southfront--2020-04-17--Italian Navy Transport Ship Departs Tripoli After Shelling

On April 14th , a warship from the Italian Navy – A5347 Gorgona left the Abu Sitta naval base in Tripoli after shelling hit approximately 250 meters from it .
About seven more shots fell into the sea , according to ItaMilRadar , a website tracking military flights over Italy and over the Mediterranean Sea .
ItaMilRadar claimed that the Gorgona provides technical support to Government of National Accord ’ s ( GNA ) Navy units .
The A7347 Gorgona is a Naval transport ship , and Italy is one of several supporters of the GNA .
Earlier in April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the GNA , but it is unclear what that cargo is .
It is reportedly capable of transporting both wheeled and tracked hardware .
Prior to this Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar , the commander of the Libyan National Armory , vowed that his forces would target and sink any foreign ships transferring military equipment to the GNA .
This primarily concerns Turkey , as it continues importing weapons and fighters in support of the UN-backed government .
On April 16th , and in the early hours of April 17th , the fighting in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the GNA is pushing al-Watiya airbase , while the LNA is progressing into Tripoli itself .
Since the Tripoli ports appear dangerous , shipments from Turkey , despite the weapons embargo arrived in the Al-Khamis port , east of Tripoli .
The GNA is carrying out airstrikes on al-Watiya as the siege has been on-going for nearly 3 days , however LNA shelling and drone strikes on convoys moving from Tripoli towards al-Watiya have impeded any significant progress .
An LNA drone was also shot down above Ain Zara , which is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavily contested , but Haftar ’ s forces appear to be progressing steadily , according to claims by spokesperson Brigadier General Ahmed al-Mesmari .
Finally , even though most forces are concentrated in and around Tripoli , Haftar ’ s forces are also ensuring security in other parts of the country , as a “ gathering of militants ” was subject to airstrikes in Sabha , near the town of Ghadwa in southern Libya .
A Russian navy cargo ship passed through the Bosporus en route to Alexandria , Egypt , and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicles , presumably to reinforce the LNA , however this comes down to speculation .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Haftar ’ s Forces Progress In Tripoli , As Siege Of Al-Watiya Airbase By GNA Begins

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On April 14th, a warship from the Italian Navy – A5347 Gorgona left the Abu Sitta naval base in Tripoli after shelling hit approximately 250 meters from it.
About seven more shots fell into the sea, according to ItaMilRadar, a website tracking military flights over Italy and over the Mediterranean Sea.
ItaMilRadar claimed that the Gorgona provides technical support to Government of National Accord’s (GNA) Navy units.
The A7347 Gorgona is a Naval transport ship, and Italy is one of several supporters of the GNA. Earlier in April it arrived in Tripoli with cargo for the GNA, but it is unclear what that cargo is.
It is reportedly capable of transporting both wheeled and tracked hardware.
Prior to this Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the commander of the Libyan National Armory, vowed that his forces would target and sink any foreign ships transferring military equipment to the GNA.
This primarily concerns Turkey, as it continues importing weapons and fighters in support of the UN-backed government.
On April 16th, and in the early hours of April 17th, the fighting in Libya is focused in two points: the GNA is pushing al-Watiya airbase, while the LNA is progressing into Tripoli itself.
Since the Tripoli ports appear dangerous, shipments from Turkey, despite the weapons embargo arrived in the Al-Khamis port, east of Tripoli.
The GNA is carrying out airstrikes on al-Watiya as the siege has been on-going for nearly 3 days, however LNA shelling and drone strikes on convoys moving from Tripoli towards al-Watiya have impeded any significant progress.
#عااااااجل | ضربات جوية من قبل السلاح الجو الليبي علي قاعدة الوطية منذ قليل.#العدوان_على_طرابلس — عماد فتحي E.Fathi (@emad_badish) April 16, 2020
An LNA drone was also shot down above Ain Zara, which is a position in Tripoli that’s been heavily contested, but Haftar’s forces appear to be progressing steadily, according to claims by spokesperson Brigadier General Ahmed al-Mesmari.
#عاجل|
آمر محور #عين_زارة بعملية بركان الغضب يوسف الأمين لـ #الرائد: أسقطنا طائرة مسيرة لميليشيات حفتر تستخدم في رصد مواقعنا.#ليبيا pic.twitter.com/y3qfME22Y1 — شبكة الرائد الإعلامية (@arraedlgplus) April 16, 2020
Finally, even though most forces are concentrated in and around Tripoli, Haftar’s forces are also ensuring security in other parts of the country, as a “gathering of militants” was subject to airstrikes in Sabha, near the town of Ghadwa in southern Libya.
A Russian navy cargo ship passed through the Bosporus en route to Alexandria, Egypt, and it is carrying Russian Army Ural 4320 armored vehicles, presumably to reinforce the LNA, however this comes down to speculation.
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southfront--2020-04-17--In Photos: Weapons And Equipment Of US-backed Militants That Surrendered To Syrian Army

On April 15 , a unit of the Maghawir al-Thawra militant group , funded and trained by the US-led coalition @ @ @ @ @ surrendered to the Syrian Army with all of its weapons and equipment .
According to @ @ @ @ @ 27 members of Maghawir al-Thawra , which is both funded and trained by the US-led @ @ @ @ @ Syrian Army with all of their weapons and equipment .
These included 9 vehicles , @ @ @ @ @ machine guns and 5 grenade launchers , as well as up to 7,000 rounds of @ @ @ @ @ small arms , more than 20 RPG rounds , and 6 high-tech communication devices .
@ @ @ @ @ • US-trained Militants Surrender To Syrian Army .
Israel Tries To Assassinate Hezbollah Commanders • @ @ @ @ @ US-funded Maghawir al-Thawra Militant Group Surrendered To Syrian Army With All Weapons And Equipment

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On April 15, a unit of the Maghawir al-Thawra militant group, funded and trained by the US-led coalition in the al-Tanf zone, surrendered to the Syrian Army with all of its weapons and equipment.
UPDATE: Here is all the equipment / vehicles seized from the US backed MaT terrorist organisation who defected to the Syrian government on April 14th. pic.twitter.com/8Ltyxc3iUF — Andrew ?? (@AndrewBritani) April 16, 2020
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, 27 members of Maghawir al-Thawra, which is both funded and trained by the US-led coalition, surrendered to the Syrian Army with all of their weapons and equipment. These included 9 vehicles, 11 weapons including 4 heavy machine guns and 5 grenade launchers, as well as up to 7,000 rounds of ammunition of various calibers for small arms, more than 20 RPG rounds, and 6 high-tech communication devices.
تسلیم شدن گروهی از تروریست های مغاویر الثورة که مستقیما تحت فرمان آمریکا بودند.
این کار ضربه بزرگی به آمریکا بود pic.twitter.com/4z1tqrq3TC — سوریه به فارسی (@SYRIANTOPERSIAN) April 14, 2020
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southfront--2020-04-17--The Saker: “Will This Pandemic Finally Mark The End Of The US Carrier Fleet?”

