southfront--2020-09-29--Assange’s Fifteenth Day at the Old Bailey: Solitary Confinement and Parlous Health Care

Throughout the sham process formally known as the Julian Assange extradition trial , prosecutors representing the United States have been adamant : the carceral conditions awaiting him in freedom ’ s land will be pleasant , accommodating and appropriate .
Confronting 17 charges under the US Espionage Act and one under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act , Assange and his defence team have been resolutely sceptical .
Today , the prosecution reiterated its position on the US federal prison system as one of rosy comfort and decent facilities .
As has happened at several points in the extradition trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistant US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia , were given another airing .
Stale as ever , Kromberg told the court that , “ Inmates in administrative segregation are able to speak to one another through the doors and windows of their cells.
” How civil .
“ Typically , ” he also noted , “ there are several inmates in administrative segregation.
” He does not tire of this canard , and makes the point one more time with robotic certitude .
“ Even in administrative segregation , Assange would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the doors and windows of his cell.
” The defence witness Yancey Ellis , as with others more acquainted with the bestial prison conditions of the imperium , suggested something quite different .
Ellis is a former judge advocate in the US Marines .
First would come the experience of being held in the Alexandria Detention Center ( ADC ) , where Assange will be given his pre-trial blooding on US soil .
Most likely , he will find himself , Ellis claimed , in X block , kept in a narrow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours , containing “ a sleeping area , a small sink and a toilet ” , guarded by thick doors .
Meals would be taken in the cell .
The precious one or two hours granted to the inmate would often only be granted at “ very odd hours.
” The time would be spent in the “ common area of the ADSEG unit , which is maybe about twice the square footage.
” Only one inmate in the unit would be permitted out of the cell at any one time .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inmates because their doors and food-tray slots are closed.
” Such an individual is purposely segregated from others , alienated and prevented from accessing therapeutic or other programs available at the facility .
“ There is no outside recreational or exercise area at the Alexandria jail and I do not recall there being any windows in the ADSEG unit , ” Ellis notes in his written submissions .
As with other defence testimonies , Kromberg ’ s came in for special attention .
There were “ several assertions made by Mr Kromberg ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When asked by Edward Fitzgerald QC for the defence whether Assange would be given the means to “ associate with other prisoners ” , Ellis was far from convinced .
“ The short answer is : not really.
” Administrative segregation implied just that .
Kromberg ’ s assertion in his affidavit that there was no solitary confinement at ADC was dispatched .
“ 1X ADSEG unit is essentially the same as solitary confinement.
” Communicating with his clients through such doors proved “ very difficult , even when standing several inches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inmates could really communicate in this way , unless they constantly screamed at loud volumes .
I would routinely have to ask for a deputy sheriff to open the cell ’ s food tray slot in order to be able to speak with a client.
” In addition to the physical features of the facility will be Special Administrative Measures ( SAMs ) , further limiting Assange ’ s communication and hindering his means of mounting an adequate legal defence .
While Ellis conceded to having had no experience of them , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visits and communication with friends and family .
On matters of mental health , Ellis was distinctly discouraging .
Provision at the facility was rudimentary .
“ The extent of mental health care is that a social worker or counselor comes around to check on you every once in a while to ensure basic functioning.
” There were no permanent doctors in residence at ADC .
Part-time psychiatrists were employed instead , meaning irregular visits and consultations .
Those at risk of self-harm found themselves in suits designed to prevent suicide , immobilizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , removing shoe strings and sheets , etc.
” In cross-examination , James Lewis QC for the prosecution attempted to shore up the shoddy assertions in Kromberg ’ s affidavit .
Ellis , he suggested , was doing a bit of crystal ball gazing : how could he really know if Assange would be held in X Bloc ?
Ellis had , after all , not interviewed the warden , a psychologist or prison staff about the conditions .
This was a desperate ploy ; Ellis had been asked to testify on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ totality of a policy that remained opaque .
“ I have requested those records [ determining how inmates will be housed ] before and can never get them.
” Triumphantly , Lewis suggested that “ Kromberg ’ s statement of how [ Assange ] would be assessed for housing at the ADC ” was not something that could be disputed .
As to whether Assange would actually find himself in administrative detention , Ellis was cautious but convinced .
“ I can ’ t predict the future , but I would bet he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The prosecutor also attempted to lay a trap in discrediting the testimony .
Had Ellis been massaged by the defence to use the words “ solitary confinement ” in his statement to the court ?
No , came the reply .
The time detainees in administrative segregation are permitted outside the cramped confines of their cell was “ generally equivalent to solitary confinement.
” Mockingly , Lewis scrapped about definitions : an inmate could not be said to be enduring conditions of solitary confinement meeting his lawyers three hours each day .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the prosecution , given that the application of SAMS would make such meetings a difficult , if not an impossibility . )
Lewis then focused on Assange ’ s standing in Ellis ’ eyes .
Did he feel that the publisher ’ s case had garnered publicity and large public support ?
“ I would agree with the publicity , ” came the reply .
Public support was another matter he could not speak to .
The fact that previous prominent figures such as Paul Manafort and Maria Butina had been housed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ segregation ” suggested that Assange would not be treated any differently .
This line of questioning stirred Judge Vanessa Baraitser , who went on to probe Ellis on how the US Bureau of Prisons would handle Assange ’ s case .
In the United Kingdom , “ Assange has been in custody in this jurisdiction for 18 months , ” housed in the general wing .
“ Other than his being a public figure , any reason you think he ’ ll be held in administrative detention ?
” The “ primary reason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his notoriety , though mental health might be a factor officials would consider .
But as the mental health unit was located in the general population , a decision might still be made to place him in “ administrative segregation ” .
Veteran prison advocate and founder of the Justice Advocacy Group in Virginia , Joel Sickler , followed for the defence .
Much of his testimony seemed reiterative and supplementary to that of Ellis , though it also moved into discussion about the ADX Florence supermax facility , a nightmare Assange may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He suggested that Assange would have “ no meaningful reaction ” at the ADC , kept in his parking-space sized cell .
It was “ ridiculous ” to assert , as Kromberg had done , that credible communication between inmates in administrative segregation in the facility could take place .
“ You ’ re twiddling your thumbs .
You ’ ll have access to reading material , but your whole world is the four corners of that room.
” There was also “ significant sensory deprivation comparable to isolation in a cell .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as access to fresh air.
” While Assange ’ s attorneys would be permitted “ to meet with him at any time during professional visiting hours ” finding yourself “ in the ADSEG unit at the ADC could compromise Mr Assange ’ s ability to focus on and assist his attorneys in his defence – for reasons related to how debilitating the experience may be for a prisoner.
” There was also a real risk of SAMSs being applied by the Attorney-General in the event of conviction .
Challenging them would pose almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a well-known fact here that even the most minor administrative appeals by inmates are denied.
” Sickler claimed to have filed over a thousand appeals , “ winning a dozen at most.
” Holding the flame for the prosecution was Clair Dobbin , who attempted to create a world of textual reality rather than grounded fact .
Policies of the US Bureau of Prisons were discussed ; staffing and health care provisions were canvassed , including ADX facilities where inmates might be able to labour and improve their conditions .
This would present @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have their SAMs removed .
Sickler suggested that what the BOP was claiming was different from practice .
While the prosecution smelled blood in suggesting that Sickler was actually unexperienced on the actual operations of X Bloc and the application of SAMs , Sickler rallied on the issue of how medical care would be supplied in such prison facilities .
Dobbin made the assumption that he had no access to prison medical records .
Not so , came the correcting reply .
Dobbin then moved on to limiting the value of such knowledge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s clients ; not of the same order as an academic or research account on medical care in the prison system .
As for whether SAMs would be applied or not , this was up to the US Attorney General , who would determine the case on the basis of whether the prisoner had classified information threatening to “ national security ” .
Dobbin then engaged in what could only be described as a tidying up effort for one of the most notorious facilities in the US .
ADX Florence was hardly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she noted from a report , had claimed to form close personal relations with the staff .
“ If it ’ s such a great place , ” Sickler retorted , “ why are so many prisoners trying to get out ?
” Finding the report “ incredulous , ” he also suggested that institutionalisation brings with it fears of change .
Under re-examination , he noted that a client of his at ADX was “ begging to get out.
” On Sickler ’ s own example of the darker side of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffered a mental breakdown at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn , New York , “ severely beaten by correctional officers ” and “ thrown in the hole naked ” – Dobbin was bizarrely disingenuous .
Initial calls by Sickler that the individual suffered psychiatric illness might have been callously ignored ; and it took a federal court to grant the individual bail and eventually receive a writ for treatment at the Bellevue psychiatric center , but “ judicial oversight ” had prevailed .
The prosecutor also referred to the case of to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been dire , must have improved .
The case involved ADX inmates , described as “ five seriously mentally ill men ” , along with six other ADX prisoners ( “ interested parties ” ) with “ serious mental illnesses ” suing the Bureau of Prisons in 2012 for violating BOP policy and the Eighth Amendment .
Dobbin , continuing her train of dissimulation , submitted another , deeply flawed example .
ADX Florence had permitted a convicted terrorist known as the “ Underwear Bomber ” , Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab , time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the facility .
This belied an inconvenient reality : Abdulmutallab sued the Justice Department in October 2017 claiming that prison officials had held him in “ long-term solitary confinement ” , restricted his communication with relatives and force-fed him during hunger protests and fasting sessions .
Abdulmutallab had also been the subject of SAMs , and incarcerated in the infamous H-Unit of ADX .
Not exactly a paragon of US prison treatment , and not one of the prosecution ’ s better examples .
Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at RMIT University , Melbourne .
Email : bkampmark @ gmail.com MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Assange ’ s Fourteenth Day at the Old Bailey : Elections , Cracking Passwords and Failures of Proof • Assange ’ s Thirteenth Day at the Old Bailey : Mental Health , Managed Risk and Publication Chronologies • Assange ’ s Twelfth Day at the Old Bailey : Autism , Suicide and Prisons • Assange ’ s Eleventh Day at the Old Bailey : Suicide , Hallucinations and Psychological Torture • Assange ’ s Tenth Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Death Penalties and Plots of Eviction • Assange ’ s Ninth Day at the Old Bailey : Torture Testimonies , Offers of Pardon and Truth Telling • Assange ’ s Eighth Day at the Old Bailey : Software Redactions , the Iraq Logs and the Extradition Act • Assange ’ s Seventh Day at the Old Bailey : Diligent Redactions and Avoiding Harm • Assange ’ s Sixth Day at the Old Bailey : US Prison Conditions and Politicised Prosecutions • Assange ’ s Fourth Day at the Old Bailey : COVID @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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

