southfront--2020-09-21--Wave Of UAE-Sponsored High-Profile Assassinations And Targeted Killings In Yemen

Two international civil society organizations for human rights have denounced the United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) for hiring thousands of mercenaries to carry out high-profile assassinations and targeted killings in the southern part of Yemen .
The International Institute for Rights and Development and the Rights Radar Foundation said in a statement , read during the 45th session of the United Nations ( UN ) Human Rights Council in Geneva , that they “ are deeply concerned about the escalation of assassination cases in Yemen by the mercenaries.
” The statement explained that the assassinations appear to be part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ institutions and leadership in the country , which has been subjected to a devastating combination of an almost total blockade , prolonged bombardment and invasion by Saudi Arabia and the UAE , with the assistance of other countries that have joined the ‘ Saudi-led coalition ’ against Yemen .
“ The UAE hired American mercenaries to carry out high-profile assassinations in Yemen .
They conducted several operations in Aden and several cities , resulting in the assassinations of dozens of politicians and public figures during the past five years of conflict in Yemen.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ politicians , lawmakers and media professionals have been displaced locally or globally , seeking safety as they become potential targets for assassination.
” Cradling an AK-47 and sucking a lollipop , the former American Green Beret bumped along in the back of an armored SUV as it wound through the darkened streets of Aden .
Two other commandos on the mission were former Navy SEALs .
As elite US special operations fighters , they had years of specialized training by the US military to protect America .
But now they were working for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company that had been hired by the United Arab Emirates , a tiny desert monarchy on the Persian Gulf .
On that night , December 29 , 2015 , their job was to carry out an assassination .
Their armed attack , described to BuzzFeed News by two of its participants and corroborated by drone surveillance footage , was the first operation in a startling for-profit venture .
For months in war-torn Yemen , some of America ’ s most highly trained soldiers worked on a mercenary mission of murky legality to kill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Their target that night : Anssaf Ali Mayo , the local leader of the Islamist political party Al-Islah .
The UAE considers Al-Islah to be the Yemeni branch of the worldwide Muslim Brotherhood , which the UAE calls a terrorist organization .
Many experts insist that Al-Islah , one of whose members won the Nobel Peace Prize , is no terror group .
They say it ’ s a legitimate political party that threatens the UAE not through violence but by speaking out against its ambitions in Yemen .
The operation against Mayo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but until now was not known to have been carried out by American mercenaries — marked a pivot point in the war in Yemen , a brutal conflict that has seen children starved , villages bombed , and epidemics of cholera roll through the civilian population .
The bombing was the first salvo in a string of unsolved assassinations that killed more than two dozen of the group ’ s leaders .
The company that hired the soldiers and carried out the attack is Spear Operations Group , incorporated in Delaware and founded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israeli security contractor who lives outside of Pittsburgh .
He led the team ’ s strike against Mayo .
“ There was a targeted assassination program in Yemen , ” he told BuzzFeed News .
“ I was running it .
We did it .
It was sanctioned by the UAE within the coalition.
” … The press office of the UAE ’ s US Embassy , as well as its US public affairs company , Harbour Group , did not respond to multiple phone calls and emails… The human rights groups informed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recruited approximately 30,000 mercenaries from four Latin American states , of whom at least 450 mercenaries have been deployed to Yemen after having received training by US trainers .
They also stated to the UN agency that the UAE and its proxy groups are taking advantage of the UN ’ s lack of action with respect to their persistent and ongoing human rights abuses in Yemen to continue their crimes confident that they will never be punished .
The rights groups warned that “ the right to life in Yemen is in extreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Yemen “ needs the UN to offer effective action not just kind words .
Enough is enough.
” Aden and other cities in the south of Yemen are controlled by Saudi- or UAE-backed militant groups , which have been engaged in conflicts among themselves for control over communities , territory and resources in the areas that have been invaded and occupied by the ‘ Saudi-led coalition ’ .
Abu Dhabi and Riyadh have repeatedly been denounced for running secret prison facilities in southern Yemen , where grave human rights violations , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has been documented and reported on multiple occasions by prominent civil rights organizations .
Militants backed by the UAE have repeatedly been accused of kidnapping people and transferring them to the notorious Abu Dhabi-run jails in southern Yemen under the pretext of detaining people suspected of being associated with al-Qaeda-linked elements .
Following the normalization deal between the UAE and Israel , the two countries are making preparations to establish an Israeli intelligence station on Yemen ’ s Socotra Island .
LINK MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Turkey is increasing its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Yemen how did it all start will it ever end

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Two international civil society organizations for human rights have denounced the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for hiring thousands of mercenaries to carry out high-profile assassinations and targeted killings in the southern part of Yemen.
The International Institute for Rights and Development and the Rights Radar Foundation said in a statement, read during the 45th session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council in Geneva, that they “are deeply concerned about the escalation of assassination cases in Yemen by the mercenaries.”
The statement explained that the assassinations appear to be part of a deliberate strategy to weaken political institutions and leadership in the country, which has been subjected to a devastating combination of an almost total blockade, prolonged bombardment and invasion by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with the assistance of other countries that have joined the ‘Saudi-led coalition’ against Yemen.
“The UAE hired American mercenaries to carry out high-profile assassinations in Yemen. They conducted several operations in Aden and several cities, resulting in the assassinations of dozens of politicians and public figures during the past five years of conflict in Yemen.” “Over 80 percent of Yemeni politicians, lawmakers and media professionals have been displaced locally or globally, seeking safety as they become potential targets for assassination.”
In 2018 following a detailed investigation Buzzfeed reported:
Cradling an AK-47 and sucking a lollipop, the former American Green Beret bumped along in the back of an armored SUV as it wound through the darkened streets of Aden. Two other commandos on the mission were former Navy SEALs. As elite US special operations fighters, they had years of specialized training by the US military to protect America. But now they were working for a different master: a private US company that had been hired by the United Arab Emirates, a tiny desert monarchy on the Persian Gulf. On that night, December 29, 2015, their job was to carry out an assassination. Their armed attack, described to BuzzFeed News by two of its participants and corroborated by drone surveillance footage, was the first operation in a startling for-profit venture. For months in war-torn Yemen, some of America’s most highly trained soldiers worked on a mercenary mission of murky legality to kill prominent clerics and Islamist political figures. Their target that night: Anssaf Ali Mayo, the local leader of the Islamist political party Al-Islah. The UAE considers Al-Islah to be the Yemeni branch of the worldwide Muslim Brotherhood, which the UAE calls a terrorist organization. Many experts insist that Al-Islah, one of whose members won the Nobel Peace Prize, is no terror group. They say it’s a legitimate political party that threatens the UAE not through violence but by speaking out against its ambitions in Yemen. The operation against Mayo — which was reported at the time but until now was not known to have been carried out by American mercenaries — marked a pivot point in the war in Yemen, a brutal conflict that has seen children starved, villages bombed, and epidemics of cholera roll through the civilian population. The bombing was the first salvo in a string of unsolved assassinations that killed more than two dozen of the group’s leaders. The company that hired the soldiers and carried out the attack is Spear Operations Group, incorporated in Delaware and founded by Abraham Golan, a charismatic Hungarian Israeli security contractor who lives outside of Pittsburgh. He led the team’s strike against Mayo. “There was a targeted assassination program in Yemen,” he told BuzzFeed News. “I was running it. We did it. It was sanctioned by the UAE within the coalition.” … The press office of the UAE’s US Embassy, as well as its US public affairs company, Harbour Group, did not respond to multiple phone calls and emails…
The human rights groups informed the UN agency that the UAE has recruited approximately 30,000 mercenaries from four Latin American states, of whom at least 450 mercenaries have been deployed to Yemen after having received training by US trainers.
They also stated to the UN agency that the UAE and its proxy groups are taking advantage of the UN’s lack of action with respect to their persistent and ongoing human rights abuses in Yemen to continue their crimes confident that they will never be punished. The rights groups warned that “the right to life in Yemen is in extreme danger,” emphasizing that the people of Yemen “needs the UN to offer effective action not just kind words. Enough is enough.”
Aden and other cities in the south of Yemen are controlled by Saudi- or UAE-backed militant groups, which have been engaged in conflicts among themselves for control over communities, territory and resources in the areas that have been invaded and occupied by the ‘Saudi-led coalition’.
Abu Dhabi and Riyadh have repeatedly been denounced for running secret prison facilities in southern Yemen, where grave human rights violations, including torture and sexual abuse of the captives, has been documented and reported on multiple occasions by prominent civil rights organizations.
Militants backed by the UAE have repeatedly been accused of kidnapping people and transferring them to the notorious Abu Dhabi-run jails in southern Yemen under the pretext of detaining people suspected of being associated with al-Qaeda-linked elements.
Following the normalization deal between the UAE and Israel, the two countries are making preparations to establish an Israeli intelligence station on Yemen’s Socotra Island. LINK
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southfront--2020-09-21--US Wants To Recruit Qatar To ‘Arab NATO’