Written by The Saker ; Originally appeared at The Unz Review Frankly , I have never considered USN carrier strike groups as a “ Cold War capable ” element of the US Navy .
Yes , in theory , there was the notion of forward deploying these carriers to “ bring the war to the Soviets ” ( on the Kola Peninsula ) before they could flush their subs and aircraft through the GUIK gap and into the Atlantic .
In theory , it should have been a 600 ship navy too , but that never happened .
In reality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were the ultimate “ colony disciplining ” instrument which Uncle Shmuel would park off the coast of a country disobedient to the demands and systematic plundering of the USA .
Since most countries in the 20th century could not sink a US carrier or prevail over the comparatively advanced aircraft deployed on them , this was , all in all , a very safe game to play for the USA .
As for “ bringing the war to the Soviets ” , the truth is that had it ever come to a real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been kept far away from the formidable Soviet cruise missile capability ( delivered simultaneously by aircraft , surface ships and submarines ) for a very simple reason : every time such an attack was modeled a sufficient number of Soviet missiles successfully passed through the protective cordon around the carrier and successfully hit it with devastating results ( while sinking a carrier is not that easy , damaging it and making it inoperable does not take that many missile hits ) .
And that was long hypersonic missiles like the Kinzhal or the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instrument to deter or defeat the Soviets the USN strike groups were already obsolete in the 1980s , that is long before the the Russians deployed their hypersonic missiles which , as my friend Andrey Martyanov explained in his books ( see here and here ) and on his blog ( see here ) , basically made not only to fight Russia , but also to fight any country which possesses such missiles .
Such countries already include India and China , but there will be many more soon , probably including Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t discuss the missile issue , but what happened recently on the USS Theodore Roosevelt , which you probably know about : her captain got fired for writing a letter ( according to his accusers , bypassing the chain of command ) asking for help because his crew got infected by the virus .
His letter was published by the San Francisco Chronicle and you can read it here .
Interestingly , when the captain , Navy Capt .
Brett Crozier , left the ship , his sailors gave him a standing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thomas Modly called Captain Crozier “ stupid .
That also became public , and he had to apologize and resign ( clearly , Modly is not exactly a genius himself ! )
.
Then even more of the crew of the carrier got sick , including Crozier himself !
This is what is known in the US military jargon as a “ clusterbleep ” … There is , however , also a lot of interesting stuff coming out from this story .
First , the obvious : USN carriers can not operate effectively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus would both be much more transmissible than SARS-COV-2 and it would be far more deadly ) .
This also indicates that they would probably do no better under a real chemical warfare attack either .
Considering that in reality USN carriers are a instrument of colonial repression and not ships to be engaged against the USSR ( which had real biowarfare capabilities ) , this makes sense ( while most university labs & the like could produce some kind of virus and use it as a weapon , truly weaponized viruses , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systems , can only be produced by a limited list of countries ) .
However , in theory , all the formations/units/subunits/ships/aircraft/armor/etc of a military superpower should be trained to operate in case of a nuclear , chemical and biological attack .
Clearly , this is not the case with US carriers , most likely because nobody in the USA really expected such an attack , at least not during the Cold War .
For the current situation , however , I think that the lesson is clear : the USN simply does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under NBC attack conditions .
By the way , this appears to also be true of the French , whose only carrier has 30 % infected sailors !
Second , I agree that going outside the chain of command is wrong , but let ’ s also consider the following here : the fact that the USS Theodore Roosevelt was having a large number of infected sailors is not something which could have been kept secret anyway , especially while in port .
Not only that , but how do we know that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ memos through the regular chain of command before he wrote the one which became public ?
After all , any such memos could very easily be classified and never made public .
Finally , I will admit that my sympathies are squarely with the man who placed the lives of his man and women above all else , and not with the bureaucratic drone who put procedures and ruffled feathers above the lives of sailors and called the real officer “ stupid ” for his actions ( wait !
a USN carrier captain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t think so….. ) .
At the time of writing ( April 14th ) there have been 600 sailors from the Theodore Roosevelt who contracted the virus and one death .
Finally , over 4000 sailors have now been evacuated from the ship ( 1000 are still onboard to operate the nuclear reactor and other key systems ) .
In other words , the USS Theodore Roosevelt is now completely inoperable !
Yet more proof that the USN never took a bioattack threat seriously .
To be honest , it seems that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a map of affected US bases I found on Colonel Cassad ’ s blog : It appears that the US-based forces never expected any real attack ( other than maybe one by terrorists equipped with small arms ) so NBC security was never a priority .
However , this is not a fair comparison .
First , bases located on land have far more interactions with the outside world than ships , even ships in port .
Second , and much more importantly , in case of a pandemic or chemical/biological attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isolate those affected , bring in more resources or quickly disperse the personnel to better protect them .
You can ’ t do that on a ship .
In fact , the bigger the ship , the more it looks like an “ armed cruiseliner ” which , as we now all know , is a gigantic Petri dish .
Questions such as those above will only increase in number as the pandemic finally shed a much-needed light on the shocking reality about “ the best !
most powerful !
best equipped !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Galaxy !
” : it can ’ t even protect itself from a relatively weak virus , never-mind defeat a competent enemy .
Will we get answers ?
Eventually , probably yes .
But for the time being , the US is all about covering your ass while pointing fingers and blaming others ( especially China , Russia and even the WHO ! )
.
This strategy has been an abject failure for the past decades and it will be an abject failure in the future .
But since that is all US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not stopping anytime soon .
Likewise , what is known as the “ carrier fiction ” will be upheld for as long as possible , especially since there is a lot of money involved for the US ruling classes .

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Written by The Saker; Originally appeared at The Unz Review
Frankly, I have never considered USN carrier strike groups as a “Cold War capable” element of the US Navy. Yes, in theory, there was the notion of forward deploying these carriers to “bring the war to the Soviets” (on the Kola Peninsula) before they could flush their subs and aircraft through the GUIK gap and into the Atlantic. In theory, it should have been a 600 ship navy too, but that never happened. In reality, of course, US strike groups were the ultimate “colony disciplining” instrument which Uncle Shmuel would park off the coast of a country disobedient to the demands and systematic plundering of the USA. Since most countries in the 20th century could not sink a US carrier or prevail over the comparatively advanced aircraft deployed on them, this was, all in all, a very safe game to play for the USA.
As for “bringing the war to the Soviets”, the truth is that had it ever come to a real war, the US carriers would have been kept far away from the formidable Soviet cruise missile capability (delivered simultaneously by aircraft, surface ships and submarines) for a very simple reason: every time such an attack was modeled a sufficient number of Soviet missiles successfully passed through the protective cordon around the carrier and successfully hit it with devastating results (while sinking a carrier is not that easy, damaging it and making it inoperable does not take that many missile hits).
And that was long before hypersonic missiles like the Kinzhal or the Zircon!
Truly, as an an instrument to deter or defeat the Soviets the USN strike groups were already obsolete in the 1980s, that is long before the the Russians deployed their hypersonic missiles which, as my friend Andrey Martyanov explained in his books (see here and here) and on his blog (see here), basically made the entire US surface fleet obsolete not only to fight Russia, but also to fight any country which possesses such missiles. Such countries already include India and China, but there will be many more soon, probably including Iran!
Today, however, I won’t discuss the missile issue, but what happened recently on the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which you probably know about: her captain got fired for writing a letter (according to his accusers, bypassing the chain of command) asking for help because his crew got infected by the virus. His letter was published by the San Francisco Chronicle and you can read it here.
Interestingly, when the captain, Navy Capt. Brett Crozier, left the ship, his sailors gave him a standing ovation:
Next, Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly called Captain Crozier “stupid. That also became public, and he had to apologize and resign (clearly, Modly is not exactly a genius himself!). Then even more of the crew of the carrier got sick, including Crozier himself!
This is what is known in the US military jargon as a “clusterbleep”…
There is, however, also a lot of interesting stuff coming out from this story.
First, the obvious: USN carriers cannot operate effectively under a bio-attack (a truly weaponized virus would both be much more transmissible than SARS-COV-2 and it would be far more deadly). This also indicates that they would probably do no better under a real chemical warfare attack either.
Considering that in reality USN carriers are a instrument of colonial repression and not ships to be engaged against the USSR (which had real biowarfare capabilities), this makes sense (while most university labs & the like could produce some kind of virus and use it as a weapon, truly weaponized viruses, the kind effectively used in special delivery systems, can only be produced by a limited list of countries). However, in theory, all the formations/units/subunits/ships/aircraft/armor/etc of a military superpower should be trained to operate in case of a nuclear, chemical and biological attack. Clearly, this is not the case with US carriers, most likely because nobody in the USA really expected such an attack, at least not during the Cold War.
For the current situation, however, I think that the lesson is clear: the USN simply does not have an effective capability to operate under NBC attack conditions.
By the way, this appears to also be true of the French, whose only carrier has 30% infected sailors!
Second, I agree that going outside the chain of command is wrong, but let’s also consider the following here: the fact that the USS Theodore Roosevelt was having a large number of infected sailors is not something which could have been kept secret anyway, especially while in port. Not only that, but how do we know that Capt. Crozier did not write other memos through the regular chain of command before he wrote the one which became public? After all, any such memos could very easily be classified and never made public.
Finally, I will admit that my sympathies are squarely with the man who placed the lives of his man and women above all else, and not with the bureaucratic drone who put procedures and ruffled feathers above the lives of sailors and called the real officer “stupid” for his actions (wait! a USN carrier captain stupid?! Somehow I don’t think so…..).
At the time of writing (April 14th) there have been 600 sailors from the Theodore Roosevelt who contracted the virus and one death.
Finally, over 4000 sailors have now been evacuated from the ship (1000 are still onboard to operate the nuclear reactor and other key systems).
In other words, the USS Theodore Roosevelt is now completely inoperable!
The quoted CNN article concludes with:
Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. John Hyten told reporters Thursday the US military needed to plan for similar outbreaks in the future as the Defense Department works to cope with the virus’ impacts. “I think it’s not a good idea to think the Teddy Roosevelt is a one-of-a-kind issue. We have too many ships at sea, we have too many deployed capabilities. There’s 5,000 sailors on a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. To think it will never happen again is not a good way to plan. What we have to do is figure out how to plan in these kind of Covid environments,” Hyten said.
Yet more proof that the USN never took a bioattack threat seriously.
To be honest, it seems that the US Army has similar problems, here is a map of affected US bases I found on Colonel Cassad’s blog:
It appears that the US-based forces never expected any real attack (other than maybe one by terrorists equipped with small arms) so NBC security was never a priority.
[Sidebar: Note, in Russia, at least so far (April 14th), there are zero cases of servicemen infected with the virus. This will almost inevitably change in the future, but for the time being, this is true, in spite of having Russian military units helping to fight the virus both in Russia and outside. Just saying…]
However, this is not a fair comparison. First, bases located on land have far more interactions with the outside world than ships, even ships in port. Second, and much more importantly, in case of a pandemic or chemical/biological attack, bases located on land can better isolate those affected, bring in more resources or quickly disperse the personnel to better protect them. You can’t do that on a ship. In fact, the bigger the ship, the more it looks like an “armed cruiseliner” which, as we now all know, is a gigantic Petri dish.
Questions such as those above will only increase in number as the pandemic finally shed a much-needed light on the shocking reality about “the best! most powerful! best equipped! and best trained military force in the Galaxy!”: it can’t even protect itself from a relatively weak virus, never-mind defeat a competent enemy.
Will we get answers? Eventually, probably yes. But for the time being, the US is all about covering your ass while pointing fingers and blaming others (especially China, Russia and even the WHO!). This strategy has been an abject failure for the past decades and it will be an abject failure in the future.
[Sidebar: Trump’s latest decision to defund the WHO (to whom the US already owes a ton of money anyway) is arguably his worst act of “international PR seppuku” which will further increase the disgust the USA already inspires worldwide. As for our Israeli friends, they are proud that their Mossad actually steals medical equipment from other countries: after all, every Israeli know that Jewish blood is sacred, while goy blood is worthless. Another case of self-inflicted “international PR seppuku” for “the only democracy in the Middle East”]
But since that is all US politicians know how to do, this is not stopping anytime soon. Likewise, what is known as the “carrier fiction” will be upheld for as long as possible, especially since there is a lot of money involved for the US ruling classes.
The Saker
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southfront--2020-04-17--Syrian Army, Russian Forces To Establish Helicopter Base In Eastern Raqqa

The Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) and Russian forces are working to establish a helicopter base in the government-held part of the eastern Raqqa countryside , the Step News Agency reported on April 16 .
According to the pro-opposition agency , Russian experts have inspected a site south of the town of Madan , where the base will be built .
Citing a source in the National Defense Forces ( NDF ) , the Step News Agency claimed that the base will include ammo and supplies depots , logistic and military installations as well as barracks for Syrian service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helicopter landing zone in that area aims to ensure the continued delivery of military and logistical supplies by air from the areas controlled by Syrian regime forces to their forces in the north very quickly , ” the agency ’ s report reads .
The army liberated Madan and its surroundings from ISIS in September of 2017 with direct support from the Russian Aerospace Forces .
By establishing a forward helicopter base in eastern Raqqa , the SAA and Russian forces will be able to move supplies and even reinforcements to the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efficiency .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Several Syrian Soldiers Killed , Injured In New Daraa Ambush

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The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and Russian forces are working to establish a helicopter base in the government-held part of the eastern Raqqa countryside, the Step News Agency reported on April 16.
According to the pro-opposition agency, Russian experts have inspected a site south of the town of Madan, where the base will be built.
Citing a source in the National Defense Forces (NDF), the Step News Agency claimed that the base will include ammo and supplies depots, logistic and military installations as well as barracks for Syrian service members.
“The establishment of a helicopter landing zone in that area aims to ensure the continued delivery of military and logistical supplies by air from the areas controlled by Syrian regime forces to their forces in the north very quickly,” the agency’s report reads.
The army liberated Madan and its surroundings from ISIS in September of 2017 with direct support from the Russian Aerospace Forces.
By establishing a forward helicopter base in eastern Raqqa, the SAA and Russian forces will be able to move supplies and even reinforcements to the country’s northeastern region with much more efficiency.
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southfront--2020-04-17--A Closer Look At Oil Production Cuts Under OPEC+ Deal

I am not good in weatherraports for the energy markets .
I kind of see it as if Russia saw its chance to crash the USA thracking oil and gas companies .
Unfortunatly UAE need to regain after the “ fire ” and therefore opened up a lot for a lot of oil , so the price pr barrel went extra down .
By that the USA thracking might not feel well , but wont crash – unless we all do .
We already had a small recession before this fossile fight and added the Covid has made it worse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like my fuel has lowered about 20 % .
And the streets of Walls , New Amsterdam : I do have stockings in Norweigian oil .
Lowered prices is not good .
I also has stockings in Vestas windturbines as well as Siemens ( windturbines ) .
Not good .
Windturbines here do much better then 40 dollar pr barrel made into electricity but 20 is bad .
In the other hand those shares are a part of my private part of my pension fond , which is a long time investment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that if You have too much money under Your carpet and its a safe currencey – or You have gold , its will be time to buy cheep in very safe companies , land ot an appartment .
If You want to be really safe , You should buy a farm with own water supply .
Who knows .
Some might run me over by a car tomorrow .
Crashes ofte are expected .
This is not 2008 but the solution should be the same .
When things got too warm , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Thats fx hospitals , bridges and extra education even the prices for it is high .
A hot market always makes ineffectivity and “ too many ” gets a job .
So You make a cooler You have , when You go down again .
And we do .
Our markets are based on a lot of good – and has that minus .
Several copuntries in EU will have to lower its living standards .
I am a kind of optimist , because it is possibleto lower at least some with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growth , which says we have to consolidate what we have by being more effective and by that cheeper in production .
Thats why I have windpower shares as well .
It has changed the air here a lot .
No more smog .
Its cheeper then fossils .
We are less independent .
Today 42 % of all electricity is from them .
We need more turbines , because the future will be cars with batteries .
Best regards from Small Streets = No charge : )

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Recently, OPEC and allies agreed to a record cut in output to prop up oil prices amid the COVID-19 outbreak and the ongoing Saudi-led offensive on the oil market. The group, known as OPEC+, said it had agreed to reduce output by 9.7 million barrels per day (bpd) for May and June.
The numbers below provide a closer look at the deal:
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southfront--2020-04-17--Surveillance Footage Shows Alleged Israeli Strike On Hezbollah Personnel In Syria

On April 17 , Lebanese sources shared a video of the moment an alleged Israeli strike hit an SUV supposedly carrying Hezbollah personnel in the Syrian town of Jdaidit Yabws on the border with Lebanon .
The video shows three men leaving the SUV ahead of the strike .
The men can be seen retrieving several bags from the vehicle seconds before it explodes .
Several Arab sources claimed that the strike was carried out by an Israeli combat drone .
Many of these sources reported that the targeted SUV was carrying “ high-ranking commanders ” of Hezbollah .
Nevertheless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement on the incident , which took place on April 15 .
Furthermore , the new video doesn ’ t confirm that the SUV was targeted by an Israeli combat drone .
The explosion could have been caused by an explosive device .
Hezbollah vowed on several occasions to response to any attack by Israel on its fighters and commanders in Lebanon , Syria or elsewhere .
The upcoming few days will likely reveal more details about Jdaidit Yabws incident .
As for now , most of the available information have not been @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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On April 17, Lebanese sources shared a video showing the moment of the alleged Israeli strike on an SUV supposedly carrying Hezbollah personnel in the Syrian town of Jdaidit Yabws on the border with Lebanon.
The video shows three men leaving the SUV ahead of the strike. The men can be seen retrieving several bags from the vehicle seconds before it explodes.
Several Arab sources claimed that the strike was carried out by an Israeli combat drone. Many of these sources said that the targeted SUV was carrying “high-ranking commanders” of Hezbollah.
Nevertheless, Hezbollah is yet to release a statement on the incident, which took place on April 15. Furthermore, the new video doesn’t confirm that the SUV was targeted by an Israeli combat drone. The explosion could have been caused by an explosive device.
On several occasions, Hezbollah vowed to respond to any attack by Israel on its fighters and commanders in Lebanon, Syria or elsewhere.
More details about Jdaidit Yabws incident will likely be revealed in the next few days. As for now, most of the available information have not been verified.
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southfront--2020-04-17--U.S.-led Coalition Conducts Live-Fire Drills In Syria’s Deir Ezzor (Photos)

On April 16 , the U.S.-led coalition conducted live-fire drills with heavy weapons in the eastern Syrian governorate of Deir Ezzor .
The Deir Ezzor Media Center , an outlet affiliated with the self-administration in the northeastern region , said the drills took place in the Omar oil fields and Jadeed Ekedat in Deir Ezzor ’ s southeastern countryside .
Several photos of the live-fire drills , which were held at night , show coalition forces firing M777 155 mm towed howitzers .
The coalition deployed several howitzers of this type in northeast Syria last month .
A day after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Political Directors held a virtually meeting , during which it reaffirmed its commitment to “ fight ISIS and maintain unity of purpose and cohesiveness in Iraq and Syria.
” “ The Political Directors agreed to maintain maximum pressure on Daesh/ISIS despite the several and multifaceted challenges , including those posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in order to achieve the enduring defeat of the terrorist group in Iraq and Syria , and to remain vigilant against the threat of Daesh/ ISIS around the world , ” the statement , which was released on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report by the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights ( SOHR ) revealed that the U.S.-led coalition is working to strengthen its influence in northeast Syria .
The live-fire drills in Deir Ezzor were apparently meant to deter U.S. enemies in the northeast in order to solidify the coalition ’ s grip on the region .
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On April 16, the U.S.-led coalition conducted live-fire drills with heavy weapons in the eastern Syrian governorate of Deir Ezzor.
The Deir Ezzor Media Center, an outlet affiliated with the self-administration in the northeastern region, said the drills took place in the Omar oil fields and Jadeed Ekedat in Deir Ezzor’s southeastern countryside.
Several photos of the live-fire drills, which were held at night, show coalition forces firing M777 155 mm towed howitzers. The coalition deployed several howitzers of this type in northeast Syria last month.
A day after the drills, the U.S.-led coalition’s Political Directors held a virtual meeting, during which it reaffirmed its commitment to “fight ISIS and maintain unity of purpose and cohesiveness in Iraq and Syria.”
“The Political Directors agreed to maintain maximum pressure on Daesh/ISIS despite the several and multifaceted challenges, including those posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in order to achieve the enduring defeat of the terrorist group in Iraq and Syria, and to remain vigilant against the threat of Daesh/ ISIS around the world,” the statement, which was released on April 16, reads.
A recent report by the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) revealed that the U.S.-led coalition is working to strengthen its influence in northeast Syria.
The live-fire drills in Deir Ezzor were apparently meant to deter U.S. opponents in the northeast in order to solidify the coalition’s grip on the region.
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southfront--2020-04-17--Prominent TOW Operator Killed In Recent Drone Strikes On Syria’s Greater Idlib