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Submitted by Dr. Binoy Kampmark
September 28. Central Criminal Court, London.
Throughout the sham process formally known as the Julian Assange extradition trial, prosecutors representing the United States have been adamant: the carceral conditions awaiting him in freedom’s land will be pleasant, accommodating and appropriate. Confronting 17 charges under the US Espionage Act and one under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, Assange and his defence team have been resolutely sceptical.
Today, the prosecution reiterated its position on the US federal prison system as one of rosy comfort and decent facilities. As has happened at several points in the extradition trial, the views of Gordon Kromberg, assistant US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, were given another airing. Stale as ever, Kromberg told the court that, “Inmates in administrative segregation are able to speak to one another through the doors and windows of their cells.” How civil. “Typically,” he also noted, “there are several inmates in administrative segregation.” He does not tire of this canard, and makes the point one more time with robotic certitude. “Even in administrative segregation, Assange would be able to communicate with other inmates through the doors and windows of his cell.”
Ellis on solitary confinement
The defence witness Yancey Ellis, as with others more acquainted with the bestial prison conditions of the imperium, suggested something quite different. Ellis is a former judge advocate in the US Marines. First would come the experience of being held in the Alexandria Detention Center (ADC), where Assange will be given his pre-trial blooding on US soil. Most likely, he will find himself, Ellis claimed, in X block, kept in a narrow cell each day for 22 to 23 hours, containing “a sleeping area, a small sink and a toilet”, guarded by thick doors. Meals would be taken in the cell. The precious one or two hours granted to the inmate would often only be granted at “very odd hours.” The time would be spent in the “common area of the ADSEG unit, which is maybe about twice the square footage.” Only one inmate in the unit would be permitted out of the cell at any one time. “There is limited interaction with other ADSEG inmates because their doors and food-tray slots are closed.”
Such an individual is purposely segregated from others, alienated and prevented from accessing therapeutic or other programs available at the facility. “There is no outside recreational or exercise area at the Alexandria jail and I do not recall there being any windows in the ADSEG unit,” Ellis notes in his written submissions.
As with other defence testimonies, Kromberg’s came in for special attention. There were “several assertions made by Mr Kromberg” that were “incorrect or incomplete”. When asked by Edward Fitzgerald QC for the defence whether Assange would be given the means to “associate with other prisoners”, Ellis was far from convinced. “The short answer is: not really.” Administrative segregation implied just that. Kromberg’s assertion in his affidavit that there was no solitary confinement at ADC was dispatched. “1X ADSEG unit is essentially the same as solitary confinement.”
Ellis had himself experimented with conversing through such barriers, and was discouraged by the effort. In his court statement, he suggests that it might be “technically true” to suggest that words might be exchanged. But in practice, it was “impossible. In 1X ADSEG the cell doors are made of thick steel and the ‘windows’ are transparent, thick plexiglass material with no slots or holes.” It would be, Ellis explained, “almost impossible to speak through the door if the food tray slot is not open. It would not be possible for anyone to say that if he is familiar with the X Bloc.”
Communicating with his clients through such doors proved “very difficult, even when standing several inches away. I find it implausible that inmates could really communicate in this way, unless they constantly screamed at loud volumes. I would routinely have to ask for a deputy sheriff to open the cell’s food tray slot in order to be able to speak with a client.”
In addition to the physical features of the facility will be Special Administrative Measures (SAMs), further limiting Assange’s communication and hindering his means of mounting an adequate legal defence. While Ellis conceded to having had no experience of them, he understood them to entail further impositions on visits and communication with friends and family.
On matters of mental health, Ellis was distinctly discouraging. Provision at the facility was rudimentary. “The extent of mental health care is that a social worker or counselor comes around to check on you every once in a while to ensure basic functioning.” There were no permanent doctors in residence at ADC. Part-time psychiatrists were employed instead, meaning irregular visits and consultations. Those at risk of self-harm found themselves in suits designed to prevent suicide, immobilizing “the arms away from the body, removing shoe strings and sheets, etc.”
In cross-examination, James Lewis QC for the prosecution attempted to shore up the shoddy assertions in Kromberg’s affidavit. Ellis, he suggested, was doing a bit of crystal ball gazing: how could he really know if Assange would be held in X Bloc? Ellis had, after all, not interviewed the warden, a psychologist or prison staff about the conditions. This was a desperate ploy; Ellis had been asked to testify on the conditions he had seen, not the totality of a policy that remained opaque. “I have requested those records [determining how inmates will be housed] before and can never get them.” Triumphantly, Lewis suggested that “Kromberg’s statement of how [Assange] would be assessed for housing at the ADC” was not something that could be disputed. As to whether Assange would actually find himself in administrative detention, Ellis was cautious but convinced. “I can’t predict the future, but I would bet he would be put in administrative detention.”
The prosecutor also attempted to lay a trap in discrediting the testimony. Had Ellis been massaged by the defence to use the words “solitary confinement” in his statement to the court? No, came the reply. The time detainees in administrative segregation are permitted outside the cramped confines of their cell was “generally equivalent to solitary confinement.” Mockingly, Lewis scrapped about definitions: an inmate could not be said to be enduring conditions of solitary confinement meeting his lawyers three hours each day. (Not much verisimilitude on the part of the prosecution, given that the application of SAMS would make such meetings a difficult, if not an impossibility.)
Lewis then focused on Assange’s standing in Ellis’ eyes. Did he feel that the publisher’s case had garnered publicity and large public support? “I would agree with the publicity,” came the reply. Public support was another matter he could not speak to. The fact that previous prominent figures such as Paul Manafort and Maria Butina had been housed at the ADC and placed in “administrative segregation” suggested that Assange would not be treated any differently.
This line of questioning stirred Judge Vanessa Baraitser, who went on to probe Ellis on how the US Bureau of Prisons would handle Assange’s case. In the United Kingdom, “Assange has been in custody in this jurisdiction for 18 months,” housed in the general wing. “Other than his being a public figure, any reason you think he’ll be held in administrative detention?” The “primary reason”, suggested Ellis, would be his notoriety, though mental health might be a factor officials would consider. But as the mental health unit was located in the general population, a decision might still be made to place him in “administrative segregation”.
“The mere fact you are high-profile dictates conditions?” inquired Baraitser. Generally, came the reply, the ADC preferred segregating “these types of defendants” to “maintain a secure and safe environment” though he could not say why. “I am just speaking from experience.”
Sickler on health care
Veteran prison advocate and founder of the Justice Advocacy Group in Virginia, Joel Sickler, followed for the defence. Much of his testimony seemed reiterative and supplementary to that of Ellis, though it also moved into discussion about the ADX Florence supermax facility, a nightmare Assange may face after softening at the ADC. He suggested that Assange would have “no meaningful reaction” at the ADC, kept in his parking-space sized cell. It was “ridiculous” to assert, as Kromberg had done, that credible communication between inmates in administrative segregation in the facility could take place. “You’re twiddling your thumbs. You’ll have access to reading material, but your whole world is the four corners of that room.” There was also “significant sensory deprivation comparable to isolation in a cell. There is little natural light as well as access to fresh air.”
While Assange’s attorneys would be permitted “to meet with him at any time during professional visiting hours” finding yourself “in the ADSEG unit at the ADC could compromise Mr Assange’s ability to focus on and assist his attorneys in his defence – for reasons related to how debilitating the experience may be for a prisoner.”
There was also a real risk of SAMSs being applied by the Attorney-General in the event of conviction. Challenging them would pose almost insuperable challenges. “It’s a well-known fact here that even the most minor administrative appeals by inmates are denied.” Sickler claimed to have filed over a thousand appeals, “winning a dozen at most.”
Sickler’s testimony also covered the issue of health care at the ADC. “Mr Assange should expect to receive only the most limited medical service at the ADC. Any suggestion to this Court that he will be fully evaluated and assessed for medical or mental health conditions is misleading.”
Holding the flame for the prosecution was Clair Dobbin, who attempted to create a world of textual reality rather than grounded fact. Policies of the US Bureau of Prisons were discussed; staffing and health care provisions were canvassed, including ADX facilities where inmates might be able to labour and improve their conditions. This would present a good case to the authorities to have their SAMs removed. Sickler suggested that what the BOP was claiming was different from practice.
While the prosecution smelled blood in suggesting that Sickler was actually unexperienced on the actual operations of X Bloc and the application of SAMs, Sickler rallied on the issue of how medical care would be supplied in such prison facilities. Dobbin made the assumption that he had no access to prison medical records. Not so, came the correcting reply. Dobbin then moved on to limiting the value of such knowledge gained: it was specific to Sickler’s clients; not of the same order as an academic or research account on medical care in the prison system. As for whether SAMs would be applied or not, this was up to the US Attorney General, who would determine the case on the basis of whether the prisoner had classified information threatening to “national security”.
Dobbin then engaged in what could only be described as a tidying up effort for one of the most notorious facilities in the US. ADX Florence was hardly atrocious, she insisted. Prisoners, she noted from a report, had claimed to form close personal relations with the staff. “If it’s such a great place,” Sickler retorted, “why are so many prisoners trying to get out?” Finding the report “incredulous,” he also suggested that institutionalisation brings with it fears of change. Under re-examination, he noted that a client of his at ADX was “begging to get out.”
On Sickler’s own example of the darker side of the US penal system – an individual who suffered a mental breakdown at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, “severely beaten by correctional officers” and “thrown in the hole naked” – Dobbin was bizarrely disingenuous. Initial calls by Sickler that the individual suffered psychiatric illness might have been callously ignored; and it took a federal court to grant the individual bail and eventually receive a writ for treatment at the Bellevue psychiatric center, but “judicial oversight” had prevailed.
The prosecutor also referred to the case of Cunningham v BOP to illustrate that things, even if they had been dire, must have improved. The case involved ADX inmates, described as “five seriously mentally ill men”, along with six other ADX prisoners (“interested parties”) with “serious mental illnesses” suing the Bureau of Prisons in 2012 for violating BOP policy and the Eighth Amendment.
The class action argued that the authorities had failed to adequately diagnose and treat prisoners at ADX with grave mental illness. This eventually led to an approved settlement covering, amongst other things, a range of improved measures for screening and diagnosis for mental illness and the provision of mental health care and suicide prevention. Dobbin was being selective. As Sickler noted in his statement, “that same Court would find that the health care in ADX failed to meet basic standards of care for inmates.”
Dobbin, continuing her train of dissimulation, submitted another, deeply flawed example. ADX Florence had permitted a convicted terrorist known as the “Underwear Bomber”, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, time to see family members during his time at the facility. This belied an inconvenient reality: Abdulmutallab sued the Justice Department in October 2017 claiming that prison officials had held him in “long-term solitary confinement”, restricted his communication with relatives and force-fed him during hunger protests and fasting sessions. Abdulmutallab had also been the subject of SAMs, and incarcerated in the infamous H-Unit of ADX. Not exactly a paragon of US prison treatment, and not one of the prosecution’s better examples.
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--2020-09-29--Armenia Claims It Shot Down Azerbaijani Helicopter With Fake Video