The United States hopes to designate Qatar as a major , non-NATO ally , a status that provides foreign nations with increased access to US weapons and security cooperation programs .
Speaking with journalists on Thursday following meetings between senior US and Qatari officials in Washington DC , a US official said that the US would like to formalize and deepen military relations between the two countries .
Qatar already hosts the largest US military facility in the Middle East .
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Qatar ’ s Foreign Minister , Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relations between the two countries and ongoing developments in the Middle East .
Major non-NATO ally ( or MNNA ) status would give Qatar preferential access to US military equipment and technology , including the possibility of transfers of surplus US war materials , fast-tracked export processing procedures and priority for military training programs .
Currently , 17 countries have MNNA status , including Gulf Arab states Kuwait and Bahrain , the latter of which hosts the US Navy ’ s Fifth Fleet .
Qatar has been involved in a dispute with Saudi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bahrain and Egypt since 2017 .
The four countries severed diplomatic , economic and transport ties with Qatar and attempted to impose a full economic and physical blockade against Qatar , accusing the country ’ s leadership of supporting terrorism .
Qatar has vehemently denied the allegations .
Washington has strong ties with all the states involved in the dispute , and the unresolved dispute between the near neighbours remains a major obstacle to the Trump administration ’ s efforts to contain Iran and push for a united front based on normalization of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The announcement that the US is favourably considering granting MNNA status to Qatar follows the normalization agreements signed by two Gulf states – Bahrain and the UAE – with Israel .
Both agreements were brokered and enthusiastically supported and promoted by the Trump administration .
The deals with Israel have been universally condemned by Palestinians as a betrayal .
US officials have recently expressed that they are considering selling the F-35 stealth fighter jet to the UAE in the aftermath of the normalisation agreement .
Israeli officials have objected to the idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure Israel maintains a ‘ qualitative advantage ’ militarily in the region .
Nonetheless , an Israeli analyst subsequently confided to an Israeli news outlet that even if the UAE were to acquire some of the extremely expensive aircraft , it is extremely unlikely that the US would incorporate all of the most advanced technology and weapons systems with the exported aircraft .
Qatar ’ s leadership has stated that it still ruling out normalizing ties with Israel , saying the premises underlying the two normalization agreements that have been signed “ can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Israeli-Palestinian conflict .
It remains to be seen if the Qatari leadership will be able to withstand the enormous pressure being exerted by the US to change its decision .
LINK MORE ON THE TOPIC : • US plan to establish Asia-Pacific NATO-type formal alliance against China

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The United States hopes to designate Qatar as a major, non-NATO ally, a status that provides foreign nations with increased access to US weapons and security cooperation programs.
Speaking with journalists on Thursday following meetings between senior US and Qatari officials in Washington DC, a US official said that the US would like to formalize and deepen military relations between the two countries. Qatar already hosts the largest US military facility in the Middle East.
“We’re going to move ahead, we hope, with designating Qatar a major non-NATO ally,” Timothy Lenderking, the US deputy assistant secretary of state for Gulf affairs, told reporters.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Qatar’s Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, earlier this week to discuss relations between the two countries and ongoing developments in the Middle East.
Major non-NATO ally (or MNNA) status would give Qatar preferential access to US military equipment and technology, including the possibility of transfers of surplus US war materials, fast-tracked export processing procedures and priority for military training programs.
Currently, 17 countries have MNNA status, including Gulf Arab states Kuwait and Bahrain, the latter of which hosts the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet.
Qatar has been involved in a dispute with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt since 2017. The four countries severed diplomatic, economic and transport ties with Qatar and attempted to impose a full economic and physical blockade against Qatar, accusing the country’s leadership of supporting terrorism. Qatar has vehemently denied the allegations.
Washington has strong ties with all the states involved in the dispute, and the unresolved dispute between the near neighbours remains a major obstacle to the Trump administration’s efforts to contain Iran and push for a united front based on normalization of relations with Israel and confrontation with Iran.
The announcement that the US is favourably considering granting MNNA status to Qatar follows the normalization agreements signed by two Gulf states – Bahrain and the UAE – with Israel. Both agreements were brokered and enthusiastically supported and promoted by the Trump administration.
The deals with Israel have been universally condemned by Palestinians as a betrayal.
US officials have recently expressed that they are considering selling the F-35 stealth fighter jet to the UAE in the aftermath of the normalisation agreement. Israeli officials have objected to the idea, citing long standing US policy to ensure Israel maintains a ‘qualitative advantage’ militarily in the region.
Nonetheless, an Israeli analyst subsequently confided to an Israeli news outlet that even if the UAE were to acquire some of the extremely expensive aircraft, it is extremely unlikely that the US would incorporate all of the most advanced technology and weapons systems with the exported aircraft.
Qatar’s leadership has stated that it still ruling out normalizing ties with Israel, saying the premises underlying the two normalization agreements that have been signed “can’t be the answer” to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It remains to be seen if the Qatari leadership will be able to withstand the enormous pressure being exerted by the US to change its decision. LINK
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southfront--2020-09-21--Dangerous Streamlining: Emergencies, Militarisation and Civil Liberties