A prominent tank-hunter was killed in the recent mysterious drone strikes on the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib , Syrian opposition sources revealed on April 17 .
The sources said Maher Kojak was killed in one of the drone strikes which targeted the town of al-Enkawi in northwest Hama on April 16 morning .
At least nine Turkish-backed militants were killed or injured in the strikes .
Known by his nom de guerre “ Maher Tow , ” Kojak was among the first militants to be trained on the usage of U.S.-made TOW anti-tank guided missiles ( ATGMs ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroyed upwards of 150 fortified positions and vehicles of pro-government forces using TOW missiles as well as other types of ATGMs , including Fagot , Kornet and Konkurs .
Kojak was fighting in the ranks of the 2nd Coastal Division , a northern Lattakia-based Turkish-backed group .
Opposition sources said Kojak also used to take part in operations carried out by other groups .
The Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) killed Kojak ’ s two brothers during previous battles in the northern countryside of Lattakia , where several terrorist groups are known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the recent drone strikes were carried out by Russia , while others said it was Iran .
Regardless of the perpetrator , the killing of Kojak was without a doubt a blow to the remaining militants in Greater Idlib .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Turkish-Backed Militants Used Children In ISIS-Style Suicide Attack On SDF ( Photos )

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A prominent tank-hunter was killed in the recent mysterious drone strikes on the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib, Syrian opposition sources revealed on April 17.
The sources said Maher Kojak was killed in one of the drone strikes which targeted the town of al-Enkawi in northwest Hama on April 16 morning. At least nine Turkish-backed militants were killed or injured in the strikes.
Known by his nom de guerre “Maher Tow,” Kojak was among the first militants to be trained on the usage of U.S.-made TOW anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs).
According to opposition activists, Kojak destroyed upwards of 150 fortified positions and vehicles of pro-government forces using TOW missiles as well as other types of ATGMs, including Fagot, Kornet and Konkurs.
Kojak was fighting in the ranks of the 2nd Coastal Division, a northern Lattakia-based Turkish-backed group. Opposition sources said Kojak also used to take part in operations carried out by other groups.
The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) killed Kojak’s two brothers during previous battles in the northern countryside of Lattakia, where several terrorist groups are known to be present.
Some activists claim that the recent drone strikes were carried out by Russia, while others said it was Iran. Regardless of the perpetrator, the killing of Kojak was without a doubt a blow to the remaining militants in Greater Idlib.
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southfront--2020-04-17--Navy Reports Alarming ‘Stealth Transmission’ Rate: 60% Of Infected Carrier Crew Symptom-Free

In an extremely worrisome development signaling the coronavirus peak in the United States could last longer than expected , the US Navy has found that most COVID-19 cases aboard the virus-stricken aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt are among sailors who are asymptomatic .
“ Sweeping testing of the entire crew of the coronavirus-stricken U.S. aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt may have revealed a clue about the pandemic : The majority of the positive cases so far are among sailors who are asymptomatic , officials say , ” Reuters reports .
This suggests the virus could be spreading more frequently by stealth mode @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more people than is known walking around walking around with the disease unawares .
At least 655 Roosevelt sailors have now tested positive , including one death and multiple hospitalizations , out of a total crew of a about 4,800 .
It ’ s startling that the Navy has found that out of over 600 COVID-19 infected sailors , the have displayed no symptoms .
Testing is about 95 % complete on the entire crew since the ship was diverted to Guam last month amid a spiraling crisis on board .
“ With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning that stealth in the form of asymptomatic transmission is this adversary ’ s secret power , ” Rear Admiral Bruce Gillingham , surgeon general of the Navy , told reporters .
The Navy specified that 60 % of the Roosevelt ’ s positive cases “ so far have not shown symptoms ” .
Crucially , Reuters points out that the “ figure is higher than the 25 % to 50 % range offered on April 5 by Dr. Anthony Fauci ” .
This is likely due the fact that enlisted military ranks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their 20 ’ s and early 30 ’ s .
The carrier crew also provides a key active case study given the isolation of nearly 5,000 people apart from broader society , and the young , fit demographic .
Defense Secretary Mark Esper told NBC ’ s on Thursday that the conclusions regarding asymptomatic spread aboard the ship conclusions are “ disconcerting ” .
Esper said , “ It has revealed a new dynamic of this virus : that it can be carried by normal , healthy people who have no idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Esper said .
While this is not a new revelation , the case of the Roosevelt carrier and its crew provides shocking and clear confirmation that this reality is likely playing out on a much broader scale than previously thought .

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Originally appeared at ZeroHedge
In an extremely worrisome development signaling the coronavirus peak in the United States could last longer than expected, the US Navy has found that most COVID-19 cases aboard the virus-stricken aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt are among sailors who are asymptomatic.
“Sweeping testing of the entire crew of the coronavirus-stricken U.S. aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt may have revealed a clue about the pandemic: The majority of the positive cases so far are among sailors who are asymptomatic, officials say,” Reuters reports.
This suggests the virus could be spreading more frequently by stealth mode in the broader population, with many more people than is known walking around walking around with the disease unawares.
Nuclear aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, via AP/VOA
At least 655 Roosevelt sailors have now tested positive, including one death and multiple hospitalizations, out of a total crew of a about 4,800. It’s startling that the Navy has found that out of over 600 COVID-19 infected sailors, the majority have displayed no symptoms. Testing is about 95% complete on the entire crew since the ship was diverted to Guam last month amid a spiraling crisis on board.
“With regard to COVID-19, we’re learning that stealth in the form of asymptomatic transmission is this adversary’s secret power,” Rear Admiral Bruce Gillingham, surgeon general of the Navy, told reporters.
The Navy specified that 60% of the Roosevelt’s positive cases “so far have not shown symptoms”. Crucially, Reuters points out that the “figure is higher than the 25% to 50% range offered on April 5 by Dr. Anthony Fauci”.
This is likely due the fact that enlisted military ranks tend to be already very healthy individuals in their 20’s and early 30’s. The carrier crew also provides a key active case study given the isolation of nearly 5,000 people apart from broader society, and the young, fit demographic.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper told NBC’s Today on Thursday that the conclusions regarding asymptomatic spread aboard the ship conclusions are “disconcerting”. Esper said, “It has revealed a new dynamic of this virus: that it can be carried by normal, healthy people who have no idea whatsoever that they are carrying it,” Esper said.
While this is not a new revelation, the case of the Roosevelt carrier and its crew provides shocking and clear confirmation that this reality is likely playing out on a much broader scale than previously thought.
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southfront--2020-04-17--Chaos In Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado As ISIS Threat Grows

The threat of ISIS in Mozambique ’ s northern Cabo Delagdo province continues to grow , as government forces are facing troubles with taking the situation under their control .
The terrorist group resumed its attacks in the province in March , capturing the village of Quissanga .
The group even managed to temporarily seize the town of Mocimboa de Praia , which is located near a $ 60bn gas project led by France ’ s Total .
This month , ISIS pushed further , capturing the villages of Menquelewa and Muidumbe from government forces , which withdrew without showing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ successes , the group ’ s fighters appeared in a new video , unmasked , vowing to establish their caliphate in the gas-rich province .
The ISIS branch in Mozambique , known as the Islamic State in Central Africa Province ( ISCAP ) , has been operating in Cabo Delagdo , since October 2017 .
Government forces have failed to contain the terrorist group ’ s attacks in the province .
Many locals are also suffering from of the strict measures being enforced by security forces .
On April 15 , a bus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where Total ’ s gas project is taking place , came under fire on a road near the village of Palma .
The bus was targeted by security forces by mistake after overtaking another vehicle on the road .
No casualties were reported .
The situation in Cabo Delagdo could take a bad turn , if government forces fail to counter the ISIS expansion .
The terrorist group ’ s fighters appear to be gaining more confident after their recent attacks which saw no real resistance from government forces .
MORE ON @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ISIS Terrorists Strom Another Town In Northern Mozambique

