southfront--2020-07-17--Russian Hackers Out Of Quarantine: Tried To Interfere In UK 2019 Election, Steal COVID-19 Vaccine

On July 16th , UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said that Russia “ almost certainly ” attempted to interfere in the 2019 UK elections .
This was made in a written statement to UK parliament on Cyber Security .
“ On the basis of extensive analysis , the Government has concluded that it is almost certain that Russian actors sought to interfere in the 2019 General Election through the online amplification of illicitly acquired and leaked Government documents .
The UK will continue to call out and respond to malign activity , including any attempts to interfere in our democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We fully support the recent action taken by our German partners who exposed Russian responsibility for the hack of their Parliament in 2015 as well as their intention to act against those responsible under the cyber sanctions regime .
The UK Government laid the statutory instrument for our own cyber sanctions regime on 17 June.
” But no sanctions will be imposed now , however , the UK government reserves its right to respond with appropriate measures in the future .
The most significant part is something different – while there is absolutely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place , and Dominic Raab admits it , there is simply no doubt that it happened .
Additionally , Russian spies are targeting organizations trying to develop a coronavirus vaccine in the UK , US and Canada .
The UK ’ s National Cyber Security Centre ( NCSC ) said the hackers “ almost certainly ” operated as “ part of Russian intelligence services ” .
It didn ’ t specifically say which organization had been targeted , but said that attempts at a vaccine were untouched .
The warning was published by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canadian Communication Security Establishment ( CSE ) , the United States Department for Homeland Security ( DHS ) Cyber-security Infrastructure Security Agency ( CISA ) , and the US ’ NSA .
“ This report details recent Tactics , Techniques and Procedures ( TTPs ) of the group commonly known as ‘ APT29 ’ , also known as ‘ the Dukes ’ or ‘ Cozy Bear ’ .
The United Kingdom ’ s National Cyber Security Centre ( NCSC ) and Canada ’ s Communications Security Establishment ( CSE ) assess that APT29 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ or ‘ Cozy Bear ’ ) is a cyber espionage group , almost certainly part of the Russian intelligence services .
The United States ’ National Security Agency ( NSA ) agrees with this attribution and the details provided in this report.
” The overview describes the alleged tactics used such as malware and other methods .
[ pdf ] MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Trump Calls Bounties On U.S .
Soldiers “ Hoax ” As Russian Hysteria Spins Out Of Control • Russian Hysteria 2.0 : Both Primary US Candidates @ @ @

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On July 16th, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said that Russia “almost certainly” attempted to interfere in the 2019 UK elections.
This was made in a written statement to UK parliament on Cyber Security.
“On the basis of extensive analysis, the Government has concluded that it is almost certain that Russian actors sought to interfere in the 2019 General Election through the online amplification of illicitly acquired and leaked Government documents. … The UK will continue to call out and respond to malign activity, including any attempts to interfere in our democratic processes, alongside our international partners. We fully support the recent action taken by our German partners who exposed Russian responsibility for the hack of their Parliament in 2015 as well as their intention to act against those responsible under the cyber sanctions regime. The UK Government laid the statutory instrument for our own cyber sanctions regime on 17 June.”
But no sanctions will be imposed now, however, the UK government reserves its right to respond with appropriate measures in the future.
The most significant part is something different – while there is absolutely no evidence that such a campaign took place, and Dominic Raab admits it, there is simply no doubt that it happened.
“Whilst there is no evidence of a broad spectrum Russian campaign against the General Election, any attempt to interfere in our democratic processes is completely unacceptable. It is, and will always be, an absolute priority to protect our democracy and elections.”
Additionally, Russian spies are targeting organizations trying to develop a coronavirus vaccine in the UK, US and Canada.
The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) said the hackers “almost certainly” operated as “part of Russian intelligence services”.
It didn’t specifically say which organization had been targeted, but said that attempts at a vaccine were untouched.
The warning was published by the UK’s NCSC, the Canadian Communication Security Establishment (CSE), the United States Department for Homeland Security (DHS) Cyber-security Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and the US’ NSA.
“This report details recent Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) of the group commonly known as ‘APT29’, also known as ‘the Dukes’ or ‘Cozy Bear’.
…
The United Kingdom’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and Canada’s Communications Security Establishment (CSE) assess that APT29 (also known as ‘the Dukes’ or ‘Cozy Bear’) is a cyber espionage group, almost certainly part of the Russian intelligence services. The United States’ National Security Agency (NSA) agrees with this attribution and the details provided in this report.”
The overview describes the alleged tactics used such as malware and other methods. [pdf]
Russia denied responsibility.
“We do not have information about who may have hacked into pharmaceutical companies and research centres in Great Britain. We can say one thing – Russia has nothing at all to do with these attempts,” said Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson.
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southfront--2020-07-17--F-15EX Multirole Strike Fighter (Infographics)

This does not inspire confidence in the F35 does it ?
The all singing all dancing wonder machine is causing such a headache for the USAF because it is a hangar-bitch .
They can ’ t get the thing in air for long enough to be a competent system .
They need planes in the air and more of them but have no confidence in the ability of the F35 either now or the foreseeable future to meet that demand so have instead opted for a 60 year old design which was first produced in 1972 Not that they seem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if it carries a special ejection rack allowing it to carry 22 air to air missiles !
Really ?
Why would you need to carry 22 missiles into a dogfight in the modern era unless you expect 18 of them or so to miss The only conceivable reason is to be a response to the Russian Su 57-Okhotnik drone system but I don ’ t know how .
Whilst the starting price looks quite large it will tumble significantly to an acceptable price for the USAF but its still going to be somewhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pop with a very high maintenance cost Russia could sell them 2 Su30 for the same cost but that wouldn ’ t look good would it

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On July 13, the US Air Force officially placed an order for its first batch of F-15EX jets. The contract signed with Boeing as the main contractor puts a ceiling value for the entire program close to $23 billion. The first delivery order (the value is about $1.2 billion) covers the delivery of eight F-15EX jets as well as support and one-time, upfront engineering costs.
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southfront--2020-07-17--Beriev Be-200 Multirole Amphibious Aircraft (Infographics)

It ’ s specific designed for that role and the most modern as well !
All others are fairly ancient @ @ @ @ @ stuff and/or converted old junkers .

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The Beriev Be-200 is a multirole amphibious aircraft designed and built by the Beriev Aircraft Company.
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southfront--2020-07-17--No Sympathy For The Devil? Iranian Media Speculates About Cause Of Fire On US Warship