Be wary of anyone insistent on using the word “ streamline ” in the context of policy and planning .
It suggests a suspicion of sound procedure , due process and keen scrutiny .
The streamliner hates accountability , attacks the world of red tape and suggests that barriers be removed .
Cut the tape ; free the decision maker .
The streamline obsessives tend to see themselves as reformers and pruners of unnecessary waste and delay .
In Australian extradition law , for instance , the paring back of protections has been relentless .
The enthusiastic embrace of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procedure was an example of such crude thinking .
It was noted with some concern by the Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Treaties in 2001 .
The members took a keen interest in the comments of Professor Ned Aughterson : “ There has been a trend towards streamlining the extradition process so as to facilitate extradition .
This has been at the expense of individual rights .
That is exemplified by the general abolition of the requirement to establish a prima facie case and the allocation of responsibility for the protection of individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in turn , cite the observations of Professor Ivan Shearer that , since the 1980s , Australia had witnessed “ a substantial shift away from judicial review of the extradition process towards the exercise of unreviewable executive discretion.
” Another scoring effort for the streamliners , refusing to admit those fustian judges to the party .
In 2011 , the Extradition and Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation Amendment Bill made its parliamentary debut .
Political representatives were all praise for eliminating obstacles to a process they regarded as obsolete , cobwebbed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A stale approach to the liberty of the subject has that effect . )
The premise : that technology and the extent of travel had dramatically changed .
“ There was no internet in 1988 and mobile phones were a new commodity , ” reflected Labor Senator Kim Carr , then Minister for Innovation , Industry , Science and Research in his second reading speech .
He also suggested that “ extraditing a person can be cumbersome and take several months to finalise , even if a person has consented to their extradition.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the person waive the process , albeit subject to a modicum of safeguards .
Better still , have the person prosecuted in Australia .
With this tendency in mind , we come to another instance of streamline wonkiness that does more than sneeze at civil liberties : the Defence Legislation Amendment ( Enhancement of Defence Force Response to Emergencies ) Bill 2020 .
Again , the streamliners are out in force .
The proposed bill has measures , according to the Explanatory Memorandum , “ that will enhance Defence ’ s capacity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other emergencies.
” It supplements the existing Defence Assistance to the Civil Community ( DACC ) policy by “ streamlining the process for calling out members of the ADF reserves ” under the existing legislation and provides “ ADF members , other Defence personnel and members of foreign forces with similar immunities to State and Territory emergency services personnel in certain cases while performing duties to support civil emergency and disaster preparedness , recovery and response ” .
Such immunity will apply when the service is provided “ in good faith ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notably to institutions vested with powers to wound and kill , should cause shuddering in the community .
It effectively nullifies any enforceable right of redress in instances of harm .
It is also a statement of exclusion : judges and their scrutiny will not be needed .
The protectors know best .
Alex Hawke , the Assistant Defence Minister , gave a few tips in his second reading speech of the bill on what is in store .
He praised the defence forces as critical in responding to bushfire emergencies and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enhance ” the ability of such personnel “ to respond to natural disasters and other civil emergencies.
” The bill promises “ more flexible service operations for reservists ” .
It will also permit “ the Governor-General to act on the advice of the Minister for Defence , after consultation with the Prime Minister , in all circumstances and not just for reasons of urgency.
” Broadness in executive power is the enemy of liberty .
Human rights activist and advocate Kellie Tranter finds much room for concern , having a keen interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responses and , for that matter , the dangers involved in the deployment of military personnel in areas of civilian concern .
“ Defence forces used in a civilian context should not be normalised , ” she suggests , with good reason , in a briefing paper on the Enhancement of Defence Force Response to Emergencies Bill .
She points out that this latest proposed amendment lacks definitional scope .
“ Other emergencies ” is simply not defined .
The Defence Assistance to the Civil Community policy is already wide in application , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Defence .
“ It is not inconceivable to see the normalisation of military forces on the streets responding to public order issues that should be dealt with by police , for example protests.
” There is much to be concerned about .
Such yardsticks as “ good faith ” are imprecise and feathery .
The “ grossly inadequate ” Human Rights Statement “ does not address public rights that may well be infringed under these provisions.
” The proposed immunities would also extend to “ foreign military and police forces ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approval to those nuclear armed allies across the pond .
“ The use of a foreign army or militarised police force should not be allowed at all , and certainly not without the safeguard of citizens ’ rights of access to courts.
” Under the cover of stealth and reliable apathy , powers have been vested in Australia ’ s military and ministerial authorities with scant debate and even less scrutiny .
As law academic Michael Head points out with noticeable alarm , powers calling out the Australian Defence Force to deal with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , or likely dangers to “ declared infrastructure ” are left undefined .
Vagueness bedevils the legislation , passed ostensibly to protect the populace against terrorist attacks .
“ Once deployed , military personnel can exercise extraordinary powers over civilians , overturning basic legal and democratic rights.
” The trend is not being arrested .
Australia ’ s defence forces , unlike the current prime minister , envisage a future of climate change chaos and a pressing need for readiness .
The Department of Defence , in a recent update , also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic ” , which has “ deeply altered the economic trajectory of the region and the world with implications for Australia ’ s prosperity and security.
” We have been warned .
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
Be wary of anyone insistent on using the word “streamline” in the context of policy and planning. It suggests a suspicion of sound procedure, due process and keen scrutiny. The streamliner hates accountability, attacks the world of red tape and suggests that barriers be removed. Cut the tape; free the decision maker.
The streamline obsessives tend to see themselves as reformers and pruners of unnecessary waste and delay. In Australian extradition law, for instance, the paring back of protections has been relentless. The enthusiastic embrace of the “no evidence” model of extradition procedure was an example of such crude thinking. It was noted with some concern by the Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Treaties in 2001.
The members took a keen interest in the comments of Professor Ned Aughterson: “There has been a trend towards streamlining the extradition process so as to facilitate extradition. This has been at the expense of individual rights. That is exemplified by the general abolition of the requirement to establish a prima facie case and the allocation of responsibility for the protection of individual rights to the executive.”
Aughterson would, in turn, cite the observations of Professor Ivan Shearer that, since the 1980s, Australia had witnessed “a substantial shift away from judicial review of the extradition process towards the exercise of unreviewable executive discretion.” Another scoring effort for the streamliners, refusing to admit those fustian judges to the party.
In 2011, the Extradition and Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation Amendment Bill made its parliamentary debut. Political representatives were all praise for eliminating obstacles to a process they regarded as obsolete, cobwebbed by the passage of time. (A stale approach to the liberty of the subject has that effect.) The premise: that technology and the extent of travel had dramatically changed. “There was no internet in 1988 and mobile phones were a new commodity,” reflected Labor Senator Kim Carr, then Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research in his second reading speech. He also suggested that “extraditing a person can be cumbersome and take several months to finalise, even if a person has consented to their extradition.” Better, then, to let the person waive the process, albeit subject to a modicum of safeguards. Better still, have the person prosecuted in Australia.
With this tendency in mind, we come to another instance of streamline wonkiness that does more than sneeze at civil liberties: the Defence Legislation Amendment (Enhancement of Defence Force Response to Emergencies) Bill 2020. Again, the streamliners are out in force. The proposed bill has measures, according to the Explanatory Memorandum, “that will enhance Defence’s capacity to provide assistance in relation to natural disasters and other emergencies.” It supplements the existing Defence Assistance to the Civil Community (DACC) policy by “streamlining the process for calling out members of the ADF reserves” under the existing legislation and provides “ADF members, other Defence personnel and members of foreign forces with similar immunities to State and Territory emergency services personnel in certain cases while performing duties to support civil emergency and disaster preparedness, recovery and response”. Such immunity will apply when the service is provided “in good faith”.
The granting of such immunities, notably to institutions vested with powers to wound and kill, should cause shuddering in the community. It effectively nullifies any enforceable right of redress in instances of harm. It is also a statement of exclusion: judges and their scrutiny will not be needed. The protectors know best.
Alex Hawke, the Assistant Defence Minister, gave a few tips in his second reading speech of the bill on what is in store. He praised the defence forces as critical in responding to bushfire emergencies and the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill would “enhance” the ability of such personnel “to respond to natural disasters and other civil emergencies.” The bill promises “more flexible service operations for reservists”. It will also permit “the Governor-General to act on the advice of the Minister for Defence, after consultation with the Prime Minister, in all circumstances and not just for reasons of urgency.” Broadness in executive power is the enemy of liberty.
Human rights activist and advocate Kellie Tranter finds much room for concern, having a keen interest in the problems behind militarising climate change responses and, for that matter, the dangers involved in the deployment of military personnel in areas of civilian concern. “Defence forces used in a civilian context should not be normalised,” she suggests, with good reason, in a briefing paper on the Enhancement of Defence Force Response to Emergencies Bill. She points out that this latest proposed amendment lacks definitional scope. “Other emergencies” is simply not defined. The Defence Assistance to the Civil Community policy is already wide in application, seemingly decided by those in the Department of Defence. “It is not inconceivable to see the normalisation of military forces on the streets responding to public order issues that should be dealt with by police, for example protests.”
There is much to be concerned about. Such yardsticks as “good faith” are imprecise and feathery. The “grossly inadequate” Human Rights Statement “does not address public rights that may well be infringed under these provisions.” The proposed immunities would also extend to “foreign military and police forces”, suggesting more than a cheerful nod of approval to those nuclear armed allies across the pond. “The use of a foreign army or militarised police force should not be allowed at all, and certainly not without the safeguard of citizens’ rights of access to courts.”
Under the cover of stealth and reliable apathy, powers have been vested in Australia’s military and ministerial authorities with scant debate and even less scrutiny. As law academic Michael Head points out with noticeable alarm, powers calling out the Australian Defence Force to deal with, for instance, “domestic violence”, or likely dangers to “declared infrastructure” are left undefined. Vagueness bedevils the legislation, passed ostensibly to protect the populace against terrorist attacks. “Once deployed, military personnel can exercise extraordinary powers over civilians, overturning basic legal and democratic rights.”
The trend is not being arrested. Australia’s defence forces, unlike the current prime minister, envisage a future of climate change chaos and a pressing need for readiness. The Department of Defence, in a recent update, also worries about the “long-term impacts of the coronavirus pandemic”, which has “deeply altered the economic trajectory of the region and the world with implications for Australia’s prosperity and security.” We have been warned.
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--2020-09-21--Last Days To Keep SouthFront Alive Next Month