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The threat of ISIS in Mozambique’s northern Cabo Delagdo province continues to grow, as government forces are facing troubles with taking the situation under their control.
The terrorist group resumed its attacks in the province in March, capturing the village of Quissanga. The group even managed to temporarily seize the town of Mocimboa de Praia, which is located near a $60bn gas project led by France’s Total.
This month, ISIS pushed further, capturing the villages of Menquelewa and Muidumbe from government forces, which withdrew without showing any real resistance.
After their recent successes, the group’s fighters appeared in a new video, unmasked, vowing to establish their caliphate in the gas-rich province.
“We want everyone here to apply Islamic law,” a field commander said in the video that was taken in Mocimboa da Praia, according to AFP, adding “We don’t want a government from unbelievers, we want a government from Allah.”
The ISIS branch in Mozambique, known as the Islamic State in Central Africa Province (ISCAP), has been operating in Cabo Delagdo, since October 2017.
Government forces have failed to contain the terrorist group’s attacks in the province. Many locals are also suffering from of the strict measures being enforced by security forces.
On April 15, a bus taking workers to the nearby Afungi Peninsula, where Total’s gas project is taking place, came under fire on a road near the village of Palma. The bus was targeted by security forces by mistake after overtaking another vehicle on the road. No casualties were reported.
The situation in Cabo Delagdo could take a bad turn, if government forces fail to counter the ISIS expansion. The terrorist group’s fighters appear to be gaining more confident after their recent attacks which saw no real resistance from government forces.
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southfront--2020-04-17--Money Losing Value In COVID-19 Crisis

Money Losing Value In COVID-19 Crisis

Money can no more buy safety .
On April 17 , Russia recorded 32,008 coronavirus cases , including a record 4,070 in the last 24 hours , as President Vladimir Putin warned of “ very high ” risks , particularly in some regions of the county .
According to the president , the regions fail to adopt all the funds allocated by the government in the framework of the special programs to support the medical infrastructure , citizens and businesses amid the COVID-19 crisis .
In late March , the federal government allocated 33.4 billion rubles to increase the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fight against coronavirus .
Also in early April , the Cabinet of Ministers distributed 5.1 billion rubles among regions for payments to health workers .
Later for the same purpose , the authorities sent another 45.6 billion rubles .
On April 15 , Putin proposed transferring additional assistance of 200 billion rubles to the regions .
In particular , Vladimir Oblast ( Region ) governor Vladimir Sipyagin said his region of 1.36 million only has 71 ventilators and half the needed resuscitation experts .
The region also lacks personal protective equipment for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the purchase of suits , glasses , respirators and medical equipment , Sipyagin added .
According to him , the hydroxychlorin , which the authorities allowed to use in COVID-19 cases , Vladimir Oblast receives only 50 people .
At the same time , the situation in Russia ’ s regions demonstrates that in the conditions of the global crisis the allocating of large sums of money is not enough to settle appearing difficulties and crisis tendencies .
The important role is being played by the political will of the federal government as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support in the task of using the provided amounts .
Earlier , the similar problem appeared in the United States , where different states were openly competing for medical equipment and other key features needed to contain the COVID-19 outbreak .
The New York governor , Andrew Cuomo , spoke out against the current bidding wars over ventilators , as each of the 50 US states and the Federal Emergency Management Agency were purchasing essential equipment separately : The United States federal government allocates even larger sums than the Russian one to contain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the lockdown .
However , this also appears to be not enough .
The unemployment rate in the US reached the new peak with over 22 million U.S. citizens lost their jobs in the last four weeks .
Additional factors that contribute to the current situation is the decision of many countries to de-facto close their borders and the regionalization of the global economy .
This leads to the creation of separate economic clusters , the slowing down of global trade and the destruction ( at least changes in ) of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into account the fact that the mechanisms of international control mostly do not work in the current situation , he will easily find out that the outflow of investments , the instability of financial markets and currencies also contribute to the inability of the governments to react properly to the challenges appearing in the crisis times .
The global financial system is crumbling .
In the conditions of the global crisis , countries that relied on the ‘ post-industrial ’ ( or even ‘ non-industrial ’ ) concept of the economy ( relying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , tourism and other services , as well as directly selling natural resources ) appear to be less stable than their counterparts that kept the industrial potential .
The dominance on the financial market is no more the only and key resource allowing to keep the global leadership .
The world has changed .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Moscow Labels All People With Respiratory Symptoms As COVID-19 Suspected

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Money can no more buy safety.
On April 17, Russia recorded 32,008 coronavirus cases, including a record 4,070 in the last 24 hours, as President Vladimir Putin warned of “very high” risks, particularly in some regions of the county.
“The risks surrounding the epidemic’s spread are still very high, not just in Moscow but in many other Russian regions,” Putin said during a televised video-conference with regional governors.
According to the president, the regions fail to adopt all the funds allocated by the government in the framework of the special programs to support the medical infrastructure, citizens and businesses amid the COVID-19 crisis.
In late March, the federal government allocated 33.4 billion rubles to increase the number of places in hospitals as part of the fight against coronavirus. Also in early April, the Cabinet of Ministers distributed 5.1 billion rubles among regions for payments to health workers. Later for the same purpose, the authorities sent another 45.6 billion rubles. On April 15, Putin proposed transferring additional assistance of 200 billion rubles to the regions.
In particular, Vladimir Oblast (Region) governor Vladimir Sipyagin said his region of 1.36 million only has 71 ventilators and half the needed resuscitation experts. The region also lacks personal protective equipment for doctors, and there are difficulties with the purchase of suits, glasses, respirators and medical equipment, Sipyagin added. According to him, the hydroxychlorin, which the authorities allowed to use in COVID-19 cases, Vladimir Oblast receives only 50 people.
Putin responded that governors’ commenting on the situation that they “are sitting there in order to overcome challenges”.
At the same time, the situation in Russia’s regions demonstrates that in the conditions of the global crisis the allocating of large sums of money is not enough to settle appearing difficulties and crisis tendencies. The important role is being played by the political will of the federal government as well as the provided administrative and organizational support in the task of using the provided amounts.
Earlier, the similar problem appeared in the United States, where different states were openly competing for medical equipment and other key features needed to contain the COVID-19 outbreak.
The New York governor, Andrew Cuomo, spoke out against the current bidding wars over ventilators, as each of the 50 US states and the Federal Emergency Management Agency were purchasing essential equipment separately:
The United States federal government allocates even larger sums than the Russian one to contain the COVID-19 outbreak and the economic consequences of the lockdown. However, this also appears to be not enough. The unemployment rate in the US reached the new peak with over 22 million U.S. citizens lost their jobs in the last four weeks.
Additional factors that contribute to the current situation is the decision of many countries to de-facto close their borders and the regionalization of the global economy. This leads to the creation of separate economic clusters, the slowing down of global trade and the destruction (at least changes in) of the existing economic relations.
If one takes into account the fact that the mechanisms of international control mostly do not work in the current situation, he will easily find out that the outflow of investments, the instability of financial markets and currencies also contribute to the inability of the governments to react properly to the challenges appearing in the crisis times.
The global financial system is crumbling. In the conditions of the global crisis, countries that relied on the ‘post-industrial’ (or even ‘non-industrial’) concept of the economy (relying on the selling of financial, informational, tourism and other services, as well as directly selling natural resources) appear to be less stable than their counterparts that kept the industrial potential.
The dominance on the financial market is no more the only and key resource allowing to keep the global leadership. The world has changed.
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southfront--2020-04-17--Turkish-Backed Militants Used Children In ISIS-Style Suicide Attack On SDF (Photos)

Turkish-backed militants have used children suicide bombers in an attack on the Syrian Democratic Forces ( SDF ) in the northern Raqqa countryside , the Hawar News Agency ( ANHA ) revealed on April 16 .
According to the Kurdish-Syrian agency , two children entered the SDF-held town of al-Kaltah on April 14 coming from the Turkish-occupied part of northern Raqqa .
Both children were disguised as shepherds .
After entering the town , one of the children blew himself up , injuring the other .
The child was identified as 15-year old Ali Emo al-Abd , a Homs native @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The militants forced the child to wear the explosive belt and sent him to target an SDF gathering in al-Kaltah .
However , the belt prematurely exploded .
Earlier this week , al-Quds al-Arabi revealed that former ISIS commanders met in northern Raqqa to form a new faction .
Activists told the London-based newspaper that the terrorists will likely plot attacks against the SDF with support from Turkey .
The attack in al-Kaltah was likely plotted by radical militants within Turkey ’ s proxies in northeastern Syria .
Ankara is doing very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
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Turkish-backed militants have used children suicide bombers in an attack on the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the northern Raqqa countryside, the Hawar News Agency (ANHA) revealed on April 16.
According to the Kurdish-Syrian agency, two children entered the SDF-held town of al-Kaltah on April 14 coming from the Turkish-occupied part of northern Raqqa. Both children were disguised as shepherds. After entering the town, one of the children blew himself up, injuring the other.
“After examining the remains of the child, it was found that he was wearing an explosive belt, which exploded,” the ANHA’s report read.
The child was identified as 15-year old Ali Emo al-Abd, a Homs native who was allegedly recruited by Turkish-backed militants. The militants forced the child to wear the explosive belt and sent him to target an SDF gathering in al-Kaltah. However, the belt prematurely exploded.
Earlier this week, al-Quds al-Arabi revealed that former ISIS commanders met in northern Raqqa to form a new faction. Activists told the London-based newspaper that the terrorists will likely plot attacks against the SDF with support from Turkey.
The attack in al-Kaltah was likely plotted by radical militants within Turkey’s proxies in northeastern Syria. Ankara is doing very little to limit the influence of radicals.
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southfront--2020-04-17--Mysterious Drones Kill Militants In Greater Idlib