After extensive Western media conjecture about a long series of suspicious fires and incidents in Iran , Iranian state media is now speculating that the recent fire on a US warship may be the result of an attack by dissidents , or others .
In early July an explosion at a factory south of Tehran killed two people and seriously injured three others .
It was part of a string of deadly fires and explosions that have broken out at military and industrial installations in the country , including the Natanz nuclear facility and a missile assembly plant .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tehran and caused extensive damage to a neighbouring factory , was described as an accident and attributed to human error which caused oxygen tanks stored there to explode .
Several days before the factory fire broke out , an explosion damaged a power plant in the Iranian city of Ahvaz .
Later the same day , the Islamic Republic News Agency reported that a chlorine gas leak at a petrochemical centre in southeast Iran had injured 70 workers .
The week before that , there was an explosion at a medical centre in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an accident and attributed to faulty gas canisters , and an explosion occurred at Iran ’ s Natanz nuclear facility .
The preceding week , a large blast was felt in Tehran , apparently caused by an explosion at the Parchin military complex , believed by Western analysts to be the location of an underground tunnel complex that includes missile production facilities .
The explosion and subsequent fire were blamed on leaking gas tanks Iranian officials eventually admitted that the fire at Natanz caused “ considerable ” damage , after satellite images appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sought to downplay the damage from the blaze , which destroyed an above-ground laboratory used to prepare advanced centrifuges for installation in the underground facilities .
According to a spokesman for Iran ’ s atomic agency , the building was constructed in 2013 .
However , work was suspended at the plant in 2015 pursuant to the JCPOA nuclear deal .
When the United States unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear deal in 2018 operations were renewed .
The spokesman said that the fire had damaged “ precision and measuring instruments ” at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an “ accident ” and the damage caused was dismissed as not substantial , Iranian officials subsequently warned that Iran would weigh its response to “ hostile countries ” if it was determined that they were responsible for the explosion .
Hours after the announcement , Iran ’ s state news agency IRNA published an editorial warning that “ if there are signs of hostile countries crossing Iran ’ s red lines in any way , especially the Zionist regime ( Israel ) and the United States , Iran ’ s strategy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fundamentally reconsidered.
” Western media outlets were quick to feed the rumour mill .
Several contradictory accounts appeared purporting to explain the cause of the fire .
According to a report by the BBC , the fire was set by a group of dissident Iranian officers .
The New York Times quoted an unnamed Middle Eastern intelligence official saying an explosion had taken place as the result of a bomb planted inside the facility .
“ The blast was caused by an explosive device planted inside the facility , ” the Times quoted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much of the aboveground parts of the facility where new centrifuges… are balanced before they are put into operation.
” Asked about reports of the incident at a press conference Thursday evening , Israel ’ s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu brushed aside the question : “ I don ’ t address these issues , ” he said .
In Washington , the State Department said that US officials were “ monitoring reports of a fire at an Iranian nuclear facility.
” It added : “ This incident serves as another reminder of how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misguided nuclear program to the detriment of the Iranian people ’ s needs.
” So it shouldn ’ t be surprising that Iranian media and officials have taken the opportunity to speculate over the cause of the fire at a naval shipyard in San Diego last week .
He was referring to the fire that broke out on the Bonhomme Richard , an amphibious assault ship and light aircraft carrier , as it was anchored at the US Naval base in San Diego on Sunday .
Qa ’ ani – who was assigned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assassinated his predecessor Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike in Baghdad in early January – said both the United States and its regional ally Israel were heading into a period of serious hardship and adversity .
An article posted at Press TV proffered a selection of possible causes of the fire : And so when we explore the possibilities for what may have caused this fire , I think we can rule out an Israeli false flag because if the Israelis had done it , they would have done their best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ship .
They would have waited till it was full and then they would have tried to blow it up or attack it with gunboats like they did with the USS Liberty in 1967 .
So I think the Israelis probably weren ’ t behind this one .
But one never knows .
It ’ s quite possible that this is another Gulf of Tonkin or “ Remember the Maine ” type of incident .
It ’ s conceivable that it will be blamed on a cyberattack from whoever the US wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be Iran , it could be Russia , it could even be China , we don ’ t really know .
This type of mysterious event is perfect for being blamed on a cyberattack because nobody can prove that kind of thing… It ’ s also possible that we ’ re witnessing some kind of civil war within the US military over the violent suppression of the recent Black Lives Matter protests .
It could be angry pro-Black Lives Matter sailors who were behind this , or some pro-BLM faction in the military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposite faction , the angry white nationalist contingent .
The US military is very much divided .
It has a lot of extremist white nationalists , and it also has a disproportionate representation of African Americans .
Unlike almost all other important institutions in American life , African Americans are more or less welcomed and quite well represented in the military .
And so that has led to a situation where the over-representation of white nationalist racists and African Americans in the military has created a situation where there could conceivably be some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and see what the propagandists in the corporate-controlled mainstream media infiltrated by Operation Mockingbird , the CIA media-controlled operation , have to say about this fire , and then from there , we can start to speculate with a little bit more evidence behind us as to what really happened .
LINK It is to be expected that there will be further incidents in the future , both in Iran and elsewhere .
And there will be very little sympathy to be found .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Explosion at Iranian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is gas explosion

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After extensive Western media conjecture about a long series of suspicious fires and incidents in Iran, Iranian state media is now speculating that the recent fire on a US warship may be the result of an attack by dissidents, or others.
In early July an explosion at a factory south of Tehran killed two people and seriously injured three others. It was part of a string of deadly fires and explosions that have broken out at military and industrial installations in the country, including the Natanz nuclear facility and a missile assembly plant.
The explosion, which destroyed a factory in Tehran and caused extensive damage to a neighbouring factory, was described as an accident and attributed to human error which caused oxygen tanks stored there to explode.
Several days before the factory fire broke out, an explosion damaged a power plant in the Iranian city of Ahvaz. Later the same day, the Islamic Republic News Agency reported that a chlorine gas leak at a petrochemical centre in southeast Iran had injured 70 workers.
The week before that, there was an explosion at a medical centre in Teheran, described by Iranian officials as an accident and attributed to faulty gas canisters, and an explosion occurred at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility. The preceding week, a large blast was felt in Tehran, apparently caused by an explosion at the Parchin military complex, believed by Western analysts to be the location of an underground tunnel complex that includes missile production facilities. The explosion and subsequent fire were blamed on leaking gas tanks
Iranian officials eventually admitted that the fire at Natanz caused “considerable” damage, after satellite images appeared revealing widespread devastation. They had previously sought to downplay the damage from the blaze, which destroyed an above-ground laboratory used to prepare advanced centrifuges for installation in the underground facilities.
According to a spokesman for Iran’s atomic agency, the building was constructed in 2013. However, work was suspended at the plant in 2015 pursuant to the JCPOA nuclear deal. When the United States unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear deal in 2018 operations were renewed. The spokesman said that the fire had damaged “precision and measuring instruments” at the facility.
Although the incident was described as an “accident” and the damage caused was dismissed as not substantial, Iranian officials subsequently warned that Iran would weigh its response to “hostile countries” if it was determined that they were responsible for the explosion.
Hours after the announcement, Iran’s state news agency IRNA published an editorial warning that “if there are signs of hostile countries crossing Iran’s red lines in any way, especially the Zionist regime (Israel) and the United States, Iran’s strategy to confront the new situation must be fundamentally reconsidered.”
Western media outlets were quick to feed the rumour mill. Several contradictory accounts appeared purporting to explain the cause of the fire. According to a report by the BBC, the fire was set by a group of dissident Iranian officers.
The New York Times quoted an unnamed Middle Eastern intelligence official saying an explosion had taken place as the result of a bomb planted inside the facility. “The blast was caused by an explosive device planted inside the facility,” the Times quoted the official saying, and “destroyed much of the aboveground parts of the facility where new centrifuges… are balanced before they are put into operation.”
Asked about reports of the incident at a press conference Thursday evening, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu brushed aside the question: “I don’t address these issues,” he said.
In Washington, the State Department said that US officials were “monitoring reports of a fire at an Iranian nuclear facility.” It added: “This incident serves as another reminder of how the Iranian regime continues to prioritize its misguided nuclear program to the detriment of the Iranian people’s needs.”
So it shouldn’t be surprising that Iranian media and officials have taken the opportunity to speculate over the cause of the fire at a naval shipyard in San Diego last week.
Addressing a meeting of senior resistance commanders, Brigadier General Esmail Qa’ani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), urged the Americans “not to waste their time looking for a culprit or levelling accusations against others” over what happened to the navy ship off San Diego. “This is a fire they (Americans) have lit themselves,” he said.
He was referring to the fire that broke out on the Bonhomme Richard, an amphibious assault ship and light aircraft carrier, as it was anchored at the US Naval base in San Diego on Sunday.
Qa’ani – who was assigned to the Quds Force after the US assassinated his predecessor Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike in Baghdad in early January – said both the United States and its regional ally Israel were heading into a period of serious hardship and adversity.
“You are still experiencing your halcyon days. You have very tough days and occurrences ahead of you.” He further noted that the US military has turned into a “tired and decrepit” force, and its equipment has degraded into “scrap iron”, adding that Washington has to accept its dire conditions and stop oppressing the humanity and its own people. LINK
An article posted at Press TV proffered a selection of possible causes of the fire:
And so when we explore the possibilities for what may have caused this fire, I think we can rule out an Israeli false flag because if the Israelis had done it, they would have done their best to murder all 1000 sailors assigned to the ship. They would have waited till it was full and then they would have tried to blow it up or attack it with gunboats like they did with the USS Liberty in 1967. So I think the Israelis probably weren’t behind this one. But one never knows. It’s quite possible that this is another Gulf of Tonkin or “Remember the Maine” type of incident. It’s conceivable that it will be blamed on a cyberattack from whoever the US wants to escalate against. That easily could be Iran, it could be Russia, it could even be China, we don’t really know. This type of mysterious event is perfect for being blamed on a cyberattack because nobody can prove that kind of thing… It’s also possible that we’re witnessing some kind of civil war within the US military over the violent suppression of the recent Black Lives Matter protests. It could be angry pro-Black Lives Matter sailors who were behind this, or some pro-BLM faction in the military, or it could have been the opposite faction, the angry white nationalist contingent. The US military is very much divided. It has a lot of extremist white nationalists, and it also has a disproportionate representation of African Americans. Unlike almost all other important institutions in American life, African Americans are more or less welcomed and quite well represented in the military. And so that has led to a situation where the over-representation of white nationalist racists and African Americans in the military has created a situation where there could conceivably be some conflict. So we’ll wait and see what the propagandists in the corporate-controlled mainstream media infiltrated by Operation Mockingbird, the CIA media-controlled operation, have to say about this fire, and then from there, we can start to speculate with a little bit more evidence behind us as to what really happened. LINK
It is to be expected that there will be further incidents in the future, both in Iran and elsewhere. And there will be very little sympathy to be found.
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southfront--2020-07-17--Armenian-Azerbaijani Clashes And Shifting Balance Of Power In South Caucasus

