southfront--2020-09-11--High-Ranking Oppositional Negotiator With Damascus Assassinated In Daraa

On September 10 , a prominent opposition leader in the southern Syrian governorate of Daraa known as Muhammad Jamal al-Jalm was assassinated .
Unidentified gunmen shot al-Jalm in front of his house in the town of Jasim in northern Daraa in the late hours of the day .
Al-Jalm was quickly hospitalized .
However , he surrendered to his wounds short after .
Al-Jalm was a judge in the “ House of Justice in Houran , ” an Islamic court that ruled over Daraa when the governorate was controlled by Free Syrian Army factions .
Following the 2018 reconciliation agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as “ Abu Baraa , ” became a member of Daraa ’ s reconciliation council .
According to several sources , al-Jalm was recently involved in a series of successful talks with Syrian security officials .
The talks resulted in an agreement that boosted cooperation between local fighters and security forces in Jasim .
Last May , militants affiliated with ISIS killed three senior members of the reconciliation council in Daraa .
The terrorists group , which is active in northern Daraa , may have been behind the assassination of al-Jalm .
ISIS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any understanding between the government and local fighters in Daraa .
A state of lawlessness is now prevailing over the governorate .
A day earlier , a senior Syrian general was killed there .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Russian Warplanes Carried Out Another Series Of Airstrikes On Syria ’ s Greater Idlib ( Videos )

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On September 10, a prominent opposition leader in the southern Syrian governorate of Daraa known as Muhammad Jamal al-Jalm was assassinated.
Unidentified gunmen shot al-Jalm in front of his house in the town of Jasim in northern Daraa. Al-Jalm was quickly hospitalized. However, he died of his wounds in a short time.
Al-Jalm was a judge in the “House of Justice in Houran,” an Islamic court that ruled over Daraa when the governorate was controlled by Free Syrian Army factions.
عملية اغتيال ليلة أمس في مدينة جاسم للشيخ أبو البراء الجلم (محمد جمال الجلم)
عضو اللجنة المركزية في درعا، ومن قادة الحراك الثوري منذ بداياته في حوران
المتهم الأول هو النظام
رحمه الله pic.twitter.com/MtYfvTgSu8 — أحمد أبازيد (@abazeid89) September 11, 2020
Following the 2018 reconciliation agreement, al-Jalm, who is also known as “Abu Baraa,” became a member of Daraa’s Reconciliation Council.
According to several sources, al-Jalm was recently involved in a series of successful talks with Syrian security officials. The talks resulted in an agreement that boosted cooperation between local fighters and security forces in Jasim.
Last May, ISIS-affiliated militants killed three senior members of the Reconciliation Council in Daraa. The terrorist group, which is active in northern Daraa, may have been behind the assassination of al-Jalm.
ISIS and other sides are working to sabotage any understanding between the government and local fighters in Daraa. A state of lawlessness is now prevailing over the governorate. A day earlier, a senior Syrian general was killed there.
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southfront--2020-09-11--Face Of War: Multiple Dead ISIS Militants, Destroyed Equipment During 2017 Operation To Liberate Pal

Face Of War: Multiple Dead ISIS Militants, Destroyed Equipment During 2017 Operation To Liberate Palmyra (WARNING 18+)

This group of ISIS members was eliminated during the 2017 operation to liberate the ancient city of Palmyra from the @ @ @ @ @ province of Homs .
Russian sources claim that the terrorists were targeted by several anti-tank @ @ @ @ @ special forces , which were supporting the advance of the Syrian Army and other pro-government @ @ @ @ @ Palmyra is liberated , the ISIS siege of Deir Ezzor is lifted and the terrorists @ @ @ @ @ .
However , ISIS cells are still present in desert areas of Homs and Deir @ @ @ @ @ regularly conduct attacks on military and civilian targets on the both banks of the Euphrates @ @ @ @ @ Army and its allies to ger rid of ISIS cells led to no breakthrough in @ @ @ @ @ to the Damascus government , terrorists hide in the areas occupied by US forces .
@ @ @ @ @

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This group of ISIS members was eliminated during the 2017 operation to liberate the ancient city of Palmyra from the terrorist group in the Syrian province of Homs.
Russian sources claim that the terrorists were targeted by several anti-tank guided missiles launched by Russian special forces, which were supporting the advance of the Syrian Army and other pro-government units.
3 years later Palmyra is liberated, the ISIS siege of Deir Ezzor is lifted and the terrorists’ self-proclaimed Caliphate is destroyed. However, ISIS cells are still present in desert areas of Homs and Deir Ezzor provinces. These cells regularly conduct attacks on military and civilian targets on the both banks of the Euphrates. Efforts of the Syrian Army and its allies to ger rid of ISIS cells led to no breakthrough in the field because, according to the Damascus government, terrorists hide in the areas occupied by US forces.
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southfront--2020-09-11--United States Says Russia Already Tested Projectile-Firing Satellite Weapons In Orbit

Russia has successfully tested projectile-firing satellite weapons in orbit two times , the United States says .
“ Now , there is a lot for our teams to discuss on this space dialogue , of course .
While our efforts are aimed at finding constructive paths forward for space security , we will certainly emphasize our great concern with ongoing Russian – as well as Chinese – efforts to weaponize the space domain .
To be clear , Moscow and Beijing have already turned space into a warfighting domain , as I ’ m sure you ’ ve been following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Space Command ’ s announcement yesterday about Russia having conducted another on-orbit weapons test on the 15th of July .
So even while both Russia and China engage in diplomatic gamesmanship over what they claim is “ space arms control , ” in other words , both are fielding new anti-satellite weapons in order to hold U.S. and allied space services at risk .
As SPACECOM ’ s most recent announcement makes doubly clear , Russia , in what I would say is an amazingly hypocritical repudiation of its own diplomacy against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Russia has already tested projectile-firing satellite weapons in orbit not just once , but now twice .
The U.S. considers unfettered access to and freedom to operate in space to be a vital interest , and we are committed to defending such space access and deterring any harmful interference with or attacks upon critical components of our space architecture , ” Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Non-Proliferation Christopher Ford said during the press briefing on July 24 .

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Russia has successfully tested projectile-firing satellite weapons in orbit two times, the United States says.
“Now, there is a lot for our teams to discuss on this space dialogue, of course. While our efforts are aimed at finding constructive paths forward for space security, we will certainly emphasize our great concern with ongoing Russian – as well as Chinese – efforts to weaponize the space domain. To be clear, Moscow and Beijing have already turned space into a warfighting domain, as I’m sure you’ve been following, especially in light of the U.S. Space Command’s announcement yesterday about Russia having conducted another on-orbit weapons test on the 15th of July.
So even while both Russia and China engage in diplomatic gamesmanship over what they claim is “space arms control,” in other words, both are fielding new anti-satellite weapons in order to hold U.S. and allied space services at risk. As SPACECOM’s most recent announcement makes doubly clear, Russia, in what I would say is an amazingly hypocritical repudiation of its own diplomacy against the deployment of “weapons in outer space,” Russia has already tested projectile-firing satellite weapons in orbit not just once, but now twice.
The U.S. considers unfettered access to and freedom to operate in space to be a vital interest, and we are committed to defending such space access and deterring any harmful interference with or attacks upon critical components of our space architecture,” Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Non-Proliferation Christopher Ford said during the press briefing on July 24.


southfront--2020-09-11--Russian Warplanes Carried Out Another Series Of Airstrikes On Syria’s Greater Idlib (Videos)

On September 11 , warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces ( VKS ) carried out another series of airstrikes on the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib .
Greater Idlib is controlled by several terrorist groups and opposition factions led by al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay ’ at Tahrir al-Sham .
The Turkish military maintains a fairly large presence in the region .
According to the London-Based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights , the new Russian airstrikes targeted the vicinity of the town of Sheikh Yusuf , to the west of Idlib ’ s city center .
No losses have been reported , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the VKS carried out similar airstrikes on the town of Kabani in northern Lattakia as well on the western outskirts of Idlib city .
The recent Russian airstrikes appear to be a response to the militants ’ repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement in Greater Idlib .
Russia ’ s President Vladimir Putin and Turkey ’ s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the agreement on the 5th of March .
Turkey committed to neutralize the remaining radicals in Greater Idlib under the agreement .
However , Ankara ’ s forces have not taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may soon force Syrian government forces and their allies to resume operations in the region .
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On September 11, warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) carried out another series of airstrikes on the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib.
Greater Idlib is controlled by several terrorist groups and opposition factions led by al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham. The Turkish military maintains a fairly large presence in the region.
According to the London-Based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the new Russian airstrikes targeted the vicinity of the town of Sheikh Yusuf, to the west of Idlib’s city center. No losses have been reported, thus far.
Two days ago, the VKS carried out similar airstrikes on the town of Kabani in northern Lattakia as well on the western outskirts of Idlib city.
The recent Russian airstrikes appear to be a response to the militants’ repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement in Greater Idlib. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the agreement on March 5.
Turkey committed to neutralize the remaining radicals in Greater Idlib under the agreement. However, Ankara’s forces have not taken any action, so far. This may soon force Syrian government forces and their allies to resume operations in the region.
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southfront--2020-09-11--New Israeli Attack Targeted Syria’s Aleppo, Military Complex Allegedly Hit (Video, Photos)

