southfront--2020-04-28--OPCW Insiders Slam ‘Compromised’ New Syria Chemical Weapons Probe

Current and former staff members of the OPCW have denounced the organization ’ s IIT report alleging Syrian government sarin use at Ltamenah , criticizing its reliance on rumor , hearsay , “ scientifically flawed ” claims and the influence of unqualified , secret “ experts ” aligned with the Western-backed opposition .
Editor ’ s note : On April 8 , the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons released a report by its newly formed Investigation and Identification Team , a unit ostensibly established to identify alleged perpetrators of chemical weapons attacks in Syria .
The IIT investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ town of Ltamenah in March 2017 .
It concluded “ that there are reasonable grounds to believe ” that the Syrian army committed a sarin attack in two of the incidents , and a chlorine attack in the third .
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo praised the IIT probe , calling it “ the latest in a large and growing body of evidence that the Assad regime uses chemical weapons attacks in Syria as part of a deliberate campaign of violence against the Syrian people .
The United States shares the OPCW @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pompeo ’ s remarks and the ensuing U.S. media coverage across the spectrum is the crisis of credibility consuming the OPCW and its senior leadership .
The IIT report ’ s tenuous conclusion “ that there are reasonable grounds to believe ” the official version of events closely resembles the conclusion of an earlier OPCW report that is now the subject of major controversy and derision .
A series of leaks show that OPCW leaders suppressed the findings of inspectors who probed another much more consequential alleged Syrian chemical attack , in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which triggered US airstrikes .
The evidence collected in Douma undermined allegations of Syrian government guilt and strongly suggested a staged event by the armed opposition .
Leaked internal OPCW emails and documents show that the Douma investigators protested the censorship of their findings , setting off an unfolding cover-up scandal that has called the OPCW ’ s impartiality into question .
The Grayzone has published a series of leaks from the OPCW ’ s Douma scandal , and plans to reveal new material that further undermines the official story .
The article @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OPCW ranks extends well beyond the Douma investigation .
Here , OPCW insiders offer a withering critique of the IIT report , blasting it as another hyper-politicized piece of bunk .
The Grayzone can verify that the authors represent the view of , at minimum , a small group of current and former OPCW officials who took part in its drafting and review .
We have read the first Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Investigation and Identification Team ( IIT ) April 2020 report on alleged chemical attacks at Ltamenah .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the IIT has been loyal to its raison d ’ être .
This has gone on for too long now .
What makes it worse is the IIT ’ s narrative has been presented to the world as a product of many peoples ’ work .
In fact , a number of impartial and principled professionals no longer wish to be associated with the politically motivated reports being issued by the OPCW FFM and now the IIT .
Many consider this work and these reports to be procedurally and scientifically flawed .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen as representing the work of OPCW inspectors at all .
The recent publication of the IIT report into alleged chemical attacks at Ltamenah on March 24 , 25 and 30 2017 , has highlighted again the misuse of the OPCW by influential state parties to further their political and foreign affairs objectives .
It was very clear to us during the creation and setup of the IIT that its intent was not to investigate alleged incidents of chemical attacks in Syria .
Instead , the team was created simply to find the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Its credibility was therefore compromised from its inception , and anyone who still thinks differently is either uninformed or naïve .
This first report of the IIT has clearly reinforced this fact .
First , it appears that the IIT investigation has conveniently glossed over the glaring technical weaknesses in the FFM reports .
Perhaps the best example of this , in one of the Ltamenah FFM reports , is the reporting by alleged witnesses claiming that the supposed munitions crater contained a “ black bubbling liquid ” that caused a burning sensation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ persisted in the crater for days .
Many of the reported medical symptoms , too , had nothing to do with the possible presence of a nerve agent as alleged .
Similarly flawed , and unchallenged by the IIT , is the complete lack of understanding of physics and material properties in the acceptance of the alleged behavior of a chlorine cylinder .
But seeing as the IIT investigation was essentially an extension of the FFM reports , we take upon ourselves a responsibility to remind you of the technical weakness and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the IIT report .
What follows is a summary of the most obvious and detrimental flaws in the report : Before we go any further , let us admit we don ’ t understand the minds of the Syrian leadership .
Let ’ s assume that they were willing to risk everything , including perhaps their own survival , to escalate back to the “ red line ” of alleged chemical weapons usage ; to deliberately provide a reason for Western intervention and a justification for regime change .
Then let ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using sarin , a “ real ” chemical weapon that had been declared in their stockpile , for the first time since their accession to the Chemical Weapons Convention .
They did this by supposedly dropping a couple of sarin bombs on fields ; agricultural lands in the middle of nowhere .
Perhaps , for some reason we can not comprehend , they were deliberately thumbing their nose at Western powers .
They didn ’ t use sarin during the desperate times when they had their backs to the wall and were close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but for some reason chose a time when they were back in control .
And , since September 2015 , they had been receiving critical military support from the Russian Federation .
So they dropped chemical bombs despite a situation where , as a Russian officer reportedly explained to inspectors , his military command was working directly with the Syrians .
As he commented , “ Do you think we would be stupid enough to be sharing and coordinating airspace with the Syrians while they deploy chemical weapons from their aircraft in violation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important to us ?
” The question of motive figures squarely within the realm of criminal investigation .
Though this is not the usual line of work for OPCW inspectors , surely this questioning of motive must have been one of the fundamental starting points for the IIT investigation ?
Secondly , these March 2017 alleged chemical attacks ( and , it would later turn out , another sarin incident at Khan Sheikhoun on April 4 ) , happened shortly after the first high-profile OPCW inspections at the secretive military research facilities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SSRC ) facilities in Barzeh and Jamrayah .
Around this time , in the SSRC inspections and the work towards resolving issues described by the OPCW Declarations Assessment Team as “ inconsistencies ” in declarations submitted by the Syrians , delegations were aware the Syrians were putting in a substantial effort to clear up the headache of what they called “ the chemical dossier.
” Were they engaged in this hard work so that they could then drop a couple of sarin bombs to then guarantee they would galvanize the world against them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Opposition middlemen and the mishandling of evidence These issues have been debated ad nauseam , but the message appears to have fallen on deaf ears .
Surely it must be well understood by all readers now , that the foundation for the whole case is terminally fragile when no so-called “ fact-finder or investigator ” has even been to the alleged incident site .
That ’ s right , not one member of the IIT conducted a field investigation .
Literally everything in the case has been provided by the sworn enemies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces have brought all the so-called “ evidence ” for these allegations of chemical attacks , often in response to requests and guidance from the FFM , piecemeal over a period of months and years , to hand over to the FFM and IIT .
This handover has generally been at a safe location in Turkey .
The middlemen , representing some so-called NGOs that have been known to coordinate and coach the opposition groups and OPCW inspectors throughout the follow-up on these incidents , have reportedly been a couple of well-known British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witness accounts , the soil samples , the metal fragments , the photographs and videos ; every item of so-called “ evidence ” had been provided by those who have everything to gain by implicating their enemies in a chemical attack .
So , to declare in the FFM reports that chain-of-custody on material and samples was strictly maintained “ after receipt of the items ” is quite simply laughable , and perhaps this meaningless excuse should better remain unsaid in the future .
It does little for the scientific reputation of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not the fault of the FFM or IIT , but it nonetheless puts them in a very weak position , where they need to start suggesting “ factual findings ” on the basis of circumstantial piecing-together and attempted corroboration of the narratives and items presented by the opposition forces .
If the bar for IIT findings hadn ’ t been set so conspicuously low , that of reporting “ there are reasonable grounds to believe ” that there had been a chemical attack , surely the whole case would have been dismissed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IIT ’ s experts come from ?
The OPCW has always operated on the principles of “ equitable geographic distribution ” .
This however does not apparently apply to missions where the outcomes are more important to the key Western delegations .
We see the composition of the IIT appears to reflect this bias , in that most of the investigators and analysts are of Western/NATO background .
But this is not the main point here .
There appears to be a hidden , more devious and sinister modus operandi at play .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , the JIM ( joint investigation mission ) , or the IIT have been self-contained in terms of military , scientific and/or engineering expertise .
The IIT is basically comprised of investigators without any background or expertise in chemistry , chemical weapons processes or technology , weapons systems or ballistics .
They are therefore completely reliant upon their “ approved ” list of experts , who are called upon to provide all the technical analysis required by the IIT .
