southfront--2020-06-21--Philip Giraldi: “America’s Recessional: Time to Bring the Troops Home”

Written by Philip Giraldi ; Originally appeared at The Unz Review Two weeks ago a senior Trump Administration official revealed that the president had decided to withdraw 9,500 American soldiers from Germany and that the administration would also be capping total U.S. military presence in that country at 25,000 , which might involve more cuts depending what is included in the numbers .
The move was welcomed in some circles and strongly criticized in others , but many observers were also bemused by the announcement , noting that Donald Trump had previously ordered a reduction in force in Afghanistan and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of which has actually been achieved .
In Syria , troops were only moved from the northern part of the country to the oil producing region in the south to protect the fields from seizure by ISIS , while in Afghanistan the nineteen-year-long training mission and infrastructure reconstruction continue .
In a somewhat related development , the Iraqi parliament has called for the removal of U.S. troops from the country , a demand that has been rejected by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo .
Put it all together and it suggests that any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ending America ’ s useless wars should be regarded with some skepticism .
The United States has its nearly 35,000 military personnel remaining in Germany as its contribution to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization ( NATO ) , founded in 1949 to counter Soviet forces in Eastern Europe in what was to become the Warsaw Pact .
Both the Organization and Pact were ostensibly defensive alliances and the U.S. active participation was intended to demonstrate American resolve to come to the aid of Western Europe .
Currently , 75 years after the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the fall of communist governments in Eastern Europe , NATO is an anachronism , kept going by the many statesmen and military establishments of the various countries that have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo .
Since the demise of the European communist regimes , NATO has found work in bombing Serbia , destroying Libya and in helping in the unending task to train an Afghan army .
In spite of the clearly diminished threat in Europe , NATO has expanded to 30 members , including most of the former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pact .
The most recent acquisition was Montenegro in 2016 , which contributed 2,400 soldiers to the NATO force .
That expansion was carried out in spite of assurances given to the post-Soviet Russian government that military encroachment would not take place .
Currently , NATO continues to focus on the threat from Moscow as its own viable raison d ’ être , with its deployments and training exercises often taking place right up against Russia ’ s borders .
Few really believe that the Russia , which has a GDP only the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or is even capable of reestablishing anything like the old Soviet Union .
But a vulnerable Russia is nevertheless interested in maintaining an old-fashioned sphere of influence around its borders , which explains the concern over developments in Ukraine , Georgia and the Baltic States .
Given the diminished threat level in Europe , the withdrawal of 9,500 soldiers should be welcomed by all parties .
Trump has been sending the not unreasonable message that if the Europeans want more defense , they should pay for it themselves , though he has wrapped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ derogatory language .
A wealthy Germany currently spends 1.1 % of GDP on its military , far less than the 2 % that NATO has declared to be a target to meet alliance commitments .
That compares with the nearly 5 % that the U.S. has been spending globally , inclusive of intelligence and national security costs .
Fair enough for burden sharing , but the European concern is more focused on how Trump does what he does .
For example , he announced the downsizing without informing America ’ s NATO partners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back immediately .
Conservative politician Peter Beyer said “ This is completely unacceptable , especially since nobody in Washington thought about informing its NATO ally Germany in advance , ” and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas regretted the planned withdrawal , describing Berlin ’ s relationship with the Washington as “ complicated.
” Chancellor Angela Merkel was reportedly shocked .
The timing of the decision has also been questioned , with many observers believing that Trump deliberately staged the announcement to punish Merkel for refusing to attend a planned G-7 Summit in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to arrange .
Merkel argued that dealing with the consequences of the coronavirus made it difficult for her to leave home at the present time and the G-7 planning never got off the ground , which angered Trump , who wanted to demonstrate his global leadership in an election year .
Trump ’ s behavior has real world consequences .
The Canadians and Europeans regard him as a joke , but a dangerous joke due to his impulsive decision making .
He can not be trusted and when he says something he often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arguably Donald Trump was elected president on the margin of difference provided by an anti-war vote after many Americans took seriously his pledge to end the burgeoning overseas wars and bring the soldiers home .
It all may have been a lie even as he was saying it , but it was convincing at the time and a welcome antidote to Hillary the Hawk .
There will be costs associated with removing or relocating the troops in Germany , to include constructing new bases somewhere else , hopefully in the United States , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not really needed could lead to the downsizing of the U.S. military across the board .
That would be strongly resisted by the Pentagon , the defense industries and Congress .
If Trump is serious about downsizing America ’ s overseas commitments , the reduction in the German force is a good first step , even if it was done for the wrong reasons .
It would be even better if he would force NATO into discussions about ending the alliance now that it is no longer needed , which would mean that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come home .
The U.S. mission of global dominance has meant huge budget deficits and a national debt of $ 26 trillion , which is likely unsustainable .
Germany and other European nations , by way of contrast , balance their government budgets every year .
South Korea , which hosts 30,000 American soldiers , is wealthy and far more powerful than its northern neighbor .
The continued occupation of Japan with 50,000 troops makes no sense even considering an increase in China ’ s regional power .
Overall , the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , airmen and Marines based overseas in 150 countries and its military budget exceeds one trillion dollars when everything is considered .
The Iraq and Afghanistan Wars may have cost as much as seven trillion dollars given the fact that much of the money was borrowed and will have to be repaid with interest .
It is past time for Donald Trump to make a bold move because the Democrats won ’ t have the backbone to rattle the status quo .
End the foreign wars , shut down the overseas bases and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars to improve the lives of Americans , not to fight wars for Saudis and Israelis .
A simple formula for change , but sometimes simple is best .

