In this photo taken Monday, June 15, 2020, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, right, and Chief of Staff Gen. Yasar Guler wearing face masks to protect against the coronavirus, monitor the operation at a military headquarters in Ankara, Turkey. Turkey said Wednesday it has airlifted troops for a cross-border ground operation against Kurdish militants in northern Iraq. The airborne offensive in Iraq's Haftanin region, some 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the border, was launched following "intense" artillery fire into the area, a Defense Ministry statement said. (Turkish Defense Ministry via AP, Pool)