southfront--2020-08-30--Military Situation In Afghanistan On August 30, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Afghanistan : • At least 6 @ @ @ @ @ Army soldiers , a National Directorate of Security service member , and a civilian were @ @ @ @ @ a vehicle in Gardiz city ; • Afghanistan National Security Advisor ( NSA ) Hamdullah @ @ @ @ @ government will remain even if international allies leave the country and that an interim government @ @ @ @ @ ; • The Taliban claimed that its forces foiled an attack of government forces in @ @ @ @ @ killing 9 soldiers .
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A brief overview of the recent developments in Afghanistan:
At least 6 people, including 4 National Army soldiers, a National Directorate of Security service member, and a civilian were wounded after a mine hit a vehicle in Gardiz city;
Afghanistan National Security Advisor (NSA) Hamdullah Mohib says the current Afghan government will remain even if international allies leave the country and that an interim government would destroy the current system;
The Taliban claimed that its forces foiled an attack of government forces in the Sherzad district of Nangarhar killing 9 soldiers.
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southfront--2020-08-30--Colombia And US Seek To Intensify Failed ‘War On Drugs’

The governments of Colombia and the United States want to resume aerial fumigation and continue the forced eradication of coca that cost $ 20 billion between 2005 and 2014 without any significant positive results .
Colombia Reports reports that Opposition Senator Ivan Marulanda ( Green Alliance ) published the massive expense sheet of the bilateral counternarcotics program President Ivan Duque and his US counterpart Donald Trump want to restart .
In the response , the government admitted that voluntary crop substitution , which is opposed by both Bogota and Washington DC , is both cheaper and more effective .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a cost of COP23 million/hectare when eradicated manually and COP72 million/hectare when eradicated by aerial spraying .
The amounts were approximately : • Which amounts to a total of COP88 trillion ( $ 22 billion ) in 10 years and COP8.8 trillion ( 2.2 billion ) on average per year Comparing this data with the estimated cost of substitution with the families directly included at a rate of COP40 million ( $ 10.3 thousand ) producing families out of an estimated total of 80,438 direct producer families , this would imply an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousand ) .
Based on the above , it can be said that the cost-benefit ratio of substitution is more reasonable than eradication because the results achieved are expected to be sustainable over time .
Marulanda was already a fierce opponent of the strategy even before finding that the two governments had spent $ 22 billion on a strategy that in the end barely affected coca cultivation .
According to the opposition senator , Bogota and Washington spent more on the ineffective counternarcotics strategy in 10 years than Colombia ’ s government invested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a far more effective counternarcotics strategy , in half a century .
Marulanda is currently co-sponsoring a bill to regulate coca and cocaine instead of indiscriminately criminalizing their production , consumption and other commercial and industrial uses .
Former President Juan Manuel Santos ended aerial fumigation citing health concerns , but also after finding that Bogota and Washington DC had spent $ 22 billion on removing only 17,000 hectares of coca in a decade .
According to diplomatic cables leaked by Wikileaks , Santos had already expressed his doubts about the bilateral counternarcotics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grossman in 2004 , but was told by US Ambassador William Wood the strategy “ is working.
” The US government , which was initially hesitant about the effectiveness and cost of manual eradication was convinced by former president Alvaro Uribe to include the strategy in what was called “ Plan Colombia II , ” which sought and failed to reduce illegal armed groups ’ hold on Colombia by cutting off illegal revenue from cocaine trafficking .
Santos and counternarcotics experts , however , appear to have been running into US officials ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a failure contrary to evidence as early as 2005 .
“ There has been a lot of discussion surrounding the recent release of the U.S. coca and poppy cultivation estimates in Washington , including the estimate that coca hectarage did not change significantly in 2004 in spite of record fumigation levels .
In fact , although it would have been nice if the hectarage numbers had also gone down , last year , and every year for the last four years , the U.S. Colombian effort has had great success.
” Fifteen years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manuel Santos has become one of the main critics of the US-led War on Drugs while both the White House and US Ambassador Philip Goldberg continue to push for the intensification of the costly , but useless counternarcotics strategy that is now also opposed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime , In a related development , Colombia has given the green light for a US Army unit to restart an advisory mission in the country after a majority of senators of the national Congress asserted that its planned activities did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the defence minister said on Thursday .
A court ordered the government to suspend the deployment of 53 US military personnel in July after a group of opposition legislators filed legal action , saying all movements of foreign troops in the country must be authorized by the Senate as stipulated by the Colombian Constitution .
After President Ivan Duque submitted information claiming he had ‘ political control ’ over the unit ’ s activities , 69 lawmakers from seven parties signed a letter saying the unit ’ s presence did not constitute a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cooperation in the fight against drugs .
Colombia faces intense pressure from the United States , a top destination for cocaine , to forcibly eradicate coca crops , the drug ’ s chief ingredient .
Duque has set a target to destroy 130,000 hectares of coca crops this year , up from 100,000 last year , and has signalled that aerial fumigations using the herbicide glyphosate could restart .
Last year cocaine production capacity in Colombia rose 1.5 % to 1,137 metric tons according to the United Nations , even though the size @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level in six years .
LINK MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Colombia ’ s Supreme Court opens another criminal investigation against former president Alvaro Uribe

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The governments of Colombia and the United States want to resume aerial fumigation and continue the forced eradication of coca that cost $20 billion between 2005 and 2014 without any significant positive results.
Colombia Reports reports that Opposition Senator Ivan Marulanda (Green Alliance) published the massive expense sheet of the bilateral counternarcotics program President Ivan Duque and his US counterpart Donald Trump want to restart.
In the response, the government admitted that voluntary crop substitution, which is opposed by both Bogota and Washington DC, is both cheaper and more effective.
They calculated forced eradication between 2005 and 2014 at a cost of COP23 million/hectare when eradicated manually and COP72 million/hectare when eradicated by aerial spraying. The amounts were approximately:
COP7.9 trillion ($2 billion) in forced eradication COP79.9 trillion ($20 billion) in eradication through aerial fumigation Which amounts to a total of COP88 trillion ($22 billion) in 10 years and COP8.8 trillion (2.2 billion) on average per year
Comparing this data with the estimated cost of substitution with the families directly included at a rate of COP40 million ($10.3 thousand) producing families out of an estimated total of 80,438 direct producer families, this would imply an investment of COP2.9 billion ($748 thousand).
Based on the above, it can be said that the cost-benefit ratio of substitution is more reasonable than eradication because the results achieved are expected to be sustainable over time.
Marulanda was already a fierce opponent of the strategy even before finding that the two governments had spent $22 billion on a strategy that in the end barely affected coca cultivation.
According to the opposition senator, Bogota and Washington spent more on the ineffective counternarcotics strategy in 10 years than Colombia’s government invested in agriculture, which is broadly considered a far more effective counternarcotics strategy, in half a century.
Marulanda is currently co-sponsoring a bill to regulate coca and cocaine instead of indiscriminately criminalizing their production, consumption and other commercial and industrial uses.
Former President Juan Manuel Santos ended aerial fumigation citing health concerns, but also after finding that Bogota and Washington DC had spent $22 billion on removing only 17,000 hectares of coca in a decade.
According to diplomatic cables leaked by Wikileaks, Santos had already expressed his doubts about the bilateral counternarcotics strategy to former Under-Secretary of State Marc Grossman in 2004, but was told by US Ambassador William Wood the strategy “is working.”
The US government, which was initially hesitant about the effectiveness and cost of manual eradication was convinced by former president Alvaro Uribe to include the strategy in what was called “Plan Colombia II,” which sought and failed to reduce illegal armed groups’ hold on Colombia by cutting off illegal revenue from cocaine trafficking.
Santos and counternarcotics experts, however, appear to have been running into US officials’ persistent refusals to admit their strategy was a failure contrary to evidence as early as 2005.
“There has been a lot of discussion surrounding the recent release of the U.S. coca and poppy cultivation estimates in Washington, including the estimate that coca hectarage did not change significantly in 2004 in spite of record fumigation levels. In fact, although it would have been nice if the hectarage numbers had also gone down, last year, and every year for the last four years, the U.S. Colombian effort has had great success.”
Fifteen years and $20 billion later, Juan Manuel Santos has become one of the main critics of the US-led War on Drugs while both the White House and US Ambassador Philip Goldberg continue to push for the intensification of the costly, but useless counternarcotics strategy that is now also opposed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,
In a related development, Colombia has given the green light for a US Army unit to restart an advisory mission in the country after a majority of senators of the national Congress asserted that its planned activities did not constitute deployment of foreign troops, the defence minister said on Thursday.
A court ordered the government to suspend the deployment of 53 US military personnel in July after a group of opposition legislators filed legal action, saying all movements of foreign troops in the country must be authorized by the Senate as stipulated by the Colombian Constitution.
After President Ivan Duque submitted information claiming he had ‘political control’ over the unit’s activities, 69 lawmakers from seven parties signed a letter saying the unit’s presence did not constitute a deployment of foreign troops, but is cooperation in the fight against drugs.
Colombia faces intense pressure from the United States, a top destination for cocaine, to forcibly eradicate coca crops, the drug’s chief ingredient.
Duque has set a target to destroy 130,000 hectares of coca crops this year, up from 100,000 last year, and has signalled that aerial fumigations using the herbicide glyphosate could restart.
Last year cocaine production capacity in Colombia rose 1.5% to 1,137 metric tons according to the United Nations, even though the size of coca crops fell to their lowest level in six years. LINK
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southfront--2020-08-30--US On-Again Off-Again Partial Troop Withdrawal From Iraq: On Again?