On September 29th , Armenia released a video purportedly showing the downed , burning debris of an Azerbaijani military helicopter .
However , a closer look the debris strongly resembles a downed Antonov An-2 single-engine biplane utility/agricultural aircraft .
The An-2 was designed as a utility aircraft for use in forestry and agriculture .
However , the basic airframe is highly adaptable and numerous variants of the type have been developed ; these include hopper-equipped versions for crop-dusting , scientific versions for atmospheric sampling , water-bombers for fighting forest-fires , flying ambulances , float-equipped seaplane versions and lightly armed combat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is likely that the aircraft had crashed a while ago , and Armenia simply bombed the debris to make it appear as it was recent and a result of defensive fire on an enemy aircraft .
A screengrab of the video clearly shows that it isn ’ t even a helicopter that ’ s exploding in the footage .
Armenia has reportedly several hundred killed Azerbaijani soldiers , as well as dozens of destroyed armored vehicles , dozens of UAVs and more .
This raises questions of how many of the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Armenia Says It Could Use Iskander Missiles If Turkey Assists Azerbaijan With F-16 Fighter Jets

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On September 29th, Armenia released a video purportedly showing the downed, burning debris of an Azerbaijani military helicopter.
However, a closer look the debris strongly resembles a downed Antonov An-2 single-engine biplane utility/agricultural aircraft.
The An-2 was designed as a utility aircraft for use in forestry and agriculture. However, the basic airframe is highly adaptable and numerous variants of the type have been developed; these include hopper-equipped versions for crop-dusting, scientific versions for atmospheric sampling, water-bombers for fighting forest-fires, flying ambulances, float-equipped seaplane versions and lightly armed combat versions for dropping paratroops.
Regardless, it is likely that the aircraft had crashed a while ago, and Armenia simply bombed the debris to make it appear as it was recent and a result of defensive fire on an enemy aircraft.
A screengrab of the video clearly shows that it isn’t even a helicopter that’s exploding in the footage.
Armenia has reportedly several hundred killed Azerbaijani soldiers, as well as dozens of destroyed armored vehicles, dozens of UAVs and more. This raises questions of how many of the other videos purportedly providing evidence are also faked.
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southfront--2020-09-29--Armenia Threatens To Use Iskander Missiles If Turkey Assists Azerbaijan With F-16 Fighter Jets

Armenia may use its Iskander short-range ballistic missile systems against Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh if Turkey begins using F-16 fighter jets to carry out attacks on Armenian forces .
This was announced by the Armenian Ambassador to Russia Vardan Toganyan .
The diplomat also clarified that “ so far , the air defense systems in service are sufficient to eliminate Turkish drones.
” “ The military leadership has repeatedly stated that if the sword of Damocles in the form of Turkish F-16s hangs over the people of Nagorno-Karabakh , all measures will be taken , including the Iskander .
That is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to use their entire arsenal to ensure security , ” Toganyan added .
Back in 2016 , Armenia became the first country where this operational-tactical complex was supplied .
Earlier , the spokesperson of the Armenian Defense Ministry Artsrun Hovhannisyan noted that , if necessary , Yerevan could use Iskander , and Baku , in response , promised to prepare an “ adequate response ” .
Such a development of the situation is rather unlikely , as it would mean Turkey ’ s open entry into a full-scale military conflict .
In addition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not turn to the CSTO after the aggravation in Karabakh .
At the same time , experts emphasize that assistance through the organization is provided in the event of a military threat to the participating countries ( and hostilities are not conducted in Armenia itself ) .
Armenian President Armen Sarkissian has accused Turkey of directly providing Baku with military-grade drones , mercenaries and even the F-16s .
Azerbaijan maintains that Turkey is not taking part in any fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh .
Ankara has openly supported the latest offensive launched by Azeri forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its allies in the US-led NATO alliance to show restraint .
The 9K720 Iskander ( SS-26 Stone in NATO nomenclature ) is a mobile , short-range ballistic missile system of Russian design , in service with the Armenian military .
Yereven has said it was open to deploying the Iskanders , as well as Su-25 ground attack jets , if it became necessary to match Azerbaijan ’ s escalation in the ongoing conflict over the disputed region .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Turkish-backed Syrian Militants As New Factor In Armenian-Azerbaijani War

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Armenia may use its Iskander short-range ballistic missile systems against Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh if Turkey begins using F-16 fighter jets to carry out attacks on Armenian forces.
This was announced by the Armenian Ambassador to Russia Vardan Toganyan.
The diplomat also clarified that “so far, the air defense systems in service are sufficient to eliminate Turkish drones.”
“The military leadership has repeatedly stated that if the sword of Damocles in the form of Turkish F-16s hangs over the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, all measures will be taken, including the Iskander. That is, the Armenian Armed Forces will have to use their entire arsenal to ensure security,” Toganyan added.
Back in 2016, Armenia became the first country where this operational-tactical complex was supplied.
Earlier, the spokesperson of the Armenian Defense Ministry Artsrun Hovhannisyan noted that, if necessary, Yerevan could use Iskander, and Baku, in response, promised to prepare an “adequate response”.
Such a development of the situation is rather unlikely, as it would mean Turkey’s open entry into a full-scale military conflict.
In addition, it is reported that Armenia did not turn to the CSTO after the aggravation in Karabakh.
“We have always advocated and continue to support a peaceful settlement of the conflict. The OSCE Minsk Group is an internationally recognized mechanism for resolving the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh,” said CSTO Press Secretary Vladimir Zainetdinov.
At the same time, experts emphasize that assistance through the organization is provided in the event of a military threat to the participating countries (and hostilities are not conducted in Armenia itself).
Armenian President Armen Sarkissian has accused Turkey of directly providing Baku with military-grade drones, mercenaries and even the F-16s. Azerbaijan maintains that Turkey is not taking part in any fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh. Ankara has openly supported the latest offensive launched by Azeri forces on Sunday, despite numerous calls from its allies in the US-led NATO alliance to show restraint.
The 9K720 Iskander (SS-26 Stone in NATO nomenclature) is a mobile, short-range ballistic missile system of Russian design, in service with the Armenian military. Yereven has said it was open to deploying the Iskanders, as well as Su-25 ground attack jets, if it became necessary to match Azerbaijan’s escalation in the ongoing conflict over the disputed region.
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southfront--2020-09-29--Locations Of US Carrier Strike Groups – September 29, 2020

This is the newest update of the ‘ U.S .
Carrier Strike Groups Locations Map ’ exclusive series showing the @ @ @ @ @ Strike Groups .
SouthFront : Analysis & Intelligence tracks locations of U.S. aircraft carriers using @ @ @ @ @ No classified information was used in production of the map .
Carrier strike group ( @ @ @ @ @ formation of the United States Navy .
It is centered on an aircraft carrier and @ @ @ @ @ CVW ) of 65 to 70 aircrafts .
It ’ s composed of roughly 7,500 @ @ @ @ @ , at least one cruiser , a destroyer squadron of at least two destroyers and/or @ @ @ @ @ group also , on occasion , includes submarines , attached logistics ships and a supply @ @ @ @ @ comprise a principal element of U.S. power projection over the world ’ s oceans .
@ @ @ @ @