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Written by Philip Giraldi; Originally appeared at The Unz Review
Two weeks ago a senior Trump Administration official revealed that the president had decided to withdraw 9,500 American soldiers from Germany and that the administration would also be capping total U.S. military presence in that country at 25,000, which might involve more cuts depending what is included in the numbers. The move was welcomed in some circles and strongly criticized in others, but many observers were also bemused by the announcement, noting that Donald Trump had previously ordered a reduction in force in Afghanistan and a complete withdrawal from Syria, neither of which has actually been achieved. In Syria, troops were only moved from the northern part of the country to the oil producing region in the south to protect the fields from seizure by ISIS, while in Afghanistan the nineteen-year-long training mission and infrastructure reconstruction continue.
In a somewhat related development, the Iraqi parliament has called for the removal of U.S. troops from the country, a demand that has been rejected by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Put it all together and it suggests that any announcement coming from the White House on ending America’s useless wars should be regarded with some skepticism.
The United States has its nearly 35,000 military personnel remaining in Germany as its contribution to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), founded in 1949 to counter Soviet forces in Eastern Europe in what was to become the Warsaw Pact. Both the Organization and Pact were ostensibly defensive alliances and the U.S. active participation was intended to demonstrate American resolve to come to the aid of Western Europe. Currently, 75 years after the end of World War II and thirty years after the fall of communist governments in Eastern Europe, NATO is an anachronism, kept going by the many statesmen and military establishments of the various countries that have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo. Since the demise of the European communist regimes, NATO has found work in bombing Serbia, destroying Libya and in helping in the unending task to train an Afghan army.
In spite of the clearly diminished threat in Europe, NATO has expanded to 30 members, including most of the former communist states that made up the Warsaw Pact. The most recent acquisition was Montenegro in 2016, which contributed 2,400 soldiers to the NATO force. That expansion was carried out in spite of assurances given to the post-Soviet Russian government that military encroachment would not take place. Currently, NATO continues to focus on the threat from Moscow as its own viable raison d’être, with its deployments and training exercises often taking place right up against Russia’s borders.
Few really believe that the Russia, which has a GDP only the size of Italy’s, intends or is even capable of reestablishing anything like the old Soviet Union. But a vulnerable Russia is nevertheless interested in maintaining an old-fashioned sphere of influence around its borders, which explains the concern over developments in Ukraine, Georgia and the Baltic States.
Given the diminished threat level in Europe, the withdrawal of 9,500 soldiers should be welcomed by all parties. Trump has been sending the not unreasonable message that if the Europeans want more defense, they should pay for it themselves, though he has wrapped his proposal in his usual insulting and derogatory language. A wealthy Germany currently spends 1.1% of GDP on its military, far less than the 2% that NATO has declared to be a target to meet alliance commitments. That compares with the nearly 5% that the U.S. has been spending globally, inclusive of intelligence and national security costs.
Fair enough for burden sharing, but the European concern is more focused on how Trump does what he does. For example, he announced the downsizing without informing America’s NATO partners. The Germans were surprised and pushed back immediately. Conservative politician Peter Beyer said “This is completely unacceptable, especially since nobody in Washington thought about informing its NATO ally Germany in advance,” and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas regretted the planned withdrawal, describing Berlin’s relationship with the Washington as “complicated.” Chancellor Angela Merkel was reportedly shocked.
The timing of the decision has also been questioned, with many observers believing that Trump deliberately staged the announcement to punish Merkel for refusing to attend a planned G-7 Summit in the U.S. that the president had been trying to arrange. Merkel argued that dealing with the consequences of the coronavirus made it difficult for her to leave home at the present time and the G-7 planning never got off the ground, which angered Trump, who wanted to demonstrate his global leadership in an election year.
Trump’s behavior has real world consequences. The Canadians and Europeans regard him as a joke, but a dangerous joke due to his impulsive decision making. He cannot be trusted and when he says something he often contradicts himself on the next day. Arguably Donald Trump was elected president on the margin of difference provided by an anti-war vote after many Americans took seriously his pledge to end the burgeoning overseas wars and bring the soldiers home. It all may have been a lie even as he was saying it, but it was convincing at the time and a welcome antidote to Hillary the Hawk.
There will be costs associated with removing or relocating the troops in Germany, to include constructing new bases somewhere else, hopefully in the United States, but the realization that the soldiers are not really needed could lead to the downsizing of the U.S. military across the board. That would be strongly resisted by the Pentagon, the defense industries and Congress.
If Trump is serious about downsizing America’s overseas commitments, the reduction in the German force is a good first step, even if it was done for the wrong reasons. It would be even better if he would force NATO into discussions about ending the alliance now that it is no longer needed, which would mean that the remaining American soldiers in Europe could come home.
The U.S. mission of global dominance has meant huge budget deficits and a national debt of $26 trillion, which is likely unsustainable. Germany and other European nations, by way of contrast, balance their government budgets every year. South Korea, which hosts 30,000 American soldiers, is wealthy and far more powerful than its northern neighbor. The continued occupation of Japan with 50,000 troops makes no sense even considering an increase in China’s regional power. Overall, the United States continues to have 170,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines based overseas in 150 countries and its military budget exceeds one trillion dollars when everything is considered. The Iraq and Afghanistan Wars may have cost as much as seven trillion dollars given the fact that much of the money was borrowed and will have to be repaid with interest.
It is past time for Donald Trump to make a bold move because the Democrats won’t have the backbone to rattle the status quo. End the foreign wars, shut down the overseas bases and bring the soldiers home. Spend tax dollars to improve the lives of Americans, not to fight wars for Saudis and Israelis. A simple formula for change, but sometimes simple is best.
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southfront--2020-06-21--Security Forces Arrest Traffickers, Uncover Weapons In Southern Syria (Video)

Syrian security forces have arrested arms traffickers and seized large quantities of weapons in the country ’ s southern region @ @ @ @ @ Agency reported on June 20 .
“ After monitoring and a pursuit , we apprehended @ @ @ @ @ to foreign entities that was smuggling materials used to make improvised explosive devices … Thousands @ @ @ @ @ , which were being smuggled in shipping trucks , were seized , ” a military @ @ @ @ @ .
The weapons seized by security forces also included dozens of assault rifles , loads @ @ @ @ @ launcher as well as a Yugoslav-made M79 Osa anti-tank weapon along with six rounds .
@ @ @ @ @ forces uncovered loads of weapons in the southern region , including two Soviet-made man-portable air-defense @ @ @ @ @ of the weapons usually seized by Syrian authorities in the southern region was supplied to @ @ @ @ @ its regional allies , mainly Qatar and Saudi Arabia .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : @ @ @ @ @ ’ Was Killed In Recent Drone Strike On Turkish-Occupied Al-Bab – Reports

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Syrian security forces have arrested arms traffickers and seized large quantities of weapons in the country’s southern region, the Syrian Arab News Agency reported on June 20.
“After monitoring and a pursuit, we apprehended a group of terrorists linked to foreign entities that was smuggling materials used to make improvised explosive devices … Thousands of fuses and explosive materials, which were being smuggled in shipping trucks, were seized,” a military source told the state-run agency.
The weapons seized by security forces also included dozens of assault rifles, loads of ammunition, an RPG-7 launcher as well as a Yugoslav-made M79 Osa anti-tank weapon along with six rounds.
Last month, Syrian security forces uncovered loads of weapons in the southern region, including two Soviet-made man-portable air-defense systems.
A large part of the weapons usually seized by Syrian authorities in the southern region was supplied to militants by the U.S. and its regional allies, mainly Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
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southfront--2020-06-21--Military Situation In Iraq On June 20, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Iraq : • After an airstrike @ @ @ @ @ people marched in Sulaimani city against Turkish military operations in northern Iraq ; • The @ @ @ @ @ actions in northern Iraq and also called on the PKK to withdraw from the area @ @ @ @ @ artillery struck about 20 targets in the Zakho district in Duhok Governorate ; • At @ @ @ @ @ as a result of a Turkish operation in northern Iraq in recent days .
A @ @ @ @ @ the clashes ; • Warplanes and artillery units of the Turkish Armed Forces struck PKK @ @ @ @ @ ; • Two Turkish warplanes conducted airstrikes on Mount Spi , west of Duhok city @ @ @ @ @ :

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Iraq:
After an airstrike killed civilians, several hundred people marched in Sulaimani city against Turkish military operations in northern Iraq;
The Kurdistan Region Government condemned Turkish actions in northern Iraq and also called on the PKK to withdraw from the area;
Turkish warplanes and artillery struck about 20 targets in the Zakho district in Duhok Governorate;
At least 8 people were killed as a result of a Turkish operation in northern Iraq in recent days. A Turkish soldier was killed in the clashes;
Warplanes and artillery units of the Turkish Armed Forces struck PKK positions in the Haftanin area;
Two Turkish warplanes conducted airstrikes on Mount Spi, west of Duhok city.
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southfront--2020-06-21--Military Situation In Afghanistan On June 20, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Afghanistan : • At least 7 @ @ @ @ @ attack on the outpost in the Imam Sahib district of Kunduz province ; • According @ @ @ @ @ Defense , 17 Taliban militants were killed , 12 were wounded and an ANDSF soldier @ @ @ @ @ were wounded in a Taliban attack in the Sarozai district of Paktika province ; • @ @ @ @ @ shot dead on the spot in the Dehyak area of Farah city ; • An @ @ @ @ @ Forces was shred into pieces by an IED blast in the Sara Sakher area of @ @ @ @ @ were killed or wounded .
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A brief overview of the recent developments in Afghanistan:
At least 7 soldiers were killed in Taliban attack on the outpost in the Imam Sahib district of Kunduz province;
Taliban claimed 54 ANDSF personnel allegedly defected in Balkh province;
According to the Afghan Ministry of Defense, 17 Taliban militants were killed, 12 were wounded and an ANDSF soldier was killed, 2 others were wounded in a Taliban attack in the Sarozai district of Paktika province;
An Arbaki trooper has been shot dead on the spot in the Dehyak area of Farah city;
An APC of the Afghan Armed Forces was shred into pieces by an IED blast in the Sara Sakher area of Shawalikot district. Several soldiers were killed or wounded.
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southfront--2020-06-21--ISIS ‘Raqqa Emir’ Was Killed In Recent Drone Strike On Turkish-Occupied Al-Bab – Reports