There are plans for an official US troop reduction in Iraq .
A partial reduction may or may not eventuate .
Given that thousands of troops can be returned by the US within a matter of hours at any time , a more important question than how many troops ( and uncounted contractors ) officially remain , is where are they deployed , what hardware do they have , what are their objectives , what are they doing on the ground ( and in the air ) , and , most importantly , when are they going to leave ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Iraqi parliament earlier this year ) ?
The first official figures from the Trump Administration on the Iraq drawdown were disclosed on Friday , with officials now saying that the 5,200 US troops there currently will be cut to about 3,500 in the next two to three months .
That ’ s about a third of the US troops in Iraq , though there are almost certainly more than 5,200 US troops in Iraq now .
The US has not kept public figures on troop levels for months , and 5,200 is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When more troops were sent , the official figure always remained 5,200 .
For example , the New York Times reported in January of this year : According to a report by ABC News , after a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhemi in Baghdad in June , General Kenneth McKenzie told ABC News it appeared Iraq wanted to keep a US , NATO and coalition presence there long term .
McKenzie has said several times this year that it was possible the US troop presence in Iraq could be reduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But he also said the size of any troop reduction would be a decision made by the White House .
Trump ordered a total U.S. troop withdrawal from Syria last fall during Turkey ’ s invasion into northern Syria , but he was convinced to keep troops in eastern Syria to protect Kurdish oil fields from ISIS .
About 500 US troops remain , in a southern outpost close to the border with Jordan ( al Tanf ) .
This time , the US plans to reduce troop levels in Iraq from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official stated to ABC News .
Although officially at about 5,200 since late 2016 , that figure actually was a bit higher because of troop rotations and other factors .
The process for the drawdown has already begun , but the official that spoke with the ABC media agency did not elaborate on how long it would take to complete .
LINK The media news site American Conservative commented of the latest announcement : “ Most foreign policy analysts , other than the neoconservative war enthusiasts who dominated Bush administration decision-making , recognize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Iraq ) was a horrid bungle .
The U.S. broke international law , vilified European allies , wrecked Iraq , triggered sectarian war , victimized religious minorities , and empowered Iran .
The human toll was hideous : Washington ’ s war killed thousands of Americans , wounded tens of thousands of U.S. personnel , killed hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians , and displaced millions of Iraqis .
The invasion spawned murderous al-Qaeda in Iraq , which morphed into the even more brutal Islamic State… Washington ’ s treatment of Iraq @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shocking .
When the Iraqi parliament voted in January to request the withdrawal of U.S. troops , the administration flatly refused .
The State Department sounds like the British colonial office : “ At this time , any delegation sent to Iraq would be dedicated to discussing how best to recommit to our strategic partnership—not to discuss troop withdrawal.
” The president even threatened to impose sanctions on Baghdad… ” Following his recent meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi , President Donald Trump said : “ We have been taking our troops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we look forward to the day when we don ’ t have to be there.
” He added : “ We ’ ll be leaving shortly… ” Pompeo said that would be “ as soon as we can complete the mission.
” In Afghanistan and Syria the president similarly pushed withdrawals against strong resistance within his administration… ” LINK It is clear that the US administration and the Pentagon intend to stay in Iraq for a long time yet , and the Congress will do nothing to force them to withdraw all US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iraq ’ s national parliament at the start of this year .
While facts on the matter are notoriously vague and/ or unreliable , at least four military bases remain central in the US military presence in Iraq .
Presumably there is also more than one clandestine airstrip located throughout the country , whether operated by the Pentagon directly or outsourced to contractors , which would go a long way to explaining the frequent ‘ mystery ’ airstrikes ( though of course , some or all could also be from aircraft and/ or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turkey , Kuwait , Saudi Arabia , UAE , … ) “ Seventeen years after invading Iraq in March 2003 to overthrow Saddam Hussein ’ s regime , the U.S. currently has a total of nine military bases in the country .
Although the U.S. withdrew many of its forces from Iraq in 2011 , it strengthened its presence in the country through military bases .
Roughly 5,000 U.S. troops have remained deployed in Iraq since the U.S. cobbled a coalition together in 2014 with the stated aim of fighting the terrorist group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bases in the capital Baghdad — Camp Victory Army Base at Baghdad International Airport and al-Taji Military Base , which has been used for training Iraqi forces .
Washington also has two military bases in the western Anbar province – Habbaniyah Air Base and Ain al-Asad Air Base , which were used actively during the anti-Daesh campaign in 2014 .
U.S. troops also use Balad Air Base in the northern Saladin province .
The U.S. also has Qayyara Military Base in Mosul and the K1 Military Base in Kirkuk .
Harir Air Base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ troops are deployed in Erbil , the capital of Iraq ’ s Kurdish region .
Harir is seen as very safe for the U.S. as it is located in an area where the Daesh/ISIS threat is less potent than other parts of Iraq .
The Harir base is also strategically important given that it is the closest U.S. military base to the Syrian border .
Another U.S. military base is located at Erbil Airport .
The United Kingdom does not have military bases in Iraq , but it currently has 400 military personnel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soldiers and civilian personnel is estimated at around 1,400 , including additional deployments made to combat Daesh .
Early in April the US-led Coalition announced their official withdrawal from the Al-Taqadam Airbase ( also referred to as Al-Habbaniyah Base ) in Iraq ’ s Nineveh Governorate , where approximately 500 coalition personnel has been stationed .
Iraqi forces also recovered another military site that was partially controlled by the US Coalition forces in the Nineveh Governorate .
Also : The main four remaining US military bases are Ain Al-Assad Airbase , Balad Airbase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Victory Base Complex .
The US has deployed Patriot batteries to the Harir and Ain Al-Assad bases The Victory Base Complex is an amalgam of military installations around the Baghdad International Airport .
The complex includes 10 bases – Victory Fuel Point , Slayer , Striker , Cropper , Liberty , Radwaniyah Palace , Dublin , Sather Air Base , Logistics Base Seitz and Victory .
The most important installation is Camp Victory , which hosts the headquarters for all the US operations in Iraq .
The camp also includes the Al Faw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ located in Anbar Province towards the west of Iraq , about 160 kms west of Baghdad and a bit over 200 kms from the Syrian border .
According to the wikipedia entry on Al-Assad Airbase : “ The base was originally named Qadisiyah Airbase , a reference to the Battle of al-Qādisiyyah ( c. 636 ) .
Qadisiyah AB was one of five new air bases built in Iraq as part of their Project ‘ Super-Base ’ , launched in 1975 as a response to the lessons learned during the Arab-Israeli wars of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ built sometime between 1981 and 1987 by a consortium of Yugoslavian companies under contract to the government of Iraq .
Two Yugoslav government agencies led the project… The US $ 280,000,000 project at Qadisiyah AB included accommodation for 5,000 personnel and the necessary infrastructure including public facilities ( mosques , outdoor and indoor Olympic swimming pool , football field , sports hall , cinema , library , elementary school , high school , hospital and clinic ) and fortified military facilities ( military airport , shelters for personnel and equipment , shelters for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The hardened aircraft shelters ( were ) built here and throughout Iraq by the Yugoslavs… The airbase continues to be used by coalition forces in Iraq , including British troops .
In 2016 it was announced that the UK would send 250 more troops to be stationed at Al Asad base… ” LINK A patriot battery was deployed to the base in March 2020 The base probably serves a wide range of functions .
Late last year Almasdar news agency reported : Late last week , another large military convoy was reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In January this year the Independent reported that eight rockets landed on the Balad airbase .
At least four Iraqi personnel were injured in the attack , including two officers .
The Independent commented : Another review of Balad Air Base comments that the base can host more than 36,000 individuals in considerable comfort .
Prior to its takeover by the US it had been the Iraqi Air Force ’ s most important operational base .
During the peak of US military activity in Iraq , it hosted about 28,000 military personnel and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has some of the most advanced facilities of all the military bases in Iraq , and also possesses four hardened aircraft shelters constructed by work crews from Yugoslavia in the 1980s .
At the height of the US occupation it hosted the 332-nd Air Expeditionary Wing and the 310-th Sustainment Command , among other units , and it played a key role in the US ’ military operations .
Camp Taji , which the US military recently abandoned , is located in the immediate proximity of Baghdad , about 30 km from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ installation for the foreign occupation forces .
Supposedly there for ‘ training and assistance ’ purposes and to pursue scattered ISIS remnants , the US military has consolidated its control over Iraq ’ s most important military infrastructure and clearly intends to continue doing so .
Coupled with Iraq ’ s ongoing failure to secure complete radar coverage of its airspace and effective anti-air defences , whether the US has 3,000 , 5,000 or 50,000 troops in the country it remains the dominant military force in Iraq in many respects .
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There are plans for an official US troop reduction in Iraq. A partial reduction may or may not eventuate. Given that thousands of troops can be returned by the US within a matter of hours at any time, a more important question than how many troops (and uncounted contractors) officially remain, is where are they deployed, what hardware do they have, what are their objectives, what are they doing on the ground (and in the air), and, most importantly, when are they going to leave (as demanded by the unanimous resolution of the Iraqi parliament earlier this year)?
The first official figures from the Trump Administration on the Iraq drawdown were disclosed on Friday, with officials now saying that the 5,200 US troops there currently will be cut to about 3,500 in the next two to three months.
That’s about a third of the US troops in Iraq, though there are almost certainly more than 5,200 US troops in Iraq now. The US has not kept public figures on troop levels for months, and 5,200 is the maximum allowed by the US-Iraq agreement. When more troops were sent, the official figure always remained 5,200.
For example, the New York Times reported in January of this year:
“As of December, there were about 6,000 United States troops deployed in Iraq, which is a fraction of the peak number of 150,000 military personnel who served during Operation Iraqi Freedom, which lasted from 2003 to 2011. After General Suleimani’s death, the Iraqi Parliament voted to expel American troops from the country, which Mr. Trump then said would be met with sanctions.” LINK
