southfront--2020-08-05--US Troop Redeployment: Are German People Finally Recovering From Seventy Year Inferiority Complex?

While US President Donald Trump has tweeted that he is withdrawing US troops from Germany to punish the Germans for buying gas from Russia and for not contributing enough to NATO , a survey of public opinion has showed that – in stark contrast to their politicians – many German people are in favour of reducing the US military footprint in the country .
Shortly after the decision was announced Trump reiterated that it was a punitive measure intended to castigate Germany for not reneging on the Nordstream 2 gas project and for underspending on the military ( and , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manufacturers ) : But far from being seen as a threat , a YouGov poll for the dpa news agency found that more Germans are in favour of the departure of the 35,000-strong US military occupation force than are opposed to the move .
42 per cent said they supported withdrawal while just 37 per cent wanted the soldiers to stay , with 21 per cent undecided .
The idea of a US military withdrawal enjoys significant support from across the political spectrum in Germany but is particularly strong with the supporters of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Die Linke were particularly in favour of withdrawal , with 67 per cent backing the idea , as were supporters of the far-right AfD , on 55 per cent .
Greens also back withdrawal by 48 per cent .
Voters for the centre-right were generally less supportive of withdrawal , with 35 per cent of CDU voters , the SPD at 42 per cent , and the FDP at 37 per cent .
The same poll also found significant opposition to militarism in general in the country .
Just 15 per cent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country should increase its military spending to 2 per cent of GDP by 2024 , with 36 per cent saying the country already spends too much on its military .
US troops have been stationed in Germany since they occupied the country in the aftermath of the Second World War , constituting the second largest US overseas military presence after Japan , which has also been the subject of a massive permanent US military occupation since the mid-1940s .
If the drawdown in Germany is taken to its conclusion , South Korea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second largest foreign US military presence worldwide .
There are between 30 and 40 US military bases in Germany , a significant reduction from the 200-300 that were located there until the end of the Cold War .
LINK The views of the German public on the issue are in sharp contrast with those of the country ’ s politicians .
Five out of six parliamentary groups in the Bundestag have been opposing the withdrawal , with only the Left Party saying that the permanent US military presence must be terminated completely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Defense Mark Esper announced that the Pentagon would withdraw almost 12,000 troops from Germany , which was a significant increase from the initially planned number of 9,500 .
LINK MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Apocalypse soon ?
US still scrambling and surging to develop new high tech weapons systems

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While US President Donald Trump has tweeted that he is withdrawing US troops from Germany to punish the Germans for buying gas from Russia and for not contributing enough to NATO, a survey of public opinion has showed that – in stark contrast to their politicians – many German people are in favour of reducing the US military footprint in the country.
Shortly after the decision was announced Trump reiterated that it was a punitive measure intended to castigate Germany for not reneging on the Nordstream 2 gas project and for underspending on the military (and, presumably, for not subsidizing US-based weapons manufacturers):
Germany pays Russia billions of dollars a year for Energy, and we are supposed to protect Germany from Russia. What’s that all about? Also, Germany is very delinquent in their 2% fee to NATO. We are therefore moving some troops out of Germany! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 29, 2020
But far from being seen as a threat, a YouGov poll for the dpa news agency found that more Germans are in favour of the departure of the 35,000-strong US military occupation force than are opposed to the move.
42 per cent said they supported withdrawal while just 37 per cent wanted the soldiers to stay, with 21 per cent undecided.
The idea of a US military withdrawal enjoys significant support from across the political spectrum in Germany but is particularly strong with the supporters of certain parties.
Voters for the left-wing Die Linke were particularly in favour of withdrawal, with 67 per cent backing the idea, as were supporters of the far-right AfD, on 55 per cent. Greens also back withdrawal by 48 per cent.
Voters for the centre-right were generally less supportive of withdrawal, with 35 per cent of CDU voters, the SPD at 42 per cent, and the FDP at 37 per cent.
The same poll also found significant opposition to militarism in general in the country. Just 15 per cent of all Germans agree with Angela Merkel that the country should increase its military spending to 2 per cent of GDP by 2024, with 36 per cent saying the country already spends too much on its military.
US troops have been stationed in Germany since they occupied the country in the aftermath of the Second World War, constituting the second largest US overseas military presence after Japan, which has also been the subject of a massive permanent US military occupation since the mid-1940s. If the drawdown in Germany is taken to its conclusion, South Korea will have the dubious distinction of hosting the second largest foreign US military presence worldwide.
There are between 30 and 40 US military bases in Germany, a significant reduction from the 200-300 that were located there until the end of the Cold War. LINK
The views of the German public on the issue are in sharp contrast with those of the country’s politicians. Five out of six parliamentary groups in the Bundestag have been opposing the withdrawal, with only the Left Party saying that the permanent US military presence must be terminated completely.
“Instead of strengthening NATO, it’s going to weaken the alliance,” Norbert Rottgen, who stands to succeed Chancellor Angela Merkel at the helm of the Christian Democrats Union, said of the US move. The leader of the Christian Social Union, Markus Soder, also warned that the redeployment of US troops out of Germany “puts a burden on the German-American relationship.”
Last week, US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper announced that the Pentagon would withdraw almost 12,000 troops from Germany, which was a significant increase from the initially planned number of 9,500. LINK
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southfront--2020-08-05--SDF Occupied Another Government Building In Al-Hasakah City

On August 5 , fighters of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces ( SDF ) stormed the Grain Silos Management building in the city of al-Hasakah .
According to the Syrian Arab News Agency ( SANA ) , SDF fighters occupied the second floor of the building after forcing 120 workers and employees to leave .
The SANA ’ s reporter said a purchase center was recently established in the silos .
Loads of wheat were bought directly from farmers in northeastern Syria .
The wheat was stored in the silos in order to supply bakeries in the region .
Last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of government buildings and state-owned properties in al-Hasakah city .
The step was reportedly ordered by the U.S.-led coalition .
One of the buildings was handed back later .
In July , however , the group occupied a communication center in the northern al-Hasakah countryside .
The SDF is likely attempting to regain its influence in al-Hasakah by challenging the Damascus government .
The U.S.-led coalition is also working to expand its military presence in the governorate ’ s city center .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Jihadists Released New Video Of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Greater Idlib

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On August 5, fighters of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) stormed the Grain Silos Management building in the city of al-Hasakah.
According to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), SDF fighters occupied the second floor of the building after forcing 120 workers and employees to leave.
The SANA’s reporter said a purchase center was recently established in the silos. Loads of wheat were bought directly from farmers in northeastern Syria. The wheat was stored in the silos in order to supply bakeries in the region.
“The amount of wheat stored in the silo is estimated at 13 thousand tons,” the reporter said.
Last June, SDF forces occupied a number of government buildings and state-owned properties in al-Hasakah city. The step was reportedly ordered by the U.S.-led coalition. One of the buildings was handed back later. In July, however, the group occupied a communication center in the northern al-Hasakah countryside.
The SDF is likely attempting to regain its influence in al-Hasakah by challenging the Damascus government. The U.S.-led coalition is also working to expand its military presence in the governorate’s city center.
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southfront--2020-08-05--War Drums Beat In Middle East After Thousands Of Casualties In Beirut Explosion