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This is the newest update of the ‘U.S. Carrier Strike Groups Locations Map’ exclusive series showing the approximate locations of U.S. Carrier Strike Groups. SouthFront: Analysis & Intelligence tracks locations of U.S. aircraft carriers using the available open-source information. No classified information was used in production of the map.
Carrier strike group (CSG) is an operational formation of the United States Navy. It is centered on an aircraft carrier and a carrier air wing (CVW) of 65 to 70 aircrafts. It’s composed of roughly 7,500 personnel, an aircraft carrier, at least one cruiser, a destroyer squadron of at least two destroyers and/or frigates. A carrier strike group also, on occasion, includes submarines, attached logistics ships and a supply ship. Carrier strike groups comprise a principal element of U.S. power projection over the world’s oceans.
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southfront--2020-09-29--China Begins 5 Simultaneous Military Drills In The Seas Around Taiwan

On September 28th , China began five military exercises simultaneously along different parts of its coast .
Two of the exercises are being held near the Paracel Islands in the disputed South China Sea , one in the East China Sea , and one in further north in the Bohai Sea , the Maritime Safety Administration said in notices on its website .
In the southern part of the Yellow Sea , drills including live-fire exercises will be held between September 28th and 30th , it said in another notice .
All ships are prohibited from entering the area , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several exercises happen at the same time , but it is likely a result of increased rhetoric from the side of Taiwan , as well as the approval of various weapons sales by the US .
In August , China announced four separate exercises , from the Bohai Sea to the East and Yellow Seas and down to the disputed South China Sea , in what Chinese military experts said was a rare arrangement of drills .
The United States sent spy planes into a no-fly zone over Chinese live-fire military drills .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ representations ” with the United States .
On September 27th , a US state department statement said China has “ pursued a reckless and provocative militarization ” of disputed outposts in the South China Sea ’ s Spratly Islands , adding that China ’ s governing Communist Party “ does not honor its words or commitments ” .
In response , Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin on Monday said US military actions have made it “ the biggest threat to the peace and stability of the South China Sea ” .
China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taiwan , declaring that the drills were directed at the island Beijing considers part of its territory .
On September 25th , Taiwan ’ s defense ministry said China threatened to or entered its airspace 46 times in the past nine days .
In earlier September , an Indonesian patrol ship confronted a Chinese coastguard vessel that spent almost three days in waters Indonesia claims as an exclusive economic zone and are near the southernmost part of the South China Sea .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • China Will “ Definitely Start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Return To Taiwan : State Media

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On September 28th, China began five military exercises simultaneously along different parts of its coast.
Two of the exercises are being held near the Paracel Islands in the disputed South China Sea, one in the East China Sea, and one in further north in the Bohai Sea, the Maritime Safety Administration said in notices on its website.
In the southern part of the Yellow Sea, drills including live-fire exercises will be held between September 28th and 30th, it said in another notice.
All ships are prohibited from entering the area, it said.
It is rare that several exercises happen at the same time, but it is likely a result of increased rhetoric from the side of Taiwan, as well as the approval of various weapons sales by the US.
In August, China announced four separate exercises, from the Bohai Sea to the East and Yellow Seas and down to the disputed South China Sea, in what Chinese military experts said was a rare arrangement of drills.
The United States sent spy planes into a no-fly zone over Chinese live-fire military drills. In response, China lodged “stern representations” with the United States.
On September 27th, a US state department statement said China has “pursued a reckless and provocative militarization” of disputed outposts in the South China Sea’s Spratly Islands, adding that China’s governing Communist Party “does not honor its words or commitments”.
In response, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin on Monday said US military actions have made it “the biggest threat to the peace and stability of the South China Sea”.
China has also held frequent military activities near Taiwan, declaring that the drills were directed at the island Beijing considers part of its territory.
On September 25th, Taiwan’s defense ministry said China threatened to or entered its airspace 46 times in the past nine days.
In earlier September, an Indonesian patrol ship confronted a Chinese coastguard vessel that spent almost three days in waters Indonesia claims as an exclusive economic zone and are near the southernmost part of the South China Sea.
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southfront--2020-09-29--Join Resistance. Support Independent Voice!

1 DAY UNTIL THE END OF SEPTEMBER 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 , the Armenian-Azerbaijani war and others .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 ) .
SOUTHFRONT NEEDS YOUR HELP TO CONTINUE ITS WORK AND FURTHER Since September 1 , we ’ ve collected 3845 USD .
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1 DAY UNTIL THE END OF SEPTEMBER
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, the Armenian-Azerbaijani war and others.
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).
SOUTHFRONT NEEDS YOUR HELP TO CONTINUE ITS WORK AND FURTHER
Since September 1, we’ve collected 3845 USD. This is about 77% 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--2020-09-29--Saudi Arabia Arrests Alleged Iran-Linked Terror Cell

On September 28th , Saudi Arabian authorities announced that 10 alleged members of a terrorist cell had been arrested in the country .
The arrest took place earlier , on September 23rd .
Three of them are believed to have received military and field training at sites belonging to Iran ’ s Revolutionary Guards between October 29th and December 8th , 2017 .
The other seven suspects were linked to the group in different roles , according to the statement , which was carried by the official Saudi Press Agency .
A spokesman for the Presidency of State Security added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make explosives .
“ Three of those arrested had been trained in Iran while the rest were linked to the cell in various roles , ” he said .
The locations of the arrests were not given and identities of those arrested can not be be revealed at this time for legal reasons , he added .
Saudi Arabia did not reveal the identities of those arrested “ for the interest of the investigation ” as authorities seek to gather more information about their activities and connections both within and outside of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presidency thwarted a terrorist cell… whose elements received military and field training on how to make explosives , at the Revolutionary Guard ’ s sites in Iran , ” the State Security Presidency said in the statement .
“ Security investigations revealed the elements ’ identities as well as two sites used by the elements to store weapons and explosives , ” it added .
The spokesman said a cache of weapons and explosives was confiscated at a house and a farm .
It included nine explosive devices , four Kalashnikov machine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rifle , a sniper rifle , two pistols , an air rifle , 4,620 rounds of ammunition , 18 machine gun and pistol chambers , 14 knives , and military uniforms .
Other items included 5.28 kilograms of gunpowder , 67 explosive fuses , 51 electric detonators , a welding machine , and a range of capacitors , electrical transformers and electronic components used to make explosive devices .
On September 27th , Bahrain ’ s Interior Ministry said it had foiled a “ terrorist attack ” in early 2020 that was allegedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The statement confirmed earlier media reports about an alleged planned attack and added a timeframe .
Saudi state television Al-Ekhbariya and Bahraini newspaper Akhbar Al-Khaleej reported that Interior Ministry investigations found that a new group called the “ Qassem Soleimani Brigade ” had planned to attack several public and security structures in Bahrain .
The report by Akhar Al-Khaleej said the foiled attacks had been planned to avenge the January killing in Iraq of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani by a US drone strike .
It said security forces foiled the plot after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area meant to target a visiting foreign delegation .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Iran Says Houthis Use Its Military Know-How In Battle Against Saudi Arabia • “ Spiritual ” Assistance And “ Experience ” Sharing : Iran Explains How It Helps Houthis In War With Saudi Arabia

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On September 28th, Saudi Arabian authorities announced that 10 alleged members of a terrorist cell had been arrested in the country.
The arrest took place earlier, on September 23rd.
Three of them are believed to have received military and field training at sites belonging to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards between October 29th and December 8th, 2017.
The other seven suspects were linked to the group in different roles, according to the statement, which was carried by the official Saudi Press Agency.
A spokesman for the Presidency of State Security added that the suspects had also been trained to make explosives.
“Three of those arrested had been trained in Iran while the rest were linked to the cell in various roles,” he said. The locations of the arrests were not given and identities of those arrested cannot be be revealed at this time for legal reasons, he added.
Saudi Arabia did not reveal the identities of those arrested “for the interest of the investigation” as authorities seek to gather more information about their activities and connections both within and outside of the kingdom.
“Competent authorities at the presidency thwarted a terrorist cell… whose elements received military and field training on how to make explosives, at the Revolutionary Guard’s sites in Iran,” the State Security Presidency said in the statement. “Security investigations revealed the elements’ identities as well as two sites used by the elements to store weapons and explosives,” it added.
The spokesman said a cache of weapons and explosives was confiscated at a house and a farm. It included nine explosive devices, four Kalashnikov machine guns, a Heckler and Koch G3 rifle, a sniper rifle, two pistols, an air rifle, 4,620 rounds of ammunition, 18 machine gun and pistol chambers, 14 knives, and military uniforms.
Other items included 5.28 kilograms of gunpowder, 67 explosive fuses, 51 electric detonators, a welding machine, and a range of capacitors, electrical transformers and electronic components used to make explosive devices.
On September 27th, Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said it had foiled a “terrorist attack” in early 2020 that was allegedly backed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
The statement confirmed earlier media reports about an alleged planned attack and added a timeframe.
Saudi state television Al-Ekhbariya and Bahraini newspaper Akhbar Al-Khaleej reported that Interior Ministry investigations found that a new group called the “Qassem Soleimani Brigade” had planned to attack several public and security structures in Bahrain.
“We want to make clear that this case goes back to early 2020 and it is currently being looked into by the relevant court,” the Interior Ministry statement said.
The report by Akhar Al-Khaleej said the foiled attacks had been planned to avenge the January killing in Iraq of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani by a US drone strike.
It said security forces foiled the plot after finding an explosive device in the Badei area meant to target a visiting foreign delegation.
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southfront--2020-09-29--Failed Rocket Attack On Baghdad Airport Results In Death Of 5 Civilians, Including Children