The recent drone strike on the Turkish-occupied city of al-Bab in northern Syria has killed ISIS ’ s former Emir [ governor ] of “ Raqqa Wilayat , ” Fayz al-Akal , according to opposition sources .
The strike , that took place on June 20 noon , was reportedly carried out by a U.S. combat drone .
The prominent terrorist was allegedly targeted with an AGM-114R9X “ Ninja Bomb ” missile .
Al-Akal , who is known by his nom de guerre “ Abu Sa ’ d al-Shimali , ” is originally from the town of Suluk in northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces arrested him for carrying out an attack on Suluk ’ s police station .
The terrorist was freed from Raqqa ’ s prison in 2013 by the Free Syrian Army ( FSA ) , which captured the city after a brief battle with government forces .
Initially , al-Akal joined the FSA .
However , soon after he enrolled in the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front , now known as Hay ’ at Tahrir al-Sham .
Al-Akal defected from HTS to join ISIS later .
He rapidly rose within the group ’ s ranks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Raqqa .
In ISIS final days , the terrorist group falsely promoted that al-Akal was killed in order to cover his new work in its security forces Abdu al-Nasir Qurdash , a senior ISIS commander who was recently arrested , revealed that al-Akal was very close to the group ’ s former leader , Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi .
He was responsible for issues related to the group ’ s finance , recruitment and operations abroad .
In his final days , al-Akal was moving in Turkish-occupied areas using a fake ID carrying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His younger brother Izzu al-Akal , aka Ayman , was reportedly killed with him in the drone strike .
One of al-Akal ’ s brothers was Hadi , Abu al-Harith , who was a commander of the al-Nusra Front in Raqqa .
He was killed in a Syrian airstrike on Raqqa in 2013 .
Another brother of al-Akal is Fadel .
According to a recent report , Fadel attended a Turkish-sponsored meeting in northern Raqqa to plan attacks against the Syrian Democratic Forces .
If this is confirmed , the elimination of al-Akal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the last few months , the U.S. managed to eliminated several senior commanders of the terrorist group .
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The recent drone strike on the Turkish-occupied city of al-Bab in northern Syria has killed ISIS’s former Emir [governor] of “Raqqa Wilayat,” Fayz al-Akal, according to opposition sources.
The strike, that took place on June 20 noon, was reportedly carried out by a U.S. combat drone. The prominent terrorist was allegedly targeted with an AGM-114R9X “Ninja Bomb” missile.
Al-Akal, who is known by his nom de guerre “Abu Sa’d al-Shimali,” is originally from the town of Suluk in northern Raqqa. In 2008, Syrian security forces arrested him for carrying out an attack on Suluk’s police station.
The terrorist was freed from Raqqa’s prison in 2013 by the Free Syrian Army (FSA), which captured the city after a brief battle with government forces. Initially, al-Akal joined the FSA. However, soon after he enrolled in the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front, now known as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham.
Al-Akal defected from HTS to join ISIS later. He rapidly rose within the group’s ranks until he was appointed as the Emir of Raqqa. In ISIS final days, the terrorist group falsely promoted that al-Akal was killed in order to cover his new work in its security forces
Abdu al-Nasir Qurdash, a senior ISIS commander who was recently arrested, revealed that al-Akal was very close to the group’s former leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. He was responsible for issues related to the group’s finance, recruitment and operations abroad.
In his final days, al-Akal was moving in Turkish-occupied areas using a fake ID carrying the name of Ahmad Hussein al-Darwish. His younger brother Izzu al-Akal, aka Ayman, was reportedly killed with him in the drone strike.
One of al-Akal’s brothers was Hadi, Abu al-Harith, who was a commander of the al-Nusra Front in Raqqa. He was killed in a Syrian airstrike on Raqqa in 2013. Another brother of al-Akal is Fadel. According to a recent report, Fadel attended a Turkish-sponsored meeting in northern Raqqa to plan attacks against the Syrian Democratic Forces.
If this is confirmed, the elimination of al-Akal would be another blow to ISIS. In the last few months, the U.S. managed to eliminated several senior commanders of the terrorist group.
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southfront--2020-06-21--Al-Sisi Says Egypt Has Right To Intervene In Libya, Vows To Protect Sirte & Al-Jufra (Video, Photos)

Egypt ’ s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on June 20 that any Egyptian intervention in Libya has an international legitimacy and ordered his army to be prepared for missions inside or outside Egypt .
Al-Sisi made his remarks while he was inspecting Egyptian troops in the western region .
The president toured an air base near Egypt ’ s border with Libya , where thousands of troops as well as state of the art weapon systems are deployed .
The Egyptian President said his country is working to protect its western border , support security and stability in Libya @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went on to call for a ceasefire between the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) and the Government of National Accord ( GNA ) , warning the latter from attacking the port city of Sirte and the al-Jufra Air Base .
The President also revealed that Egypt is ready to train , equip and arm Libyan tribesman in order to defend and secure their own land .
Hinting at the growing Turkish intervention in Libya , al-Sisi called on all foreign forces to immediately withdraw , saying that “ illegitimate interventions ” are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last few months , Turkey stepped up its support for the GNA enabling it to secure major gains in northwest Libya .
In response , the Egyptian military amassed a large force on the Libyan border .
Since then , battles have winded down in Libya , especially around Sirte .
Egypt appears to be determined to stop Turkish expansion in Libya .
Nevertheless , Cairo will not likely employ a direct military intervention option before exhausting all diplomatic options .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Over 2,600 Turkish-Backed Syrian Militants @ @ @ @ @ @

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Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on June 20 that any Egyptian intervention in Libya has an international legitimacy and ordered his army to be prepared for missions inside or outside Egypt.
Al-Sisi made his remarks while he was inspecting Egyptian troops in the western region. The president toured an air base near Egypt’s border with Libya, where thousands of troops as well as state of the art weapon systems are deployed.
“Be prepared to carry out any mission, here inside our borders – or if necessary, outside our borders,” the President said in a speech to his troops, according to Reuters.
The Egyptian President said his country is working to protect its western border, support security and stability in Libya and stop the bloodshed there.
Al-Sisi went on to call for a ceasefire between the Libyan National Army (LNA) and the Government of National Accord (GNA), warning the latter from attacking the port city of Sirte and the al-Jufra Air Base.
“Let’s stop at the line both sides reached in the western and eastern regions and start a ceasefire … The line of Sirte, al-Jufra is a red line for Egypt and its national security,” al-Sisi said.
The President also revealed that Egypt is ready to train, equip and arm Libyan tribesman in order to defend and secure their own land.
Hinting at the growing Turkish intervention in Libya, al-Sisi called on all foreign forces to immediately withdraw, saying that “illegitimate interventions” are spreading terrorism in the region.
In the last few months, Turkey stepped up its support for the GNA enabling it to secure major gains in northwest Libya. In response, the Egyptian military amassed a large force on the Libyan border. Since then, battles have winded down in Libya, especially around Sirte.
Egypt appears to be determined to stop Turkish expansion in Libya. Nevertheless, Cairo will not likely employ a direct military intervention option before exhausting all diplomatic options.
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southfront--2020-06-21--Turkey Is Increasing Its Involvement In Conflict In Yemen: Reports