Early on September 11 , a series of Israeli airstrikes hit the northern Syrian governorate of Aleppo , where sensitive military facilities are located .
A military source told the Syrian Arab News Agency ( SANA ) that Israeli warplanes fired several “ salvos ” of missiles at the outskirt of Aleppo ’ s city center .
The SANA and Syria ’ s News TV released a video and several photos showing the interception of a number of missiles over Aleppo .
According to several opposition sources , the Israeli strikes targeted the al-Safirah defense factories , 21 km to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complex , where Syria stored some of its chemical weapons before the 2013 deal , is now developing and producing conventional ammunition for the Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) .
On the August 31 , the Israeli military carried out a series of strikes on the Syrian capital , Damascus , and the country ’ s southern region .
The strikes targeted Iranian positions as well as air-defense systems of the SAA .
The Israeli attacks on Syria are a part of a campaign meant to pressure Iran into withdrawing its forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a failure , so far .
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Early on September 11, a series of Israeli airstrikes hit the northern Syrian governorate of Aleppo, where sensitive military facilities are located.
A military source told the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) that Israeli warplanes had fired several missile “salvos” at the outskirt of Aleppo’s city center.
“Our air-defense means repelled the aggression, shooting down most hostile missiles,” the source told the state-run agency.
The SANA and Syria’s News TV released a video and several photos showing the interception of a number of missiles over Aleppo.
According to several opposition sources, the Israeli strikes targeted the al-Safirah defense factories, 21 km to the south of Aleppo city. The complex, where Syria stored some of its chemical weapons before the 2013 deal, is now developing and producing conventional ammunition for the Syrian Arab Army (SAA).
On the August 31, the Israeli military carried out a series of strikes on the Syrian capital, Damascus, and the country’s southern region. The strikes targeted Iranian positions as well as air-defense systems of the SAA.
The Israeli attacks on Syria are part of a campaign meant to pressure Iran into withdrawing its forces from Syria. The campaign has been a failure, so far.
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southfront--2020-09-11--Iran Threatens To Strike UAE In Case Of Any Israeli Aggression From Its Territory

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian , special aide to the president of the Islamic Parliament of Iran , said that the UAE had made a “ big mistake ” in normalizing relations with “ the cancer of the region , the Zionist entity ” .
In an interview with Al-Alam TV , the Iranian official stated the UAE “ endangered its own security ” by making this step .
He also warned that the UAE will become a target of the Iranian retaliation to any Israeli actions coming from its territory .
“ Since the UAE disclosed its normalization of its relations with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or hidden event that occurs at the hands of the Israeli intelligence services or their agents in the Islamic Republic or the region , the response that will come will not be directed at the Zionist entity only , but also , the UAE will be part of the response .
” These comments came a few days after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the UAE and Israel could form an alliance against Iran .
“ The UAE and Israel both recognise Iran as this great threat , so they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out a relationship which can build out a coalition to ultimately make sure that this threat never reaches American shores or harms anyone in the Middle East , ” Pompeo told Fox News .
Tensions in the region do not seem to be de-escalating .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • UAE And Israel Plan To Create Intelligence Bases On Yemen ’ s Socotra Island

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Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, special aide to the president of the Islamic Parliament of Iran, said that the UAE had made a “big mistake” in normalizing relations with “the cancer of the region, the Zionist entity”.
In an interview with Al-Alam TV, the Iranian official stated the UAE “endangered its own security” by making this step. He also warned that the UAE will become a target of the Iranian retaliation to any Israeli actions coming from its territory.
“Since the UAE disclosed its normalization of its relations with the delusional Israeli entity, any apparent or hidden event that occurs at the hands of the Israeli intelligence services or their agents in the Islamic Republic or the region, the response that will come will not be directed at the Zionist entity only, but also, the UAE will be part of the response. ”
These comments came a few days after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the UAE and Israel could form an alliance against Iran.
“The UAE and Israel both recognise Iran as this great threat, so they have now found a way to build out a relationship which can build out a coalition to ultimately make sure that this threat never reaches American shores or harms anyone in the Middle East,” Pompeo told Fox News.
Tensions in the region do not seem to be de-escalating.
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southfront--2020-09-11--America’s Post 9/11 Wars Have Forced 37 Million People From Their Homes: New Study

The study identifies that out of this 39 million total , eight of the most violent wars and ‘ counter-insurgency campaigns ’ are responsible for the vast majority of displacements .
They are Afghanistan , Iraq , Libya , Pakistan , the Philippines , Somalia , Syria and Yemen .
These wars were executed or overseen either by the Bush , Obama , or spanning into the Trump administration .
To drive home the magnitude , The Quincy Institute underscores that “ Displacing 37 million people is equivalent to removing nearly all the residents of the state of California or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combined.
” And further , “ The figure is almost as large as the population of Canada.
” Wesley Clark ’ s famous 2007 ‘ Foreign Policy Coup ’ speech : “ We ’ re going to take out seven countries in five years ” after 9/11 : American military bases have also rapidly expanded across the globe in the wake of 9/11 , mostly in Africa and the Middle East , as the following map produced by the Investigative Reporting Workshop ( IRW ) demonstrates .
“ Until now , no one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have displaced , ” the report emphasizes .
“ Indeed , most Americans are likely unaware that U.S. combat operations have taken place not only in Afghanistan , Iraq and Syria , but also in 21 other nations since President George W. Bush announced a global war on terror.
” Here are the breakdown of post 9/11 mass displacements by country according to the Public Anthropology Clinic : • 5.3 million Afghans ( representing 26 % of the pre-war population ) since the start of the U.S. war in Afghanistan in 2001 ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the pre-war population ) since the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 quickly became a single war crossing the border into northwest Pakistan ; • 1.7 million Filipinos ( 2 % ) since the U.S. military joined the Philippine government in its decades-old war with Abu Sayyaf and other insurgent groups in 2002 ; • 4.2 million Somalis ( 46 % ) since U.S. forces began supporting a UN-recognized Somali government fighting the Islamic Courts Union ( ICU ) in 2002 and , after 2006 , the ICU ’ s breakaway militia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yemenis ( 24 % ) since the U.S. government began drone assassinations of alleged terrorists in 2002 and backed a Saudi Arabia-led war against the Houthi movement since 2015 ; • 9.2 million Iraqis ( 37 % ) since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion and occupation and the post-2014 war against the Islamic State group ; • 1.2 million Libyans ( 19 % ) since the U.S. and European governments intervened in the 2011 uprising against Moammar Gadhafi fueling an ongoing civil war ; • 7.1 million Syrians ( 37 % ) since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Islamic State in 2014 .

The study identifies that out of this 39 million total, eight of the most violent wars and ‘counter-insurgency campaigns’ are responsible for the vast majority of displacements. They are Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Pakistan, the Philippines, Somalia, Syria and Yemen.
These wars were executed or overseen either by the Bush, Obama, or spanning into the Trump administration.
To drive home the magnitude, The Quincy Institute underscores that “Displacing 37 million people is equivalent to removing nearly all the residents of the state of California or all the people in Texas and Virginia combined.”
And further, “The figure is almost as large as the population of Canada.”
Wesley Clark’s famous 2007 ‘Foreign Policy Coup’ speech: “We’re going to take out seven countries in five years” after 9/11:
American military bases have also rapidly expanded across the globe in the wake of 9/11, mostly in Africa and the Middle East, as the following map produced by the Investigative Reporting Workshop (IRW) demonstrates.
“Until now, no one has known how many people the wars have displaced,” the report emphasizes. “Indeed, most Americans are likely unaware that U.S. combat operations have taken place not only in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, but also in 21 other nations since President George W. Bush announced a global war on terror.”
* * *
Here are the breakdown of post 9/11 mass displacements by country according to the Public Anthropology Clinic:


southfront--2020-09-11--Assange’s Fourth Day at the Old Bailey: COVID in the Courtroom

As James Lewis QC for the prosecution , representing the US government , revealed , “ I ’ m just saying about my charger .
It ’ s in court and I ’ m going to run out of battery.
” It was one of those moments that said much about the fourth day of proceedings at the Old Bailey regarding one Julian Assange , publisher , Australian national and wanted by the US Department of Justice for incongruous charges of espionage .
It all had the appropriate Orwellian shades and show trial trimmings .
The US prosecution team had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team was physically present and masked .
Technology again did its bedevilling magic at the Central Criminal Court .
At one point , Joel Smith for the prosecution was attempting to get the attention of Judge Vanessa Baraitser to inform her that nothing could be heard in the court room .
The screen of chief prosecutor Lewis had also frozen .
Unlike the previous three days of these extradition proceedings , the central contentions were not Assange the public interest journalist , the discloser of informant names , or President Donald J. Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was the revelation that COVID-19 had found its way into the Old Bailey .
On Wednesday night , Judge Baraitser was told that a member of one of the legal teams may have been exposed to the coronavirus .
As was announced on Court News , “ Julian Assange ’ s extradition hearing at the Old Bailey today will not be going ahead because the husband of one of the US lawyers has come down with COVID-like symptoms .
Once he gets the result of a test the judge will determine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have had reason to reflect upon this moment with bitter mockery .
His conditions in Her Majesty ’ s Belmarsh Prison have been a picture of shoddy treatment , both physically and symbolically .
Access to his legal team has been scandalously scant , exacerbated by pandemic lockdown conditions .
The entire institutional treatment of the Australian has been considered nothing less than that of a tortured figure , “ shocking and excessive ” , to use the words of the International Bar Association ’ s Human Rights Institute .
His supporters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contracting coronavirus and suffering , in his frail state , the gruelling effects of COVID-19 .
His efforts to seek bail in order to escape the dangers of viral transmission have been foiled by the pitiless Baraitser .
In March , Edward Fitzgerald QC attempted to convince the judge that medical “ experts consider that [ Assange ] is particularly at risk of developing coronavirus and , if he does , that it develops into very severe complications for him.
” Should he contract it , “ it would be very doubtful that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his condition.
” Swatting such concerns away , Baraitser saw little reason for concern : there were no instances of COVID-19 at Belmarsh , a reckless conclusion to draw given the self-isolation measures imposed upon a hundred personnel at the time .
The group Doctors for Assange were shaken by the ruling .
In their March 27 statement , they vented .
“ Despite our prior unequivocal statement that Mr Assange is at increased risk of serious illness and death were he to contract coronavirus and the evidence of medical experts , Baraitser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for prisons in responding to the global pandemic.
” The editor-in-chief of WikiLeaks , Kristinn Hrafnsson was furious .
“ To expose another human being to serious illness , and to the threat of losing their life , is grotesque and quite unnecessary.
” In June , Doctors for Assange reiterated the call that Assange be granted bail , having met “ internationally recommended criteria for prisoner release during COVID-19.
” Globally , prisons were being emptied of inmates to prevent the march of COVID-19 .
Assange remained the exception .
On September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ irony .
It was the prosecutors for the United States , Assange ’ s incessant harassers , who had been potentially infected .
Notwithstanding this , Judge Baraitser was not averse to pushing onto a fifth day of proceedings , a point that agitated the legal teams and seemed to be as quixotic as it was indifferent .
Fitzgerald , representing Assange , urged the court to accept the logical assumption that “ COVID will be in the courtroom.
” The staff of the court would themselves be “ at risk , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” It was a good ploy on Fitzgerald ’ s part to mention the court as the primary consideration , reserving the concerns of his client for last .
“ Finally , our client Mr Assange , who is vulnerable you are aware , would be at risk in court.
” His request for adjournment struck a common chord with Lewis .
Proceedings will be postponed until September 14 , awaiting the test results .
In the meantime , the defence and prosecution will make interest of justice submissions on how they wish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is positive for coronavirus .
In the meantime , the rest of the Old Bailey will continue to grind .
A spokesperson for the City of London Corporation was businesslike in moving forward .
“ The Central Criminal Court is deep cleaned every day in accordance with government guidelines and will remain open.
” It was left to Kevin Gosztola of to sum up the day ’ s sentiment in wry fashion : “ Looking forward to the courtroom sketch of Assange in a glass box with only the judge in the room @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll be [ sic ] quite appropriate image for this case.
” Lewis , in the meantime , might be able to obtain his charger .
Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College , Cambridge .
He lectures at RMIT University , Melbourne .
Email : bkampmark @ gmail.com MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Assange ’ s Third Day at the Old Bailey : Bias , Politics and Wars on Journalism • Assange ’ s Second Day at the Old Bailey : Torture , Drone Strikes and Journalism • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To Extradite Julian Assange

