southfront--2020-10-26--Zelensky And His Party All But Entirely Fail In Local Ukrainian Elections

On October 25th , local elections were held in Ukraine .
There are no official final data from the Central Election Commission yet , but the results of the exit polls already make it clear the main trends of this vote .
Below is an overview of what ’ s transpired : • President Volodymyr Zelensky ’ s “ Servant of the people ” is on the losing end .
The exact scale of their problems will be clear after the final vote count , but it is already clear that everything is not very optimistic .
In the largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayor did not even make it to the second round .
In Kiev , the representative of the “ Opposition Platform ” Alexander Popov got to the finish line with Klitschko , in Odessa – his fellow party member Nikolai Skorik .
In Dnipro , the first and second places are shared by the nominees of local parties – Boris Filatov and Zagid Krasnov .
In Kharkov , incumbent mayor Gennady Kernes wins in the first round .
And here the “ servants ” are in third place , and Alexander Feldman , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second .
There are exceptions – mainly in central Ukraine , where in a number of regional centers “ servants ” have received good results .
The Servant of the People in Uzhgorod also has a good indicator .
Indirectly , a record low turnout also speaks of the defeat of the ruling party – according to Opora ’ s estimates , it did not reach 36 % .
This speaks of the disappointment of voters – primarily in the party , which more than 70 % of the population trusted a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the turnout was 49 % ) .
Basically , it was her voters who did not come to vote .
• “ Opposition Platform for Life ” has strengthened in the southeast For this party , the main competitors in its base regions were , firstly , the parties of mayors .
Secondly , “ Servants of the people ” .
As a result of the campaign , it can be concluded that the Opposition Platform in the southeast ate the “ servants ” .
It was more difficult with the parties of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became leaders , but their result is worse than in the previous local elections .
Almost nowhere did they get more than 50 % .
That is , they will not be able to control the City Council on their own .
“ European Solidarity ” , according to the latest data , shows a serious result in the West of the country and , in some places in the center , consolidating the position of the party number one on the pro-Maidan flank .
A year ago , Poroshenko seemed to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indecisive policy and his constant hesitation allowed the ex-president to regain his strength .
Local parties – they are also called “ parties of mayors ” – have shown good results .
The only large cities where the national political force came out on top were Lvov ( where Eurosolidarity wins ) , Nikolaev ( where OPSZ is in the lead ) and Krivoy Rog ( Servant of the People is in first place there ) .
• New confrontation between the parties of ‘ peace ’ and ‘ war ’ In general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season is clear – the country is returning to the confrontation between two polar forces – the party of war and the party of peace , represented now by “ Eurosolidarity ” and “ Opposition platform ” .
At the same time , it can not be said that the prospects for the “ third force ” , which is now represented by the “ Servant of the people ” , are zero .
Of course not .
But in order to regain trust , the “ servants ” need to change and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results show the complete failure of Zelensky and his party , and the fact that the Ukrainian population is seeing that the hesitancy , and conflicting actions by their president and government show an unclear agenda that , likely , attempts to play by too many foreign fiddles .
Zelensky and his circle came to power in Ukraine under the slogans of promoting peace , taking down corruption and state-sponsored neo-Nazi radical militant groups .
The political settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine was once again sabotaged .
Nonetheless , this did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration continued promoting the Poroshenko-era policy of censorship , political persecutions ( and even killings ) and the oppression of ethnic Russians and Russian-speaking part of the population ( the majority of Ukrainians ) .
Neo-Nazi-styled radical militant groups continued existing and receiving funds and support from the government .
The rights of Russian-speaking citizens of Ukraine were further limited ( for example in the field of education ) .
The ‘ independent ’ pseudo-church of Ukraine created with a direct assistance of then Poroshenko administration , the US State Department and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more support from the government .
Authorities and law enforcements ignore regular attacks on churches of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church ( Moscow Patriarchate ) and the forceful seizure of church properties .
The political opposition to the Zelensky administration ( pro-globalist/neo-liberal ) policy aimed at selling interests of Ukraine to foreign sponsor faces a fierce resistance of the Kiev regime .
Therefore , there is little surprise that the popularity of Zelensky and his party have fallen dramatically .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Ukraine Claims It Developed Own COVID-19 Vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Russian Invaders ’

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On October 25th, local elections were held in Ukraine.
There are no official final data from the Central Election Commission yet, but the results of the exit polls already make it clear the main trends of this vote.
Below is an overview of what’s transpired:
President Volodymyr Zelensky’s “Servant of the people” is on the losing end.
The exact scale of their problems will be clear after the final vote count, but it is already clear that everything is not very optimistic.
In the largest cities, Zelensky’s candidates for mayor did not even make it to the second round.
In Kiev, the representative of the “Opposition Platform” Alexander Popov got to the finish line with Klitschko, in Odessa – his fellow party member Nikolai Skorik. In Dnipro, the first and second places are shared by the nominees of local parties – Boris Filatov and Zagid Krasnov.
In Kharkov, incumbent mayor Gennady Kernes wins in the first round. And here the “servants” are in third place, and Alexander Feldman, a candidate from the HLS, took the second.
There are exceptions – mainly in central Ukraine, where in a number of regional centers “servants” have received good results. The Servant of the People in Uzhgorod also has a good indicator.
Indirectly, a record low turnout also speaks of the defeat of the ruling party – according to Opora’s estimates, it did not reach 36%. This speaks of the disappointment of voters – primarily in the party, which more than 70% of the population trusted a little over a year ago (then the turnout was 49%). Basically, it was her voters who did not come to vote.
“Opposition Platform for Life” has strengthened in the southeast
For this party, the main competitors in its base regions were, firstly, the parties of mayors. Secondly, “Servants of the people”.
As a result of the campaign, it can be concluded that the Opposition Platform in the southeast ate the “servants”. It was more difficult with the parties of mayors and in many cities, they became leaders, but their result is worse than in the previous local elections. Almost nowhere did they get more than 50%. That is, they will not be able to control the City Council on their own.
Poroshenko on the radical flank
“European Solidarity”, according to the latest data, shows a serious result in the West of the country and, in some places in the center, consolidating the position of the party number one on the pro-Maidan flank.
A year ago, Poroshenko seemed to be shot down. But Zelensky’s indecisive policy and his constant hesitation allowed the ex-president to regain his strength.
Local parties
Local parties – they are also called “parties of mayors” – have shown good results. The only large cities where the national political force came out on top were Lvov (where Eurosolidarity wins), Nikolaev (where OPSZ is in the lead) and Krivoy Rog (Servant of the People is in first place there).
New confrontation between the parties of ‘peace’ and ‘war’
In general, the main political trend of the season is clear – the country is returning to the confrontation between two polar forces – the party of war and the party of peace, represented now by “Eurosolidarity” and “Opposition platform”.
At the same time, it cannot be said that the prospects for the “third force”, which is now represented by the “Servant of the people”, are zero. Of course not. But in order to regain trust, the “servants” need to change and do quite a few things.
These results show the complete failure of Zelensky and his party, and the fact that the Ukrainian population is seeing that the hesitancy, and conflicting actions by their president and government show an unclear agenda that, likely, attempts to play by too many foreign fiddles.
Zelensky and his circle came to power in Ukraine under the slogans of promoting peace, taking down corruption and state-sponsored neo-Nazi radical militant groups. The political settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine was once again sabotaged. Nonetheless, this did not happen. Instead, the Zelensky administration continued promoting the Poroshenko-era policy of censorship, political persecutions (and even killings) and the oppression of ethnic Russians and Russian-speaking part of the population (the majority of Ukrainians). Neo-Nazi-styled radical militant groups continued existing and receiving funds and support from the government. The rights of Russian-speaking citizens of Ukraine were further limited (for example in the field of education). The ‘independent’ pseudo-church of Ukraine created with a direct assistance of then Poroshenko administration, the US State Department and the Patriarchate of Constantinople remained and received even more support from the government. Authorities and law enforcements ignore regular attacks on churches of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) and the forceful seizure of church properties. The political opposition to the Zelensky administration (pro-globalist/neo-liberal) policy aimed at selling interests of Ukraine to foreign sponsor faces a fierce resistance of the Kiev regime. Therefore, there is little surprise that the popularity of Zelensky and his party have fallen dramatically.
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southfront--2020-10-26--At Least 37 Wounded During Protests In Iraq