There have been several reports over the last month claiming that after initially supporting the Saudi-led campaign against Yemen and subsequently distancing itself from the campaign and arguing in favour of negotiations to find a political solution , Turkey has been surreptitiously increasing its involvement in the conflict in Yemen , largely through ‘ soft power ’ projection .
Although most analysts agree that a large-scale intervention in Yemen is beyond Turkey ’ s capabilities , both due to Turkey ’ s already heavy military commitments in Syria and Libya and the controversy caused by Turkey ’ s attempt to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eastern Mediterranean claimed by other States , as well as to the logistical barriers to delivering supplies to Yemen , there is increasing concern that Turkey is attempting to influence developments in Yemen for its own benefit .
The increasing attention being paid to the possibility of significant Turkish intervention in the conflict in Yemen follows the dramatic battlefield successes of the GNA due to the massive support provided by Turkey after concluding an agreement granting Turkey expansive resource rights in the eastern Mediterranean , raising questions as to whether Turkey might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either as part of the ‘ proxy war ’ against the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in particular or in order to gain control over infrastructure and/ or resources in the geo-strategically vital area .
The rivalry intensified considerably after Saudi Arabia , the UAE , Bahrain and Egypt severed relations with Qatar and attempted to impose a blockade on the country in 2017 , in response to which Turkey provided critical support and supplies to Qatar to enable it to withstand the pressure .
Turkish relations with Yemen have a long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ portal TRT World in 2018 : Ankara ’ s efforts to expand Turkish soft-power in Yemen faced major setbacks due to the Houthi takeover of Sanaa in 2014 , and the subsequent entry of the Saudi-led military coalition into the country ’ s civil war , of which Ankara has not been a major actor .
Nonetheless , Yemen remains important to Turkey ’ s leadership .
Based on Ankara ’ s geostrategic interests in the Red Sea and Bab al Mandeb coupled with historical connections rooted in the Ottoman era that bond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stakes in the future outcome of Yemen ’ s political environment and the unfolding humanitarian disaster .
When the Saudi-led Arab coalition launched Operation Decisive Storm in Yemen in March 2015 , Ankara uncovered that it was previously informed of the operation , signaling close cooperation and coordination between Ankara and Riyadh at that point… Furthermore , Ankara vowed to provide the Saudis with intelligence and logistical support in Yemen , yet no direct military support .
Ultimately , Turkey ’ s decision resulted from officials in Ankara believing that Riyadh lacked any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coalition ’ s end game .
From that point on , the Turkish role in the Yemeni crisis has varied in scope and type shifting between security , politics , diplomacy , and humanitarianism depending on the situation on the ground and Riyadh ’ s position vis-a-vis Turkey… The ongoing Qatar crisis has changed the regional geopolitical landscape back to 2013-2014 , only for the worse .
The GCC ’ s diplomatic row has created more splits in an already-torn Yemen , cracks in the Yemeni government and rifts with the partners including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was expelled from the Saudi-led military coalition in the immediate aftermath of the GCC crisis ’ eruption .
Not only were the Islah party and Qatar ’ s efforts important in terms of fighting Houthis and countering Iran ’ s influence in Yemen , but both were also allies of Turkey… Now Turkey is keeping a rather low-profile role while focusing instead on the urgency of Yemen ’ s humanitarian crisis… Once the dust settles in Yemen ’ s civil war , Turkey may return to being a far more influential player in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its soft-power .
LINK A report by Mintpress raised doubts as to whether the humanitarian assistance provided by Turkey has served as cover for other supplies of a military nature , and claims that in addition to frequent diplomatic and intelligence interactions between Turkey and political factions in Yemen Turkey has helped establish and equip several military training camps : In Taiz , Turkey has opened training camps , the most important of which is located on the outskirts of the al-Hajariya Mountains near the Bab al-Mandab Strait and is run by Hamoud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visits Qatar .
Al-Mikhlafi also established the “ Hamad Camp ” in the Jabal Habashi District .
Shabwah , and Marib have also received Turkish support .
Ankara has successfully boosted its intelligence presence in Yemen through the use of Turkish humanitarian aid organizations .
There are many Turkish “ humanitarian relief organizations ” operating in three coastal Yemeni regions : Shabwa , Socotra , and the al-Mukha region in Taiz governorate .
Among those organizations is the Turkish Humanitarian Relief Agency ( IHH ) which operates in the governorate of Aden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cooperation and Coordination Agency ( TIKA ) , the Turkiye Diyanet Foundation ( Türkiye Diyanet Vakfı ) among dozens of other Turkish organizations .
Turkey has been supporting Yemen ’ s El-Eslah Party , founded in 1990 , since before the Saudi-led Coalition launched its offensive in Yemen in 2015 .
Similar to its support for the Government of Accord in Libya , El-Eslah has gained additional momentum in recent years given the power and money it has received from both Turkey and members of the Saudi-led coalition .
LINK An article in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assertions and comments : The Emirati-financed meanwhile , has been particularly vicious over the past three months , with articles accusing Turkey of building up its presence in Yemen , specifically in support of the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated Al-Islah Party .
The allegations against Ankara include Egypt ’ s growing concerns such as Turkish “ interference ” under the guise of humanitarian aid operating in three southern coastal regions and a joint “ Qatar-Turkish plot ” to establish a militia recruitment camp in the Shabwa province .
It is quite possible that these allegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ divert attention from the rise of the UAE-backed separatist Southern Transitional Council ( STC ) ) … In the paradoxical world of Middle East alliances , Saudi Arabia is hostile to the Brotherhood and , along with the UAE , financed the military coup which overthrew Egypt ’ s first civilian President Mohamed Morsi who was affiliated to the movement , and yet actively supports Al-Islah militia which function as Hadi ’ s main fighting force on the ground against the Houthi-aligned Yemeni army .
Turkey may well extend limited assistance to Al-Islah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party will jeopardise its support from the Saudis… The UAE has long been accused of attempting to annex the Yemeni island of Socotra to secure what it perceives to be its geopolitical interests in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden .
It already has military and naval bases in Djibouti , Eritrea and Somaliland .
Turkey , of course , has its largest overseas military base located in the Somali capital Mogadishu as well as its largest embassy .
Logistically speaking , therefore , it is plausible that it could be preparing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yemen , also against UAE-backed forces .
As we have seen in Libya , Turkey has taken drone warfare to another level as have , to be fair , the Houthis in Yemen .
Perhaps as a precursor to future operations , a Turkish-made Karayel drone was downed by the Houthis over Hudaydah province in December… LINK Although Turkey ’ s capacity to intervene directly in the Yemen conflict is limited , if even a part of the claims of increased involvement are correct Turkey could obtain significant leverage from its ‘ investment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support into military gains .
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There have been several reports over the last month claiming that after initially supporting the Saudi-led campaign against Yemen and subsequently distancing itself from the campaign and arguing in favour of negotiations to find a political solution, Turkey has been surreptitiously increasing its involvement in the conflict in Yemen, largely through ‘soft power’ projection.
Although most analysts agree that a large-scale intervention in Yemen is beyond Turkey’s capabilities, both due to Turkey’s already heavy military commitments in Syria and Libya and the controversy caused by Turkey’s attempt to assert control over large areas of the eastern Mediterranean claimed by other States, as well as to the logistical barriers to delivering supplies to Yemen, there is increasing concern that Turkey is attempting to influence developments in Yemen for its own benefit.
The increasing attention being paid to the possibility of significant Turkish intervention in the conflict in Yemen follows the dramatic battlefield successes of the GNA due to the massive support provided by Turkey after concluding an agreement granting Turkey expansive resource rights in the eastern Mediterranean, raising questions as to whether Turkey might be considering expanding its involvement in Yemen, either as part of the ‘proxy war’ against the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in particular or in order to gain control over infrastructure and/ or resources in the geo-strategically vital area.
The rivalry intensified considerably after Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt severed relations with Qatar and attempted to impose a blockade on the country in 2017, in response to which Turkey provided critical support and supplies to Qatar to enable it to withstand the pressure.
Turkish relations with Yemen have a long history, as noted by the Turkish portal TRT World in 2018:
Ankara’s efforts to expand Turkish soft-power in Yemen faced major setbacks due to the Houthi takeover of Sanaa in 2014, and the subsequent entry of the Saudi-led military coalition into the country’s civil war, of which Ankara has not been a major actor. Nonetheless, Yemen remains important to Turkey’s leadership. Based on Ankara’s geostrategic interests in the Red Sea and Bab al Mandeb coupled with historical connections rooted in the Ottoman era that bond Turks and Yemenis, Turkey has high stakes in the future outcome of Yemen’s political environment and the unfolding humanitarian disaster. When the Saudi-led Arab coalition launched Operation Decisive Storm in Yemen in March 2015, Ankara uncovered that it was previously informed of the operation, signaling close cooperation and coordination between Ankara and Riyadh at that point… Furthermore, Ankara vowed to provide the Saudis with intelligence and logistical support in Yemen, yet no direct military support. Ultimately, Turkey’s decision resulted from officials in Ankara believing that Riyadh lacked any clear vision with respect to the Saudi-led coalition’s end game. From that point on, the Turkish role in the Yemeni crisis has varied in scope and type shifting between security, politics, diplomacy, and humanitarianism depending on the situation on the ground and Riyadh’s position vis-a-vis Turkey… The ongoing Qatar crisis has changed the regional geopolitical landscape back to 2013-2014, only for the worse. The GCC’s diplomatic row has created more splits in an already-torn Yemen, cracks in the Yemeni government and rifts with the partners including the Islah party and Qatar, which was expelled from the Saudi-led military coalition in the immediate aftermath of the GCC crisis’ eruption. Not only were the Islah party and Qatar’s efforts important in terms of fighting Houthis and countering Iran’s influence in Yemen, but both were also allies of Turkey… Now Turkey is keeping a rather low-profile role while focusing instead on the urgency of Yemen’s humanitarian crisis… Once the dust settles in Yemen’s civil war, Turkey may return to being a far more influential player in the country due to the reach of its soft-power. LINK
A report by Mintpress raised doubts as to whether the humanitarian assistance provided by Turkey has served as cover for other supplies of a military nature, and claims that in addition to frequent diplomatic and intelligence interactions between Turkey and political factions in Yemen Turkey has helped establish and equip several military training camps:
In Taiz, Turkey has opened training camps, the most important of which is located on the outskirts of the al-Hajariya Mountains near the Bab al-Mandab Strait and is run by Hamoud al-Mikhlafi who resides in Turkey and regularly visits Qatar. Al-Mikhlafi also established the “Hamad Camp” in the Jabal Habashi District. Shabwah, and Marib have also received Turkish support. Ankara has successfully boosted its intelligence presence in Yemen through the use of Turkish humanitarian aid organizations. There are many Turkish “humanitarian relief organizations” operating in three coastal Yemeni regions: Shabwa, Socotra, and the al-Mukha region in Taiz governorate. Among those organizations is the Turkish Humanitarian Relief Agency (IHH) which operates in the governorate of Aden, the Turkish Red Crescent, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), the Turkiye Diyanet Foundation (Türkiye Diyanet Vakfı) among dozens of other Turkish organizations. Turkey has been supporting Yemen’s El-Eslah Party, founded in 1990, since before the Saudi-led Coalition launched its offensive in Yemen in 2015. Similar to its support for the Government of Accord in Libya, El-Eslah has gained additional momentum in recent years given the power and money it has received from both Turkey and members of the Saudi-led coalition. LINK
An article in the Middle East Monitor evaluates the competing assertions and comments:
The Emirati-financed Arab Weekly, meanwhile, has been particularly vicious over the past three months, with articles accusing Turkey of building up its presence in Yemen, specifically in support of the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated Al-Islah Party. The allegations against Ankara include Egypt’s growing concerns such as Turkish “interference” under the guise of humanitarian aid operating in three southern coastal regions and a joint “Qatar-Turkish plot” to establish a militia recruitment camp in the Shabwa province. It is quite possible that these allegations contain half-truths or exaggerations (serving to divert attention from the rise of the UAE-backed separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC))… In the paradoxical world of Middle East alliances, Saudi Arabia is hostile to the Brotherhood and, along with the UAE, financed the military coup which overthrew Egypt’s first civilian President Mohamed Morsi who was affiliated to the movement, and yet actively supports Al-Islah militia which function as Hadi’s main fighting force on the ground against the Houthi-aligned Yemeni army. Turkey may well extend limited assistance to Al-Islah, but it is unlikely that the party will jeopardise its support from the Saudis… The UAE has long been accused of attempting to annex the Yemeni island of Socotra to secure what it perceives to be its geopolitical interests in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. It already has military and naval bases in Djibouti, Eritrea and Somaliland. Turkey, of course, has its largest overseas military base located in the Somali capital Mogadishu as well as its largest embassy. Logistically speaking, therefore, it is plausible that it could be preparing for a “Libya-like” operation in Yemen, also against UAE-backed forces. As we have seen in Libya, Turkey has taken drone warfare to another level as have, to be fair, the Houthis in Yemen. Perhaps as a precursor to future operations, a Turkish-made Karayel drone was downed by the Houthis over Hudaydah province in December… LINK
Although Turkey’s capacity to intervene directly in the Yemen conflict is limited, if even a part of the claims of increased involvement are correct Turkey could obtain significant leverage from its ‘investment’ if its allies can turn that support into military gains.
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southfront--2020-06-21--PKK Supporters Vandalize Gate Of Turkmen Graveyard In Iraq’s Kirkuk (Photos)