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Submitted by Dr. Binoy Kampmark
As James Lewis QC for the prosecution, representing the US government, revealed, “I’m just saying about my charger. It’s in court and I’m going to run out of battery.” It was one of those moments that said much about the fourth day of proceedings at the Old Bailey regarding one Julian Assange, publisher, Australian national and wanted by the US Department of Justice for incongruous charges of espionage.
It all had the appropriate Orwellian shades and show trial trimmings. The US prosecution team had gone remote; Assange’s legal team was physically present and masked. Technology again did its bedevilling magic at the Central Criminal Court. At one point, Joel Smith for the prosecution was attempting to get the attention of Judge Vanessa Baraitser to inform her that nothing could be heard in the court room. The screen of chief prosecutor Lewis had also frozen.
Unlike the previous three days of these extradition proceedings, the central contentions were not Assange the public interest journalist, the discloser of informant names, or President Donald J. Trump’s war on the Fourth Estate. It was the revelation that COVID-19 had found its way into the Old Bailey. On Wednesday night, Judge Baraitser was told that a member of one of the legal teams may have been exposed to the coronavirus. As was announced on Court News, “Julian Assange’s extradition hearing at the Old Bailey today will not be going ahead because the husband of one of the US lawyers has come down with COVID-like symptoms. Once he gets the result of a test the judge will determine how best to proceed.”
Assange would have had reason to reflect upon this moment with bitter mockery. His conditions in Her Majesty’s Belmarsh Prison have been a picture of shoddy treatment, both physically and symbolically. Access to his legal team has been scandalously scant, exacerbated by pandemic lockdown conditions. The entire institutional treatment of the Australian has been considered nothing less than that of a tortured figure, “shocking and excessive”, to use the words of the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute. His supporters, fearful, see him at risk of contracting coronavirus and suffering, in his frail state, the gruelling effects of COVID-19.
His efforts to seek bail in order to escape the dangers of viral transmission have been foiled by the pitiless Baraitser. In March, Edward Fitzgerald QC attempted to convince the judge that medical “experts consider that [Assange] is particularly at risk of developing coronavirus and, if he does, that it develops into very severe complications for him.” Should he contract it, “it would be very doubtful that Belmarsh would be able to cope with his condition.”
Swatting such concerns away, Baraitser saw little reason for concern: there were no instances of COVID-19 at Belmarsh, a reckless conclusion to draw given the self-isolation measures imposed upon a hundred personnel at the time. The group Doctors for Assange were shaken by the ruling. In their March 27 statement, they vented. “Despite our prior unequivocal statement that Mr Assange is at increased risk of serious illness and death were he to contract coronavirus and the evidence of medical experts, Baraitser dismissed the risk, citing UK guidelines for prisons in responding to the global pandemic.” The editor-in-chief of WikiLeaks, Kristinn Hrafnsson was furious. “To expose another human being to serious illness, and to the threat of losing their life, is grotesque and quite unnecessary.”
In June, Doctors for Assange reiterated the call that Assange be granted bail, having met “internationally recommended criteria for prisoner release during COVID-19.” Globally, prisons were being emptied of inmates to prevent the march of COVID-19. Assange remained the exception.
On September 10, 2020, history grimaced with irony. It was the prosecutors for the United States, Assange’s incessant harassers, who had been potentially infected. Notwithstanding this, Judge Baraitser was not averse to pushing onto a fifth day of proceedings, a point that agitated the legal teams and seemed to be as quixotic as it was indifferent.
Fitzgerald, representing Assange, urged the court to accept the logical assumption that “COVID will be in the courtroom.” The staff of the court would themselves be “at risk, and you yourself may well be at risk.” It was a good ploy on Fitzgerald’s part to mention the court as the primary consideration, reserving the concerns of his client for last. “Finally, our client Mr Assange, who is vulnerable you are aware, would be at risk in court.” His request for adjournment struck a common chord with Lewis. Proceedings will be postponed until September 14, awaiting the test results. In the meantime, the defence and prosecution will make interest of justice submissions on how they wish to proceed in the event the test is positive for coronavirus.
In the meantime, the rest of the Old Bailey will continue to grind. A spokesperson for the City of London Corporation was businesslike in moving forward. “The Central Criminal Court is deep cleaned every day in accordance with government guidelines and will remain open.”
It was left to Kevin Gosztola of Shadowproof to sum up the day’s sentiment in wry fashion: “Looking forward to the courtroom sketch of Assange in a glass box with only the judge in the room as we proceed virtually. That’ll be [sic] quite appropriate image for this case.” Lewis, in the meantime, might be able to obtain his charger.
Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College, Cambridge. He lectures at RMIT University, Melbourne. Email: bkampmark@gmail.com
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southfront--2020-09-11--Support SouthFront’s Fight For Existence

The year of 2020 has been marked by a number of negative tendencies and crises .
This includes the global economic crisis , the COVID-19 outbreak , the increase of chances of a US-Iranian war in the Middle East and further .
These developments are accompanied by the increasing censorship against independent media organizations and activists .
Euro-Atlantic structures have been contributing extensive efforts to silence independent points of view .
SouthFront is one of the targets of this campaign .
The pressure faced by our team is unprecedented .
Despite this , our team is not going to surrender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ survived in the previous months and even was able to keep most of its coverage ( including text analyses , exclusive videos , maps and infographics ) .
Nonetheless , the situation remains critical .
Since September 1 , we ’ ve collected 1,073 USD .
This is about 21.5 % of the monthly budget needed to continue SouthFront work and further .
Unlike propaganda structures funded by the Euro-Atlantic establishment , SouthFront operates thanks to the audience ’ s donations .
We will not be able to survive without your help .
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DEAR FRIENDS,
The year of 2020 has been marked by a number of negative tendencies and crises. This includes the global economic crisis, the COVID-19 outbreak, the increase of chances of a US-Iranian war in the Middle East and further.
These developments are accompanied by the increasing censorship against independent media organizations and activists. Euro-Atlantic structures have been contributing extensive efforts to silence independent points of view. SouthFront is one of the targets of this campaign. The pressure faced by our team is unprecedented.
Despite this, our team is not going to surrender. Thanks to your support, SouthFront survived in the previous months and even was able to keep most of its coverage (including text analyses, exclusive videos, maps and infographics). Nonetheless, the situation remains critical.
Since September 1, we’ve collected 1,073 USD. This is about 21.5% of the monthly budget needed to continue SouthFront work and further.
Unlike propaganda structures funded by the Euro-Atlantic establishment, SouthFront operates thanks to the audience’s donations. We will not be able to survive without your help.
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southfront--2020-09-11--Ansat Multipurpose Utility Helicopter (Infographics)

Click to see the full-size image The Ansat is a Russian multipurpose utility helicopter produced by Kazan Helicopters .
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The Ansat is a Russian multipurpose utility helicopter produced by Kazan Helicopters.
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southfront--2020-09-11--Houthis Struck ‘High-Value Target’ In Saudi Capital With Ballistic Missile, Drones

