southfront--2020-04-23--The Saker: “The AngloZionists are launching a strategic PSYOP against China”

Written by The Saker ; Originally appeared at The Unz Review Maybe the “ the Russians did it ” narrative is getting stale .
Or maybe the leaders of the Empire have finally figured out that China is even more dangerous to the Empire than Russia .
But my personal gut feeling is simply that the AngloZionists are freaking out about the “ full-spectrum ” loss of face they suffered with their massive mishandling ( medically and , even more so , politically ! )
of this pandemic-induced socio-economic crisis and that they now are pointing fingers pretty much at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia did play a crucial role here , since it was in its informational war against Russia that the leaders of the Empire came up with what I now call the “ Skripal rules of evidence ” aka “ highly likely ” .
This latest principle being subserviently accepted by all Europeans in the name of “ solidarity ” ( solidarity with what exactly is rarely specified ) , it was , shall we say , “ naively reasonable ” that it would work this time around again .
Again , I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all .
Much has changed over the past two years : not only did the Europeans eventually find out how utterly stupid and incredible the entire Skripal fairy tale was , but the level of disgust and even hatred with Trump and the USA has sharply gone up .
Furthermore , China has a lot more to offer to Europe , than the disintegrating ( dis- ) United States – so why side with the losing party ?
Last , but most certainly not least , the Europeans will find out ( and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US literally does not give a damn about not only regular Europeans , but even about the European ruling classes .
[ Sidebar : a quick study of history shows that when exploiting elites are doing great , they all faithfully support each other , but when things start to go south , they immediately turn on each other .
The best recent example of this phenomenon is the schism in the US ruling elites who , since the election of Trump , have immediately turned on each other and are now viciously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” ( to use a Russian expression ) .
In fact , this is so true that it can even be used as a very reliable diagnostic tool : when your enemies are all united , then they are probably confident in their victory , but as soon as they turn on each other , you *know* that things are looking very bad for your opponents .
Likewise , we now see how southern Europeans are getting really angry with their northern “ EU allies ” ( Macron seems to be falling in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a more careful and diplomatic language ) .
Finally , the way the US CIA has one foreign policy , the Pentagon another and Foggy Bottom one of its own ( even if limited to sanctions and finger-pointing ) tells you pretty much all you need to know to see how deep the systemic crisis of the Empire has become . ]
While there are very few truly intelligent people left in the US government , there are still plenty of “ horizontally clever ” ones and it did not take them long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then a golden opportunity to pin all their own failures and mistakes on China .
The elements ?
Simple really : • Anti-Chinese propaganda has a long history in the USA and it was really easy to re-kindle it .
• Most US Americans have a completely irrational reaction to the word “ Communist ” so it is really easy for any US propaganda outlet to mention the CCP and “ lies ” in the same sentence and sound credible , irrespective of what else the sentence claims ( like , say , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plutocracy is terrified of the Chinese economic and industrial power , hence the vilification of companies like Huawei or DJI which are declared a national security threat to the USA .
Blame everything on the Chinese and the US oligarchs will love it !
• China and Russia are in a relationship which is even far deeper than an alliance .
I call it a “ symbiosis ” while the Chinese speak of a “ Strategic comprehensive partnership of coordination for the new era ” while the Russians speak of a “ crucial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t really matter here , what matters is that Russia and China are standing together ( that is what they mean by “ coordinating ” ) against the Empire and that the ( admittedly few and clumsy ) US attempts are breaking this alliance have totally failed .
• As with any new pandemic , it did take China time to figure out the nature of what was happening and it was extremely easy to accuse China of deliberate obfuscation ( while keeping the fact that China did inform the world as early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as is the presence of a multi-national WHO delegation to investigate this issue .
In reality , one might as well accuse China of being TOO open , and allowing various estimates and hypotheses to circulate even before the Chinese government had all the facts established .
It is a perfect case of dammed if you do and damned if you don ’ t .
• The US political culture is that 99.99 % of US Americans will believe literally ANY lie , no matter how self-evidently stupid , about the rest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth about the USA .
So scapegoating another power , especially a Communist one , gets a knee-jerk reaction of approval from the overwhelming majority of US Americans .
• When the WHO clearly did not buy into the US propaganda , it was a great move for Trump to defund it .
Not only did the USA already owe the WHO millions of dollars ( 50-200 , depending on who you ask ) , so the easy pretext not to pay was to accuse it of being pro-Chinese .
It is obvious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UN other than as a whipping boy , and this was a prefect way to target it again .
• As with any scary event , a true tsunami of completely unsubstantiated and outright silly rumors began as soon as it was clear that this was a major event and all the US propaganda machine had to do was to speak in serious tones about some of these rumors and to make it appear that the media was “ just reporting ” rather than planting stories .
• China is also a major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and this pandemic provided a perfect opportunity for the USA to present reports from Taiwan as reports from China ( that is an old trick ) .
As for the Taiwanese government , they were more than happy to find yet another pretext to hate on China , nothing new here either .
• Finally , US economists did not take long to figure out that this pandemic would have devastating effect on the “ best economy in the history of the galaxy ” so preemptively blaming it all on China is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masters to deflect the blame from them .
The stories which were then planted were truly magnificent .
Here are a few of my personal favorites • FBI Says Foreign States Hacked US Research Centers Seeking COVID-19 Breakthroughs ( though this article points the finger at Iran , not Russia or China , it sets the “ we are under attack ” tone very well : notice the plural in “ foreign states “ ) .
• Has a study proven that the coronavirus was a human creation , as claimed by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( excellent move , it gives authority to the argument by quoting a celebrity , nevermind that there are many more credible voices saying that this theory is baloney ) .
There are many more , I am sure that you have seen them too .
Eventually , and inevitably , this strategic PSYOP upped the ante and FOXnews ( logically ) aired this true masterpiece : “ Sen .
Hawley : Let coronavirus victims sue Chinese Communist Party “ .
Truly , this is brilliant .
“ I lost my job , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back ” is music to the ears of most US Americans .
Right now , most of the US statements are simply lies , but as China will , with time , eventually release more corrected and accurate information , these corrected/updated statistics will immediately be interpreted as the proof that initially the Chinese were deliberately lying and not as the effect of the Chinese themselves gradually getting a better picture of what actually happened .
Again , this is the typical case of dammed if you don ’ t and dammed if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is another reason which might contribute to the decision of the US to blame it all on China : it is still not clear where this virus came from , but one possibility is that it originated in the USA and was brought to China by US Americans ( whether deliberately or not is not the issue here ) .
As for the reports which claim that the US is deliberately covering up the real magnitude of the disaster in the USA , they are ignored .
Furthermore , it is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misread the situation and began by saying either that it was a Chinese problem or that it was “ no worse than the seasonal flu ” , or both .
This is just the latest case of what I call the “ ” leading US leaders to believe in their own propaganda only to find out that reality still exists out there and that it is dramatically different from the delusions held by most US Americans .
Now all these US politicians ( the Republicrats as much as the Demoblicans ) all have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
What better way to achieve that than to blame it all on China ?
As I said above , this his clever , but definitely not very intelligent .
The USA is already locked in an unwinnable war against Russia ( as I always remind everybody , this war is 80 % informational , 15 % economic and only 5 % kinetic ) .
To open a full-scale “ second front ” makes sense in terms of short term political expediency , especially in an election year , but in the long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In fact , if there is anything history teaches us , is that opening a second front when you can ’ t even handle the first one is suicidal .
But who cares about history , especially in the “ United States of Amnesia ” ?
And , besides , when you are both totally exceptional and totally superior , why would you care about the history of the common “ deplorable ” people and nations out there ?
Just call them “ shit holes ” and wave your ( Chinese made ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ looking Presidential ” these days… Regardless of anything said above , the momentum of this sinophobic campaign is too big to be reversed or stopped .
And since most of the US political class supports it , this will probably continue even after the US Presidential election ( assuming it takes place ) .
Still , all this begs the question : what did really happen ?
What is the truth ?
The truth is that nobody really knows .
It will probably take years to get the full picture and , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
What correct numbers ?
Well , ALL of them : carriers , resistance , age groups , comorbidity , the exact characteristics of this virus ( and of its various mutations ) , how effective the various tests are , which antiviral medication might help , its side effects , whether the BCG vaccine somehow helps the body to fight off the virus , etc .
Right now , I don ’ t believe that anybody really knows , even the percentage of asymptomatic carriers changes by an order of magnitude depending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some guesses are closer to the truth than others , by definition , but which ones are closer is still very hard to ascertain .
They key thing to keep in mind now is that most of what we see now has very little in common with any scientific investigation .
What we see is an attempt to use this pandemic for political , financial and geostrategic purposes .
And please don ’ t think that it is only Trump !
Just remember what Pelosi was saying as late as February !
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned the WHO that there was a major crisis developing !
But Pelosi , just like Trump , only thinks about power , money and influence , not the safety of the “ deplorables ” which the Dems hate so much ( as do the Republicans , of course , they just don ’ t say so openly like Hillary did ; but just Trump ’ s “ grab them by the pussy ” says all you need to know about his true respect for his fellow human beings ! )
.
Then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the situation gets worse and worse for the USA and , specifically , for Trump ’ s reelection , he might well decide to do what many politicians do in such a situation : start a big war .
Before the pandemic , the US clearly had no stomach to start a war with Iran , but now that the pandemic is crippling the world economy and that all the ugly sides of the transnational capitalist system are becoming obvious , I would not put it past Trump to start a war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accusations against him .
The Idiot-in-Chief has now ordered USN forces off the coast of Iran to , I kid you not , “ shoot down & destroy ” any Iranian gunboat which would “ harass ” the USN .
Apparently , he still can not understand that should any USN ship execute any such order it would soon find itself dealing with a swarm of Iranian anti-shipping missiles .
Clearly , messianic narcissism and a rabid megalomania simply don ’ t allow Trump to understand that the Iranians are for real , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they , unlike the US , have carefully modeled the consequences of any war between Iran and the USA and while they won ’ t deliberately provoke such a war , they will fight it if needed , with infinitely more staying power than the US .
US politicians remind me of a person living in a arctic cabin who decide to burn down the cabin to get much needed heat : sure , this strategy will work , for a while , but only at the cost of a much bigger disaster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretty much ALL US politicians did with this pandemic , and this is why they will never ever accept any responsibility for anything .
Check out this cute little donkey on the right .
Would he not make the perfect mascot and symbol for both US political parties and for the many US politicians who can think of nothing else than covering him ?
There is one more thing I would like to mention here : there are a lot of folks out there who like to carefully note all the instances when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They take these warning statements as evidence of a conspiracy .
The truth is that the scientific community and even the general public ( at least those few who still read books ) fully knew that it was just a matter of time before such a pandemic would happen , because our society made such an event inevitable .
Just one example : In distant 1995 the US journalist Lorrie Garrett published an excellent book called “ The Coming Plague : Newly Emerging Diseases in a World Out of Balance ” in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a global pandemic would naturally emerge due to the very nature of our modern society .
I highly recommend this book in spite of the fact that it is now a quarter of a century old : it is very well written , easy to read , and it makes a very strong case that such pandemics were inevitable ( and with no need to appeal to unsubstantiated biowarfare theories ) .
History will show that we all , our entire planet , did not take this and many other warnings seriously .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a politician : to accept that our entire socio-political order is unsustainable and outright dangerous ( or “ out of balance ” to use Garrett ’ s expression ) , or to blame it all on the Chinese commies and their “ secret biowarfare program ” ?
I think that the answer is self-evident .

