istanbul on June 26, 2021. Reuters
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Protestors opposing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Istanbul Canal project scuffle with Turkish police officers on June 26, 2021. AP Photo
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Turkish police officers watch a demonstration in Istanbul against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's canal project. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NI2JGBWV227CWFKYMNAP33EXN4.jpg?smart=true&auth=3acdc7b37f6d395b1c10519a2366a31d66a457e48eb6ccdc1a3f96fd24285339&width=400&height=225)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan prays during the ground-breaking ceremony of Sazlidere Bridge in Istanbul on June 26, 2021. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JOMTMU5EHLT5A3FLQZPAFYIYOA.jpg?smart=true&auth=eb3b4295cd494346f1c32a2060676a20f419ed57c86dae0e8453c79b555217fa&width=400&height=225)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan greets his supporters as he arrives at the ground-breaking ceremony of Sazlidere Bridge over the planned route of Istanbul Canal on June 26, 2021. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PZL5JYKDSUIW7OILENMWRQTIX4.jpg?smart=true&auth=931c24304fe3d2ea85b508e1d6aca94f7dfbae84cc637e2988900c84fdf44e64&width=400&height=225)
Demonstrators in Istanbul hold a placard that reads '"Canal is destructıon' during a protest in Istanbul, on Saturday, June 26, 2021. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/P2RF6GTU3DRIKRYTZB5YZ2B74Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=27066e422b0ce6dba586b181e80421ab4c1ea5a42a8761c76115c452cb0939ea&width=400&height=225)
Demonstrators opposing Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Istanbul Canal project chant slogans as they are challenged by Turkish police officers in Istanbul on June 26, 2021. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NJSEMNOVKSMCA2E5JMOYZYBMDA.jpg?smart=true&auth=57aeb98289fde60c02bdd630f6ce48d97836649a6593477ab90f4985e10f4d01&width=400&height=225)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during the ground-breaking ceremony of Sazlidere Bridge in Istanbul on June 26, 2021. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FN3DDESFPJFOFB6IQUGCNKVIRA.jpg?smart=true&auth=0c1e75de6aca021605fdcca6c206ad9c450ff54fd794c879a0a98d31e621d62c&width=400&height=225)
Protestors opposing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Istanbul Canal project scuffle with Turkish police officers on June 26, 2021. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/B3FBZL45OOLB3BX4SRCPB3Q3H4.jpg?smart=true&auth=8298ba18e0bb88ca07a7954a5fb992c38c475c4c6b987b39ee2051873c868b82&width=400&height=225)
Turkish police officers watch a demonstration in Istanbul against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's canal project. AP Photo
Turkey's Erdogan starts construction of 'crazy' Istanbul canal project
Opposition parties, environmentalists and economists are questioning the need for president's latest initiative
Andrew WIlks
28 June, 2021
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