Late on June 20 , alleged supporters of the Kurdistan Workers ’ Party ( PKK ) vandalized the gate of the Turkmen graveyard in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk .
According to several Iraqi sources , the Turkmen and Iraqi flags were both ripped off the graveyard ’ s main gate sign by the vandals .
At the same time , three flags of the PKK were raised by unknown individuals at the three key bridges of Kirkuk city , al-Tis ’ in , Qasab Khanah and Arafah .
The Iraqi Turkmen Front condemned these acts , calling to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perpetrators and hold them accountable .
Kurdish Peshmerga took over Kirkuk during the war on ISIS .
In October of 2017 , the Iraqi military recaptured the city by force .
The authorities of the Kurdistan Region Government were removed from the city and replaced by federal forces of the central government .
The vandalizing of the graveyard led to a backlash among Turkmen in Kirkuk as well as in Turkey .
Ankara , which is now conducting an operation against the PKK in Kurdistan , could use the incident as a pretext @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that neighbors large oil fields .
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Late on June 20, alleged supporters of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) vandalized the gate of the Turkmen graveyard in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk.
According to several Iraqi sources, the Turkmen and Iraqi flags were both ripped off the graveyard’s main gate sign by the vandals.
At the same time, three flags of the PKK were raised by unknown individuals at the three key bridges of Kirkuk city, al-Tis’in, Qasab Khanah and Arafah.
هاجم منظمة PKK الارهابية مقبرة شهداء التركمان في كركوك وعلقوا خِرقة (ما يسمى ب علم التنظيم الارهابي) حزب العمال الكردستاني على بعض الجسور pic.twitter.com/tNWMKniLOJ — Anmar EFENDİOĞLU (@anmarefendioglu) June 20, 2020
يوم امس !!
عناصر من منظمه PKk الاٍرهابية تعلق اعلامها علئ جسور في مناطق كركوك (تسعين – قصاب خانه – عرفه) وتمزيق اللوحة الدلالة والعلم العراقي عن باب مقبرة شهداء التركمان، وهذا الامر خطير وهو مخطط له من اجل دخول الجيش التركي إلى محافظة كركوك. #Kurdistan pic.twitter.com/xou54LIvAp — #البروفيسور (@iraq909090) June 20, 2020
The Iraqi Turkmen Front condemned these acts, calling to Iraqi authorities to find and arrest the perpetrators and hold them accountable.
“These actions target all components of the city of Kirkuk and try to tamper with public security and stability,” a statement by the front reads.
Kurdish Peshmerga took over Kirkuk during the war on ISIS. In October of 2017, the Iraqi military recaptured the city by force. The authorities of the Kurdistan Region Government were removed from the city and replaced by federal forces of the central government.
The vandalizing of the graveyard led to a backlash among Turkmen in Kirkuk as well as in Turkey. Ankara, which is now conducting an operation against the PKK in Kurdistan, could use the incident as a pretext to expand its influence to the city that neighbors large oil fields.
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southfront--2020-06-21--Vandalism And Removal Of Monuments In United States: History Rewriting As Sign Of Deepening Rift In

Vandalism And Removal Of Monuments In United States: History Rewriting As Sign Of Deepening Rift In Society