According to a report by ABC News, after a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhemi in Baghdad in June, General Kenneth McKenzie told ABC News it appeared Iraq wanted to keep a US, NATO and coalition presence there long term.
McKenzie has said several times this year that it was possible the US troop presence in Iraq could be reduced as the Iraqi military continued making progress. But he also said the size of any troop reduction would be a decision made by the White House. Trump ordered a total U.S. troop withdrawal from Syria last fall during Turkey’s invasion into northern Syria, but he was convinced to keep troops in eastern Syria to protect Kurdish oil fields from ISIS. About 500 US troops remain, in a southern outpost close to the border with Jordan (al Tanf). This time, the US plans to reduce troop levels in Iraq from about 5,200 to 3,200, a US official stated to ABC News. Although officially at about 5,200 since late 2016, that figure actually was a bit higher because of troop rotations and other factors. The process for the drawdown has already begun, but the official that spoke with the ABC media agency did not elaborate on how long it would take to complete. LINK
The media news site American Conservative commented of the latest announcement:
“Most foreign policy analysts, other than the neoconservative war enthusiasts who dominated Bush administration decision-making, recognize that America’s unjustified aggression (against Iraq) was a horrid bungle. The U.S. broke international law, vilified European allies, wrecked Iraq, triggered sectarian war, victimized religious minorities, and empowered Iran. The human toll was hideous: Washington’s war killed thousands of Americans, wounded tens of thousands of U.S. personnel, killed hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians, and displaced millions of Iraqis. The invasion spawned murderous al-Qaeda in Iraq, which morphed into the even more brutal Islamic State… Washington’s treatment of Iraq as occupied territory may be even more shocking. When the Iraqi parliament voted in January to request the withdrawal of U.S. troops, the administration flatly refused. The State Department sounds like the British colonial office: “At this time, any delegation sent to Iraq would be dedicated to discussing how best to recommit to our strategic partnership—not to discuss troop withdrawal.” The president even threatened to impose sanctions on Baghdad…” Following his recent meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, President Donald Trump said: “We have been taking our troops out of Iraq fairly rapidly, and we look forward to the day when we don’t have to be there.” He added: “We’ll be leaving shortly…” Pompeo said that would be “as soon as we can complete the mission.” In Afghanistan and Syria the president similarly pushed withdrawals against strong resistance within his administration…” LINK
It is clear that the US administration and the Pentagon intend to stay in Iraq for a long time yet, and the Congress will do nothing to force them to withdraw all US military forces from Iraq as demanded by Iraq’s national parliament at the start of this year. While facts on the matter are notoriously vague and/ or unreliable, at least four military bases remain central in the US military presence in Iraq.
Presumably there is also more than one clandestine airstrip located throughout the country, whether operated by the Pentagon directly or outsourced to contractors, which would go a long way to explaining the frequent ‘mystery’ airstrikes (though of course, some or all could also be from aircraft and/ or missiles from neighbouring countries – Jordan, Turkey, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE, …)
In January, Anadolu Agency reported:
“Seventeen years after invading Iraq in March 2003 to overthrow Saddam Hussein’s regime, the U.S. currently has a total of nine military bases in the country. Although the U.S. withdrew many of its forces from Iraq in 2011, it strengthened its presence in the country through military bases. Roughly 5,000 U.S. troops have remained deployed in Iraq since the U.S. cobbled a coalition together in 2014 with the stated aim of fighting the terrorist group Daesh/ISIS. The U.S. has two military bases in the capital Baghdad — Camp Victory Army Base at Baghdad International Airport and al-Taji Military Base, which has been used for training Iraqi forces. Washington also has two military bases in the western Anbar province – Habbaniyah Air Base and Ain al-Asad Air Base, which were used actively during the anti-Daesh campaign in 2014. U.S. troops also use Balad Air Base in the northern Saladin province. The U.S. also has Qayyara Military Base in Mosul and the K1 Military Base in Kirkuk. Harir Air Base … is among the bases where U.S. troops are deployed in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdish region. Harir is seen as very safe for the U.S. as it is located in an area where the Daesh/ISIS threat is less potent than other parts of Iraq. The Harir base is also strategically important given that it is the closest U.S. military base to the Syrian border. Another U.S. military base is located at Erbil Airport. The United Kingdom does not have military bases in Iraq, but it currently has 400 military personnel there. The total number of UK soldiers and civilian personnel is estimated at around 1,400, including additional deployments made to combat Daesh. France currently employs 300 military training staff in Iraq.” LINK
Early in April the US-led Coalition announced their official withdrawal from the Al-Taqadam Airbase (also referred to as Al-Habbaniyah Base) in Iraq’s Nineveh Governorate, where approximately 500 coalition personnel has been stationed.
Iraqi forces also recovered another military site that was partially controlled by the US Coalition forces in the Nineveh Governorate. Also:
“In late March, the coalition mission also returned the site it had controlled at Qayyara Air Force Base, south of Mosul, in northern Iraq, to the Iraqi forces. Over the last few weeks, the U.S. has withdrawn from five bases in Iraq and moved their forces to larger installations like the Harir Base in Erbil and ‘Ain Al-Assad Airbase’ in Al-Anbar.” LINK
The main four remaining US military bases are Ain Al-Assad Airbase, Balad Airbase, Harir Air Base, and the Victory Base Complex. The US has deployed Patriot batteries to the Harir and Ain Al-Assad bases
The Victory Base Complex is an amalgam of military installations around the Baghdad International Airport. The complex includes 10 bases – Victory Fuel Point, Slayer, Striker, Cropper, Liberty, Radwaniyah Palace, Dublin, Sather Air Base, Logistics Base Seitz and Victory. The most important installation is Camp Victory, which hosts the headquarters for all the US operations in Iraq. The camp also includes the Al Faw Palace.
The Ain Al-Assad Airbase is located in Anbar Province towards the west of Iraq, about 160 kms west of Baghdad and a bit over 200 kms from the Syrian border. According to the wikipedia entry on Al-Assad Airbase:
“The base was originally named Qadisiyah Airbase, a reference to the Battle of al-Qādisiyyah (c. 636). Qadisiyah AB was one of five new air bases built in Iraq as part of their Project ‘Super-Base’, launched in 1975 as a response to the lessons learned during the Arab-Israeli wars of 1967 and 1973. The base was built sometime between 1981 and 1987 by a consortium of Yugoslavian companies under contract to the government of Iraq. Two Yugoslav government agencies led the project… The US$280,000,000 project at Qadisiyah AB included accommodation for 5,000 personnel and the necessary infrastructure including public facilities (mosques, outdoor and indoor Olympic swimming pool, football field, sports hall, cinema, library, elementary school, high school, hospital and clinic) and fortified military facilities (military airport, shelters for personnel and equipment, shelters for bombers and fighters and military barracks). The hardened aircraft shelters (were) built here and throughout Iraq by the Yugoslavs… The airbase continues to be used by coalition forces in Iraq, including British troops. In 2016 it was announced that the UK would send 250 more troops to be stationed at Al Asad base…” LINK
A patriot battery was deployed to the base in March 2020
The base probably serves a wide range of functions. Late last year Almasdar news agency reported:
“A massive U.S. military convoy reportedly arrived in western Iraq this week amid recent attacks carried out near their installations inside the country. According to Al-Sumaria TV, the U.S. military convoy consisted of 500 vehicles that entered Iraq from neighbouring Jordan. The US military convoy reportedly reached the their final destination at the ‘Ayn Al-Assad Base in Iraq’s Al-Anbar province.” LINK
Late last week, another large military convoy was reported:
“SOHR activists have monitored nearly 50 trucks affiliated to the International Coalition crossing into Syria today, via Al-Walid border crossing with Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The trucks, carrying military and logistical supplies, headed to Tal Baydar military base in the north-western countryside of Al-Hasakah. On August 22, Observatory activists monitored a US military convoy crossing into Syria, via Al-Walid border crossing with Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The convoy, comprised several military armoured vehicles and 40 trucks carrying tanks, military and logistical supplies, headed to Al-Shaddadi base and other military bases in Al-Hasakah province.” LINK
According to the wikipedia entry:
“Balad Air Base is an Iraqi Air Force base located near Balad in the Sunni Triangle 40 miles (64 km) north of Baghdad, Iraq. Built in the early 1980s it was originally named Al-Bakr Air Base. In 2003 the base was occupied by the United States Armed Forces as part of the Iraq War and called both Balad Air Base by the United States Air Force and Anaconda Logistical Support Area (LSA) by the United States Army before being renamed Joint Base Balad on 15 June 2008. The base was handed back to the Iraqi Air Force on 8 November 2011 during the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq, after which it returned to being called Balad Air Base… During the Iraq War it was the second largest U.S. base in Iraq and today is home to the Iraqi Air Force… Joint Base Balad had a burn pit operation as late as the summer of 2010. The pit, which was visible for miles, was in continuous use which resulted in 147 tons of waste burnt per day, some of which was considered toxic. Respiratory difficulties and headaches were attributed to smoke inhalation from the burnt waste; however, according to research conducted on behalf of the US Department of Veteran Affairs, there is insufficient evidence to connect those symptoms to burn pits…” LINK
In January this year the Independent reported that eight rockets landed on the Balad airbase. At least four Iraqi personnel were injured in the attack, including two officers. The Independent commented:
“It was not immediately clear how many US and coalition troops were being housed on the base at the time of the attack. The strike on the Balad airbase followed an attack on two other bases housing US and coalition troops carried out by Iran earlier this month.” LINK
Another review of Balad Air Base comments that the base can host more than 36,000 individuals in considerable comfort. Prior to its takeover by the US it had been the Iraqi Air Force’s most important operational base. During the peak of US military activity in Iraq, it hosted about 28,000 military personnel and more than 8,000 civilian contractors. It has some of the most advanced facilities of all the military bases in Iraq, and also possesses four hardened aircraft shelters constructed by work crews from Yugoslavia in the 1980s. At the height of the US occupation it hosted the 332-nd Air Expeditionary Wing and the 310-th Sustainment Command, among other units, and it played a key role in the US’ military operations.
Camp Taji, which the US military recently abandoned, is located in the immediate proximity of Baghdad, about 30 km from the city, and was not an important installation for the foreign occupation forces.
Supposedly there for ‘training and assistance’ purposes and to pursue scattered ISIS remnants, the US military has consolidated its control over Iraq’s most important military infrastructure and clearly intends to continue doing so. Coupled with Iraq’s ongoing failure to secure complete radar coverage of its airspace and effective anti-air defences, whether the US has 3,000, 5,000 or 50,000 troops in the country it remains the dominant military force in Iraq in many respects.
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southfront--2020-08-30--In Video: Belarusian Protesters Assault Police In Minsk