On the evening of August 4th , a massive explosion rocked the port of the Lebanese capital of Beirut , causing devastating damage and leaving thousands of casualties .
The explosion sent a shockwave across the city and blew out windows up to 10 kilometers away .
It was felt as far away as Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea .
As of the morning of August 5th , the number of reported fatalities exceeded 100 , with at least 4,000 people reported injured .
At least 48 staff members of the United Nations and 27 members of their families were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the operation to contain the damage and to help people have been reported killed .
Initial reports suggested that the explosion may have been caused by an incident in the firework storage area .
However , later , Lebanon ’ s Prime Minister Hassan Diab said that 2,750 metric tons of ammonium nitrate , which is typically used as an agricultural fertilizer , had been stored for six years at a port warehouse without proper safety measures , “ endangering the safety of citizens.
” This statement was backed by General Security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ highly explosive material ” had been confiscated years earlier and stored in the warehouse , just minutes ’ walk from Beirut ’ s shopping and nightlife districts .
It is still unclear what caused the explosion itself thus laying the ground for various speculations in mainstream media outlets and on social media platforms .
In particular , reports suggested that a number of Hezbollah members were in the port area at the moment of the explosion .
This immediately caused reports that this may have been a result of some Israeli attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ somehow unnoticed missile strike , and that the site of the explosion was in fact a part of the Hezbollah military infrastructure .
The Israeli Defense Forces did not officially comment on these speculations .
Israeli media , which are often eager to promote supposed Israeli military victories , claimed that Israeli forces did not attack Beirut .
In their turn , Hezbollah denounced reports that the explosion happened on one of their sites saying that there was no Israeli attack on August 4 .
Nonetheless , it seems that the US leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Commenting on the situation after a meeting with military officials , President Donald Trump claimed that the incident was an attack .
“ They seem to think it was an attack .
It was a bomb of some kind , ” Trump said .
Whatever the real cause of the tragedy turns out to be , the Beirut explosions have already fueled tensions in the region .
And despite comments by Hezbollah and Israeli media that it was not a military incident , the warring sides are actively accusing each other .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ supposed attack on the Beirut port do not make the situation any easier .
Taking into account the recent series of military incidents on the Israeli-Lebanese contact line , and in the Israeli-occupied area of the Golan Heights , any new border provocation may easily lead to a larger escalation .
The years of war propaganda and military confrontations together with increased tension within Israeli and Lebanese society respectively have already created conditions in which a further , even small , military incident may appear to be enough to provoke a larger war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in no interest of Tel Aviv or Hezbollah because it will obviously have a devastating impact on both Israel and Lebanon .
In this light , it is especially interesting that the Trump administration is making statements that would contribute to this scenario .
There is a chance that in a time of a deepening social and political crisis in the US on top of a complicated economic situation in the runup to the next US Presidential election , some hotheads may believe that a new , theoretically ‘ victorious ’ war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to remain in power .

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On the evening of August 4th, a massive explosion rocked the port of the Lebanese capital of Beirut, causing devastating damage and leaving thousands of casualties. The explosion sent a shockwave across the city and blew out windows up to 10 kilometers away. It was felt as far away as Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea.
As of the morning of August 5th, the number of reported fatalities exceeded 100, with at least 4,000 people reported injured. At least 48 staff members of the United Nations and 27 members of their families were among the injured. 10 rescuers involved in the operation to contain the damage and to help people have been reported killed.
Initial reports suggested that the explosion may have been caused by an incident in the firework storage area. However, later, Lebanon’s Prime Minister Hassan Diab said that 2,750 metric tons of ammonium nitrate, which is typically used as an agricultural fertilizer, had been stored for six years at a port warehouse without proper safety measures, “endangering the safety of citizens.”
This statement was backed by General Security chief Abbas Ibrahim, who said a “highly explosive material” had been confiscated years earlier and stored in the warehouse, just minutes’ walk from Beirut’s shopping and nightlife districts.
It is still unclear what caused the explosion itself thus laying the ground for various speculations in mainstream media outlets and on social media platforms. In particular, reports suggested that a number of Hezbollah members were in the port area at the moment of the explosion. This immediately caused reports that this may have been a result of some Israeli attack, for example sabotage actions or a somehow unnoticed missile strike, and that the site of the explosion was in fact a part of the Hezbollah military infrastructure.
The Israeli Defense Forces did not officially comment on these speculations. Israeli media, which are often eager to promote supposed Israeli military victories, claimed that Israeli forces did not attack Beirut. In their turn, Hezbollah denounced reports that the explosion happened on one of their sites saying that there was no Israeli attack on August 4.
Nonetheless, it seems that the US leadership has a quite different point of view. Commenting on the situation after a meeting with military officials, President Donald Trump claimed that the incident was an attack. “They seem to think it was an attack. It was a bomb of some kind,” Trump said.
Whatever the real cause of the tragedy turns out to be, the Beirut explosions have already fueled tensions in the region. And despite comments by Hezbollah and Israeli media that it was not a military incident, the warring sides are actively accusing each other. Comments by the US President about a supposed attack on the Beirut port do not make the situation any easier.
Taking into account the recent series of military incidents on the Israeli-Lebanese contact line, and in the Israeli-occupied area of the Golan Heights, any new border provocation may easily lead to a larger escalation. The years of war propaganda and military confrontations together with increased tension within Israeli and Lebanese society respectively have already created conditions in which a further, even small, military incident may appear to be enough to provoke a larger war in the region. This large war is in no interest of Tel Aviv or Hezbollah because it will obviously have a devastating impact on both Israel and Lebanon. In this light, it is especially interesting that the Trump administration is making statements that would contribute to this scenario. There is a chance that in a time of a deepening social and political crisis in the US on top of a complicated economic situation in the runup to the next US Presidential election, some hotheads may believe that a new, theoretically ‘victorious’ war in the Middle East, could help them to remain in power.
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southfront--2020-08-05--Lukashenko & Zelensky Forging Ukrainian-Belarusian Front Against Russia