The Yemeni Missile Force and Air Force , both allied to the Houthis , announced on September 10 that they had struck a “ high-value target ” in the Saudi capital , Riyadh , in a joint operation .
In a statement , Brig .
Gen. Yahya Sari , a spokesman for the pro-Houthi wing of the Yemeni military , said the “ high-value target ” was attacked with a Zulfiqar ballistic missile and three Samad-3 suicide drones .
“ The attack is a response to the continuous escalation by the enemy and its continuous siege on our dear country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We promise the criminal and aggressor Saudi regime with painful and hurtful operations if it continues its aggression and siege on our great country and our dear people.
” The Samad-3 drone , which has a range of more than 1,500 km , was revealed last year .
Nevertheless , nothing is known about the Zulfiqar missile , which was used by the Houthis in previous attacks on Saudi Arabia .
While the Houthis claim that their operation was successful , the Saudi-led coalition said several missiles and drones were intercepted after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rarely acknowledges its losses in Houthi drone and missile attacks .
The upcoming few days may reveal more information on the Yemeni group ’ s new operation and its results .
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The Yemeni Missile Force and Air Force, both allied to the Houthis, announced on September 10 that they had struck a “high-value target” in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, in a joint operation.
In a statement, Brig. Gen. Yahya Sari, a spokesman for the pro-Houthi wing of the Yemeni military, said the “high-value target” was attacked with a Zulfiqar ballistic missile and three Samad-3 suicide drones.
“The attack is a response to the continuous escalation by the enemy and its continuous siege on our dear country,” the spokesman said, adding “We promise the criminal and aggressor Saudi regime with painful and hurtful operations if it continues its aggression and siege on our great country and our dear people.”
The Samad-3 drone, which has a range of more than 1,500 km, was revealed last year. Nevertheless, nothing is known about the Zulfiqar missile, which was used by the Houthis in previous attacks on Saudi Arabia.
While the Houthis claim that their operation was successful, the Saudi-led coalition said several missiles and drones were intercepted after being launched from Yemen.
Saudi Arabia rarely acknowledges its losses in Houthi drone and missile attacks. The upcoming few days may reveal more information on the Yemeni group’s new operation and its results.
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southfront--2020-09-11--Military Situation Syria’s Greater Idlib On September 10, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria ’ s Greater Idlib : @ @ @ @ @ militants ’ positions in the western outskirts of the city of Idlib ; • Syrian @ @ @ @ @ artillery shelled Turkish-backed militants ’ positions in the villages of al-Barah , Kansafra , Safuhan @ @ @ @ @ Turkish-backed militants artillery shelled SAA positions in the villages of Miznaz and Talhiyah ; MORE @ @ @ @

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria’s Greater Idlib:
Russian warplanes targeted Turkish-backed militants’ positions in the western outskirts of the city of Idlib;
Russian warplanes targeted Turkish-backed militants’ positions in the Kabani area;
Syrian Arab Army (SAA) artillery shelled Turkish-backed militants’ positions in the villages of al-Barah, Kansafra, Safuhan and Kafr Uwaid;
Turkish-backed militants artillery shelled SAA positions in the villages of Miznaz and Talhiyah;
A Turksih general died in Idlib due to a «heart attack».
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southfront--2020-09-11--Turkish General Died From “Heart Attack” In Idlib. 3 Mossad Agents Allegedly Captured

A Turkish general died of a heart attack in the combat zone of the Syrian province of Idlib , the Turkish Defense Ministry reported on September 9 .
According to Turkish state media , the general started to feel bad in the combat zone and was evacuated to a hospital .
However , he died despite doctors ’ best efforts .
Afterwards , his body was moved to the Turkish province of Hatay .
The announcement came just a few days after the Syrian Army and the Turkish Armed Forces exchanged strikes in southern Idlib .
Pro-Turkish sources on social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these developments and the death of the general from a supposed ‘ heart attack ’ are not related .
Later on the same day , the Russian Aerospace Forces conducted a series of airstrikes on positions of the Turkish-backed terrorist group , Hayat Tahrir al-Sham , in the western countryside of Idlib .
Earlier , Russian airstrikes pounded positions of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and its allied terrorists from the Turkistan Islamic Party in the vicinity of the town of Kabani in northern Lattakia .
Both waves of airstrikes hit weapon depots and fortified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed that these strikes were a pretext for a new Syrian-led ground operation in Greater Idlib .
This scenario remains unlikely .
The more realistic option is the further development of Turkish-Russian cooperation in the field with the intent of finally creating a real demilitarized zone along the M4 highway and enforcing the withdrawal of radicals and heavy weapons from it .
In this light , Syrian sources say that a few more ‘ heart attacks ’ targeting Turkish officers , who are sabotaging the implementation of this deal and thus directly contributing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hiding in Greater Idlib , may have a positive impact on the situation .
A new armed group calling itself the “ Freedom Movement ” claimed that it had captured two officers of the Israeli intelligence agency , Mossad .
In an official statement , first posted on a Facebook page called “ Palestinian Top Secrets ” on September 5 , the group claimed that the officers were captured while carrying out “ cross-border security missions.
” The group shared a video of the alleged Israeli officers in captivity .
One of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ David Ben-Rose.
” He supposedly worked undercover for Mossad as a petrochemicals scientist .
Israel has not commented on the group ’ s claim so far .
In most cases , Tel Aviv does go public with incidents involving its citizens or service members .
There is a significant chance that the Freedom Movement statement may be a part of the ongoing media campaign waged by pro-Palestinian groups against Israel .
On the other hand , if the claims turn out to be true , this will become a notable blow for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growing tensions with Hezbollah and Iran .

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A Turkish general died of a heart attack in the combat zone of the Syrian province of Idlib, the Turkish Defense Ministry reported on September 9. According to Turkish state media, the general started to feel bad in the combat zone and was evacuated to a hospital. However, he died despite doctors’ best efforts. Afterwards, his body was moved to the Turkish province of Hatay.
The announcement came just a few days after the Syrian Army and the Turkish Armed Forces exchanged strikes in southern Idlib. Pro-Turkish sources on social media immediately became pretty active arguing that these developments and the death of the general from a supposed ‘heart attack’ are not related.
Later on the same day, the Russian Aerospace Forces conducted a series of airstrikes on positions of the Turkish-backed terrorist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, in the western countryside of Idlib. Earlier, Russian airstrikes pounded positions of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and its allied terrorists from the Turkistan Islamic Party in the vicinity of the town of Kabani in northern Lattakia. Both waves of airstrikes hit weapon depots and fortified terrorist positions. Pro-government sources as always claimed that these strikes were a pretext for a new Syrian-led ground operation in Greater Idlib. This scenario remains unlikely. The more realistic option is the further development of Turkish-Russian cooperation in the field with the intent of finally creating a real demilitarized zone along the M4 highway and enforcing the withdrawal of radicals and heavy weapons from it. In this light, Syrian sources say that a few more ‘heart attacks’ targeting Turkish officers, who are sabotaging the implementation of this deal and thus directly contributing to the Turkish campaign to defend terrorists hiding in Greater Idlib, may have a positive impact on the situation.
A new armed group calling itself the “Freedom Movement” claimed that it had captured two officers of the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad. In an official statement, first posted on a Facebook page called “Palestinian Top Secrets” on September 5, the group claimed that the officers were captured while carrying out “cross-border security missions.”
The group shared a video of the alleged Israeli officers in captivity. One of the alleged officers identified himself in Hebrew as “David Ben-Rose.” He supposedly worked undercover for Mossad as a petrochemicals scientist. Israel has not commented on the group’s claim so far. In most cases, Tel Aviv does go public with incidents involving its citizens or service members.
There is a significant chance that the Freedom Movement statement may be a part of the ongoing media campaign waged by pro-Palestinian groups against Israel. On the other hand, if the claims turn out to be true, this will become a notable blow for Israeli propaganda amid the country’s growing tensions with Hezbollah and Iran.
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southfront--2020-09-11--Lebanese Army Shot Down Israeli Drone (Photos)

The Lebanese Armed Forces announced on September 10 that its units had shot down an Israeli drone that violated the country ’ s aerospace .
“ At about 17:10 , a hostile Israeli drone penetrated the Lebanese airspace over the town of Aita al-Shaab , and was shot down by personnel of one of the army posts at a distance of 200 meters from the Blue Line inside Lebanese territory , ” the army said in a statement .
The Israeli Defense Forces ( IDF ) acknowledged that one of their drones was lost near the separation line with Lebanon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fear of information leakage.
” Photos posted on social media by Lebanese users revealed that the downed Israeli drone was a commercially available DJI Mavic Pro .
The DJI Mavic Pro , which is equipped with a camera and can stay in the air for 27 minutes , has been in service with the IDF since 2016 .
Drones of this type are usually used for “ non-secret ” missions by the Golani Brigade , Givati Brigade , Kfir Brigade , Nahal Brigade and Paratroopers Brigade .
Last month , Hezbollah fighters shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after it had crossed the separation line from the Israeli side to an area located south of the Lebanese town of Ayta al-Shab .
Tension between Israel and Lebanon has been rising since July 20 , when a series of Israeli airstrikes on the Syrian capital claimed the life of a Hezbollah fighters .
The IDF is now anticipating a response by the Lebanese group .
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The Lebanese Armed Forces announced on September 10 that its units had shot down an Israeli drone that violated the country’s aerospace.
“At about 17:10, a hostile Israeli drone penetrated the Lebanese airspace over the town of Aita al-Shaab, and was shot down by personnel of one of the army posts at a distance of 200 meters from the Blue Line inside Lebanese territory,” the army said in a statement.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged that one of their drones was lost near the separation line with Lebanon, saying that “there is no fear of information leakage.”
Photos posted on social media by Lebanese users revealed that the downed Israeli drone was a commercially available DJI Mavic Pro.
The DJI Mavic Pro, which is equipped with a camera and can stay in the air for 27 minutes, has been in service with the IDF since 2016. Drones of this type are usually used for “non-secret” missions by the Golani Brigade, Givati Brigade, Kfir Brigade, Nahal Brigade and Paratroopers Brigade.
Last month, Hezbollah fighters shot down a drone of the same type after it had crossed the separation line from the Israeli side to an area located south of the Lebanese town of Ayta al-Shab.
Tension between Israel and Lebanon has been rising since July 20, when a series of Israeli airstrikes on the Syrian capital claimed the life of a Hezbollah fighters. The IDF is now anticipating a response by the Lebanese group.
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southfront--2020-09-11--SH-3 Sea King Anti-Submarine Warfare Helicopter (Infographics)