Protesters attacked Police officers in the Belarusian capital of Minsk during the rally against the country ’ s President Alexander @ @ @ @ @ reports , at least 140 protesters were detained during the August 30 protest , with @ @ @ @ @ crying foul about the suppression of ‘ democratic activists ’ by authorities .
Nonetheless , @ @ @ @ @ seems to be quite different .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Foreign Media Expelled @ @ @ @ @ Lukashenko Ramps Up

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Protesters attacked Police officers in the Belarusian capital of Minsk during the rally against the country’s President Alexander Lukashenko.
According to media reports, at least 140 protesters were detained during the August 30 protest, with mainstream media outlets have been crying foul about the suppression of ‘democratic activists’ by authorities. Nonetheless, the reality on the ground seems to be quite different.
Meanwhile, President Alexander Lukashenko:
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southfront--2020-08-30--Military Situation In Libya On August 30, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Libya : • Government of National @ @ @ @ @ Muhammad Qanunu stated that the LNA keeps hundreds of Chadian mercenaries in a training camp @ @ @ @ @ Army ( LNA ) forces set up checkpoints from eastern Sirte to Al-Jufrah and to @ @ @ @ @ in western Tripoli faced the Bashagha convoy heading to Janzour with chants against Turkish-backed Syrian @ @ @ @ @ appointed Salah al-Din al-Namroush as the Defense Minister and Mohamed al-Haddad as the Chief of @ @ @ @ @ pro-Turkish sources , over 300 pieces of military equipment were deployed in the area of @ @ @ @ @ THE TOPIC :

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Libya:
Government of National Accord (GNA) spokesman Muhammad Qanunu stated that the LNA keeps hundreds of Chadian mercenaries in a training camp in Zalla and Libyan National Army (LNA) forces set up checkpoints from eastern Sirte to Al-Jufrah and to southern Sabha;
Protesters in western Tripoli faced the Bashagha convoy heading to Janzour with chants against Turkish-backed Syrian mercenaries;
The GNA appointed Salah al-Din al-Namroush as the Defense Minister and Mohamed al-Haddad as the Chief of Staff;
According to pro-Turkish sources, over 300 pieces of military equipment were deployed in the area of Mitiga Airport.
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southfront--2020-08-30--Nasrallah Threatens: ‘One Israeli Soldier for Every Hezbollah Fighter’

Hassan Nasrallah Secretary-General of Hezbollah has threatened to kill an Israeli soldier every time the Israeli military kills one of his group ’ s fighters .
The Lebanese leader made the new threat in a televised speech on August 30 commemorating the 10th of Muharram , a holy Islamic day highly admired by Shiites .
Israel , which killed a fighter of Hezbollah in the July 20 airstrikes on Syria ’ s Damascus , is expecting a retaliatory attack by the group .
“ I tell the Israeli that if you kill one of our fighters , we will kill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t care to retaliate by hitting machines or locations or causing material damage .
All this financial damage can be replaced due to the large amounts of money you have , ” al-Manar quoted Nasrallah as saying .
The Israeli Defense Forces ( IDF ) deployed addition troops and weapons on the separation line with Lebanon following the July 20 incident .
Movement in the region was also restricted .
“ After Hezbollah member was martyred in the Israeli attack on Syria , Israel instantly knew that there will be retaliation based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power , not our speeches .
This is how respect is attained , ” Nasrallah noted in his speech .
Recently , the IDF ’ s attempted to trick Hezbollah fighters into targeting low-flying drones and a robot soldier .
Nasrallah ’ s new statement indicates that the group is determined to target and kill Israeli service members .
This is the worst case scenario for the IDF .
Hezbollah ’ s upcoming response will likely be limited and well-calculated .
Nevertheless , Israel may use it as a pretext to launch a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ THIS TOPIC : • Desperate Measures : Israel Deployed ‘ Robot Soldier ’ On Separation Line With Lebanon To Trick Hezbollah ( Video )

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Hassan Nasrallah Secretary-General of Hezbollah has threatened to kill an Israeli soldier every time the Israeli military kills one of his group’s fighters.
The Lebanese leader made the new threat in a televised speech on August 30 commemorating the 10th of Muharram, a holy Islamic day highly admired by Shiites.
Israel, which killed a fighter of Hezbollah in the July 20 airstrikes on Syria’s Damascus, is expecting a retaliatory attack by the group.
“I tell the Israeli that if you kill one of our fighters, we will kill one of your soldiers. We don’t care to retaliate by hitting machines or locations or causing material damage. All this financial damage can be replaced due to the large amounts of money you have,” al-Manar quoted Nasrallah as saying.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) deployed addition troops and weapons on the separation line with Lebanon following the July 20 incident. Movement in the region was also restricted.
“After Hezbollah member was martyred in the Israeli attack on Syria, Israel instantly knew that there will be retaliation based on the equations we drew with our power, not our speeches. This is how respect is attained,” Nasrallah noted in his speech.
Recently, the IDF’s attempted to trick Hezbollah fighters into targeting low-flying drones and a robot soldier. Nasrallah’s new statement indicates that the group is determined to target and kill Israeli service members. This is the worst case scenario for the IDF.
Hezbollah’s upcoming response will likely be limited and well-calculated. Nevertheless, Israel may use it as a pretext to launch a large-scale attack on Lebanon.
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southfront--2020-08-30--Military Situation In Yemen On August 30, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Yemen : • The Liaison and @ @ @ @ @ ( loyal to Ansar Allah ) reported 65 ceasefire violations in al-Hudaydah over the past @ @ @ @ @ between Ansar Allah and Saudi-led forces continue in the Madghal area .
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A brief overview of the recent developments in Yemen:
Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 4 airstrikes on the Maheliyah district;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 4 airstrikes on the Majzar district;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted airstrikes on the Hazm district;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted airstrikes on the Wald Rabi’ district;
The Liaison and Coordination Officers’ Operations Room (loyal to Ansar Allah) reported 65 ceasefire violations in al-Hudaydah over the past 24 hours;
Clashes between Ansar Allah and Saudi-led forces continue in the Madghal area.
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southfront--2020-08-30--Militants’ Fire Killed, Injured Four Syrian Soldiers In Greater Idlib

On August 30 , a service member of the Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) was killed and three others were injured in a new attack by Greater Idlib militants .
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights , the militants targeted the service members ’ position , which is located the outskirt of the town of al-Dana in southern Idlib , with heavy machine guns in the early morning .
The SAA responded to the attack a few hours later by shelling militants ’ positions in the towns of Fatterah , Kansafra and Sufuhon in the al-Zawiya Mount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind most of the recent attacks on SAA troops in Greater Idlib .
The room is led by Hay ’ at Tahrir al-Sham and includes Turkish-backed groups and al-Qaeda factions .
The SAA , has so far , limited its response to the militants ’ repeated violations of the March 5 ceasefire agreement to artillery and rocket strikes .
This may change soon .
The increasing attacks by militants and Turkey ’ s failure to contain their threat could soon force the SAA and its allies to launch a new operation in Greater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an operation is already being prepared .
The target is al-Zawiya Mount .
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On August 30, a service member of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) was killed and three others were injured in a new attack by Greater Idlib militants.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the militants targeted the service members’ position, which is located the outskirt of the town of al-Dana in southern Idlib, with heavy machine guns in the early morning.
The SAA responded to the attack a few hours later by shelling militants’ positions in the towns of Fatterah, Kansafra and Sufuhon in the al-Zawiya Mount.
The al-Fateh al-Mubeen Operations Room was behind most of the recent attacks on SAA troops in Greater Idlib. The room is led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and includes Turkish-backed groups and al-Qaeda factions.
The SAA, has so far, limited its response to the militants’ repeated violations of the March 5 ceasefire agreement to artillery and rocket strikes. This may change soon.
The increasing attacks by militants and Turkey’s failure to contain their threat could soon force the SAA and its allies to launch a new operation in Greater Idlib. According to recent reports, an operation is already being prepared. The target is al-Zawiya Mount.
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southfront--2020-08-30--Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham Arrested Members Of Political Party Promoting Islamic Caliphate

Al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay ’ at Tahrir al-Sham ( HTS ) has arrested members of so-called Hizb ut-Tahrir in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib .
According to several opposition sources , HTS ’ security forces arrested two member of the party in the town of Atimah in northern Idlib on August 29 .
Prior to that , seven members were arrested in the same area .
Hizb ut-Tahrir , which was founded in 1953 by Sheikh Taqiuddin al-Nabhani in East Jerusalem , calls for the restoration of Islamic Caliphate .
Nevertheless , the party rejects the use of violence to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Hizb ut-Tahrir members were arrested for distributing leaflets and statements condemning Greater Idlib ceasefire and rejecting the recent Russian-Turkish agreement on the region .
A group of women gathered in Atimah to protest against the arrest of the party ’ s members .
The women were brutally assaulted by HTS ’ security forces .
HTS has been actively working to silence its critics in Greater Idlib , even those affiliated with jihadist groups .
The group ’ s grip on the region has been getting tighter .
This month alone , HTS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abdul Kareem , British aid worker Tauqir Sharif and Syrian activist Fayez al-Daghim .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Militants Took Down Electricity Towers In Northeast Syria To Sell Them In Turkey – Report