The Interior Ministry said that at least 37 people , including 17 security personnel , were wounded during renewed protests in Iraq .
The protestors converged on the Allawi and Tahrir squares in the Iraqi capital on Sunday morning , demanding an end to corruption , and improvements in the provision of essential services Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi , who took office in May after his predecessor was driven out by last year ’ s mass protests , promised in a televised address on Saturday to hold early elections , a demand of many protestors , and said security forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on Sunday security forces fired water cannon and tear gas at the protesters to prevent them from entering Baghdad ’ s heavily fortified Green Zone where the Parliament and other government buildings , as well as foreign embassies , are located .
Protests were also held in the Iraqi cities of Karbala and Najaf .
Several videos of the protests in Baghdad have been posted online : Sunday ’ s protests were smaller than the demonstrations held in October last year when many thousands rallied in Baghdad and the south , confronting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed more than 500 people .
Iraqi Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr had warned that there were provocateurs among the protesters , who want the peaceful rallies to deteriorate into riots in order to further destabilise the situation in Iraq .
Security forces spokesman , Yehia Rasool , later said that a group of infiltrators attacked security forces during the protests , wounding at least 17 security personnel .
LINK Under immense pressure from all sides , the Iraqi government and parliament created a new supreme military and security committee earlier this month to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeted diplomatic installations and other areas occupied by the US-led coalition as well as their supply convoys .
The Iraqi government is caught between the US determination to continue using Iraqi territory for its wider Middle East ambitions against Syria and Iran , and the corresponding determination of Iraqi resistance groups to force the US to comply with the unanimous demand of the Iraqi parliament and government made in January of this year to withdraw all military personnel from Iraq .
The Americans hint that they could move diplomatic and military assistance missions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan .
The Americans can ’ t entirely withdraw from Iraq since Erbil is a vital logistics base for U.S. operations in eastern Syria .
The militias sent another message on Oct. 1 by launching rockets that landed near the Erbil airport .
They also again ambushed a U.S. supply convoy coming up from Kuwait .
Early on Oct. 5 more rockets landed near the Baghdad airport , where U.S. military personnel are located , and also near the U.S. embassy .
A complete halt to attacks against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future .
Closing the U.S. embassy in Baghdad would mark a political defeat for Washington , and the question is whether the Iraqis can restrain the militias enough to satisfy the Trump administration… LINK In a joint statement earlier this month , Iraqi resistance groups agreed on a conditional ceasefire with respect to US forces present in Iraq , saying they would halt their military operations , including rocket attacks , providing that Washington does not insist on maintaining their presence in Iraq .
Muhammad Mohi , spokesman for Kata ’ ib Hezbollah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reuters that Baghdad must implement the parliamentary resolution .
He also stated that Katyusha rocket attacks on US forces and diplomatic compounds had merely been a message that they are not welcome , and indicated that worse attacks could follow if they do not leave .
LINK MORE ON THE TOPIC : • US on again off again partial troop withdrawal from Iraq on again

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The Interior Ministry said that at least 37 people, including 17 security personnel, were wounded during renewed protests in Iraq. The protestors converged on the Allawi and Tahrir squares in the Iraqi capital on Sunday morning, demanding an end to corruption, and improvements in the provision of essential services
Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, who took office in May after his predecessor was driven out by last year’s mass protests, promised in a televised address on Saturday to hold early elections, a demand of many protestors, and said security forces would not prevent peaceful protests.
However, on Sunday security forces fired water cannon and tear gas at the protesters to prevent them from entering Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone where the Parliament and other government buildings, as well as foreign embassies, are located. Protests were also held in the Iraqi cities of Karbala and Najaf.
Several videos of the protests in Baghdad have been posted online:
Iraqi protesters are gathering on the eve of the first anniversary of the October 25th uprising #Baghdad pic.twitter.com/Osx3SAhNfH — Steven Nabil (@thestevennabil) October 24, 2020
Sunday’s protests were smaller than the demonstrations held in October last year when many thousands rallied in Baghdad and the south, confronting security forces and militiamen in clashes that killed more than 500 people.
Iraqi Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr had warned that there were provocateurs among the protesters, who want the peaceful rallies to deteriorate into riots in order to further destabilise the situation in Iraq.
Security forces spokesman, Yehia Rasool, later said that a group of infiltrators attacked security forces during the protests, wounding at least 17 security personnel. LINK
Under immense pressure from all sides, the Iraqi government and parliament created a new supreme military and security committee earlier this month to investigate the persistent rocket attacks that have targeted diplomatic installations and other areas occupied by the US-led coalition as well as their supply convoys.
The Iraqi government is caught between the US determination to continue using Iraqi territory for its wider Middle East ambitions against Syria and Iran, and the corresponding determination of Iraqi resistance groups to force the US to comply with the unanimous demand of the Iraqi parliament and government made in January of this year to withdraw all military personnel from Iraq.
The Americans hint that they could move diplomatic and military assistance missions from Baghdad to more distant Iraqi locales, including Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan. The Americans can’t entirely withdraw from Iraq since Erbil is a vital logistics base for U.S. operations in eastern Syria. The militias sent another message on Oct. 1 by launching rockets that landed near the Erbil airport. They also again ambushed a U.S. supply convoy coming up from Kuwait. Early on Oct. 5 more rockets landed near the Baghdad airport, where U.S. military personnel are located, and also near the U.S. embassy. A complete halt to attacks against American interests is unlikely in the foreseeable future. Closing the U.S. embassy in Baghdad would mark a political defeat for Washington, and the question is whether the Iraqis can restrain the militias enough to satisfy the Trump administration… LINK
In a joint statement earlier this month, Iraqi resistance groups agreed on a conditional ceasefire with respect to US forces present in Iraq, saying they would halt their military operations, including rocket attacks, providing that Washington does not insist on maintaining their presence in Iraq.
They emphasized that the “conditional opportunity” was created “to respect the good efforts made by some national and political figures to draw up a clear and specific timetable for the implementation of the decision of the Iraqi people, parliament, and government on withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq.”
Muhammad Mohi, spokesman for Kata’ib Hezbollah, said in an exclusive interview with Reuters that Baghdad must implement the parliamentary resolution.
“The factions have presented a conditional ceasefire. It includes all factions of the (anti-US) resistance, including those who have been targeting US forces,” he said. Mohi said that there was no deadline for Baghdad to implement the parliament’s resolution, but warned that “If America insists on staying and doesn’t respect the parliament’s decision then the factions will use all the weapons at their disposal”.
He also stated that Katyusha rocket attacks on US forces and diplomatic compounds had merely been a message that they are not welcome, and indicated that worse attacks could follow if they do not leave. LINK
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southfront--2020-10-26--Accusations Of Ceasefire Violations Literally Less Than A Minute After Its Imposed In Nagorno-Karaba

Accusations Of Ceasefire Violations Literally Less Than A Minute After Its Imposed In Nagorno-Karabakh

On October 26th , immediately after the humanitarian ceasefire was established in Nagorno-Karabakh , accusations of violations began .
Just minutes after the ceasefire went into effect at 8:00 ( local time ) , the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan accused the Armenian side of gross violation of the ceasefire , but after a while deleted this information .
Since then , between 8:00 and 10:10 local time , Azerbaijan has accused Armenia of shelling various units , positions and regions , 5 times .
And claimed that it fully implemented the ceasefire .
The Ministry of Defense of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Defense Army strictly monitor the agreements reached , and the accusations of the hostile side not only have no relation to reality , but were made in the context of preparing the information ground for further provocations : Armenia also accused Azerbaijan of violating the ceasefire .
Another violation was recorded at about 09:10 .
The Azerbaijan armed forces took aim at positions in the South-Eastern direction , firing 5 artillery shells at them .
“ The Azerbaijani side has grossly violated the ceasefire agreement for the third time on humanitarian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out on this blatant audacious behavior of the Aliyev regime towards the entire civilized society , but today the task of all of us is to protect our Homeland from the enemy-the Turks .
There is no alternative for us , and this is the only way that should lead us only to victory , ” press Secretary of the President of Artsakh Vahram Poghosyan said .
It appears that , once again , for the third time , the situation isn ’ t going to be resolved via a humanitarian ceasefire , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , at a rapid pace .
Earlier , the Armenians stated that after the publication of satellite images of the airbase in Ganja , the Turks drove their cars to the Gabala airbase .
Then they did not provide any data and they were accused of lying .
Nevertheless , after about 2 weeks , Turkish cars did show up in Gabala .
The author of the picture claimed the following : “ 6 presumably Turkish F-16s at the Gabala airbase.
” However , only 4 fighter jets are visible in the picture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discrepancy comes from – perhaps there are other pictures that were not posted .
Until mid-October , Azerbaijan officially denied the presence of Turkish F-16s on its territory , but after the publication in Western media of satellite images of October 3 from the airbase in Ganja , where the F-16s were recorded , Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev after a while was forced to admit their presence , giving a new version that they were just standing there , but not in combat participate .
There is , however , still no conclusive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in any actions against Armenia , despite accusations .
On the day before the ceasefire , on October 25th , President Ilham Aliyev said that Azerbaijan had captured several new villages .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Azerbaijan And Armenia Agree To Another Humanitarian Ceasefire , To Take Effect Monday • Azerbaijan , Armenia Reach Another ‘ Humanitarian Ceasefire ’ , This Time In Washington