The Armenian-Azerbaijani tensions have once again turned South Caucasus into a hot point increasing chances of a new regional war .
The key difference with previous military incidents between the two countries is that the point of confrontation shifted from the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh Republic to the Armenian-Azerbaijani state border .
Clashes first erupted on July 12 in the area of Tovuz and since then both sides have repeatedly accused each other of provoking the conflict , attacking civilians and declared defeats of the ‘ enemy ’ .
According to the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan , the fighting started after Armenian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces in the Tovuz district .
The fighting which included the use of combat drones , artillery , mortars , and battle tanks continued over the following days , including July 17 .
The Azerbaijani military confirmed that at least 12 personnel , including Major General Gashimov Polad and Colonel Ilgar Mirzaev , were killed .
In turn , Kerim Veliyev , Azerbaijan ’ s deputy defense minister , said that 100 Armenian soldiers were killed , several fortified positions were destroyed and that a UAV was shot down .
Armenia , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of its casualties .
Azerbaijani media and top leadership describe the current situation as an act of Armenian aggression , and say that Azerbaijani forces are only responding to it .
President Ilham Aliyev even called Armenia a “ fascist state ” adding that “ Armenian forces could not enter Azerbaijan in one centimeter of soil and will never be able to do this ” .
The Armenian version of events is quite different .
According to it , the clashes started after a group of Azerbaijani soldiers violated the Armenian state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defense ministry press service claimed that after the warning from the Armenian side , “ the enemy troops returned to their positions ” .
It added that later Azerbaijani forces attacked an Armenian checkpoint .
As of now , the Armenian military said that it had repelled two ‘ offensives ’ involving at least 100 soldiers supported by fire of several artillery battalions .
These attacks were allegedly actively supported by combat and reconnaissance drones of Azerbaijan .
A spokesperson for the Armenian Defense Ministry Artsrun Hovhannisyan said that Azerbaijan lost at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other equipment during the clashes .
Armenia says that only 4 of its service members were killed .
Both Armenia and Azerbaijan claim that their forces are repelling an aggression of the enemy , which has been attacking it and killing civilians .
However , despite the harsh rhetoric , the leadership of the both countries are sending signals that they are not interested in a larger military confrontation .
At the same time , years of war propaganda and historic tensions between the nations push the situation towards a further escalation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hostilities by leaders of either country would be presented by the other one as a sign of weakness and promoted as an admission of defeat .
Taking into account the complicated political and economic conditions in both countries , neither Armenian nor Azerbaijani leaders could afford such a public move .
Therefore , de-escalation is possible only through international mechanisms .
The situation is further complicated by the complex diplomatic situation in the region of the South Caucasus .
Armenia , alongside with Russia , Belarus , Kazakhstan , Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Treaty Organization ( CSTO ) .
The CSTO expressed its concerns over the situation and called on the sides to commit to a ceasefire regime .
Nonetheless , the Russia-led security bloc , and Russia itself , demonstrated that in the current situation they will focus on diplomatic measures .
Since the 2018 coup , when Nikol Pashinyan came to power in Armenia , the country has been consistently undermining its relations with the CSTO and Russia by persuing a quite weak , but apparent anti-Russian and pro-Western foreign policy course .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sell its loyalty to the United States for some coins and commit itself to the way of the so-called ‘ European integration ’ .
The issue with this plan is that Washington and its partners need Armenia only as a tool of their geopolitical gains and are not interested in providing it with any kind of military protection or economic assistance .
The Pashinyan government is forced to play a double game in an attempt to simultaneously please its ‘ democratic ’ masters and receive protection and assistance from Russia .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On the other hand , in the event of a large-scale military confrontation , Azerbaijan will be supported by its main ally Turkey , which also has close bilateral ties with Russia .
Ankara already declared that it fully supports Azerbaijan and condemned the supposed ‘ Armenian aggression ’ .
Thus , in the event of full-scale military confrontation , Armenia will immediately find itself in a very complicated situation , and direct military assistance from the CSTO and Russia will be unlikely until there is no threat to Armenian statehood .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ limited military conflict with Azerbaijan and Turkey is at least shaky .
Turkey and Azerbaijan fully understand this .
By undermining strategic relations with Moscow , and thus the balance of power in the region , Erevan put the entire South Caucasus on the brink of a new regional war .