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Al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has arrested members of so-called Hizb ut-Tahrir in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib.
According to several opposition sources, HTS’ security forces arrested two member of the party in the town of Atimah in northern Idlib on August 29. Prior to that, seven members were arrested in the same area.
Hizb ut-Tahrir, which was founded in 1953 by Sheikh Taqiuddin al-Nabhani in East Jerusalem, calls for the restoration of Islamic Caliphate. Nevertheless, the party rejects the use of violence to bring about political change.
The sources said Hizb ut-Tahrir members were arrested for distributing leaflets and statements condemning Greater Idlib ceasefire and rejecting the recent Russian-Turkish agreement on the region.
A group of women gathered in Atimah to protest against the arrest of the party’s members. The women were brutally assaulted by HTS’ security forces.
HTS has been actively working to silence its critics in Greater Idlib, even those affiliated with jihadist groups. The group’s grip on the region has been getting tighter.
This month alone, HTS’ security forces arrested American journalist Bilal Abdul Kareem, British aid worker Tauqir Sharif and Syrian activist Fayez al-Daghim.
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southfront--2020-08-30--Saudi-led Coalition Intercepted Another Houthi Suicide Drone Over Yemen

The Saudi-led coalition announced on August 30 that its forces had intercepted another suicided drone launched by the Houthis from Yemen .
“ Joint Coalition Forces have intercepted and destroyed this afternoon ( Sunday ) a bomb-laden UAV launched systematically and deliberately by the terrorist Houthi militia to target civilians and civilian objects in the Southern Region , ” Col. Turki al-Malki , a spokesman for the coalition said in an official statement .
Two days ago , the Saudi-led coalition shot down a Houthi drone over Yemen .
Prior to that , a “ ballistic missile ” launched by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Najran was intercepted by the coalition .
The Houthis have not commented on any of these incidents , thus far .
The group is apparently intensifying its drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia .
The Yemeni group operates a variety of suicide drones , ballistic missiles , artillery rockets and cruise missiles .
While the group claims that these weapons were domestically developed , evidence shows that many of them were in fact supplied by Iran .
The Saudi-led coalition gained a vast experience in dealing with Houthis ’ drones and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the growing offensive capabilities of the Houthis are still a serious threat to Saudi Arabia and its allies .
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The Saudi-led coalition announced on August 30 that its forces had intercepted another suicided drone launched by the Houthis from Yemen.
“Joint Coalition Forces have intercepted and destroyed this afternoon (Sunday) a bomb-laden UAV launched systematically and deliberately by the terrorist Houthi militia to target civilians and civilian objects in the Southern Region,” Col. Turki al-Malki, a spokesman for the coalition said in an official statement.
Two days ago, the Saudi-led coalition shot down a Houthi drone over Yemen. Prior to that, a “ballistic missile” launched by the Houthis at the southern Saudi city of Najran was intercepted by the coalition.
The Houthis have not commented on any of these incidents, thus far. The group is apparently intensifying its drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia.
The Yemeni group operates a variety of suicide drones, ballistic missiles, artillery rockets and cruise missiles. While the group claims that these weapons were domestically developed, evidence shows that many of them were in fact supplied by Iran.
The Saudi-led coalition gained a vast experience in dealing with Houthis’ drones and missiles during the last years. However, the growing offensive capabilities of the Houthis are still a serious threat to Saudi Arabia and its allies.
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southfront--2020-08-30--Militants Took Down Electricity Towers In Northeast Syria To Sell Them In Turkey – Report

Turkish-backed militants have been stealing electricity towers in northeast Syria , the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights ( SOHR @ @ @ @ @ .
The militants , who belong to the Sultan Murad Division and Ahrar al-Sharqiyah , @ @ @ @ @ in the villages of Mutullah , Lzaqah , Beit Jamalu , Beit Takno and Tell @ @ @ @ @ the town of Ras al-Ain in the northern al-Hasakah countryside over the last few days @ @ @ @ @ group , Turkish-backed militants are planning to sell the remains of the towers as scrap @ @ @ @ @ looting of public proprieties is a main source of income for anti-government militants in Syria @ @ @ @ @ Turkistan militants blew up the Zayzun thermal power plant in the northwestern region of Greater @ @ @ @ @ of its cooling tower .
The militants have been selling their loot in Turkey since @ @ @ @ @ doing nothing whatsoever to stop these criminal acts .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • @ @ @ @ @ Eight ISIS Wives Out Of Al-Hawl Camp : Monitoring Group

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Turkish-backed militants have been stealing electricity towers in northeast Syria, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on August 30.
The militants, who belong to the Sultan Murad Division and Ahrar al-Sharqiyah, reportedly took down electricity towers in the villages of Mutullah, Lzaqah, Beit Jamalu, Beit Takno and Tell Saker in the outskirt of the town of Ras al-Ain in the northern al-Hasakah countryside over the last few days.
“They [the electricity towers] were moved [by the militants] to known areas near their loot warehouses,” the SOHR’s report reads.
According to the monitoring group, Turkish-backed militants are planning to sell the remains of the towers as scrap metal in Turkey.
The looting of public proprieties is a main source of income for anti-government militants in Syria. In May 2019, Turkistan militants blew up the Zayzun thermal power plant in the northwestern region of Greater Idlib and sold the remains of its cooling tower.
The militants have been selling their loot in Turkey since 2012. Turkish authorities are doing nothing whatsoever to stop these criminal acts.
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southfront--2020-08-31--Europe’s True Last Dictator: Montenegro President Djukanovic’s Party May Fall After 30 Years Of Powe

Europe’s True Last Dictator: Montenegro President Djukanovic’s Party May Fall After 30 Years Of Power

On August 30th , Montenegro went into general elections , which has come following months of conflicts about national identity and religious values .
The COVID-19 pandemic also didn ’ t help .
Eleven coalition lists and political parties ran for the parliament and elections are being monitored by 21 international observers and monitors from local NGOs .
The Democratic Party of Socialists , DPS , has held power for the past three decades , leading Montenegro through the breakup of federal Yugoslavia in the 1990s and the demise of an almost century-old state union with Serbia in 2006 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on August 31st , the pro-Western DPS of President Milo Djukanovic is leading with 34.7 % of the vote , followed by the opposition For the Future of Montenegro alliance with 33.1 % .
The opposition alliance is a formally pro-Serbia and pro-Russian party , but rather it seeks to provide independent foreign and internal policies , not based on orders from ‘ Euro-Atlantic partners ’ .
The only difference is that Djukanovic is pro-Western , and worked toward integration into the EU and NATO , and as such there is no way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tyrant according to the mainstream narrative .
Montenegro ’ s longstanding President Milo Djukanovic said that his Democratic Party of Socialists has 40 MPs in Montenegrin parliament with their traditional partners , adding that votes are still being counted .
The total MPs in Montenegro ’ s parliament sits at 81 , so he is 1 short of having an actual majority .
Three opposition parties , however , are set to win at least 41 seats , according to preliminary counts .
Leading up to the election , the biggest dispute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religious rights ’ introduced in late 2019 that is staunchly opposed by the influential Serbian Orthodox Church .
The church is concerned the law allows the state to confiscate its property as a prelude to setting up a separate church .
This open secret has been denied by the government .
The Serbian Orthodox Church remains Montenegro ’ s largest religious institution and a third of its population identify as Serb .
Nonetheless , the government prefers to blame Serbia and Russia for the developing crisis .
Of course , according to Djukanovic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to it , a win for the opposition would mean that Montenegro ’ s foreign policy would immediately mean the country has become a Belgrade or Moscow puppet .
By all means it appears that the pro-Western DPS would not have the necessary majority , but it is interesting to track how it would be spun by MSM and Montenegro ’ s foreign allies that the elections , which were heavily monitored by all sides were , ( potentially ) , not as honest as initially advertised .
The stage is set , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections there were car rallies and protesters waving Serbian flags .
Djukanovic , who is no tyrant , but rather a “ custodian of stability ” ( at least according to the NATO and EU ) , has used the chance to stoke fears of threats to Montenegro ’ s sovereignty .
Zdravko Krivokapic , leader of the For the Future of Montenegro alliance , said that he expected “ a new day for Montenegro which will take a different path ” .
Of course , the vote has some questionable points , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Centre for Democratic Transition , CDT , recorded accusations of vote buying and political pressure on voters .
The Centre for Monitoring and Research , CEMI , said that in polling stations in the capital Podgorica and in the town of Rozaje , voters were caught photographing their ballots .
Leading up to the elections , on August 23rd , a large rally took place with Orthodox faithful protesting against the “ persecution of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
” Zdravko Krivokapic addressed the crowd , and despite authorities ’ best attempts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inevitable ; we are righting for the future of all citizens of Montenegro , and August 30 will be our victory day , ” he told the crowd .
Police opened criminal cases against Krivokapic , five priests and two other citizens for violating the ban on mass gatherings due to the pandemic .
This was an expected move , which went fully in the framework of Djukanovic ’ s policy towards the opposition and the Serbian Orthodox Church .
Despite the public rhetoric about some constructive position towards the situation , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ censorship technics designed to suppress any resistance to its course .
It labels the opponents as foreign puppets ( Serbian or Russian ) and claim that they want to divert the ‘ European course ’ of Montenegro .
As a part of these efforts , the government has been conducting its wide-scale campaign against the Serbian Orthodox Church , as one of the cornerstones of the conservative Montenegrin society that does not support the ongoing neo-liberal transition .
Earlier , Djukanovic ’ s counterparts from Ukraine already did same by creating the US-backed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This led to the deepening of the social and political crisis in the country .
The pseudo-church organization created in Ukraine gained no real support among the population , but this was enough to allow the Kiev regime to indict a new wave of religious hatred and religious-based persecutions .
The Montenegrin leadership apparently wants to repeat the Ukrainian case in order to tighten the screws on all forces that it sees as an opposition to its own power and the policy , which it provides in interests of the Euro-Atlantic elites .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Resistance To Attemtps To Destroy Canonic Orthodox Church In Montenegro