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Written by The Saker; Originally appeared at The Unz Review
Maybe the “the Russians did it” narrative is getting stale. Or maybe the leaders of the Empire have finally figured out that China is even more dangerous to the Empire than Russia. But my personal gut feeling is simply that the AngloZionists are freaking out about the “full-spectrum” loss of face they suffered with their massive mishandling (medically and, even more so, politically!) of this pandemic-induced socio-economic crisis and that they now are pointing fingers pretty much at everybody (including each other).
Russia did play a crucial role here, since it was in its informational war against Russia that the leaders of the Empire came up with what I now call the “Skripal rules of evidence” aka “highly likely”. This latest principle being subserviently accepted by all Europeans in the name of “solidarity” (solidarity with what exactly is rarely specified), it was, shall we say, “naively reasonable” that it would work this time around again. Again, I am personally not so sure about that at all. Much has changed over the past two years: not only did the Europeans eventually find out how utterly stupid and incredible the entire Skripal fairy tale was, but the level of disgust and even hatred with Trump and the USA has sharply gone up. Furthermore, China has a lot more to offer to Europe, than the disintegrating (dis-)United States – so why side with the losing party? Last, but most certainly not least, the Europeans will find out (and some already have), that the US literally does not give a damn about not only regular Europeans, but even about the European ruling classes.
[Sidebar: a quick study of history shows that when exploiting elites are doing great, they all faithfully support each other, but when things start to go south, they immediately turn on each other. The best recent example of this phenomenon is the schism in the US ruling elites who, since the election of Trump, have immediately turned on each other and are now viciously fighting like “spiders in a can” (to use a Russian expression). In fact, this is so true that it can even be used as a very reliable diagnostic tool: when your enemies are all united, then they are probably confident in their victory, but as soon as they turn on each other, you *know* that things are looking very bad for your opponents. Likewise, we now see how southern Europeans are getting really angry with their northern “EU allies” (Macron seems to be falling in line behind Trump even if he uses a more careful and diplomatic language). Finally, the way the US CIA has one foreign policy, the Pentagon another and Foggy Bottom one of its own (even if limited to sanctions and finger-pointing) tells you pretty much all you need to know to see how deep the systemic crisis of the Empire has become.]
While there are very few truly intelligent people left in the US government, there are still plenty of “horizontally clever” ones and it did not take them long to find out that this pandemic gave then a golden opportunity to pin all their own failures and mistakes on China. The elements? Simple really:
Anti-Chinese propaganda has a long history in the USA and it was really easy to re-kindle it. Most US Americans have a completely irrational reaction to the word “Communist” so it is really easy for any US propaganda outlet to mention the CCP and “lies” in the same sentence and sound credible, irrespective of what else the sentence claims (like, say, factual evidence). The US plutocracy is terrified of the Chinese economic and industrial power, hence the vilification of companies like Huawei or DJI which are declared a national security threat to the USA. Blame everything on the Chinese and the US oligarchs will love it! China and Russia are in a relationship which is even far deeper than an alliance. I call it a “symbiosis” while the Chinese speak of a “Strategic comprehensive partnership of coordination for the new era” while the Russians speak of a “crucial alliance”. The terms don’t really matter here, what matters is that Russia and China are standing together ( that is what they mean by “coordinating”) against the Empire and that the (admittedly few and clumsy) US attempts are breaking this alliance have totally failed. As with any new pandemic, it did take China time to figure out the nature of what was happening and it was extremely easy to accuse China of deliberate obfuscation (while keeping the fact that China did inform the world as early as December 31st is, obviously omitted, as is the presence of a multi-national WHO delegation to investigate this issue. In reality, one might as well accuse China of being TOO open, and allowing various estimates and hypotheses to circulate even before the Chinese government had all the facts established. It is a perfect case of dammed if you do and damned if you don’t. The US political culture is that 99.99% of US Americans will believe literally ANY lie, no matter how self-evidently stupid, about the rest of the world than accepting any unpleasant truth about the USA. So scapegoating another power, especially a Communist one, gets a knee-jerk reaction of approval from the overwhelming majority of US Americans. When the WHO clearly did not buy into the US propaganda, it was a great move for Trump to defund it. Not only did the USA already owe the WHO millions of dollars (50-200, depending on who you ask), so the easy pretext not to pay was to accuse it of being pro-Chinese. It is obvious that Trump has no use for the UN other than as a whipping boy, and this was a prefect way to target it again. As with any scary event, a true tsunami of completely unsubstantiated and outright silly rumors began as soon as it was clear that this was a major event and all the US propaganda machine had to do was to speak in serious tones about some of these rumors and to make it appear that the media was “just reporting” rather than planting stories. China is also a major threat to US interests in Asia, and this pandemic provided a perfect opportunity for the USA to present reports from Taiwan as reports from China (that is an old trick). As for the Taiwanese government, they were more than happy to find yet another pretext to hate on China, nothing new here either. Finally, US economists did not take long to figure out that this pandemic would have devastating effect on the “best economy in the history of the galaxy” so preemptively blaming it all on China is the perfect way for Trump and his Neocon masters to deflect the blame from them.
The stories which were then planted were truly magnificent. Here are a few of my personal favorites
There are many more, I am sure that you have seen them too.
Eventually, and inevitably, this strategic PSYOP upped the ante and FOXnews (logically) aired this true masterpiece: “Sen. Hawley: Let coronavirus victims sue Chinese Communist Party“. Truly, this is brilliant. “I lost my job, let the evil Chinese commies pay me back” is music to the ears of most US Americans.
Right now, most of the US statements are simply lies, but as China will, with time, eventually release more corrected and accurate information, these corrected/updated statistics will immediately be interpreted as the proof that initially the Chinese were deliberately lying and not as the effect of the Chinese themselves gradually getting a better picture of what actually happened. Again, this is the typical case of dammed if you don’t and dammed if you do.
I should mention that there is another reason which might contribute to the decision of the US to blame it all on China: it is still not clear where this virus came from, but one possibility is that it originated in the USA and was brought to China by US Americans (whether deliberately or not is not the issue here). As for the reports which claim that the US is deliberately covering up the real magnitude of the disaster in the USA, they are ignored.
Furthermore, it is now painfully obvious that the US politicians totally misread the situation and began by saying either that it was a Chinese problem or that it was “no worse than the seasonal flu”, or both. This is just the latest case of what I call the “US narcissistic messianism” leading US leaders to believe in their own propaganda only to find out that reality still exists out there and that it is dramatically different from the delusions held by most US Americans.
Now all these US politicians (the Republicrats as much as the Demoblicans) all have to run and cover their collective butts. What better way to achieve that than to blame it all on China?
As I said above, this his clever, but definitely not very intelligent.
The USA is already locked in an unwinnable war against Russia (as I always remind everybody, this war is 80% informational, 15% economic and only 5% kinetic). To open a full-scale “second front” makes sense in terms of short term political expediency, especially in an election year, but in the long term it is self-defeating and disastrous. In fact, if there is anything history teaches us, is that opening a second front when you can’t even handle the first one is suicidal. But who cares about history, especially in the “United States of Amnesia”? And, besides, when you are both totally exceptional and totally superior, why would you care about the history of the common “deplorable” people and nations out there? Just call them “shit holes” and wave your (Chinese made) flag. That is what passes for “looking Presidential” these days…
Regardless of anything said above, the momentum of this sinophobic campaign is too big to be reversed or stopped. And since most of the US political class supports it, this will probably continue even after the US Presidential election (assuming it takes place).
Still, all this begs the question: what did really happen? What is the truth?
The truth is that nobody really knows. It will probably take years to get the full picture and, even more so, the correct numbers. What correct numbers? Well, ALL of them: carriers, resistance, age groups, comorbidity, the exact characteristics of this virus (and of its various mutations), how effective the various tests are, which antiviral medication might help, its side effects, whether the BCG vaccine somehow helps the body to fight off the virus, etc.
Right now, I don’t believe that anybody really knows, even the percentage of asymptomatic carriers changes by an order of magnitude depending on whom you ask. Sure, some guesses are closer to the truth than others, by definition, but which ones are closer is still very hard to ascertain.
They key thing to keep in mind now is that most of what we see now has very little in common with any scientific investigation. What we see is an attempt to use this pandemic for political, financial and geostrategic purposes.
And please don’t think that it is only Trump! Just remember what Pelosi was saying as late as February!
That was almost two months after China had warned the WHO that there was a major crisis developing!
But Pelosi, just like Trump, only thinks about power, money and influence, not the safety of the “deplorables” which the Dems hate so much (as do the Republicans, of course, they just don’t say so openly like Hillary did; but just Trump’s “grab them by the pussy” says all you need to know about his true respect for his fellow human beings!).
Then there is another very real risk: as the situation gets worse and worse for the USA and, specifically, for Trump’s reelection, he might well decide to do what many politicians do in such a situation: start a big war. Before the pandemic, the US clearly had no stomach to start a war with Iran, but now that the pandemic is crippling the world economy and that all the ugly sides of the transnational capitalist system are becoming obvious, I would not put it past Trump to start a war with Iran just to deflect the many accusations against him. The Idiot-in-Chief has now ordered USN forces off the coast of Iran to, I kid you not, “shoot down & destroy” any Iranian gunboat which would “harass” the USN. Apparently, he still cannot understand that should any USN ship execute any such order it would soon find itself dealing with a swarm of Iranian anti-shipping missiles. Clearly, messianic narcissism and a rabid megalomania simply don’t allow Trump to understand that the Iranians are for real, that they absolutely mean business and that they, unlike the US, have carefully modeled the consequences of any war between Iran and the USA and while they won’t deliberately provoke such a war, they will fight it if needed, with infinitely more staying power than the US.
[Sidebar: Like a typical US flag-waving politician, Trump probably thinks that if all goes to hell, the US can nuke Iran and prevail. He is right about the former, but oh SO wrong about the latter. If nukes are used against Iran, then there will be a total and long war to kick both the US and the Zionist entity out of the Middle-East. But that is a topic for another day.]
US politicians remind me of a person living in a arctic cabin who decide to burn down the cabin to get much needed heat: sure, this strategy will work, for a while, but only at the cost of a much bigger disaster down the road. This is what pretty much ALL US politicians did with this pandemic, and this is why they will never ever accept any responsibility for anything.
Check out this cute little donkey on the right.
Would he not make the perfect mascot and symbol for both US political parties and for the many US politicians who can think of nothing else than covering him?
There is one more thing I would like to mention here: there are a lot of folks out there who like to carefully note all the instances when somebody predicted that this pandemic would happen. They take these warning statements as evidence of a conspiracy. The truth is that the scientific community and even the general public (at least those few who still read books) fully knew that it was just a matter of time before such a pandemic would happen, because our society made such an event inevitable. Just one example:
In distant 1995 the US journalist Lorrie Garrett published an excellent book called “The Coming Plague: Newly Emerging Diseases in a World Out of Balance” in which she explained why and even how a global pandemic would naturally emerge due to the very nature of our modern society. I highly recommend this book in spite of the fact that it is now a quarter of a century old: it is very well written, easy to read, and it makes a very strong case that such pandemics were inevitable (and with no need to appeal to unsubstantiated biowarfare theories).
History will show that we all, our entire planet, did not take this and many other warnings seriously. Ask yourself, what is easier for a politician: to accept that our entire socio-political order is unsustainable and outright dangerous (or “out of balance” to use Garrett’s expression), or to blame it all on the Chinese commies and their “secret biowarfare program”?
I think that the answer is self-evident.
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southfront--2020-04-23--50M Barrels of Saudi Crude Moving Towards U.S. With Presumably No Space To Store Them