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On October 26th, immediately after the humanitarian ceasefire was established in Nagorno-Karabakh, accusations of violations began.
Just minutes after the ceasefire went into effect at 8:00 (local time), the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan accused the Armenian side of gross violation of the ceasefire, but after a while deleted this information.
Since then, between 8:00 and 10:10 local time, Azerbaijan has accused Armenia of shelling various units, positions and regions, 5 times. And claimed that it fully implemented the ceasefire.
The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Artsakh states that the units of the Defense Army strictly monitor the agreements reached, and the accusations of the hostile side not only have no relation to reality, but were made in the context of preparing the information ground for further provocations:
Armenia also accused Azerbaijan of violating the ceasefire.
“In gross violation of the humanitarian cease-fire agreement reached in the United States, the Azerbaijani side fired artillery at the North — Eastern battle positions of the Artsakh Defense Army at about 8:45 a.m.,” Armenian Ministry of Defense spokesperson Shushan Stepanyan said.
Another violation was recorded at about 09:10. The Azerbaijan armed forces took aim at positions in the South-Eastern direction, firing 5 artillery shells at them.
“The Azerbaijani side has grossly violated the ceasefire agreement for the third time on humanitarian grounds. Appropriate investigations will be carried out on this blatant audacious behavior of the Aliyev regime towards the entire civilized society, but today the task of all of us is to protect our Homeland from the enemy-the Turks. There is no alternative for us, and this is the only way that should lead us only to victory,” press Secretary of the President of Artsakh Vahram Poghosyan said.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan claimed that Armenia continued strictly observing the ceasefire.
It appears that, once again, for the third time, the situation isn’t going to be resolved via a humanitarian ceasefire, and it is moving towards falling apart, at a rapid pace.
A photograph was published, showing Turkish F-16 fighter jets at Azerbaijan’s Gabala Airbase.
Earlier, the Armenians stated that after the publication of satellite images of the airbase in Ganja, the Turks drove their cars to the Gabala airbase. Then they did not provide any data and they were accused of lying. Nevertheless, after about 2 weeks, Turkish cars did show up in Gabala.
The author of the picture claimed the following: “6 presumably Turkish F-16s at the Gabala airbase.”
However, only 4 fighter jets are visible in the picture. It is not clear where this discrepancy comes from – perhaps there are other pictures that were not posted.
Until mid-October, Azerbaijan officially denied the presence of Turkish F-16s on its territory, but after the publication in Western media of satellite images of October 3 from the airbase in Ganja, where the F-16s were recorded, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev after a while was forced to admit their presence, giving a new version that they were just standing there, but not in combat participate.
There is, however, still no conclusive evidence that they’ve taken part in any actions against Armenia, despite accusations.
On the day before the ceasefire, on October 25th, President Ilham Aliyev said that Azerbaijan had captured several new villages.
“The Azerbaijani Army has today liberated several villages of Zangilan, Jabrayil and Gubadli districts and the city of Gubadli from occupiers. Long live Azerbaijani Army! Karabakh is Azerbaijan!” President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made a post on his official Twitter account.
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southfront--2020-10-26--Belarus Opposition Calls For National Strike On Monday

In an attempt to regain the initiative after more than two months of protests have failed to achieve any tangible results , the opposition in Belarus has announced that a national strike will begin on Monday .
The opposition presidential candidate from the elections held on the 9th of August , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , stated on Sunday that a national strike would begin on Monday .
According to the Central Election Commission ’ s official results , President Alexander Lukashenko obtained just over 80 % of the vote held in August .
His closest rival , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tikhanovskaya refused to recognize the election ’ s outcome and left Belarus for Lithuania .
After the election results were announced , mass protests erupted in Minsk and other Belarusian cities .
Tikhanovskaya had previously declared a “ People ’ s Ultimatum ” for President Alexander Lukashenko to resign by Sunday night .
The ultimatum also demanded that all ‘ political prisoners ’ be released , and the cessation of violence .
The opposition is calling on all workers of industrial enterprises to go on strike from Monday .
The call followed more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Protestors denounced the use of stun grenades by police .
Meanwhile , law enforcement agencies will continue to take all actions necessary to stop protesters from engaging in unlawful actions , head of the Minsk police Ivan Kubrakov said , commenting on the police actions conducted during the protests on Sunday .
Kubrakov stated that more aggressive protestors travelled to Minsk to participate in the protests on Sunday , and that they attempted to seize the centre of Minsk , or the Independence Avenue .
Kubrakov added that the police prevented them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the attack on the police station and the unrest in other areas of the city were detained , and overall approximately 120 people were arrested on Sunday and two police officers were injured .
LINK The ongoing protests are also being encouraged by the opposition Coordination Council , and they are receiving high profile coverage and support from Western governments and media .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • US strategic bombers trained for strikes on Russia

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In an attempt to regain the initiative after more than two months of protests have failed to achieve any tangible results, the opposition in Belarus has announced that a national strike will begin on Monday.
The opposition presidential candidate from the elections held on the 9th of August, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, stated on Sunday that a national strike would begin on Monday.
According to the Central Election Commission’s official results, President Alexander Lukashenko obtained just over 80% of the vote held in August. His closest rival, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, received just over 10%.
However, Tikhanovskaya refused to recognize the election’s outcome and left Belarus for Lithuania. After the election results were announced, mass protests erupted in Minsk and other Belarusian cities.
Tikhanovskaya had previously declared a “People’s Ultimatum” for President Alexander Lukashenko to resign by Sunday night.
The ultimatum also demanded that all ‘political prisoners’ be released, and the cessation of violence.
“Tomorrow, on October 26, a nationwide strike will begin in Belarus. Belarusians will make this step because their word is a law. A law they tried to deprive us of but we will reinstate it without fail. And our key peaceful weapon – solidarity – will help us,” Tikhanovskaya stated on Sunday.
The opposition is calling on all workers of industrial enterprises to go on strike from Monday.
The call followed more clashes between protestors and police on Sunday. Protestors denounced the use of stun grenades by police.
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies will continue to take all actions necessary to stop protesters from engaging in unlawful actions, head of the Minsk police Ivan Kubrakov said, commenting on the police actions conducted during the protests on Sunday.
Kubrakov stated that more aggressive protestors travelled to Minsk to participate in the protests on Sunday, and that they attempted to seize the centre of Minsk, or the Independence Avenue.
Kubrakov added that the police prevented them from achieving their objective.
“Protesters attacked a police station in the central district of Minsk. They started throwing stones at the security service transport. Police officers took measures to prevent illegal actions and used riot control means and physical force… Officers of the interior affairs agencies were in control of everything, and the crowd of protesters failed to make it to the Independence Square.”
The participants in the attack on the police station and the unrest in other areas of the city were detained, and overall approximately 120 people were arrested on Sunday and two police officers were injured. LINK
The ongoing protests are also being encouraged by the opposition Coordination Council, and they are receiving high profile coverage and support from Western governments and media.
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southfront--2020-10-26--OSCE Minsk Group Supports New Ceasefire Initiative In Nagorno-Karabakh Region

Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed to another humanitarian ceasefire in their almost month-long conflict over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The decision was announced in a joint statement by the two parties to the conflict as well as the US State Department following negotiations in Washington , DC .
The ceasefire is the third to be agreed between the warring sides , and will take effect at 8am local time ( 04:00 GMT ) on Monday , according to Sunday ’ s official statement .
The agreement was reached after meetings were held between US Deputy Secretary of State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Azerbaijan and Armenia on Saturday .
Following the announcement on Sunday , the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk group – consisting of representatives from Russia , France , and the United States – again called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to take immediate steps to implement the agreement signed in Moscow on 10 October regarding steps to end the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh .
Representatives of the group also met with Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov , along with US Deputy Foreign Minister Stephen Biegun on Saturday during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the weekend .
On Sunday Azerbaijan ’ s president , Ilham Aliyev , claimed that the Azerbaijani Armed Forces have captured the city of Qubadlı in the Kashatagh province of the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh .
The Artsakh Ministry of Defence announced that their forces lost 11 servicemen over the past day , taking their total soldiers killed since fighting broke out to 974 .
Both sides accused the other of attacks against civilian areas over the weekend .
Nagorno-Karabakh ’ s armed forces accused Azerbaijan of firing upon civilian settlements with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Askeran on Saturday evening , and reported that battles were continuing “ on all directions of the frontline ” on Sunday morning .
At the same time , Azerbaijan ’ s Defence Ministry claimed that Armenian forces shelled the Terter , Agdam and Aghjabedi regions of Azerbaijan .
LINK As the fighting continued between Azerbaijan and Armenia , the Iranian Armed Forces announced on Sunday that they were conducting military drills in regions bordering Armenia and Azerbaijan .
“ Ground forces drills were held in the country ’ s northwestern border regions ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the goal of the exercise was to demonstrate strength and increase combat readiness .
The drills involved infantry and artillery units , as well as drones .
Iran has been monitoring the fighting closely , and claims that at least three drones operated by Azerbaijan have either crashed or been shot down after they crossed into Iran ’ s airspace .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Armenia and Azerbaijan political economic and geopolitical factors in the equation • Battle between life and death Armenian PM calls on reservists to return back to @

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Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed to another humanitarian ceasefire in their almost month-long conflict over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The decision was announced in a joint statement by the two parties to the conflict as well as the US State Department following negotiations in Washington, DC.
The ceasefire is the third to be agreed between the warring sides, and will take effect at 8am local time (04:00 GMT) on Monday, according to Sunday’s official statement. The agreement was reached after meetings were held between US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun and the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia on Saturday.
In joint statement, US, Armenia and Azerbaijan say a “humanitarian ceasefire will take effect” at 08:00 a.m. local time Monday. pic.twitter.com/UbeTJLCVC7 — Steve Herman (@W7VOA) October 25, 2020
Following the announcement on Sunday, the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk group – consisting of representatives from Russia, France, and the United States – again called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to take immediate steps to implement the agreement signed in Moscow on 10 October regarding steps to end the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Representatives of the group also met with Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, along with US Deputy Foreign Minister Stephen Biegun on Saturday during the negotiations.
Another meeting between the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group and the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia is scheduled to be held in Geneva on 29 October to “discuss, reach agreement on, and begin implementation, in accordance with a timeline to be agreed upon, of all steps necessary to achieve a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict”.
Meanwhile, fierce fighting continued over the weekend. On Sunday Azerbaijan’s president, Ilham Aliyev, claimed that the Azerbaijani Armed Forces have captured the city of Qubadlı in the Kashatagh province of the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh.
The Artsakh Ministry of Defence announced that their forces lost 11 servicemen over the past day, taking their total soldiers killed since fighting broke out to 974.
Both sides accused the other of attacks against civilian areas over the weekend.
Nagorno-Karabakh’s armed forces accused Azerbaijan of firing upon civilian settlements with artillery in the areas of Martuni and Askeran on Saturday evening, and reported that battles were continuing “on all directions of the frontline” on Sunday morning.
At the same time, Azerbaijan’s Defence Ministry claimed that Armenian forces shelled the Terter, Agdam and Aghjabedi regions of Azerbaijan. LINK
As the fighting continued between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the Iranian Armed Forces announced on Sunday that they were conducting military drills in regions bordering Armenia and Azerbaijan.
“Ground forces drills were held in the country’s northwestern border regions”, the army said, noting that the goal of the exercise was to demonstrate strength and increase combat readiness.
The drills involved infantry and artillery units, as well as drones. Iran has been monitoring the fighting closely, and claims that at least three drones operated by Azerbaijan have either crashed or been shot down after they crossed into Iran’s airspace.
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southfront--2020-10-26--Azerbaijan, Armenia Reach Another ‘Humanitarian Ceasefire’, This Time In Washington

On October 25 , Armenia and Azerbaijan reached another humanitarian ceasefire deal , this time in Washington .
The ceasefire will take effect at 08:00 a.m. local time ( 12:00 a.m. EDT ) on October 26 .
“ Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with Deputy Secretary of State Stephen E. Biegun on October 24 , 2020 and reaffirmed their countries ’ commitment to implement and abide by the humanitarian ceasefire agreed in Moscow on October 10 , which were reaffirmed in the statement issued from Paris on October 17 , in accordance with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of United States President Donald J. Trump , French President Emmanuel Macron , and Russian President Vladimir Putin .
The humanitarian ceasefire will take effect at 08:00 a.m. local time ( 12:00 a.m. EDT ) on October 26 , 2020 .
The United States facilitated intensive negotiations among the Foreign Ministers and the Minsk Group Co-Chairs to move Armenia and Azerbaijan closer to a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict , ” the US State Department statement reads .
The deal was reached amid intense clashes in the Nagorno-Karabakh region between Armenian and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Turkish-Azerbaijani bloc is really interested in the de-escalation of the situation as Ankara and Baku believe that they are on the brink of the victory .
The Iranian leadership is also skeptical regarding the diplomatic settlement of the conflict .
Iran deployed large forces to the border with Karabakh and launched large-scale military drills in the area .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • New Report Shade Light On Armenian , Azerbaijani Losses In Nagorno-Karabakh

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On October 25, Armenia and Azerbaijan reached another humanitarian ceasefire deal, this time in Washington. The ceasefire will take effect at 08:00 a.m. local time (12:00 a.m. EDT) on October 26.
“Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with Deputy Secretary of State Stephen E. Biegun on October 24, 2020 and reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to implement and abide by the humanitarian ceasefire agreed in Moscow on October 10, which were reaffirmed in the statement issued from Paris on October 17, in accordance with the October 1, 2020 joint statement of United States President Donald J. Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The humanitarian ceasefire will take effect at 08:00 a.m. local time (12:00 a.m. EDT) on October 26, 2020. The United States facilitated intensive negotiations among the Foreign Ministers and the Minsk Group Co-Chairs to move Armenia and Azerbaijan closer to a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” the US State Department statement reads.
The deal was reached amid intense clashes in the Nagorno-Karabakh region between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces and it does not seem that the Turkish-Azerbaijani bloc is really interested in the de-escalation of the situation as Ankara and Baku believe that they are on the brink of the victory.
The Iranian leadership is also skeptical regarding the diplomatic settlement of the conflict. Iran deployed large forces to the border with Karabakh and launched large-scale military drills in the area.
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southfront--2020-10-26--Azerbaijani Military Used Israeli ‘Non-Line-Of-Sight’ Missiles Against Armenian Forces (Videos)

On October 25 , the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan shared , for the first time , a video of recent strikes with Israeli-made Spike NLOS missiles on Armenian troops in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The video shows strikes on 2 T-72 battles tanks , 2 BM-21 multiple rocket launchers , 2 BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles , 2 D-30 howitzers , 2 trucks , 2 posts and 2 depots .
The Spike NLOS [ Non-Line-Of-Sight ] is an anti-armor missile with a range of up to 25 km .
The missile is equipped an EO-IR/CCD seeker and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance .
Azerbaijan purchased at least 250 missiles of this type from Israel ’ s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems a few years ago .
A number of Azerbaijani Mi-17 helicopters were modified to launch the missile .
The Azerbaijani MoD also released videos showing recent drone and missile strikes on Armenian military equipment .
The strikes destroyed 7 D-30 howitzers , 2 D-20 howitzers , 2 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzers , 2 BM-21 multiple rocket launchers , 1 T-72 battle tank , 4 trucks , 3 ammunition nests and 1 post .
Despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nagorno-Karabakh have not collapsed yet .
Azerbaijani forces maintain a steady but slow advance in the region .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • New Report Shade Light On Armenian , Azerbaijani Losses In Nagorno-Karabakh