The year of 2020 has been marked by a number of negative tendencies and crises .
This includes the global economic crisis , the COVID-19 outbreak , the increase of chances of a US-Iranian war in the Middle East and further .
These developments are accompanied by the increasing censorship against independent media organizations and activists .
Euro-Atlantic structures have been contributing extensive efforts to silence independent points of view .
SouthFront is one of the targets of this campaign .
The pressure faced by our team is unprecedented .
Despite this , our team is not going to surrender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ survived in the previous months and even was able to keep most of its coverage ( including text analyses , exclusive videos , maps and infographics ) .
Nonetheless , the situation remains critical .
Since September 1 , we ’ ve collected 2248 USD .
This is about 49,5 % of the monthly budget needed to continue SouthFront work and further .
Unlike propaganda structures funded by the Euro-Atlantic establishment , SouthFront operates thanks to the audience ’ s donations .
We will not be able to survive without your help .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Bitcoin and other options .
This systems accepts all types of cards , PayPal , Amazon Payments , bitcoin ( FAQ is under the main text , in P.S . )
You can subscribe for a monthly donation of $ 15 ( or any another amount ) OR make one time donation by clicking buttons below

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DEAR FRIENDS,
The year of 2020 has been marked by a number of negative tendencies and crises. This includes the global economic crisis, the COVID-19 outbreak, the increase of chances of a US-Iranian war in the Middle East and further.
These developments are accompanied by the increasing censorship against independent media organizations and activists. Euro-Atlantic structures have been contributing extensive efforts to silence independent points of view. SouthFront is one of the targets of this campaign. The pressure faced by our team is unprecedented.
Despite this, our team is not going to surrender. Thanks to your support, SouthFront survived in the previous months and even was able to keep most of its coverage (including text analyses, exclusive videos, maps and infographics). Nonetheless, the situation remains critical.
Since September 1, we’ve collected 2248 USD. This is about 49,5% of the monthly budget needed to continue SouthFront work and further.
Unlike propaganda structures funded by the Euro-Atlantic establishment, SouthFront operates thanks to the audience’s donations. We will not be able to survive without your help.
SUPPORT SOUTHFRONT WORK:
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Account: southfront@list.ru
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Donate via VISA, PayPal, Paysafecard, Bitcoin and other options.
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SouthFront: Analysis & Intelligence Team
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southfront--2020-09-21--Locations Of US Carrier Strike Groups – September 21, 2020

This is the newest update of the ‘ U.S .
Carrier Strike Groups Locations Map ’ exclusive series showing the @ @ @ @ @ Strike Groups .
SouthFront : Analysis & Intelligence tracks locations of U.S. aircraft carriers using @ @ @ @ @ No classified information was used in production of the map .
Carrier strike group ( @ @ @ @ @ formation of the United States Navy .
It is centered on an aircraft carrier and @ @ @ @ @ CVW ) of 65 to 70 aircrafts .
It ’ s composed of roughly 7,500 @ @ @ @ @ , at least one cruiser , a destroyer squadron of at least two destroyers and/or @ @ @ @ @ group also , on occasion , includes submarines , attached logistics ships and a supply @ @ @ @ @ comprise a principal element of U.S. power projection over the world ’ s oceans .
@ @ @ @ @

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This is the newest update of the ‘U.S. Carrier Strike Groups Locations Map’ exclusive series showing the approximate locations of U.S. Carrier Strike Groups. SouthFront: Analysis & Intelligence tracks locations of U.S. aircraft carriers using the available open-source information. No classified information was used in production of the map.
Carrier strike group (CSG) is an operational formation of the United States Navy. It is centered on an aircraft carrier and a carrier air wing (CVW) of 65 to 70 aircrafts. It’s composed of roughly 7,500 personnel, an aircraft carrier, at least one cruiser, a destroyer squadron of at least two destroyers and/or frigates. A carrier strike group also, on occasion, includes submarines, attached logistics ships and a supply ship. Carrier strike groups comprise a principal element of U.S. power projection over the world’s oceans.
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southfront--2020-09-21--Dozens Killed In Airstrikes On Taliban Amid Intra-Afghan Peace Talks (Map Update, Photos)

The Afghanistan Air Force ( AAF ) carried out a twin air raid in Kunduz targeting a Taliban base .
According to Taliban and Kunduz officials , more than 40 Taliban fighters and at least 12 civilians are said to have been killed as a result of the airstrikes carried out on Saturday .
A Defense Ministry spokesperson said that more than 40 Taliban fighters were killed in the strikes .
On September 20 , at least 6 rockets were launched at the US military airfield in the district of Daman of the Afghan province of Kandahar .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response to the airstrikes .
The tensions grow in Afghanistan amid the intra-Afghan talks .
The government and the Taliban are discussing conditions for peace establishment in Doha .
The recent military developments in Afghanistan on September 20 : • Clashes between ANDSF and Taliban were reported in the Farsi area , Herat province ; • ISIS carried out an IED attack on Afghan police vehicle in the city of Jalalabad .
Probably , the U.S. , who is taking an active part in Doha talks , in fact , is not interested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days before the airstrikes , on September 17 , the U.S. transferred four A-29 Super Tocano warplanes to the Afghan Air Force ( AAF ) during a ceremony in the Afghan capital , Kabul .
Taking into account a growing number of attacks in the recent few days as well as law efficiency of intra-Afghan talks , the stabilization of the situation in the country should not be expected in the near future .
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The Afghanistan Air Force (AAF) carried out a twin air raid in Kunduz targeting a Taliban base.
According to Taliban and Kunduz officials, more than 40 Taliban fighters and at least 12 civilians are said to have been killed as a result of the airstrikes carried out on Saturday.
A Defense Ministry spokesperson said that more than 40 Taliban fighters were killed in the strikes.
On September 20, at least 6 rockets were launched at the US military airfield in the district of Daman of the Afghan province of Kandahar. It is highly likely that the attack was a response to the airstrikes.
The tensions grow in Afghanistan amid the intra-Afghan talks. The government and the Taliban are discussing conditions for peace establishment in Doha.
The recent military developments in Afghanistan on September 20:
Clashes between ANDSF and Taliban were reported in the Farsi area, Herat province;
ANDSF detonated an IED in Nad Ali district, Helmand province;
ISIS carried out an IED attack on Afghan police vehicle in the city of Jalalabad.
Probably, the U.S., who is taking an active part in Doha talks, in fact, is not interested in peace establishment in Afghanistan. Two days before the airstrikes, on September 17, the U.S. transferred four A-29 Super Tocano warplanes to the Afghan Air Force (AAF) during a ceremony in the Afghan capital, Kabul.
Taking into account a growing number of attacks in the recent few days as well as law efficiency of intra-Afghan talks, the stabilization of the situation in the country should not be expected in the near future.
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southfront--2020-09-22--US Announces More Sanctions Against Iran And Venezuela, Pompeo Visits Venezuela’s Neighbours To Prom