In recent days there ’ s been reports that the Saudi company Bahri had sent a large number of its oil tankers to Europe and the US .
However , an analysis of GoRadar.ru shows that this isn ’ t exactly the case .
Regardless , there is a very large number of tankers , especially in the Gulf of Mexico .
Their flags are mainly : Bahamas , Liberia , Marshall Islands , etc .
Some have Destination For Orders … that is , they expect an order only when they are already travelling towards arrival ports .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Croatian flagged tankers .
It , furthermore , appears that Saudi Arabia is fully aware of this and is doing even more – currently there is a crisis of crude storage facilities in the US .
Regardless of that fact , approximately 50 million barrels of Saudi oil are on their way to the United States and due to arrive in the coming weeks , piling even more pressure on markets already struggling to absorb a glut of stocks , Reuters and MarineTraffic reported .
Shipping data showed the more than 20 supertankers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barrels of oil – were sailing to key U.S. terminals , especially in the Gulf of Mexico .
Three separate tankers , also chartered by Saudi Arabia , were currently anchored outside U.S. Gulf ports .
“ This could prove to be a very expensive exercise for Saudi Arabia as whatever happens with the cargoes and the tanker owners will need to be paid demurrage ( for the ships ) , and those costs would have been locked in when the market was higher to secure the charters , ” a shipping source @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an expensive gamble for the Saudis , shutting off production would have been proved even more costly.
” Additional costs , known as demurrage , were estimated at $ 250,000 a day based on rates in March when a lot of vessels were booked .
Daily tanker rates soared to nearly $ 300,000 in the past month , and though they have retreated to $ 150,000 a day in the week starting on April 20th .
This is quite a significant cost , for 24 supertankers that have might have no final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preceding days , US officials have been saying that Washington is considering blocking Saudi shipments of crude oil , or putting tariffs on those shipments , adding to difficulties for the cargoes now on the water .
In response , Saudi Arabia may look to divert the cargoes to other locations , if the US really imposes a ban , according to European and Asian oil traders .
“ Europe looks full , but surely if the Saudis offer it at really cheap levels , buyers would take it , ” a source @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Some still have storage spaces or may agree to float it for some time.
” A source at a separate oil trading firm active in Asia said they expected many of the barrels that were bound for the United States to flow to the region if exports were blocked .
A Reuters source at a separate oil trading firm active in Asia said they expected many of the barrels that were bound for the United States to flow to the region if exports were blocked .
Aramco also “ offers its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the world optionality to take their crude purchases from Aramco into the region , ” the company said in a statement to Reuters .
“ Changes in ship destinations are routine in the course of our business , particularly in a company of our scale , ” it said .
Meanwhile , in the US oil refiners appear to be pulling back form the oil markets .
“ There is more reluctance now with fresh shipments as refiners in the U.S. have no homes for the oil , ” another Reuters shipping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Exxon Mobil and Phillips 66 , among the biggest U.S. buyers of Saudi crude , declined to comment .
Chevron did not immediately comment .
Most of the Saudi oil buyers are along the West Coast in the US , and on April 10th their storage was 65 % full , it ’ s nearing 100 % as of April 23rd .
The Gulf of Mexico coast was about 55 % full back on April 10th .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • The Cushing Terminal And U.S Oil Storage Woes • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , U.S. Crude Oil Sells For Negative Price

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In recent days there’s been reports that the Saudi company Bahri had sent a large number of its oil tankers to Europe and the US.
However, an analysis of GoRadar.ru shows that this isn’t exactly the case.
Regardless, there is a very large number of tankers, especially in the Gulf of Mexico.
Their flags are mainly: Bahamas, Liberia, Marshall Islands, etc. Some have Destination For Orders … that is, they expect an order only when they are already travelling towards arrival ports. There are also British, American and even Croatian flagged tankers.
It, furthermore, appears that Saudi Arabia is fully aware of this and is doing even more – currently there is a crisis of crude storage facilities in the US.
Regardless of that fact, approximately 50 million barrels of Saudi oil are on their way to the United States and due to arrive in the coming weeks, piling even more pressure on markets already struggling to absorb a glut of stocks, Reuters and MarineTraffic reported.
Shipping data showed the more than 20 supertankers – each capable of carrying 2 million barrels of oil – were sailing to key U.S. terminals, especially in the Gulf of Mexico.
Three separate tankers, also chartered by Saudi Arabia, were currently anchored outside U.S. Gulf ports.
20 tankers—filled w/ 40mm barrels of Saudi oil—are headed to the US. This is SEVEN TIMES the typical monthly flow. At the same time, oil futures are plummeting & millions of US jobs in jeopardy. My message to the Saudis: TURN THE TANKERS THE HELL AROUND. https://t.co/gYoQzvHAEQ — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) April 21, 2020
The Saudis and Russians have declared war against US shale energy companies. It seems they weren’t happy with American energy independence. Storage full..largest glut in history..Saudis are sending us a 50 million barrel oil bomb. How negative will June crude go? #Oil #USOIL https://t.co/oiNfkI2pfM — ?Kyle Bass? (@Jkylebass) April 22, 2020
“This could prove to be a very expensive exercise for Saudi Arabia as whatever happens with the cargoes and the tanker owners will need to be paid demurrage (for the ships), and those costs would have been locked in when the market was higher to secure the charters,” a shipping source of Reuters said. “While this is an expensive gamble for the Saudis, shutting off production would have been proved even more costly.”
Additional costs, known as demurrage, were estimated at $250,000 a day based on rates in March when a lot of vessels were booked. Daily tanker rates soared to nearly $300,000 in the past month, and though they have retreated to $150,000 a day in the week starting on April 20th. This is quite a significant cost, for 24 supertankers that have might have no final destination as of yet.
In the preceding days, US officials have been saying that Washington is considering blocking Saudi shipments of crude oil, or putting tariffs on those shipments, adding to difficulties for the cargoes now on the water.
In response, Saudi Arabia may look to divert the cargoes to other locations, if the US really imposes a ban, according to European and Asian oil traders.
“Europe looks full, but surely if the Saudis offer it at really cheap levels, buyers would take it,” a source with an international trading firm told Reuters. “Some still have storage spaces or may agree to float it for some time.” A source at a separate oil trading firm active in Asia said they expected many of the barrels that were bound for the United States to flow to the region if exports were blocked.
A Reuters source at a separate oil trading firm active in Asia said they expected many of the barrels that were bound for the United States to flow to the region if exports were blocked.
Aramco also “offers its larger customers with refineries in multiple regions of the world optionality to take their crude purchases from Aramco into the region,” the company said in a statement to Reuters. “Changes in ship destinations are routine in the course of our business, particularly in a company of our scale,” it said.
Meanwhile, in the US oil refiners appear to be pulling back form the oil markets.
“There is more reluctance now with fresh shipments as refiners in the U.S. have no homes for the oil,” another Reuters shipping source said.
Spokespersons for Marathon Petroleum, Exxon Mobil and Phillips 66, among the biggest U.S. buyers of Saudi crude, declined to comment. Chevron did not immediately comment.
Most of the Saudi oil buyers are along the West Coast in the US, and on April 10th their storage was 65% full, it’s nearing 100% as of April 23rd. The Gulf of Mexico coast was about 55% full back on April 10th.
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southfront--2020-04-23--Syrian Army, NDF Clear New Areas In Eastern Homs (Photos)