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On October 25, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan shared, for the first time, a video of recent strikes with Israeli-made Spike NLOS missiles on Armenian troops in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The video shows strikes on 2 T-72 battles tanks, 2 BM-21 multiple rocket launchers, 2 BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles, 2 D-30 howitzers, 2 trucks, 2 posts and 2 depots.
Azerbaijan Army uses precision weapons against the enemy pic.twitter.com/67zHjUFE2W — Azerbaijan MOD (@wwwmodgovaz) October 25, 2020
The Spike NLOS [Non-Line-Of-Sight] is an anti-armor missile with a range of up to 25 km. The missile is equipped an EO-IR/CCD seeker and a secure data-line which enable “man-in-the-loop” guidance.
Azerbaijan purchased at least 250 missiles of this type from Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems a few years ago. A number of Azerbaijani Mi-17 helicopters were modified to launch the missile.
The Azerbaijani MoD also released videos showing recent drone and missile strikes on Armenian military equipment. The strikes destroyed 7 D-30 howitzers, 2 D-20 howitzers, 2 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzers, 2 BM-21 multiple rocket launchers, 1 T-72 battle tank, 4 trucks, 3 ammunition nests and 1 post.
The enemy’s 6 D-30 and 1 D-1 howitzer-guns, 2 BMP infantry fighting vehicles, 1 auto vehicle and a large amount of ammunition were destroyed.#KarabakhisAzerbaijan#LongLiveAzerbaijan#LongLiveAzerbaijanArmy pic.twitter.com/pT53st1Dzr — Azerbaijan MOD (@wwwmodgovaz) October 25, 2020
On October 25, in the course of successful combat operations, 2 artillery pieces, 2 MLRS BM-21 “Grad”, 1 command-staff vehicle, 1 command post, 2 trucks, 1 tank, and several enemy firing points were destroyed.#KarabakhisAzerbaijan#LongLiveAzerbaijan#LongLiveAzerbaijanArmy pic.twitter.com/5u0Z606WDw — Azerbaijan MOD (@wwwmodgovaz) October 25, 2020
Despite their heavy losses, Armenian forces defending Nagorno-Karabakh have not collapsed yet. Azerbaijani forces maintain a steady but slow advance in the region.
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southfront--2020-10-26--New Report Shade Light On Armenian, Azerbaijani Losses In Nagorno-Karabakh

A new report has shade light on the losses of Armenian and Azerbaijani forces in the ongoing battle in the dispute region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The report , which was released by the Oryx Blog on October 25 , provides a detailed summary of the material losses both sides sustained since the outbreak of the battle on September 27 .
According to the report , Armenian forces sustained the following losses : • 337 Trucks , Vehicles and Jeeps , of which destroyed : 162 , damaged : 5 captured : 170 ; • 42 Anti-tank guided missiles , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• 24 battle Tanks , of which destroyed : 15 , damaged : 6 , captured : 2 , captured but later lost : 1 ; • 8 Aircraft and Helicopters , of which destroyed : 8 ; • 18 Trucks , Vehicles and Jeeps , of which destroyed : 12 , damaged : 5 , captured : 1 .
It is important to note that the Oryx blog is known for supporting Turkish-backed Syrian rebels as well as for being aligned with the Azerbaijani-Turkish media campaign in its efforts to cover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The blog also has links to Bellingcat , which reflects its political orientation .
The numbers provided by the blog were likely collected from videos and photos coming from the conflict zone .
While this provides an insight on the situation , it is nearly impossible to verify these numbers or the media material which were collected from .
Lost Armour a credible military statics site , which is monitoring the ongoing conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh , provided different date from that given by Oryx .
The website lists verified losses only .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any evidence that has not been checked in details yet .
According to the website , Armenian forces losses were : Regardless of the data provided by Oryx and Lost Armour , there is no doubt that Armenian forces sustained more than double the Azerbaijani losses in the ongoing battle .
The superior fire power and more advanced weapons of Azerbaijani forces have inflicted serious losses on Armenian troops .
As a result , Azerbaijani forces were able to make significant advance in Nagorno-Karabakh , mainly in the region ’ s southeastern part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran Sends Numerous Military Equipment To The Border With Nagorno-Karabakh ( Videos )

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A new report has shade light on the losses of Armenian and Azerbaijani forces in the ongoing battle in the dispute region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The report, which was released by the Oryx Blog on October 25, provides a detailed summary of the material losses both sides sustained since the outbreak of the battle on September 27.
According to the report, Armenian forces sustained the following losses:
160 Battle tanks, of which destroyed: 102, damaged: 4, captured: 54;
27 Armoured fighting vehicles, of which destroyed: 16, captured: 11;
37 Infantry fighting vehicles, of which destroyed: 19, captured: 18;
2 Armoured recovery vehicles, of which captured: 2;
2 Self-propelled anti-tank missile system, of which captured: 2;
72 Towed artillery pieces, of which destroyed: 47, damaged: 6, captured: 19;
12 Self-propelled artillery pieces, of which destroyed: 11, damaged: 1;
62 Multiple rocket launchers, of which destroyed: 62;
1 Ballistic Missile destroyed;
9 Mortars, of which destroyed: 1, captured: 8;
1 Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun destroyed;
20 Surface-to-air missile systems, of which destroyed: 20;
10 Radars, of which destroyed: 10;
1 Jammer and Deception system destroyed;
1 Aircraft destroyed;
3 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, of which destroyed: 3;
337 Trucks, Vehicles and Jeeps, of which destroyed: 162, damaged: 5 captured: 170;
2 Decoys, of which destroyed: 2;
16 Strategic locations hit;
42 Anti-tank guided missiles, of which captured: 7 launchers or optics.
The losses of Azerbaijani forces:
24 battle Tanks, of which destroyed: 15, damaged: 6, captured: 2, captured but later lost: 1;
29 Infantry fighting vehicles, of which damaged: 2, captured: 17;
1 Engineering equipment damaged;
8 Aircraft and Helicopters, of which destroyed: 8;
18 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, of which destroyed: 17, captured: 1;
18 Trucks, Vehicles and Jeeps, of which destroyed: 12, damaged: 5, captured: 1.
It is important to note that the Oryx blog is known for supporting Turkish-backed Syrian rebels as well as for being aligned with the Azerbaijani-Turkish media campaign in its efforts to cover the war in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The blog also has links to Bellingcat, which reflects its political orientation.
The numbers provided by the blog were likely collected from videos and photos coming from the conflict zone. While this provides an insight on the situation, it is nearly impossible to verify these numbers or the media material which were collected from.
Lost Armour a credible military statics site, which is monitoring the ongoing conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, provided different date from that given by Oryx. The website lists verified losses only. It does not relay on repeated footage or any evidence that has not been checked in details yet.
According to the website, Armenian forces losses were:
13 Battle tanks;
10 Armoured fighting vehicles;
8 Infantry fighting vehicles;
26 Multiple rocket launchers;
17 Towed and self-propelled howitzers;
16 Air-Defense and Radar systems;
2 Jammer and Deception system;
1 Warplane;
2 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.
Azerbaijani forces losses were:
8 Battle tanks;
4 Armoured fighting vehicles;
3 Infantry fighting vehicles;
4 Armoured recovery vehicles;
7 warplanes;
18 Unmanned Aerial vehicles.
Regardless of the data provided by Oryx and Lost Armour, there is no doubt that Armenian forces sustained more than double the Azerbaijani losses in the ongoing battle.
The superior fire power and more advanced weapons of Azerbaijani forces have inflicted serious losses on Armenian troops. As a result, Azerbaijani forces were able to make significant advance in Nagorno-Karabakh, mainly in the region’s southeastern part.
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southfront--2020-10-26--Houthis Launched Two New Drone Attacks On Saudi Airport, Air Base

On October 25 , the Houthis , Ansar Allah , carried out two separate attacks with drones on an airport and an air base in southern Saudi Arabia .
The first attack targeted King Khaled Air Base in the province of ‘ Asir .
Two Qasef-2K suicide drones targeted warplanes shelters in the air base .
The Qasef-2k is a locally-made version of the Iranian Ababil-2 .
The suicide drone is armed with a heavy high-explosive fragmentation , HE-FRAG , warhead that explodes 20 meters above the target .
The second attack targeted the military section of Abha International Airport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asir .
A Samad-3 suicide drone struck a “ sensitive target ” there .
The Samad-3 drone , which has a range of more than 1,500 km , was revealed last year .
This type is usually used against targets deep inside Saudi Arabia .
From its side , the Saudi-led coalition announced that its unit had intercepted and destroyed two suicide drones , which were launched by the Houthis .
The coalition didn ’ t provide any additional details .
A day earlier , the Houthis targeted the airports of Jizan and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Base with suicide drones .
At least one Saudi civilian was injured in the attack .
Five houses and three vehicles were also damaged .
The Houthis are likely planning to escalate their attacks on Saudi Arabia , if the coalition continue its intense bombing campaign on Yemen .
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On October 25, the Houthis, Ansar Allah, carried out two separate attacks with drones on an airport and an air base in southern Saudi Arabia.
The first attack targeted King Khaled Air Base in the province of ‘Asir. Two Qasef-2K suicide drones targeted warplanes shelters in the air base.
The Qasef-2k is a locally-made version of the Iranian Ababil-2. The suicide drone is armed with a heavy high-explosive fragmentation, HE-FRAG, warhead that explodes 20 meters above the target.
The second attack targeted the military section of Abha International Airport, which is also located in ‘Asir. A Samad-3 suicide drone struck a “sensitive target” there.
The Samad-3 drone, which has a range of more than 1,500 km, was revealed last year. This type is usually used against targets deep inside Saudi Arabia.
Per usual, Brig. Gen. Yahya Sari, a spokesman for the Houthi said the attacks were a “response to the aggressor [the Saudi-led coalition] aerial escalation and its continues siege.”
From its side, the Saudi-led coalition announced that its unit had intercepted and destroyed two suicide drones, which were launched by the Houthis. The coalition didn’t provide any additional details.
A day earlier, the Houthis targeted the airports of Jizan and Abha as well as King Khalid Air Base with suicide drones. At least one Saudi civilian was injured in the attack. Five houses and three vehicles were also damaged.
The Houthis are likely planning to escalate their attacks on Saudi Arabia, if the coalition continue its intense bombing campaign on Yemen.
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southfront--2020-10-26--As Azerbaijan’s Military Victories Continue, Armenian Prime Minister Concedes ‘Painful’ Concessions