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The Armenian-Azerbaijani tensions have once again turned South Caucasus into a hot point increasing chances of a new regional war.
The key difference with previous military incidents between the two countries is that the point of confrontation shifted from the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh Republic to the Armenian-Azerbaijani state border. Clashes first erupted on July 12 in the area of Tovuz and since then both sides have repeatedly accused each other of provoking the conflict, attacking civilians and declared defeats of the ‘enemy’.
According to the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan, the fighting started after Armenian forces opened fire on positions of Azerbaijani forces in the Tovuz district. The fighting which included the use of combat drones, artillery, mortars, and battle tanks continued over the following days, including July 17. The Azerbaijani military confirmed that at least 12 personnel, including Major General Gashimov Polad and Colonel Ilgar Mirzaev, were killed. In turn, Kerim Veliyev, Azerbaijan’s deputy defense minister, said that 100 Armenian soldiers were killed, several fortified positions were destroyed and that a UAV was shot down. Armenia, according to Veliyev, is hiding the real number of its casualties.
Azerbaijani media and top leadership describe the current situation as an act of Armenian aggression, and say that Azerbaijani forces are only responding to it. President Ilham Aliyev even called Armenia a “fascist state” adding that “Armenian forces could not enter Azerbaijan in one centimeter of soil and will never be able to do this”.
The Armenian version of events is quite different. According to it, the clashes started after a group of Azerbaijani soldiers violated the Armenian state border in an UAZ vehicle. The defense ministry press service claimed that after the warning from the Armenian side, “the enemy troops returned to their positions”. It added that later Azerbaijani forces attacked an Armenian checkpoint.
As of now, the Armenian military said that it had repelled two ‘offensives’ involving at least 100 soldiers supported by fire of several artillery battalions. These attacks were allegedly actively supported by combat and reconnaissance drones of Azerbaijan. A spokesperson for the Armenian Defense Ministry Artsrun Hovhannisyan said that Azerbaijan lost at least 20 soldiers, a battle tank and other equipment during the clashes. Armenia says that only 4 of its service members were killed.
Both Armenia and Azerbaijan claim that their forces are repelling an aggression of the enemy, which has been attacking it and killing civilians. However, despite the harsh rhetoric, the leadership of the both countries are sending signals that they are not interested in a larger military confrontation.
At the same time, years of war propaganda and historic tensions between the nations push the situation towards a further escalation. A unilateral move towards the cessation of hostilities by leaders of either country would be presented by the other one as a sign of weakness and promoted as an admission of defeat. Taking into account the complicated political and economic conditions in both countries, neither Armenian nor Azerbaijani leaders could afford such a public move. Therefore, de-escalation is possible only through international mechanisms.
The situation is further complicated by the complex diplomatic situation in the region of the South Caucasus. Armenia, alongside with Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). The CSTO expressed its concerns over the situation and called on the sides to commit to a ceasefire regime. Nonetheless, the Russia-led security bloc, and Russia itself, demonstrated that in the current situation they will focus on diplomatic measures.
Since the 2018 coup, when Nikol Pashinyan came to power in Armenia, the country has been consistently undermining its relations with the CSTO and Russia by persuing a quite weak, but apparent anti-Russian and pro-Western foreign policy course. The bright dream of the Pashinyan government is to sell its loyalty to the United States for some coins and commit itself to the way of the so-called ‘European integration’. The issue with this plan is that Washington and its partners need Armenia only as a tool of their geopolitical gains and are not interested in providing it with any kind of military protection or economic assistance. The Pashinyan government is forced to play a double game in an attempt to simultaneously please its ‘democratic’ masters and receive protection and assistance from Russia. This attitude is not a secret for Moscow.
On the other hand, in the event of a large-scale military confrontation, Azerbaijan will be supported by its main ally Turkey, which also has close bilateral ties with Russia. Ankara already declared that it fully supports Azerbaijan and condemned the supposed ‘Armenian aggression’. Thus, in the event of full-scale military confrontation, Armenia will immediately find itself in a very complicated situation, and direct military assistance from the CSTO and Russia will be unlikely until there is no threat to Armenian statehood.
So, the Armenian chances in a limited military conflict with Azerbaijan and Turkey is at least shaky. Turkey and Azerbaijan fully understand this. By undermining strategic relations with Moscow, and thus the balance of power in the region, Erevan put the entire South Caucasus on the brink of a new regional war.
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southfront--2020-07-17--Turkish Intelligence Brags Of ‘Freeing’ Woman From ISIS Wives Camp In Northeastern Syria

The Turkish intelligence had “ freed ” a Moldavian woman and her four children from the al-Hawl Camp , where ISIS wives and family members are held in northeastern Syria , the Anadolu Agency reported on July 17 .
The Turkish state-run agency claimed that the woman , “ Natalia Barkal , ” had traveled to Syria with her husband and children in 2013 to “ do business ” when she had been “ abducted ” by the People ’ s Protection Units , YPG , and the Kurdistan Workers ’ Party , PKK .
The Anadolu Agency didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take an entire family to a war-torn country .
The identity of her husband or his whereabouts also were not disclosed .
According to Turkey ’ s claims , Barkal and her four children were illegally held in al-Hawl camp by Kurdish forces .
The Turkish intelligence “ freed ” them upon and official request from Moldavian authorities .
The al-Hawl camp , which is located in eastern al-Hasakah , is hosting 67,000 people , including 40,000 family members of ISIS fighters .
An entire section of the camp is dedicated for foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is run by the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces .
The Kurdish-led group has not commented on Turkey ’ s accusations , so far .
The claims made by Turkey appear to be unrealistic as al-Hawl is known to be hosting ISIS-linked individuals .
Many of these dangerous individuals attempt to escape from the camp to Turkey on a regular basis .
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The Turkish intelligence had “freed” a Moldavian woman and her four children from the al-Hawl Camp, where ISIS wives and family members are held in northeastern Syria, the Anadolu Agency reported on July 17.
The Turkish state-run agency claimed that the woman, “Natalia Barkal,” had traveled to Syria with her husband and children in 2013 to “do business” when she had been “abducted” by the People’s Protection Units, YPG, and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, PKK.
The Anadolu Agency didn’t clarify what type of business would take an entire family to a war-torn country. The identity of her husband or his whereabouts also were not disclosed.
ذكرت مصادر أمنية، للأناضول، إن المواطنة المولودفية ناتاليا باركال، سافرت إلى سوريا برفقة زوجها وأبنائها في 2013 بغرض التجارة.https://t.co/A8N1ERNHFt pic.twitter.com/SbUX8ttTPS — ترك برس (@TurkPressMedia) July 17, 2020
According to Turkey’s claims, Barkal and her four children were illegally held in al-Hawl camp by Kurdish forces. The Turkish intelligence “freed” them upon and official request from Moldavian authorities.
The al-Hawl camp, which is located in eastern al-Hasakah, is hosting 67,000 people, including 40,000 family members of ISIS fighters. An entire section of the camp is dedicated for foreign wives of ISIS terrorists.
The camp is run by the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. The Kurdish-led group has not commented on Turkey’s accusations, so far.
The claims made by Turkey appear to be unrealistic as al-Hawl is known to be hosting ISIS-linked individuals. Many of these dangerous individuals attempt to escape from the camp to Turkey on a regular basis.
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southfront--2020-07-17--Turkish Military Aircraft Made First Direct Flight To Libya’s Al-Watiya Air Base

On July 16 , a Turkish C-130E Hercules military transport aircraft landed in al-Watiya Air Base , marking the first direct flight from Turkey to the western Libyan base .
The C-130E , which belong to the 222nd Squadron of the Turkish Air Forces ’ Air Logistical Command took off from the military section of Konya Airport in northern Turkey .
The aircraft landed in al-Watiya in the morning .
A day later , a second Turkish military transport aircraft , also a C-130E , landed in al-Watiya Air Base .
The aircraft followed exactly the same path as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been working to restore al-Watiya Air Base since last May , when it was captured by forces loyal to the Government of National Accord from the Libyan National Army .
The base sustained damage in the battle .
Earlier this month , a series of pinpoint airstrikes destroyed a Turkish air-defense and electronic warfare systems which were recently deployed in the air base .
Turkey is reportedly working to turn al-Watiya into a permanent base for its troops in Libya .
This may mean that Ankara is planning to deploy fighter jets and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It remains unclear if al-Watiya can , as for now , host fighter jets .
C-130 were designed to take off and land in unprepared runways .
Fighter jets , like Turkey ’ s F-16s , can ’ t do this .
The air base will likely need much more work to host such warplanes .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Turkey Deploys More Troops And Equipment In Preparation Of Sirte Push