On April 22 , the Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) and the National Defense Forces ( NDF ) continued their large-scale combing operation in the eastern Homs countryside .
Government forces , advanced from several directions clearing the following areas : • The vast desert area laying between al-Sayyad gas factory , Wadi al-Dubiyat , Wadi al-Nqab , the sulfuric well and the Syriatel hill to the east of the town of al-Sukhnah .
• The region laying between the towns of al-Rashuaniyah , al-Nyariah and the administrative border of Deir Ezzor .
In the course of the operation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then destroyed by rocket launchers and artillery .
The SAA and the NDF launched a large-scale combing operation in eastern Homs last week .
The operation is meant as a response to recent attacks by ISIS cells hiding in the Homs desert , between eastern Homs and western Deir Ezzor .
Thus far , the operation has helped contain ISIS cells within the Homs desert .
Nevertheless , more efforts will be needed to neutralize the terrorist group ’ s presence in Syria ’ s central region .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Stone U.S. Convoy In Northeast Syria

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On April 22, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and the National Defense Forces (NDF) continued their large-scale combing operation in the eastern Homs countryside.
Government forces advanced from several directions clearing the following areas:
The vast desert area laying between al-Sayyad gas factory, Wadi al-Dubiyat, Wadi al-Nqab, the sulfuric well and the Syriatel hill to the east of the town of al-Sukhnah.
The region laying between the towns of al-Rashuaniyah, al-Nyariah and the administrative border of Deir Ezzor.
In the course of the operation, several hideouts of ISIS were uncovered then destroyed by rocket launchers and artillery.
The SAA and the NDF launched a large-scale combing operation in eastern Homs last week. The operation is meant as a response to recent attacks by ISIS cells hiding in the Homs desert, between eastern Homs and western Deir Ezzor.
Thus far, the operation has helped contain ISIS cells within the Homs desert. Nevertheless, more efforts will be needed to neutralize the terrorist group’s presence in Syria’s central region.
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southfront--2020-04-23--UN COVID-19 Declaration Blocked Because U.S. Adversaries Need To Remain Sanctioned

On April 22nd , the draft UN “ Declaration of solidarity of the United Nations in the face of the challenges posed by the coronavirus disease 2019 ” , proposed by Russia , and co-sponsored by 34 member countries was blocked .
In relation to that , Russia ’ s permanent mission to the UN issued a statement .
It said that a group of Western and adjoining states blocked it .
According to the statement , the main objective of the Russian project was to call for solidarity of the world community in the face of a pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developing countries .
In that context , Russia added a link to the statement of the “ Group of 77 ” and China on the topic of coronavirus – an official document of the UN General Assembly on the position of more than 130 states on this issue .
Among other things , the document calls for the rejection of unilateral economic sanctions against developing countries .
In that regard , Russia primarily reacted to the appeals of these countries themselves , which are experiencing serious problems in confronting the disease due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thus , the Russian mission said that those who blocked the declaration in the UN General Assembly moved towards the promotion , in a way , of politicized approaches , phobias and narrow group interests .
“ They clearly demonstrated that their calls for solidarity and assistance to countries with limited resources to combat the coronavirus are nothing more than a propaganda trick .
You can ’ t help with one hand , and squeeze the noose on the neck of those you help with the other .
Unfortunately , these “ compassionate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeal of the UN Secretary-General , for whose support they did not cease to trumpet , but in words only.
” In conclusion , it vowed to continue working with the like-minded states to provide a constructive dialogue , which would then lead to a results-oriented contribution by the UN General Assembly to counter COVID-19 .
This is the second time that Russia proposed the draft declaration .
On April 22nd , Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmitry Kuleba said that Ukraine blocked this resolution at the UN , which said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said that Russia put to the vote a new document , which essentially coincided with the previous one , blocked by the UN on April 3rd .
“ The text behind this noble name has many right things and one manipulation that could entail strategic destructive consequences for the international security system – the launch of the process of lifting international sanctions .
Nothing prevents cooperation of states in their fight against coronavirus and overcoming its consequences .
Against this background , attempts to abuse humanitarian goals to plant a mine under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violations of international law , including sanctions over Russian aggression against Ukraine , is an obvious manipulation by Russia , ” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said regarding the April 3rd declaration .
“ So , silent procedure has been interrupted .
The Russian resolution shall not be adopted .
We will continue blocking Russia ’ s efforts to destroy the sanctions regime , ” Kuleba added .
Earlier , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov indicated that the spread of coronavirus intensified the struggle between large countries .
According to him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Essentially , Ukraine , through its own interest or forwarding the agenda of others , is blocking the UN declaration against COVID-19 simply so that “ Russian aggression ” does not go unpunished , to simply spite Moscow and nothing else .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Russian Experts Helped To Organize Anti-Epidemic Eegime In Temporary Medical Center For Patients With Coronavirus Infection In Krushevac • Accusations Against China And Its Wuhan Biolab Pile Up

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On April 22nd, the draft UN “Declaration of solidarity of the United Nations in the face of the challenges posed by the coronavirus disease 2019”, proposed by Russia, and co-sponsored by 34 member countries was blocked.
In relation to that, Russia’s permanent mission to the UN issued a statement.
It said that a group of Western and adjoining states blocked it.
“Before resubmitting the draft to the UNGA, we adjusted the text taking into account the approaches and priorities of interested delegations and supplemented it with a number of significant provisions previously approved in various international formats.”
According to the statement, the main objective of the Russian project was to call for solidarity of the world community in the face of a pandemic, especially in relation to the support of developing countries.
In that context, Russia added a link to the statement of the “Group of 77” and China on the topic of coronavirus – an official document of the UN General Assembly on the position of more than 130 states on this issue.
Among other things, the document calls for the rejection of unilateral economic sanctions against developing countries.
In that regard, Russia primarily reacted to the appeals of these countries themselves, which are experiencing serious problems in confronting the disease due to coercive measures being employed against them.
“Our updated text also emphasized the importance of universal coverage of health services, increasing the production of medicines and their availability, providing international financial institutions support to countries in need, and sending urgent humanitarian assistance. The manifestations of racism and xenophobia in the context of the fight against infection were condemned, and the need to respect human rights was emphasized.”
Thus, the Russian mission said that those who blocked the declaration in the UN General Assembly moved towards the promotion, in a way, of politicized approaches, phobias and narrow group interests.
“They clearly demonstrated that their calls for solidarity and assistance to countries with limited resources to combat the coronavirus are nothing more than a propaganda trick. You can’t help with one hand, and squeeze the noose on the neck of those you help with the other. Unfortunately, these “compassionate” states did not heed the corresponding appeal of the UN Secretary-General, for whose support they did not cease to trumpet, but in words only.”
In conclusion, it vowed to continue working with the like-minded states to provide a constructive dialogue, which would then lead to a results-oriented contribution by the UN General Assembly to counter COVID-19.
“In this regard, we welcome the decision of the President of the General Assembly to appoint the Permanent Representatives of Afghanistan and Croatia to the Organization as coordinators of the negotiation process within the framework of the UN General Assembly on initiatives related to coronavirus.”
This is the second time that Russia proposed the draft declaration.
On April 22nd, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmitry Kuleba said that Ukraine blocked this resolution at the UN, which said that the sanctions regime should be weakened.
He said that Russia put to the vote a new document, which essentially coincided with the previous one, blocked by the UN on April 3rd.
“The text behind this noble name has many right things and one manipulation that could entail strategic destructive consequences for the international security system – the launch of the process of lifting international sanctions. Nothing prevents cooperation of states in their fight against coronavirus and overcoming its consequences. Against this background, attempts to abuse humanitarian goals to plant a mine under international sanctions applied in response to gross violations of international law, including sanctions over Russian aggression against Ukraine, is an obvious manipulation by Russia,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said regarding the April 3rd declaration. “So, silent procedure has been interrupted. The Russian resolution shall not be adopted. We will continue blocking Russia’s efforts to destroy the sanctions regime,” Kuleba added.
Earlier, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov indicated that the spread of coronavirus intensified the struggle between large countries. According to him, this could lead to global international conflicts.
Essentially, Ukraine, through its own interest or forwarding the agenda of others, is blocking the UN declaration against COVID-19 simply so that “Russian aggression” does not go unpunished, to simply spite Moscow and nothing else.
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southfront--2020-04-23--Military Situation In Syria And Iraq On April 23, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria and Iraq : • ISIS @ @ @ @ @ an Iraqi military convoy near the area of Kilo 160 , west of al-Anbar , @ @ @ @ @ service members ; • The SDF ’ s Asayish released a statement threatening the NDF @ @ @ @ @ Qamishly city ; • Hayat Tahrir al-Sham executed a 19yo Syrian refugee departed from Turkey @ @ @ @ @ Greater Idlib ; • More details appeared on the recent Israeli strike on Homs province @ @ @ @ @ released a joint statement saying that the US is hindering a medical mission to the @ @ @ @ @ The Iraqi military claims that over 1,000 seprate security operations were conducted in the country @ @ @ @ @ THE TOPIC :