As Azerbaijan’s Military Victories Continue, Armenian Prime Minister Concedes ‘Painful’ Concessions Will Be Necessary

As the third ‘ humanitarian ceasefire ’ not unexpectedly ended before it began , and Armenia/ Nagorno-Karabakh continue to lose ground on the battlefield , Armenia ’ s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan appears to be facing the new reality .
In an address broadcast live on ‘ Facebook ’ he stated that the Armenian people must be willing to make ‘ painful ’ mutual concessions in any peace agreement .
However , he reiterated that this does not mean Armenia will capitulate entirely .
As South Front reported earlier today , Azerbaijan has triumphantly announced a string of military victories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third ‘ humanitarian ceasefire ’ was supposed to take effect .
The Azerbaijani political and military leadership is clearly not interested in easing up on its military offensives when they appear to have a decisive upper hand on the battlefield .
Were the negotiations then a deliberate ploy to keep up formal appearances of desiring peace , to try to trick the enemy into a false sense of security , and to string the international community along as a pack of fools ?
Or did they simply change their mind at the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they have made substantial additional gains on the battlefield today .
Meanwhile , Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan spoke live on Facebook , assuring that the Armenian side has been doing everything it can to ensure the US-brokered ceasefire is maintained .
“ The Defence Army has shown restraint since morning , but at this moment we can state that the ceasefire has failed to be observed for a third time , ” Pashinyan said .
“ I talked to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last night and said that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I asked Secretary if the ceasefire is not respected , how are we going to find out which side violated it ?
Secondly , I asked what would be the consequences for the party breaching the ceasefire , ” Pashinyan said .
He received no answer at the time , but hopes Washington officials will answer the questions today .
Pashinyan also emphasized his conviction that the Presidents of Russia , United States and France are sincere in their efforts to help establish ceasefire .
The Prime Minister said that while the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this period , Azerbaijan has not shown any willingness to accept anything .
“ What Azerbaijan wants is capitulation of Nagorno Karabakh at least.
” The Prime Minister stressed that while the Armenian nation is ready for mutual concessions , even painful ones , Armenian people are in no event ready for capitulation .
“ Therefore , the Armenian nation should find resources to struggle and protect its interests , ” the Prime Minister stated .
The international community appears powerless to influence events on the ground through diplomacy .
So much so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s involvement and even the deployment of F-16 ’ s to Azerbaijan , something they categorically denied previously .
Hours after the truce agreement took effect , Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in a televised address that his country would “ carry on to the end ” until Armenians announced a withdrawal from its territory , while also saying he ’ d ordered his military to observe the truce .
Aliyev warned that as many as six Turkish F-16 fighter jets located in his country would intervene if Azerbaijan came under attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here to show us moral support , ” he said .
“ If there ’ s an aggression against us from abroad , they ’ ll face the F-16s.
” LINK While Azerbaijan clearly enjoys the military advantage at the moment , they may yet find that the further they advance , the stiffer the resistance will become .
The key question at this point seems to be how far are they intending to advance before they will be satisfied with a ceasefire and genuine peace negotiations ?
The more they advance militarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the more international opinion will shift to the Armenian side .
And as Turkey ’ s role becomes more difficult to deny , if there appears to be no end in sight to their military offensive it will become more difficult for Russia to not become directly involved .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Armenia and Azerbaijan political economic and geopolitical factors in the equation • Armenia and Azerbaijan boast their military successes amid another failed ceasefire • Leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia outline their positions and core demands in parallel interviews

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As the third ‘humanitarian ceasefire’ not unexpectedly ended before it began, and Armenia/ Nagorno-Karabakh continue to lose ground on the battlefield, Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan appears to be facing the new reality. In an address broadcast live on ‘Facebook’ he stated that the Armenian people must be willing to make ‘painful’ mutual concessions in any peace agreement. However, he reiterated that this does not mean Armenia will capitulate entirely.
As South Front reported earlier today, Azerbaijan has triumphantly announced a string of military victories and advances today, even as the third ‘humanitarian ceasefire’ was supposed to take effect.
The Azerbaijani political and military leadership is clearly not interested in easing up on its military offensives when they appear to have a decisive upper hand on the battlefield. Were the negotiations then a deliberate ploy to keep up formal appearances of desiring peace, to try to trick the enemy into a false sense of security, and to string the international community along as a pack of fools? Or did they simply change their mind at the last minute?
Whatever the case may be, they have made substantial additional gains on the battlefield today. Meanwhile, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan spoke live on Facebook, assuring that the Armenian side has been doing everything it can to ensure the US-brokered ceasefire is maintained.
“The Defence Army has shown restraint since morning, but at this moment we can state that the ceasefire has failed to be observed for a third time,” Pashinyan said. “I talked to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last night and said that I was sure the ceasefire would be violated. I asked Secretary if the ceasefire is not respected, how are we going to find out which side violated it? Secondly, I asked what would be the consequences for the party breaching the ceasefire,” Pashinyan said.
He received no answer at the time, but hopes Washington officials will answer the questions today. Pashinyan also emphasized his conviction that the Presidents of Russia, United States and France are sincere in their efforts to help establish ceasefire.
I would like to state that the efforts of the international community, this time brokered by the #UnitedStates, to establish a ceasefire, have failed. As a result of continuous shelling by Azerbaijan, civilians were killed and wounded in #Artsakh today.@realDonaldTrump — Nikol Pashinyan (@NikolPashinyan) October 26, 2020
The Prime Minister said that while the Armenian side has been very flexible in this period, Azerbaijan has not shown any willingness to accept anything. “What Azerbaijan wants is capitulation of Nagorno Karabakh at least.”
The Prime Minister stressed that while the Armenian nation is ready for mutual concessions, even painful ones, Armenian people are in no event ready for capitulation.
“Therefore, the Armenian nation should find resources to struggle and protect its interests,” the Prime Minister stated.
The international community appears powerless to influence events on the ground through diplomacy. So much so, that Azerbaijan is now acknowledging Turkey’s involvement and even the deployment of F-16’s to Azerbaijan, something they categorically denied previously.
Hours after the truce agreement took effect, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in a televised address that his country would “carry on to the end” until Armenians announced a withdrawal from its territory, while also saying he’d ordered his military to observe the truce. Aliyev warned that as many as six Turkish F-16 fighter jets located in his country would intervene if Azerbaijan came under attack. “Our Turkish brothers kept them here to show us moral support,” he said. “If there’s an aggression against us from abroad, they’ll face the F-16s.” LINK
While Azerbaijan clearly enjoys the military advantage at the moment, they may yet find that the further they advance, the stiffer the resistance will become. The key question at this point seems to be how far are they intending to advance before they will be satisfied with a ceasefire and genuine peace negotiations?
The more they advance militarily and engage in disingenuous ceasefire talks, the more international opinion will shift to the Armenian side. And as Turkey’s role becomes more difficult to deny, if there appears to be no end in sight to their military offensive it will become more difficult for Russia to not become directly involved.
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southfront--2020-10-26--Suicide Bomber Blew Himself Up In Turkey’s Hatay After Firefight With Security Forces (Videos)