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On July 16, a Turkish C-130E Hercules military transport aircraft landed in al-Watiya Air Base, marking the first direct flight from Turkey to the western Libyan base.
The C-130E, which belong to the 222nd Squadron of the Turkish Air Forces’ Air Logistical Command took off from the military section of Konya Airport in northern Turkey. The aircraft landed in al-Watiya in the morning.
⚠Turkish Air Force lands directly at Al Watiya AFB ! Turkish Air Force’s Erkilet based turboprop transport planes, 221st Squadron A400 17080 flew from Istanbul to Misrata & 222nd Squadron’s Lockheed C130 Hercules 711468 flew from Konya to Al Watiya. pic.twitter.com/4YOm4Mfxpm — Yörük Işık (@YorukIsik) July 16, 2020
A day later, a second Turkish military transport aircraft, also a C-130E, landed in al-Watiya Air Base. The aircraft followed exactly the same path as the first one.
Next morning, a second ??Turkish Air Force C-130E Hercules flight approached ????Al-Wattiyah/Al-Wutiyah Air Base in ??#Libya a near identical manner. https://t.co/lWbcmH9Tg9 pic.twitter.com/7ddr6Ard8l — Gerjon | חריון (@Gerjon_) July 17, 2020
The Turkish military has been working to restore al-Watiya Air Base since last May, when it was captured by forces loyal to the Government of National Accord from the Libyan National Army. The base sustained damage in the battle.
Earlier this month, a series of pinpoint airstrikes destroyed a Turkish air-defense and electronic warfare systems which were recently deployed in the air base.
Turkey is reportedly working to turn al-Watiya into a permanent base for its troops in Libya. This may mean that Ankara is planning to deploy fighter jets and more military equipment at the base.
It remains unclear if al-Watiya can, as for now, host fighter jets. C-130 were designed to take off and land in unprepared runways. Fighter jets, like Turkey’s F-16s, can’t do this. The air base will likely need much more work to host such warplanes.
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southfront--2020-07-17--Syrian Government Forces Clashed With ISIS Terrorists In Western Deir Ezzor, Eastern Homs (Photos)

The National Defense Forces ( NDF ) announced on July 15 that its units had conducted a combing operation in the western Deir Ezzor countryside .
NDF units cleared a vast region between al-Taim oil fields and Qalaat Ruhibah in the western outskirts of the city of al-Mayadin .
During the operation , a number of hideouts of ISIS cells were uncovered .
NDF units also recovered the body of a Syrian Arab Army service member , “ Moataz Abdel-Awfi , ” who was killed in the region a while back .
The operation in western Deir Ezzor coincided with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Homs desert .
The clashes last until July 16 , with Russian warplanes carrying out a series of airstrikes on ISIS ’ hideouts in the region .
According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights , at least 44 Syrian service members and ISIS terrorists were killed .
These claims are yet to be verified .
Hundreds of ISIS terrorists , including senior leaders , are reportedly taking shelter in the Homs desert .
The region lays between western Deir Ezzor and eastern Homs , south of the M20 highway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intensified their operations against ISIS terrorists around the Homs desert over the past few months .
The terrorist group sustained serious losses .
However , it is still active in the region .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • SDF Launched Second Stage Of Large Counter-Terrorism Operation In Northeastern Syria ( Photos )

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The National Defense Forces (NDF) announced on July 15 that its units had conducted a combing operation in the western Deir Ezzor countryside.
NDF units cleared a vast region between al-Taim oil fields and Qalaat Ruhibah in the western outskirts of the city of al-Mayadin.
During the operation, a number of hideouts of ISIS cells were uncovered. NDF units also recovered the body of a Syrian Arab Army service member, “Moataz Abdel-Awfi,” who was killed in the region a while back.
The operation in western Deir Ezzor coincided with intense clashes between the army and ISIS in the Homs desert. The clashes last until July 16, with Russian warplanes carrying out a series of airstrikes on ISIS’ hideouts in the region.
According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 44 Syrian service members and ISIS terrorists were killed. These claims are yet to be verified.
Hundreds of ISIS terrorists, including senior leaders, are reportedly taking shelter in the Homs desert. The region lays between western Deir Ezzor and eastern Homs, south of the M20 highway.
The Syrian military and its allies intensified their operations against ISIS terrorists around the Homs desert over the past few months. The terrorist group sustained serious losses. However, it is still active in the region.
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southfront--2020-07-17--Iran Put It Air Defense Force On High Alert After Series Of Mysterious Explosions: CNN Report

Iran had put portions of its air defense system on “ high alert ” in the last few days , the CNN reported on July 16 , citing a U.S. official with knowledge on the matter .
According to the official , the U.S. believes that the Iranian alert is not part of a training exercise but rather a response to an unknown threat .
The official declined to explain how the U.S. was able to obtain this information .
The Iranian step came after a series of mysterious explosions that rocked military and industrial facilities in different parts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took place in the Natanz nuclear facility on July 2 .
An advanced centrifuge assembly center was destroyed as a result of a fairly large explosion .
Iranian authorities are currently investigating the incident .
Some recent reports suggested that Israel may be behind some of the recent explosions in Iran , especially Natanz explosion .
Nevertheless , there is no evidence to support these accusations .
The possibility of foreign involvement in these incidents is taken seriously by Iran .
Tehran is apparently taking defensive measures to address any possible threat , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TOPIC : • Seven Ships On Fire At Southern Iran Port In Another ‘ Mystery ’ Disaster

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Iran had put portions of its air defense system on “high alert” in the last few days, the CNN reported on July 16, citing a U.S. official with knowledge on the matter.
According to the official, the U.S. believes that the Iranian alert is not part of a training exercise but rather a response to an unknown threat. The official declined to explain how the U.S. was able to obtain this information.
The Iranian step came after a series of mysterious explosions that rocked military and industrial facilities in different parts of the country.
The most critical incident took place in the Natanz nuclear facility on July 2. An advanced centrifuge assembly center was destroyed as a result of a fairly large explosion. Iranian authorities are currently investigating the incident.
Some recent reports suggested that Israel may be behind some of the recent explosions in Iran, especially Natanz explosion. Nevertheless, there is no evidence to support these accusations.
The possibility of foreign involvement in these incidents is taken seriously by Iran. Tehran is apparently taking defensive measures to address any possible threat, including aerial attacks.
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southfront--2020-07-17--SDF Launched Second Stage Of Large Counter-Terrorism Operation In Northeastern Syria (Photos)

On July 17 , the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces ( SDF ) launched the second stage of its large-scale operation against ISIS remnants in northeastern Syria .
According to the Kurdish-led group , the new stage will target terrorist elements in southeastern Deir Ezzor .
The U.S.-led coalition will support the operation .
“ This stage will target ISIS hideouts and its cells , which are threatening stability and civil peace in the areas of Deir Ezzor , it come at the request of the people , chieftains , and elderlies of the region ’ s tribes , especially after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” an official statement by the SDF reads .
Several units of the SDF , including the group ’ s special forces , which are known as the Anti-Terror Units , YAT , are taking part in the operation .
Thus far , SDF forces have arrested a number of ISIS terrorists .
Loads of weapons and ammunition were also seized during the operation .
The first stage of the operation , called “ Deterring Terrorism ” , was carried out between June 4 and 10 .
A wide region between al-Hasakah and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
More than 100 ISIS terrorists and suspects were arrested .
ISIS cells sustained serious losses during the first stage of the operation .
Nevertheless , the terrorist group ’ s threat was not fully eliminated .
The second stage could help improve security in the northeast in the short term .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Turkey Put Its Proxies In Northern Aleppo On High Alert – Report