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria and Iraq:
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southfront--2020-04-23--Attacks By “Defeated” ISIS Left 82 Civilians Dead In Iraq In First Four Months Of 2020

Between January 1st and April 15th , 82 Iraqi civilians have been killed and 120 injured by ISIS activities in Iraq , the country ’ s defense ministry announced on April 21st .
Defense Ministry spokesperson Yehia Rasool also said that the Iraqi Security Forces have carried out 1,060 operations and killed 135 targets since the beginning of the year .
According to these latest figures , operations took place in every Iraqi province aside from those in the Kurdistan Region over the first 15 weeks of 2020 , to clear bomb factories , arms caches , and secret tunnels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At least 88 Iraqi soldiers were killed and 174 wounded during these operations .
Rasool claimed that all civilian deaths in the time period were a result of ISIS attacks and explosive devices planted by the group .
UNIAMI spokesman Samir Ghattas said the agency is unable to publish casualty figures for the period in question .
But he said that the number of casualties is much lower compared to the same period in previous years .
“ We are closely following the continuing attacks and recording casualty figures , but for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the casualty figures from the use of improvised explosive devices , explosive remnants of war , rocket or mortar rounds and small arms fire attacks allegedly perpetrated by ISIS remnants during the period of 1 January to 15 April , ” Ghattas told Rudaw English .
“ But what we can say is that those figures are considerably lower than what we used to record at the height of the conflict with Daesh [ ISIS ] in recent years , ” he added .
Rudaw cited Mohammed al-Jumaily , an Iraq researcher for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ casualties should be investigated , nevertheless .
“ The numbers given by the Ministry of Defence ( MoD ) spokesman are likely referring to those killed and wounded by ISIS actions rather than Iraqi military actions , as it is quite rare for the MoD to make admissions to civilian harm in this way , ” Jumaily said .
“ Having said this , the numbers beg more detail about the incidents from which these casualties came about in order to make a more concrete assessment on them , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ bear in mind that the vast majority of Iraqi military operations have shifted away from urban areas to more rural and mountainous areas where there are lower numbers of civilians present , thus potentially limiting the risk to civilians – though not at all excluding the possibility that civilians would have been harmed in these operations , ” he added .
The defeat of ISIS in Iraq was announced back in December 2017 , but nearly two years and a half later attacks by the terrorist group continue , while the defeat seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ al-Shammari , just days before the numbers were published vowed to “ ramp up ” the government ’ s anti-ISIS efforts , and stop the group ’ s attacks amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Jabar Yawar , chief of staff at the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs , warned earlier in April that the ISIS resurgence has been underway for some time .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • U.S. Offers $ 5M Reward For Information On New ISIS Leader In An Endless Whack-A-Mole

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Between January 1st and April 15th, 82 Iraqi civilians have been killed and 120 injured by ISIS activities in Iraq, the country’s defense ministry announced on April 21st.
من أجل إحاطة الرأي العام بالعمليات الأمنية التي تنفذها جميع قواتنا الأمنية بتشكيلتها كافة، وفي جميع محافظات العراق عدا إقليم كوردستان للفترة من الأول من كانون الثاني ولغاية الخامس عشر من نيسان 2020.
عدد العمليات الأمنية التي تم تنفيذها خلال هذه الفترة بلغت (1060) عملية. — يحيى رسول | Yehia Rasool (@IraqiSpoxMOD) April 21, 2020
Defense Ministry spokesperson Yehia Rasool also said that the Iraqi Security Forces have carried out 1,060 operations and killed 135 targets since the beginning of the year.
According to these latest figures, operations took place in every Iraqi province aside from those in the Kurdistan Region over the first 15 weeks of 2020, to clear bomb factories, arms caches, and secret tunnels used by the jihadists, Rasool said.
At least 88 Iraqi soldiers were killed and 174 wounded during these operations.
Rasool claimed that all civilian deaths in the time period were a result of ISIS attacks and explosive devices planted by the group.
“The civilians have been martyred due to ISIS attacks, explosive devices, and other terrorist attacks by the group,” Rasool said. “No civilians died due to Iraqi Security Forces military operations.”
UNIAMI spokesman Samir Ghattas said the agency is unable to publish casualty figures for the period in question. But he said that the number of casualties is much lower compared to the same period in previous years.
“We are closely following the continuing attacks and recording casualty figures, but for now we are not yet publicly releasing the casualty figures from the use of improvised explosive devices, explosive remnants of war, rocket or mortar rounds and small arms fire attacks allegedly perpetrated by ISIS remnants during the period of 1 January to 15 April,” Ghattas told Rudaw English. “But what we can say is that those figures are considerably lower than what we used to record at the height of the conflict with Daesh [ISIS] in recent years,” he added.
Rudaw cited Mohammed al-Jumaily, an Iraq researcher for war monitor Airwars said that the civilian casualties should be investigated, nevertheless.
“The numbers given by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesman are likely referring to those killed and wounded by ISIS actions rather than Iraqi military actions, as it is quite rare for the MoD to make admissions to civilian harm in this way,” Jumaily said. “Having said this, the numbers beg more detail about the incidents from which these casualties came about in order to make a more concrete assessment on them,” he said. “Furthermore, it is important to bear in mind that the vast majority of Iraqi military operations have shifted away from urban areas to more rural and mountainous areas where there are lower numbers of civilians present, thus potentially limiting the risk to civilians – though not at all excluding the possibility that civilians would have been harmed in these operations,” he added.
The defeat of ISIS in Iraq was announced back in December 2017, but nearly two years and a half later attacks by the terrorist group continue, while the defeat seems far from conclusive.
Defense Minister Najah al-Shammari, just days before the numbers were published vowed to “ramp up” the government’s anti-ISIS efforts, and stop the group’s attacks amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Jabar Yawar, chief of staff at the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs, warned earlier in April that the ISIS resurgence has been underway for some time.
“According to our data, the group increased its activities in 2018 and 2019, especially in Kurdistani areas outside of the Kurdistan Region administration, including Diyala, Hamrin, Kirkuk, Tuz Khurmatu, and Qarachogh. In Qarachogh, they even established bases,” Yawar said.
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southfront--2020-04-23--U.S. Offers $5M Reward For Information On New ISIS Leader In An Endless Whack-A-Mole

On March 21st , the US State Department , under its Rewards For Justice program announced a $ 5 million bounty on information that leads to the capture of new ISIS leader Amir Muhammad Sa ’ id Abdal-Rahman al-Mawla and listed him as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist .
Information is also request for two other prominent ISIS members – Hajji Hamad and al-Jaburi .
Al-Mawla , also known as Hajji ‘ Abdallah , ‘ Abdul Amir Muhammad Sa ’ id Salbi , and Abu- ‘ Umar al-Turkmani , is the new leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a religious scholar in al-Qaeda in Iraq , and steadily rose through the ranks to assume the role as the leader of ISIS .
He succeeded Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as the leader of ISIS following Baghdadi ’ s death during a U.S. military operation in October 2019 .
On March 18 , 2020 , the Department of State designated al-Mawla as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist ( SDGT ) .
This is yet another example of how ineffective the United States ’ fight is against terror , since the process is repeating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abdal-Rahman al-Mawla became the leader of ISIS , after the previous leader – Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed .
Al-Baghdadi became the leader after the previous one was killed by the US .
The activities of the terror group continue , and with the COVID-19 pandemic are ramping up , especially in terms of online propaganda , while the US only attempts to remove the head of the organization , just for it to be replaced in a very short timeline .
It is a sort of terrorist whack-a-mole game .
The Rewards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Department of State ’ s Diplomatic Security Service .
Since its inception in 1984 , the program has paid in excess of $ 150 million to more than 100 people who provided actionable information that helped bring terrorists to justice or prevented acts of international terrorism worldwide .
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On March 21st, the US State Department, under its Rewards For Justice program announced a $5 million bounty on information that leads to the capture of new ISIS leader Amir Muhammad Sa’id Abdal-Rahman al-Mawla and listed him as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.
REWARD!! Reminder that justice never sleeps. Since August, still looking for new ISIS leader Hajji Abdullah. If you have information please submit a tip. Up to $5 million and relocation may be possible. Let’s find this terrorist leader and destroy ISIS. https://t.co/n5RdOO7PjV pic.twitter.com/Qqe6o0YJQI — Rewards for Justice (@RFJ_USA) April 21, 2020
Information is also request for two other prominent ISIS members – Hajji Hamad and al-Jaburi.
Al-Mawla, also known as Hajji ‘Abdallah, ‘Abdul Amir Muhammad Sa’id Salbi, and Abu-‘Umar al-Turkmani, is the new leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) leader.
He was a religious scholar in al-Qaeda in Iraq, and steadily rose through the ranks to assume the role as the leader of ISIS.
He succeeded Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as the leader of ISIS following Baghdadi’s death during a U.S. military operation in October 2019. On March 18, 2020, the Department of State designated al-Mawla as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).
“As one of ISIS’s most senior ideologues, Hajji ‘Abdallah helped drive and justify the abduction, slaughter, and trafficking of the Yazidi religious minority in northwest Iraq and is believed to oversee some of the group’s global terrorist operations.”
REWARD!! Up to $5 Million for information on ISIS leader al-Mawla. If you have information on al-Mawla, please contact RFJ or the nearest US embassy. BRING THIS TERRORIST TO JUSTICE! https://t.co/n8tkkdSdam pic.twitter.com/WvIuwBYOBK — Rewards for Justice (@RFJ_USA) April 21, 2020
This is yet another example of how ineffective the United States’ fight is against terror, since the process is repeating itself – Amir Muhammad Sa’id Abdal-Rahman al-Mawla became the leader of ISIS, after the previous leader – Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed.
Al-Baghdadi became the leader after the previous one was killed by the US.
The activities of the terror group continue, and with the COVID-19 pandemic are ramping up, especially in terms of online propaganda, while the US only attempts to remove the head of the organization, just for it to be replaced in a very short timeline.
It is a sort of terrorist whack-a-mole game.
The Rewards for Justice Program is administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service. Since its inception in 1984, the program has paid in excess of $150 million to more than 100 people who provided actionable information that helped bring terrorists to justice or prevented acts of international terrorism worldwide.
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southfront--2020-04-23--Military Situation In Yemen On April 23, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overivew of the recent developments in Yemen : • Clashes between Ansar @ @ @ @ @ reported in the Baqim area ; • Clashes between Ansar Allah and Saudi-led forces were @ @ @ @ @ ; • Clashes between Ansar Allah and Saudi-led forces continue in the southwestern part of @ @ @ @ @ between Ansar Allah and Saudi-led forces continue east of the Kufil base .
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A brief overivew of the recent developments in Yemen:
Ceasefire violations were reported in al-Hudaydah;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes struck Khab and Shaaf areas 7 times;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes struck the Kitaf area 5 times;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes struck the Majzar area 23 times;
Clashes between Ansar Allah and Saudi-led forces were reported in the Baqim area;
Clashes between Ansar Allah and Saudi-led forces were reported in the Qaniya area;
Clashes between Ansar Allah and Saudi-led forces continue in the southwestern part of Jawf province;
Clashes between Ansar Allah and Saudi-led forces continue east of the Kufil base.
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southfront--2020-04-23--Turkish Puppets Accuse ‘Wagner Mercenaries’ Of Nerve Agent Attack In Libya