Click to see the full-size image The SH-3 Sea King is a twin-engined anti-submarine warfare helicopter designed and produced by @ @ @ @ @ THE TOPIC :

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The SH-3 Sea King is a twin-engined anti-submarine warfare helicopter designed and produced by Sikorsky Aircraft.
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southfront--2020-09-11--In Video: Saudi-led Coalition Warplanes Intercept Houthi Suicide Drones Heading To Riyadh

On September 11 , the Saudi-led coalition released a video showing the interception of Houthi suicide drones heading to the Kingdom .
A day earlier , the Houthis announced that they had attacked a “ high-value target ” in the Saudi capital , Riyadh , with three Samad-3 suicide drones a Zulfiqar ballistic missile .
The attack was a response to the Saudi siege on Yemen and recent coalition airstrikes .
The Saudi-led coalition ’ s video proves that all three Houthi drones were shot down by Saudi warplanes before reaching their designated target .
Usually , Houthi drones are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saudi Air Force armed with air-to-air missiles like the AIM-120 AMRAAM and the AIM-9 Sidewinder .
The coalition is yet to provide an evidence that the Zulfiqar ballistic missile was also interpreted .
This may mean that the missile managed to hit its target in the Saudi capital .
The upcoming few days will likely reveal more information on the attack .
The Houthis are once again stepping up their drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia .
The Saudi-led coalition may escalate its operations in Yemen in response .
MORE ON THIS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Missiles And Drones .
Saudi Coalition Retreats In Yemen

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On September 11, the Saudi-led coalition released a video showing the interception of Houthi suicide drones heading to the Kingdom.
A day earlier, the Houthis announced that they had attacked a “high-value target” in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, with three Samad-3 suicide drones a Zulfiqar ballistic missile. The attack was a response to the Saudi siege on Yemen and recent coalition airstrikes.
The Saudi-led coalition’s video proves that all three Houthi drones were shot down by Saudi warplanes before reaching their designated target.
Usually, Houthi drones are intercepted by F-15 warplanes of the Royal Saudi Air Force armed with air-to-air missiles like the AIM-120 AMRAAM and the AIM-9 Sidewinder.
The coalition is yet to provide an evidence that the Zulfiqar ballistic missile was also interpreted. This may mean that the missile managed to hit its target in the Saudi capital. The upcoming few days will likely reveal more information on the attack.
The Houthis are once again stepping up their drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-led coalition may escalate its operations in Yemen in response.
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southfront--2020-09-11--Another U.S.-Made RQ-20 Puma Crashed In Egypt’s Sinai

On September 11 , ISIS news agency , Amaq , shared a photo showing a RQ-20 Puma drone that had recently crashed in the Sinai Peninsula in eastern Egypt .
According to Amaq , the drone crashed near the city of Rafah in the northern part of Sinai .
The causes of the crash were not mentioned by the news agency .
The RQ-20 Puma is a hand-launched unmanned aerial vehicle that was developed by AeroVironment for surveillance and intelligence missions .
In 2018 , the Egyptian military purchased an undisclosed number of RQ-20 drones .
The version purchased by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has an operation range of 20 to 60 km with an endurance of up to 2,5 hours .
The Egyptian version is also equipped with the Mantis i45 gimbal , lightweight visual sensor .
This was the third RQ-20 Puma drone to crash in Sinai this year .
The first drone crashed south of Bir El Abed city last January .
The second one crashed in August west of the city .
This indicates that the U.S.-made drone has serious reliability issues .
The Egyptian military has been using different types of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ISIS cells in Sinai for the past few years .
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On September 11, ISIS news agency, Amaq, shared a photo showing a RQ-20 Puma drone that had recently crashed in the Sinai Peninsula in eastern Egypt.
According to Amaq, the drone crashed near the city of Rafah in the northern part of Sinai. The causes of the crash were not mentioned by the news agency.
The RQ-20 Puma is a hand-launched unmanned aerial vehicle that was developed by AeroVironment for surveillance and intelligence missions.
In 2018, the Egyptian military purchased an undisclosed number of RQ-20 drones. The version purchased by Egypt is the RQ-20B AE II, which has an operation range of 20 to 60 km with an endurance of up to 2,5 hours. The Egyptian version is also equipped with the Mantis i45 gimbal, lightweight visual sensor.
This was the third RQ-20 Puma drone to crash in Sinai this year. The first drone crashed south of Bir El Abed city last January. The second one crashed in August west of the city. This indicates that the U.S.-made drone has serious reliability issues.
The Egyptian military has been using different types of drone to locate, track and target ISIS cells in Sinai for the past few years.
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southfront--2020-09-11--Houthis Strike Riyadh With Missiles And Drones. Saudi Coalition Retreats In Yemen

Late on September 10 , the Saudi capital of Riyadh came under a missile and drone attack from the Ansar Allah movement ( more widely known as the Houthis ) .
The Yemeni missile and air forces , loyal to the Houthi government , announced that they struck a “ high-value target ” in Riyadh with a Zulfiqar ballistic missile and three Samad-3 suicide drones .
“ The attacks are a response to the enemy ’ s permanent escalation and its continuing blockade against our country , ” Brig .
Gen. Yahya Sari , a spokesman for the Armed Forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement promising more attacks on Saudi Arabia if the Kingdom “ continues its aggression and siege ” on Yemen .
The Houthis revealed the Samad-3 combat drone , which also can be used as a loitering munition , in 2019 .
At that time , they claimed that it has a range of up to 1,500km .
As to the Zulfiqar ballistic missile , it is one of a variety of ballistic and even cruise missiles widely employed by the Houthis against Saudi-affiliated targets .
Commenting on the September 10 attack , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Houthi forces launched the missiles and drones at civilian targets in Saudi Arabia , without giving more details .
Every Houthi strike on a target inside Saudi Arabia is a painful blow to the Kingdom .
Even without the almost lost war in Yemen , Saudi Arabia has been passing through an economic and political crisis .
So , it prefers to deny any damage or casualties as a result of such attacks , simultaneously censoring and silencing reports in social media .
Earlier this week , the Houthis already conducted a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Airport in the southwestern Saudi region of Asir .
Strikes were delivered on the target for a three days in a row and caused material damage to the installation even according to Saudi reports .
The coalition also claimed that it downed at least 2 Houthi drones .
Meanwhile , in Yemen itself , Saudi proxies continue retreating under the pressure of the Houthis and their allies in the province of Marib .
Recently , Houthi forces cut off the highway between the provincial capital and an important stronghold of Saudi-backed forces , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Maas base will mark the collapse of the defense of Saudi forces in this part of the province .
For a long time , the conflict in Yemen has been a swamp for pro-Saudi forces and the Kingdom-led coalition , which even de-facto collapsed under the pressure of various obstacles and internal contradictions .
So , the Saudis have been suffering from the consequences of their own actions .

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Late on September 10, the Saudi capital of Riyadh came under a missile and drone attack from the Ansar Allah movement (more widely known as the Houthis).
The Yemeni missile and air forces, loyal to the Houthi government, announced that they struck a “high-value target” in Riyadh with a Zulfiqar ballistic missile and three Samad-3 suicide drones.
“The attacks are a response to the enemy’s permanent escalation and its continuing blockade against our country,” Brig. Gen. Yahya Sari, a spokesman for the Armed Forces of the Houthi government, said in a statement promising more attacks on Saudi Arabia if the Kingdom “continues its aggression and siege” on Yemen.
The Houthis revealed the Samad-3 combat drone, which also can be used as a loitering munition, in 2019. At that time, they claimed that it has a range of up to 1,500km. As to the Zulfiqar ballistic missile, it is one of a variety of ballistic and even cruise missiles widely employed by the Houthis against Saudi-affiliated targets.
Commenting on the September 10 attack, a spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition said that Houthi forces launched the missiles and drones at civilian targets in Saudi Arabia, without giving more details.
Every Houthi strike on a target inside Saudi Arabia is a painful blow to the Kingdom. Even without the almost lost war in Yemen, Saudi Arabia has been passing through an economic and political crisis. So, it prefers to deny any damage or casualties as a result of such attacks, simultaneously censoring and silencing reports in social media.
Earlier this week, the Houthis already conducted a series of drone strikes on Abha International Airport in the southwestern Saudi region of Asir. Strikes were delivered on the target for a three days in a row and caused material damage to the installation even according to Saudi reports. The coalition also claimed that it downed at least 2 Houthi drones.
Meanwhile, in Yemen itself, Saudi proxies continue retreating under the pressure of the Houthis and their allies in the province of Marib. Recently, Houthi forces cut off the highway between the provincial capital and an important stronghold of Saudi-backed forces, the Maas base. The expected fall of the Maas base will mark the collapse of the defense of Saudi forces in this part of the province.
For a long time, the conflict in Yemen has been a swamp for pro-Saudi forces and the Kingdom-led coalition, which even de-facto collapsed under the pressure of various obstacles and internal contradictions. So, the Saudis have been suffering from the consequences of their own actions.
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southfront--2020-09-11--Pro-Western Opposition Calls On Female Supporters To Use Fake Pregnant Bellies During Protests In Be

Pro-Western Opposition Calls On Female Supporters To Use Fake Pregnant Bellies During Protests In Belarus