On April 16 , airstrikes destroyed two vehicles of Jaysh al-Nasir and the 1st Coastal Division in the town of al-Enkawi on the contact line in northwestern Hama .
According to local sources , 3 militants were killed and 3 others were injured in the strikes .
Some opposition sources claimed that the strikes were conducted by an Iranian unmanned combat aerial vehicle , while others said the drone was Russian .
In the past several years , opposition sources repeatedly speculated that the Russian military was testing Kalashnikov KUB-BLA loitering munitions in Syria .
On April 15 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a prominent field commander of the Turkish-backed National Front for Liberation ( NFL ) , in a rocket strike on the town of Maarbalit in southern Idlib .
Both Jaysh al-Nasir and the 1st Coastal Division are also parts of the NFL .
A large explosion rocked the Turkish-occupied village of al-Ahras in the northern part of al-Hasakah province .
The car bomb , which exploded just near a joint position of the Turkish Army and Turkish-backed militants , reportedly killed and injured several Turkish personnel .
Following the incident , Turkish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ village detaining several civilians .
Over the past months , there have been dozens of IED and car bomb attacks within the Turkish-occupied part of Syria .
Turkish sources often blame Kurdish armed groups for these attacks , but provide no evidence to confirm these claims .
At the same time , ISIS cells are also active in the area .
A group of former ISIS commanders met in the town of Tell Abyad in northern Raqqa under the protection of Turkish-backed forces , according to media reports .
ISIS members reportedly cooperate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army .
The town is reportedly filled with graffiti supporting the terrorist group .
Local sources speculate that former ISIS members will be employed by Turkish intelligence to stage terrorist attacks and provocations against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian Army .
On the morning of April 16 , patriotic civilians and Syrian Army members intercepted a convoy of the U.S.-led coalition and forced it to withdraw near the village of Tell Hamis in al-Hasakah province .
This became the fifth such incident in the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had repeatedly blocked movement of the Syrian Army and the Russian Military Police in the province .
Now , they are passing through a similar experience .
Unknown militants ambushed a vehicle of the Syrian Army on the road between the villages of Izraa and Buser al-Harir in the province of Daraa .
At least 3 soldiers were killed and 2 others were injured .
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack , yet .
ISIS cells are known to be active in Daraa , especially in the governorate ’ s northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters of radical Idlib armed groups are still active in this part of the country .

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On April 16, airstrikes destroyed two vehicles of Jaysh al-Nasir and the 1st Coastal Division in the town of al-Enkawi on the contact line in northwestern Hama. According to local sources, 3 militants were killed and 3 others were injured in the strikes.
Some opposition sources claimed that the strikes were conducted by an Iranian unmanned combat aerial vehicle, while others said the drone was Russian. In the past several years, opposition sources repeatedly speculated that the Russian military was testing Kalashnikov KUB-BLA loitering munitions in Syria.
On April 15, the Syrian Army eliminated Abu al-Walid Tell Hadya, a prominent field commander of the Turkish-backed National Front for Liberation (NFL), in a rocket strike on the town of Maarbalit in southern Idlib. Both Jaysh al-Nasir and the 1st Coastal Division are also parts of the NFL.
A large explosion rocked the Turkish-occupied village of al-Ahras in the northern part of al-Hasakah province. The car bomb, which exploded just near a joint position of the Turkish Army and Turkish-backed militants, reportedly killed and injured several Turkish personnel. Following the incident, Turkish troops carried out a raid in the village detaining several civilians.
Over the past months, there have been dozens of IED and car bomb attacks within the Turkish-occupied part of Syria. Turkish sources often blame Kurdish armed groups for these attacks, but provide no evidence to confirm these claims. At the same time, ISIS cells are also active in the area.
A group of former ISIS commanders met in the town of Tell Abyad in northern Raqqa under the protection of Turkish-backed forces, according to media reports. ISIS members reportedly cooperate with the al-Shamiya Front, a faction of the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army. The town is reportedly filled with graffiti supporting the terrorist group.
Local sources speculate that former ISIS members will be employed by Turkish intelligence to stage terrorist attacks and provocations against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian Army.
On the morning of April 16, patriotic civilians and Syrian Army members intercepted a convoy of the U.S.-led coalition and forced it to withdraw near the village of Tell Hamis in al-Hasakah province. This became the fifth such incident in the past few weeks. Earlier, US forces had repeatedly blocked movement of the Syrian Army and the Russian Military Police in the province. Now, they are passing through a similar experience.
Unknown militants ambushed a vehicle of the Syrian Army on the road between the villages of Izraa and Buser al-Harir in the province of Daraa. At least 3 soldiers were killed and 2 others were injured. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, yet. ISIS cells are known to be active in Daraa, especially in the governorate’s northern and eastern countryside. Furthermore, some supporters of radical Idlib armed groups are still active in this part of the country.
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southfront--2020-04-17--Two Radical Militants Eliminated After Assassinating Syrian Officer In Daraa

Late on April 16 , radical militants assassinated an officer of the Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) in the western countryside of Daraa .
Local sources said Lt. Hussein Fawaz Ramadan was shot and killed in the town of Khirbet Qeis by two militants riding a motorcycle .
The victim was a Daraa native and was reportedly serving in the ranks of the SAA ’ s 15th Division .
According to Halab Today , a pro-opposition news channel , a unit of the Military Intelligence Directorate ( MID ) chased the assailants and managed to kill both of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soldiers were killed or injured when they fell into an ambush on the Izraa-Buser al-Harir road in northern Daraa .
Another ambush targeted Syrian troops on a road linking the towns of al-Sourah and Naamer .
ISIS claimed responsibility for both attacks in a statement released by its news agency , Amaq .
The assassination of Lt. Ramadan was very likely carried out by operatives of the terrorist group .
By carrying out such attacks in Daraa , ISIS is working to destabilize southern Syria .
The group likely seeks to strengthen its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ON THIS TOPIC :

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Late on April 16, radical militants assassinated an officer of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) in the western countryside of Daraa.
Local sources said Lt. Hussein Fawaz Ramadan was shot and killed in the town of Khirbet Qeis by two militants riding a motorcycle. The victim was a Daraa native and was reportedly serving in the ranks of the SAA’s 15th Division.
According to Halab Today, a pro-opposition news channel, a unit of the Military Intelligence Directorate (MID) chased the assailants and managed to kill both of them.
“One of them [the assailants] was identified as Mohamad Atah al-Saytari, while the other remain unidentified as for now,” the channel’s reporter said.
A day earlier, four Syrian soldiers were killed or injured when they fell into an ambush on the Izraa-Buser al-Harir road in northern Daraa. Another ambush targeted Syrian troops on a road linking the towns of al-Sourah and Naamer.
ISIS claimed responsibility for both attacks in a statement released by its news agency, Amaq. The assassination of Lt. Ramadan was very likely carried out by operatives of the terrorist group.
By carrying out such attacks in Daraa, ISIS is working to destabilize southern Syria. The group likely seeks to strengthen its influence there through these actions.
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southfront--2020-04-17--New Drone Strikes Target Greater Idlib Militants

Late on April 16 , mysterious combat drones carried out a new series of strikes on the northwestern Syrian region @ @ @ @ @ strikes targeted militants ’ positions and equipment in the town of al-Enkawi in northwest Hama @ @ @ @ @ Aweed in Idlib ’ s southern countryside .
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for @ @ @ @ @ , the strikes didn ’ t result in any casualties .
On April 16 morning @ @ @ @ @ militants ’ vehicles in al-Enkawi .
Three Turkish-backed militants were killed and at least six @ @ @ @ @ activists claimed that the strikes were carried out by Iranian or Russian drones .
Both @ @ @ @ @ such capabilities .
However , these claims are yet to be verified .
These repeated @ @ @ @ @ the mounting tensions in Greater Idlib .
The region is slowly moving to a new @ @ @ @ @ the Syrian Arab Army .
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Late on April 16, mysterious combat drones carried out a new series of strikes on the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib.
The strikes targeted militants’ positions and equipment in the town of al-Enkawi in northwest Hama and the town of Kafar Aweed in Idlib’s southern countryside. According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the strikes didn’t result in any casualties.
On April 16 morning, two drone strikes targeted militants’ vehicles in al-Enkawi. Three Turkish-backed militants were killed and at least six others were injured.
Opposition activists claimed that the strikes were carried out by Iranian or Russian drones. Both countries are known to have such capabilities. However, these claims are yet to be verified.
These repeated strikes are a testimony to the mounting tensions in Greater Idlib. The region is slowly moving to a new confrontation between Turkish forces and the Syrian Arab Army.
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southfront--2020-04-17--Cuba’s Interferon Saves Lives