One may innocently ask ; where do these experts come from ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Western and NATO intelligence agencies , units , institutes , laboratories and individuals that have already become so heavily invested in “ proving ” the complicity of the Syrian government .
Their professional reputations are not at stake if they provide dubious advice , because they remain nameless , faceless “ experts.
” Therefore their findings are never subjected to any peer review .
One could argue that their insider reputation ( within the FFM , JIM and IIT fold ) is mainly enhanced by continuing to provide the desired goods to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in itself perhaps sufficient to invalidate the working and conclusions of the IIT .
We have noted that the IIT has lent some credence to the question of “ staging ” in their first report .
Or so they appear to have done , with some convincing-sounding arguments about how and why they consider it unlikely that the alleged chemical attacks had been staged .
Upon closer examination , however , it is clear that the IIT report raises the topic of staging with the express purpose of dismissing it , again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts ” .
This represents another one of the more flawed scientific arguments in the IIT report .
Not much can be said about considerations of staging in the witness accounts and reports of medical treatment at hospitals , as these are essentially story-lines that can not be properly corroborated anyway , seeing as medical records were not available .
The main focus of the staging discussion , particularly in the cases of alleged use of sarin , thus relates to the items brought by opposition forces to hand over to the FFM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and gravel samples and metal fragments that were used , with advice from the IIT ’ s selected “ experts ” , to confirm their belief that the Syrian Arab Air Force had dropped M4000 aerial bombs containing sarin .
Never mind that taking seriously the handing over to the FFM of “ evidence ” by opposition forces – with some items delivered almost a year after the alleged incident – is somewhat dubious .
Let ’ s consider the staging possibilities .
Firstly , in evaluating the results of analysis on soil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported the “ sarin in question is consistent with the sarin of the stockpile and the production processes of the Syrian Arab Republic .
In particular , the IIT concluded that the chemical profile ( i.e.
, a collection of chemicals ) of the sarin used in Ltamenah on March 24 and 30 , 2017 strongly correlates to the chemical profile expected for sarin produced through a binary reaction in which the key binary component ( DF ) is manufactured via routes , as well as by using precursors and raw materials , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its sarin programme.
” This , if intended to support the assertion that Syrian sarin was implicated , or that staging by the use of “ spiking ” chemicals was unlikely , is bordering on ludicrous .
What possible reason could there be for the staging organizers , supporters ( or advisors ) to provide anything other than chemical samples carefully prepared by using the same precursors and sarin synthesis pathway as the well-known Syrian method ?
That chemistry has for many years been no secret ; it is universally known and ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the acid scavenger ) one of the “ standard ” ways of making sarin .
That immediately defeats the “ chemical marker ” argument presented by the IIT .
It is quite staggering that this argument has been taken seriously by any qualified or competent scientists .
Similarly , in the provision of metal fragments , there may well have been some work involved in sourcing the right bits and pieces to create a convincing scene .
There are chopped-up M4000 aerial bomb graveyards in a few locations in Syria , as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ munitions , part of the procedures required after they acceded to the Convention in late 2013 .
There is also the possibility of some bits and pieces of “ leftovers , ” perhaps also from exploded or non-functioning “ repurposed ” M4000 bombs .
( The Syrians had explained that some empty M4000 bombs , normally designed for chemical use , had prior to accession been taken away from the chemical arsenal , to be filled with high explosive for use as conventional munitions ) .
An inconvenience that would have precluded the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( assuming no intact and undeclared bombs were still around ) the bomb bodies had each been cut into three segments and the stirrers were cut up as part of the destruction of chemical weapons verified during the UN-OPCW Joint Mission .
This may be the explanation why in all three cases ( Ltamenah 24 and 30 March 2017 , and Khan Sheikhoun 4 April 2017 ) the only metal fragments in question were small scattered odds and ends .
So what happened to the main remaining parts of the bombs in such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scattered bits and pieces , representing a tiny part of the whole M4000 aerial bomb , all that were available for strategic placement by the opposition forces ( because that was all that was given to them ) – and thus all that was recovered despite their apparent diligence in scouting the area ?
It is well known that the relatively small burster charge on this type of munition does not shatter or vaporise the entire object ( as appears to be suggested by the IIT experts ) , and would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isolated smallish fragments that are assessed as “ could have come from a M4000 aerial bomb ” .
That certainly smacks of staging ; seemingly effective but limited by the materials at hand .
One could argue that the IIT ’ s entire logic of staging is somewhat self-defeating , particularly it ’ s reasoning around the effort required and the lack of propaganda “ publicity ” for the opposition forces ( again , a line of argument raised by the IIT in their report ) .
If the staging was done by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , supported ( as has been alleged ) by Western agents , in order to provide a justification and perhaps prompt Western intervention , one would expect that the outcome that has been achieved with the IIT report has therefore been successful for both parties .
To recognize this , one only has to consider some of the renewed calls in the media for military intervention in Syria in the wake of the IIT report .
And if , as alleged – and , it seems , proven – Western NGOs and intelligence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they would have provided the appropriate level of technical expertise to ensure the staging was successful ?
For example , looking at some other questionable “ compelling evidence ” , selecting or describing the type of crater required , and providing a fuse that had the appearance of having functioned “ normally , ” as of course this would all be reflected in the guidance , briefings and coordination provided to the opposition forces to give to the FFM .
One could even argue that the staging had elements of a self-contained loop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Western/NATO experts being involved in setting up the scenario as those providing later assessments for the IIT .
Is that not a worthwhile endeavor in furthering the foreign policy agenda ?
It appears to have worked .
We found one rather disturbing comment , delivered almost as an aside , in the IIT report : “ The IIT obtained information that , in March 2017 , Shayrat airbase was used to store chemical weapons .
The IIT further obtained information that former members of the previously designated Branch 450 , a component @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chemical weapons programme responsible for storage , mixing , and filling of chemical weapons , including sarin , were present in Shayrat airbase in late March 2017.
” This passage is reminiscent of many previous throwaway accusations made at the political level .
It would be staggering , if true , that chemical weapons were being stored at Al-Shayrat .
Indeed , it could have been seen as close to a smoking gun .
But what level of credibility can we ascribe to such a comment ?
Did it come from US , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was it the product of a throwaway “ report ” provided by an OPCW delegate in The Hague ?
Is it “ incontrovertible evidence ” in the same way the supposedly clear evidence of proof of the now-discredited allegation of the Douma chemical attack was ?
We should perhaps take that comment of the IIT “ obtaining information ” as ranking alongside the credibility of similar intelligence reports leading up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq .
A flawed report is met with no scientific challenge The glaring weaknesses in the FFM and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the political bias , compromised “ evidence ” , lack of transparency , singular reliance upon only one side of the story ( the groups opposed to the Syrian government ) , and the flawed arguments on why staging would be “ too difficult ” for the opposition forces ; leads us to serious doubts about the conclusions in the IIT report .
Perhaps to the credit of the IIT members who argued against more definitive , stronger language in their report , what the IIT produced was the desired Western opinion about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stating that “ there are reasonable grounds to believe ” the official story , it could be argued , actually implies a 50/50 case in which there are similarly reasonable grounds “ not to believe ” it .
Perhaps , more accurately , it suggests that the IIT thought “ it ’ s not outside the realms of possibility ” that things occurred as suggested in the report , rather than the possibility that the incident had been staged .
But if the staging was considered unlikely , doesn ’ t it rank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of motive , of the Syrians galvanizing the world against them ( and angering their Russian supporters ) by dropping sarin bombs onto farmland ?
At the end of the day , we must be clear that this is little more than an expression of a one-sided opinion .
Unfortunately , lesser-informed elements encompassing practically all mainstream media outlets have interpreted the conclusion – the opinion – as fact .
True professionals prefer to stick to facts , so please don ’ t count us in .
It is most unfortunate that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , commentators , and the complicity of the mainstream media , has ensured that this flawed report is met with no scientific challenge whatsoever .
Such is the momentum of the prevailing Syria narrative that most of these aforementioned elements , being sufficiently delighted , have not bothered to read it .
We know there are many competent experts in forensics , chemistry and ballistics who would find the conclusions in the IIT report to be questionable .
The methodology and science of the Ltamenah IIT investigation should rather have been trusted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internationally recognised scientists , investigators and weapons specialists , who would issue their assessment of the alleged chemical attacks in a transparent manner .
And , for the first time , the organization could have publicized the names and professional reputations of the “ experts ” behind their findings .