Negative tendencies have been ramping up in Eastern Europe .
Now , it seems that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko seem to be forging a new anti-Russian alliance and fueling tensions in the region for own political purposes .
The two presidents held a phone call during which they discussed the extradition ( ! )
of 33 Russians to Ukraine that the Lukashenko government detained near Minsk .
Lukashenko claims that the detained Russians are members of the ‘ Wagner ’ private military company ( that does not exist officially ) and came to Belarus to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coup against Lukashenko .
While the detained persons were indeed some private military contractors , the public evidence allows to conclude that they were moving through Belarus to Turkey .
Then , they were planning to deploy in some Middle Eastern and African countries .
The Russians were detained in Belarus as a part of Lukashenko ’ s political game ahead of the presidential election .
Over the past years , Minsk has already made several publicly anti-Russian steps aiming to pressure the Kremlin to continue sponsoring the Lukashenko regime despite its inability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In this light , Lukashenko found an understanding in Ukraine , which since its first day of independence has been receiving direct and indirect donatinos from Russia .
These donations did not stop even , when the post-2014 coup regime came to power and started a terror against ethnic Russians and the Russian-speaking part of the population .
This expectedly led to the separation of Crimea and a civil war in eastern Ukraine that was blamed on Russia .
Kiev still believes that Moscow somehow must sponsor its economy and actions .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant economic and social difficulties .
The popularity of the Ukrainian and Belarusian governments are quite low and falling .
So , Zelensky and Luakshenko apparently decided to coordinate their efforts in getting some resources and political profit from foreign sponsors thanks to exploting of the ‘ Russian threat ’ .
President Zelensky is even planning a visit to Belarus .
As to the Kiev regime , the ‘ extradition ’ of the illegally detained Russians is finally a real chance to capture some Russian citizens .
So far , the overwhelming majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Kiev and the Lugansk and Donetsk People ’ s Republics is Ukrainians .
This fact contradicts the main mainstream version claiming that the mighty Ukrainian Army and government-funded Nazis are fighting the ‘ Russian Army ’ in the region of Donbass .
The Belarusian-Ukrainian ‘ anti-Russian front ’ is being forged amid the following developments : The ceasefire in Eastern Ukraine between the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the forces of the Donetsk and Luhansk people ’ s republics began on July 27th .
A little bit over a week has passed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it appears that prospects for it actually lasting longer than the previous 30 attempts are slim .
On August 3rd , the SMM OSCE released its daily report , which also said that between July 27th and 19:30 local time on August 3rd , there have been a total of 246 ceasefire violations .
Evidently , there is improvement , but the violations continue .
The disengagement of forces is also not particularly effective .
Below are direct citations of what the SMM observed : • On August 3rd , inside the disengagement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16km north-east of Luhansk ) , the SMM saw three members of the armed formations ( wearing armbands with “ JCCC ” written on them ) between the new span of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge and their checkpoint south of it .
• On July 31st , inside the disengagement area near Zolote , an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle ( UAV ) spotted an armoured light utility vehicle ( Kozak-2 ) in the south-eastern part of Katerynivka ( government-controlled , 64km west of Luhansk ) , near a former position of the Ukrainian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , near the checkpoint of the armed formations south of the disengagement area , the Mission saw six members of the armed formations ( wearing armbands with “ JCCC ” written on them ) , two of whom it saw entering the disengagement area , walking about 350m north inside the disengagement area and then returning .
These are the most notable , showing activity on the side of the Ukrainian armed forces .
On the side of the DPR/LPR , the reports of spotting individuals near the disengagement area are usually just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sort .
On August 2nd and 3rd , the SMM also noted new trenches in government-controlled areas on the approaches towards Donetsk , and these trenches don ’ t dig themselves , also they are being created for a reason , which is likely to be revealed soon .
The SMM observed armoured combat vehicles in the security zone in government-controlled areas of Donetsk region and in non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions .
The DPR and LPR also reported similar situations , with some violations from the side of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than before .
On July 31st , the DPR announced only one incident of violation of the truce – the shelling of DPR positions in the area of the village of Yakovlevka .
On other days no fire was recorded .
The LPR said that on the last day of July , several grenades from a Ukrainian quadcopter were dropped on their positions , two soldiers were injured .
Also , on July 29-30 , the LPR announced three shelling in the Novotoshkovsky-Golubovsky area .
This ceasefire was supposed to be different from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the current ceasefire , it is now completely forbidden to conduct reconnaissance , sabotage , launch drones , hold positions in the “ gray ” zone , and conduct sniper fire .
Special officers with experience in peacekeeping missions arrived at the front line to control the ceasefire .
All the bans were fixed by orders of the commanders – the OOS and the “ people ’ s militia ” of the DPR/LPR .
Regardless of the ceasefire , the Ukrainian government , under President Volodymyr Zelensky are undermining the Minsk agreements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Zelensky ’ s party appointed local elections in Ukraine for October 25th everywhere , except for the uncontrolled territories of Eastern Ukraine and Crimea .
This is something that Kiev has agreed not to carry out under the Minsk agreements .
The explanation of this is that Ukraine would not allow for elections in the territories that aren ’ t under its control , until the DPR and LPR and Russia give away border control to Ukraine .
Which is unlikely to happen .
As a result , the Ukrainian authorities are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Donbas .
And without a political settlement , the conflict can flare up with renewed vigor at any moment , despite any truce .
Note that recently , President Zelensky gave a reason to talk about possible progress in this matter .
On the eve of the armistice in Donbass , Vladimir Zelensky called his Russian counterpart .
During a conversation with Vladimir Putin , the Ukrainian president raised the topic of changes to the Constitution in terms of decentralization .
This could specifically refer to changes in the Ukrainian Constitution , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ status , which is unacceptable to Russia and the DPR/LPR .
In Belarus , President Lukashenko ( in power since 1994 ) is struggling to deal with the new wave of popular resistance in the country .
The ineffective economic policy and deep corruption of the existing political regime was for a long time compesnated by a direct and indirect economic support from Russia .
Nonetheless , political games of the Lukashenko government , public delcarations of cooperation with Russia ’ s competitors , first of all the US and the EU bureaucracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supposed Russian ally on the international arena ( Belarus did not recognize Crimea as a part of Russia and keeps at least a slightly anti-Russian stance towards the conflict in Ukraine ) led to the apparent problem of the Lukashenko government .
Another important factor became the open sabotage of the intergration agreements with Russia reached years ago , but still not implemented by Minsk .
The Union State of Russia and Belarus a supranational union consisting of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus .
It was founded in 1996 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its citizens and goods .
Nonetheless , Minsk is actively sabotage any real implementation of the political part of the agreement , which includes the creation of supranational bodies .
This explains why Lukashenko is so scared by ‘ pro-Russian forces ’ in his country and keeps a blind eye towards actions of various radical nationalist and anti-Russian groups .
Radicals and Belarusian ‘ patriots ’ funded by the West are yet to start open attacks on ethnic Russians and people that support the Russian Orthodox Church ( Moscow Patriarchy ) like their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Ukrainian government and pro-government groups turned the violence into a common tool of policy in the Kiev-controlled part of Ukraine .
Terrorist attacks , shootings and grenade explosions already became a sad everyday reality there .
A sniper kills a gunman involved in the hostage incident in Ukraine ’ s Poltava : Nonetheless , if they come to power , Ukraine-styled religious , political and ethnic terror will likely start in the observable future .
Meanwhile , these groups do not like and do not support Poroshenko , mostly relying on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a surprise if they even try to set up its own ‘ independent ’ Orthodox Church to combat the ‘ Russian ideology ’ in Belarus .
At the same time , Lukashenko ’ s own actions distanced himself from the majority of population that links its economic wealth with Russia , has a positive view towards Russia and speaks Russian .
The presidential election in Belarus is set to be held on August 9 .
While it ’ s expected that Lukashenko will win the election in one or another way , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be very questionable in the view of the country ’ s population .
This , as well as economic , social issues and Lukashenko ’ s own actions of undermining relations with Belarus ’ only really ally , creates conditions for the further destabilization .
Attempts of Lukashenko to strengthen his own positions by cooperating with Ukraine against Russia raise eyebrows .
The Lukashenko government is just digging a pit for itself .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Explosive-Laden Man In Kiev Demands Interview With Journalists : Gets It • Government-Backed Radicals @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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Negative tendencies have been ramping up in Eastern Europe. Now, it seems that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko seem to be forging a new anti-Russian alliance and fueling tensions in the region for own political purposes.
The two presidents held a phone call during which they discussed the extradition (!) of 33 Russians to Ukraine that the Lukashenko government detained near Minsk. Lukashenko claims that the detained Russians are members of the ‘Wagner’ private military company (that does not exist officially) and came to Belarus to stage ‘terrorist attacks’ and a coup against Lukashenko. While the detained persons were indeed some private military contractors, the public evidence allows to conclude that they were moving through Belarus to Turkey. Then, they were planning to deploy in some Middle Eastern and African countries. The Russians were detained in Belarus as a part of Lukashenko’s political game ahead of the presidential election. Over the past years, Minsk has already made several publicly anti-Russian steps aiming to pressure the Kremlin to continue sponsoring the Lukashenko regime despite its inability to act like a Russian ally.
In this light, Lukashenko found an understanding in Ukraine, which since its first day of independence has been receiving direct and indirect donatinos from Russia. These donations did not stop even, when the post-2014 coup regime came to power and started a terror against ethnic Russians and the Russian-speaking part of the population. This expectedly led to the separation of Crimea and a civil war in eastern Ukraine that was blamed on Russia. Kiev still believes that Moscow somehow must sponsor its economy and actions.
At the same time, both countries face significant economic and social difficulties. The popularity of the Ukrainian and Belarusian governments are quite low and falling. So, Zelensky and Luakshenko apparently decided to coordinate their efforts in getting some resources and political profit from foreign sponsors thanks to exploting of the ‘Russian threat’. President Zelensky is even planning a visit to Belarus.
As to the Kiev regime, the ‘extradition’ of the illegally detained Russians is finally a real chance to capture some Russian citizens. So far, the overwhelming majority of people involved in the prisoner swaps between Kiev and the Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republics is Ukrainians. This fact contradicts the main mainstream version claiming that the mighty Ukrainian Army and government-funded Nazis are fighting the ‘Russian Army’ in the region of Donbass.
The Belarusian-Ukrainian ‘anti-Russian front’ is being forged amid the following developments:
Ukraine
The ceasefire in Eastern Ukraine between the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the forces of the Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics began on July 27th.
A little bit over a week has passed, and it is barely holding, and it appears that prospects for it actually lasting longer than the previous 30 attempts are slim.
On August 3rd, the SMM OSCE released its daily report, which also said that between July 27th and 19:30 local time on August 3rd, there have been a total of 246 ceasefire violations.
Evidently, there is improvement, but the violations continue.
The disengagement of forces is also not particularly effective.
Below are direct citations of what the SMM observed:
On August 3 rd , inside the disengagement area near Stanytsia Luhanska (government-controlled, 16km north-east of Luhansk), the SMM saw three members of the armed formations (wearing armbands with “JCCC” written on them) between the new span of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge and their checkpoint south of it.
, inside the disengagement area near Stanytsia Luhanska (government-controlled, 16km north-east of Luhansk), the SMM saw three members of the armed formations (wearing armbands with “JCCC” written on them) between the new span of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge and their checkpoint south of it. On July 31 st , inside the disengagement area near Zolote, an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) spotted an armoured light utility vehicle (Kozak-2) in the south-eastern part of Katerynivka (government-controlled, 64km west of Luhansk), near a former position of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
, inside the disengagement area near Zolote, an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) spotted an armoured light utility vehicle (Kozak-2) in the south-eastern part of Katerynivka (government-controlled, 64km west of Luhansk), near a former position of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. On August 3rd, near the checkpoint of the armed formations south of the disengagement area, the Mission saw six members of the armed formations (wearing armbands with “JCCC” written on them), two of whom it saw entering the disengagement area, walking about 350m north inside the disengagement area and then returning.
These are the most notable, showing activity on the side of the Ukrainian armed forces. On the side of the DPR/LPR, the reports of spotting individuals near the disengagement area are usually just workers, fixing roads or something of the sort.
On August 2nd and 3rd, the SMM also noted new trenches in government-controlled areas on the approaches towards Donetsk, and these trenches don’t dig themselves, also they are being created for a reason, which is likely to be revealed soon.
The SMM observed armoured combat vehicles in the security zone in government-controlled areas of Donetsk region and in non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
The DPR and LPR also reported similar situations, with some violations from the side of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, but much less than before.
On July 31st, the DPR announced only one incident of violation of the truce – the shelling of DPR positions in the area of the village of Yakovlevka. On other days no fire was recorded.
The LPR said that on the last day of July, several grenades from a Ukrainian quadcopter were dropped on their positions, two soldiers were injured. Also, on July 29-30, the LPR announced three shelling in the Novotoshkovsky-Golubovsky area.
This ceasefire was supposed to be different from the others.
According to the agreements on the current ceasefire, it is now completely forbidden to conduct reconnaissance, sabotage, launch drones, hold positions in the “gray” zone, and conduct sniper fire.
Special officers with experience in peacekeeping missions arrived at the front line to control the ceasefire. All the bans were fixed by orders of the commanders – the OOS and the “people’s militia” of the DPR/LPR.
Regardless of the ceasefire, the Ukrainian government, under President Volodymyr Zelensky are undermining the Minsk agreements.
For example, in Ukrainian Parliament, Zelensky’s party appointed local elections in Ukraine for October 25th everywhere, except for the uncontrolled territories of Eastern Ukraine and Crimea. This is something that Kiev has agreed not to carry out under the Minsk agreements.
The explanation of this is that Ukraine would not allow for elections in the territories that aren’t under its control, until the DPR and LPR and Russia give away border control to Ukraine. Which is unlikely to happen.
As a result, the Ukrainian authorities are hampering the political settlement of the conflict in Donbas. And without a political settlement, the conflict can flare up with renewed vigor at any moment, despite any truce.
Note that recently, President Zelensky gave a reason to talk about possible progress in this matter. On the eve of the armistice in Donbass, Vladimir Zelensky called his Russian counterpart. During a conversation with Vladimir Putin, the Ukrainian president raised the topic of changes to the Constitution in terms of decentralization.
This could specifically refer to changes in the Ukrainian Constitution, but still Eastern Ukraine receives no special status, which is unacceptable to Russia and the DPR/LPR.
Belarus
In Belarus, President Lukashenko (in power since 1994) is struggling to deal with the new wave of popular resistance in the country. The ineffective economic policy and deep corruption of the existing political regime was for a long time compesnated by a direct and indirect economic support from Russia. Nonetheless, political games of the Lukashenko government, public delcarations of cooperation with Russia’s competitors, first of all the US and the EU bureaucracy, and an anti-Russian stance of the supposed Russian ally on the international arena (Belarus did not recognize Crimea as a part of Russia and keeps at least a slightly anti-Russian stance towards the conflict in Ukraine) led to the apparent problem of the Lukashenko government. Another important factor became the open sabotage of the intergration agreements with Russia reached years ago, but still not implemented by Minsk.
The Union State of Russia and Belarus a supranational union consisting of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus. It was founded in 1996 and granted notable economic preferences to Belarus, its citizens and goods. Nonetheless, Minsk is actively sabotage any real implementation of the political part of the agreement, which includes the creation of supranational bodies. This explains why Lukashenko is so scared by ‘pro-Russian forces’ in his country and keeps a blind eye towards actions of various radical nationalist and anti-Russian groups.
Radicals and Belarusian ‘patriots’ funded by the West are yet to start open attacks on ethnic Russians and people that support the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchy) like their Ukrainian friends have been doing for years. The Ukrainian government and pro-government groups turned the violence into a common tool of policy in the Kiev-controlled part of Ukraine. Terrorist attacks, shootings and grenade explosions already became a sad everyday reality there.
A sniper kills a gunman involved in the hostage incident in Ukraine’s Poltava:
Nonetheless, if they come to power, Ukraine-styled religious, political and ethnic terror will likely start in the observable future. Meanwhile, these groups do not like and do not support Poroshenko, mostly relying on the pro-Western ideology. It will not be a surprise if they even try to set up its own ‘independent’ Orthodox Church to combat the ‘Russian ideology’ in Belarus.
At the same time, Lukashenko’s own actions distanced himself from the majority of population that links its economic wealth with Russia, has a positive view towards Russia and speaks Russian.
The presidential election in Belarus is set to be held on August 9. While it’s expected that Lukashenko will win the election in one or another way, the legitimacy of this expected victory will be very questionable in the view of the country’s population. This, as well as economic, social issues and Lukashenko’s own actions of undermining relations with Belarus’ only really ally, creates conditions for the further destabilization.
Attempts of Lukashenko to strengthen his own positions by cooperating with Ukraine against Russia raise eyebrows. The Lukashenko government is just digging a pit for itself.
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southfront--2020-08-05--Jihadists Released New Video Of Suicide Attack On Russian-Turkish Patrol In Syria’s Greater Idlib