The pro-Western opposition in Belarus ( coordinated from Poland by the way ) has just hit a new low .
Pro-opposition Telegram channels have been circulating a poster calling on female opposition supporters to make fake pregnant bellies to participate in protests .
The same poster is also calling on pregnant women to join protests .
“ The symbol of pregnancy is woman ’ s belly , in which our free Belarus grows up .
Anyone can make it at home and go out with it to protest !
And the one who dares to touch the pregnant woman will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
A woman ’ s belly can be real !
” the poster claims .
Apparently , according to the Belarusian opposition , the faked ‘ mass ’ participation of pregnant women in protests should ‘ disarm ’ security services of Belarus and set conditions for a further propaganda against the Lukashenko government that would be painted as the killer of pregnant women .
In fact , even the text of the poster demonstrates that the pro-Western opposition is directly interested in some tragedy involving a pregnant woman during protests .
Earlier , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claiming that there allegedly were mass rapes of the detained female protesters .
At some moment , Telegram channels appeared to be full of screenshots of proposals of the opposition to pay money for any woman that would claim that she was raped by Police .
Taking into account this approach , the opposition will have no scruple to intentionally stage a provocation involving a pregnant woman or a child .
While President Alexander Lukashenko and his government are far from being angels , the ugly face of the ‘ democratic ’ opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Lukashenko Claims Germany ‘ Falsified ’ Reports That Navalny Was Poisoned , Allegedly Has Evidence • EU , U.S. And Co. Continue Calls For Belarusian Democracy , As Lukashenko Claims Situation Is Neither Tense Nor Complicated • Lukashenko Continues Cosplaying Apocalypse Now , As New Constitution Is Being Worked On

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The pro-Western opposition in Belarus (coordinated from Poland by the way) has just hit a new low.
Pro-opposition Telegram channels have been circulating a poster calling on female opposition supporters to make fake pregnant bellies to participate in protests. The same poster is also calling on pregnant women to join protests.
“The symbol of pregnancy is woman’s belly, in which our free Belarus grows up. Anyone can make it at home and go out with it to protest! And the one who dares to touch the pregnant woman will cease to be a man !!! Attention OMON and other services !! A woman’s belly can be real!” the poster claims.
Apparently, according to the Belarusian opposition, the faked ‘mass’ participation of pregnant women in protests should ‘disarm’ security services of Belarus and set conditions for a further propaganda against the Lukashenko government that would be painted as the killer of pregnant women. In fact, even the text of the poster demonstrates that the pro-Western opposition is directly interested in some tragedy involving a pregnant woman during protests.
Earlier, pro-opposition outlets already started a media campaign claiming that there allegedly were mass rapes of the detained female protesters. At some moment, Telegram channels appeared to be full of screenshots of proposals of the opposition to pay money for any woman that would claim that she was raped by Police.
Taking into account this approach, the opposition will have no scruple to intentionally stage a provocation involving a pregnant woman or a child.
While President Alexander Lukashenko and his government are far from being angels, the ugly face of the ‘democratic’ opposition plunges into shock any neutral observer.
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southfront--2020-09-11--ISIS Faced Fierce Russian Air Response To Its Attack In Southern Raqqa

Late on September 11 , ISIS terrorists launched an attack on Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) positions in the southern Raqqa countryside .
According to the “ Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently ” blog , the attack targeted positions in the vicinity of the towns of Resafa and al-Mansurah .
Local sources reported heavy clashes in the region .
ISIS ’ attack provoked a fierce response from the Russian Aerospace Forces .
Russian warplanes provided Syrian troops with close air support .
More than eight airstrikes targeted the terrorist group ’ s forces , foiling the attack .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Homs desert , the main stronghold of ISIS terrorists in the central region .
Russian warplanes have been pounding ISIS hideouts in the Homs desert for the last few weeks .
According to a recent report by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights , the airstrikes and clashes with the SAA have claimed the lives of 38 terrorists , so far .
Despite sustaining heavy losses , ISIS remnants in the Homs desert are still determined to expand their influence in the central region .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ From Al-Hawl Camp In Water Tanker ( Video )

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Late on September 11, ISIS terrorists launched an attack on Syrian Arab Army (SAA) positions in the southern Raqqa countryside.
According to the “Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently” blog, the attack targeted positions in the vicinity of the towns of Resafa and al-Mansurah. Local sources reported heavy clashes in the region.
ISIS’ attack provoked a fierce response from the Russian Aerospace Forces. Russian warplanes provided Syrian troops with close air support. More than eight airstrikes targeted the terrorist group’s forces, foiling the attack.
The attack on southern Raqqa was likely launched from the Homs desert, the main stronghold of ISIS terrorists in the central region.
Russian warplanes have been pounding ISIS hideouts in the Homs desert for the last few weeks. According to a recent report by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the airstrikes and clashes with the SAA have claimed the lives of 38 terrorists, so far.
Despite sustaining heavy losses, ISIS remnants in the Homs desert are still determined to expand their influence in the central region.
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southfront--2020-09-11--SDF Foiled  Attempt To Smuggle ISIS Wives From Al-Hawl Camp In Water Tanker (Video)

The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces ( SDF ) have foiled another attempt to smuggle ISIS wives and children from the notorious al-Hawl camp in northeastern Syria .
The Step News Agency said four women affiliated with ISIS had paid a driver $ 1,000 to smuggle them and their children out of the camp inside his water tanker .
The women and their children were able to sneak aboard the tanker .
However , they were caught by the Internal Security Forces , “ Asayish.
” On September 11 , local sources shared a video showing the moment the women were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shows a female security officer is getting the children , who seem to be in a bad condition , out of the water tanker .
The water tanker driver was reportedly fined $ 5,000 by the SDF and is set to spend some time in jail for aiding the four women .
The al-Hawl camp , which is located in eastern al-Hasakah , is hosting 67,000 people , including 40,000 family members of ISIS fighters .
The SDF is running the camp with support from the U.S.-led coalition .
ISIS wives and their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Camp on a regular basis .
The last reported attempt took place on August 29 .
ISIS wives are constantly working to implement Sharia law in al-Hawl camp and to spread chaos there .
On September 10 , the women started a riot , preventing aid workers from entering the camp .
At the same time , ISIS terrorists carried out a rebellion in the Industrial Secondary Prison in Ghuwairan neigborhood of al-Hawl .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Face Of War : Multiple Dead ISIS Militants , Destroyed Equipment During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18+ )

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The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have foiled another attempt to smuggle ISIS wives and children from the notorious al-Hawl camp in northeastern Syria.
The Step News Agency said four women affiliated with ISIS had paid a driver $1,000 to smuggle them and their children out of the camp inside his water tanker. The women and their children were able to sneak aboard the tanker. However, they were caught by the Internal Security Forces, “Asayish.”
On September 11, local sources shared a video showing the moment the women were caught by Asayish. In this video shows a female security officer is getting the children, who seem to be in a bad condition, out of the water tanker.
The water tanker driver was reportedly fined $5,000 by the SDF and is set to spend some time in jail for aiding the four women.
Video shows Asayish (InSF) preventing escape attempt from al-Hol camp, with mothers and children hiding in a truckpic.twitter.com/GzfwCAAohX h/t @sores2020 — Wladimir (@vvanwilgenburg) September 11, 2020
The al-Hawl camp, which is located in eastern al-Hasakah, is hosting 67,000 people, including 40,000 family members of ISIS fighters. The SDF is running the camp with support from the U.S.-led coalition.
ISIS wives and their children undertake the attempts to escape from the Camp on a regular basis. The last reported attempt took place on August 29.
ISIS wives are constantly working to implement Sharia law in al-Hawl camp and to spread chaos there. On September 10, the women started a riot, preventing aid workers from entering the camp. At the same time, ISIS terrorists carried out a rebellion in the Industrial Secondary Prison in Ghuwairan neigborhood of al-Hawl.
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southfront--2020-09-11--Iran Prevented U.S. Attempt To Gather Information About Major Drills Near The Strait Of Hormuz

The Iranian military had warned the U.S. to withdraw its drones out from the area where it was conducting large drills , Rear Admiral Shahram Irani , a spokesman for “ Zolfaqar 99″ drills , announced on September 10 .
The three-days drills are taking place in the eastern waters of the Strait of Hormuz , Makran coast , Oman Sea and North Indian Ocean .
Rear Admiral Irani said the U.S. had increased the operations of its drones in the drills area in order to gather information on the exercise .
In the second day of the drills , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested the new Kaman-12 drone .
Other drones of the Ababil family also took part in the drills carrying out pinpoint strikes on several targets in the exercise zone .
Iranian Navy vessels , including the Najim corvette , and coastal defense systems also fired a range of anti-ship cruise missiles at supposed enemy targets .
Units of the Navy , Air Force , and Army Ground Forces are participating in the drills , which carry a serious message to the enemies of Iran , especially Israel and the U.S. MORE ON THIS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UAE In Case Of Any Israeli Aggression From Its Territory

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The Iranian military had warned the U.S. to withdraw its drones out from the area where it was conducting large drills, Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, a spokesman for “Zolfaqar 99″ drills, announced on September 10.
The three-days drills are taking place in the eastern waters of the Strait of Hormuz, Makran coast, Oman Sea and North Indian Ocean.
Rear Admiral Irani said the U.S. had increased the operations of its drones in the drills area in order to gather information on the exercise.
“These activities were detected by the army’s signal detection systems, and the drones were warned by the air defense,” the Tasnim News Agency quoted the spokesman as saying.
In the second day of the drills, on September 11, the Iranian military tested the new Kaman-12 drone. Other drones of the Ababil family also took part in the drills carrying out pinpoint strikes on several targets in the exercise zone.
Iranian Navy vessels, including the Najim corvette, and coastal defense systems also fired a range of anti-ship cruise missiles at supposed enemy targets.
Units of the Navy, Air Force, and Army Ground Forces are participating in the drills, which carry a serious message to the enemies of Iran, especially Israel and the U.S.
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southfront--2020-09-12--Turkish Artillery Strikes On Northern Aleppo: YPG, SAA-Held Towns Targeted