If anybody was wondering what was missing in the Libya conflict , wonder no more – it is chemical attack accusations .
The mythical Russian PMC “ Wagner ” was accused of having used nerve agents against Libya ’ s Government of National Accord ( GNA ) .
The GNA interior minister Fathi Bashagha said that the legendary mercenaries had used a nerve agent against the Turkish-backed forces in the Salah al-Din area in southern Tripoli .
He also did say that in addition to Turkey providing thousands of militants from Syria , alongside UAVs and other weapon systems , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too .
In Bashagha ’ s words – the GNA fighters were subject to a nerve agent and were then killed by sniper shots .
It is not so dissimilar from accusations in Syria that the Syrian Arab Army , supported by Russia and Iran , carried out chemical attacks on civilians and the enemy militants .
But , in Syria , the effort was a bit more high-level , as there were attempts to provide some sort of evidence , unlike this situation .
But the mythical “ Wagner ” PMC sends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the enemy , that no proof is needed , one just needs to mention the name and then all sorts of atrocities are expected .
Speaking about eastern Libya , Bashagha said his government was concerned about the threats faced by medics and paramedics in areas under Haftar ’ s control , saying lack of transparency and credibility remained very alarming .
In the same press conference , the interior minister condemned the United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) and said it was a threat to Libya ’ s national security .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ terminate its project ” and that Haftar ’ s Libyan National Army would be defeated .
Bashagha added in a press conference in Tripoli “ that [ Field Marshal ] Khalifa Haftar ’ s project ” in Libya is sponsored and supported by the UAE , Egypt , Jordan and lately Saudi Arabia .
Bashagha also called on Egypt to reconsider its stance and preserve it the interests of its people , saying what harms Libya would harm Egypt as well .
Bashagha also said that several Egyptian soldiers had been killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that the Interior Ministry couldn ’ t verify whether they were sent by the Egyptian government or just mercenaries .
He said that GNA forces were near Al-Watiya airbase , and Tarhuna and it was just a matter of time until both locations are wrestled away from LNA control .
Just hours earlier , LNA spokesperson Brigadier General Ahmed Al-Mesmari said that “ Turkish aid ” in Tripoli had turned into a direct occupation of the capital city .
He also said 3 more Turkish UAV were downed .
There appears to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 21st and 22nd , while airstrikes are being carried out on LNA positions in Tarhuna , however Haftar ’ s forces appear to be holding on , according to al-Mesmari .
The LNA is carrying out a shelling and airstrike push on Misrata , in an attempt to impede it from providing air support to the GNA .
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If anybody was wondering what was missing in the Libya conflict, wonder no more – it is chemical attack accusations.
The mythical Russian PMC “Wagner” was accused of having used nerve agents against Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA).
The GNA interior minister Fathi Bashagha said that the legendary mercenaries had used a nerve agent against the Turkish-backed forces in the Salah al-Din area in southern Tripoli.
“We are in a strong cooperation with Turkey, US and UK to ensure security in Libya,” Bashagha said.
He also did say that in addition to Turkey providing thousands of militants from Syria, alongside UAVs and other weapon systems, the US and UK were somehow involved too.
In Bashagha’s words – the GNA fighters were subject to a nerve agent and were then killed by sniper shots.
“Russian Wagner mercenaries are using nerve agents on Salah Al-Deen frontline, where some fighters of GNA forces were killed by snipers after being subjected to nerve agents. This can’t be done by any party but Wagner Group mercenaries.” Bashagha indicated.
It is not so dissimilar from accusations in Syria that the Syrian Arab Army, supported by Russia and Iran, carried out chemical attacks on civilians and the enemy militants. But, in Syria, the effort was a bit more high-level, as there were attempts to provide some sort of evidence, unlike this situation. But the mythical “Wagner” PMC sends so much fear in the hearts of the enemy, that no proof is needed, one just needs to mention the name and then all sorts of atrocities are expected.
Speaking about eastern Libya, Bashagha said his government was concerned about the threats faced by medics and paramedics in areas under Haftar’s control, saying lack of transparency and credibility remained very alarming.
In the same press conference, the interior minister condemned the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and said it was a threat to Libya’s national security. The only course for the UAE was to “terminate its project” and that Haftar’s Libyan National Army would be defeated.
Bashagha added in a press conference in Tripoli “that [Field Marshal] Khalifa Haftar’s project” in Libya is sponsored and supported by the UAE, Egypt, Jordan and lately Saudi Arabia.
Bashagha also called on Egypt to reconsider its stance and preserve it the interests of its people, saying what harms Libya would harm Egypt as well.
“The UAE’s support continuous to create chaos in Libya and it must be terminated because it’s obvious Abu Dhabi doesn’t want to change its policies in Libya,” he underlined.
Bashagha also said that several Egyptian soldiers had been killed fighting for Haftar’s forces, adding that the Interior Ministry couldn’t verify whether they were sent by the Egyptian government or just mercenaries.
He said that GNA forces were near Al-Watiya airbase, and Tarhuna and it was just a matter of time until both locations are wrestled away from LNA control.
Just hours earlier, LNA spokesperson Brigadier General Ahmed Al-Mesmari said that “Turkish aid” in Tripoli had turned into a direct occupation of the capital city.
عاجل | المتحدث باسم الجيش الليبي: ضباط أتراك يقودون العمليات في المناطق المفتوحة ورحلات الطيران مستمرة من إسطنبول — العين الإخبارية – عاجل (@AlainBRK) April 22, 2020
“Turkish officers lead operations in open areas and flights continue from Istanbul.”
He also said 3 more Turkish UAV were downed.
There appears to be no fighting for Al-Watiya as of April 21st and 22nd, while airstrikes are being carried out on LNA positions in Tarhuna, however Haftar’s forces appear to be holding on, according to al-Mesmari.
GNA Air forces attacking Haftar’s militias in Tarhuna now. — Annabel Rubio❤??❤? (@RubioAnnabel) April 22, 2020
The LNA is carrying out a shelling and airstrike push on Misrata, in an attempt to impede it from providing air support to the GNA.
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southfront--2020-04-23--Global GDP To Potentially Shrink 20% In Face Of Collapsing Energy Market

On April 20th , Art Berman published an analysis , looking intricately at data regarding the oil market , in 2020 , and prior .
[ pdf ] Notably , his analysis made some valid points , such as that “ energy is the economy and oil dominates energy .
The economy does not run on money ; it runs on energy.
” The current situation in the oil slump , the oversupply and the massive dip in demand are a result of the fact that “ most people are “ energy blind ” and can ’ t see what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in a very bleak prescription – 2020 oil demand will fall by 16 million barrels per day , and global GDP would go down between 15-20 % .
With ample data and graphs , he presents the “ open secret ” that the oil market was going towards a crash even before the COVID-19 pandemic .
Similarly , as the virus does , it just made the situation worse and may lead to death .
Furthermore , the storage facilities will all be full in 19 weeks if the tendency continues , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be no more free storage space to keep the crude oil that is being pumped out .
As has been repeatedly said the OPEC+ agreement to reduce production is mostly irrelevant , and that the producers will be forced to cut production even more due to low price and low demand , even though it costs a lot to re-start production once it ’ s been wound down .
Additionally , the cut in OPEC+ production is a fictitious number that doesn ’ t really present what exactly has been reduced , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As per estimates by 17 investment analysts , the US GDP is expected to shrink between 30-35 % .
And that is a direct result of GDP being proportional to oil consumption .
That is also added to the fact that as measures against COVID-19 are eased , the higher-necessity and lower-risk measures will be lifted first , with others lagging behind .
Most of those that require oil are in the higher-risk , lower-necessity section .
In conclusion , Art Berman made the following statements : • The old economy is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solution with unknown , unintended outcomes ; • Oil markets will adjust & prices will increase slowly once there is a path out of economic closure & a partial restoration of employment ; • Managing the oil markets has resulted in failure and needs to be avoided in the future .
Essentially , it could be that Adam Smith was right all those years ago .
• There would be less focus on renewable energy and climate change .
• The greatest near-term risk is a total crash of the financial system due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the developing world .
And as such , following the crude oils going on the negative , this creates a precedent that the entire financial world moves toward that .
The negative price of WTI , which has since recovered , made all market models crash and traders can ’ t use them to calculate risk .
The standard pricing models used for options on futures and swaps can not cope with negative indicators .
If banks can not correctly calculate risk indicators , this will be a huge problem for them , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matilda Capital Management , an oil trading company for over 20 years .
Without a strong international security formula , the global market can not function .
Political risks can not be hedged by market methods .
There is no doubt that the United States will pump oil shale to the last with helicopter money , in the hope of spreading its costs throughout the global oil industry and forcing other countries to reduce production in parallel with the “ natural ” shrinkage .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • The Cushing Terminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pays Buyer : In Historic First , U.S. Crude Oil Sells For Negative Price