A suicide bomber blew himself up after a firefight with security forces in the Iskenderun district of Turkey ’ s southern Hatay province .
The incident took place on the town ’ s Fener Street , which was closed to traffic after the incident .
Hatay Governor Rahmi Dogan claimed there were no casualties due in the incident .
According to him , the explosion erupted shortly after security forces neutralized one of the two suspected terrorists , whom they had pursued .
Later , Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu released a statement saying that both terrorists have been neutralized by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the killed persons were allegedly members of the Kurdistan Workers ’ Party ( PKK ) .
However , recently , the group has not conducted active operations ( especially suicide bombings ) against targets in towns and cities in Turkey .
Instead , Turkey is currently full of active and former members of various radical groups : ISIS , Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ( formerly the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda ) and other groups with the similar ideology .
All of these groups have received or still receive indirect and even direct support from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Army is openly protecting Hayat Tahrir al-Sham terrorists in Syria ’ s Idlib .
Therefore , the deteriorating security situation in Turkey is largely result of Ankara ’ s own policies than some activity of ‘ Turkish enemies ’ as the Erdogan government tries to paint this .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Nobody Believes In Peace .
Azerbaijan Attacks Armenian Forces Despite US-Sponsored Ceasefire • Map Comparison : Ceasefire Deal In Libya As Result Of Failure Of Turkish Push On Sirte

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A suicide bomber blew himself up after a firefight with security forces in the Iskenderun district of Turkey’s southern Hatay province. The incident took place on the town’s Fener Street, which was closed to traffic after the incident.
Hatay Governor Rahmi Dogan claimed there were no casualties due in the incident. According to him, the explosion erupted shortly after security forces neutralized one of the two suspected terrorists, whom they had pursued. Later, Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu released a statement saying that both terrorists have been neutralized by security forces.
Turkish sources claim that the killed persons were allegedly members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). However, recently, the group has not conducted active operations (especially suicide bombings) against targets in towns and cities in Turkey. Instead, Turkey is currently full of active and former members of various radical groups: ISIS, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda) and other groups with the similar ideology. All of these groups have received or still receive indirect and even direct support from Turkey. In particular, the Turkish Army is openly protecting Hayat Tahrir al-Sham terrorists in Syria’s Idlib. Therefore, the deteriorating security situation in Turkey is largely result of Ankara’s own policies than some activity of ‘Turkish enemies’ as the Erdogan government tries to paint this.
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southfront--2020-10-26--Yemeni Forces Push Saudi Proxies Out Of Madghal District Of Marib Province (Map Update)

Ansar Allah ( also known as the Houthis ) and their allies advanced in the west of the Madghal district @ @ @ @ @ Marib .
Yemeni fighters captured the areas of Madid , Ni ’ ah and Zalqa @ @ @ @ @ now working to secure the entire district .
Local sources say that clashes continue in @ @ @ @ @ in other areas : • The Liaison and Coordination Officers ’ Operations Room ( loyal @ @ @ @ @ 171 ceasefire violations in al-Hudaydah over the past 24 hours ; • According to the @ @ @ @ @ loyal to Ansar Allah ) , Ansar Allah attacked Saudi coalition positions in Malik Khalid @ @ @ @ @ Abha airport with two Qasif 2K and a Sammad-3 drones .
MORE ON THE TOPIC @ @ @ @ @ New Drone Attacks On Saudi Airport , Air Base

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Ansar Allah (also known as the Houthis) and their allies advanced in the west of the Madghal district of the Yemeni province of Marib. Yemeni fighters captured the areas of Madid, Ni’ah and Zalqa from Saudi-backed forces and are now working to secure the entire district. Local sources say that clashes continue in the area;
Meanwhile, in other areas:
Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 7 airstrikes on the Madghal area;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 9 airstrikes on Khab and Shaaf areas;
The Liaison and Coordination Officers’ Operations Room (loyal to Ansar Allah) reported 171 ceasefire violations in al-Hudaydah over the past 24 hours;
According to the Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson (loyal to Ansar Allah), Ansar Allah attacked Saudi coalition positions in Malik Khalid base in Khamis Mushait and Abha airport with two Qasif 2K and a Sammad-3 drones.
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southfront--2020-10-26--Impunity and Carefree Violence: Australia’s Special Forces in Afghanistan

In 2016 , Australian Major General Jeff Sengelman approached the then chief of the Australian army Lieutenant General Angus Campbell with a nagging worry .
The concern lay in allegations that Australian special forces had committed various war crimes in Afghanistan .
Sengelman was then special forces commander ; Campbell was chief of the army .
Sociologist Samantha Crompvoets was duly commissioned to write a report on “ Special Operations Command Culture interactions ” .
It was leaked in 2018 , and claimed that Australia ’ s special forces had engaged in the “ unsanctioned and illegal application of violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership and perception of impunity .
Campbell duly tasked the inspector-general of the Australian Defence Force , James Gaynor , with the role of investigating war crimes allegations connected with the Special Operations Task Group during stints in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2016 .
Paul Brereton , a New South Wales Supreme Court judge and major general in the Army Reserve , was given the task of leading the inquiry .
For four years , it has been conducted under conditions of utmost secrecy .
The instrument directing the inquiry , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain unpublished .
The report is expected to be completed by year ’ s end , though some preparations for softening the blow are already being made .
The IGADF annual report of 2018-9 , tabled in parliament in February , at least alludes to the fact that more than 338 witnesses have been examined since March 2016 , noting “ 55 separate incidents or issues under inquiry covering a range of alleged breaches of the Law of Armed Conflict , predominantly unlawful killings of persons who were non-combatants or were no longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ of such persons.
” Exclusions are already clear : decisions made during the “ heat of battle , ” for instance , are of no concern .
Focus , instead , “ is on the treatment of persons who were clearly non-combatants or who were no longer combatants.
” In an interview with journalist Stan Grant in an online conference series , Defence Minister Linda Reynolds was not optimistic about what would be unearthed .
“ I think that will make some very significant findings , ones that I ’ m certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at .
So , I think we do need to prepare ourselves for that.
” While she had not seen the report , she felt that there was enough to be troubled by , though “ that in no way reflects on our current serving men and women both here and overseas who are doing an extraordinary job for your nation.
” The Senator is keen to push the point that things have improved since those dark days .
Army Commander Lieutenant General Rick Burr also made the point in a note to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is not who we are and not what we stand for.
” He seemed to show some fondness for the bad apple theory , “ concerned about the impact of those findings on those of you who served in Afghanistan and other operations and who served as professionals with pride and integrity .
You did the right thing.
” The ADF establishment has been particularly concerned with what is seen as the isolation of the special unit arm from the rest of the army .
Over the course of 20 rotations over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and cultural shortfalls ” have been identified within the Special Operations Command .
The Special Air Service Regiment and commandos have also been at each other ’ s throats in what can only be described as competitive viciousness .
Lying behind such lines of inquiry is a policy of containment : the idea that atrocities can be stemmed , cordoned off , and identified as the work of a few rotters within a rotten culture .
Identify the culture and its advocates ; neutralise them .
Burr is confident that this has already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of organisational management in describing “ substantial cultural and professional transformation.
” The question as to why such outfits should be deployed in the first place is never asked , leaving politicians and commanders immune and smug from the horrors of war and the stupidities of armchair planning .
While the IGADF inquiry has been moving slowly along , the exposes have come thick and fast .
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation has become the main font of disturbing revelations , its Afghan Files a trove of bloody and brutal adventurism .
The impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Australian Federal Police , not into allegations of such atrocities , but those who wrote about them .
Only this month , ABC journalist Dan Oakes received the comforting , if cold news , that he would not be prosecuted by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions in the aftermath of raids conducted on the national broadcaster last year .
The CDPP waved the magic wand of public interest , and thought it poor form to be pursuing a journalist for exposing the misdeeds of Australia ’ s military effort in Afghanistan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the CDPP thought that any prosecution would have stood a reasonable chance of success .
Another matter of concern regarding the future efficacy of the inquiry has also surfaced .
This month , the ABC obtained an internal Defence Department bulletin noting the placing of an embargo on the shredding of any records relating to ADF operations in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2015 .
The embargo stemmed from the Afghanistan Inquiry Task Force established with the “ primary role ” of preparing “ Defence to receive and respond to the IGADF Afghanistan Inquiry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken four years , but the Defence Department saw little trouble with it .
According to the dull formulation of a spokesperson , “ In accordance with these requirements , key operational records relating to planning and conduct become eligible for destruction after 20 years.
” This should have caused a flurry of consternation .
For Rawan Arraf , director of the Australian Centre for International Justice , the timing of the embargo raised “ serious questions about whether the Defence Department has had the proper processes in place ; whether it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines on record keeping and data protection , especially where it ’ s relevant to investigating any potential violations of international humanitarian law or the laws of armed conflict.
” While the findings of such inquiries will duly fill the books of military history , they will not alter the central problem in Australian military and foreign policy : that constant craving to deploy personnel to harsh foreign theatres without obvious strategic necessity .
Australia ’ s SAS and the commandos can rightly be seen to be the Ghurkhas of the US military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for foreign power .
Troubled and ruined , Afghanistan has been killing , maiming and driving the imperially minded insane for centuries .
It has mocked and derided invaders , swallowed up armies .
The tag of military professionalism is mere dinner table formality in the face of unconventional warfare ; when engaged in such areas of battle , the rules will go out the window .
By all means , hold the soldiers to account for such cruelties , but the same could be said about those who sent them there in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain perennially immune from a prosecutor ’ s brief .
Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College , Cambridge .
He lectures at RMIT University , Melbourne .
Email : bkampmark @ gmail.com MORE ON THE TOPIC : • 12 Fighters Killed , Dozens Missing After Failed Operation Against Taliban In Takhar Province