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Originally appeared on thegrayzone.com
Current and former staff members of the OPCW have denounced the organization’s IIT report alleging Syrian government sarin use at Ltamenah, criticizing its reliance on rumor, hearsay, “scientifically flawed” claims and the influence of unqualified, secret “experts” aligned with the Western-backed opposition.
By OPCW Insiders
Editor’s note: On April 8, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons released a report by its newly formed Investigation and Identification Team, a unit ostensibly established to identify alleged perpetrators of chemical weapons attacks in Syria. The IIT investigation examined three alleged incidents in the Syrian town of Ltamenah in March 2017. It concluded “that there are reasonable grounds to believe” that the Syrian army committed a sarin attack in two of the incidents, and a chlorine attack in the third.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo praised the IIT probe, calling it “the latest in a large and growing body of evidence that the Assad regime uses chemical weapons attacks in Syria as part of a deliberate campaign of violence against the Syrian people. The United States shares the OPCW’s conclusions.”
But missing from Pompeo’s remarks and the ensuing U.S. media coverage across the spectrum is the crisis of credibility consuming the OPCW and its senior leadership. The IIT report’s tenuous conclusion “that there are reasonable grounds to believe” the official version of events closely resembles the conclusion of an earlier OPCW report that is now the subject of major controversy and derision. A series of leaks show that OPCW leaders suppressed the findings of inspectors who probed another much more consequential alleged Syrian chemical attack, in the city of Douma in April 2018, which triggered US airstrikes.
The evidence collected in Douma undermined allegations of Syrian government guilt and strongly suggested a staged event by the armed opposition. Leaked internal OPCW emails and documents show that the Douma investigators protested the censorship of their findings, setting off an unfolding cover-up scandal that has called the OPCW’s impartiality into question.
The Grayzone has published a series of leaks from the OPCW’s Douma scandal, and plans to reveal new material that further undermines the official story. The article below reveals how the dissension within the OPCW ranks extends well beyond the Douma investigation.
Here, OPCW insiders offer a withering critique of the IIT report, blasting it as another hyper-politicized piece of bunk. The Grayzone can verify that the authors represent the view of, at minimum, a small group of current and former OPCW officials who took part in its drafting and review.
– Max Blumenthal and Aaron Maté, The Grayzone
We have read the first Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Investigation and Identification Team (IIT) April 2020 report on alleged chemical attacks at Ltamenah. We observe that, as expected, the IIT has been loyal to its raison d’être. This has gone on for too long now. What makes it worse is the IIT’s narrative has been presented to the world as a product of many peoples’ work.
In fact, a number of impartial and principled professionals no longer wish to be associated with the politically motivated reports being issued by the OPCW FFM and now the IIT. Many consider this work and these reports to be procedurally and scientifically flawed. Some of us believe they should not be seen as representing the work of OPCW inspectors at all.
The recent publication of the IIT report into alleged chemical attacks at Ltamenah on March 24, 25 and 30 2017, has highlighted again the misuse of the OPCW by influential state parties to further their political and foreign affairs objectives. It was very clear to us during the creation and setup of the IIT that its intent was not to investigate alleged incidents of chemical attacks in Syria. Instead, the team was created simply to find the Syrian government guilty of chemical attacks. Its credibility was therefore compromised from its inception, and anyone who still thinks differently is either uninformed or naïve. This first report of the IIT has clearly reinforced this fact.
First, it appears that the IIT investigation has conveniently glossed over the glaring technical weaknesses in the FFM reports. Perhaps the best example of this, in one of the Ltamenah FFM reports, is the reporting by alleged witnesses claiming that the supposed munitions crater contained a “black bubbling liquid” that caused a burning sensation on the skin, and that it persisted in the crater for days. Many of the reported medical symptoms, too, had nothing to do with the possible presence of a nerve agent as alleged. Similarly flawed, and unchallenged by the IIT, is the complete lack of understanding of physics and material properties in the acceptance of the alleged behavior of a chlorine cylinder.
But seeing as the IIT investigation was essentially an extension of the FFM reports, we take upon ourselves a responsibility to remind you of the technical weakness and the superficial reasoning that compromise the conclusions of the IIT report.
What follows is a summary of the most obvious and detrimental flaws in the report:
The question of motive
Before we go any further, let us admit we don’t understand the minds of the Syrian leadership. Let’s assume that they were willing to risk everything, including perhaps their own survival, to escalate back to the “red line” of alleged chemical weapons usage; to deliberately provide a reason for Western intervention and a justification for regime change. Then let’s say they took this wild risk by using sarin, a “real” chemical weapon that had been declared in their stockpile, for the first time since their accession to the Chemical Weapons Convention. They did this by supposedly dropping a couple of sarin bombs on fields; agricultural lands in the middle of nowhere.
Really?
Perhaps, for some reason we cannot comprehend, they were deliberately thumbing their nose at Western powers. They didn’t use sarin during the desperate times when they had their backs to the wall and were close to being overrun by opposition groups; but for some reason chose a time when they were back in control. And, since September 2015, they had been receiving critical military support from the Russian Federation. So they dropped chemical bombs despite a situation where, as a Russian officer reportedly explained to inspectors, his military command was working directly with the Syrians. As he commented, “Do you think we would be stupid enough to be sharing and coordinating airspace with the Syrians while they deploy chemical weapons from their aircraft in violation of an international treaty that is very important to us?”
The question of motive figures squarely within the realm of criminal investigation. Though this is not the usual line of work for OPCW inspectors, surely this questioning of motive must have been one of the fundamental starting points for the IIT investigation?
Secondly, these March 2017 alleged chemical attacks (and, it would later turn out, another sarin incident at Khan Sheikhoun on April 4), happened shortly after the first high-profile OPCW inspections at the secretive military research facilities, the Scientific Studies and Research Centre (SSRC) facilities in Barzeh and Jamrayah. Around this time, in the SSRC inspections and the work towards resolving issues described by the OPCW Declarations Assessment Team as “inconsistencies” in declarations submitted by the Syrians, delegations were aware the Syrians were putting in a substantial effort to clear up the headache of what they called “the chemical dossier.”
Were they engaged in this hard work so that they could then drop a couple of sarin bombs to then guarantee they would galvanize the world against them? One finds this hard to believe.
Opposition middlemen and the mishandling of evidence
These issues have been debated ad nauseam, but the message appears to have fallen on deaf ears. Surely it must be well understood by all readers now, that the foundation for the whole case is terminally fragile when no so-called “fact-finder or investigator” has even been to the alleged incident site. That’s right, not one member of the IIT conducted a field investigation. Literally everything in the case has been provided by the sworn enemies of the Syrian government.
The opposition forces have brought all the so-called “evidence” for these allegations of chemical attacks, often in response to requests and guidance from the FFM, piecemeal over a period of months and years, to hand over to the FFM and IIT. This handover has generally been at a safe location in Turkey.
The middlemen, representing some so-called NGOs that have been known to coordinate and coach the opposition groups and OPCW inspectors throughout the follow-up on these incidents, have reportedly been a couple of well-known British military figureheads. The narratives, the witness accounts, the soil samples, the metal fragments, the photographs and videos; every item of so-called “evidence” had been provided by those who have everything to gain by implicating their enemies in a chemical attack.
So, to declare in the FFM reports that chain-of-custody on material and samples was strictly maintained “after receipt of the items” is quite simply laughable, and perhaps this meaningless excuse should better remain unsaid in the future. It does little for the scientific reputation of the OPCW. One may argue that this is not the fault of the FFM or IIT, but it nonetheless puts them in a very weak position, where they need to start suggesting “factual findings” on the basis of circumstantial piecing-together and attempted corroboration of the narratives and items presented by the opposition forces.
If the bar for IIT findings hadn’t been set so conspicuously low, that of reporting “there are reasonable grounds to believe” that there had been a chemical attack, surely the whole case would have been dismissed at the start?
Where do the IIT’s experts come from?
The OPCW has always operated on the principles of “equitable geographic distribution”. This however does not apparently apply to missions where the outcomes are more important to the key Western delegations. We see the composition of the IIT appears to reflect this bias, in that most of the investigators and analysts are of Western/NATO background.
But this is not the main point here. There appears to be a hidden, more devious and sinister modus operandi at play. Neither the FFM (fact finding mission), the JIM (joint investigation mission), or the IIT have been self-contained in terms of military, scientific and/or engineering expertise.
The IIT is basically comprised of investigators without any background or expertise in chemistry, chemical weapons processes or technology, weapons systems or ballistics. They are therefore completely reliant upon their “approved” list of experts, who are called upon to provide all the technical analysis required by the IIT. One may innocently ask; where do these experts come from?