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On April 20th, Art Berman published an analysis, looking intricately at data regarding the oil market, in 2020, and prior. [pdf]
Notably, his analysis made some valid points, such as that “energy is the economy and oil dominates energy. The economy does not run on money; it runs on energy.”
The current situation in the oil slump, the oversupply and the massive dip in demand are a result of the fact that “most people are “energy blind” and can’t see what’s happening.”
According to him, in a very bleak prescription – 2020 oil demand will fall by 16 million barrels per day, and global GDP would go down between 15-20%.
“Energy choices will default to the cheapest, most efficient sources: oil, natural gas and coal. The push toward renewables will languish.”
With ample data and graphs, he presents the “open secret” that the oil market was going towards a crash even before the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, as the virus does, it just made the situation worse and may lead to death.
Furthermore, the storage facilities will all be full in 19 weeks if the tendency continues, thus somewhere in August, there will be no more free storage space to keep the crude oil that is being pumped out.
As has been repeatedly said the OPEC+ agreement to reduce production is mostly irrelevant, and that the producers will be forced to cut production even more due to low price and low demand, even though it costs a lot to re-start production once it’s been wound down.
Additionally, the cut in OPEC+ production is a fictitious number that doesn’t really present what exactly has been reduced, and increased and that it misrepresents the situation.
As per estimates by 17 investment analysts, the US GDP is expected to shrink between 30-35%.
And that is a direct result of GDP being proportional to oil consumption.
That is also added to the fact that as measures against COVID-19 are eased, the higher-necessity and lower-risk measures will be lifted first, with others lagging behind. Most of those that require oil are in the higher-risk, lower-necessity section.
In conclusion, Art Berman made the following statements:
The old economy is gone. Re-opening is only a partial solution with unknown, unintended outcomes;
Oil markets will adjust & prices will increase slowly once there is a path out of economic closure & a partial restoration of employment;
Managing the oil markets has resulted in failure and needs to be avoided in the future. Essentially, it could be that Adam Smith was right all those years ago.
There would be less focus on renewable energy and climate change.
The greatest near-term risk is a total crash of the financial system due to cascading defaults and a collapse of the developing world.
And as such, following the crude oils going on the negative, this creates a precedent that the entire financial world moves toward that.
The negative price of WTI, which has since recovered, made all market models crash and traders can’t use them to calculate risk.
The standard pricing models used for options on futures and swaps cannot cope with negative indicators. If banks cannot correctly calculate risk indicators, this will be a huge problem for them, according to Richard Fullarton, founder of Matilda Capital Management, an oil trading company for over 20 years.
Without a strong international security formula, the global market cannot function. Political risks cannot be hedged by market methods. There is no doubt that the United States will pump oil shale to the last with helicopter money, in the hope of spreading its costs throughout the global oil industry and forcing other countries to reduce production in parallel with the “natural” shrinkage.
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southfront--2020-04-23--S-200 Long Range Surface-To-Air Missile System (Infographics)

The S-200 ( NATO reporting name : SA-5 Gammon ) is a Soviet very long range , medium-to-high altitude surface-to-air @ @ @ @ @ designed in the 1960s and since then have been widely ussed in several conflicts .
@ @ @ @ @ single-rail missile launchers and a fire control radar .
It can be linked to other @ @ @ @ @ The Syrian Air Defense Forces actively use S-200 missile defense systems as well as other @ @ @ @ @ their regular confrontations with the Israeli military .
In February 2016 , an S-200 missile @ @ @ @ @ fighter jet involved in strikes on targets in Syria .
The usage of S-200 and @ @ @ @ @ MORE ON THE TOPIC :

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The S-200 (NATO reporting name: SA-5 Gammon) is a Soviet very long range, medium-to-high altitude surface-to-air missile system. It was designed in the 1960s and since then have been widely ussed in several conflicts. Each S-200 battalion has 6 single-rail missile launchers and a fire control radar. It can be linked to other, longer-range radar systems.
The Syrian Air Defense Forces actively use S-200 missile defense systems as well as other Soviet and Russian weapons in their regular confrontations with the Israeli military. In February 2016, an S-200 missile shot down an Israeli F-16I fighter jet involved in strikes on targets in Syria.
The usage of S-200 and Pantsir-S1 systems in Syria:
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southfront--2020-04-23--ISIS Claims 11 Iraqi Service Member Killed, Injured In New Al-Anbar Ambush

ISIS claimed on April 22 that its cells had killed or injured eleven Iraqi service members in a new ambush @ @ @ @ @ al-Anbar .
In a short statement released the Amaq news agency , the terrorist group @ @ @ @ @ military convoy near the area of Kilo 160 , west of the city of al-Anbar @ @ @ @ @ April 21 .
Iraqi sources confirmed that the military was engaged in heavy clashes with @ @ @ @ @ , a day earlier .
However , the sources didn ’ t report any casualties @ @ @ @ @ Earlier this month , ISIS cells attacked a military position in western al-Anbar , near @ @ @ @ @ Four Iraqi soldiers were killed and another was injured .
Back then , Iraqi government @ @ @ @ @ security operation .
Western al-Anbar is one of ISIS ’ original strongholds in Iraq .
@ @ @ @ @ time and efforts to put an end to the terrorist group ’ s presence there @ @ @ @ @ :

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ISIS claimed on April 22 that its cells had killed or injured eleven Iraqi service members in a new ambush in the western province of al-Anbar.
In a short statement released the Amaq news agency, the terrorist group said its fighters ambushed a military convoy near the area of Kilo 160, west of the city of al-Anbar, on the eve of April 21.
“Nine soldiers of the Iraqi military were killed and two others were injured, yesterday, two military vehicles were also destroyed and a third was damaged,” the statement reads.
Iraqi sources confirmed that the military was engaged in heavy clashes with ISIS cells near Kilo 160, a day earlier. However, the sources didn’t report any casualties among Iraqi military personnel.
Earlier this month, ISIS cells attacked a military position in western al-Anbar, near the town of Rutba. Four Iraqi soldiers were killed and another was injured. Back then, Iraqi government forces responded with a large-scale security operation.
Western al-Anbar is one of ISIS’ original strongholds in Iraq. Government forces will need more time and efforts to put an end to the terrorist group’s presence there.
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southfront--2020-04-23--Govt Forces Clash With Kurdish Militias Amid Israeli Strikes On Central Syria

On April 21 , clashes broke out in the city of Qamishly between the Kurdish Asayish , a security force of the Syrian Democratic Forces , and the pro-government National Defense Forces .
Local sources claim that NDF units tried to capture several Asayish positions in the city , but failed to do so .
Both sides allegedly suffered no casualties .
The situation de-escalated rapidly after the Russian Military Police deployed in a nearby area intervened .
On April 16 , an Asayish checkpoint in the city was attacked with two hand grenades allegedly thrown by NDF members .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of disagreements between local NDF and Asayish commanders .
Nonetheless , it should be noted that Qamishly city is infamous for regular clashes and tensions between the NDF and the SDF ’ s Asayish .
The Kurdish group is trying to establish full control of the city and does not like the fact that the Damascus government has strong support there .
In their turn NDF units seek to push back the creeping advance of the Kurdish force , which they see as a betrayer of Syrian national interests because of its open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States .
The Russian Military Police and the Turkish Army held a limited joint patrol on the M4 highway in southern Idlib .
From the Russian side the patrol involved two BTR-82A armoured personnel carriers and a Tiger armoured vehicle , while from the Turkish side four BMC Kirpi MRAPs took part .
The movement of the Russian-Turkish convoy was monitored by unmanned aerial vehicles of the Russian Aerospace Forces .
This was the fifth limited Russian-Turkish patrol held in the framework of the Turkish-Russian Idlib agreement reached on March 5 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visual demonstration of the lack of progress made in the creation of the safe zone along the M4 highway in southern Idlib and in the removal of radical militants from it .
Later on the same day , the Syrian Army shelled positions of al-Qaeda-linked Hayat Tharir al-Sham near the village of Tell Afis , located near the government-controlled town of Saraqib .
Pro-government sources say that militants are concentrating forces there in preparation of an advance to capture Saraqib .
Late on April 20 , the Israeli Air Force carried out airstrikes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ province of Homs .
Syrian Air Defence systems responded to the attack by intercepting several missiles .
However , according to open data , at least 3 Syrian service members died as a result of the incident .
So , at least some of the Israeli strikes hit their targets .