The Khattab al-Shishani Brigades has released a new video of the July 14 suicide attack , which targeted a joint Russian-Turkish patrol on the M4 highway in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib .
The video , that is titled Wa yashfi sudoora Dawmin Mumineena [ And Heal the Hearts of a Believing People ] , shows the suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device , which was parked right on the side of the highway , blowing up a few meters away from a Russian BTR-80 armored personnel carrier .
Despite receiving a direct hit , the Russian BTR sustained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members sustained minor injuries .
The attack was shot with several cameras as well as a drone .
This proves that the perpetrators were very comfortable and didn ’ t face any serious pressure or threats .
In the video , the al-Qaeda-affiliated Khattab al-Shishani Brigades attacked Russia , Turkey and the Damascus government .
The group also criticized Hay ’ at Tahrir al-Sham , which controls Greater Idlib region , and accused it of protecting the joint Russian-Turkish patrol .
The Khattab al-Shishani Brigades ’ attack failed to sabotage the ceasefire agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 .
On July 22 , Russian and Turkish troops completed the first ever full patrol on the M4 highway .
Little is known about the Khattab al-Shishani Brigades .
The mysterious terrorist group may be only a front for bigger groups or even foreign sides .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Hay ’ at Tahrir Al-Sham Acknowledged Defeat In Greater Idlib Battle In New Video Release

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The Khattab al-Shishani Brigades has released a new video of the July 14 suicide attack, which targeted a joint Russian-Turkish patrol on the M4 highway in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib.
The video, that is titled Wa yashfi sudoora Dawmin Mumineena [And Heal the Hearts of a Believing People], shows the suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, which was parked right on the side of the highway, blowing up a few meters away from a Russian BTR-80 armored personnel carrier.
Despite receiving a direct hit, the Russian BTR sustained a minimum damage. Only three crew members sustained minor injuries.
The attack was shot with several cameras as well as a drone. This proves that the perpetrators were very comfortable and didn’t face any serious pressure or threats.
#Syria #Idlib
Militants have released a longer video (incl UAV footage) of the #Jihad_Mobile #SVBIED attack on the Russian #BTR_82 during the Russo-Turkish patrol on the M-4 highway on July 14 pic.twitter.com/BjMqLG9RDR — Tony (@Cyberspec1) August 5, 2020
In the video, the al-Qaeda-affiliated Khattab al-Shishani Brigades attacked Russia, Turkey and the Damascus government. The group also criticized Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, which controls Greater Idlib region, and accused it of protecting the joint Russian-Turkish patrol.
The Khattab al-Shishani Brigades’ attack failed to sabotage the ceasefire agreement between Russia and Turkey signed on March 5. On July 22, Russian and Turkish troops completed the first ever full patrol on the M4 highway.
Little is known about the Khattab al-Shishani Brigades. The mysterious terrorist group may be only a front for bigger groups or even foreign sides.
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southfront--2020-08-05--Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham Acknowledged Defeat In Greater Idlib Battle In New Video Release