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On August 30th, Montenegro went into general elections, which has come following months of conflicts about national identity and religious values. The COVID-19 pandemic also didn’t help.
Eleven coalition lists and political parties ran for the parliament and elections are being monitored by 21 international observers and monitors from local NGOs.
The Democratic Party of Socialists, DPS, has held power for the past three decades, leading Montenegro through the breakup of federal Yugoslavia in the 1990s and the demise of an almost century-old state union with Serbia in 2006.
As of non-final count from the morning on August 31st, the pro-Western DPS of President Milo Djukanovic is leading with 34.7% of the vote, followed by the opposition For the Future of Montenegro alliance with 33.1%.
The opposition alliance is a formally pro-Serbia and pro-Russian party, but rather it seeks to provide independent foreign and internal policies, not based on orders from ‘Euro-Atlantic partners’.
It should be mentioned that the “Last European Dictator” as they call Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, isn’t exactly that, as Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic has been leading Montenegro for 30 years, and much by the same means that Lukashenko is accused by in MSM.
The only difference is that Djukanovic is pro-Western, and worked toward integration into the EU and NATO, and as such there is no way that he can be even remotely considered a tyrant according to the mainstream narrative.
Montenegro’s longstanding President Milo Djukanovic said that his Democratic Party of Socialists has 40 MPs in Montenegrin parliament with their traditional partners, adding that votes are still being counted.
“Struggling for a majority in parliament is going on, and then we will wait for the results of State Electoral Commission,” he said.
The total MPs in Montenegro’s parliament sits at 81, so he is 1 short of having an actual majority.
Three opposition parties, however, are set to win at least 41 seats, according to preliminary counts.
Leading up to the election, the biggest dispute was related to the law on ‘religious rights’ introduced in late 2019 that is staunchly opposed by the influential Serbian Orthodox Church.
The church is concerned the law allows the state to confiscate its property as a prelude to setting up a separate church. This open secret has been denied by the government.
The Serbian Orthodox Church remains Montenegro’s largest religious institution and a third of its population identify as Serb. Nonetheless, the government prefers to blame Serbia and Russia for the developing crisis.
Ljubomir Filipovic, a policy analyst and former mayor of Budva, said the protests held in the country “all have to do with the church, with inter-ethnic tensions, with the divisive media campaign coming from Serbia, Russia and [Bosnia’s Serb-run entity] Republika Srpska in the last couple of months.”
Of course, according to Djukanovic’s Party and media structures loyal to it, a win for the opposition would mean that Montenegro’s foreign policy would immediately mean the country has become a Belgrade or Moscow puppet.
“We would have a problem with the recognition of Kosovo, with our NATO membership and of course the very existence of the independent state of Montenegro is in question,” Filipovic said. “Not only once, the main parties in the opposition have questioned the rationale for Montenegrin independence.”
By all means it appears that the pro-Western DPS would not have the necessary majority, but it is interesting to track how it would be spun by MSM and Montenegro’s foreign allies that the elections, which were heavily monitored by all sides were, (potentially), not as honest as initially advertised.
The stage is set, more or less, prior to the elections there were car rallies and protesters waving Serbian flags.
Djukanovic, who is no tyrant, but rather a “custodian of stability” (at least according to the NATO and EU), has used the chance to stoke fears of threats to Montenegro’s sovereignty.
The opposition parties are “the political infantry of Greater Serbia nationalism,” he said recently, referring to a Serb ultra-nationalist dream to unite all parts of the Balkans to form a Greater Serbia.
Zdravko Krivokapic, leader of the For the Future of Montenegro alliance, said that he expected “a new day for Montenegro which will take a different path”.
Krivokapic said his grouping wants to unite a divided nation and “distribute this wealth we have equally for all”.
Of course, the vote has some questionable points, with more than 770 irregularities reported.
The Centre for Democratic Transition, CDT, recorded accusations of vote buying and political pressure on voters. The Centre for Monitoring and Research, CEMI, said that in polling stations in the capital Podgorica and in the town of Rozaje, voters were caught photographing their ballots.
Leading up to the elections, on August 23rd, a large rally took place with Orthodox faithful protesting against the “persecution of the Serbian Orthodox Church.”
Zdravko Krivokapic addressed the crowd, and despite authorities’ best attempts, he said that “Our victory is inevitable; we are righting for the future of all citizens of Montenegro, and August 30 will be our victory day,” he told the crowd.
“Let prayer unite us,” he said, after which the crowd prayed the Lord’s Prayer together.
Police opened criminal cases against Krivokapic, five priests and two other citizens for violating the ban on mass gatherings due to the pandemic. This was an expected move, which went fully in the framework of Djukanovic’s policy towards the opposition and the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Despite the public rhetoric about some constructive position towards the situation, the Djukanovic has been employing a variety of censorship technics designed to suppress any resistance to its course. It labels the opponents as foreign puppets (Serbian or Russian) and claim that they want to divert the ‘European course’ of Montenegro. As a part of these efforts, the government has been conducting its wide-scale campaign against the Serbian Orthodox Church, as one of the cornerstones of the conservative Montenegrin society that does not support the ongoing neo-liberal transition.
Earlier, Djukanovic’s counterparts from Ukraine already did same by creating the US-backed ‘independent’ Ukrainian Orthodox Church. This led to the deepening of the social and political crisis in the country. The pseudo-church organization created in Ukraine gained no real support among the population, but this was enough to allow the Kiev regime to indict a new wave of religious hatred and religious-based persecutions.
The Montenegrin leadership apparently wants to repeat the Ukrainian case in order to tighten the screws on all forces that it sees as an opposition to its own power and the policy, which it provides in interests of the Euro-Atlantic elites.
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southfront--2020-08-31--Military Situation In Syria On August 31, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments Syria : • Russian warplanes targeted Turkish-backed @ @ @ @ @ village of Sheikh Bahr ; • 4 Syrian Democratic Forces ( SDF ) members were @ @ @ @ @ conducted by a Turkish drone near the town of Ain Issa ; • The US-led @ @ @ @ @ weapons and logistical aid to Al-Shaddadi military base ; • According to pro-rebel sources , @ @ @ @ @ of missiles towards the Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) positions in the town of @ @ @ @ @ shelling on its forces in the Conoco area ; • A civilian was killed and @ @ @ @ @ a result of a mine explosion in the city of Salamiyah .
MORE ON THE @ @

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A brief overview of the recent developments Syria:
Large Turkish military convoy entered Greater Idlib via Kafr Lusin crossing;
Russian warplanes targeted Turkish-backed militants’ positions near the village of Sheikh Bahr;
4 Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) members were killed in an air strike conducted by a Turkish drone near the town of Ain Issa;
The US-led coalition sent a convoy of weapons and logistical aid to Al-Shaddadi military base;
According to pro-rebel sources, US-led coalition fired a number of missiles towards the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) positions in the town of Khasham in response to the shelling on its forces in the Conoco area;
A civilian was killed and 15 others were wounded as a result of a mine explosion in the city of Salamiyah.
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southfront--2020-08-31--New Ukrainian Special Forces Commander Attempted To Defect To Donetsk’s Side

On August 25th , the Ukrainian Special Forces Commander was replaced by Grigory Galagan .
Galagan is known for his attempt , in 2014 , to defect to the side of the Donetsk People ’ s Republic ( DPR ) .
This was announced reported by the Telegram-channel WarGonzo , citing sources in the intelligence services of the DPR .
It is noted that Galagan himself proposed his candidacy to an influential DPR militia commander , whom he approached through his contacts in the Crimean “ Alpha Group ” ( a branch of the Security Service of Ukraine ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he served as a sniper until the referendum on the reunification of the peninsula with Russia , after which he left for Kiev .
The details of the transition of the new head of the elite Ukrainian special forces to the side of the DPR were supposed to be discussed at a personal meeting , which was to take place in Istanbul .
After the breakdown of negotiations , Galagan , who was considered one of the best snipers in the CIS in the professional community , began to hunt for high-ranking Crimean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the reported continued .
Ukrainian Volodymyr Zelensky made Galagan commander of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on August 25th .
Prior to appointing Galagan , Zelensky dismissed Igor Lunev from this position .
Major General Lunev was appointed Commander of the Special Operations Forces ( MTR ) in January 2016 .
The Ukrainian leader explained this appointment by a change in the tasks of the Joint Forces Operation ( JFO ) in the context of the ceasefire in Eastern Ukraine .
Zelensky also drew attention to the need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emerging challenges and adequately respond to provocative steps by the enemy .
Among the measures that the new special forces commander still has to take , Zelensky called the continued development of all components of the Special Operations Forces .
As such , the new more-aggressive posture makes no sense at all in view of the ceasefire , but it is showing far Kiev plans to adhere to it .
After all , approximately a month passed and Zelensky already claims that “ provocations ” are expected from the DPR and LPR , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions would need to be carried out by Kiev , “ in response.
” Apparently , the potential defector was the best candidate among those that Ukraine has to appoint for such a responsible position in these conditions .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Chronicles Of Ukrainain Democracy : Member Of Ternopil Regional Council Calls To Hang Jews • Defending Ukrainian Democracy By Shooting And Kidnapping The Opposition And Burning Homes • Chronicles Of Ceasefire : Drugs At Frontline And Clouds Over Party Of War