Cuba’s Interferon Saves Lives

Cuba ’ s interferon is saving the lives of patients with coronavirus on the island encircled by the United States , while also preparing vaccines against the disease , as will be explained later .
Meanwhile , Donald Trump plunges his own people into a tragedy of biblical proportions because of his negligence in the confrontation with Covid-19 .
His legacy during this crisis will go down as a crime against humanity .
He has now cut off funds to the World Health Organization , blocks and threatens countries like Venezuela and refuses to cooperate in the international effort against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China and Cuba .
While the world is cooperating on many levels to defeat the pandemic the US stands alone in its isolation and counter-productivity .
To the now established strategic resource of social isolation , the island ’ s scientific community has geared up its powerful institutions to maximum capacity , to provide the best protection to the people with a non-specific vaccine during this phase and also working hard to achieve a specific vaccine , in the medium term .
Faithful to its tradition of solidarity , of heroic inspiration and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has done since the beginning of the epidemic , will always make its human resources and scientific findings available to other peoples .
Interferon is a product that acts directly to make the immune system respond and activate the mechanisms of viral inhibition .
It has been used in previous epidemics , says Dr. Eduardo Martínez Díaz , president of the large scientific-business conglomerate BioCubaFarma .
“ Normally the number of patients with Covid-19 who go into a serious or critical state is 20 percent .
In Cuba , the number that reaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the indicators at the international level .
Our country ’ s death rate is 2.7 percent , which indicates that the way Cuban doctors treat patients , as well as our protocols , are being effective in the treatment of the disease .
We think that interferon ( INF ) is responsible for what we are seeing in practice .
He points out that Cuba produces the necessary INF for local use , as well as meeting the growing number of international requests .
Dr. Vicente Vérez Bencomo , director of the Finlay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We all dream of a specific vaccine that will solve the Covid-19 problem in one fell swoop , but there will be no solution like that this year .
In the meantime , he says , there is a transitional one that does not immunize against the coronavirus but provides the so-called natural or innate immunity , which we all have , although not with the same competence .
The virus doesn ’ t kill us , what kills is the excessive immune reaction that results from this , he says .
Part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what is responsible for the balance presented in the asymptomatic patient , who manages to control the virus .
So it ’ s important to understand what that balance depends on.
” In the same line of thought , Dr. Gerardo Guillén Nieto , director of Biomedical Research at the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology ( CIGB ) , explains the steps already being taken for the immediate development in Cuba of a vaccine capable of activating innate immunity .
He clarifies that it is not just a CIGB project but one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ integration of Cuban research centers .
It details that , in conjunction with the Ministry of Public Health and its regulatory agencies , on March 26 it approved the clinical study of the vaccine and on March 27 the first volunteers were already available to test it .
It is a nasal vaccine and sublingual application , which allows stimulating the immunity at a local level , where the virus is found in the body .
Already in blood samples and tonsil and sublingual scrapings that have shown how the molecules on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the innate immune system related to viruses are stimulated .
Guillén Nieto said that they are working on 16 lines of research , to magnify the success and be able to contribute to the control of the epidemic .
According to Dr. Martinez Diaz , asymptomatic patients are the fundamental cause of the spread of the virus .
Hence the importance of doing massive research to detect them , isolate them and stop the spread .
It is in this case that the so-called rapid tests can make an important contribution since they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the evaluation of which can be refined with the most reliable PCR and the clinical survey in the community .
As I was finishing writing these lines , Prensa Latina reports the arrival in Qatar of a brigade of 200 Cuban doctors and health personnel , who will reinforce the 500 Cuban doctors who have been permanently in the emirate since 2012 in the fight against the coronavirus .
More than 16 countries have been reached in recent weeks by Cuban solidarity to confront Covid 19 .

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Originally appeared at La Jornada; Translated by Resumen Latinoamericano, North America bureau
Cuba’s interferon is saving the lives of patients with coronavirus on the island encircled by the United States, while also preparing vaccines against the disease, as will be explained later. Meanwhile, Donald Trump plunges his own people into a tragedy of biblical proportions because of his negligence in the confrontation with Covid-19. His legacy during this crisis will go down as a crime against humanity. He has now cut off funds to the World Health Organization, blocks and threatens countries like Venezuela and refuses to cooperate in the international effort against the pandemic, as do Russia, China and Cuba. While the world is cooperating on many levels to defeat the pandemic the US stands alone in its isolation and counter-productivity.
To the now established strategic resource of social isolation, the island’s scientific community has geared up its powerful institutions to maximum capacity, to provide the best protection to the people with a non-specific vaccine during this phase and also working hard to achieve a specific vaccine, in the medium term. Faithful to its tradition of solidarity, of heroic inspiration and loyalty, the island, as it has done since the beginning of the epidemic, will always make its human resources and scientific findings available to other peoples.
Interferon is a product that acts directly to make the immune system respond and activate the mechanisms of viral inhibition. It has been used in previous epidemics, says Dr. Eduardo Martínez Díaz, president of the large scientific-business conglomerate BioCubaFarma. “Normally the number of patients with Covid-19 who go into a serious or critical state is 20 percent. In Cuba, the number that reaches that stage is half, compared to the indicators at the international level. Our country’s death rate is 2.7 percent, which indicates that the way Cuban doctors treat patients, as well as our protocols, are being effective in the treatment of the disease. We think that interferon (INF) is responsible for what we are seeing in practice. He points out that Cuba produces the necessary INF for local use, as well as meeting the growing number of international requests.
Dr. Vicente Vérez Bencomo, director of the Finlay Institute of Vaccines, says, “We all dream of a specific vaccine that will solve the Covid-19 problem in one fell swoop, but there will be no solution like that this year. In the meantime, he says, there is a transitional one that does not immunize against the coronavirus but provides the so-called natural or innate immunity, which we all have, although not with the same competence. The virus doesn’t kill us, what kills is the excessive immune reaction that results from this, he says. Part of the questioning we are doing is what is responsible for the balance presented in the asymptomatic patient, who manages to control the virus. So it’s important to understand what that balance depends on.”
In the same line of thought, Dr. Gerardo Guillén Nieto, director of Biomedical Research at the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), explains the steps already being taken for the immediate development in Cuba of a vaccine capable of activating innate immunity. He clarifies that it is not just a CIGB project but one that exemplifies the capacity for cooperation and integration of Cuban research centers. It details that, in conjunction with the Ministry of Public Health and its regulatory agencies, on March 26 it approved the clinical study of the vaccine and on March 27 the first volunteers were already available to test it.
It is a nasal vaccine and sublingual application, which allows stimulating the immunity at a local level, where the virus is found in the body. Already in blood samples and tonsil and sublingual scrapings that have shown how the molecules on the cell surface that mark the activation of the innate immune system related to viruses are stimulated.
Guillén Nieto said that they are working on 16 lines of research, to magnify the success and be able to contribute to the control of the epidemic.
According to Dr. Martinez Diaz, asymptomatic patients are the fundamental cause of the spread of the virus. Hence the importance of doing massive research to detect them, isolate them and stop the spread. It is in this case that the so-called rapid tests can make an important contribution since they act as an indicator of infected areas, the evaluation of which can be refined with the most reliable PCR and the clinical survey in the community.
As I was finishing writing these lines, Prensa Latina reports the arrival in Qatar of a brigade of 200 Cuban doctors and health personnel, who will reinforce the 500 Cuban doctors who have been permanently in the emirate since 2012 in the fight against the coronavirus. More than 16 countries have been reached in recent weeks by Cuban solidarity to confront Covid 19.
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southfront--2020-04-17--Pro-Government Fighters Attack SDF Security Forces In Al-Qamishli With Hand Grenades (Photos)

Late on April 16 , a checkpoint of the Syrian Democratic Forces ( SDF ) security forces , Asayish , in the northern al-Hasakah countryside was attacked with two hand grenades .
One of the grenades exploded inside the checkpoint , which is located in the southern part of al-Qamishli city .
The other grenade was defused by Asayish .
No SDF member was killed .
In an official statement , Asayish accused fighters of the pro-government National Defense Forces ( NDF ) of carrying out the attack , vowing to punish the perpetrators .
Earlier this month , al-Qamishli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opened fire at a patrol of Asayish , killing a fighter and injuring another one .
Al-Qamishli is under the joint control of government forces and the SDF .
The city witnessed several local military confrontations during the last few years .
Most incidents were the result of personal disagreements or the lack of coordination .
The SDF and the Damascus government usually ignore such incident to avoid any escalation in the northeastern region .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • U.S .
Complains That Aggressive Russian Su-35 Buzzed Peaceful US Spy Plane @ @ @

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Late on April 16, a checkpoint of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) security forces, Asayish, in the northern al-Hasakah countryside was attacked with two hand grenades.
One of the grenades exploded inside the checkpoint, which is located in the southern part of al-Qamishli city. The other grenade was defused by Asayish. No SDF member was killed.
In an official statement, Asayish accused fighters of the pro-government National Defense Forces (NDF) of carrying out the attack, vowing to punish the perpetrators.
“We will not tolerate any side that attempts to create problems in the region,” the statement reads.
Earlier this month, al-Qamishli witnessed a similar incident. NDF fighters opened fire at a patrol of Asayish, killing a fighter and injuring another one.
Al-Qamishli is under the joint control of government forces and the SDF. The city witnessed several local military confrontations during the last few years. Most incidents were the result of personal disagreements or the lack of coordination.
The SDF and the Damascus government usually ignore such incident to avoid any escalation in the northeastern region.
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southfront--2020-04-17--ISIS Claims First Attack In Maldives