Al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay ’ at Tahrir al-Sham ( HTS ) acknowledged its defeat in the last battle in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib in a new video release .
The video , titled Wa Tuhadithu Akhbaraha [ Telling Its Stories ] , documents the battle from HTS ’ point of view .
The video was released by the group ’ s media agency , Amjad , on August 3 .
In the documentary , HTS explains how its terrorists attempted to stop the Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) attack on Greater Idlib in 2019 using an array of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategy around a single principle , “ the best defense is a good offense.
” Under this strategy the group ’ s terrorists launched a series of counter-attacks and raids at the beginning of the battle .
While this tactic granted HTS some limited , temporary success in the battlefield , it failed to stop the SAA .
In the first phase of the battle , the army managed to secure vast areas in northern Hama and southern Idlib , including the town of Khan Shaykhun .
As the army began advancing on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in early 2020 , HTS started to rely on more radical tactics .
The group launched large-scale attacks on other fronts , mainly Aleppo , to distract the army .
The group also carried out more suicide attacks with booby-trapped vehicles and well-trained fighters who were left behind as sleeper cells .
Despite these efforts , HTS failed and sustained heavy losses .
The army managed to reopen and secure the M5 highway by March of 2020 .
HTS ’ commander tried to justify their defeat with the heavy fire power of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Russia and Iran .
The group ignored the vast support it received from Turkey , which inflicted heavy losses on the Syrian Army .
The documentary featured Abu Mohamad al-Julani , the leader of HTS , who acknowledged that the group was defeated and attempted to reflect this as an “ achievement.
” In the documentary the group also acknowledged the loss of some its top military commanders , like Abu Ubaidah Kansafra , Saif al-Rahman al-Uzbaki , al-Mu ’ tasim bi ’ llah al-Madani , Mansour al-Daghistani , Abu Suleiman al-Hamwi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ documentary was released by HTS following reports of an upcoming attack by the SAA on Greater Idlib .
The army is already amassing troops around the region .
By releasing this documentary , HTS is not only trying to justify its defeat but also to amass public support for a new battle with the SAA .
The full elimination of the terrorist group is among the top goals of the army and its allies .
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Al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) acknowledged its defeat in the last battle in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib in a new video release.
The video, titled Wa Tuhadithu Akhbaraha [Telling Its Stories], documents the battle from HTS’ point of view. The video was released by the group’s media agency, Amjad, on August 3.
In the documentary, HTS explains how its terrorists attempted to stop the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) attack on Greater Idlib in 2019 using an array of tactics.
The group built its entire strategy around a single principle, “the best defense is a good offense.” Under this strategy the group’s terrorists launched a series of counter-attacks and raids at the beginning of the battle.
While this tactic granted HTS some limited, temporary success in the battlefield, it failed to stop the SAA. In the first phase of the battle, the army managed to secure vast areas in northern Hama and southern Idlib, including the town of Khan Shaykhun.
As the army began advancing on the Damascus-Aleppo highway, the M5, in early 2020, HTS started to rely on more radical tactics.
The group launched large-scale attacks on other fronts, mainly Aleppo, to distract the army. The group also carried out more suicide attacks with booby-trapped vehicles and well-trained fighters who were left behind as sleeper cells.
Despite these efforts, HTS failed and sustained heavy losses. The army managed to reopen and secure the M5 highway by March of 2020.
HTS’ commander tried to justify their defeat with the heavy fire power of the SAA and the support of its allies, Russia and Iran. The group ignored the vast support it received from Turkey, which inflicted heavy losses on the Syrian Army.
The documentary featured Abu Mohamad al-Julani, the leader of HTS, who acknowledged that the group was defeated and attempted to reflect this as an “achievement.”
“The battle has not ended yet, yes, we lost a round in the last eleven months, but the battle is not over and we should stay determined,” al-Julani said, adding “Even if we were left with a single inch of this land.”
In the documentary the group also acknowledged the loss of some its top military commanders, like Abu Ubaidah Kansafra, Saif al-Rahman al-Uzbaki, al-Mu’tasim bi’llah al-Madani, Mansour al-Daghistani, Abu Suleiman al-Hamwi and Abu Jihad al-Shafei al-Ansari.
The documentary was released by HTS following reports of an upcoming attack by the SAA on Greater Idlib. The army is already amassing troops around the region.
By releasing this documentary, HTS is not only trying to justify its defeat but also to amass public support for a new battle with the SAA. The full elimination of the terrorist group is among the top goals of the army and its allies.
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southfront--2020-08-05--Syrian Government Forces Stepped Up Security Measures In Daraa – Report

The Syrian Arab Army and security forces had stepped up their security measures in different parts of the southern governorate of Daraa , the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights ( SOHR ) reported on August 4 .
According to the London-based monitoring group , government forces established the following new fortifications : • A checkpoint between the towns of Jasim and Kafr Shams in northern Daraa ; • A checkpoint between the towns of al-Harah and Zimrin in northern Daraa ; • A new military post in the outskirt of al-Harah .
The SOHR also revealed that fresh reinforcements were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Simlin , al-Harah , al-Jabi and Jasim .
In the last few months , a series of attacks targeted Syrian service members and local fighters in Daraa .
ISIS claimed responsibility for some of them .
Other terrorist groups and foreign sides , including the Israeli intelligence , are believed to be responsible for the rest .
The most recent attack took place on August 4 , an informant of the Syrian intelligence was assassinated by gunmen on a road between the towns of Tafas and Muzayrib in the northern Daraa countryside .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ improve security in northern Daraa .
Nevertheless , more measures need to be taken .
Government forces should improve coordination with local fighters .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • New Round Of Clashes In Greater Idlib : Losses Reported On Both Sides

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The Syrian Arab Army and security forces had stepped up their security measures in different parts of the southern governorate of Daraa, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on August 4.
According to the London-based monitoring group, government forces established the following new fortifications:
A checkpoint between the towns of Jasim and Kafr Shams in northern Daraa;
A checkpoint between the towns of al-Harah and Zimrin in northern Daraa;
A new military post in the outskirt of al-Harah.
The SOHR also revealed that fresh reinforcements were deployed near the towns of Namar, Simlin, al-Harah, al-Jabi and Jasim.
In the last few months, a series of attacks targeted Syrian service members and local fighters in Daraa. ISIS claimed responsibility for some of them. Other terrorist groups and foreign sides, including the Israeli intelligence, are believed to be responsible for the rest.
The most recent attack took place on August 4, an informant of the Syrian intelligence was assassinated by gunmen on a road between the towns of Tafas and Muzayrib in the northern Daraa countryside.
Government forces’ new measures will likely improve security in northern Daraa. Nevertheless, more measures need to be taken. Government forces should improve coordination with local fighters.
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Censored, But Undaunted

Since the very start of SouthFront work , our team has been under an increasing censorship and propaganda pressure .
YouTube and Facebook have repeatedly censored SouthFront accounts and contents , while Euro-Atlantic structures mainstream media outlets have tried to damage our endeavour .
This campaign especially increased in recent months , with the termination of SouthFront ’ s main YouTube channel and Facebook public page , and the further censorship of our content on these social media platforms .
At the same time , top Western officials , including the US Department of Defense , and mainstream media once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no secret that these attacks damaged SouthFront ’ s audience reach ( mostly on YouTube and Facebook ) and undermined our ability to collect the monthly budget needed to keep the common level and scale of coverage , including video production .
There was a point when SouthFront was not even able to release war reports .
Nonetheless , we , SouthFront Team are not going to surrender .
Thanks to your help in July , we were able to collect 74 % of the monthly budget needed to continue its work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us to damage interests of the Euro-Atlantic globalist establishment , challenge mainstream narrative and further for the next weeks .
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DEAR FRIENDS,
Since the very start of SouthFront work, our team has been under an increasing censorship and propaganda pressure. YouTube and Facebook have repeatedly censored SouthFront accounts and contents, while Euro-Atlantic structures mainstream media outlets have tried to damage our endeavour.
This campaign especially increased in recent months, with the termination of SouthFront’s main YouTube channel and Facebook public page, and the further censorship of our content on these social media platforms. At the same time, top Western officials, including the US Department of Defense, and mainstream media once again tried to discredit SouthFront.
There is no secret that these attacks damaged SouthFront’s audience reach (mostly on YouTube and Facebook) and undermined our ability to collect the monthly budget needed to keep the common level and scale of coverage, including video production. There was a point when SouthFront was not even able to release war reports.
Nonetheless, we, SouthFront Team are not going to surrender. Thanks to your help in July, we were able to collect 74% of the monthly budget needed to continue its work in August. This amount will allow us to damage interests of the Euro-Atlantic globalist establishment, challenge mainstream narrative and further for the next weeks.
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southfront--2020-08-05--New Major Attack On Baghdad’s Green Zone Prevented (Photos)

Early on August 5 , a new rocket attack targeted the Green Zone in the Iraqi capital , Baghdad .
The highly-secured area hosts government buildings and foreign missions including the U.S. embassy .
The Iraqi Security Media Cell said that a Katyusha rocket had landed within the Green Zone without causing any material or human losses .
The UAE-based al-Arabiya TV , however , reported that the rocket was intercepted by the C-RAM [ Counter-Rocket , Artillery , and Mortar ] system which was recently deployed in the area by the U.S. military .
A few hours after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 107 mm rockets in the district of Dora in Baghdad .
The rockets were prepared for launch at the Green Zone .
A Wi-Fi camera was also found in the position .
Security forces said the rocket , which struck the Green Zone in the morning , was launched from the exact same position in Dora .
In the last few months , dozens of rocket attacks targeted the Green Zone and several Iraqi military bases hosting U.S. troops .
Washington often blames Iran-affiliated Shiite groups , like Kata ’ ib Hezbollah , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack took place on July 30 .
Two Katyusha rockets hit Baghdad International Airport without causing any losses .
These attacks are becoming more frequent , forcing Iraqi security forces and the U.S.-led coalition step up their security measures , especially in Baghdad ’ s Green Zone .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Two Rockets Target US Troops Hosted At Baghdad International Airport , Again