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On July 17, the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launched the second stage of its large-scale operation against ISIS remnants in northeastern Syria.
According to the Kurdish-led group, the new stage will target terrorist elements in southeastern Deir Ezzor. The U.S.-led coalition will support the operation.
“This stage will target ISIS hideouts and its cells, which are threatening stability and civil peace in the areas of Deir Ezzor, it come at the request of the people, chieftains, and elderlies of the region’s tribes, especially after ISIS increased its attacks on civilians,” an official statement by the SDF reads.
Several units of the SDF, including the group’s special forces, which are known as the Anti-Terror Units, YAT, are taking part in the operation.
Thus far, SDF forces have arrested a number of ISIS terrorists. Loads of weapons and ammunition were also seized during the operation.
The first stage of the operation, called “Deterring Terrorism”, was carried out between June 4 and 10. A wide region between al-Hasakah and Deir Ezzor was combed by the SDF. More than 100 ISIS terrorists and suspects were arrested.
ISIS cells sustained serious losses during the first stage of the operation. Nevertheless, the terrorist group’s threat was not fully eliminated. The second stage could help improve security in the northeast in the short term.
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southfront--2020-07-17--FSB Prevents Terrorist Attack In Khabarovsk Amid Anti-Government Protests

The Federal Security Service ( FSB ) prevented a terrorist attack in the Russian city of Khabarovsk , which recently became the point of anti-government protests in Russia ’ s Far East .
On July 17 , the FSB press service announced that its forces detained a citizen of one of the Central Asian countries that was preparing an attack in places of mass gathering of people ( i.e .
during protests ) .
“ A citizen of one of the Central Asian republics , born in 1988 , was detained , who was planning , on the instructions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commit a terrorist act with the use of incendiary devices in crowded places , ” the FSB said .
Security forces seized ready-to-use petrol bombs , knifes , the flag of an international terrorist organization .
A video of his so-called oath of allegiance to the terrorist group and correspondence with a discussion of the planned terrorist attack were found in the phone of the detained person .
According to the FSB , the detained person was planning to travel to the war zone in the Middle East to participate in the activities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The terrorists are trying to exploit anti-government protests , which were staged in Khabarvosk after the detention of the province ’ s governor under changes in the organizing of murders in 2004-2005 .
Elite groups affilated with the detained official , Sergei Furgal , seek to use the protests to pressure authorities and influence the outcome of the investigation .
This artificial political instability has already drawn attention of international terrorist groups .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Khabarovsk Is Being Turned Into Point Of Instability In Russia ’ s Far East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Protests Demand Release Of Governor Detained For Organizing Murders

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The Federal Security Service (FSB) prevented a terrorist attack in the Russian city of Khabarovsk, which recently became the point of anti-government protests in Russia’s Far East.
On July 17, the FSB press service announced that its forces detained a citizen of one of the Central Asian countries that was preparing an attack in places of mass gathering of people (i.e. during protests).
“A citizen of one of the Central Asian republics, born in 1988, was detained, who was planning, on the instructions of the leaders of international terrorists, to commit a terrorist act with the use of incendiary devices in crowded places,” the FSB said.
Security forces seized ready-to-use petrol bombs, knifes, the flag of an international terrorist organization. A video of his so-called oath of allegiance to the terrorist group and correspondence with a discussion of the planned terrorist attack were found in the phone of the detained person.
According to the FSB, the detained person was planning to travel to the war zone in the Middle East to participate in the activities of terrorist groups in the future.
The terrorists are trying to exploit anti-government protests, which were staged in Khabarvosk after the detention of the province’s governor under changes in the organizing of murders in 2004-2005.
Elite groups affilated with the detained official, Sergei Furgal, seek to use the protests to pressure authorities and influence the outcome of the investigation. This artificial political instability has already drawn attention of international terrorist groups.
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southfront--2020-07-18--Syrian Army, Militants Exchange Fire In Greater Idlib

The Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) and the remaining militants in the northwestern region of Greater Idlib exchanged fire on July 17 and 18 .
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights ( SOHR ) , the militants shelled army positions in the towns of Furu , Bahsa and Beit Hassno in northwestern Hama late on July 17 with heavy machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades .
The army responded to these provocations by shelling militants ’ positions in the towns of al-Bara , Kansafra , Sufuhon , Fleifel and Fatterah in southern Idlib early on July 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Russian forces shelled dozens of militants ’ positions in Greater Idlib in response to the July 14 suicide attack .
Three Russian service members were injured in the attack which targeted a Russian-Turkish patrol on the M4 highway .
In the last few weeks , Greater Idlib militants stepped up their attacks .
The SAA and its allies are responding by up-scaling their strikes on the region .
Turkey committed under the March 5 agreement to neutralize the remaining terrorist groups in Greater Idlib .
However , Ankara is turning a blind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon lead to a serious escalation in the region .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Turkey Is Recruiting Syrian Militants To Fight For Azerbaijan Against Armenia – Reports

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The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and militants in the northwestern region of Greater Idlib exchanged fire on July 17 and 18.
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), militants shelled army positions in the towns of Furu, Bahsa and Beit Hassno in northwestern Hama late on July 17 with heavy machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades.
The army responded to these provocations by shelling militants’ positions in the towns of al-Bara, Kansafra, Sufuhon, Fleifel and Fatterah in southern Idlib early on July 18.
“No information on any casualties has been received, so far,” the SOHR’s report reads.
Earlier this week, the SAA and Russian forces shelled dozens of militants’ positions in Greater Idlib in response to the July 14 suicide attack. Three Russian service members were injured in the attack which targeted a Russian-Turkish patrol on the M4 highway.
In the last few weeks, Greater Idlib militants stepped up their attacks. The SAA and its allies respond by up-scaling their strikes on the region.
Under the March 5 agreement Turkey has to neutralize the remaining terrorist groups in Greater Idlib. However, Ankara is turning a blind eye to their provocations. This could soon lead to a serious escalation in the region.
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southfront--2020-07-18--Turkey Is Recruiting Syrian Militants To Fight For Azerbaijan Against Armenia – Reports

Turkey is recruiting Syrian militants to fight as mercenaries for the Azerbaijani Armed Forces against the Arminian military , Sham FM reported on July 18 .
Citing sources with knowledge on the matter , the Syrian radio station said Turkish forces opened a recruitment center for that purpose in the occupied city of Afrin in northern Aleppo .
Ankara is allegedly offering militants high salaries .
Other sources reported that the Turkish intelligence is now coordinating with al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay ’ at Tahrir al-Sham in Greater Idlib to assemble a special force unit that would be deployed in Azerbaijan .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ special operations on the border with Armenia .
In the last few days , the Azerbaijani Armed Forces and the Armenian military engaged in a series of skirmishes .
Twelve Azerbaijani service members and four Arminian soldiers have been killed on the border between the two countries .
Turkey , a historical ally of Azerbaijan , vowed to support Baku against Armenia .
İsmail Demir , the head of Presidency of Turkey ’ s Defense Industries , said Ankara is ready to provide all types of assistance .
Last year , Turkey deployed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support its allies there .
Syrian sources argue that Ankara may be planning to support Azerbaijan in a similar manner .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Queue The Apocalypse : Azerbaijan Threatens To Strike Armenian Nuclear Power Plant In Response To Hostilities