On September 28th , unknown attackers fired two Katyusha rockets at a house in Baghdad , killing two women and three children while severely wounding two other children , the Iraqi military said .
The three Iraqi children and two women were from the same family and were killed when a rocket targeting Baghdad airport , where US troops are stationed , fell on their home instead , the army said in a statement .
The rockets were launched from the al-Jihad neighborhood of Baghdad .
The military accused “ cowardly criminal gangs and groups of outlaws ” of seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
It said Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi had ordered the arrest of the perpetrators and said “ these gangs will not be allowed to go around and tamper with security ” with impunity .
This is the latest attack on American positions in Iraq , but this time it led to civilian casualties .
Between October 2019 and July 2020 , at least 39 rocket attacks targeted American interests in Iraq .
A similar number again has taken place in just August and September .
Rockets often target the US embassy in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zone , and US troops present in Iraqi bases as well as the Baghdad airport .
Roadside bombs have also targeted convoys carrying equipment destined for US-led coalition forces .
No group has claimed responsibility for the latest attack .
Influential Shiite cleric and politician Moqtada al-Sadr has called for a commission of inquiry into the rocket attacks , a proposal backed by Kadhemi .
The Popular Mobilization Units dismissed several commanders accused of links to attacks on western interests , while denying responsibility for the acts of groups claiming PMU links and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign interests ” .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • US Angrily Threatens To Close US Embassy In Baghdad After Near Daily Attacks • Two U.S.-led coalition Convoys Attacked By Shiite Fighters In Southern , Central Iraq

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On September 28th, unknown attackers fired two Katyusha rockets at a house in Baghdad, killing two women and three children while severely wounding two other children, the Iraqi military said.
The three Iraqi children and two women were from the same family and were killed when a rocket targeting Baghdad airport, where US troops are stationed, fell on their home instead, the army said in a statement.
The rockets were launched from the al-Jihad neighborhood of Baghdad.
The military accused “cowardly criminal gangs and groups of outlaws” of seeking to “create chaos and terrorize people”.
It said Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi had ordered the arrest of the perpetrators and said “these gangs will not be allowed to go around and tamper with security” with impunity.
This is the latest attack on American positions in Iraq, but this time it led to civilian casualties.
Between October 2019 and July 2020, at least 39 rocket attacks targeted American interests in Iraq. A similar number again has taken place in just August and September.
Rockets often target the US embassy in Baghdad, within the heavily fortified Green Zone, and US troops present in Iraqi bases as well as the Baghdad airport. Roadside bombs have also targeted convoys carrying equipment destined for US-led coalition forces.
No group has claimed responsibility for the latest attack.
Influential Shiite cleric and politician Moqtada al-Sadr has called for a commission of inquiry into the rocket attacks, a proposal backed by Kadhemi.
The Popular Mobilization Units dismissed several commanders accused of links to attacks on western interests, while denying responsibility for the acts of groups claiming PMU links and “carrying out illegal military acts against foreign interests”.
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southfront--2020-09-29--Defender’s Advantage: Armenia Appears To Be Holding Azerbaijan’s Attack (VIDEO)

On September 28th , and coming into September 29th , the clashes for the Nagorno-Karabakh region continue .
The fighting continues on the morning of September 29th with varying intensity , a video was published by the Armenian Ministry of Defense purportedly showing Azerbaijani positions being attacked .
The Ministry of Defense of Armenia stated that in 2 days Azerbaijan lost 370 soldiers and many times more wounded Azerbaijan claimed hundreds of killed Armenian soldiers and dozens of destroyed pieces of equipment .
As many as 450 were reported killed yesterday .
It is believed that both sides underestimate their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opponents .
Military hardware can only be judged by what is confirmed by photos and videos .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan again stated that Armenia should withdraw its troops from Karabakh and surrender it to Azerbaijan .
Turkey continues to insist on its own , already traditionally trying to blackmail opponents by force .
But as the example of Libya or Syria shows , where Turkey receives a serious rebuff , all Turkish pathos is quickly deflated .
Just as Erdogan now rejects any negotiations on Karabakh , he rejected any negotiations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
As a result , Sirte was not given to Erdogan , and Turkey is now increasingly talking about negotiations , since it has failed to intimidate opponents .
Azerbaijan published videos showing some of the equipment it is using to attack Armenian positions Separately , the Armenian side released a video of a downed UAV used by Azerbaijan to attack .
Shushan Stepanyan , the press secretary of the Armenian Ministry of Defense published an infographic summarizing the losses of Azerbaijan in the fighting .
The Armenian side released several videos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hardware .
A UAV Kamikaze in the sky over Martakert was shown in a video was published by the representative of the Ministry of Defense Artsrun Hovhannisyan .
Banak.info journalists published shelling of Azerbaijanis on civilians , and they themselves came under enemy fire .
None of them were hurt .
It is reported that the Armenian side continues responding .
A battle tank attack by the Azerbaijan side was also reportedly repelled .
Positional changes took place on the line of contact between Artsakh and Azerbaijan .
The Armenian side has improved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dynamics is constantly growing and every hour there are positional changes , according to Nagorno-Karabah region forces Deputy Commander Artur Sargsyan .
There are also reports of the first spills of the conflict , two Azerbaijani missiles fell on the territory of Iran , in the Khodaferin region , in nearby villages .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Turkish-backed Syrian Militants As New Factor In Armenian-Azerbaijani War

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On September 28th, and coming into September 29th, the clashes for the Nagorno-Karabakh region continue.
The fighting continues on the morning of September 29th with varying intensity, a video was published by the Armenian Ministry of Defense purportedly showing Azerbaijani positions being attacked.
The Ministry of Defense of Armenia stated that in 2 days Azerbaijan lost 370 soldiers and many times more wounded.
Azerbaijan claimed hundreds of killed Armenian soldiers and dozens of destroyed pieces of equipment. As many as 450 were reported killed yesterday.It is believed that both sides underestimate their losses and inflate the losses of their opponents. Military hardware can only be judged by what is confirmed by photos and videos.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan again stated that Armenia should withdraw its troops from Karabakh and surrender it to Azerbaijan. Turkey continues to insist on its own, already traditionally trying to blackmail opponents by force. But as the example of Libya or Syria shows, where Turkey receives a serious rebuff, all Turkish pathos is quickly deflated.
Just as Erdogan now rejects any negotiations on Karabakh, he rejected any negotiations on Libya until Sirte was given to him. As a result, Sirte was not given to Erdogan, and Turkey is now increasingly talking about negotiations, since it has failed to intimidate opponents.
Destruction of Azerbaijani posts and armored fighiting vehicles pic.twitter.com/7DWey2L1sS — Shushan Stepanyan (@ShStepanyan) September 29, 2020
Azerbaijan published videos showing some of the equipment it is using to attack Armenian positions
Separately, the Armenian side released a video of a downed UAV used by Azerbaijan to attack.
Shushan Stepanyan, the press secretary of the Armenian Ministry of Defense published an infographic summarizing the losses of Azerbaijan in the fighting.
The Armenian side released several videos showing the presumed destruction of Azerbaijani military hardware.
A UAV Kamikaze in the sky over Martakert was shown in a video was published by the representative of the Ministry of Defense Artsrun Hovhannisyan.
HINT: Barely anything can be seen in the video, it’s more of a sound that’s heard.
Banak.info journalists published shelling of Azerbaijanis on civilians, and they themselves came under enemy fire. None of them were hurt. It is reported that the Armenian side continues responding.
A battle tank attack by the Azerbaijan side was also reportedly repelled.
Positional changes took place on the line of contact between Artsakh and Azerbaijan. The Armenian side has improved its position in some areas. The dynamics is constantly growing and every hour there are positional changes, according to Nagorno-Karabah region forces Deputy Commander Artur Sargsyan.
There are also reports of the first spills of the conflict, two Azerbaijani missiles fell on the territory of Iran, in the Khodaferin region, in nearby villages.
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southfront--2020-09-29--Turkish-backed Syrian Militants As New Factor In Armenian-Azerbaijani War