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Early on August 5, a new rocket attack targeted the Green Zone in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. The highly-secured area hosts government buildings and foreign missions including the U.S. embassy.
The Iraqi Security Media Cell said that a Katyusha rocket had landed within the Green Zone without causing any material or human losses. The UAE-based al-Arabiya TV, however, reported that the rocket was intercepted by the C-RAM [Counter-Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar] system which was recently deployed in the area by the U.S. military.
A few hours after the incident, Iraqi security forces uncovered seven 107 mm rockets in the district of Dora in Baghdad. The rockets were prepared for launch at the Green Zone. A Wi-Fi camera was also found in the position.
Security forces said the rocket, which struck the Green Zone in the morning, was launched from the exact same position in Dora.
In the last few months, dozens of rocket attacks targeted the Green Zone and several Iraqi military bases hosting U.S. troops. Washington often blames Iran-affiliated Shiite groups, like Kata’ib Hezbollah, for these attacks.
The most recent attack took place on July 30. Two Katyusha rockets hit Baghdad International Airport without causing any losses.
These attacks are becoming more frequent, forcing Iraqi security forces and the U.S.-led coalition step up their security measures, especially in Baghdad’s Green Zone.
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southfront--2020-08-06--France and Cyprus Sign Defense Cooperation Agreement To Further Exert Pressure On Turkey

On August 1st , the Cyprus-France Defense Cooperation Agreement came into effect .
It ensures “ energy , crisis management , counter-terrorism and maritime security cooperation between the two countries.
” According to an official announcement , the agreement , which was signed on April 4 , 2017 , entered into force on August 1 , 2020 after the completion of internal procedures .
“ This agreement strengthens and further expands the cooperation of the Republic of Cyprus with the French Republic , in matters of defense and security , while at the same time it is an important step @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean , ” the announcement said .
The agreement “ enhances co-operation between the two countries in the fields of energy and maritime security , early warning and crisis management , as well as tackling terrorism and piracy.
” In addition , it states , “ at the military level , co-operation in the fields of armaments and defense technology , joint training of military personnel and conducting search and rescue exercises is envisaged.
” At the end of July , President Nicos Anastasiades went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counterpart Emmanuel Macron .
After the meeting , Macron called on the EU to come down harder on Turkey for provocations in the Eastern Mediterranean region .
Cypriot Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides said that it was agreed for France to play a leading role in the region , especially in matters that concern Turkey ’ s conduct .
He added that the French president had decided to invite the seven leaders of the southern EU member states ( MED7 ) to a meeting in Paris at the end of August to discuss this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statements prompted a reaction by Ankara , which said that France , “ with every statement it has made and with every wrong step it has taken on the latest developments in the eastern Mediterranean , keeps losing impartiality and her chance to contribute to stability in the region.
” Signed over three years ago , the agreement comes into force at a very opportune time that is expected to put further pressure on Turkey which appears dead set on extracting more resources in the Mediterranean , especially owing to the agreement it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Accord .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Ripple Effects : Greece And Turkey Open New Northern Front On Libyan Conflict • Turkey Halts Oil And Gas Exploration In East Med In Order To Negotiate With Greece

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On August 1st, the Cyprus-France Defense Cooperation Agreement came into effect.
It ensures “energy, crisis management, counter-terrorism and maritime security cooperation between the two countries.”
According to an official announcement, the agreement, which was signed on April 4, 2017, entered into force on August 1, 2020 after the completion of internal procedures.
“This agreement strengthens and further expands the cooperation of the Republic of Cyprus with the French Republic, in matters of defense and security, while at the same time it is an important step towards achieving the common goal of ensuring a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean,” the announcement said.
The agreement “enhances co-operation between the two countries in the fields of energy and maritime security, early warning and crisis management, as well as tackling terrorism and piracy.”
In addition, it states, “at the military level, co-operation in the fields of armaments and defense technology, joint training of military personnel and conducting search and rescue exercises is envisaged.”
“The Cyprus-France Defence Cooperation Agreement confirms the excellent level of bilateral relations and the multifaceted cooperation between them,” the announcement said.
At the end of July, President Nicos Anastasiades went to Paris to meet with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.
After the meeting, Macron called on the EU to come down harder on Turkey for provocations in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
Cypriot Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides said that it was agreed for France to play a leading role in the region, especially in matters that concern Turkey’s conduct.
“Macron is working toward that direction,” Christodoulides told state broadcaster CyBC radio.
He added that the French president had decided to invite the seven leaders of the southern EU member states (MED7) to a meeting in Paris at the end of August to discuss this issue.
The French president’s statements prompted a reaction by Ankara, which said that France, “with every statement it has made and with every wrong step it has taken on the latest developments in the eastern Mediterranean, keeps losing impartiality and her chance to contribute to stability in the region.”
“Turkey will not be threatened by anyone with a discourse of sanctions and this will yield no results,” Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy, said.
Signed over three years ago, the agreement comes into force at a very opportune time that is expected to put further pressure on Turkey which appears dead set on extracting more resources in the Mediterranean, especially owing to the agreement it signed with Tripoli’s Government of National Accord.
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southfront--2020-08-06--Heavy Clashes In Northern Lattakia As Syrian Army Pushes Forward (Video)

Early on August 6 , the Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) launched a limited ground offensive on militants ’ positions in the northern Lattakia countryside .
Army units advanced towards al-Hadadah hill in the al-Kurd Mount under the cover of artillery .
Heavy clashes broke out with al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay ’ at Tahrir al-Sham and other jihadi groups present in this area .
According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights , nine Syrian service members and five jihadists have been killed , so far .
The army ’ s limited attack appears to be a response to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Earlier this week , a number of soldiers were killed and injured by militants ’ fire .
Russian warplanes responded with airstrikes on August 3 .
Tension is mounting in Greater Idlib .
A day earlier , a number of soldiers and militants were killed when heavy clashes broke out in the southern part of the region .
Recent reports revealed that the SAA and its allies are preparing to launch a new operation in Greater Idlib .
The recent developments in the region indicate that the operation will start very soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S .
Position In Al-Shaddadi , Northeastern Syria Shelled By ‘ Unknown Persons ’

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Early on August 6, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) launched a limited ground offensive on militants’ positions in the northern Lattakia countryside.
Army units advanced towards al-Hadadah hill in the al-Kurd Mount under the cover of artillery. Heavy clashes broke out with al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and other jihadi groups present in this area.
According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, nine Syrian service members and five jihadists have been killed, so far.
“The death toll will likely rise as many of the wounded [on both sides] are in a critical condition,” the monitoring group said in a report.
The army’s limited attack appears to be a response to the militants’ repeated shelling in northern Lattakia. Earlier this week, a number of soldiers were killed and injured by militants’ fire. Russian warplanes responded with airstrikes on August 3.
Tension is mounting in Greater Idlib. A day earlier, a number of soldiers and militants were killed when heavy clashes broke out in the southern part of the region.
Recent reports revealed that the SAA and its allies are preparing to launch a new operation in Greater Idlib. The recent developments in the region indicate that the operation will start very soon.
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southfront--2020-08-06--Big Tech Antics: The Data Robber Barons Appear Before Congress