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On April 21, clashes broke out in the city of Qamishly between the Kurdish Asayish, a security force of the Syrian Democratic Forces, and the pro-government National Defense Forces.
Local sources claim that NDF units tried to capture several Asayish positions in the city, but failed to do so. Both sides allegedly suffered no casualties. The situation de-escalated rapidly after the Russian Military Police deployed in a nearby area intervened .
On April 16, an Asayish checkpoint in the city was attacked with two hand grenades allegedly thrown by NDF members.
The current escalation is reportedly the result of disagreements between local NDF and Asayish commanders. Nonetheless, it should be noted that Qamishly city is infamous for regular clashes and tensions between the NDF and the SDF’s Asayish. The Kurdish group is trying to establish full control of the city and does not like the fact that the Damascus government has strong support there. In their turn NDF units seek to push back the creeping advance of the Kurdish force, which they see as a betrayer of Syrian national interests because of its open cooperation with foreign occupants – i.e.the United States.
The Russian Military Police and the Turkish Army held a limited joint patrol on the M4 highway in southern Idlib. From the Russian side the patrol involved two BTR-82A armoured personnel carriers and a Tiger armoured vehicle, while from the Turkish side four BMC Kirpi MRAPs took part. The movement of the Russian-Turkish convoy was monitored by unmanned aerial vehicles of the Russian Aerospace Forces.
This was the fifth limited Russian-Turkish patrol held in the framework of the Turkish-Russian Idlib agreement reached on March 5. The area of the patrols serves as a visual demonstration of the lack of progress made in the creation of the safe zone along the M4 highway in southern Idlib and in the removal of radical militants from it.
Later on the same day, the Syrian Army shelled positions of al-Qaeda-linked Hayat Tharir al-Sham near the village of Tell Afis, located near the government-controlled town of Saraqib. Pro-government sources say that militants are concentrating forces there in preparation of an advance to capture Saraqib.
Late on April 20, the Israeli Air Force carried out airstrikes on several supposedly Iranian targets in the province of Homs. Syrian Air Defence systems responded to the attack by intercepting several missiles. However, according to open data, at least 3 Syrian service members died as a result of the incident. So, at least some of the Israeli strikes hit their targets.
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southfront--2020-04-23--In Video: Angry Locals Intercept, Stone U.S. Convoy In Northeast Syria

On April 22 , locals and Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) personnel intercepted another convoy of U.S. forces in @ @ @ @ @ region .
The locals stopped the convoy as it attempted to enter their town , @ @ @ @ @ s countryside in northern al-Hasakah .
The convoy retreated from the town ’ s entrance @ @ @ @ @ by angry locals .
Last week , a U.S. convoy was blocked by locals in @ @ @ @ @ then , U.S.-led coalition warplanes flew over the region in a show of force .
@ @ @ @ @ in the al-Qamishli countryside have been cooperating to limit the movement of U.S. forces for @ @ @ @ @ the locals , especially Arabs , appear to be increasingly frustrated with the U.S. military @ @ @ @ @ Around 500 U.S. troops are currently deployed in al-Hasakah and Deir Ezzor .
The troops @ @ @ @ @ “ guard ” oil fields and counter the growing threat of ISIS .
MORE ON @ @ @

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On April 22, locals and Syrian Arab Army (SAA) personnel intercepted another convoy of U.S. forces in the country’s northeastern region.
The locals stopped the convoy as it attempted to enter their town, Farfarah, in al-Qamishli’s countryside in northern al-Hasakah. The convoy retreated from the town’s entrance after being attacked with stones by angry locals.
Last week, a U.S. convoy was blocked by locals in the al-Qamishli countryside. Back then, U.S.-led coalition warplanes flew over the region in a show of force.
The SAA and pro-government locals in the al-Qamishli countryside have been cooperating to limit the movement of U.S. forces for several months. Some of the locals, especially Arabs, appear to be increasingly frustrated with the U.S. military presence in their region.
Around 500 U.S. troops are currently deployed in al-Hasakah and Deir Ezzor. The troops’ declared task is to “guard” oil fields and counter the growing threat of ISIS.
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southfront--2020-04-23--In Video: Russian Aerospace Forces Received 2 Modernized Tu-160 Strategic Bombers

The Russian Aerospace Forces have received two modernized Tupolev Tu-160M2 strategic bombers ( Ivan Yarygin and Vasily Reshetnikov ) , the Defense Ministry reported .
The modernized mobmbers successfully passed ground and flight tests .
The modernization of strategic missile carriers to the Tu-160M2 variant is ongoing at the Kazan Aviation Plant .
The Tupolev Tu-160 ( NATO codename : Blackjack ) is a long range , supersonic , variable geometry wing , strategic bomber -designed to penetrate sophisticated air defense systems at low altitude and supersonic speed .
It is the Soviet counterpart to the US Air Force B-1B @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nuclear short range and long-range cruise missiles ) is carried inside two weapons bays located at the middle of the fuselage .
The Tu-160M2 is a further development of the Tu-160 strategic bomber with state-of-the-art sensors and weapons .
In all , the Tu-160M2 is a highly upgraded version featuring detection reduction coatings , new more powerful and efficient engines giving it greater operational range , new avionics , electronics , glass cockpit , communications & control systems , a number of weapons , as well as improved thrust and unrefueled range .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ new defensive system protecting it from missiles .
It will boast four new Kuznetsov NK-32 engines .
The Kuznetsov NK-32 is an afterburning , three-spool , low bypass , turbofan jet engine , the largest and most powerful engine ever fitted on a combat aircraft .
In maximum afterburner it produces 245 kN of thrust ( 55,000 lbf ) .
It is expected that the Tu-160M2 will be armed with long-range standoff cruise missiles , including the Kh-101/Kh-102 ( nuclear variant ) air-launched cruise missile and the Kh-55 subsonic air-launched cruise missile .

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The Russian Aerospace Forces have received two modernized Tupolev Tu-160M2 strategic bombers (Ivan Yarygin and Vasily Reshetnikov), the Defense Ministry reported.
The modernized mobmbers successfully passed ground and flight tests. The modernization of strategic missile carriers to the Tu-160M2 variant is ongoing at the Kazan Aviation Plant.
The Tupolev Tu-160 (NATO codename: Blackjack) is a long range, supersonic, variable geometry wing, strategic bomber -designed to penetrate sophisticated air defense systems at low altitude and supersonic speed. It is the Soviet counterpart to the US Air Force B-1B Lancer strategic bomber.
Armament (typically nuclear short range and long-range cruise missiles) is carried inside two weapons bays located at the middle of the fuselage.
The Tu-160M2 is a further development of the Tu-160 strategic bomber with state-of-the-art sensors and weapons.
In all, the Tu-160M2 is a highly upgraded version featuring detection reduction coatings, new more powerful and efficient engines giving it greater operational range, new avionics, electronics, glass cockpit, communications & control systems, a number of weapons, as well as improved thrust and unrefueled range. It will also be equipped with a new defensive system protecting it from missiles.
It will boast four new Kuznetsov NK-32 engines. The Kuznetsov NK-32 is an afterburning, three-spool, low bypass, turbofan jet engine, the largest and most powerful engine ever fitted on a combat aircraft. In maximum afterburner it produces 245 kN of thrust (55,000 lbf).
It is expected that the Tu-160M2 will be armed with long-range standoff cruise missiles, including the Kh-101/Kh-102 (nuclear variant) air-launched cruise missile and the Kh-55 subsonic air-launched cruise missile.


southfront--2020-04-23--Russian Military Delegation Meets Prominent Tribal Leader In Northeast Syria (Photos)

On April 20 , a delegation of the Russian Military Police and the Syrian military held a meeting with Sheikh Mahmod al- ‘ Akub , leader of the al-Harb tribe , near the city of al-Qamishli in northern al-Hasakah .
Local sources said Sheikh al- ‘ Akub invited the delegation to the meeting .
The two sides held lengthy talks .
However , no statement was released .
Al-Harb is one of the biggest Arab tribes in al-Qamishli countryside .
Sheikh Mahmod al- ‘ Akub is known for his ties with Damascus .
Last year , al- ‘ Akub was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , allegedly to coordinate against U.S. forces in northeast Syria .
The meeting with the Russian delegation provoked some opposition supporters from the al-Harb tribe , who issued a statement condemning it .
In the last few months , locals in al-Qamishli countryside began working to restrict the movement of U.S. forces in the region .
The locals intercepted many U.S. convoys in cooperation with the Syrian military .
The Russian meeting with al-Harb tribe ’ s leader was likely meant to solidify bilateral relations .
It is logical for Arabs in northeast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counter weight for U.S. forces , which are partnered with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces ( SDF ) .
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On April 20, a delegation of the Russian Military Police and the Syrian military held a meeting with Sheikh Mahmod al-‘Akub, leader of the al-Harb tribe, near the city of al-Qamishli in northern al-Hasakah.
Local sources said Sheikh al-‘Akub invited the delegation to the meeting. The two sides held lengthy talks. However, no statement was released.
Al-Harb is one of the biggest Arab tribes in al-Qamishli countryside. Sheikh Mahmod al-‘Akub is known for his ties with Damascus. Last year, al-‘Akub was among a tribal delegation which visited Tehran, allegedly to coordinate against U.S. forces in northeast Syria.
The meeting with the Russian delegation provoked some opposition supporters from the al-Harb tribe, who issued a statement condemning it.
In the last few months, locals in al-Qamishli countryside began working to restrict the movement of U.S. forces in the region. The locals intercepted many U.S. convoys in cooperation with the Syrian military.
The Russian meeting with al-Harb tribe’s leader was likely meant to solidify bilateral relations. It is logical for Arabs in northeast Syria to see Russian presence as a counter weight for U.S. forces, which are partnered with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
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southfront--2020-04-23--KH-47M2 Kinzhal Nuclear-Capable Air-Launched Ballistic Missile (Infographics)

Leave the big cities .
Virtually all Governments are corrupt , all are run by rich criminals .
There is @ @ @ @ @ do , faced with an overabundance of useless serfs , and the political risk they @ @ @ @ @ wide economy with their absurd policies .
Personally I think they have long since decided @ @ @ @ @ War III , to cover up all their crimes .
Divide & Conquer , order @ @ @ @ @ .
The flip side of this is to believe there will never be another full @ @ @ @ @ powers on Earth , for all eternity .
For this war not to happen , @ @ @ @ @ that we are now in the era of eternal peace , with only some minor @ @ @ @ @ out soon .

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The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal (from Russian: “Dagger”) is a nuclear-capable air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM). It has the range of over 2,000 km, the speed of ~Mach 10 speed, and is capable to perform evasive maneuvers at every stage of its flight. The missile can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads. The main carriers of the missile are MiG-31K fighter jets and Tu-22M3 long-range bombers. The Su-57 fifth generation fighter jet is also set to be capable to use the weapon. The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal was put on the experimental combat duty at air bases in Russia’s Southern Military District.
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