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Turkey is recruiting Syrian militants to fight as mercenaries for the Azerbaijani Armed Forces against the Arminian military, Sham FM reported on July 18.
Citing sources with knowledge on the matter, the Syrian radio station said Turkish forces opened a recruitment center for that purpose in the occupied city of Afrin in northern Aleppo. Ankara is allegedly offering militants high salaries.
“[Turkey] wants to move the militants loyal to it to Azerbaijan to fight against the Arminian military in exchange for a renewable six-month contract with a monthly salary of $2,500,” a local source told Sham FM.
Other sources reported that the Turkish intelligence is now coordinating with al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham in Greater Idlib to assemble a special force unit that would be deployed in Azerbaijan. The 300-man strong unit will allegedly carry out special operations on the border with Armenia.
In the last few days, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces and the Armenian military engaged in a series of skirmishes. Twelve Azerbaijani service members and four Arminian soldiers have been killed on the border between the two countries.
Turkey, a historical ally of Azerbaijan, vowed to support Baku against Armenia. İsmail Demir, the head of Presidency of Turkey’s Defense Industries, said Ankara is ready to provide all types of assistance.
“Our armed unmanned aerial vehicles, ammunition and missiles with our experience, technology and capabilities are at Azerbaijan’s service,” said Demir said on July 17.
Last year, Turkey deployed thousands of Syrian militants in Libya to support its allies there. Syrian sources argue that Ankara may be planning to support Azerbaijan in a similar manner.
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southfront--2020-07-18--Military Situation In Syria On July 17, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria : • SDF and US-led @ @ @ @ @ the village of Shuhail ISIS slipper cells ; • Syrian army artillery shelled militants near @ @ @ @ @ • Syrian Army artillery shelled militants near the villages of Kafr Taal and Kafr Ramah @ @ @ @ @ sent reinforcements to the frontline in southern Idlib ; • A Russian patrol intercepte a @ @ @ @ @ countryside of Hasakah ; • 4 ISIS members were arrested while they were trying to @ @ @ @ @ .
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A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria:
SDF and US-led coalition forces once again raided the village of Shuhail ISIS slipper cells;
Syrian army artillery shelled militants near the village of Ziyarah;
Syrian Army artillery shelled militants near the villages of Kafr Taal and Kafr Ramah;
The Syrian Army sent reinforcements to the frontline in southern Idlib;
A Russian patrol intercepte a US military convoy in the countryside of Hasakah;
4 ISIS members were arrested while they were trying to escape from the Al-Hol camp.
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southfront--2020-07-18--A Matter of Citizenship: Shamima Begum, Islamic State and Natural Justice

Rarely do terms such as “ Islamic State ” and “ natural justice ” keep company .
Both seem alien , uncomfortable , fundamentally ill-suited .
For one , Islamic State ’ s own approach to natural justice , archaic and stone-age obscurantist , has tended to be distinctly unnatural and particularly brutal .
But it has also invited , in response to its particular brand of terrorism , a troubling approach on the part of governments determined to excoriate it .
For those taking to its sources of fanaticism , harsh measures are meted out .
The case of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recruitment by Islamic State , and the decision to join it , into the orbit of natural justice and procedural fairness .
Should a person , a mere child at 15 , face the calculating coldness of the British Home Office on removing her citizenship without due process , despite being a dual national ?
Begum was of that tender age in 2015 when she , along two other school girls , left London to join the Islamic State group in Syria .
It was a decision born of childish conviction , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 2019 , it revoked her citizenship citing security grounds after she was discovered in a Syrian camp .
These powers are available under the National , Immigration and Asylum Act of 2002 in cases where the Secretary of State is satisfied that “ the person has done anything seriously prejudicial to the vital interests ” of the UK .
The fact that she has Bangladeshi nationality made the decision an easier one .
According to then Home Secretary Sajid Javid , such powers were only used “ in extreme circumstances ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when someone turns their back on the fundamental values and supports terror ” .
The British government has also done its level best to ignore her , refusing to assist in her removal from the camp or her return to the United Kingdom .
The decision to extinguish her British citizenship did not cause much concern , let alone outrage , though pockets of disagreement simmered .
Then Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott was sharp , and as it turns out prescient enough , to remember the provision in the Universal Declaration of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arbitrarily deprived of their nationality ” .
But the public pulse suggested much support for Javid ’ s decision .
A YouGov poll taken in February 2019 found that 74 percent of respondents agreed with the decision .
As of July 17 , 2020 , the numbers had not shifted dramatically , with 70 percent concluding that the Home Office was in the right .
The sense that Begum never quite fit the bill of being an “ ideal victim ” prevailed .
Arguments that she had been groomed were snorted off .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ get , good and hard .
The premise of behaving so freely with denaturalisation lies in presuming , sometimes erroneously , that the person has an alternative citizenship , or at least the means of attaining it .
This is , at best , shallow , assuming that the alternative state would be happy to enable such a person to exercise the citizenship of their state .
It also makes assumptions about practicalities , a dangerous notion in instances where individuals find themselves in situations of conflict .
“ In reality , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of British citizenship means people can be left in limbo in war zones because they lose the right to re-enter the UK and to receive any diplomatic protection.
” Ryan Corbett , writing in May last year , also reiterates the consequential realities arising from the removal of citizenship , which go beyond formal decisions .
“ In making grave decisions of deprivation of citizenship , states should be as concerned about creating stateless persons as they are about creating stateless persons.
” In Begum ’ s mind , she only ever had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meaningful sense .
As she lamented , “ I wasn ’ t born in Bangladesh , I ’ ve never been to Bangladesh and I don ’ t even speak Bengali properly , so how can they claim I have Bangladeshi citizenship ?
” It was a point more or less endorsed by Bangladesh , given the distinct lack of interest shown by that country ’ s authorities in her fate .
For Begum , legal purgatory awaited .
Begum duly mounted a challenge , arguing that she needed to appeal , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Britain .
On July 16 , the Court of Appeal , comprising Lord Justice Flaux , Lady Justice King and Lord Justice Singh , found that Begum should be granted leave to return to the UK .
She could hardly have made her case to challenge the cancellation from the isolation of Camp Roj in Northern Syria .
“ We have to proceed on the basis that whilst she remains detained in the camp she can not give effective instructions or take any meaningful part in her appeal ” so as to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The court concluded that the only way “ a fair and effective appeal [ could ] be permitted ” was to allow Begum “ to come into the United Kingdom ” .
The interests of “ fairness and justice must , on the facts of this case , outweigh the national security concerns , so that the LTE [ Leave to Enter ] appeals should be allowed.
” The government ’ s line , much as it has always been , was not sympathetic .
Sir James Eadie QC made the argument that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own free will , aligned herself with Islamic State and remained in Syria for the duration of four years before being detained by the Syrian Defence Forces .
The impracticalities of making her appeal , in other words , were “ self-inflicted ” .
This sat uncomfortably with the court , as a 15 year old schoolgirl ’ s notion of free will should hardly determine the means of mounting an effective challenge .
The decision should not be considered a boon for those wishing to open the gates of welcome to estranged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the service of foreign terrorist groups .
While the justices determined that Begum should be permitted to return to the UK to pursue due legal process , she could only do so subject to appropriate controls as determined by the Secretary of State .
It was also accepted that , should the Security Service and the Director of Public Prosecutions “ consider that the evidence and public interest tests for a prosecution for terrorist offences are met , she could be arrested and charged upon her arrival in the United Kingdom and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has conceded that point .
None of these cautionary qualifications impressed Javid .
The restrictions placed on Begum ’ s rights and freedoms arose , he claimed in a statement , from her own transgressions .
( Again , no thought as to age ; no consideration as to the margin to err in life . )
The appeal could easily have been made “ using modern technology.
” Having her return to the UK “ would create a national security risk that can not be fully mitigated , even with the diversion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hampered in future cases while Islamist and far-right extremists would be emboldened .
Many of Javid ’ s concerns are speculative , as is much in the field of values and disturbed ethical sensibility .
To remove the citizenship of citizens , even dual nationals , is a grave matter .
That it should even be permitted is more than troubling ; that such decisions can not be properly scrutinised by courts , would be even worse .
While an appeal against the ruling is inevitable , this case at least shows that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is , can still surprise .
Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College , Cambridge .
He lectures at RMIT University , Melbourne .
Email : bkampmark @ gmail.com

