Over the Christmas period the UK attacked ISIS with ten airstrikes in south east Syria and Iraq in an effort to crush the crush the terrorist group in the slithers of territory it controls. The assaults were carried out by a mixture of fighter jets and drones.
Much of this was in support the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) but also over the border in Iraqi territory. The strikes were a mixture of assaults on ISIS fighters and destroying their assets such as storage centres holding weapons and ammunition. Often the fighter jets would hit buildings and tunnels where ISIS members were holed up.
Perhaps the most significant airstrike was one against a group of extremists “tracked to tunnels hidden beneath an extensive palm grove some twenty miles north of Baghdad.”
The town of Hajin was liberated in mid-December by the SDF.
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Read more:
From Trinidad to Mosul: Why the Caribbean island's young set sail for ISIS territory
ISIS injures two British soldiers in Syria as militants battle to survive
Navy SEAL accused of killing ISIS teen will plead not guilty
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According to the UK government some 1,350 British personnel are involved in the fight to defeat ISIS. This includes intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and airstrikes, training of Iraqi and vetted Syrian forces, and the use of naval ships.
Two British special forces soldiers were reportedly injured when when they were hit by an ISIS-fired missile near Deir Al-Zour in south east Syria earlier this month.
MIDWAY
Produced: Lionsgate Films, Shanghai Ryui Entertainment, Street Light Entertainment
Directed: Roland Emmerich
Cast: Ed Skrein, Woody Harrelson, Dennis Quaid, Aaron Eckhart, Luke Evans, Nick Jonas, Mandy Moore, Darren Criss
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
The five stages of early child’s play
From Dubai-based clinical psychologist Daniella Salazar:
1. Solitary Play: This is where Infants and toddlers start to play on their own without seeming to notice the people around them. This is the beginning of play.
2. Onlooker play: This occurs where the toddler enjoys watching other people play. There doesn’t necessarily need to be any effort to begin play. They are learning how to imitate behaviours from others. This type of play may also appear in children who are more shy and introverted.
3. Parallel Play: This generally starts when children begin playing side-by-side without any interaction. Even though they aren’t physically interacting they are paying attention to each other. This is the beginning of the desire to be with other children.
4. Associative Play: At around age four or five, children become more interested in each other than in toys and begin to interact more. In this stage children start asking questions and talking about the different activities they are engaging in. They realise they have similar goals in play such as building a tower or playing with cars.
5. Social Play: In this stage children are starting to socialise more. They begin to share ideas and follow certain rules in a game. They slowly learn the definition of teamwork. They get to engage in basic social skills and interests begin to lead social interactions.
WWE TLC results
Asuka won the SmackDown Women's title in a TLC triple threat with Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair
Dean Ambrose won the Intercontinental title against Seth Rollins
Daniel Bryan retained the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against AJ Styles
Ronda Rousey retained the Raw Women's Championship against Nia Jax
Rey Mysterio beat Randy Orton in a chairs match
Finn Balor defeated Drew McIntyre
Natalya beat Ruby Riott in a tables match
Braun Strowman beat Baron Corbin in a TLC match
Sheamus and Cesaro retained the SmackDown Tag Titles against The Usos and New Day
R-Truth and Carmella won the Mixed Match Challenge by beating Jinder Mahal and Alicia Fox