US Announces More Sanctions Against Iran And Venezuela, Pompeo Visits Venezuela’s Neighbours To Promote ‘Regime Change’

On Monday the Trump administration on Monday announced a series of new sanctions that target Iran ’ s arms industry as a part of the ‘ maximum pressure ’ campaign against the Islamic Republic .
The new measures also target the Venezuelan government .
From Thursday to Saturday of last week , the US Secretary of State visited almost all of Venezuela ’ s neighbours ( Brazil , Colombia and Guyana ) to drum up support for Washington ’ s efforts to overthrow the Venezuelan government .
At a carefully staged media event on Monday attended by three State ministers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials , US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced a new presidential directive that imposes additional sanctions against Iran and Venezuela .
Pompeo was joined at the event by UN Ambassador Kelly Craft , National Security Advisor Robert O ’ Brien , Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Defense Secretary Mark Esper , where after praising the Trump administration ’ s accomplishments in the Middle East and the normalization deal between Israel and the UAE he proclaimed : “ Today , I will take the first action under this new executive order by sanctioning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces logistics and Iran ’ s defense industries organization and its director , ” Pompeo said .
“ For nearly two years , the corrupt officials in Tehran have worked with the illegitimate regime in Venezuela to flout the UN arms embargo , ” he said .
“ Our actions today are a warning that should be heard worldwide , no matter who you are .
If you violate the UN arms embargo on Iran , you risk sanctions.
” Additionally , Pompeo said the US would sanction two individuals who are central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The US is also seeking support for its unilateral ‘ snapback ’ sanctions against Iran , while the rest of the UN Security Council ( except the Dominican Republic ) plans to lift its existing arms embargo against Iran on October 18 .
Monday ’ s sanctions are part of an attempt to pressure Security Council members to reimpose sanctions .
The notes accompanying the presidential decree allege that : The executive order authorizes the seizure of property and assets connected either directly or indirectly to the Iranian arms industry .
The US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that support Iran ’ s nuclear and ballistic-missile programs and senior officials overseeing Iran ’ s nuclear power and ballistic-missile development .
Some are affiliated with the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran , which has operational and regulatory control over Iran ’ s nuclear program .
Asked about European countries ’ objections to the US snapback , Pompeo claimed that : “ The country that ’ s isolated today is not the United States , but rather Iran.
” Despite their unequivocal statements that the US measures have no legal basis or effect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing everything possible to get them to change their positions .
“ By these actions , we have made it very clear that every member state in the United Nations has a responsibility to enforce these sanctions , ” he said .
“ That certainly includes the United Kingdom , France and Germany .
We will have every expectation that those nations enforce these sanctions.
” LINK Venezuela ’ s economy is going through one of the most difficult periods in modern times under the weight of existing sanctions and the economic blockade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is at historically low levels .
Venezuela Analysis reports that according to figures from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries ( OPEC ) , average oil production in August was 340,000 barrels per day ( bpd ) after averaging 339,000 bpd in July .
The numbers reported directly by state oil company PDVSA were slightly higher at 396,000 bpd , up 4,000 bpd compared to July .
Following the imposition of US financial sanctions against PDVSA in August 2017 , Venezuela ’ s crude output declined steeply from 1.911 million bpd in 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Trump administration imposed additional sanctions on the oil industry last year , including an embargo and a blanket ban on all dealings with Venezuelan state entities .
After falling for much of the year , production stabilized in the last quarter to bring the 2019 average to 796,000 bpd .
Secondary sanctions , alongside low oil prices and contracted global demand due to the coronavirus pandemic forced PDVSA to halt several projects and joint ventures .
The Trump administration then targeted shipping companies and vessels , forcing several companies to cease dealings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an effort to block all oil exports from Venezuela .
However , Venezuela ’ s oil industry has received more support from Iran following the arrival of an Iranian very large crude carrier ( VLCC ) , which allegedly had its Automatic Identification System tracker switched off en route before docking at the Jose Antonio Anzoategui oil terminal in east Venezuela on 13 September .
The Iranian ship reportedly unloaded 500,000 barrels of condensate at the Petropiar facility , which is jointly run with US oil company Chevron .
The condensate is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavy crude into oil grades favoured by Asian customers .
Iran sent five fuel shipments to Venezuela in May and another three vessels are reported to be currently on course to Venezuela .
Tehran has also assisted the efforts to increase production at Venezuela ’ s refineries , including the Paraguana Refining Complex in Falcon State .
In a related development , US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrapped up a three-day tour of Venezuela ’ s neighbours over the weekend .
During the trip the US and Guyanese governments announced that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disputed Venezuela-Guyana maritime border .
Pompeo asserted that the joint maritime patrols will be aimed at ‘ drug interdiction ’ and providing ‘ greater security ’ for Guyana .
While the scope , nature and duration of the joint maritime patrols have not been specified , it is expected that they will work alongside US naval warships deployed to the Caribbean in April , supposedly to conduct ‘ anti-narcotics ’ operations .
The disputed territorial waters of the Essequibo strip , between Guyana and Venezuela , are being explored by US multinational Exxon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estimated 15 billion barrels of oil thought to be located there .
The exploration licence was granted by the government of Guyana despite Venezuela ’ s vehement objections .
Caracas has repeatedly pointed out that Georgetown ’ s awarding of oil exploration contracts violates a 1966 bilateral agreement on the status of the disputed area .
Pompeo also visited Surinam , Brazil and Colombia between Thursday and Saturday as part of efforts to increase pressure against Venezuela .
In each country , the former CIA director made unfounded accusations against Venezuelan President Nicolas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ narcotics trafficker ’ .
Upon returning to the United States , Pompeo announced that Washington would sanction Maduro , who he described as Venezuela ’ s “ former president.
” Venezuela has dismissed the US Justice Department ‘ narco-terrorism ’ charges , while others have pointed out US law enforcement agency data showing most drugs arrive in the US from Colombia through Pacific and Central America routes .
Perhaps the most ominous event took place in the Latin American giant Brazil , which has South America ’ s largest and most powerful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlike Colombia , which has been hostile to Colombia since shortly after Hugo Chavez was first elected president in 1998 , but whose armed forces are equipped almost exclusively to combat and control its own people and do not have the capacity to launch a major attack outside Colombiasn territory ) .
During a visit to the Brazilian border city of Boa Vista , Pompeo repeated the accusations and threats , promising the “ fall of the Maduro regime , ” while his counterpart Brazilian Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo declared that the Venezuela @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brazil Pompeo pledged another US $ 348 million in aid , supposedly to help the region deal with the Venezuelan migrant population , including $ 30 million for Brasilia .
Relations between Brazil and Venezuela have continued to worsen in recent weeks , with Brazil ’ s controversial extreme right-wing president , Jair Bolsonaro declaring Venezuela ’ s diplomatic corps two weeks ago and subsequently suspending their visas and travel permits .
Pompeo ’ s last stop was Colombia , where he praised Colombian President Ivan Duque for his support for Venezuela ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well for what Pompeo described as “ the democratic transition for a sovereign Venezuela free of the malign influence of Cuba , Russia and Iran.
” In return , Duque promised to back a “ new chapter in [ US-Colombia ] bilateral relations.
” Pompeo ’ s visit to Bogota coincided with joint ‘ anti-narcotics ’ military exercises conducted in the north of Colombia .
The ‘ Poseidon ’ exercises were held between Friday and Monday in the northern province of Sucre , a short distance from the United States ’ Naval Base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 800 military personnel ( and at least as many ‘ contractors ’ ) stationed in Colombia , approximately 50 US Security Force Assistance Brigade ( SFAB ) troops arrived in Colombia in August .
LINK MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Preparations for the Final Phase of Regime Change in Venezuela