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Submitted by Dr. Binoy Kampmark
Rarely do terms such as “Islamic State” and “natural justice” keep company. Both seem alien, uncomfortable, fundamentally ill-suited. For one, Islamic State’s own approach to natural justice, archaic and stone-age obscurantist, has tended to be distinctly unnatural and particularly brutal. But it has also invited, in response to its particular brand of terrorism, a troubling approach on the part of governments determined to excoriate it. For those taking to its sources of fanaticism, harsh measures are meted out.
The case of Shamima Begum has brought both the ideological recruitment by Islamic State, and the decision to join it, into the orbit of natural justice and procedural fairness. Should a person, a mere child at 15, face the calculating coldness of the British Home Office on removing her citizenship without due process, despite being a dual national?
Begum was of that tender age in 2015 when she, along two other school girls, left London to join the Islamic State group in Syria. It was a decision born of childish conviction, and it did not impress the Home Office. In 2019, it revoked her citizenship citing security grounds after she was discovered in a Syrian camp. These powers are available under the National, Immigration and Asylum Act of 2002 in cases where the Secretary of State is satisfied that “the person has done anything seriously prejudicial to the vital interests” of the UK. The fact that she has Bangladeshi nationality made the decision an easier one. According to then Home Secretary Sajid Javid, such powers were only used “in extreme circumstances”. One circumstance was the instance “when someone turns their back on the fundamental values and supports terror”. The British government has also done its level best to ignore her, refusing to assist in her removal from the camp or her return to the United Kingdom.
The decision to extinguish her British citizenship did not cause much concern, let alone outrage, though pockets of disagreement simmered. Then Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott was sharp, and as it turns out prescient enough, to remember the provision in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that “no-one shall be arbitrarily deprived of their nationality”. But the public pulse suggested much support for Javid’s decision. A YouGov poll taken in February 2019 found that 74 percent of respondents agreed with the decision. As of July 17, 2020, the numbers had not shifted dramatically, with 70 percent concluding that the Home Office was in the right. The sense that Begum never quite fit the bill of being an “ideal victim” prevailed. Arguments that she had been groomed were snorted off. What she got, she deserved to get, good and hard.
The premise of behaving so freely with denaturalisation lies in presuming, sometimes erroneously, that the person has an alternative citizenship, or at least the means of attaining it. This is, at best, shallow, assuming that the alternative state would be happy to enable such a person to exercise the citizenship of their state. It also makes assumptions about practicalities, a dangerous notion in instances where individuals find themselves in situations of conflict. “In reality,” as Devyani Prabhat notes, “cancellation of British citizenship means people can be left in limbo in war zones because they lose the right to re-enter the UK and to receive any diplomatic protection.” Ryan Corbett, writing in May last year, also reiterates the consequential realities arising from the removal of citizenship, which go beyond formal decisions. “In making grave decisions of deprivation of citizenship, states should be as concerned about creating de facto stateless persons as they are about creating de jure stateless persons.”
In Begum’s mind, she only ever had one citizenship, at least in any meaningful sense. As she lamented, “I wasn’t born in Bangladesh, I’ve never been to Bangladesh and I don’t even speak Bengali properly, so how can they claim I have Bangladeshi citizenship?” It was a point more or less endorsed by Bangladesh, given the distinct lack of interest shown by that country’s authorities in her fate. For Begum, legal purgatory awaited.
Begum duly mounted a challenge, arguing that she needed to appeal, in person, against the ruling by returning to Britain. On July 16, the Court of Appeal, comprising Lord Justice Flaux, Lady Justice King and Lord Justice Singh, found that Begum should be granted leave to return to the UK. She could hardly have made her case to challenge the cancellation from the isolation of Camp Roj in Northern Syria. “We have to proceed on the basis that whilst she remains detained in the camp she cannot give effective instructions or take any meaningful part in her appeal” so as to make it “fair and effective.” The court concluded that the only way “a fair and effective appeal [could] be permitted” was to allow Begum “to come into the United Kingdom”. The interests of “fairness and justice must, on the facts of this case, outweigh the national security concerns, so that the LTE [Leave to Enter] appeals should be allowed.”
The government’s line, much as it has always been, was not sympathetic. Sir James Eadie QC made the argument that Begum had left the UK on her own free will, aligned herself with Islamic State and remained in Syria for the duration of four years before being detained by the Syrian Defence Forces. The impracticalities of making her appeal, in other words, were “self-inflicted”. This sat uncomfortably with the court, as a 15 year old schoolgirl’s notion of free will should hardly determine the means of mounting an effective challenge.
The decision should not be considered a boon for those wishing to open the gates of welcome to estranged daughters and sons of Britannia gone bad in the service of foreign terrorist groups. While the justices determined that Begum should be permitted to return to the UK to pursue due legal process, she could only do so subject to appropriate controls as determined by the Secretary of State. It was also accepted that, should the Security Service and the Director of Public Prosecutions “consider that the evidence and public interest tests for a prosecution for terrorist offences are met, she could be arrested and charged upon her arrival in the United Kingdom and remanded in custody pending trial.” Begum has conceded that point.
None of these cautionary qualifications impressed Javid. The restrictions placed on Begum’s rights and freedoms arose, he claimed in a statement, from her own transgressions. (Again, no thought as to age; no consideration as to the margin to err in life.) The appeal could easily have been made “using modern technology.” Having her return to the UK “would create a national security risk that cannot be fully mitigated, even with the diversion of significant resources.” Governments would be hampered in future cases while Islamist and far-right extremists would be emboldened.
Many of Javid’s concerns are speculative, as is much in the field of values and disturbed ethical sensibility. To remove the citizenship of citizens, even dual nationals, is a grave matter. That it should even be permitted is more than troubling; that such decisions cannot be properly scrutinised by courts, would be even worse. While an appeal against the ruling is inevitable, this case at least shows that British justice, as broken as it is, can still surprise.
Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College, Cambridge. He lectures at RMIT University, Melbourne. Email: bkampmark@gmail.com
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southfront--2020-07-18--In Video: Jalisco New Generation Cartel Showcases Its Might As Mexican President Visits Its Heartlan

In Video: Jalisco New Generation Cartel Showcases Its Might As Mexican President Visits Its Heartland

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel released a video depicting its forces on July 17 just as President Andres Manuel Lopez @ @ @ @ @ s heartland in the provinces of Guanajuato , Jalisco and Colima .
The cartel is @ @ @ @ @ .
It was unclear when the video had been filmed , but its release came @ @ @ @ @ ’ s visit .
This video is a message to local people attempting to convince @ @ @ @ @ is not able to protect them .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • After Spate @ @ @ @ @ CJNG Cartel As Most Urgent Threat To Mexico ’ s National Security • Mexico : @ @ @ @ @ Wars And The Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación

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The Jalisco New Generation Cartel released a video depicting its forces on July 17 just as President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador visited the group’s heartland in the provinces of Guanajuato, Jalisco and Colima. The cartel is especially active in these areas.
It was unclear when the video had been filmed, but its release came just ahead of the President’s visit. This video is a message to local people attempting to convince them that the central government is not able to protect them.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
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