With five years passing since the start of Turkey's Euphrates Shield anti-terror operation in northern Syria, Turkey has enabled people in the region to receive an education at approximately 700 schools. 

Turkey attaches great importance to ensuring that those living in areas liberated from the Daesh/ISIS terrorist organization benefit from their right to an education.

In the fifth year of the operation, the traces of terrorism were erased in the region and the quality of education increased through Turkey’s efforts.

Idle schools were renovated and new schools were built in the region. Last year, nearly 200,000 students received an education at around 700 schools that were renovated and equipped with the support of Turkey’s National Education Ministry.

The curriculum determined by the Syrian interim government is being taught in schools where more than 8,500 teachers were employed last year.

Meanwhile, Turkey’s Gaziantep University is carrying out higher education activities in northern Syria, and two faculties and one vocational school have been established in the region.

A medical school and a vocational school of health services in the northern town of Cobanbey will also be established. The health personnel who will be trained will contribute to the services provided to the people of the region.

Bera Molla, one of the locals in the al-Bab region, told Anadolu Agency that education institutions had been badly damaged during the civil war.

"After the Euphrates Shield Operation, the schools in the region were repaired and made ready for education. The quality of education increased with the support provided,” Molla said.

Zekeriya Ahmed, another local, said children had the opportunity to continue their education.

Students can receive a real education and diploma after the operation, Ahmed said. He also thanked the Turkish authorities for their support.

Huseyin Ayid, another local, said Daesh/ISIS has used schools for terrorist purposes and turned schools into prisons and weapons depots.

Since 2016, Turkey has conducted a trio of successful anti-terror operations across its border in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and enable the peaceful settlement of residents: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018) and Peace Spring (2019).

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and the European Union – has been responsible for the deaths of at least 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.​​​​​​​/aa

An internal probe cleared a police officer who shot and killed rioter Ashli Babbitt during the Jan. 6 insurrection at the US Capitol of wrongdoing, authorities announced Monday.

The US Capitol Police said in a statement that the officer was within his rights to use deadly force and his actions were "lawful" and he will not face any form of internal discipline.

"The actions of the officer in this case potentially saved members and staff from serious injury and possible death from a large crowd of rioters who forced their way into the US Capitol and to the House Chamber where members and staff were steps away," the police department said.

The US Department of Justice announced last spring that it would not seek charges against the officer, who has not been publicly identified due to concerns over his safety.

The Capitol Police said Monday that the officer and the officer's family "have been the subject of numerous credible and specific threats."

Babbitt, 35, was a veteran of the Air Force. She was among a crowd of former President Donald Trump's supporters as they attempted to push their way into an area known as the Speaker's Lobby, past a door guarded by police that was barricaded with furniture, while Congress was voting to certify Joe Biden's presidential victory. Babbitt was unarmed but was reportedly among those trying to push through the door, which had its glass broken out, when the officer shot her.

Babbitt's family has filed a lawsuit to get the name of the officer publicly released and has threatened to file a civil action lawsuit demanding millions of dollars, claiming she was the victim of excessive force.

Trump has said in interviews and at rallies this summer that he has spoken with Babbitt's family and that he is demanding "justice" for her death.

It was the former president's rally on Jan. 6 near the White House that ended with rally-goers heading to the Capitol. More than 500 protestors have since been charged with crimes relating to the riot./aa

French senior citizens are likely to be offered a booster shot of COVID-19 vaccine starting in September, the health minister said Monday.

Speaking to BFMTV news, Olivier Veran said the Health Ministry is awaiting a final nod from the High Authority for Health, a national body tasked with evaluating healthcare products, on the additional dose. He said the third dose is likely to be recommended for “people 65 and over" from the beginning of next month.

“The protection conferred by the two doses of the vaccine may diminish over time, over the months, and it is therefore necessary to offer a third injection to those who are the most fragile,” he said.

Veran said more than 80% of the adult population has gotten at least one shot, thus helping the country avoid imposing a new lockdown.

France has been rocked by mass protests since July by anti-vaxxers. New health pass restrictions mandate that people prove their vaccination schedule or negative COVID-19 test results for entry into public and social places, including cafes, restaurants, flights, trains, and museums.

On average, France has seen more than 15,000 new positive cases daily, but there has been a notable decline in fatalities./agencies

Ending Yemen's ongoing famine is the nation's "overarching humanitarian priority" amid a litany of crises, the UN’s outgoing special envoy for the country said on Monday.

Martin Griffiths told the UN Security Council that roughly two-thirds of Yemen's population – or about 20 million people – rely on humanitarian aid for their day-to-day needs. And roughly 5 million people "are one step away from succumbing to famine and the diseases that go with it," he warned.

An additional 10 million people "are right behind them," added Griffiths.

"Famine isn't just a food problem. It's a symptom of a much deeper collapse. In many ways, it is all of Yemen's problems rolled into one, and it demands a comprehensive response," he said.

Much of the country's starvation is tied to the extreme depreciation of Yemen's national currency and the collapse of the economy, with GDP plummeting 40% since 2015 when Houthi rebels seized control of the country.

The Yemeni rial, meanwhile, is trading at record lows to the dollar.

Khaled Mohamed Khiari, the UN's assistant secretary-general for the Middle East, raised further alarm over widespread fuel shortages that are acute and worsening in Houthi-controlled territories.

Only three ships carrying oil supplies were allowed to dock at Hudeydah Port since July, while four others remain in a holding area controlled by the Saudi-led anti-Houthi coalition, Khiari said.

All but one Yemen Petroleum gas station in Houthi-controlled territories have closed due to the shortages, and waiting times to refill gas canisters used for cooking have reached one month, according to the UN.

"We reiterate our call on the government of Yemen to urgently allow the entry of all essential commercial supplies, including fuel ships to Hudeydah without delay," said Khiari. "All parties must prioritize civilian needs, and abstain from weaponizing the economy, particularly in light of the critical humanitarian situation in the country."

Yemen has been beset by violence and chaos since 2014, when Iran-aligned Houthi rebels overran much of the country, including the capital Sanaa.

The crisis escalated in 2015 when the Saudi-led coalition launched a devastating air campaign aimed at rolling back Houthi territorial gains.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the conflict in Yemen has so far claimed the lives of 233,000 people./aa

Dozens of anti-vaccine protesters tried to “unlawfully” enter a media hub in London on Monday, police said.

In a Twitter post, London Metropolitan police said they are engaging with the building security personnel and removing those who entered the building illegally.

Around 100 demonstrators are continuing their protest outside the building on Grays Inn Road. The building hosts some media organizations including ITN and TRT World.​​​​​​​/aa