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On Monday the Trump administration on Monday announced a series of new sanctions that target Iran’s arms industry as a part of the ‘maximum pressure’ campaign against the Islamic Republic. The new measures also target the Venezuelan government. From Thursday to Saturday of last week, the US Secretary of State visited almost all of Venezuela’s neighbours (Brazil, Colombia and Guyana) to drum up support for Washington’s efforts to overthrow the Venezuelan government.
At a carefully staged media event on Monday attended by three State ministers as well as other senior Trump administration officials, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced a new presidential directive that imposes additional sanctions against Iran and Venezuela.
Pompeo was joined at the event by UN Ambassador Kelly Craft, National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Defense Secretary Mark Esper, where after praising the Trump administration’s accomplishments in the Middle East and the normalization deal between Israel and the UAE he proclaimed:
“Today, I will take the first action under this new executive order by sanctioning the Iranian Ministry of Defense and armed forces logistics and Iran’s defense industries organization and its director,” Pompeo said. “For nearly two years, the corrupt officials in Tehran have worked with the illegitimate regime in Venezuela to flout the UN arms embargo,” he said. “Our actions today are a warning that should be heard worldwide, no matter who you are. If you violate the UN arms embargo on Iran, you risk sanctions.”
Additionally, Pompeo said the US would sanction two individuals who are central to Iran’s uranium-enrichment operations.
The US is also seeking support for its unilateral ‘snapback’ sanctions against Iran, while the rest of the UN Security Council (except the Dominican Republic) plans to lift its existing arms embargo against Iran on October 18.
Monday’s sanctions are part of an attempt to pressure Security Council members to reimpose sanctions. The notes accompanying the presidential decree allege that:
“Transfers to and from Iran of arms or related material or military equipment represent a continuing threat to regional and international security – as evidenced by Iran’s continued military support that fuels ongoing conflict in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen.” “Iran benefits from engaging in the conventional arms trade by strengthening its relationships with other outlier regimes, lessening its international isolation, and deriving revenue that it uses to support terror groups and fund malign activities.”
The executive order authorizes the seizure of property and assets connected either directly or indirectly to the Iranian arms industry.
The US Department of the Treasury is designating entities that support Iran’s nuclear and ballistic-missile programs and senior officials overseeing Iran’s nuclear power and ballistic-missile development. Some are affiliated with the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, which has operational and regulatory control over Iran’s nuclear program.
Asked about European countries’ objections to the US snapback, Pompeo claimed that: “The country that’s isolated today is not the United States, but rather Iran.” Despite their unequivocal statements that the US measures have no legal basis or effect, the Trump administration and Israel are doing everything possible to get them to change their positions. “By these actions, we have made it very clear that every member state in the United Nations has a responsibility to enforce these sanctions,” he said. “That certainly includes the United Kingdom, France and Germany. We will have every expectation that those nations enforce these sanctions.” LINK
Venezuela’s economy is going through one of the most difficult periods in modern times under the weight of existing sanctions and the economic blockade. The country’s crude output is at historically low levels.
Venezuela Analysis reports that according to figures from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), average oil production in August was 340,000 barrels per day (bpd) after averaging 339,000 bpd in July. The numbers reported directly by state oil company PDVSA were slightly higher at 396,000 bpd, up 4,000 bpd compared to July.
Following the imposition of US financial sanctions against PDVSA in August 2017, Venezuela’s crude output declined steeply from 1.911 million bpd in 2017 to 1.354 million bpd in 2018.
The Trump administration imposed additional sanctions on the oil industry last year, including an embargo and a blanket ban on all dealings with Venezuelan state entities. After falling for much of the year, production stabilized in the last quarter to bring the 2019 average to 796,000 bpd.
Secondary sanctions, alongside low oil prices and contracted global demand due to the coronavirus pandemic forced PDVSA to halt several projects and joint ventures. The Trump administration then targeted shipping companies and vessels, forcing several companies to cease dealings with PDVSA and confiscating several oil shipments in an effort to block all oil exports from Venezuela.
However, Venezuela’s oil industry has received more support from Iran following the arrival of an Iranian very large crude carrier (VLCC), which allegedly had its Automatic Identification System tracker switched off en route before docking at the Jose Antonio Anzoategui oil terminal in east Venezuela on 13 September.
The Iranian ship reportedly unloaded 500,000 barrels of condensate at the Petropiar facility, which is jointly run with US oil company Chevron. The condensate is used to dilute Venezuela’s extra heavy crude into oil grades favoured by Asian customers.
Iran sent five fuel shipments to Venezuela in May and another three vessels are reported to be currently on course to Venezuela. Tehran has also assisted the efforts to increase production at Venezuela’s refineries, including the Paraguana Refining Complex in Falcon State.
In a related development, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrapped up a three-day tour of Venezuela’s neighbours over the weekend. During the trip the US and Guyanese governments announced that they will conduct joint military patrols on the disputed Venezuela-Guyana maritime border.
Pompeo asserted that the joint maritime patrols will be aimed at ‘drug interdiction’ and providing ‘greater security’ for Guyana. While the scope, nature and duration of the joint maritime patrols have not been specified, it is expected that they will work alongside US naval warships deployed to the Caribbean in April, supposedly to conduct ‘anti-narcotics’ operations.
The disputed territorial waters of the Essequibo strip, between Guyana and Venezuela, are being explored by US multinational Exxon Mobil which is hoping to exploit the estimated 15 billion barrels of oil thought to be located there. The exploration licence was granted by the government of Guyana despite Venezuela’s vehement objections. Caracas has repeatedly pointed out that Georgetown’s awarding of oil exploration contracts violates a 1966 bilateral agreement on the status of the disputed area.
Pompeo also visited Surinam, Brazil and Colombia between Thursday and Saturday as part of efforts to increase pressure against Venezuela.
In each country, the former CIA director made unfounded accusations against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, repeatedly describing him as a ‘narcotics trafficker’. Upon returning to the United States, Pompeo announced that Washington would sanction Maduro, who he described as Venezuela’s “former president.”
“Maduro has to go,” Pompeo declared from Guyana. “We know that the Maduro regime has decimated the people of Venezuela and that Maduro himself is an indicted narcotics trafficker. That means he has to leave.”
Venezuela has dismissed the US Justice Department ‘narco-terrorism’ charges, while others have pointed out US law enforcement agency data showing most drugs arrive in the US from Colombia through Pacific and Central America routes.
Perhaps the most ominous event took place in the Latin American giant Brazil, which has South America’s largest and most powerful armed forces including potent offensive capabilities (unlike Colombia, which has been hostile to Colombia since shortly after Hugo Chavez was first elected president in 1998, but whose armed forces are equipped almost exclusively to combat and control its own people and do not have the capacity to launch a major attack outside Colombiasn territory).
During a visit to the Brazilian border city of Boa Vista, Pompeo repeated the accusations and threats, promising the “fall of the Maduro regime,” while his counterpart Brazilian Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo declared that the Venezuela government will “disappear.”
While in Brazil Pompeo pledged another US $348 million in aid, supposedly to help the region deal with the Venezuelan migrant population, including $30 million for Brasilia.
Relations between Brazil and Venezuela have continued to worsen in recent weeks, with Brazil’s controversial extreme right-wing president, Jair Bolsonaro declaring Venezuela’s diplomatic corps persona non grata two weeks ago and subsequently suspending their visas and travel permits.
Pompeo’s last stop was Colombia, where he praised Colombian President Ivan Duque for his support for Venezuela’s opposition figure Juan Guaido, as well for what Pompeo described as “the democratic transition for a sovereign Venezuela free of the malign influence of Cuba, Russia and Iran.” In return, Duque promised to back a “new chapter in [US-Colombia] bilateral relations.”
Pompeo’s visit to Bogota coincided with joint ‘anti-narcotics’ military exercises conducted in the north of Colombia. The ‘Poseidon’ exercises were held between Friday and Monday in the northern province of Sucre, a short distance from the United States’ Naval Base in Cartagena City. Apart from around 800 military personnel (and at least as many ‘contractors’) stationed in Colombia, approximately 50 US Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB) troops arrived in Colombia in August. LINK
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southfront--2020-09-22--SouthFront Will Not Survive Without Your Immediate Support