Silicon Valley continues to sprawl in influence , and its modern robber barons bestride the globe with a confidence verging on contempt .
The technology giants that mark that region of California are praised as “ virtuosos of ingenuity , ” to use Steve Forbes ’ words , “ creating and supplying products and services that were once unimaginable and that have been enabling us to survive the COVID lockdowns and working from home ” .
For the most part , they have been encouraged to do so by those in Congress , who have been their handmaidens and coddlers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the likes of Google , Apple , Amazon and Facebook look at the globe as theirs , and theirs lone , to be divided in the manner that Spain and Portugal divvied the New World between them at the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494 .
The Big Tech oligarchs , potentates of the online economy , appeared via video before the House Judiciary antitrust subcommittee on July 29 keen to explain why they had no reason being there .
They existed for the good , had done good and would continue doing good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was in advertising ; for e-commerce , Amazon .
Apple took the side of applications .
The members of the subcommittee had busied themselves for 13 months investigating the anti-competitive practices of the Big Four , though the hearing did nothing to affect their financial results or reveal much we did not already know .
On July 30 , the four companies reported a combined profit of $ 28.6 billion for the second quarter .
The political inquisitors had been shown up to be bullishly theatrical but strikingly ineffectual .
The questioning by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the names of the tech behemoths .
According to a survey conducted by Harris Poll for Fast Company , almost half of 18- to 34-year-olds claimed that their perception of the companies improved with the hearing .
Within that age group , 63 % claimed to have increased their usage of the services and products supplied by those companies .
Sod anti-competitive practices , they seemed to say .
Tim Cook threw a blanket over the policy of Apple ’ s App Store to rivals , insisting that it did not exclude parental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the express purpose of nabbing greater market share for its own Screen Time app .
“ We were concerned , Congresswoman , ” explained Apple ’ s CEO to Democratic Rep. Lucy McBath of Georgia , “ about the privacy and security of kids.
” One such example of a rival app that was given its marching orders by the company was OurPact .
It was supposedly prone to third-party takeovers .
Those kicked off the app store , ostensibly for being inadequately vested with privacy protections , were admitted six months later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part .
What mattered was the time lag , which McBath noted was “ an eternity for small businesses ” .
She duly produced an email from a concerned mother to an Apple employee keen to make her download Screen Time .
“ I am deeply disappointed , ” went the well informed maternal note , “ that you have decided to remove this app and others like it , thereby reducing consumer access to much-needed services to keep children safe and protect their mental health and well-being.
” Cook was unmoved .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ palace that is App Store for any number of reasons .
None of them , it seemed , were because of predatory practices on the part of his company .
All were treated equally , though this did not square with the very select treatment afforded Amazon , which secured a deal with Apple to get its Prime Video app on Apple TV .
Instead of paying Apple the standard 30 % cut of sales in using the platform , Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos managed to negotiate a 15 % cut with Eddy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charge of Apple TV .
Bezos was made to listen to the accounts of various small-business owners who claimed they were steamrolled by the Amazon juggernaut .
Democratic subcommittee chair David Cicilline of Rhode Island quoted the words of one disgruntled seller who had benefited in using Amazon ’ s platform till the company allegedly copied a version of his product to market at lower cost .
“ We called it Amazon heroin .
You had to get your next fix , but this person was ultimately going to be your downfall.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His company did not stoop to “ bullying ” the small .
“ That is not how we operate the business.
” Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook faced questioning on the acquisition of Instagram , with his tactical state of mind outlined in disclosed emails and documents .
In an email to the company ’ s chief financial officer David Ebersman in February 2012 , Zuckerberg considered the idea of buying smaller competitors such as Path and Instagram , “ nascent ” businesses with “ the networks established ” , meaningful brands that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a large scale … could be very disruptive to us.
” New York Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadley felt he had his man .
“ Facebook , by its own admission … saw Instagram as a threat that could potentially siphon business away from Facebook.
” Instead of competing with it , Facebook purchased it .
“ This is exactly the type of anti-competitive acquisition the antitrust laws were designed to prevent.
” Faced with such a paper trail , the Facebook CEO succumbed to a moment of candour .
“ I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competitor in the space of mobile photo sharing.
” Zuckerberg spoke of the “ subset of the overall space of connecting that we exist in ” , teeming with disruptive rivals .
By “ having them ” join Facebook , they got bigger on the company ’ s largesse .
Google faced a now familiar accusation that its search engine laid waste to all before them .
Cicilline was more specific in his volley , charging the company with building its business on “ stolen content ” that disadvantaged rivals .
Not so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pichai .
“ Today we support 1.4 million small businesses supporting over $ 385 billion in the core economic activity.
” There was even a humanitarian element to it .
“ We see many businesses thrive , particularly even during the pandemic.
” Like the hefty digital companies they are meant to target , antitrust measures must be unconventional .
Patrick Leblond of the Centre for International Governance Innovation at the University of Ottowa suggests throwing out the traditional copy book if a “ feasible solution for taming Big Tech ’ s market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be found .
Breaking up such companies simply will not do .
Divided , they will not fall , regrouping and re-emerging on the very source of their power .
It is therefore fundamental to target the source of the power itself : data .
Make it more easily accessible to those with “ legitimate ” purposes under a “ strict regulatory regime modelled on securities regulation that protects the integrity and anonymity of publicly available data.
” These are ideas that have yet to mark the often incurious , rusted minds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was happy with issuing a grand threat .
“ Our founders would not bow before a king .
Nor should be bow before the emperors of the online economy.
” For the moment , the bucking beasts that make the Big Four may not expect any bowing , but nor will they expect too much in the way of a substantive threat .
Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College , Cambridge .
He lectures at RMIT University , Melbourne .
Email : bkampmark @ gmail.com

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Submitted by Dr. Binoy Kampmark
Silicon Valley continues to sprawl in influence, and its modern robber barons bestride the globe with a confidence verging on contempt. The technology giants that mark that region of California are praised as “virtuosos of ingenuity,” to use Steve Forbes’ words, “creating and supplying products and services that were once unimaginable and that have been enabling us to survive the COVID lockdowns and working from home”.
For the most part, they have been encouraged to do so by those in Congress, who have been their handmaidens and coddlers. Now, big and bold, the likes of Google, Apple, Amazon and Facebook look at the globe as theirs, and theirs lone, to be divided in the manner that Spain and Portugal divvied the New World between them at the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494.
The Big Tech oligarchs, potentates of the online economy, appeared via video before the House Judiciary antitrust subcommittee on July 29 keen to explain why they had no reason being there. They existed for the good, had done good and would continue doing good. For Facebook and Google, that was in advertising; for e-commerce, Amazon. Apple took the side of applications.
The members of the subcommittee had busied themselves for 13 months investigating the anti-competitive practices of the Big Four, though the hearing did nothing to affect their financial results or reveal much we did not already know. On July 30, the four companies reported a combined profit of $28.6 billion for the second quarter. The political inquisitors had been shown up to be bullishly theatrical but strikingly ineffectual.
The questioning by the subcommittee also did nothing to sully the names of the tech behemoths. According to a survey conducted by Harris Poll for Fast Company, almost half of 18- to 34-year-olds claimed that their perception of the companies improved with the hearing. Within that age group, 63% claimed to have increased their usage of the services and products supplied by those companies. Sod anti-competitive practices, they seemed to say.
Tim Cook threw a blanket over the policy of Apple’s App Store to rivals, insisting that it did not exclude parental control apps made by other companies for the express purpose of nabbing greater market share for its own Screen Time app. “We were concerned, Congresswoman,” explained Apple’s CEO to Democratic Rep. Lucy McBath of Georgia, “about the privacy and security of kids.” One such example of a rival app that was given its marching orders by the company was OurPact. It was supposedly prone to third-party takeovers.
Those kicked off the app store, ostensibly for being inadequately vested with privacy protections, were admitted six months later with no noticeable changes made on their part. What mattered was the time lag, which McBath noted was “an eternity for small businesses”. She duly produced an email from a concerned mother to an Apple employee keen to make her download Screen Time. “I am deeply disappointed,” went the well informed maternal note, “that you have decided to remove this app and others like it, thereby reducing consumer access to much-needed services to keep children safe and protect their mental health and well-being.”
Cook was unmoved. Any app might be removed from the palace that is App Store for any number of reasons. None of them, it seemed, were because of predatory practices on the part of his company. All were treated equally, though this did not square with the very select treatment afforded Amazon, which secured a deal with Apple to get its Prime Video app on Apple TV. Instead of paying Apple the standard 30% cut of sales in using the platform, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos managed to negotiate a 15% cut with Eddy Cue, Apple’s VP in charge of Apple TV.
Bezos was made to listen to the accounts of various small-business owners who claimed they were steamrolled by the Amazon juggernaut. Democratic subcommittee chair David Cicilline of Rhode Island quoted the words of one disgruntled seller who had benefited in using Amazon’s platform till the company allegedly copied a version of his product to market at lower cost. “We called it Amazon heroin. You had to get your next fix, but this person was ultimately going to be your downfall.” For his part, Bezos was dismissive. His company did not stoop to “bullying” the small. “That is not how we operate the business.”
Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook faced questioning on the acquisition of Instagram, with his tactical state of mind outlined in disclosed emails and documents. In an email to the company’s chief financial officer David Ebersman in February 2012, Zuckerberg considered the idea of buying smaller competitors such as Path and Instagram, “nascent” businesses with “the networks established”, meaningful brands that, were “they to grow to a large scale … could be very disruptive to us.” New York Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadley felt he had his man. “Facebook, by its own admission … saw Instagram as a threat that could potentially siphon business away from Facebook.” Instead of competing with it, Facebook purchased it. “This is exactly the type of anti-competitive acquisition the antitrust laws were designed to prevent.”
Faced with such a paper trail, the Facebook CEO succumbed to a moment of candour. “I’ve made it clear that Instagram was a competitor in the space of mobile photo sharing.” Zuckerberg spoke of the “subset of the overall space of connecting that we exist in”, teeming with disruptive rivals. By “having them” join Facebook, they got bigger on the company’s largesse.
Google faced a now familiar accusation that its search engine laid waste to all before them. Cicilline was more specific in his volley, charging the company with building its business on “stolen content” that disadvantaged rivals. Not so, countered Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai. “Today we support 1.4 million small businesses supporting over $385 billion in the core economic activity.” There was even a humanitarian element to it. “We see many businesses thrive, particularly even during the pandemic.”
Like the hefty digital companies they are meant to target, antitrust measures must be unconventional. Patrick Leblond of the Centre for International Governance Innovation at the University of Ottowa suggests throwing out the traditional copy book if a “feasible solution for taming Big Tech’s market power in the data-driven economy” is to be found. Breaking up such companies simply will not do. Divided, they will not fall, regrouping and re-emerging on the very source of their power. It is therefore fundamental to target the source of the power itself: data. Make it more easily accessible to those with “legitimate” purposes under a “strict regulatory regime modelled on securities regulation that protects the integrity and anonymity of publicly available data.”
These are ideas that have yet to mark the often incurious, rusted minds of those in Congress. But Cicilline was happy with issuing a grand threat. “Our founders would not bow before a king. Nor should be bow before the emperors of the online economy.” For the moment, the bucking beasts that make the Big Four may not expect any bowing, but nor will they expect too much in the way of a substantive threat.
Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College, Cambridge. He lectures at RMIT University, Melbourne. Email: bkampmark@gmail.com
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southfront--2020-08-06--Rioters In Portland Set Police Association On Fire, Clash With Police Throughout City