ISIS Claims First Attack In Maldives

On April 16 , ISIS claimed its first-ever attack in the Maldives .
A report by ISIS ’ weekly newsletter @ @ @ @ @ an exclusive source told Al Naba that yesterday morning soldiers of the Caliphate attacked 5 @ @ @ @ @ Maldivian government.
” The attack took place on Mahibadhoo island in the Maldives ’ Alif @ @ @ @ @ information was provided by the terrorist group .
It should be noted that the Maldives @ @ @ @ @ the incident on Mahibadhoo island as a terrorist attack .
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On April 16, ISIS claimed its first-ever attack in the Maldives.
A report by ISIS’ weekly newsletter Al Naba claims that “an exclusive source told Al Naba that yesterday morning soldiers of the Caliphate attacked 5 boats belonging to the apostate Maldivian government.”
The attack took place on Mahibadhoo island in the Maldives’ Alif Dhaal Atoll. No additional information was provided by the terrorist group.
It should be noted that the Maldives’ government was also considering the incident on Mahibadhoo island as a terrorist attack.
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southfront--2020-04-17--In Video: Live-Fire Drills Of Russian Armoured Vehicles In Khabarovsk

Military drills took place at the Knyaz-Volkonsky training ground , bilateral tactical exercises with live firing took place .
The @ @ @ @ @ of the motorized rifle formations of Russia ’ s Eastern Military District .
MORE ON @ @ @ @ @ Precise Are Iranian Missiles ?
Analysis Of Missile Strikes On U.S. Military Base In Iraq

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Military drills took place at the Knyaz-Volkonsky training ground, bilateral tactical exercises with live firing took place. The drills involved battle tank units of the motorized rifle formations of Russia’s Eastern Military District.
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southfront--2020-04-17--Russian Specialists Carried Out Disinfection In Two Large Boarding Houses In Bergamo

Russian military experts , together with the military personnel of NBCP unit of the Italian Armed Forces , carried out disinfection in two large boarding houses in Bergamo ( Lombardy region , Italian Republic ) .
The teams that carry out disinfection and sanitary treatment of boarding houses include Russian interpreters who provide communication between Russian military personnel and the Italian military , the administrations of localities and medical institutions .
Military interpreters also provide all meetings and planning activities with the Italian side .
In total , Russian military doctors-epidemiologists and specialists of NBC protection troops of Russian Defence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , carried out complete disinfection of boarding houses for the elderly in 62 localities in Lombardy .
66 buildings and structures , more than 430 thousand square meters of internal premises and more than 51 thousand square meters of paved roads were processed .
In addition , Russian Defence Ministry interpreters are on duty around the clock with the medical staff of medical and nursing teams that help patients with coronavirus infection in medical institutions in Italy .
The group of Russian specialists of Russian Defence Ministry in Italy employs 13 military interpreters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , patients and Italian doctors .
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The Russian Defense Ministry reported on April 16 (source):
Russian military experts, together with the military personnel of NBCP unit of the Italian Armed Forces, carried out disinfection in two large boarding houses in Bergamo (Lombardy region, Italian Republic).
The teams that carry out disinfection and sanitary treatment of boarding houses include Russian interpreters who provide communication between Russian military personnel and the Italian military, the administrations of localities and medical institutions. Military interpreters also provide all meetings and planning activities with the Italian side.
In total, Russian military doctors-epidemiologists and specialists of NBC protection troops of Russian Defence Ministry, together with Italian military specialists, carried out complete disinfection of boarding houses for the elderly in 62 localities in Lombardy. 66 buildings and structures, more than 430 thousand square meters of internal premises and more than 51 thousand square meters of paved roads were processed.
In addition, Russian Defence Ministry interpreters are on duty around the clock with the medical staff of medical and nursing teams that help patients with coronavirus infection in medical institutions in Italy. The group of Russian specialists of Russian Defence Ministry in Italy employs 13 military interpreters who provide round-the-clock communication between Russian doctors, patients and Italian doctors.
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southfront--2020-04-18--Oil Stored At Sea Hits A Record 160 Million Barrels, Doubling In Two Weeks

The historic OPEC+ “ Mexican Standoff ” production cut came and went , and after a very short kneejerk spike higher oil has continued to plunge to historic lows for the two reasons we laid out previously : i ) the production cut was not nearly enough to offset the demand collapse of as much as 36 million barrels , and ii ) every day that tens of millions of excess barrels are produced brings us one day closer to that catastrophic D-day when oil storage runs out .
Of course , just like not all oil producers are equal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ producers may see oil prices go negative , as they run out of buyers or places where to store the oil , while tanker access to most Brent exporters means that the price of Brent will not drop materially below $ 20 – not all storage is equal either , and while Cushing and ARA commercial storage is expected to hit full in just a few months at the current rate of net supply , many producers are using water storage as a flexible alternative .
As a result , traders are now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of oil on ships – double the level from two weeks ago as they seek to tackle a glut of stocks , Reuters reportsas traders have rushed to find storage on land and at sea in what is believed to be the biggest oil glut in history .
The surge in water storage , which started with Saudi Arabia unleashing an armada of tankers last month to flood the world with cheap oil… … has swept the globe and shipping sources say oil held in floating storage on tankers had reached at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aka very large crude carriers ( VLCCs ) , which can each hold 2 million barrels .
This compared with just 25 to 40 VLCCs already chartered with storage options at the start of April and fewer than 10 VLCCs in February , the sources said adding that smaller tankers were also being used , which was also boosting volumes being held at anchor .
The last time floating storage reached levels close to this was in 2009 , when traders stored over 100 million barrels at sea before offloading stocks ; the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our very first posts in January 2009 “ Risk-Free Profit Idea of the Day ” in which we explained how to benefit from $ 25 contango .
Putting naval oil infrastructure in context , the red dots show oil-tankers transporting over 100 million barrels each day .
Now add another 60 million barrels to begin..

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Originally appeared at ZeroHedge
The historic OPEC+ “Mexican Standoff” production cut came and went, and after a very short kneejerk spike higher oil has continued to plunge to historic lows for the two reasons we laid out previously: i) the production cut was not nearly enough to offset the demand collapse of as much as 36 million barrels, and ii) every day that tens of millions of excess barrels are produced brings us one day closer to that catastrophic D-day when oil storage runs out.
Of course, just like not all oil producers are equal – recall Goldman recently predicted that landlocked producers may see oil prices go negative, as they run out of buyers or places where to store the oil, while tanker access to most Brent exporters means that the price of Brent will not drop materially below $20 – not all storage is equal either, and while Cushing and ARA commercial storage is expected to hit full in just a few months at the current rate of net supply, many producers are using water storage as a flexible alternative.
As a result, traders are now storing an estimated record 160 million barrels of oil on ships – double the level from two weeks ago as they seek to tackle a glut of stocks, Reuters reportsas traders have rushed to find storage on land and at sea in what is believed to be the biggest oil glut in history.
The surge in water storage, which started with Saudi Arabia unleashing an armada of tankers last month to flood the world with cheap oil…
… has swept the globe and shipping sources say oil held in floating storage on tankers had reached at least 160 million barrels including 60 supertankers, aka very large crude carriers (VLCCs), which can each hold 2 million barrels. This compared with just 25 to 40 VLCCs already chartered with storage options at the start of April and fewer than 10 VLCCs in February, the sources said adding that smaller tankers were also being used, which was also boosting volumes being held at anchor.
The last time floating storage reached levels close to this was in 2009, when traders stored over 100 million barrels at sea before offloading stocks; the plunge in oil prices then prompted one of our very first posts in January 2009 “Risk-Free Profit Idea of the Day” in which we explained how to benefit from $25 contango.
Putting naval oil infrastructure in context, the red dots show oil-tankers transporting over 100 million barrels each day. Now add another 60 million barrels to begin..
“This is an unprecedented time in the history of tankers and while VLCC tanker storage is garnering the headlines, smaller crude and product tankers are also being used for storage,” said BTIG shipping analyst Gregory Lewis. Locations typically include the U.S. Gulf and Singapore, where major oil hubs are situated. A supercontango that briefly emerged in 2016 when oil prices also crashed for a period of time, resulted in the following stunning navel map of tankers parked off Singapore. As mentioned above, the crude market is currently trading in deep contango, where forward prices are higher (in some cases much higher)than immediate prices. The ability to buy a barrel of oil cheap today and lock in a profit by selling it in the future, encourages traders to park barrels in storage in the hopes of selling them for a profit later. And with the contango barely budging, analysts – who notes that there are over 770 VLCCs in the world – estimate that as many as 100 to 200 supertankers could be deployed for floating storage in coming months. “The eventual wind down of this inventory glut will be most painful to tanker demand, but in the meantime floating storage remains the only outlet for a mismatched production and consumption backdrop,” said Jonathan Chappell with investment banking advisory Evercore ISI.
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southfront--2020-04-18--Military Situation In Syria On April 18, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overivew of the recent developments in Syria : • Pro-government fighters allegedly @ @ @ @ @ checkpoint of the SDF in Qamishly city ; • Two militants were eliminated in Khirbet @ @ @ @ @ Syrian soldier ; • Turkish-backed militants have used children suicide bombers in an attack on @ @ @ @ @ • Maher Kojak , a prominent TOW operator , was killed in recent drone strikes @ @ @ @ @ ON THE TOPIC :

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A brief overivew of the recent developments in Syria:
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