A correspondent for Afrinpost has reported that in the occupied city of Afrin two offices have been opened with the purpose of recruiting ‘ volunteers ’ to go to Azerbaijan .
According to the report , the recruitment centres are located in Amir Ghobari School , and Azhar Afrin School .
Other agencies are also citing statements from militants claiming Turkey has been recruiting mercenaries to go to Azerbaijan for some time .
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has claimed that Turkey transported around 300 militants from the Brotherhood militia , the vast majority of them from the “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Suleiman Shah Brigade ” known as ( Al-Amshat ) , from Afrin towns and villages .
They were reportedly told “ The destination will be Azerbaijan ” .
The Observatory added that Turkish military recruiters informed the mercenaries that the goal of sending them there is to protect border posts , and that they would be paid a sum of $ 1500-2000 USD .
LINK Separately , The Guardian has also reported that rebels from Syria ’ s Idlib province are being recruited by Turkey to fight in Azerbaijan ’ s conflict with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the militants .
Idlib is the last major bastion of the Turkish-backed militants in Syria .
The recruitment drive for fighters willing to go to Azerbaijan began a month ago , three rebels told the Guardian ’ s Bethan McKernan .
Two brothers from Azaz said they had been summoned to a camp in Afrin on September 13 and told by a commander in the Sultan Murad Division that three- or six-month contracts were available “ guarding observation posts and oil and gas facilities ” in Azerbaijan for 7,000-10,000 Turkish lira a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 900-1300 a month , and is considerably more than the monthly wage of 450-550 Turkish lira a month ( $ 57-70 ) that Turkey pays the militants to fight against the government of President Bashar Assad .
“ Our leader told us that we won ’ t be fighting , just assisting in guarding some areas , ” said one of the men , whom the outlet named as Muhammad .
“ Our salaries aren ’ t enough for living , so we see it a great opportunity to make money.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” added his brother , Mahmoud .
“ I used to work as a tailor in Aleppo but since we were displaced to Azaz , I ’ ve tried many times to practise my craft but my family and I can ’ t earn enough.
” It was implied that the militants would be taking the job , though they could not say what exactly it entailed , for how long , when they were expected to leave – or even the name of the Turkish security company officially hiring them .
Another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men were summoned to Afrin on September 22 , but then told their departure had been delayed .
Reuters also reported the recruitment of Syrian militants on Monday , citing two fighters who had fought for Ahrar al-Sham jihadists , and volunteered for Azerbaijan after being promised $ 1,500 a month .
“ I didn ’ t want to go , but I don ’ t have any money .
Life is very hard and poor , ” one of the militants told Reuters .
The agency said it could not independently verify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused of sending Syrian militants to Libya , to fight for the Turkish-backed government against the Libyan National Army of General Khalifa Haftar .
On Monday , the Armenian ambassador to Russia said that around 4,000 militants from northern Syria were sent by Turkey to Azerbaijan , as fighting broke out over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
An aide to Azeri President Ilham Aliyev dismissed those claims as “ complete nonsense ” and “ another provocation from the Armenian side.
” A source in the Turkish defence ministry likewise told the Guardian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recruiting or transferring militiamen anywhere in the world , ” but would not go on the record .
The Guardian cited unnamed sources in the Syrian National Army as saying that a first group of some 500 Syrian militants has already arrived in Azerbaijan , including senior commanders Fahim Eissa of the Sultan Murad Division and Saif Abu Bakir of the Al Hamza .
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed as many as 1,000 fighters could be headed for Azerbaijan .
The Guardian said it could not verify either of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went to Libya said they had been told they would be working as security guards , but ended up fighting on the front lines instead .
They also said their commanders would take up to 20 % of their wages .
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A correspondent for Afrinpost has reported that in the occupied city of Afrin two offices have been opened with the purpose of recruiting ‘volunteers’ to go to Azerbaijan. According to the report, the recruitment centres are located in Amir Ghobari School, and Azhar Afrin School. Other agencies are also citing statements from militants claiming Turkey has been recruiting mercenaries to go to Azerbaijan for some time.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has claimed that Turkey transported around 300 militants from the Brotherhood militia, the vast majority of them from the “Sultan Murad Division” and “Sultan Suleiman Shah Brigade” known as (Al-Amshat), from Afrin towns and villages. They were reportedly told “The destination will be Azerbaijan”.
The Observatory added that Turkish military recruiters informed the mercenaries that the goal of sending them there is to protect border posts, and that they would be paid a sum of $1500-2000 USD. LINK
Separately, The Guardian has also reported that rebels from Syria’s Idlib province are being recruited by Turkey to fight in Azerbaijan’s conflict with Armenia, citing information provided by several of the militants.
Idlib is the last major bastion of the Turkish-backed militants in Syria. The recruitment drive for fighters willing to go to Azerbaijan began a month ago, three rebels told the Guardian’s Bethan McKernan.
Two brothers from Azaz said they had been summoned to a camp in Afrin on September 13 and told by a commander in the Sultan Murad Division that three- or six-month contracts were available “guarding observation posts and oil and gas facilities” in Azerbaijan for 7,000-10,000 Turkish lira a month.
That works out to roughly $900-1300 a month, and is considerably more than the monthly wage of 450-550 Turkish lira a month ($57-70) that Turkey pays the militants to fight against the government of President Bashar Assad.
“Our leader told us that we won’t be fighting, just assisting in guarding some areas,” said one of the men, whom the outlet named as Muhammad. “Our salaries aren’t enough for living, so we see it a great opportunity to make money.” “There are no jobs available,” added his brother, Mahmoud. “I used to work as a tailor in Aleppo but since we were displaced to Azaz, I’ve tried many times to practise my craft but my family and I can’t earn enough.”
It was implied that the militants would be taking the job, though they could not say what exactly it entailed, for how long, when they were expected to leave – or even the name of the Turkish security company officially hiring them.
Another militant said that he and 150 other men were summoned to Afrin on September 22, but then told their departure had been delayed.
“When we first started being offered work abroad in Libya, people were afraid to go there, but now there are definitely thousands of us who are willing to go to either Libya or Azerbaijan,” he told the Guardian.
Reuters also reported the recruitment of Syrian militants on Monday, citing two fighters who had fought for Ahrar al-Sham jihadists, and volunteered for Azerbaijan after being promised $1,500 a month.
“I didn’t want to go, but I don’t have any money. Life is very hard and poor,” one of the militants told Reuters. The agency said it could not independently verify their accounts.
Turkey has previously been accused of sending Syrian militants to Libya, to fight for the Turkish-backed government against the Libyan National Army of General Khalifa Haftar. On Monday, the Armenian ambassador to Russia said that around 4,000 militants from northern Syria were sent by Turkey to Azerbaijan, as fighting broke out over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
An aide to Azeri President Ilham Aliyev dismissed those claims as “complete nonsense” and “another provocation from the Armenian side.” A source in the Turkish defence ministry likewise told the Guardian that Ankara “does not deal with recruiting or transferring militiamen anywhere in the world,” but would not go on the record.
The Guardian cited unnamed sources in the Syrian National Army as saying that a first group of some 500 Syrian militants has already arrived in Azerbaijan, including senior commanders Fahim Eissa of the Sultan Murad Division and Saif Abu Bakir of the Al Hamza. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed as many as 1,000 fighters could be headed for Azerbaijan. The Guardian said it could not verify either of those claims.
Some of the men who went to Libya said they had been told they would be working as security guards, but ended up fighting on the front lines instead. They also said their commanders would take up to 20% of their wages. LINK
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southfront--2020-09-29--French President Issues Another Ultimatum To Lebanon’s Political Factions Following Would-Be PM’s Re

French President Issues Another Ultimatum To Lebanon’s Political Factions Following Would-Be PM’s Resignation