On September 12 , the Turkish military and its proxies shelled three towns held by the Syrian military and Kurdish forces in the northern countryside of Aleppo .
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights , the Turkish artillery strikes targeted the towns of Shawarighat al-Arz , Malikiyah and Maranaz .
No losses were reported as a result of the shelling .
The towns , which are located south of the Turkish-occupied town of Azaz , are jointly controlled by the Kurdish People ’ s Protection Units and the Syrian Arab Army .
A day earlier , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ village of Samuqah and the nearby al-Shahbah dam in the same area .
Kurdish guerrilla groups , like the Afrin Liberation Forces , are known to be highly active in this part of northern Aleppo .
The Turkish shelling may have targeted positions or personnel of these groups .
Several units of the Russian Military Police were deployed in northern Aleppo a few years ago to stabilize the region .
Nevertheless , Kurdish and Turkish forces are still exchanging attacks , which are causing civilian causalities on some occasions .
MORE ON THIS @ @

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On September 12, the Turkish military and its proxies shelled three towns held by the Syrian military and Kurdish forces in the northern countryside of Aleppo.
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the Turkish artillery strikes targeted the towns of Shawarighat al-Arz, Malikiyah and Maranaz. No losses were reported as a result of the shelling.
The towns, which are located south of the Turkish-occupied town of Azaz, are jointly controlled by the Kurdish People’s Protection Units and the Syrian Arab Army.
A day earlier, the Turkish military and its proxies shelled the village of Samuqah and the nearby al-Shahbah dam in the same area.
Kurdish guerrilla groups, like the Afrin Liberation Forces, are known to be highly active in this part of northern Aleppo. The Turkish shelling may have targeted positions or personnel of these groups.
Several units of the Russian Military Police were deployed in northern Aleppo a few years ago to stabilize the region. Nevertheless, Kurdish and Turkish forces are still exchanging fire, which is often causing causalities among the civilians.
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southfront--2020-09-12--Two Explosions Rocked Turkish-Occupied Ras Al-Ain In Northeastern Syria (Videos)

On September 12 morning , two explosions rocked the Turkish-occupied town of Ras al-Ain in Syria ’ s northeastern region .
The first explosion took place in the Haj Wassfi alley in the town ’ s center , where many shops are located .
The explosion was reportedly caused by an improvised explosive device .
Three women and a man , all civilians , were killed in the blast , according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights .
A few minutes after the first explosion , a booby-trapped motorcycle , which had been parked next to Ras al-Ain ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No human losses have been reported , thus far .
Per usual , some opposition activists accused Kurdish forces of orchestrating the bombings in Ras al-Ain .
No evidence was presented to back these accusations .
A series of bombings rocked Ras al-Ain and other Turkish-occupied areas in northeast Syrian over the last few months .
The perpetrators are yet to be apprehended by the Turkish military and its Syrian proxies .
Turkey is yet to take serious measures to improve security in areas occupied by its forces in north and northeast Syria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assert is military presence in the country , does not appear to be interesting in the well-being of civilians in these areas .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Recent Israeli Strike On Aleppo Was Delivered From US-occupied Zone Of Al-Tanf : Reports

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On September 12 morning, two explosions rocked the Turkish-occupied town of Ras al-Ain in Syria’s northeastern region.
The first explosion took place in the Haj Wassfi alley in the town’s center, where many shops are located. The explosion was reportedly caused by an improvised explosive device. Three women and a man, all civilians, were killed in the blast, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
A few minutes after the first explosion, a booby-trapped motorcycle, which had been parked next to Ras al-Ain’s central bakery, blew up. No human losses have been reported, thus far.
As usual, some opposition activists accused Kurdish forces of orchestrating the bombings in Ras al-Ain. No evidence was presented to back these accusations.
A series of bombings rocked Ras al-Ain and other Turkish-occupied areas in northeastern Syria over the last few months. The perpetrators are yet to be apprehended by the Turkish military and its Syrian proxies.
Turkey is yet to take serious measures to improve security in areas occupied by its forces in northern and northeastern Syria. Ankara, that is working to assert its military presence in the country, does not appear to be interesting in the well-being of civilians in these areas.
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southfront--2020-09-12--Drone Strikes Targeted Militant Positions In Syria’s Greater Idlib

Late on September 11 , a series of drone strikes targeted militants in the southern part of the Greater Idlib region in northwestern Syria .
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights ( SOHR ) , an unidentified drone carried out at least ten airstrikes on militants ’ positions in the outskirt of the town of al-Bara , which is located near the main frontline with the Syrian Arab Army .
While the SOHR suggested that the drone was Iranian , other opposition sources said it was in fact Russian .
As for now , there is no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A series of drone strikes targeted Greater Idlib militants this year .
No side has claimed responsibility for the strikes , yet .
Last April , a drone strike claimed the life of a prominent tank hunter known as “ Maher Tow.
” Iran is known to operating armed Muhajir-6 drones in Syria .
Russia may be also operating such systems in the country .
During the “ Army-2020 ” forum , the Russian military showcased a number of combat drones and light weight munitions for the first time .
Iranian and Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat to the remaining militants in Greater Idlib in any future confrontation .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Recent Israeli Strike On Aleppo Was Delivered From US-occupied Zone Of Al-Tanf : Reports • ISIS Faced Fierce Russian Air Response To Its Attack In Southern Raqqa

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Late on September 11, a series of drone strikes targeted militants’ positions in the southern part of the Greater Idlib region in northwestern Syria.
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), an unidentified drone carried out at least ten airstrikes on militants’ positions on the outskirt of the town of al-Bara, which is located near the main front-line with the Syrian Arab Army.
“So far, there has been no information on any human losses [as a result of the drone strikes],” the monitoring group said in a report.
While the SOHR suggested that the drone was Iranian, other opposition sources said it was in fact Russian. As for now, there is no sufficient information to identify the drone.
A series of drone strikes has targeted Greater Idlib militants this year. No side has claimed responsibility for the strikes, yet. Last April, a drone strike claimed the life of a prominent tank hunter known as “Maher Tow.”
Iran is known to operate armed Muhajir-6 drones in Syria. Russia may be also operating such systems in the country. During the “Army-2020” forum, the Russian military showcased a number of combat drones and light weight munitions for the first time.
Iranian and Russian combat drones will likely pose a real threat to the remaining militants in Greater Idlib in any future confrontation.
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southfront--2020-09-12--Power Politics and Imperial Gambles: Australia Misses Out to the Taliban

In grand power politics , there are only national interests , not friendships .
This is a point often missed on Australia ’ s dedicated Americanophiles .
Faith is put in such untestable propositions as extended nuclear deterrence .
Faith is also unqualified .
Foreign conflicts with US forces are bound to see the company , albeit small , of Australian contingents .
When it comes to the cold play of geopolitics , such alliances can count for naught .
The powerful partner will decide and loyalty will provide little capital .
An example of this came in the dashing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Emperor Hirohito would face the noose at the conclusion of the Second World War .
The then Minister for External Affairs , Dr Herbert Evatt , expressed the view that the emperor was as guilty as any other figure .
Sir William Webb , Chief Justice of Queensland and tasked by Evatt during the war to investigate the atrocities committed by Japanese forces , was of like mind .
The sentiment was outlined in an Australian cable of August 11 , 1945 to the British authorities : “ we must appeal to you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Emperor or on his behalf to immunity from punishment , to support us in bringing him to justice and to deprive him of any authority to rule the moment of surrender [ by Japan ] .
” US General Douglas MacArthur , and his British counterparts , had other ideas : spare the emperor ; preserve order in a defeated country and win the Japanese population over .
Should Hirohito be indicted , claimed the US Armed Forces ’ own version of an imperial sage , “ It is quite possible that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be required which would have to be maintained for an indefinite number of years.
” The tempering British response to Australian blood lust was outlined in a cable on August 17 , 1945 .
“ We consider… .
That it would be a capital political error to indict him as a war criminal .
We desire to limit commitment in man power and other resources by using the Imperial throne as an instrument for the control of the Japanese people and indictment of the present occupant would , in our view , be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this is playing out in US policy towards Afghanistan , a country which has drawn in Australian blood and treasure since 2001 .
The Trump administration has tired of a US military engagement that remains the longest in the republic ’ s history .
The Taliban forces do not only remain strong but have fought themselves to the negotiating table .
Pens , it goes to show , are not always mightier than swords .
The Afghan government , pens aplenty , rues the writing the wall .
The talk is about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much in the way of peace to keep .
Afghanistan has left its ruinous mark on Australian forces .
Atrocities have been committed and witnessed by all sides in a conflict that has often strained the military manual .
One fighter , known as Hekmatullah , was responsible for killing three Australian soldiers in August 2012 at the base of Tarin Kowt while they were playing cards .
He had done so serving as a sergeant in the Afghan National Army .
The Afghan government promised his execution .
A date was set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lance Corporal Stjepan Milosevic , told Australia ’ s Radio National last month that “ Canberra rang us in the morning to advise that it was happening and we had full expectations that it was happening.
” On the scheduled date , a series of bomb attacks took place around Kabul .
The execution was called off .
Hekmatullah , found himself one of 400 Taliban prisoners , part of a larger complement of 5,000 , slated for release under an arrangement reached by the Trump administration and the Taliban .
Along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his case has been treated somewhat more delicately .
These were men accused of killing US , French and Australian nationals , and opposition to their release frothed and bubbled .
France ’ s foreign ministry , for instance , issued a statement in August firmly opposing “ the liberation of individuals convicted of crimes against French nationals , in particular soldiers and humanitarian workers.
” Along with five others , Hekmatullah boarded a flight to Doha and placed under temporary house arrest .
Their arrival in Qatar was the gesture required for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin official and direct peace talks with the Afghan government .
The father of Private Robert Poate , one of the three killed that August in 2012 , had words regarding the arrangements .
“ We have now come to a rotten impasse , ” assessed Hugh Poate , “ when the Trump administration is more concerned about pandering to the wishes of a terrorist group than the sacrifice of soldiers and families of its longstanding ally.
” Australia , and other countries involved in Afghanistan , had been excluded from the negotiations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Australian-American ‘ alliance ’ that this could happen.
” Damning it might have been but it was left to Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne and Defence Minister Linda Reynolds to meekly state “ that Hekmatullah must not be released ” , having “ communicated our position repeatedly and consistently and at the highest level to the Government of Afghanistan , which is solely responsible for his custody , and to the United States.
” The Afghan Office of the National Security has also told the ABC ’ s 7.30 program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without the consent of the Australian Government and the victims ’ families.
” This could be wishful thinking .
The Taliban have impressed the Trump administration sufficiently of their power credentials .
Ruthlessly , enduringly and dangerously , they remain essential to any peace talks .
The Afghan government has been told to listen .
As US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged in a statement , “ The opportunity must not be squandered.
” Australian views about Taliban fighters as terrorists are now modish sentiments , the sort first uttered when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if anything , equal partners in negotiating with the Afghan government , committed to ensuring , as Pompeo puts it , “ that terrorists can never again use Afghan soil to threaten the United States or its allies.
” As with Hirohito , men like Hekmatullah can count themselves lucky to be spared by the exigencies of a cold pragmatism .
Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College , Cambridge .
He lectures at RMIT University , Melbourne .
Email : bkampmark @ gmail.com