Very obviously, they represent the same Western and NATO intelligence agencies, units, institutes, laboratories and individuals that have already become so heavily invested in “proving” the complicity of the Syrian government. Their professional reputations are not at stake if they provide dubious advice, because they remain nameless, faceless “experts.” Therefore their findings are never subjected to any peer review. One could argue that their insider reputation (within the FFM, JIM and IIT fold) is mainly enhanced by continuing to provide the desired goods to the OPCW.
This one-sided array of experts is in itself perhaps sufficient to invalidate the working and conclusions of the IIT.
Behind-the-scenes “experts” and the staging argument
We have noted that the IIT has lent some credence to the question of “staging” in their first report. Or so they appear to have done, with some convincing-sounding arguments about how and why they consider it unlikely that the alleged chemical attacks had been staged. Upon closer examination, however, it is clear that the IIT report raises the topic of staging with the express purpose of dismissing it, again relying upon their battery of behind-the-scenes “experts”. This represents another one of the more flawed scientific arguments in the IIT report.
Not much can be said about considerations of staging in the witness accounts and reports of medical treatment at hospitals, as these are essentially story-lines that cannot be properly corroborated anyway, seeing as medical records were not available. The main focus of the staging discussion, particularly in the cases of alleged use of sarin, thus relates to the items brought by opposition forces to hand over to the FFM in Turkey. These are the soil and gravel samples and metal fragments that were used, with advice from the IIT’s selected “experts”, to confirm their belief that the Syrian Arab Air Force had dropped M4000 aerial bombs containing sarin.
Never mind that taking seriously the handing over to the FFM of “evidence” by opposition forces – with some items delivered almost a year after the alleged incident – is somewhat dubious. Let’s consider the staging possibilities.
Firstly, in evaluating the results of analysis on soil samples and metal fragments, the IIT reported the “sarin in question is consistent with the sarin of the stockpile and the production processes of the Syrian Arab Republic. In particular, the IIT concluded that the chemical profile (i.e., a collection of chemicals) of the sarin used in Ltamenah on March 24 and 30, 2017 strongly correlates to the chemical profile expected for sarin produced through a binary reaction in which the key binary component (DF) is manufactured via routes, as well as by using precursors and raw materials, pursued by the Syrian Arab Republic in its sarin programme.”
This, if intended to support the assertion that Syrian sarin was implicated, or that staging by the use of “spiking” chemicals was unlikely, is bordering on ludicrous. What possible reason could there be for the staging organizers, supporters (or advisors) to provide anything other than chemical samples carefully prepared by using the same precursors and sarin synthesis pathway as the well-known Syrian method? That chemistry has for many years been no secret; it is universally known and (apart from the use of hexamine as the acid scavenger) one of the “standard” ways of making sarin. That immediately defeats the “chemical marker” argument presented by the IIT. It is quite staggering that this argument has been taken seriously by any qualified or competent scientists.
Similarly, in the provision of metal fragments, there may well have been some work involved in sourcing the right bits and pieces to create a convincing scene. There are chopped-up M4000 aerial bomb graveyards in a few locations in Syria, as a result of their destruction of unfilled chemical munitions, part of the procedures required after they acceded to the Convention in late 2013. There is also the possibility of some bits and pieces of “leftovers,” perhaps also from exploded or non-functioning “repurposed” M4000 bombs. (The Syrians had explained that some empty M4000 bombs, normally designed for chemical use, had prior to accession been taken away from the chemical arsenal, to be filled with high explosive for use as conventional munitions).
An inconvenience that would have precluded the placement of larger parts, is that (assuming no intact and undeclared bombs were still around) the bomb bodies had each been cut into three segments and the stirrers were cut up as part of the destruction of chemical weapons verified during the UN-OPCW Joint Mission. This may be the explanation why in all three cases (Ltamenah 24 and 30 March 2017, and Khan Sheikhoun 4 April 2017) the only metal fragments in question were small scattered odds and ends.
So what happened to the main remaining parts of the bombs in such cases? In other words, were the scattered bits and pieces, representing a tiny part of the whole M4000 aerial bomb, all that were available for strategic placement by the opposition forces (because that was all that was given to them) – and thus all that was recovered despite their apparent diligence in scouting the area?
It is well known that the relatively small burster charge on this type of munition does not shatter or vaporise the entire object (as appears to be suggested by the IIT experts), and would not be expected to leave just a few isolated smallish fragments that are assessed as “could have come from a M4000 aerial bomb”. That certainly smacks of staging; seemingly effective but limited by the materials at hand.
One could argue that the IIT’s entire logic of staging is somewhat self-defeating, particularly it’s reasoning around the effort required and the lack of propaganda “publicity” for the opposition forces (again, a line of argument raised by the IIT in their report). If the staging was done by or on behalf of the opposition forces, supported (as has been alleged) by Western agents, in order to provide a justification and perhaps prompt Western intervention, one would expect that the outcome that has been achieved with the IIT report has therefore been successful for both parties. To recognize this, one only has to consider some of the renewed calls in the media for military intervention in Syria in the wake of the IIT report.
And if, as alleged – and, it seems, proven – Western NGOs and intelligence personnel were operating in Syria, surely they would have provided the appropriate level of technical expertise to ensure the staging was successful? For example, looking at some other questionable “compelling evidence”, selecting or describing the type of crater required, and providing a fuse that had the appearance of having functioned “normally,” as of course this would all be reflected in the guidance, briefings and coordination provided to the opposition forces to give to the FFM.
One could even argue that the staging had elements of a self-contained loop, with the same (or similar) Western/NATO experts being involved in setting up the scenario as those providing later assessments for the IIT. Is that not a worthwhile endeavor in furthering the foreign policy agenda? It appears to have worked.
Hearsay, rumor and information
We found one rather disturbing comment, delivered almost as an aside, in the IIT report: “The IIT obtained information that, in March 2017, Shayrat airbase was used to store chemical weapons. The IIT further obtained information that former members of the previously designated Branch 450, a component of the Syrian Arab Republic’s chemical weapons programme responsible for storage, mixing, and filling of chemical weapons, including sarin, were present in Shayrat airbase in late March 2017.”
This passage is reminiscent of many previous throwaway accusations made at the political level. It would be staggering, if true, that chemical weapons were being stored at Al-Shayrat. Indeed, it could have been seen as close to a smoking gun.
But what level of credibility can we ascribe to such a comment? Did it come from US, British or French intelligence services? Or was it the product of a throwaway “report” provided by an OPCW delegate in The Hague? Is it “incontrovertible evidence” in the same way the supposedly clear evidence of proof of the now-discredited allegation of the Douma chemical attack was? We should perhaps take that comment of the IIT “obtaining information” as ranking alongside the credibility of similar intelligence reports leading up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
A flawed report is met with no scientific challenge
The glaring weaknesses in the FFM and IIT’s methodology are clear; the political bias, compromised “evidence”, lack of transparency, singular reliance upon only one side of the story (the groups opposed to the Syrian government), and the flawed arguments on why staging would be “too difficult” for the opposition forces; leads us to serious doubts about the conclusions in the IIT report.
Perhaps to the credit of the IIT members who argued against more definitive, stronger language in their report, what the IIT produced was the desired Western opinion about what could have happened. Weak language stating that “there are reasonable grounds to believe” the official story, it could be argued, actually implies a 50/50 case in which there are similarly reasonable grounds “not to believe” it.
Perhaps, more accurately, it suggests that the IIT thought “it’s not outside the realms of possibility” that things occurred as suggested in the report, rather than the possibility that the incident had been staged. But if the staging was considered unlikely, doesn’t it rank aside the unlikelihood, due to lack of motive, of the Syrians galvanizing the world against them (and angering their Russian supporters) by dropping sarin bombs onto farmland? At the end of the day, we must be clear that this is little more than an expression of a one-sided opinion.
Unfortunately, lesser-informed elements encompassing practically all mainstream media outlets have interpreted the conclusion – the opinion – as fact. True professionals prefer to stick to facts, so please don’t count us in. It is most unfortunate that the eagerness of the Western governments, NGOs, commentators, and the complicity of the mainstream media, has ensured that this flawed report is met with no scientific challenge whatsoever. Such is the momentum of the prevailing Syria narrative that most of these aforementioned elements, being sufficiently delighted, have not bothered to read it.
We know there are many competent experts in forensics, chemistry and ballistics who would find the conclusions in the IIT report to be questionable. The methodology and science of the Ltamenah IIT investigation should rather have been trusted to a panel of unbiased, impartial, internationally recognised scientists, investigators and weapons specialists, who would issue their assessment of the alleged chemical attacks in a transparent manner. And, for the first time, the organization could have publicized the names and professional reputations of the “experts” behind their findings.
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southfront--2020-04-28--ISIS Suicide Bomber Attacked Iraqi Intelligence Bureau Wounding 3