The recent wave of vandalism against monuments across the US dedicated to people or events considered ‘ racist ’ by protestors have added another dimension of controversy and confrontation to social polarization in the country .
People are divided over whether such actions can be considered legitimate , emphasizing the need to debate which people and values should be honoured , or whether they are acts of simple vandalism that discredit and distract from the motives and objectives of the protests , confuse the issues involved and risk provoking more violence as other groups try to protect monuments from being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removal of monuments has increased in the US over the last few years , to the extent that the monuments themselves have become a focal point for protests and volatile confrontations between opposing groups .
In a report on the latest acts of vandalism Fox News comments : While Confederate statues and statues commemorating Christopher Columbus in particular have been the subject of similar attacks for some time , during the latest wave of protests statues to people or events which could not be considered in any way to be related to current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
During the first week of the protests , photos posted on Twitter by the National Park Service ( NPS ) showed graffiti on several monuments including the Lincoln Memorial , the World War II Memorial and the Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski statue in Freedom Plaza .
Fox News reported that in Birmingham , Ala. , a 97-year-old memorial honouring those who lost their lives in World War I was defaced and damaged amid a protest in the public park where it was located .
In Denver , Colorado , a sculpture remembering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vandalized .
Such attacks simply serve to discredit the protests and have no conceivable purpose .
They also risk provoking violent clashes with groups trying to defend the statues .
A report from Philadelphia last week provides one example of this , noting that a ‘ vigilante ’ group had been formed to protect a statue of Christopher Columbus : In the last week , protesters threw a Christopher Columbus statue into a Virginia lake .
They beheaded a Christopher Columbus statue up in Boston .
Just over the Ben Franklin Bridge in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statue from a city park .
And the one down in Wilmington , Delaware , saw a similar end .
But here in Philly , there ’ s a much , much different scene playing out .
Here in Philly , we ’ ve got men armed with bats , guns and hatchets “ protecting ” the Christopher Columbus statue in South Philadelphia ’ s Marconi Plaza , a small park at the intersection of Broad Street and Oregon Avenue .
The first reports of armed individuals “ patrolling ” in the park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were harassed and , in some cases , assaulted by some of the statue ’ s defenders .
It didn ’ t take long for police to show up and put barricades around the statue .
( Mayor Jim Kenney commented via Twitter ) : “ We are aware of the groups of armed individuals ‘ protecting ’ the Columbus statue in Marconi Plaza , ” Kenney tweeted .
“ All vigilantism is inappropriate , and these individuals only bring more danger to themselves and the city.
” LINK The phenomenon has also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United Kingdom .
On 18 June The Sun reported : MORE than 100 statues and streets names across the UK have now been put up on a website called Topple the Racists .
Protesters want them taken down because of their racist associations , and a map showing all of the “ racist ” statues in Britain online include memorials of Captain Cook and Wetherspoons pubs named after slave owners… The website was published by the Stop Trump coalition in support of the Black Lives Matter protests and maps out more than 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slave traders and “ racists ” .
The group said : “ We believe these statues and other memorials to slave-owners and colonialists need to be removed so that Britain can finally face the truth about its past – and how it shapes our present.
” LINK Police in at least some districts have been instructed not to intervene if this could put themselves or members of the public at risk .
On 11 June the Daily Mail reported that : Statues targeted by Black Lives Matter protestors will not be protected by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or the public at risk , a police chief has said .
Essex Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said it was up to operational commanders to make decisions on whether officers should step in to stop damage to monuments but said people ’ s safety would be prioritised over property .
Mr Harrington , the National Police Chiefs ’ Council ’ s lead on public order , said more than 155,000 people across the UK had taken part in almost 200 demonstrations , with 137 arrests… Statues glorifying slave traders and colonialists have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as part of a broader movement inspired by the Black Lives Matter protests that started in the United States following the death of George Floyd on May 25 .
LINK While the merits or otherwise of specific monuments may be questioned , the acts of vandalism and destruction clearly do not contribute to the ‘ peacefu dialogue ’ between different parts of the society and provoke more violence as other groups reasonably try to protect monuments from being defaced or damaged .
MORE ON THE TOPIC • US Pressures International Criminal Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ War Crimes In Afghanistan

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The recent wave of vandalism against monuments across the US dedicated to people or events considered ‘racist’ by protestors have added another dimension of controversy and confrontation to social polarization in the country. People are divided over whether such actions can be considered legitimate, emphasizing the need to debate which people and values should be honoured, or whether they are acts of simple vandalism that discredit and distract from the motives and objectives of the protests, confuse the issues involved and risk provoking more violence as other groups try to protect monuments from being defaced or damaged.
The defacing or removal of monuments has increased in the US over the last few years, to the extent that the monuments themselves have become a focal point for protests and volatile confrontations between opposing groups. In a report on the latest acts of vandalism Fox News comments:
Confederate monuments are a major flashpoint in Virginia and elsewhere in the South. Confederate memorials began coming down after a white supremacist killed nine black people at a Bible study in a church in South Carolina in 2015 and then again after the deadly white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017. LINK
While Confederate statues and statues commemorating Christopher Columbus in particular have been the subject of similar attacks for some time, during the latest wave of protests statues to people or events which could not be considered in any way to be related to current developments have also been defaced and damaged.
During the first week of the protests, photos posted on Twitter by the National Park Service (NPS) showed graffiti on several monuments including the Lincoln Memorial, the World War II Memorial and the Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski statue in Freedom Plaza.
Fox News reported that in Birmingham, Ala., a 97-year-old memorial honouring those who lost their lives in World War I was defaced and damaged amid a protest in the public park where it was located.
In Denver, Colorado, a sculpture remembering victims of the Armenian genocide was also vandalized.
“Cops are the evil,” was scrawled on the ground in front of the memorial. “Since the Khachkar commemorates the victims of all crimes against humanity, including slavery and state-sponsored racism, it is ironic that individuals who claim to seek justice have vandalized the very monument that honors the victims of injustice,” Armenians of Colorado said in a statement. LINK
Such attacks simply serve to discredit the protests and have no conceivable purpose. They also risk provoking violent clashes with groups trying to defend the statues. A report from Philadelphia last week provides one example of this, noting that a ‘vigilante’ group had been formed to protect a statue of Christopher Columbus:
In the last week, protesters threw a Christopher Columbus statue into a Virginia lake. They beheaded a Christopher Columbus statue up in Boston. Just over the Ben Franklin Bridge in Camden, officials removed a Christopher Columbus statue from a city park. And the one down in Wilmington, Delaware, saw a similar end. But here in Philly, there’s a much, much different scene playing out. Here in Philly, we’ve got men armed with bats, guns and hatchets “protecting” the Christopher Columbus statue in South Philadelphia’s Marconi Plaza, a small park at the intersection of Broad Street and Oregon Avenue. The first reports of armed individuals “patrolling” in the park emerged on Saturday. Protesters say they were harassed and, in some cases, assaulted by some of the statue’s defenders. It didn’t take long for police to show up and put barricades around the statue. (Mayor Jim Kenney commented via Twitter): “We are aware of the groups of armed individuals ‘protecting’ the Columbus statue in Marconi Plaza,” Kenney tweeted. “All vigilantism is inappropriate, and these individuals only bring more danger to themselves and the city.” LINK
The phenomenon has also been taken up by protestors in the United Kingdom. On 18 June The Sun reported:
MORE than 100 statues and streets names across the UK have now been put up on a website called Topple the Racists. Protesters want them taken down because of their racist associations, and a map showing all of the “racist” statues in Britain online include memorials of Captain Cook and Wetherspoons pubs named after slave owners… The website was published by the Stop Trump coalition in support of the Black Lives Matter protests and maps out more than 100 statues across Britain which pay tribute to slave traders and “racists”. The group said: “We believe these statues and other memorials to slave-owners and colonialists need to be removed so that Britain can finally face the truth about its past – and how it shapes our present.” LINK
Police in at least some districts have been instructed not to intervene if this could put themselves or members of the public at risk. On 11 June the Daily Mail reported that:
Statues targeted by Black Lives Matter protestors will not be protected by the police if it means putting themselves or the public at risk, a police chief has said. Essex Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said it was up to operational commanders to make decisions on whether officers should step in to stop damage to monuments but said people’s safety would be prioritised over property. Mr Harrington, the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead on public order, said more than 155,000 people across the UK had taken part in almost 200 demonstrations, with 137 arrests… Statues glorifying slave traders and colonialists have come into sharp focus in recent days, as part of a broader movement inspired by the Black Lives Matter protests that started in the United States following the death of George Floyd on May 25. LINK
While the merits or otherwise of specific monuments may be questioned, the acts of vandalism and destruction clearly do not contribute to the ‘peacefu dialogue’ between different parts of the society and provoke more violence as other groups reasonably try to protect monuments from being defaced or damaged.
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southfront--2020-06-21--L-39 Military Aircraft Of Libyan National Army Made Emergency Landing On Border (Video, Photos)