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Submitted by Dr. Binoy Kampmark
In grand power politics, there are only national interests, not friendships. This is a point often missed on Australia’s dedicated Americanophiles. Faith is put in such untestable propositions as extended nuclear deterrence. Faith is also unqualified. Foreign conflicts with US forces are bound to see the company, albeit small, of Australian contingents.
When it comes to the cold play of geopolitics, such alliances can count for naught. The powerful partner will decide and loyalty will provide little capital. An example of this came in the dashing of Australian hopes that Japan’s Emperor Hirohito would face the noose at the conclusion of the Second World War. The then Minister for External Affairs, Dr Herbert Evatt, expressed the view that the emperor was as guilty as any other figure. Sir William Webb, Chief Justice of Queensland and tasked by Evatt during the war to investigate the atrocities committed by Japanese forces, was of like mind. The sentiment was outlined in an Australian cable of August 11, 1945 to the British authorities: “we must appeal to you to undertake to resist any claim of the Emperor or on his behalf to immunity from punishment, to support us in bringing him to justice and to deprive him of any authority to rule the moment of surrender [by Japan].”
US General Douglas MacArthur, and his British counterparts, had other ideas: spare the emperor; preserve order in a defeated country and win the Japanese population over. Should Hirohito be indicted, claimed the US Armed Forces’ own version of an imperial sage, “It is quite possible that a minimum of a million troops would be required which would have to be maintained for an indefinite number of years.” The tempering British response to Australian blood lust was outlined in a cable on August 17, 1945. “We consider…. That it would be a capital political error to indict him as a war criminal. We desire to limit commitment in man power and other resources by using the Imperial throne as an instrument for the control of the Japanese people and indictment of the present occupant would, in our view, be most unwise.”
A more modest version of this is playing out in US policy towards Afghanistan, a country which has drawn in Australian blood and treasure since 2001. The Trump administration has tired of a US military engagement that remains the longest in the republic’s history. The Taliban forces do not only remain strong but have fought themselves to the negotiating table. Pens, it goes to show, are not always mightier than swords. The Afghan government, pens aplenty, rues the writing the wall. The talk is about peace, even if there is not much in the way of peace to keep.
Afghanistan has left its ruinous mark on Australian forces. Atrocities have been committed and witnessed by all sides in a conflict that has often strained the military manual. One fighter, known as Hekmatullah, was responsible for killing three Australian soldiers in August 2012 at the base of Tarin Kowt while they were playing cards. He had done so serving as a sergeant in the Afghan National Army.
The Afghan government promised his execution. A date was set. Kelly Walton, wife of slain Lance Corporal Stjepan Milosevic, told Australia’s Radio National last month that “Canberra rang us in the morning to advise that it was happening and we had full expectations that it was happening.” On the scheduled date, a series of bomb attacks took place around Kabul. The execution was called off.
Hekmatullah, found himself one of 400 Taliban prisoners, part of a larger complement of 5,000, slated for release under an arrangement reached by the Trump administration and the Taliban. Along with a small number of Taliban fighters, his case has been treated somewhat more delicately. These were men accused of killing US, French and Australian nationals, and opposition to their release frothed and bubbled. France’s foreign ministry, for instance, issued a statement in August firmly opposing “the liberation of individuals convicted of crimes against French nationals, in particular soldiers and humanitarian workers.”
Along with five others, Hekmatullah boarded a flight to Doha and placed under temporary house arrest. Their arrival in Qatar was the gesture required for the Taliban to announce their readiness to begin official and direct peace talks with the Afghan government.
The father of Private Robert Poate, one of the three killed that August in 2012, had words regarding the arrangements. “We have now come to a rotten impasse,” assessed Hugh Poate, “when the Trump administration is more concerned about pandering to the wishes of a terrorist group than the sacrifice of soldiers and families of its longstanding ally.” Australia, and other countries involved in Afghanistan, had been excluded from the negotiations. “It is a damning indictment of the Australian-American ‘alliance’ that this could happen.”
Damning it might have been but it was left to Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne and Defence Minister Linda Reynolds to meekly state “that Hekmatullah must not be released”, having “communicated our position repeatedly and consistently and at the highest level to the Government of Afghanistan, which is solely responsible for his custody, and to the United States.” The Afghan Office of the National Security has also told the ABC’s 7.30 program that releasing Hekmatullah would not happen “without the consent of the Australian Government and the victims’ families.”
This could be wishful thinking. The Taliban have impressed the Trump administration sufficiently of their power credentials. Ruthlessly, enduringly and dangerously, they remain essential to any peace talks. The Afghan government has been told to listen. As US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged in a statement, “The opportunity must not be squandered.”
Australian views about Taliban fighters as terrorists are now modish sentiments, the sort first uttered when the Bush administration invaded Afghanistan. They are, if anything, equal partners in negotiating with the Afghan government, committed to ensuring, as Pompeo puts it, “that terrorists can never again use Afghan soil to threaten the United States or its allies.” As with Hirohito, men like Hekmatullah can count themselves lucky to be spared by the exigencies of a cold pragmatism.
Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College, Cambridge. He lectures at RMIT University, Melbourne. Email: bkampmark@gmail.com
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southfront--2020-09-12--Bahrain Normalizes Ties With Israel Weeks After UAE Deal

The US-Israeli alliance continues its diplomatic advance on the Middle East as well as US President Donald Trump makes new points to gain even more support from the Israeli lobby in the United States ahead of the November 3 election .
On September 11 , Bahrain joined the United Arab Emirates in agreeing to normalize relations with Israel in another diplomatic victory of the Trump administration .
The US-brokered deal has already been denounced by the Palestinian leadership as “ another treacherous stab to the Palestinian cause ” .
President Trump expectedly announced the deal on Twitter after he spoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu .
The text of the joint statement of the US , Bahrain and Israel says that “ opening direct dialogue and ties between these two dynamic societies and advanced economies will continue the positive transformation of the Middle East and increase stability , security , and prosperity in the region ” .
Similar to the Israeli-UAE deal , the Bahrain-Israel agreement will normalize diplomatic , commercial , security and other relations between the two countries .
Bahrain and Saudi Arabia already dropped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airspace .
In fact , this means that the UAE and Bahrain finally revealed their real position in the region as an official part of the Israeli-US bloc despite their public statements about the supposed concern regarding the Israeli policy towards the Palestinians .
Just a few days ago , the US State Department claimed that the UAE and Israel could forge an alliance against Iran .
So , another goal of the ongoing US-sponsored ‘ normalization ’ with Israel is also obvious .
Meanwhile , citizens of Bahrain are not so happy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s leadership : More about the UAE-Israeli cooperation : MORE ON THE TOPIC : • UAE And Israel Plan To Create Intelligence Bases On Yemen ’ s Socotra Island

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The US-Israeli alliance continues its diplomatic advance on the Middle East as well as US President Donald Trump makes new points to gain even more support from the Israeli lobby in the United States ahead of the November 3 election.
On September 11, Bahrain joined the United Arab Emirates in agreeing to normalize relations with Israel in another diplomatic victory of the Trump administration. The US-brokered deal has already been denounced by the Palestinian leadership as “another treacherous stab to the Palestinian cause”.
Another HISTORIC breakthrough today! Our two GREAT friends Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain agree to a Peace Deal – the second Arab country to make peace with Israel in 30 days! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 11, 2020
President Trump expectedly announced the deal on Twitter after he spoke by phone to Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The text of the joint statement of the US, Bahrain and Israel says that “opening direct dialogue and ties between these two dynamic societies and advanced economies will continue the positive transformation of the Middle East and increase stability, security, and prosperity in the region”.
Joint Statement of the United States, the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the State of Israel pic.twitter.com/xMquRkGtpM — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 11, 2020
Similar to the Israeli-UAE deal, the Bahrain-Israel agreement will normalize diplomatic, commercial, security and other relations between the two countries. Bahrain and Saudi Arabia already dropped a ban on Israeli flights using its airspace.
The released statement said that said Bahrain, Israel and the US will continue efforts “to achieve a just, comprehensive, and enduring resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to enable the Palestinian people to realise their full potential”.
In fact, this means that the UAE and Bahrain finally revealed their real position in the region as an official part of the Israeli-US bloc despite their public statements about the supposed concern regarding the Israeli policy towards the Palestinians. Just a few days ago, the US State Department claimed that the UAE and Israel could forge an alliance against Iran. So, another goal of the ongoing US-sponsored ‘normalization’ with Israel is also obvious.
Meanwhile, citizens of Bahrain are not so happy to see such actions of the country’s leadership:
The top trend in Bahraini Twitter right now is "Bahrainis against normalisation" (of relations with Israel) Also "normalisation is a betrayal" (#بحرينيون_ضد_التطبيع) pic.twitter.com/o7k9iJRp2k — Joe (@joedyke) September 11, 2020
More about the UAE-Israeli cooperation:
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
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