On April 28 , an alleged ISIS suicide bomber attacked an intelligence bureau in northern Iraq injuring at least 3 @ @ @ @ @ security forces had spotted two men , one wearing an explosive vest and a driver @ @ @ @ @ the Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism Directorate in the Qadisiyah neighborhood in the northern city of Kirkuk @ @ @ @ @ .
The man hurled a grenade and then detonated his explosives vest before entering the @ @ @ @ @ .
The other man , apparently the driver , sped away from the the scene @ @ @ @ @ reported .

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On April 28, an alleged ISIS suicide bomber attacked an intelligence bureau in northern Iraq injuring at least 3 security personnel.
“Iraqi security forces had spotted two men, one wearing an explosive vest and a driver, approaching the gate of the Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism Directorate in the Qadisiyah neighborhood in the northern city of Kirkuk, a security official said.
The man hurled a grenade and then detonated his explosives vest before entering the premises, the official said. The other man, apparently the driver, sped away from the the scene,” the Daily Sabah reported.


southfront--2020-04-28--Philip M. Giraldi: “Netanyahu Is Back Yet Again”

Written by Philip M. Giraldi ; Originally appeared at The Unz Review Rahm Emanuel , up until recently the mayor of Chicago and before that a top advisor to the president in the Bill Clinton and Barack Obama White Houses and still earlier a volunteer in the Israeli Army , famously once commented that a good crisis should never be allowed to go to waste .
He meant , of course , that a crisis can be exploited to provide cover for other shenanigans involving politicians .
It was an observation that was particularly true when one was working for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once attacked a “ terrorist ” pharmaceutical factory in Sudan to divert attention away from the breaking Monica Lewinski scandal .
To be sure , the United States government is focusing its attention on the coronavirus while also using the cover afforded to heighten the pressure on “ enemies ” near and far .
As the coronavirus continues to spread , the Trump White House and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have increased the ferocity of their sabre rattling , apparently in part to deter Russia , China , Iran and Venezuela .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the countries being intimidated are actually threatening the United States , but we Americans have long since learned that perceptions are more important than facts when it comes to the current occupant of the oval office and his two predecessors .
The latest bit of mendacity coming out of the White House was a presidential tweettargeting the usual punching bag , Iran .
Based on an incident that occurred two weeks ago , Trump threatened “ I have instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Iran ’ s flying gunboats are clearly a formidable force but it is certainly reassuring to note that naval anti-aircraft fire has been directed to deal with them .
The U.S. Navy ships in question are , one might also observe , in a body of water generally referred to as the Persian Gulf , where they are carrying out maneuvers right off of the Iranian coast .
Meanwhile , Iranian flying gunboats have not yet been observed off of New Jersey , but they are probably waiting to be transported to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gliders that once upon a time were allegedly being constructed by Saddam Hussein .
Given the cover provided by the virus , it should surprise no one that Israel is also playing the same game .
The Jewish state has been continuing its lethal bombings of Syria , with hardly any notice in the international media .
In a recent missile attack , nine people were killed near the historic city of Palmyra .
Three of the dead were Syrians while six others were presumed to be Lebanese Shi ’ ites supporting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ite as an “ Iranian ” or an “ Iranian proxy ” and therefore a “ terrorist ” eligible to be killed on sight .
But the bigger coronavirus story has to do with Israel ’ s domestic politics .
Benjamin Netanyahu and his principle opponent Benny Gantz have come to an agreement to form a national government , ostensibly to deal with the health crisis .
The wily Netanyahu , who will continue to be prime minister in the deal , has thereby retained his power over the government while also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judiciary to try and sentence him on corruption charges .
As part of the deal with Gantz , Netanyahu will have veto power over the naming of the new government ’ s attorney general and state prosecutor , guaranteeing the appointment of individuals who will dismiss the charges .
And more will be coming , with the acquiescence of Washington .
U.S. elections are little more than six months away and Donald Trump clearly believes that he needs the political support of Netanyahu to energize his rabid Christian Zionist supporters , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sheldon Adelson , Bernard Marcus and Paul Singer .
So , it is time to establish a , which will be Israeli government behind the scenes approaches to powerful and wealthy American Jews on behalf of Trump while the White House will look the other way while Israel annexes most of the remaining Palestinian West Bank .
Pompeo has welcomed the new Israeli government and has confirmed that the annexation of the Palestinian land will be “ ultimately Israel ’ s decision to make , ” which amounts to a green light for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on West Bank annexation will reportedly be taken by the Knesset at the beginning of July followed immediately by steps to incorporate Jewish settlements into Israel proper .
According to the Israeli liberal newspaper , the planned annexation has raised some concerns among a few liberal American Jewish organizations because it will convince many progressives in the U.S. that Israel has truly become an apartheid state .
J Street warned that annexation “ would severely imperil Israel ’ s future as a democratic homeland for the Jewish people , along with the future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even suggested cutting U.S. aid if that step is actually taken .
Most other ostensibly liberal groups have adopted the usual Zionist two-step , i.e .
condemning the move but not advocating any effective steps to prevent it .
And it should also be noted that the largest and most powerful Jewish organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee ( AIPAC ) and the Zionist Organization of America ( ZOA ) have not raised any objections at all .
Unaffiliated individual liberal Jews , to include those who consider themselves Zionists , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though their argument is quite hypocritical , based on their belief that annexation would destroy any possible two-state solution , damaging both Palestinian rights and “ Jewish democracy.
” Some have even welcomed the change , noting that it would create a single state which eventually would have to evolve into a modern democracy with equal rights for all .
Such thinking is , however , nonsense .
Israel under Netanyahu and whichever fascist retread that eventually succeeds him regards itself as a Jewish state and will do whatever it takes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arabs of their land and possessions , stripping them of their legal status , and forcing them to leave as refugees .
That is something that might be referred to as ethnic cleansing , or even genocide .
And those Americans of conscience who are hoping for some change if someone named Joe Biden defeats Trump can also forget about that option .
Biden has told the New York Times that “ I believe a two-state solution remains the only way to ensure Israel ’ s long-term security while sustaining its Jewish and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only way to ensure Palestinian dignity and their legitimate interest in national self-determination .
And it is a necessary condition to take full advantage of the opening that exists for greater cooperation between Israel and its Arab neighbors .
For all these reasons , encouraging a two-state solution remains in the critical interest of the United States.
” Unfortunately , someone should tell Joe that that particular train has already left the station due to the expansion of the Jewish state ’ s settlements .
Nice words from the man who would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Israel Lobby for its political support and the money it provides as tightly as can be and he will fold before AIPAC and company like a cheap suit .
He has famously declared that “ You don ’ t have to be a Jew to be a Zionist – I am a Zionist ” and “ My Name is Joe Biden , and Everybody Knows I Love Israel.
” His vice-presidential candidates ’ debate with Sarah Palin in 2008 turned embarrassing when he and Palin both engaged in long soliloquys about how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do .
Every politician on the make loves Israel .
Philip M. Giraldi , Ph.D. , is Executive Director of the Council for the National Interest , a 501 ( c ) 3 tax deductible educational foundation ( Federal ID Number # 52-1739023 ) that seeks a more interests-based U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East .
Website is councilforthenationalinterest.org , address is P.O .
Box 2157 , Purcellville VA 20134 and its email is inform @ cnionline.org .