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Submitted by Dr. Binoy Kampmark
In 2016, Australian Major General Jeff Sengelman approached the then chief of the Australian army Lieutenant General Angus Campbell with a nagging worry. The concern lay in allegations that Australian special forces had committed various war crimes in Afghanistan. Sengelman was then special forces commander; Campbell was chief of the army. Sociologist Samantha Crompvoets was duly commissioned to write a report on “Special Operations Command Culture interactions”. It was leaked in 2018, and claimed that Australia’s special forces had engaged in the “unsanctioned and illegal application of violence on operations” aided by a timorous leadership and perception of impunity.
Campbell duly tasked the inspector-general of the Australian Defence Force, James Gaynor, with the role of investigating war crimes allegations connected with the Special Operations Task Group during stints in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2016. Paul Brereton, a New South Wales Supreme Court judge and major general in the Army Reserve, was given the task of leading the inquiry. For four years, it has been conducted under conditions of utmost secrecy. The instrument directing the inquiry, and the terms of reference of the inquiry, remain unpublished.
The report is expected to be completed by year’s end, though some preparations for softening the blow are already being made. The IGADF annual report of 2018-9, tabled in parliament in February, at least alludes to the fact that more than 338 witnesses have been examined since March 2016, noting “55 separate incidents or issues under inquiry covering a range of alleged breaches of the Law of Armed Conflict, predominantly unlawful killings of persons who were non-combatants or were no longer combatants, but also ‘cruel treatment’ of such persons.” Exclusions are already clear: decisions made during the “heat of battle,” for instance, are of no concern. Focus, instead, “is on the treatment of persons who were clearly non-combatants or who were no longer combatants.”
In an interview with journalist Stan Grant in an online conference series, Defence Minister Linda Reynolds was not optimistic about what would be unearthed. “I think that will make some very significant findings, ones that I’m certain will make Australians uncomfortable and also dismayed at. So, I think we do need to prepare ourselves for that.” While she had not seen the report, she felt that there was enough to be troubled by, though “that in no way reflects on our current serving men and women both here and overseas who are doing an extraordinary job for your nation.”
The Senator is keen to push the point that things have improved since those dark days. Army Commander Lieutenant General Rick Burr also made the point in a note to Australia’s soldiers that, “This is not who we are and not what we stand for.” He seemed to show some fondness for the bad apple theory, “concerned about the impact of those findings on those of you who served in Afghanistan and other operations and who served as professionals with pride and integrity. You did the right thing.”
The ADF establishment has been particularly concerned with what is seen as the isolation of the special unit arm from the rest of the army. Over the course of 20 rotations over 11 years in Afghanistan, “catastrophic and cultural shortfalls” have been identified within the Special Operations Command. The Special Air Service Regiment and commandos have also been at each other’s throats in what can only be described as competitive viciousness.
Lying behind such lines of inquiry is a policy of containment: the idea that atrocities can be stemmed, cordoned off, and identified as the work of a few rotters within a rotten culture. Identify the culture and its advocates; neutralise them. Burr is confident that this has already taken place, using the insufferable language of organisational management in describing “substantial cultural and professional transformation.” The question as to why such outfits should be deployed in the first place is never asked, leaving politicians and commanders immune and smug from the horrors of war and the stupidities of armchair planning.
While the IGADF inquiry has been moving slowly along, the exposes have come thick and fast. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation has become the main font of disturbing revelations, its Afghan Files a trove of bloody and brutal adventurism. The impact of their exposure led to investigations by the Australian Federal Police, not into allegations of such atrocities, but those who wrote about them. Only this month, ABC journalist Dan Oakes received the comforting, if cold news, that he would not be prosecuted by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions in the aftermath of raids conducted on the national broadcaster last year. The CDPP waved the magic wand of public interest, and thought it poor form to be pursuing a journalist for exposing the misdeeds of Australia’s military effort in Afghanistan. But more troubling for Oakes, the CDPP thought that any prosecution would have stood a reasonable chance of success.
Another matter of concern regarding the future efficacy of the inquiry has also surfaced. This month, the ABC obtained an internal Defence Department bulletin noting the placing of an embargo on the shredding of any records relating to ADF operations in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2015. The embargo stemmed from the Afghanistan Inquiry Task Force established with the “primary role” of preparing “Defence to receive and respond to the IGADF Afghanistan Inquiry report.” Startling that this should have taken four years, but the Defence Department saw little trouble with it. According to the dull formulation of a spokesperson, “In accordance with these requirements, key operational records relating to planning and conduct become eligible for destruction after 20 years.”
This should have caused a flurry of consternation. For Rawan Arraf, director of the Australian Centre for International Justice, the timing of the embargo raised “serious questions about whether the Defence Department has had the proper processes in place; whether it has been complying with its regulations and international guidelines on record keeping and data protection, especially where it’s relevant to investigating any potential violations of international humanitarian law or the laws of armed conflict.”
While the findings of such inquiries will duly fill the books of military history, they will not alter the central problem in Australian military and foreign policy: that constant craving to deploy personnel to harsh foreign theatres without obvious strategic necessity. Australia’s SAS and the commandos can rightly be seen to be the Ghurkhas of the US military, an elite annexe serving as auxiliaries for foreign power.
Troubled and ruined, Afghanistan has been killing, maiming and driving the imperially minded insane for centuries. It has mocked and derided invaders, swallowed up armies. The tag of military professionalism is mere dinner table formality in the face of unconventional warfare; when engaged in such areas of battle, the rules will go out the window. By all means, hold the soldiers to account for such cruelties, but the same could be said about those who sent them there in the first place, decision makers who remain perennially immune from a prosecutor’s brief.
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--2020-10-26--Map Comparison: Ceasefire Deal In Libya As Result Of Failure Of Turkish Push On Sirte

On October 23 , two rival factions of Libya signed a permanent ceasefire agreement in Geneva following five days of UN-hosted talks .
They were held between the representatives of the Government of national accord ( GNA ) and the Libyan national army ( LNA ) .
The development was publicly criticized by the Turkish leadership , including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan , that likely saw this ceasefire as his own failure .
The Turkish-pushed Neo-Ottoman proapganda was for months promoting the idea of the great Turkish military victory in Libya ( Turkey deployed thousands of troops/military specialists , thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as over 8,000 members of its Syrian proxies ) that appeared to be the unrealised dream .
Turkish forces stopped the LNA advance on the GNA capital of Tripoli , but failed to achieve any strategic victory and even the port city of Sirte , which was declared as a goal of the Turkish operation remained in the hands of the LNA ( supported by Egypt and the UAE ) .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Permanent Ceasefire In Libya Agreed But Erdogan Doesn ’ t Want To Believe • Turkey Is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – Report

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On October 23, two rival factions of Libya signed a permanent ceasefire agreement in Geneva following five days of UN-hosted talks. They were held between the representatives of the Government of national accord (GNA) and the Libyan national army (LNA). The development was publicly criticized by the Turkish leadership, including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, that likely saw this ceasefire as his own failure. The Turkish-pushed Neo-Ottoman proapganda was for months promoting the idea of the great Turkish military victory in Libya (Turkey deployed thousands of troops/military specialists, thousands of pieces of military equipment as well as over 8,000 members of its Syrian proxies) that appeared to be the unrealised dream. Turkish forces stopped the LNA advance on the GNA capital of Tripoli, but failed to achieve any strategic victory and even the port city of Sirte, which was declared as a goal of the Turkish operation remained in the hands of the LNA (supported by Egypt and the UAE).
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