Following Lebanon ’ s Prime Minister-designate Mustapha Adib announcement of his resignation on Saturday in the midst of a deadlock over the formation of a new government , French President Emmanuel Macron has given Lebanese political leaders an ultimatum to form a new government within six weeks during a televised speech on Sunday .
Macron had earlier threatened Lebanese leaders with sanctions if they do not agree to reforms and a political change , saying on Sunday that he was “ ashamed of Lebanon ’ s political leaders ” .
Speaking in Paris during a news conference that was devoted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Macron stated that the Lebanese political leaders had “ decided to betray this commitment ” to form a government by mid-September .
Macron also accused the Lebanese authorities and political forces of favouring “ their partisan and individual interests to the detriment of the general interest of the country ” .
The French president had initially proposed a roadmap to Lebanese authorities as a precondition to making available billions of dollars in funds from the international community during his short trip to Lebanon following the cataclysmic blast a Lebanon ’ s port in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many Twitter users over what they considered uninvited and unwanted interference in the internal affairs of Lebanon , which gained independence from French colonial rule in the 1940s .
Speaking on Sunday , although Macron said that he considered the failure to form new government a betrayal of the people of Lebanon , he proceeded to say that he would give Lebanon ’ s political leaders another 4-6 weeks to form a new government before punitive measures might be considered .
When asked whether sanctions might be imposed on individual politicians or political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Macron said he would only consider them at a later stage in conjunction with other possible steps as they would not serve any tangible purpose at the moment .
Adib announced his resignation almost a month after he was appointed by the president to form a new government in a televised address on Saturday following a meeting with President Michel Aoun .
Adib , who formerly served as ambassador to Berlin , was picked on August 31 to form a cabinet after the government led by Hassan Diab resigned following the Beirut port @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Diab had spent many months in a futile effort to get the ruling political factions to agree to a set of fundamental reforms that would provide a basis for tackling the rampant corruption in the country ’ s political and economic institutions and trying to track down some of the many billions of dollars that have disappeared from the Treasury into offshore accounts .
Early on in his lonely anti-corruption campaign one analyst observed : Many commentators have hastened to blame the failure to form a new government on the two dominant Shia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its ally , the Amal Movement .
However , it seems that noone is prepared to take on the responsibility of governing the country in its current condition , at the same time as they are determined to prevent anyone else from doing so .
Although Macron singled out Hezbollah for criticism , no political factions was spared from his scathing critique .
During the speech the French president warned that Hezbollah should “ not think it is more powerful than it is.
” “ It must show that it respects all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has clearly shown the opposite .
Hizbullah can not be an army in a war against Israel and a militia taking part in Syria ’ s war and still be a respectable party in Lebanon .
Amal and Hizbullah decided that nothing should change in Lebanon and I understood that Hizbullah did not honour the pledge it made to me.
” Macron did not limit his sharp criticism to Hizbullah , saying none of the leaders of Lebanon had been up to the task .
“ All of them bet on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saving themselves , the interests of their family or their clan… I therefore have decided to take note of this collective betrayal and the refusal of Lebanese officials to engage in good faith.
” The French leader also weighed in with the opinion that ex-PM Saad Hariri had “ erred by adding a sectarian factor to the roadmap ” of forming a new government .
Mustafa Allouch , a member of the Future Movement , said that it appeared that the French president was criticizing everyone so that nobody could accuse him of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s complaints and accusations on Monday : The leader of Hezbollah , Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah , is scheduled to make a televised address to the nation on Tuesday evening .
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Following Lebanon’s Prime Minister-designate Mustapha Adib announcement of his resignation on Saturday in the midst of a deadlock over the formation of a new government, French President Emmanuel Macron has given Lebanese political leaders an ultimatum to form a new government within six weeks during a televised speech on Sunday.
Macron had earlier threatened Lebanese leaders with sanctions if they do not agree to reforms and a political change, saying on Sunday that he was “ashamed of Lebanon’s political leaders”.
Speaking in Paris during a news conference that was devoted to the latest events in Lebanon, Macron stated that the Lebanese political leaders had “decided to betray this commitment” to form a government by mid-September.
Macron also accused the Lebanese authorities and political forces of favouring “their partisan and individual interests to the detriment of the general interest of the country”.
The French president had initially proposed a roadmap to Lebanese authorities as a precondition to making available billions of dollars in funds from the international community during his short trip to Lebanon following the cataclysmic blast a Lebanon’s port in August.
The visit was criticized by many Twitter users over what they considered uninvited and unwanted interference in the internal affairs of Lebanon, which gained independence from French colonial rule in the 1940s.
Speaking on Sunday, although Macron said that he considered the failure to form new government a betrayal of the people of Lebanon, he proceeded to say that he would give Lebanon’s political leaders another 4-6 weeks to form a new government before punitive measures might be considered.
When asked whether sanctions might be imposed on individual politicians or political factions if no progress were made, Macron said he would only consider them at a later stage in conjunction with other possible steps as they would not serve any tangible purpose at the moment.
Adib announced his resignation almost a month after he was appointed by the president to form a new government in a televised address on Saturday following a meeting with President Michel Aoun.
Adib, who formerly served as ambassador to Berlin, was picked on August 31 to form a cabinet after the government led by Hassan Diab resigned following the Beirut port blast on August 4. LINK
Hassan Diab had spent many months in a futile effort to get the ruling political factions to agree to a set of fundamental reforms that would provide a basis for tackling the rampant corruption in the country’s political and economic institutions and trying to track down some of the many billions of dollars that have disappeared from the Treasury into offshore accounts. Early on in his lonely anti-corruption campaign one analyst observed:
Politicians want Mr Diab to stop digging up ancient corruption files, and to keep things as they were. The opposition – supported by the Shia Speaker Nabih Berri, the Sunni former PM Saad Hariri, the Druse Leader Walid Jumblat and the Maronite “Lebanese Forces” Leader Samir Geagea – are challenging Prime Minister Diab. They are trying to prevent him from reaching his objectives. These objectives are not limited to claiming back the funds transferred, they also aim to remove the governor of the Central Bank in a bid to avoid a bankrupt state. LINK
Many commentators have hastened to blame the failure to form a new government on the two dominant Shia parties – ‘Iran-backed’ Hezbollah and its ally, the Amal Movement. However, it seems that noone is prepared to take on the responsibility of governing the country in its current condition, at the same time as they are determined to prevent anyone else from doing so.
Although Macron singled out Hezbollah for criticism, no political factions was spared from his scathing critique. During the speech the French president warned that Hezbollah should “not think it is more powerful than it is.”
“It must show that it respects all the Lebanese. And in recent days, it has clearly shown the opposite. Hizbullah cannot be an army in a war against Israel and a militia taking part in Syria’s war and still be a respectable party in Lebanon. Amal and Hizbullah decided that nothing should change in Lebanon and I understood that Hizbullah did not honour the pledge it made to me.” Macron did not limit his sharp criticism to Hizbullah, saying none of the leaders of Lebanon had been up to the task. “All of them bet on the worst case scenario for the sake of saving themselves, the interests of their family or their clan… I therefore have decided to take note of this collective betrayal and the refusal of Lebanese officials to engage in good faith.” The French leader also weighed in with the opinion that ex-PM Saad Hariri had “erred by adding a sectarian factor to the roadmap” of forming a new government.
Mustafa Allouch, a member of the Future Movement, said that it appeared that the French president was criticizing everyone so that nobody could accuse him of bias.
“Macron directly criticizing President Michel Aoun, Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, along with the rest of the Lebanese parties including the Future Movement, was aimed at holding everyone responsible so that nobody can consider he is siding with a party against another,” he told Arab News. LINK
Hezbollah responded to Macron’s complaints and accusations on Monday:
Hizbullah’s al-Manar TV blasted French President Emmanuel Macron in its main news editorial Monday night, telling him that Hizbullah “is and will remain an army facing Israel and will keep supporting Syria and its people against extremists.” It added that Hizbullah and its allies are not to blame for PM-designate Mustafa Adib’s failure in forming a Cabinet, saying that Macron’s threats of possible sanctions in the future against politicians are “unjustified and unacceptable.” Al-Manar also asked whether Macron wants Hizbullah and its allies, who have majority seats in Parliament, to give power to groups allied with the United States. LINK
The leader of Hezbollah, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, is scheduled to make a televised address to the nation on Tuesday evening.
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southfront--2020-09-29--International Reactions To The Armenia – Azerbaijan Clashes

On Monday a senior government advisor to the Armenian government said they are preparing for a long war , and squarely blamed Turkey for the latest eruption of violence .
Azerbaijan has not surprisingly accused Armenia of being responsible for the latest round of armed clashes .
Their traditional allies , Russia and Turkey respectively , remain ‘ on standby ’ in case the situation deteriorates too far from the status quo in favour of one side or the other , in which case direct ‘ major power ’ participation and a completely unpredictable phase of escalation could occur .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region , Vagharshak Harutyunyan , the chief adviser to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan , said on Monday , adding that Turkey is pursuing it geopolitical interests in the conflict .
“ We are preparing for the long-term war .
Why ?
Because I keep telling that the main player here is not Azerbaijan , but Turkey .
It pursues its own geopolitical interests .
The duration of the war will depend on many factors , including how the fighting goes and the reaction of the international community , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defence minister in the late 1990s , told a Latvian YouTube channel in an interview .
Meanwhile , also on Monday , Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev spoke with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres by video conference , arguing that the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh should be settled on the basis of UN Security Council resolutions .
As of late Monday , Turkey still considered it unnecessary to deploy either its military or opposition fighters from Syria to the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region , Yasin Aktay , an aide to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan , told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar standby arrangement .
While this could act as a restraining influence on both sides , it could also have the opposite effect of encouraging one side or the other , or both , to escalate hostilities .
Tass reported on Monday : Armenia is ready to request additional military assistance from Russia but sees no reason to do it at the moment , Armenian Ambassador to Moscow Vardan Toganyan told the Govorit Moskva radio station on Monday .
According to him , Yerevan and Moscow continue to boost defense cooperation .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we will request Russia [ for additional military assistance ] , ” the envoy pointed out .
“ As of today , we don ’ t think that we need additional troops or other forces , ” he added .
“ However , we do believe that Russia has a major role in the Caucasus and is capable of using political methods to put an end to bloodshed , ” Toganyan emphasized .
LINK The European Union is calling on all sides in the Karabakh conflict to do everything possible to prevent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , EU Spokesman Peter Stano said Monday .
“ We urge everyone to do everything they can in order to prevent an all-out war from breaking out , ” Stano told a press conference .
The secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization ( CSTO ) , Stanislav Zas , is very concerned over the Armenian-Azerbaijani escalation in Nagorno-Karabakh , his spokesman Vladimir Zainetdinov said Monday , and is calling on both sides to launch a ceasefire and resume talks .
Armenia is a CSTO member , while Azerbaijan is a former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deep concern over the latest developments and offered to assist in calming the situation , without expressing an opinion over which if any of the sides it considers most culpable for the outbreak of armed clashes .
Belarus is ready to do everything possible to promote dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan and assist the solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict , the Foreign Ministry said on Monday .
“ We are not just urging , but sincerely asking Azerbaijan and Armenia , which are both our important partners , to halt combat operations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward peaceful settlement , including through the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe ’ s Minsk group .
We confirm readiness to provide any assistance that is needed in order to promote dialogue between the sides in this format or other formats that they find appropriate , ” the Belarusian Foreign Ministry said in a statement .
The German government also considers the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh to be very dangerous and has called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to immediately halt combat operations , using mechanisms of the Organization for Security and Co-operation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Minsk Group ’ is co-chaired by the US , France and Russia , and is tasked with facilitating negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan .
The German Foreign Ministry noted that Berlin is maintaining contact with both sides through its embassies .
Pakistan has declared unequivocally that its supports Azerbaijan ’ s position in the conflict .
Islamabad also called on Armenia to cease its military activity to prevent further tensions .
LINK MORE ON THE TOPIC : • New stage of Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict already turned into regional war