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Written by Philip M. Giraldi; Originally appeared at The Unz Review
Rahm Emanuel, up until recently the mayor of Chicago and before that a top advisor to the president in the Bill Clinton and Barack Obama White Houses and still earlier a volunteer in the Israeli Army, famously once commented that a good crisis should never be allowed to go to waste. He meant, of course, that a crisis can be exploited to provide cover for other shenanigans involving politicians. It was an observation that was particularly true when one was working for a sexual predator like Bill, who once attacked a “terrorist” pharmaceutical factory in Sudan to divert attention away from the breaking Monica Lewinski scandal.
To be sure, the United States government is focusing its attention on the coronavirus while also using the cover afforded to heighten the pressure on “enemies” near and far. As the coronavirus continues to spread, the Trump White House and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have increased the ferocity of their sabre rattling, apparently in part to deter Russia, China, Iran and Venezuela. Ironically, of course, none of the countries being intimidated are actually threatening the United States, but we Americans have long since learned that perceptions are more important than facts when it comes to the current occupant of the oval office and his two predecessors.
The latest bit of mendacity coming out of the White House was a presidential tweettargeting the usual punching bag, Iran. Based on an incident that occurred two weeks ago, Trump threatened “I have instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea.” Iran’s flying gunboats are clearly a formidable force but it is certainly reassuring to note that naval anti-aircraft fire has been directed to deal with them. The U.S. Navy ships in question are, one might also observe, in a body of water generally referred to as the Persian Gulf, where they are carrying out maneuvers right off of the Iranian coast. Meanwhile, Iranian flying gunboats have not yet been observed off of New Jersey, but they are probably waiting to be transported to the Eastern Seaboard by those huge trans-oceanic gliders that once upon a time were allegedly being constructed by Saddam Hussein.
Given the cover provided by the virus, it should surprise no one that Israel is also playing the same game. The Jewish state has been continuing its lethal bombings of Syria, with hardly any notice in the international media. In a recent missile attack, nine people were killed near the historic city of Palmyra. Three of the dead were Syrians while six others were presumed to be Lebanese Shi’ites supporting the Damascus government. Israel de facto regards any Shi’ite as an “Iranian” or an “Iranian proxy” and therefore a “terrorist” eligible to be killed on sight.
But the bigger coronavirus story has to do with Israel’s domestic politics. Benjamin Netanyahu and his principle opponent Benny Gantz have come to an agreement to form a national government, ostensibly to deal with the health crisis. The wily Netanyahu, who will continue to be prime minister in the deal, has thereby retained his power over the government while also putting a halt to bids from the judiciary to try and sentence him on corruption charges. As part of the deal with Gantz, Netanyahu will have veto power over the naming of the new government’s attorney general and state prosecutor, guaranteeing the appointment of individuals who will dismiss the charges.
And more will be coming, with the acquiescence of Washington. U.S. elections are little more than six months away and Donald Trump clearly believes that he needs the political support of Netanyahu to energize his rabid Christian Zionist supporters, as well as the cash coming from Jewish oligarchs Sheldon Adelson, Bernard Marcus and Paul Singer. So, it is time to establish a quid pro quo, which will be Israeli government behind the scenes approaches to powerful and wealthy American Jews on behalf of Trump while the White House will look the other way while Israel annexes most of the remaining Palestinian West Bank. Pompeo has welcomed the new Israeli government and has confirmed that the annexation of the Palestinian land will be “ultimately Israel’s decision to make,” which amounts to a green light for Netanyahu to go ahead.
A vote on West Bank annexation will reportedly be taken by the Knesset at the beginning of July followed immediately by steps to incorporate Jewish settlements into Israel proper. According to the Israeli liberal newspaper Haaretz, the planned annexation has raised some concerns among a few liberal American Jewish organizations because it will convince many progressives in the U.S. that Israel has truly become an apartheid state. J Street warned that annexation “would severely imperil Israel’s future as a democratic homeland for the Jewish people, along with the future of the U.S.-Israel relationship” and has even suggested cutting U.S. aid if that step is actually taken. Most other ostensibly liberal groups have adopted the usual Zionist two-step, i.e. condemning the move but not advocating any effective steps to prevent it. And it should also be noted that the largest and most powerful Jewish organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) have not raised any objections at all.
Unaffiliated individual liberal Jews, to include those who consider themselves Zionists, have generally been concerned about the move, though their argument is quite hypocritical, based on their belief that annexation would pari passu destroy any possible two-state solution, damaging both Palestinian rights and “Jewish democracy.” Some have even welcomed the change, noting that it would create a single state de facto which eventually would have to evolve into a modern democracy with equal rights for all. Such thinking is, however, nonsense. Israel under Netanyahu and whichever fascist retread that eventually succeeds him regards itself as a Jewish state and will do whatever it takes to maintain that, even including dispossessing remaining Arabs of their land and possessions, stripping them of their legal status, and forcing them to leave as refugees. That is something that might be referred to as ethnic cleansing, or even genocide.
And those Americans of conscience who are hoping for some change if someone named Joe Biden defeats Trump can also forget about that option. Biden has told the New York Times that “I believe a two-state solution remains the only way to ensure Israel’s long-term security while sustaining its Jewish and democratic identity. It is also the only way to ensure Palestinian dignity and their legitimate interest in national self-determination. And it is a necessary condition to take full advantage of the opening that exists for greater cooperation between Israel and its Arab neighbors. For all these reasons, encouraging a two-state solution remains in the critical interest of the United States.”
Unfortunately, someone should tell Joe that that particular train has already left the station due to the expansion of the Jewish state’s settlements. Nice words from the man who would be president aside, Biden is bound to the Israel Lobby for its political support and the money it provides as tightly as can be and he will fold before AIPAC and company like a cheap suit. He has famously declared that “You don’t have to be a Jew to be a Zionist – I am a Zionist” and “My Name is Joe Biden, and Everybody Knows I Love Israel.” His vice-presidential candidates’ debate with Sarah Palin in 2008 turned embarrassing when he and Palin both engaged in long soliloquys about how much they cherish Israel. Indeed they do. Every politician on the make loves Israel.
Philip M. Giraldi, Ph.D., is Executive Director of the Council for the National Interest, a 501(c)3 tax deductible educational foundation (Federal ID Number #52-1739023) that seeks a more interests-based U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. Website is councilforthenationalinterest.org, address is P.O. Box 2157, Purcellville VA 20134 and its email is inform@cnionline.org.
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southfront--2020-04-28--SF Urgently Needs Your Help!

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southfront--2020-04-28--Large Explosion Rocks Afrin City Killing At Least 39 People (Photos, Video)

I hope they can find if there is a timer or its detonated by phone .
If its by phone @ @ @ @ @ headers .
On our text TV its said it was kurds , but I see @ @ @ @ @ not .

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At least 39 people were killed and 50 others were wounded in a large explosion in the Turkish-occupied city of Afrin on April 28. The explosion was allegedly caused by an improvised explosive device installed on an oil tanker on the Raju road.
The blast occurred in the main #Afrin bazar. Casualties reported. pic.twitter.com/YLfWtGcK25 — Barzan Sadiq (@BarzanSadiq) April 28, 2020
Photos from the site:
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southfront--2020-04-28--Arleigh Burke-Class Guided Missile Destroyer (Infographics)

This rate rate rust bucketwith ill-trained murderous cowardly lardsass Americunt faggots shot down IR-655 airbus as supposedly the blind fuckers @ @ @ @ @ .
With such worthless murdering cunts on ships no wonder the cowardly Americunts lose every @ @ @ @ @ frustration kill women and children like their Zionist parasitic masters .

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The Arleigh Burke is a class of guided missile destroyers designed and built for the United States Navy.
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southfront--2020-04-28--Leaked Video Reveals Pentagon Briefing On Development Of Vaccine To Modify Human Behavior

The video below was allegedly filmed during a presentation in the Pentagon in 2005 .
It has been circulating online since at least 2013 .
Now , it is being shares as a Pentagon presentation by Bill Gates .
It is hard to confirm that the presenter is Bill Gates as its clamed .
Nonetheless , the fact of the research and development ( R & D ) works under the patronage of the US Department of Defense is enough by itself .
Furthermore , these R & D works , which led to some results in 2005 already , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the US elites .
Even now , in 2020 , the scientific society shares the view that despite the mapping on the human genome , we still know very little about the mechanisms of how various arrangement of chromosomes impact a person .
The humanity still can not fight genetic diseases .
It is a scary thought that the military provides a cover for experiments and researches in the field of using vaccines to modify the human behavior and other projects of this kind .
It ’ s unlikely that the current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ researches .
Nonetheless , the current situation provides a broader look at the concerns of a major part of the world society regarding the mandatory implementation of ‘ anti-COVID-19 ’ vaccines developed by international pharmaceutical corporations linked to the global financial elites .
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The video below was allegedly filmed during a presentation in the Pentagon in 2005. It has been circulating online since at least 2013. Now, it is being shares as a Pentagon presentation by Bill Gates. It is hard to confirm that the presenter is Bill Gates as its clamed. Nonetheless, the fact of the research and development (R&D) works under the patronage of the US Department of Defense is enough by itself. Furthermore, these R&D works, which led to some results in 2005 already, reveal the distorted psychology of a part of the US elites. Even now, in 2020, the scientific society shares the view that despite the mapping on the human genome, we still know very little about the mechanisms of how various arrangement of chromosomes impact a person. The humanity still cannot fight genetic diseases. It is a scary thought that the military provides a cover for experiments and researches in the field of using vaccines to modify the human behavior and other projects of this kind.
It’s unlikely that the current COVID-19 pandemic is a result of these researches. Nonetheless, the current situation provides a broader look at the concerns of a major part of the world society regarding the mandatory implementation of ‘anti-COVID-19’ vaccines developed by international pharmaceutical corporations linked to the global financial elites.
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southfront--2020-04-28--Israeli Military Buildup Near Golan Heights Follows Strikes On Syrian Capital

Israel has deployed additional units of the Iron Dome and Patriot air defense systems near the borders of Lebanon and Syria .
Pro-Israeli sources claim that the country ’ s military is preparing to repel possible retaliatory strikes from Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed forces following the recent airstrikes on alleged ‘ Iranian targets ’ near Damascus .
Over the past year , the Israeli Defense Forces have been steadily increasing their military presence in the area of the occupied Golan Heights under pretext of combating the so-called Iranian threat .
Syrian sources describe these developments as a part of preparations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Damascus government and its allies in southern Syria .
Late on April 27 , Turkish unmanned aerial vehicles dropped leaflets calling on Idlib residents to support actions of the Turkish Army in the area of the M4 highway .
Such actions by the Turkish military likely demonstrate that the negotiations with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham , which were held after a military incident between the sides on April 26 , likely ended with no real progress .
If the Turkish Army continues its efforts to de-block the part of the M4 highway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find itself in the state of an open military confrontation with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham .
2 US soldiers were abducted after an attack on their vehicle near the Omar oil fields , on the eastern bank of the Euphrates , Syrian state media said on April 27 .
Arab media regularly report about security incidents involving US-led coalition forces and their proxies in eastern Syria .
Earlier in April , Syria ’ s SANA claimed that a US soldier and 2 members of the Syrian Democratic Forces were killed in an attack near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ province .
On top of this , ISIS via its news agency Amaq regularly reports successful attacks against personnel of the Syrian Democratic Forces and civilians in the US-controlled area .
For example on April 21 , Amaq announced that ISIS forces had killed a “ sorcerer ” in the town of al-Sabhah .
The victim was identified as Hassan Ghanem al-Osman .
He became the third “ sorcerer ” killed by ISIS in eastern Deir Ezzor during the last two months .
The US-led coalition prefers to remain silent regarding the ISIS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nose of its forces .
However , it found time to comment on the April 27 report about the supposed casualties among US personnel calling it fake .
The Russian Military Police established a new observation point near the town of Tell Tamir in northeastern Syria .
Kurdish sources claim that Turkish-backed militants regularly shelled the town and the surrounding areas during the past few weeks .
They expect that the deployment of the Russians there should help to put an end to these regular ceasefire violations .