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southfront--2020-09-22--U.S Space Force Deployed Off American Soil For The First Time Ever To … Qatar

On September 20th , the US Space Force conducted its very first deployment outside US soil – and it ’ s not on the desert planet of Tatooine ( from Star Wars ) , but rather to Qatar , in the Persian Gulf .
The squadron of 20 servicemen arrived at the Al-Udeid Airbase , located in a desert southwest the Qatari capital Doha , in late August , according to their commander , Colonel Todd Benson .
All of them were former air force personnel turned space force personnel .
Just days earlier on September 14th , there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ batch of Space Force personnel entered the ranks .
Just two weeks earlier , Air Force personnel joined the ranks of the Space Force .
The Qatar-based unit will be tasked with running satellites , monitoring enemy forces and preventing conflicts in space , Benson pointed out , adding that more airmen will be later joining the “ core space operators.
” The deployment is likely linked to Washington ’ s escalating squabble with Iran .
Hopefully , Tehran isn ’ t building a Death Star .
Iran successfully launched a small military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Revolutionary Guard Corps praised it as its first ever successful space launch .
It was much too small to feature any large-scale laser weapons , however , so the planet is also likely safe .
The Space Force was officially established by an act of Congress in December 2019 , following a Trump initiative aiming to ensure US freedom of operation in space and deterring possible aggression .
It is the least-funded branch of military , with only $ 15.4 billion in 2021 .
The creation of the space for was criticized by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outer space shouldn ’ t become a military theater and ought to be used solely for peaceful purposes .
But the Space Force was created specifically because , according to the United Stated , Russia and China were militarizing space , and that space needed some policing and “ rules-based order.
” MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Russia And China Weaponized Space With Killer Satellites , Energy Weapons : US Secretary Of Defense • Trump ’ s Space Force Conducts First Official Deployment… And It Is Not To The Moon

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On September 20th, the US Space Force conducted its very first deployment outside US soil – and it’s not on the desert planet of Tatooine (from Star Wars), but rather to Qatar, in the Persian Gulf.
The squadron of 20 servicemen arrived at the Al-Udeid Airbase, located in a desert southwest the Qatari capital Doha, in late August, according to their commander, Colonel Todd Benson.
All of them were former air force personnel turned space force personnel.
#ICYMI, deployed Airmen transitioned to the USSF ranks on September 1, 2020, at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. pic.twitter.com/riMxKdGKx6 — United States Space Force (@SpaceForceDoD) September 20, 2020
Just days earlier on September 14th, there was a transition ceremony in which a new batch of Space Force personnel entered the ranks.
During a September 14 transition ceremony in Colorado, the USSF gained several more Space Professionals. @PeteAFB pic.twitter.com/fYz7qFTiuZ — United States Space Force (@SpaceForceDoD) September 21, 2020
Just two weeks earlier, Air Force personnel joined the ranks of the Space Force.
Welcome to the team. https://t.co/5VVSS2Y1mv — United States Space Force (@SpaceForceDoD) September 19, 2020
The Qatar-based unit will be tasked with running satellites, monitoring enemy forces and preventing conflicts in space, Benson pointed out, adding that more airmen will be later joining the “core space operators.”
The deployment is likely linked to Washington’s escalating squabble with Iran. Hopefully, Tehran isn’t building a Death Star.
Iran successfully launched a small military satellite earlier in 2020. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps praised it as its first ever successful space launch. It was much too small to feature any large-scale laser weapons, however, so the planet is also likely safe.
“We’re starting to see other nations that are extremely aggressive in preparing to extend conflict into space,” Benson told AP, without naming any specific countries. “We have to be able to compete and defend and protect all of our national interests.”
The Space Force was officially established by an act of Congress in December 2019, following a Trump initiative aiming to ensure US freedom of operation in space and deterring possible aggression.
It is the least-funded branch of military, with only $15.4 billion in 2021.
The creation of the space for was criticized by Russia and China, who insisted that outer space shouldn’t become a military theater and ought to be used solely for peaceful purposes.
But the Space Force was created specifically because, according to the United Stated, Russia and China were militarizing space, and that space needed some policing and “rules-based order.”
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southfront--2020-09-22--Kiev’s Fierce Battle Against Peace Initiatives