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On Monday a senior government advisor to the Armenian government said they are preparing for a long war, and squarely blamed Turkey for the latest eruption of violence. Azerbaijan has not surprisingly accused Armenia of being responsible for the latest round of armed clashes. Their traditional allies, Russia and Turkey respectively, remain ‘on standby’ in case the situation deteriorates too far from the status quo in favour of one side or the other, in which case direct ‘major power’ participation and a completely unpredictable phase of escalation could occur.
Armenia is preparing for a long-standing war over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region, Vagharshak Harutyunyan, the chief adviser to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, said on Monday, adding that Turkey is pursuing it geopolitical interests in the conflict.
“We are preparing for the long-term war. Why? Because I keep telling that the main player here is not Azerbaijan, but Turkey. It pursues its own geopolitical interests. The duration of the war will depend on many factors, including how the fighting goes and the reaction of the international community,” Harutyunyan, who worked as the Armenian defence minister in the late 1990s, told a Latvian YouTube channel in an interview.
Meanwhile, also on Monday, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev spoke with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres by video conference, arguing that the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh should be settled on the basis of UN Security Council resolutions.
“The President of Azerbaijan said that the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be settled only on the basis of international law, the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions demanding the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the Armenian Armed Forces from the occupied territories”, Aliyev’s press service said.
As of late Monday, Turkey still considered it unnecessary to deploy either its military or opposition fighters from Syria to the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region, Yasin Aktay, an aide to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, told Sputnik.
“I think that Turkey will not participate [in the conflict] with its military strength, there is no need for that, technical assistance is enough. But the road is open if the need arises,” Aktay said.
Armenia and Russia have a similar standby arrangement. While this could act as a restraining influence on both sides, it could also have the opposite effect of encouraging one side or the other, or both, to escalate hostilities. Tass reported on Monday:
Armenia is ready to request additional military assistance from Russia but sees no reason to do it at the moment, Armenian Ambassador to Moscow Vardan Toganyan told the Govorit Moskva radio station on Monday. According to him, Yerevan and Moscow continue to boost defense cooperation. “We believe that should the need arise, we will request Russia [for additional military assistance],” the envoy pointed out. “As of today, we don’t think that we need additional troops or other forces,” he added. “However, we do believe that Russia has a major role in the Caucasus and is capable of using political methods to put an end to bloodshed,” Toganyan emphasized. LINK
The European Union is calling on all sides in the Karabakh conflict to do everything possible to prevent a new war and avoid foreign interference, EU Spokesman Peter Stano said Monday.
“We urge everyone to do everything they can in order to prevent an all-out war from breaking out,” Stano told a press conference.
The secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Stanislav Zas, is very concerned over the Armenian-Azerbaijani escalation in Nagorno-Karabakh, his spokesman Vladimir Zainetdinov said Monday, and is calling on both sides to launch a ceasefire and resume talks. Armenia is a CSTO member, while Azerbaijan is a former member.
Similarly, Belarus has expressed deep concern over the latest developments and offered to assist in calming the situation, without expressing an opinion over which if any of the sides it considers most culpable for the outbreak of armed clashes.
Belarus is ready to do everything possible to promote dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan and assist the solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
“We are not just urging, but sincerely asking Azerbaijan and Armenia, which are both our important partners, to halt combat operations, reject use of weapons and find ways toward peaceful settlement, including through the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s Minsk group. We confirm readiness to provide any assistance that is needed in order to promote dialogue between the sides in this format or other formats that they find appropriate,” the Belarusian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The German government also considers the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh to be very dangerous and has called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to immediately halt combat operations, using mechanisms of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
“The government sees the escalation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict as a very dangerous development. We call on both sides to immediately cease fire and resume negotiations. There is a special platform for this purpose, the OSCE Minsk group.”
The ‘Minsk Group’ is co-chaired by the US, France and Russia, and is tasked with facilitating negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The German Foreign Ministry noted that Berlin is maintaining contact with both sides through its embassies.
Pakistan has declared unequivocally that its supports Azerbaijan’s position in the conflict.
“Pakistan stands with the brotherly nation of Azerbaijan and supports its right of self-defence. We support Azerbaijan’s position on Nagorno-Karabakh, which is in line with the several unanimously adopted UN Security Council resolutions”, the country’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Islamabad also called on Armenia to cease its military activity to prevent further tensions. LINK
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southfront--2020-09-29--Military Situation In Nagorno-Karabakh On September 28, 2020 (Map Update)

A brief overview of the recent developments in Nagorno-Karabakh : • According to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry , the Azerbaijani @ @ @ @ @ Garvand , Kend villages in Fuzuli area and Boyuk Marjanli and Nuzgaz villages in Jabrayil @ @ @ @ @ the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry , more than 550 Armenian soldiers were killed ; • Armenia @ @ @ @ @ Azerbaijani soldiers were killed ; • Azerbaijan reported that the Armenian Armed Forces lost 22 @ @ @ @ @ vehicles , 15 units of OSA anti-aircraft missile systems , 18 drones , 8 artillery @ @ @ @ @ 3 ammunition depots ; • According to the Armenian Defense Ministry , the Azerbaijani forces @ @ @ @ @ vehicles and 20 drones .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • In Videos : Azerbaijani @ @ @ @ @ Nagorno-Karabakh Region

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Nagorno-Karabakh:
According to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces captured Qarakhanbeyli, Garvand, Kend villages in Fuzuli area and Boyuk Marjanli and Nuzgaz villages in Jabrayil area;
According to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry, more than 550 Armenian soldiers were killed;
Armenia claimed that more than 200 Azerbaijani soldiers were killed;
Azerbaijan reported that the Armenian Armed Forces lost 22 tanks and other heavy armored vehicles, 15 units of OSA anti-aircraft missile systems, 18 drones, 8 artillery installations, as well as 3 ammunition depots;
According to the Armenian Defense Ministry, the Azerbaijani forces lost 30 tanks, armored vehicles and 20 drones.
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southfront--2020-09-29--Sanctions Busters II: Another Iranian Fuel Shipment Arriving To Venezuela

The first vessel of an Iranian flotilla of three ships bringing fuel supplies to Venezuela has entered the country ’ s territorial waters yesterday , demonstrating both nations ’ continued determination to thwart US efforts to isolate and blockade the governments in Tehran and Caracas .
The Iranian tanker Forest entered Venezuela ’ s territorial waters early on Monday , according to tanker-tracker data collected by Bloomberg .
Its destination is said to be El Palito port where a refinery is located .
It ’ s the first of three Iranian vessels bringing hundreds of thousands of barrels of fuel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ punitive sanctions and an economic blockade by the US , national oil company Petroleos de Venezuela SA is suffering from severe shortages of parts and materials and has been unable to supply the country with gasoline .
While the US sanctions have restricted PDVSA ’ s ability to import fuel from international markets , they have also prompted the development of closer strategic ties between Iran and Venezuela .
Almost all other international oil and shipping companies are now avoiding Venezuela for fear of the punitive – and illegal – measures adopted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General Yahya Rahim-Safavi , a military adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , said Iran had received gold bullion from Venezuela by plane as payment for gasoline shipments , the Mehr news agency reported .
The two other tankers , the Fortune and Faxon , are due to arrive to Venezuela over the next few days .
This is the second major gasoline shipment to Venezuela since the end of May , when a flotilla of five vessels brought nearly 1.5 million barrels of Iranian gasoline and fuel additives , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s foreign ministry has said any attempt by the US to intercept the shipments will be met with “ a swift and decisive response.
” In August , the US seized the cargoes of four vessels carrying 1.1 million barrels of Iranian gasoline ostensibly headed for Venezuela .
The move was described as the US government ’ s “ largest-ever seizure of fuel shipments from Iran ” by the Department of Justice , which claimed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was responsible for the shipment .
PDVSA and Venezuela ’ s information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the shipments .
LINK MORE ON THE TOPIC : • As Showdown Looms Over Iran ’ s Oil Shipments To Venezuela US Nato Forces Poised For Possible Interception • Iranian drone makes a pass at USS Nimitz somewhere in the Persian Gulf • More axis of resistance sanctions busting Iranian fuel shipments keep arriving to Venezuela

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The first vessel of an Iranian flotilla of three ships bringing fuel supplies to Venezuela has entered the country’s territorial waters yesterday, demonstrating both nations’ continued determination to thwart US efforts to isolate and blockade the governments in Tehran and Caracas.
The Iranian tanker Forest entered Venezuela’s territorial waters early on Monday, according to tanker-tracker data collected by Bloomberg. Its destination is said to be El Palito port where a refinery is located. It’s the first of three Iranian vessels bringing hundreds of thousands of barrels of fuel to Venezuela.
Following years of unilateral punitive sanctions and an economic blockade by the US, national oil company Petroleos de Venezuela SA is suffering from severe shortages of parts and materials and has been unable to supply the country with gasoline.
While the US sanctions have restricted PDVSA’s ability to import fuel from international markets, they have also prompted the development of closer strategic ties between Iran and Venezuela. Almost all other international oil and shipping companies are now avoiding Venezuela for fear of the punitive – and illegal – measures adopted by the US government.
On Sunday, General Yahya Rahim-Safavi, a military adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Iran had received gold bullion from Venezuela by plane as payment for gasoline shipments, the Mehr news agency reported.
The two other tankers, the Fortune and Faxon, are due to arrive to Venezuela over the next few days. This is the second major gasoline shipment to Venezuela since the end of May, when a flotilla of five vessels brought nearly 1.5 million barrels of Iranian gasoline and fuel additives, as well as parts for local refineries.
Iran’s foreign ministry has said any attempt by the US to intercept the shipments will be met with “a swift and decisive response.”
In August, the US seized the cargoes of four vessels carrying 1.1 million barrels of Iranian gasoline ostensibly headed for Venezuela. The move was described as the US government’s “largest-ever seizure of fuel shipments from Iran” by the Department of Justice, which claimed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was responsible for the shipment.
PDVSA and Venezuela’s information ministry declined to comment to the media on the shipments. LINK
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