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Israel has deployed additional units of the Iron Dome and Patriot air defense systems near the borders of Lebanon and Syria. Pro-Israeli sources claim that the country’s military is preparing to repel possible retaliatory strikes from Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed forces following the recent airstrikes on alleged ‘Iranian targets’ near Damascus.
Over the past year, the Israeli Defense Forces have been steadily increasing their military presence in the area of the occupied Golan Heights under pretext of combating the so-called Iranian threat. Syrian sources describe these developments as a part of preparations for wider aggressive military actions against forces of the Damascus government and its allies in southern Syria.
Late on April 27, Turkish unmanned aerial vehicles dropped leaflets calling on Idlib residents to support actions of the Turkish Army in the area of the M4 highway. Such actions by the Turkish military likely demonstrate that the negotiations with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which were held after a military incident between the sides on April 26, likely ended with no real progress. If the Turkish Army continues its efforts to de-block the part of the M4 highway near Nayrab by force, it may find itself in the state of an open military confrontation with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.
2 US soldiers were abducted after an attack on their vehicle near the Omar oil fields, on the eastern bank of the Euphrates, Syrian state media said on April 27. Arab media regularly report about security incidents involving US-led coalition forces and their proxies in eastern Syria. Earlier in April, Syria’s SANA claimed that a US soldier and 2 members of the Syrian Democratic Forces were killed in an attack near the village of al-Wasia in Deir Ezzor province.
On top of this, ISIS via its news agency Amaq regularly reports successful attacks against personnel of the Syrian Democratic Forces and civilians in the US-controlled area. For example on April 21, Amaq announced that ISIS forces had killed a “sorcerer” in the town of al-Sabhah. The victim was identified as Hassan Ghanem al-Osman. He became the third “sorcerer” killed by ISIS in eastern Deir Ezzor during the last two months.
The US-led coalition prefers to remain silent regarding the ISIS terror campaign, which is ongoing under the nose of its forces. However, it found time to comment on the April 27 report about the supposed casualties among US personnel calling it fake.
The Russian Military Police established a new observation point near the town of Tell Tamir in northeastern Syria. Kurdish sources claim that Turkish-backed militants regularly shelled the town and the surrounding areas during the past few weeks. They expect that the deployment of the Russians there should help to put an end to these regular ceasefire violations.
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southfront--2020-04-28--Military Situation In Area Of Libya’s Tripoli On April 28, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image This map provides a general look at the military situation in the area of @ @ @ @ @ .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Khalifa Haftar Announces Shkeirat Agreements Are Dead , @ @ @ @ @

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This map provides a general look at the military situation in the area of the Libyan capital of Tripoli.
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southfront--2020-04-28--Military Situation In Afghanistan On April 28, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Afghanistan : • A civilian was @ @ @ @ @ wounded by security forces during the protests over an alleged rape of a woman by @ @ @ @ @ district of Ghazni province ; • At least 4 Police officers were killed in a @ @ @ @ @ of Gardez ; • The Taliban claims that 29 pro-government fighters surrendered to it in @ @ @ @ @ Baghlan province .
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A brief overview of the recent developments in Afghanistan:
A civilian was killed and 9 others were wounded by security forces during the protests over an alleged rape of a woman by two policemen in the Jaghori district of Ghazni province;
At least 4 Police officers were killed in a Taliban attack in the city of Gardez;
The Taliban claims that 29 pro-government fighters surrendered to it in Baharak and Baghlan-e-Markazi districts of Baghlan province.
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southfront--2020-04-28--Improvised Attack Drone Hits Asayish Position In Syria’s Kobane (Videos)

Last night , an improvised attack drone hit a position of the Asayish security unit of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic @ @ @ @ @ Ayn al-Arab ( Kobane ) in northern Syria .
Kurdish sources deny that the attack @ @ @ @ @ ON THE TOPIC : • Joint Turkish-Russian Patrol Takes Place On M4 Two Days After @ @ @ @ @ With Hayat Tahrir al-Sham In Nearby Area ( Photos )

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Last night, an improvised attack drone hit a position of the Asayish security unit of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in the town of Ayn al-Arab (Kobane) in northern Syria. Kurdish sources deny that the attack caused any casualties.
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southfront--2020-04-29--Turkish Forces Place Afrin Under Full Lock Down As Death Toll From Recent Bombing Rises

Turkish forces placed the occupied city of Afrin under a completely lock down a day after a horrendous bombing that claimed the lives of dozens of civilians .
Brocar Press , a pro-opposition outlet , said units of the Turkish military and the Syrian National Army ( SNA ) blocked all the city ’ s entrances early on April 29 .
“ All the roads and crossings in the countryside of Idlib and Aleppo which lead to the area of Afrin and the city are completely closed on the orders and instructions of Turkish forces deployed in the area , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , adding “ A major security alert in the city by Turkish forces and local factions.
” Several checkpoints were also established within the city by Turkish forces , which are carrying out a large-scale search operation .
On April 29 noon , a booby-trapped truck , loaded with oil barrels , exploded in a crowded marked in Afrin ’ s city center .
As a result , a total of 42 people , including women and children , were killed and at least 61 others were injured .
Turkey held both the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and the Kurdistan Workers ’ Party ( PKK ) responsible for the attack .
Meanwhile , local authorities in the southern Turkish province of Hatay said a suspect was arrested .
From its side , the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces ( SDF ) said that Turkey , which occupied Afrin in 2018 , is the side responsible for the attack .
Afrin witnessed a series of similar bombings over the last two years .
These attacks will not likely end any time soon , as the area is loosely controlled by Turkey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , like the SNA , are a hub for criminals and radicals in northern Syria .
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Turkish forces placed the occupied city of Afrin under a complete lockdown a day after a horrendous bombing that claimed lives of dozens of civilians.
Brocar Press, a pro-opposition outlet, said units of the Turkish military and the Syrian National Army (SNA) blocked all the city’s entrances early on April 29.
“All the roads and crossings in the countryside of Idlib and Aleppo which lead to the area of Afrin and the city are completely closed on the orders and instructions of Turkish forces deployed in the area,” the outlet’s reporter said, adding “A major security alert in the city by Turkish forces and local factions.”
Several checkpoints were also established within the city by Turkish forces, which are carrying out a large-scale search operation.
On April 29 noon, a booby-trapped truck, loaded with oil barrels, exploded in a crowded marked in Afrin’s city center. As a result, a total of 42 people, including women and children, were killed and at least 61 others were injured.
Turkey held both the People’s Protection Units (YPG) and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) responsible for the attack. Meanwhile, local authorities in the southern Turkish province of Hatay said a suspect was arrested.
From its side, the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said that Turkey, which occupied Afrin in 2018, is the side responsible for the attack.
Afrin witnessed a series of similar bombings over the last two years. These attacks will not likely end any time soon, as the area is loosely controlled by Turkey’s proxies. These proxy groups, like the SNA, are a hub for criminals and radicals in northern Syria.
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southfront--2020-04-29--Military Situation In Syria On April 29, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria : • An alleged drone @ @ @ @ @ the SDF security unit Asayish in Ayn al-Arab ; • A large explosion killed at @ @ @ @ @ city ; • The Turkish military claimed that 11 Kurdish fighters were ‘ neutralized ’ @ @ @ @ @ Peace Spring ; MORE ON THE TOPIC :

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria:
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southfront--2020-04-29--In Video: Tu-160 Strategic Bombers Shadowed By NATO Jets Over Baltic Sea

NATO fighter jets have shadowed Russian Tu-160 strategic bombers conducting a routine flight over the Baltic Sea , accordingto a @ @ @ @ @ Defense Ministry .
The video shows how F-16 fighter jets approach the bombers and their @ @ @ @ @ TOPIC : • Is Russia Overtaking the US in the Realm of Strategic Bombers ?