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On August 25th, the Ukrainian Special Forces Commander was replaced by Grigory Galagan.
Galagan is known for his attempt, in 2014, to defect to the side of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR).
This was announced reported by the Telegram-channel WarGonzo, citing sources in the intelligence services of the DPR.
It is noted that Galagan himself proposed his candidacy to an influential DPR militia commander, whom he approached through his contacts in the Crimean “Alpha Group” (a branch of the Security Service of Ukraine), where he served till 2014.
There he served as a sniper until the referendum on the reunification of the peninsula with Russia, after which he left for Kiev.
The details of the transition of the new head of the elite Ukrainian special forces to the side of the DPR were supposed to be discussed at a personal meeting, which was to take place in Istanbul.
“The negotiations broke down because of the sum requested by Galagan, which he demanded as a reward. It was unreasonable,” the cited source claimed.
After the breakdown of negotiations, Galagan, who was considered one of the best snipers in the CIS in the professional community, began to hunt for high-ranking Crimean volunteers who fought in Eastern Ukraine, the reported continued.
Ukrainian Volodymyr Zelensky made Galagan commander of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on August 25th. Prior to appointing Galagan, Zelensky dismissed Igor Lunev from this position.
Major General Lunev was appointed Commander of the Special Operations Forces (MTR) in January 2016.
The Ukrainian leader explained this appointment by a change in the tasks of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) in the context of the ceasefire in Eastern Ukraine.
“There will be more provocations from pro-Russian militants, therefore both the command and the personnel of the Special Operations Forces must work more to prevent them and prevent them,” Zelensky explained.
Zelensky also drew attention to the need to introduce more aggressive measures to counter emerging challenges and adequately respond to provocative steps by the enemy.
Among the measures that the new special forces commander still has to take, Zelensky called the continued development of all components of the Special Operations Forces.
As such, the new more-aggressive posture makes no sense at all in view of the ceasefire, but it is showing far Kiev plans to adhere to it.
After all, approximately a month passed and Zelensky already claims that “provocations” are expected from the DPR and LPR, and at the same time more aggressive actions would need to be carried out by Kiev, “in response.” Apparently, the potential defector was the best candidate among those that Ukraine has to appoint for such a responsible position in these conditions.
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southfront--2020-08-31--Trump Slams “Do Nothing Democrat Mayor Of Portland” After Wheeler Blames President For Violence

President Trump has slammed Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler , who placed the blame for nationwide violence squarely on the president ’ s shoulders on Sunday following the Saturday night killing of a Trump supporter on the streets of Portland .
“ Ted Wheeler , the wacky Radical Left Do Nothing Democrat Mayor of Portland , who has watched great death and destruction of his City during his tenure , thinks this lawless situation should go on forever , ” Trump tweeted on Sunday – adding “ He tried mixing with the Agitators and Anarchists and they mocked him.
” When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence gripping Portland , the mayor suggested that he ’ ll be pushing for criminal justice reform – which will be accomplished by “ Re-imagining what local policing can look like.
” Trump has paid his respects to the deceased , Jay Bishop .
Joe Biden ’ s handlers have crafted a carefully written condemnation following the Portland shooting – which essentially boils down to “ violence is bad.
” “ I condemn violence of every kind by anyone , whether on the left or the right .
And I challenge Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the statement , which continues : “ We must not become a country at war with ourselves.
” Biden ’ s staff then took aim at President Trump , writing “ The job of a President is to lower the temperature .
To bring people who disagree with one another together .
To make life better for all Americans , not just those who agree with us , support us , or vote for us.
” The former VP must have missed that ‘ all Americans ’ were enjoying the best economy in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7 million jobs had been created , minority unemployment hit all-time lows , women ’ s unemployment hit a 65-year low , the stock market hit record highs , and the poverty rate fell to a 17-year low .
Life better for all Americans until the pandemic hit .
Also on Sunday , reported that Biden is going to pass on visiting Kenosha , Wisconsin on Monday despite the fact that he is expected to travel .
President Trump is scheduled to visit the riot-stricken city on Tuesday .
The shooter in Portland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at large .
An alleged Trump supporter was shot dead in Portland late on Saturday as protesters from rival groups clashed in the northwest U.S. city , which has seen frequent demonstrations for months that have at times turned violent .
Sounds of gunfire were heard in the area of Southeast 3rd Avenue and Southwest Alder Street , according to the spokesman ’ s statement .
Police said in statements that both the death and protest violence occurred in downtown Portland .
However , they did not immediately link the shooting death to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were not currently releasing suspect information .
The New York Times and the Oregonian newspapers reported that a large group of supporters of President Donald Trump had traveled in a caravan through downtown Portland , with a pro-Trump gathering drawing hundreds of trucks full of supporters into the city .
The Times cited two unidentified witnesses as saying a small group of people got into an argument with other people in a vehicle and someone opened fire .
The man who was shot and killed was wearing a hat with the insignia of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Portland that has clashed with protesters in the past , according to the New York Times .
Reuters could not independently verify this .
When asked by Reuters if the shooting was related to clashes between rival protesters in the same area , the spokesman said “ it is too early in the investigation to draw those kinds of conclusions ” .
Meanwhile , Twitter is labeling this advertisement ‘ manipulated media.
’ ( 1220ET ) : New footage has emerged suggesting that the shooter may have been in a vehicle .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ celebrating the man ’ s death : A large effort is underway to identify the shooter , which – if he ’ s the man in the below clip ( unconfirmed ) , was misidentified as a black male earlier in the evening .
Meanwhile , Twitter is full of hot takes and condolences : Meanwhile , “ We burn them the fuck down ” A man was shot in the chest and killed in downtown Portland Saturday night as violence broke out across the city between a participants in a pro-Trump caravan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups , including Antifa .
Police are investigating the incident which occurred at around 8:45 p.m. when officers responded to the sound of gunfire .
According to , police found “ camouflage gear with infidel and thin blue line patches , which commonly indicate support for law enforcement , while the reports that he was “ wearing a hat with the insignia of Patriot Prayer , ” a right-wing group which has had frequent altercations with Antifa over the past several years .
Patriot Prayer founder Joey Gibson showed up to the scene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chased down the street by orotesters .
Gibson took refuge in a gas station .
Earlier in the day , pro-Trump supporters and left-wing protesters squared off .
At one point , a man reportedly filming the license plates of conservative attendees was beaten .
As he falls , you can see his arms fly straight forward in the ‘ fencing response , ’ suggesting possible brain damage .
He was later interviewed speaking coherently , however .