On August 4th , riots in Portland ramped up in violence .
There were fires and clashes between rioters and police all throughout the city on several days .
Rioters broke into Portland ’ s Police Association office setting fires at the building and elsewhere nearby .
Hundreds of protesters marched to the office building on North Lombard Street near North Campbell Avenue and arrived at approximately 9:45 p.m. , at which point police said they blocked “ all lanes of traffic ” at the intersection , according to information released by the police department .
Police said a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lombard Street soon after the group arrived at the PPA building .
A truck drove into protesters on August 5th , and nobody was injured .
These riots continued on the evening of August 5th .
There were even suspicions that an explosive device had been planted in front of a police station .
It turned out not to be anything dangerous .
However , the situation has reached such a point that there are even suspicions that rioters would plant explosive devices to potentially kill police officers and destroy police stations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims by Democrats and other supporters of the rioters were that violence escalated in Portland because US President Donald Trump deployed federal agents to the city .
The agents have since left , but the violence appears to be ramping up .
Rioters are thrashing residential neighborhoods with police officers having to clash with them and take them down .
Police said that riots have so far cost Portland businesses $ 23 million .
More than 100 people — comprised of city employees and the public — have also sustained injuries , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Amid Ongoing Social Breakdown In The US , Trump Administration Continues To Blame China • Leader Of Ultra-Right Militia Predicts End Of US And Warns Of Civil War

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On August 4th, riots in Portland ramped up in violence.
There were fires and clashes between rioters and police all throughout the city on several days.
Some people put flaming cardboard up against the building. Then the person in the flag cape started putting it out. Some people yelled that they were a cop. pic.twitter.com/HqE4vL0mPm — Hannah Ray Lambert (@TheHannahRay) August 5, 2020
Rioters broke into Portland’s Police Association office setting fires at the building and elsewhere nearby.
Hundreds of protesters marched to the office building on North Lombard Street near North Campbell Avenue and arrived at approximately 9:45 p.m., at which point police said they blocked “all lanes of traffic” at the intersection, according to information released by the police department.
Police said a “large fire” was started on North Lombard Street soon after the group arrived at the PPA building.
"Every city, every town. Burn the precinct to the ground!" pic.twitter.com/6gnsVWvTfA — Hannah Ray Lambert (@TheHannahRay) August 5, 2020
A truck drove into protesters on August 5th, and nobody was injured.
A truck drove though the protest on N Lombard with a motorcycle pinned under its front end. According to protesters I spoke with no one appears to be injured. #PortlandProtests #KOIN6News pic.twitter.com/m4I5b48ofN — Matt Rashleigh (@Matt_KOIN) August 5, 2020
“Members of the group started vandalizing the Portland Police Association office with graffiti while others attempted to pull the plywood off of the doors and windows,” police further alleged.
These riots continued on the evening of August 5th.
There were even suspicions that an explosive device had been planted in front of a police station.
The device has been safely recovered and was determined not to be explosive. — Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) August 6, 2020
It turned out not to be anything dangerous.
However, the situation has reached such a point that there are even suspicions that rioters would plant explosive devices to potentially kill police officers and destroy police stations.
Furthermore, initially reports in MSM and claims by Democrats and other supporters of the rioters were that violence escalated in Portland because US President Donald Trump deployed federal agents to the city.
The agents have since left, but the violence appears to be ramping up.
BREAKING: unrest continues in Portland as rioters fight local rose city police The rumor violence only occurred due to the federal presence appears to be a complete lie pic.twitter.com/RxrDD31VBE — ELIJAH-19 (@ElijahSchaffer) August 6, 2020
Rioters are thrashing residential neighborhoods with police officers having to clash with them and take them down.
Police are taking down Antifa rioters in Portland. They’re in residential neighborhoods. pic.twitter.com/hKx5JP4uRu — Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) August 6, 2020
Random vandalism is also a reality.
Another peaceful protest in Portland tonight. pic.twitter.com/bE9DhtdxHH — Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) August 6, 2020
Police said that riots have so far cost Portland businesses $23 million.
“We’re six weeks into this,” Portland Deputy Police Chief Chris Davis said during a virtual news briefing. “A walk through downtown today will expose you to a scene of boarded-up windows, extensive damage to public property and really an unfortunate scene in our city center.”
More than 100 people — comprised of city employees and the public — have also sustained injuries, he said.
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southfront--2020-08-06--U.S. Position In Al-Shaddadi, Northeastern Syria Shelled By ‘Unknown Persons’

On the evening of August 5th , in the Syrian province of Haseke , unidentified persons fired at a US Armed Forces base in the area of Al-Shaddadi , as a result of which a fire broke out at the base , which was quickly put under control .
There were conflicting reports , initially saying it was a shelling , then saying it was an accidental fire , however , a video by pro-Syrian government forces showed that it was , in fact , a shelling .
Initially reports came that it was a confirmed attack , then there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carrying out trainings since August 4th there and a fire broke out due to a mistake and not a shelling .
Al-Shaddadi is a town in southern al-Hasakah Governorate , northeastern Syria .
It is in the area where US troops are still deployed in Syria , because they are securing the country ’ s oil fields , together with the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces ( SDF ) .
Recently , it was reported that the SDF had signed a deal with an unnamed US company which will modernize the oil fields and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Kurdish ( and potentially Syrian ) people .
Naturally , that is quite a dubious statement and is mostly done for profit by the US and its companies .
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On the evening of August 5th, in the Syrian province of Haseke, unidentified persons fired at a US Armed Forces base in the area of Al-Shaddadi, as a result of which a fire broke out at the base, which was quickly put under control.
No casualties were reported.
There were conflicting reports, initially saying it was a shelling, then saying it was an accidental fire, however, a video by pro-Syrian government forces showed that it was, in fact, a shelling.
Multiple times claims of American bases being shelled have gone out and oftentimes they are total fabrications. I am asking SDF sources about what really happened. Lots of total BS already being spread. — Woofers (@NotWoofers) August 5, 2020
Initially reports came that it was a confirmed attack, then there were reports that the US-led coalition was carrying out trainings since August 4th there and a fire broke out due to a mistake and not a shelling.
Coalition has apparently been training out of this base since yesterday morning. Multiple people believe this to be Coalition training and something caught on fire. Reports of the base being shelled are being vehemently denied. — Woofers (@NotWoofers) August 5, 2020
Al-Shaddadi is a town in southern al-Hasakah Governorate, northeastern Syria. It is in the area where US troops are still deployed in Syria, because they are securing the country’s oil fields, together with the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Recently, it was reported that the SDF had signed a deal with an unnamed US company which will modernize the oil fields and begin extracting oil for the alleged benefit of the Kurdish (and potentially Syrian) people.
Naturally, that is quite a dubious statement and is mostly done for profit by the US and its companies.
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