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NATO fighter jets have shadowed Russian Tu-160 strategic bombers conducting a routine flight over the Baltic Sea, accordingto a video released by the Russian Defense Ministry. The video shows how F-16 fighter jets approach the bombers and their escort.
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southfront--2020-04-29--In Photo: Syrian Army Captured ISIS Vehicle In Deir Ezzor Desert

Click to see the full-size image Units of the Syrian Army have captured a vehicle used by ISIS cells for @ @ @ @ @ in the province of Deir Ezzor .
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Units of the Syrian Army have captured a vehicle used by ISIS cells for operations in the desert area in the province of Deir Ezzor.
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southfront--2020-04-29--Turkish Military Claims 11 Kurdish Fighters Were ‘Neutralized’ In Northern Syria (Video)

On April 28 , the Turkish military claimed that its forces had ‘ neutralized ’ 11 members of the Kurdish @ @ @ @ @ ( YPG ) and the Kurdistan Workers Party ( PKK ) in the Operation Peace @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the Turkish side , the strikes were conducted in response to an @ @ @ @ @ members to attack Turkish Army positions .
Ankara insists that the YPG is just a @ @ @ @ @ , which is designated a ‘ terrorist group ’ in Turkey .
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On April 28, the Turkish military claimed that its forces had ‘neutralized’ 11 members of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in the Operation Peace Spring area in northeastern Syria.
According to the Turkish side, the strikes were conducted in response to an attempt of YPG and PKK members to attack Turkish Army positions.
Terör örgütü PKK/YPG’nin Barış Pınarı bölgesinde huzur ve güven ortamını bozmaya yönelik bir sızma girişimi daha önlendi. Kahraman Komandolarımız tarafından 11 PKK/YPG’li terörist başarılı bir operasyon ile amaçlarına ulaşamadan etkisiz hale getirildi.https://t.co/ptSfvflnEI pic.twitter.com/Bz9HzMUVtb — T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) April 28, 2020
Ankara insists that the YPG is just a local branch of the PKK, which is designated a ‘terrorist group’ in Turkey.
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southfront--2020-04-29--Turkish Police Shot And Killed 17yo Syrian Refugee That Violated Coronavirus Lockdown Rules

Turkish Police shot and killed a 17-year-old ( according to some reports 18-year-old ) Syrian refugee , who allegedly failed to comply with the country ’ s coronavirus curfew restrictions .
Reports say that Ali el Hemdan was returning home after work on April 28 , when the police arrested him on a routine check .
The boy was shot in the chest when he tried to evade the police .
He died shortly afterwards .
The Turkish anti-COVID-19 rules dictate that minors under the age of 18 should not go out on the streets .
Therefore , El Hamdan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fine for failing to abide by the rule .
No doubts , el Hemdan had no opportunity to pay such a fine and had no option to not work taking into account the dare conditions in which most of refugees live in Turkey and the current global economic decline .
So , he tried to run away from the police and was killed .
Local authorities described the killing as an “ accident ” .
However , the attempt to cover up the story caused a fury in social media .
Twitter users @ @ @ @ @ @ @ # AliyiÖldürenlerNerede , or “ where are Ali ’ s killers ?
” The police officer , who shot and killed El Hamdan , had merely been suspended from duty , as the so-called administrative and judicial inquiries were still ongoing .
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Turkish Police shot and killed a 17-year-old (according to some reports 18-year-old) Syrian refugee, who allegedly failed to comply with the country’s coronavirus curfew restrictions.
Reports say that Ali el Hemdan was returning home after work on April 28, when the police arrested him on a routine check. The boy was shot in the chest when he tried to evade the police. He died shortly afterwards.
The Turkish anti-COVID-19 rules dictate that minors under the age of 18 should not go out on the streets. Therefore, El Hamdan would have been subject to a €470 fine for failing to abide by the rule. No doubts, el Hemdan had no opportunity to pay such a fine and had no option to not work taking into account the dare conditions in which most of refugees live in Turkey and the current global economic decline. So, he tried to run away from the police and was killed.
Local authorities described the killing as an “accident”. However, the attempt to cover up the story caused a fury in social media. Twitter users shared their reactions under the hashtag, #AliyiÖldürenlerNerede, or “where are Ali’s killers?”
Opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) MP Mahir Polat tweeted, “it is not enough to suspend the police officer who shot 17-year-old Ali for not responding to the ‘stop’ warning. This is an organised crime.”
The police officer, who shot and killed El Hamdan, had merely been suspended from duty, as the so-called administrative and judicial inquiries were still ongoing.
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southfront--2020-04-29--Military Situation In Yemen On April 29, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Yemen : • Clashes between Ansar @ @ @ @ @ in the northern parts of Marib province .
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A brief overview of the recent developments in Yemen:
Ceasefire violations were reported in al-Hudaydah;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes struck the Sirwah area 16 times;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes struck the Zahir area 2 times;
Clashes between Ansar Allah and Saudi-led forces continue in the northern parts of Marib province.
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southfront--2020-04-29--YouTube Censors Viral Video Of California Doctors Criticizing “Stay-At-Home” Order

YouTube has censored a viral video in which two doctors criticized the logic of whether California ’ s stay-at-home coronavirus order is necessary .
The video , which had racked up over 5 million views , featured Dr. Dan Erickson and Dr. Artin Massihi , co-owners of Accelerated Urgent Care in Bakersfield , Calif .
In the clip , Erickson asserts that there is only a “ 0.03 chance of dying from COVID in the state of California , ” prompting him to ask , “ Does that necessitate sheltering in place ?
Does that necessitate shutting down medical systems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of work ?
” Erickson also asked why fatalities were being counted as COVID-19 deaths when other ailments were actually more to blame .
“ When someone dies in this country right now , they ’ re not talking about the high blood pressure , the diabetes , the stroke .
They ’ re saying ‘ Did they die from COVID ?
’ ” Erickson said .
“ We ’ ve been to hundreds of autopsies .
You don ’ t talk about one thing , you talk about comorbidities .
ER doctors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s interesting when I ’ m writing about my death report , I ’ m being pressured to add COVID .
Why is that ?
” The video was deleted late last night for “ violating YouTube ’ s terms of service.
” Earlier this month , YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki told CNN that the company would ban any video content that contradicted World Health Organization recommendations .
However , Wojcicki suggested that this would mainly be focused on banning information about fake cures , not questioning of government policy .
The video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ content that claims 5G cell towers are linked to the coronavirus outbreak .
During an appearance on Fox News last night , Dr. Erickson pointed to Sweden , which didn ’ t impose any drastic lockdown measures , but now has achieved herd immunity against coronavirus .
“ And if you look at their numbers : 200 deaths per million compared to ours , [ which is ] about the same .
Italy ’ s [ is ] about 400 per million and Spain is about 400 per million , so we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they took a completely different approach and their results are basically the same , ’ ” said Erickson .
Another version of the original video that YouTube deleted appears below .

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Written by Paul Joseph Watson; Originally appeared at Summit News
YouTube has censored a viral video in which two doctors criticized the logic of whether California’s stay-at-home coronavirus order is necessary.
The video, which had racked up over 5 million views, featured Dr. Dan Erickson and Dr. Artin Massihi, co-owners of Accelerated Urgent Care in Bakersfield, Calif.
In the clip, Erickson asserts that there is only a “0.03 chance of dying from COVID in the state of California,” prompting him to ask, “Does that necessitate sheltering in place? Does that necessitate shutting down medical systems? Does that necessitate people being out of work?”
Erickson also asked why fatalities were being counted as COVID-19 deaths when other ailments were actually more to blame.
“When someone dies in this country right now, they’re not talking about the high blood pressure, the diabetes, the stroke. They’re saying ‘Did they die from COVID?’” Erickson said. “We’ve been to hundreds of autopsies. You don’t talk about one thing, you talk about comorbidities. ER doctors now [say] ‘It’s interesting when I’m writing about my death report, I’m being pressured to add COVID. Why is that?”
The video was deleted late last night for “violating YouTube’s terms of service.”
Earlier this month, YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki told CNN that the company would ban any video content that contradicted World Health Organization recommendations.
However, Wojcicki suggested that this would mainly be focused on banning information about fake cures, not questioning of government policy.
The video platform has also set about banning any content that claims 5G cell towers are linked to the coronavirus outbreak.
During an appearance on Fox News last night, Dr. Erickson pointed to Sweden, which didn’t impose any drastic lockdown measures, but now has achieved herd immunity against coronavirus.
“And if you look at their numbers: 200 deaths per million compared to ours, [which is] about the same. Italy’s [is] about 400 per million and Spain is about 400 per million, so we are looking at this going, ‘OK, they took a completely different approach and their results are basically the same,’” said Erickson.
Another version of the original video that YouTube deleted appears below.
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