A L-39 Albatros military aircraft of the Libyan National Army made an emergency landing near the Libyan border with Niger @ @ @ @ @ the L-39 jet eexpirienced a technical failure while it was conducting a reconnaissance mission .
@ @ @ @ @ image Click to see the full-size image Click to see the full-size image Click to @ @ @ @ @ ON THE TOPIC : • Al-Sisi Says Egypt Has Right To Intervene In Libya , @ @ @ @ @ Al-Jufra ( Video , Photos )

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A L-39 Albatros military aircraft of the Libyan National Army made an emergency landing near the Libyan border with Niger. According to reprots, the L-39 jet eexpirienced a technical failure while it was conducting a reconnaissance mission.
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southfront--2020-06-21--Shooting In CHOP Zone In Seattle Intensifies Competing Narratives

The self-declared Capitol Hill Occupied Protest Zone ( ‘ CHOP ’ ) in Seattle has become a symbolic reference point of the protests in the US .
For some it represents the ideals of individual freedom and liberty and the rejection of the ever expanding encroachment of ‘ the State ’ ( and , one could add , ‘ the Market ’ ) over the lives of the citizens they are supposed to serve .
For others , it represents the destructive and chaotic forces of malignant or ignorant masses , anarchists and hooligans ( usually ‘ left-wing ’ , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and contribute nothing to society and intend to destroy social order and everything positive .
Many commentators are seeking to turn every incident in the zone into proof positive that their opinion has been proven ‘ beyond a doubt ’ , and extrapolate from there to either valorise or condemn the protest movement , and without distinction , across the US .
The zone has come to epitomize efforts to either defend and praise , or disparage and discredit , the CHOP and the concepts and principles upon which it was founded – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of oppression and discrimination , which has been simplified and reduced over time to the raw conflict between the ‘ haves ’ and the ‘ have nots ’ , usually with heavy racist undertones .
Increasingly violent clashes between Seattle Police and protesters , including several shooting incidents , prompted SPD to abandon its East Precinct about two weeks ago in an effort to pacify protestors , and the demonstrators established a six-to-nine block occupied protest zone around the abandoned building .
The protesters say they ’ re trying to demonstrate that society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initiative has made headlines nationwide and has drawn strong condemnation from President Trump , who has threatened to take action if the governor and city leaders don ’ t take back the occupied zone .
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and other city leaders have called the occupied protest a largely peaceful one and said Capitol Hill has long been a hub for First Amendment activity .
The city council has made numerous concessions to accommodate the protesters demands , including setting up concrete barriers to stop traffic from entering the zone and agreeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s a life-threatening emergency .
Durkan elaborated on the reasons for the decision to negotiate with the protestors and defended the actions taken on her Twitter account : While the situation in the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest zone continues to evolve , some people whose homes and apartments are located inside the CHOP say they feel like hostages in their own neighbourhood .
Many business owners and residents of the area have criticised the measures , and police have stated that response times have tripled in the area .
While demonstrations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peaceful , there are also reports that businesses are being asked to pay protestors to continue operating in the area , and an increasing number of claims that acts of violence and robbery are now rampant in the zone .
Russell Kimble , owner of Car Tender on the edge of the CHOP , said his auto shop was burglarized and set on fire Saturday night .
He said when he called police , they didn ’ t arrive .
Kimble ’ s son and his business partner responded to the burglary , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with protesters .
Police Chief Carmen Best said officers observed the incident from afar and did not find any reason to intervene , but she has also said abandoning the precinct was not her decision and “ if you ’ re asking about the current situation , it ’ s not one that l like.
” LINK The debate over whether the movement is a worthwhile social experiment in alternative forms of maintaining social relations or a dangerous criminal subversive threat against the Seattle residents and the US in general has heated up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first homicide has occurred in the zone .
Following roughly 2 weeks of existence that have been characterized by an incessant stream of video showing beatdowns , brazen theft , armed robbery and myriad other crimes and/or ‘ revolutionary ’ acts , Seattle ’ s autonomous zone has finally sustained its first casualty since “ declaring independence ” from the US .
At least one person is dead with another in critical condition after a shooting early Saturday morning in the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest , or CHOP ( as they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooting comes after the mayor of Seattle decided to appease the group of mostly fringe leftists and anarchists by barring cops from using tear gas and other crowd control methods .
LINK Officers responding to the shooting initially said they had trouble getting to the scene because they were “ were met by a violent crowd that prevented officers safe access to the victims , ” Seattle Police said on their blog .
Two males with gunshot wounds arrived in private vehicles at Harborview Medical Center about half an hour after the shooting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19-year-old man died while the other person was in critical condition in the intensive care unit .
“ Homicide detectives responded and are conducting a thorough investigation , despite the challenges presented by the circumstances , ” police said .
While critics have renewed and intensified their rhetoric against the movement and the creation of the CHOP zone following the incident , it remains uncertain whether it will provide the basis for returning the area back to ‘ normal ’ , or whether it will be possible for Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the ‘ cop-free zone ’ for a while longer .
MORE ON THE TOPIC • Trump tries to tame the social media shrew

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The self-declared Capitol Hill Occupied Protest Zone (‘CHOP’) in Seattle has become a symbolic reference point of the protests in the US. For some it represents the ideals of individual freedom and liberty and the rejection of the ever expanding encroachment of ‘the State’ (and, one could add, ‘the Market’) over the lives of the citizens they are supposed to serve. For others, it represents the destructive and chaotic forces of malignant or ignorant masses, anarchists and hooligans (usually ‘left-wing’, whatever that means today) who produce and contribute nothing to society and intend to destroy social order and everything positive.
Many commentators are seeking to turn every incident in the zone into proof positive that their opinion has been proven ‘beyond a doubt’, and extrapolate from there to either valorise or condemn the protest movement, en masse and without distinction, across the US. The zone has come to epitomize efforts to either defend and praise, or disparage and discredit, the CHOP and the concepts and principles upon which it was founded – that the police have become a tool of oppression and discrimination, which has been simplified and reduced over time to the raw conflict between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’, usually with heavy racist undertones.
Increasingly violent clashes between Seattle Police and protesters, including several shooting incidents, prompted SPD to abandon its East Precinct about two weeks ago in an effort to pacify protestors, and the demonstrators established a six-to-nine block occupied protest zone around the abandoned building.
The protesters say they’re trying to demonstrate that society can manage without police intervention. The initiative has made headlines nationwide and has drawn strong condemnation from President Trump, who has threatened to take action if the governor and city leaders don’t take back the occupied zone.
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and other city leaders have called the occupied protest a largely peaceful one and said Capitol Hill has long been a hub for First Amendment activity. The city council has made numerous concessions to accommodate the protesters demands, including setting up concrete barriers to stop traffic from entering the zone and agreeing to keep it free of police unless there’s a life-threatening emergency.
Durkan elaborated on the reasons for the decision to negotiate with the protestors and defended the actions taken on her Twitter account:
The #CHOP has emerged as a gathering place for community to demand change of their local, state, and federal government. At the @CityofSeattle, we’ve made a few changes to facilitate first amendment activities while also maintaining safety and access for all of our residents. LINK
While the situation in the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest zone continues to evolve, some people whose homes and apartments are located inside the CHOP say they feel like hostages in their own neighbourhood. Many business owners and residents of the area have criticised the measures, and police have stated that response times have tripled in the area.
While demonstrations within the CHOP zone have mostly been peaceful, there are also reports that businesses are being asked to pay protestors to continue operating in the area, and an increasing number of claims that acts of violence and robbery are now rampant in the zone.
Russell Kimble, owner of Car Tender on the edge of the CHOP, said his auto shop was burglarized and set on fire Saturday night. He said when he called police, they didn’t arrive. Kimble’s son and his business partner responded to the burglary, and ended up getting into a scuffle with protesters.
Police Chief Carmen Best said officers observed the incident from afar and did not find any reason to intervene, but she has also said abandoning the precinct was not her decision and “if you’re asking about the current situation, it’s not one that l like.” LINK
The debate over whether the movement is a worthwhile social experiment in alternative forms of maintaining social relations or a dangerous criminal subversive threat against the Seattle residents and the US in general has heated up over the last couple of days as the first homicide has occurred in the zone.
A post at ZeroHedge proclaimed:
Following roughly 2 weeks of existence that have been characterized by an incessant stream of video showing beatdowns, brazen theft, armed robbery and myriad other crimes and/or ‘revolutionary’ acts, Seattle’s autonomous zone has finally sustained its first casualty since “declaring independence” from the US. At least one person is dead with another in critical condition after a shooting early Saturday morning in the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest, or CHOP (as they’re now calling it). The shooting comes after the mayor of Seattle decided to appease the group of mostly fringe leftists and anarchists by barring cops from using tear gas and other crowd control methods. LINK
Officers responding to the shooting initially said they had trouble getting to the scene because they were “were met by a violent crowd that prevented officers safe access to the victims,” Seattle Police said on their blog.
Two males with gunshot wounds arrived in private vehicles at Harborview Medical Center about half an hour after the shooting, a hospital spokeswoman said. A 19-year-old man died while the other person was in critical condition in the intensive care unit.
“Homicide detectives responded and are conducting a thorough investigation, despite the challenges presented by the circumstances,” police said.
While critics have renewed and intensified their rhetoric against the movement and the creation of the CHOP zone following the incident, it remains uncertain whether it will provide the basis for returning the area back to ‘normal’, or whether it will be possible for Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and Governor Jay Inslee to maintain the existence of the ‘cop-free zone’ for a while longer.
“We need to have a way for the community to have a way to speak and for police and fire services to be provided,” Mr Inslee said. “One way or another we obviously need to provide a way to offer protection for people, and that’s a necessity.”
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southfront--2020-06-21--Large Explosion Rocks SDF Ammo Depot In Northeast Al-Hasakah (Videos, Photos)