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Originally appeared at ZeroHedge
President Trump has slammed Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, who placed the blame for nationwide violence squarely on the president’s shoulders on Sunday following the Saturday night killing of a Trump supporter on the streets of Portland.
“Ted Wheeler, the wacky Radical Left Do Nothing Democrat Mayor of Portland, who has watched great death and destruction of his City during his tenure, thinks this lawless situation should go on forever,” Trump tweeted on Sunday – adding “He tried mixing with the Agitators and Anarchists and they mocked him.”
….He tried mixing with the Agitators and Anarchists and they mocked him. He would like to blame me and the Federal Government for going in, but he hasn’t seen anything yet. We have only been there with a small group to defend our U.S. Courthouse, because he couldn’t do it…. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 30, 2020
..The people of Portland, like all other cities & parts of our great Country, want Law & Order. The Radical Left Democrat Mayors, like the dummy running Portland, or the guy right now in his basement unwilling to lead or even speak out against crime, will never be able to do it! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 30, 2020
Earlier Sunday, Wheeler blamed Trump for the violence.
Ted Wheeler has blood on his hands. He decided to play politics and refused @realDonaldTrump's offer to send the National Guard to end the riots and now an innocent Trump supporter is dead at the hands of the radical leftwing mob because of it. He's a disgrace!!! https://t.co/3PDkiOxfhT — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) August 30, 2020
When asked what his solution is to the violence gripping Portland, the mayor suggested that he’ll be pushing for criminal justice reform – which will be accomplished by “Re-imagining what local policing can look like.”
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler is asked what he's going to do to prevent more violence. He says to continue pushing criminal justice reform and redirecting some police funding to other purposes. Big job: 'Re-imagining what local policing can look like.' — Byron York (@ByronYork) August 30, 2020
Meanwhile…
Trump has paid his respects to the deceased, Jay Bishop.
Rest In Peace Jay! https://t.co/j6FYxIygmh — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 30, 2020
* * *
Update (1620ET): Joe Biden’s handlers have crafted a carefully written condemnation following the Portland shooting – which essentially boils down to “violence is bad.”
“I condemn violence of every kind by anyone, whether on the left or the right. And I challenge Donald Trump to do the same,” reads the statement, which continues: “We must not become a country at war with ourselves.”
Biden’s staff then took aim at President Trump, writing “The job of a President is to lower the temperature. To bring people who disagree with one another together. To make life better for all Americans, not just those who agree with us, support us, or vote for us.”
Biden’s statement places zero percent of the blame on Antifa, BLM, or even the shooter himself and puts all of the blame on Trump and conservatives. This is cowardly, cynical, reckless, and it reveals all of that “Biden is such a decent guy” stuff to be pure bullshit. https://t.co/qtkGCd8RpQ — Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) August 30, 2020
The former VP must have missed that ‘all Americans’ were enjoying the best economy in decades before the pandemic hit. Over 7 million jobs had been created, minority unemployment hit all-time lows, women’s unemployment hit a 65-year low, the stock market hit record highs, and the poverty rate fell to a 17-year low.
Life was better for all Americans until the pandemic hit.
The left has cheered Biden’s condemnation.
For Biden, this condemnation of violence on all sides comes naturally and sincerely. For Trump, it’s inevitably one-sided except when he’s being blatantly hypocritical. https://t.co/j3XuQ0nq55 — Laurence Tribe (@tribelaw) August 30, 2020
Read Biden’s statement below:
The deadly violence we saw overnight in Portland is unacceptable. Shooting in the streets of a great American city is unacceptable. I condemn violence of every kind by anyone, whether on the left or the right. And I challenge Donald Trump to do the same. https://t.co/JRuI7ya2Wv — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 30, 2020
Biden releases statement on killing in Portland: pic.twitter.com/oq8ed0viAP — Byron York (@ByronYork) August 30, 2020
Meanwhile..
Our great National Guard could solve these problems in less than 1 hour. Local authorities must ask before it is too late. People of Portland, and other Democrat run cities, are disgusted with Schumer, Pelosi, and thier local “leaders”. They want Law & Order! https://t.co/f6LOKcf7BU — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 30, 2020
Also on Sunday, Politico reported that Biden is going to pass on visiting Kenosha, Wisconsin on Monday despite the fact that he is expected to travel. President Trump is scheduled to visit the riot-stricken city on Tuesday.
The thinking, according to these people, is that Trump’s trip to Kenosha could backfire on the president. The Biden campaign is ramping up its messaging that the unrest in the city and elsewhere is an outgrowth of the president’s rhetoric that inflames racial tensions.
Trump announced a trip to Kenosha as he attempted to claim credit for calm on the streets of Kenosha after he made a call to bring in the National Guard. “Success: Since the National Guard moved into Kenosha, Wisconsin, two days ago, there has been NO FURTHER VIOLENCE, not even a small problem,” Trump tweeted on Friday. “When legally asked to help by local authorities, the Federal Government will act and quickly succeed. Are you listening Portland?” –Politico
The shooter in Portland’s Saturday night murder is still at large.
* * *
Summary:
An alleged Trump supporter was shot dead in Portland late on Saturday as protesters from rival groups clashed in the northwest U.S. city, which has seen frequent demonstrations for months that have at times turned violent. Sounds of gunfire were heard in the area of Southeast 3rd Avenue and Southwest Alder Street, according to the spokesman’s statement.
Police said in statements that both the death and protest violence occurred in downtown Portland. However, they did not immediately link the shooting death to the protests.
“(Police) responded and located a victim with a gunshot wound to the chest. Medical responded and determined that the victim was deceased,” a Portland police spokesman said in an emailed statement. A Homicide Investigation is underway.”
The police said they were not currently releasing suspect information.
The New York Times and the Oregonian newspapers reported that a large group of supporters of President Donald Trump had traveled in a caravan through downtown Portland, with a pro-Trump gathering drawing hundreds of trucks full of supporters into the city. The Times cited two unidentified witnesses as saying a small group of people got into an argument with other people in a vehicle and someone opened fire.
The man who was shot and killed was wearing a hat with the insignia of Patriot Prayer, a far-right group based in Portland that has clashed with protesters in the past, according to the New York Times. Reuters could not independently verify this.
When asked by Reuters if the shooting was related to clashes between rival protesters in the same area, the spokesman said “it is too early in the investigation to draw those kinds of conclusions”.
Meanwhile, Twitter is labeling this advertisement ‘manipulated media.’
* * *
Update (1220ET): New footage has emerged suggesting that the shooter may have been in a vehicle.
New never before seen footage of the shooting of the Trump supporter in Portland, Oregon on August 29. pic.twitter.com/6QQzZOjWJq — Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) August 30, 2020
* * *
Update: (0300ET): Portland protesters are now celebrating the man’s death:
“I am not sad that a f**king fascist died tonight,” yells a female Antifa militant at a gathering in downtown Portland. The crowd laughs and cheers. The victim was a Trump supporter. pic.twitter.com/XK4Czzseia — Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) August 30, 2020
Black Lives Matter protesters and Antifa are cheering on the murder of a Trump supporter tonight in Portland. "Our community held its own and took out the trash." pic.twitter.com/9rJjBlwL1s — Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) August 30, 2020
A large effort is underway to identify the shooter, which – if he’s the man in the below clip (unconfirmed), was misidentified as a black male earlier in the evening.
Portland shooter is 100% part of BLM/Antifa. He's all over the video 7-8 mins earlier next to the bullhorn guy. White kid in sandals talking to a girl in a striped dress. He said to her "Hey, I hope I didn't scare you earlier." 3 mins before he shoots the Trump supporter. pic.twitter.com/tH4Lx0hfGi — Dataracer (@Dataracer117) August 30, 2020
Meanwhile, Twitter is full of hot takes and condolences:
I’m at a loss for words. Antifa killed my friend in Portland tonight. I’m heartbroken. Completely devastated. I have nothing left to say. — Katie Daviscourt?? (@KatieDaviscourt) August 30, 2020
Will social media platforms ban all of BLM / Antifa from its platform now? If the Proud Boys meet Facebook's "dangerous individuals and organizations" policy, what about a movement that just openly incited murder? — Allum Bokhari (@LibertarianBlue) August 30, 2020
A Trump supporter was murdered tonight in Portland. No one will riot in his name or donate millions to his family because he wasn't shot by the police while resisting arrest. Instead he is being smeared as a white supremacist, an extremist, and a terrorist, for being killed. — Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) August 30, 2020
Meanwhile, “We burn them the fuck down”
BLM leader: “I want to to put these police in a f—ing grave … I want to f—ing burn the White House down… I f—k police up in New York, I f—k police up in DC”pic.twitter.com/x2Defrrxar — Marina Medvin ?? (@MarinaMedvin) August 30, 2020
Live cams:
* * *
A man was shot in the chest and killed in downtown Portland Saturday night as violence broke out across the city between a participants in a pro-Trump caravan and a protest organized by several opposing groups, including Antifa.
Police are investigating the incident which occurred at around 8:45 p.m. when officers responded to the sound of gunfire.
According to The Oregonian, police found “camouflage gear with infidel and thin blue line patches, which commonly indicate support for law enforcement, while the New York Times reports that he was “wearing a hat with the insignia of Patriot Prayer,” a right-wing group which has had frequent altercations with Antifa over the past several years.
(Real) Medics tried to save the shooting victim in downtown Portland. It is a white male contrary to what antifa journalists and accounts said about it being a black victim. pic.twitter.com/jzE2ffqN73 — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) August 30, 2020
Patriot Prayer founder Joey Gibson showed up to the scene of the shooting, and was promptly chased down the street by orotesters. Gibson took refuge in a gas station.
Joey Gibson showed up pic.twitter.com/UoY9zvwlLJ — Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) August 30, 2020
Gibson has gone into a local gas station, protestors try to open the doors pic.twitter.com/Nb3d3iIsOA — Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) August 30, 2020
Police eventually cleared the scene.
Police move and move protestors away from the gas station pic.twitter.com/FJNnewoXcm — Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) August 30, 2020
Earlier in the day, pro-Trump supporters and left-wing protesters squared off. At one point, a man reportedly filming the license plates of conservative attendees was beaten. As he falls, you can see his arms fly straight forward in the ‘fencing response,’ suggesting possible brain damage. He was later interviewed speaking coherently, however.
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southfront--2020-08-31--Egyptian Military Killed At Least 70 Militants In Norther Sinai Over 6 Weeks

Egypt ’ s military has killed at least 70 terrorists in Norther Sinai over the last 6 weeks , it said on August 31st .
A statement by the Egyptian army said that the operations had targeted alleged “ homes of terrorists ” and “ takfiri elements ” leading to “ the deaths of 73 takfiris in northern Sinai ” between July 22nd and August 30th .
Takfiri is an insulting term used to refer to jihadists .
During the clashes “ three officers and four soldiers were killed or wounded , ” the statement said .
No other details @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February 2018 , Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi ordered the Egyptian military to cleanse North Sinai of terrorists .
The military subsequently announced the launch of wide-ranging counterterrorism measures in the Sinai Peninsula and parts of the Nile Delta and Western Desert .
More than 930 suspected militants have been killed in the region along with dozens of security personnel , according to official figures .
On November 24 , 2017 , the Sufi al-Rawda mosque in the town of Bir al-Abed , North Sinai Governorate , Egypt was attacked by around forty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and bomb attack killed at least 235 people and injured more than 120 , making it the deadliest terrorist attack in Egyptian history .
This attack is the primary reason for el-Sisi ordering the Egyptian military to cleanse the area of North Sinai from jihadists .
Despite killing nearly a thousand terrorists , ISIS continues operating and carrying out attacks in Egypt .
On May 1st , 2020 , ISIL claimed responsibility via its Amaq News Agency for a bombing that killed and wounded several Egyptian Army personnel near the city of Bir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retaliation , Egyptian police managed to kill 18 extremist militants in a raid in northern Sinai Peninsula .
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Egypt’s military has killed at least 70 terrorists in Norther Sinai over the last 6 weeks, it said on August 31st.
A statement by the Egyptian army said that the operations had targeted alleged “homes of terrorists” and “takfiri elements” leading to “the deaths of 73 takfiris in northern Sinai” between July 22nd and August 30th. Takfiri is an insulting term used to refer to jihadists.
During the clashes “three officers and four soldiers were killed or wounded,” the statement said.
No other details of the operation were provided.
In February 2018, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi ordered the Egyptian military to cleanse North Sinai of terrorists.
The military subsequently announced the launch of wide-ranging counterterrorism measures in the Sinai Peninsula and parts of the Nile Delta and Western Desert.
More than 930 suspected militants have been killed in the region along with dozens of security personnel, according to official figures.
On November 24, 2017, the Sufi al-Rawda mosque in the town of Bir al-Abed, North Sinai Governorate, Egypt was attacked by around forty gunmen during Friday prayers. The gun and bomb attack killed at least 235 people and injured more than 120, making it the deadliest terrorist attack in Egyptian history.
This attack is the primary reason for el-Sisi ordering the Egyptian military to cleanse the area of North Sinai from jihadists.
Despite killing nearly a thousand terrorists, ISIS continues operating and carrying out attacks in Egypt.
On May 1st, 2020, ISIL claimed responsibility via its Amaq News Agency for a bombing that killed and wounded several Egyptian Army personnel near the city of Bir al-Abd in North Sinai Governorate.
In retaliation, Egyptian police managed to kill 18 extremist militants in a raid in northern Sinai Peninsula.
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southfront--2020-08-31--Last Day Until The End Of August

Last Day Until The End Of August

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