Late on June 21 , a large ammo depot of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces ( SDF ) in northeastern @ @ @ @ @ depot , which is located in the vicinity of the town of Rmelan , exploded @ @ @ @ @ and debris from the explosion fell on nearby areas .
However , no casualties have @ @ @ @ @ Some opposition activists claimed that the explosion was the result of a Turkish airstrike , @ @ @ @ @ an accident caused the explosion at the ammo depot .
The SDF and its main @ @ @ @ @ , are yet to release a statement explaining what exactly happened at the ammo depot @ @ @ @ @ the SDF with weapons and ammunition on a regular basis .
Turkey demanded the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ the Kurdish-led group on several occasion in the past .
However , this has never @ @ @ @ @ TOPIC :

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Late on June 21, a large ammo depot of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northeastern al-Hasakah exploded.
The ammo depot, which is located in the vicinity of the town of Rmelan, exploded for unknown reasons. Shrapnel and debris from the explosion fell on nearby areas. However, no casualties have been reported so far.
Some opposition activists claimed that the explosion was the result of a Turkish airstrike, while local sources said that an accident caused the explosion at the ammo depot.
The SDF and its main backer, the U.S.-led coalition, are yet to release a statement explaining what exactly happened at the ammo depot.
The U.S.-led coalition supplies the SDF with weapons and ammunition on a regular basis. Turkey demanded the U.S. to halt arms shipments to the Kurdish-led group on several occasion in the past. However, this has never happened.
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southfront--2020-06-21--Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham Executes Alleged Liwa al-Aqsa Commander

Al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay ’ at Tahrir al-Sham ( HTS ) has executed Idlib native Mudar al-Ali , an alleged commander of ISIS-lined Liwa al-Aqsa .
The Syrian Network for Human Rights ( SNHR ) reported on June 20 that al-Ali was executed on April 15 .
HTS security forces arrested the young man from his house in the town of Maarzita in southern Idlib on November 19 , 2019 .
His family was informed of the execution and asked to receive his body on June 19 .
Opposition sources claimed that al-Ali was a minor commander in Liwa al-Aqsa , formally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ISIS-linked group was dissolved in 2017 .
According to the sources , the young man continued to work for the group in secret as a security officer in Aleppo after 2017 .
Prior to his arrest , al-Ali was allegedly one of few people in Idlib , who pledged their allegiance to ISIS ’ new leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi .
Despite the information revealed by opposition sources , the SNHR insisted in its report that al-Ali was just a college student .
In the last few years , HTS arrested or executed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group appears to be intimidated by the growing influence of other terrorist factions in the region , including ISIS .
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Al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has executed Idlib native Mudar al-Ali, an alleged commander of ISIS-lined Liwa al-Aqsa.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) reported on June 20 that al-Ali was executed on April 15. HTS security forces arrested the young man from his house in the town of Maarzita in southern Idlib on November 19, 2019. His family was informed of the execution and asked to receive his body on June 19.
مضر العلي، طالب جامعي، اعتقلته هيئة تحرير الشام في عام 2019. في 18 حزيران 2020، تلقَّت عائلته معلومات تُفيد أن هيئة تحرير الشام نفّذت حكم الإعدام عليه داخل أحد مراكز احتجازها. تُشير الشبكة السورية أن عملية القتل تمت وفقاً لمعتقدات الهيئة المتطرفة.#سورياhttps://t.co/MlOSQ4nOoY pic.twitter.com/BbSX3ZtIx4 — الشبكة السورية (@SN4HR) June 20, 2020
Opposition sources claimed that al-Ali was a minor commander in Liwa al-Aqsa, formally known as Jund al- Aqsa. The ISIS-linked group was dissolved in 2017.
According to the sources, the young man continued to work for the group in secret as a security officer in Aleppo after 2017. Prior to his arrest, al-Ali was allegedly one of few people in Idlib, who pledged their allegiance to ISIS’ new leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi.
Despite the information revealed by opposition sources, the SNHR insisted in its report that al-Ali was just a college student.
In the last few years, HTS arrested or executed many radicals in Greater Idlib. The group appears to be intimidated by the growing influence of other terrorist factions in the region, including ISIS.
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southfront--2020-06-21--Iraqi Court Sentences Infamous ISIS ‘Mufti’ To Death

Nineveh Criminal Court has sentenced Abu Abd al-Bari , a Sharia official and a former Mufti of ISIS in the city of Mosul to death , Iraqi sources reported on June 21 .
Abu Abd al-Bari , whose real name is Shifa ’ Ali Basir , was arrested by Nineveh Police Command ’ s SWAT in the Mansour neighborhood of Mosul earlier this year .
During his work with ISIS , Abu Abd al-Bari preached in many mosques in al-Mosul against Iraqi government forces .
He was also responsible for a fatwa [ an Islamic rule ] that led to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s moderate scholars and clerics .
Abu Abd al-Bari , who was born on 1961 , was also behind a fatwa that encouraged the bombing of the Prophet Yunus mosque in July 2014 .
In a recent interview with Iraqi authorities , Abu Abd al-Bari acknowledged that he was responsible for the enslavement of many Yazidi girls as well as for the execution of members of the Shia sect and security forces personnel .
The Iraqi court rule against Abu Abd al-Bari will bring justice to the victims of the terrorist , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
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Nineveh Criminal Court has sentenced Abu Abd al-Bari, a Sharia official and a former Mufti of ISIS in the city of Mosul to death, Iraqi sources reported on June 21.
Abu Abd al-Bari, whose real name is Shifa’ Ali Basir, was arrested by Nineveh Police Command’s SWAT in the Mansour neighborhood of Mosul earlier this year.
During his work with ISIS, Abu Abd al-Bari preached in many mosques in al-Mosul against Iraqi government forces. He was also responsible for a fatwa [an Islamic rule] that led to the execution of a number of Mosul’s moderate scholars and clerics.
Abu Abd al-Bari, who was born on 1961, was also behind a fatwa that encouraged the bombing of the Prophet Yunus mosque in July 2014.
In a recent interview with Iraqi authorities, Abu Abd al-Bari acknowledged that he was responsible for the enslavement of many Yazidi girls as well as for the execution of members of the Shia sect and security forces personnel.
The Iraqi court rule against Abu Abd al-Bari will bring justice to the victims of the terrorist, who wreaked havoc in Mosul for years.
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