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church ( Moscow Patriarchate ) set out to hold a peacekeeping forum , calling to de-escalate the situation in Eastern Ukraine .
The response from Ukrainian authorities ?
The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine reacted with threats .
On August 17th , 2020 , the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church decided to hold a peacemaking forum “ People of the World ” .
The forum began on September 21st and is being held at the Svyatogorsk Lavra .
The goal of the forum is to develop an action program to end the conflict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The organizing committee of the event included well-known Ukrainian public figures , representatives of culture , medicine and education , who support the Church ’ s initiatives to end the war in Donbass .
However , on the eve of the forum , Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov warned the organizers of peace forums about criminal liability : According to the official , attempts to do at least something for the earliest possible achievement of peace in the east of Ukraine is “ an effective instrument of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain that the purpose of religious processions and peaceful forums is “ to promote the ideas of the so-called “ Russian world ” , to justify Russian aggression against Ukraine , to promote anti-Ukrainian theses of Russian propaganda.
” “ Is it possible that death , injury , destruction and grief of ordinary people , our brothers and sisters , do not soften the hearts of modern “ scribes ” and “ Pharisees ” ?
What other cup of suffering must we all drink , so that real talk about the world , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can finally be heard from all sides ?
How much longer can you drown out the aspirations of the majority of ordinary people , who are the real and only source of power in our country , with volleys of real and information cannons ?
” Interestingly , just a few days before Danilov ’ s scandalous statement , the National Security and Defense Council published a document entitled “ The Strategy of National Security and Defense of Ukraine ” .
It says that “ Ukraine is striving for peace .
Peace is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The establishment of peace , the restoration of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine < … > is the highest priority of the state .
” According to the speaker of the UOC , Archpriest Nikolai Danilevich , Danilov ’ s statements contradict this document and can be qualified as anti-state activity .
Ruslan Bortnyk , director of the Ukrainian Institute for Policy Analysis and Management , generally believes that after such words , the head of the NSDC in a state governed by the rule of law was obliged to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regarding the Church ’ s peacemaking initiatives are absurd and groundless .
Organizations such as the National Corps , Right Sector , Municipal Varta , as well as the European Solidarity and Svoboda parties consider the ratification of the Minsk agreements a “ betrayal ” and the end of the war a “ triumph of revanchist forces.
” At the same time , representatives of these parties and organizations call themselves patriots of Ukraine and claim that they defend the territorial integrity of the state and its independence , and also fight for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the European Solidarity Party , Former President Petro Poroshenko , at the very beginning of his presidency , promised that the conflict in the East of Ukraine can only be resolved peacefully .
But after a while , his position changed so radically that he called the peace agreements with the Russian Federation to end the war in Eastern Ukraine meaningless .
On July 27th , 2020 , representatives of the National Corps , European Solidarity and organizations sympathetic to the former president of Ukraine organized protests against the ceasefire reached in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Poroshenko ’ s party , the ceasefire is directly called high treason : In turn , the leader of the “ National Corps ” Andriy Biletsky goes further than Poroshenko and offers his solution to the “ problem of Donbass ” – to starve the citizens of Ukraine living there .
According to him , “ we can arrange not a clown , but a real adequate blockade .
Cut off the flow of electricity , water , everything that Ukraine supplies to this territory .
We must build a wall and force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will quickly end the suffering of people.
” Such a peculiar understanding of humanism by Biletsky is not surprising , because in the structure of the Ukrainian government there are people who support him .
Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister for “ Reintegration of the Occupied Territories of Ukraine ” Oleksiy Reznikov agreed with the need to turn off the water in Eastern Ukraine .
But , according to him , it is a matter of time , because at the moment the shutdown of water in Eastern Ukraine will leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He assured that the Ukrainian government is working on this issue , in particular , it plans to build a water pipeline bypassing Donetsk and Luhansk .
Regarding peace in Donbass , representatives of the “ patriotic ” Ukrainian churches – the UGCC , the OCU and the UOC-KP take a position similar to the radicals and Poroshenko .
As , peace is the final goal in Eastern Ukraine , but peace is not an option .
And one could presume that these are all not-that-official claims , but where is Ukrainian President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these intiatives , is probably a question that should be raised .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • National Security And Defense Council Of Ukraine Vows To Fight Organizations Seeking To De-Escalate Conflict In Donbass

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The Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) set out to hold a peacekeeping forum, calling to de-escalate the situation in Eastern Ukraine.
The response from Ukrainian authorities? The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine reacted with threats.
On August 17th, 2020, the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church decided to hold a peacemaking forum “People of the World”.
The forum began on September 21st and is being held at the Svyatogorsk Lavra.
The goal of the forum is to develop an action program to end the conflict and restore peaceful life in eastern Ukraine.
The organizing committee of the event included well-known Ukrainian public figures, representatives of culture, medicine and education, who support the Church’s initiatives to end the war in Donbass.
However, on the eve of the forum, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov warned the organizers of peace forums about criminal liability:
“The organizers of various “peace forums” should be reminded about the criminal liability for anti-state activities and note that the NSDC Office of Ukraine is closely monitoring the situation in the state on the eve of the elections and the law enforcement agencies of Ukraine will react to any attempts to undermine the internal political situation.”
According to the official, attempts to do at least something for the earliest possible achievement of peace in the east of Ukraine is “an effective instrument of the Russian hybrid war.”
He appears certain that the purpose of religious processions and peaceful forums is “to promote the ideas of the so-called “Russian world”, to justify Russian aggression against Ukraine, to promote anti-Ukrainian theses of Russian propaganda.”
Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich) asks a representative of the authorities:
“Is it possible that death, injury, destruction and grief of ordinary people, our brothers and sisters, do not soften the hearts of modern “scribes” and “Pharisees”? What other cup of suffering must we all drink, so that real talk about the world, and not formulations justifying its rejection, can finally be heard from all sides? How much longer can you drown out the aspirations of the majority of ordinary people, who are the real and only source of power in our country, with volleys of real and information cannons?”
Interestingly, just a few days before Danilov’s scandalous statement, the National Security and Defense Council published a document entitled “The Strategy of National Security and Defense of Ukraine”.
It says that “Ukraine is striving for peace. Peace is the key to the development of Ukraine. The establishment of peace, the restoration of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine <…> is the highest priority of the state. ”
According to the speaker of the UOC, Archpriest Nikolai Danilevich, Danilov’s statements contradict this document and can be qualified as anti-state activity.
Ruslan Bortnyk, director of the Ukrainian Institute for Policy Analysis and Management, generally believes that after such words, the head of the NSDC in a state governed by the rule of law was obliged to resign, and his threats and accusations regarding the Church’s peacemaking initiatives are absurd and groundless.
Organizations such as the National Corps, Right Sector, Municipal Varta, as well as the European Solidarity and Svoboda parties consider the ratification of the Minsk agreements a “betrayal” and the end of the war a “triumph of revanchist forces.” At the same time, representatives of these parties and organizations call themselves patriots of Ukraine and claim that they defend the territorial integrity of the state and its independence, and also fight for peace.
For example, the leader of the European Solidarity Party, Former President Petro Poroshenko, at the very beginning of his presidency, promised that the conflict in the East of Ukraine can only be resolved peacefully. But after a while, his position changed so radically that he called the peace agreements with the Russian Federation to end the war in Eastern Ukraine meaningless.
On July 27th, 2020, representatives of the National Corps, European Solidarity and organizations sympathetic to the former president of Ukraine organized protests against the ceasefire reached in Eastern Ukraine.
In a statement by Poroshenko’s party, the ceasefire is directly called high treason:
“A man named Zelensky has forbidden the Ukrainian army to defend Ukraine. It seems that there is high treason here … The Ukrainian army is attacked from the rear. It was attacked by a man named Zelensky.”
In turn, the leader of the “National Corps” Andriy Biletsky goes further than Poroshenko and offers his solution to the “problem of Donbass” – to starve the citizens of Ukraine living there.
According to him, “we can arrange not a clown, but a real adequate blockade. Cut off the flow of electricity, water, everything that Ukraine supplies to this territory. We must build a wall and force them to surrender. This way we will quickly end the suffering of people.”
Such a peculiar understanding of humanism by Biletsky is not surprising, because in the structure of the Ukrainian government there are people who support him.
Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister for “Reintegration of the Occupied Territories of Ukraine” Oleksiy Reznikov agreed with the need to turn off the water in Eastern Ukraine.
But, according to him, it is a matter of time, because at the moment the shutdown of water in Eastern Ukraine will leave the residents of Mariupol without water.
He assured that the Ukrainian government is working on this issue, in particular, it plans to build a water pipeline bypassing Donetsk and Luhansk.
Regarding peace in Donbass, representatives of the “patriotic” Ukrainian churches – the UGCC, the OCU and the UOC-KP take a position similar to the radicals and Poroshenko.
As, peace is the final goal in Eastern Ukraine, but peace is not an option.
And one could presume that these are all not-that-official claims, but where is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his government in supporting these intiatives, is probably a question that should be raised.
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southfront--2020-09-22--China Carries Out Minesweeping Exercise Near Taiwan, Following Days Of Maritime And Aerial Drills

On September 21st , the People Liberation Army Navy ( PLAN ) began mock minesweeping activities “ amid Taiwan ’ s attempt to deploy sea mines in the Taiwan Straits.
” Multiple minesweeper flotillas attached to the Chinese People ’ s Liberation Army ( PLA ) Southern Theater Command and Eastern Theater Command recently held live-fire exercises .
This was to “ hone their capability to effectively and rapidly clear sea lanes from mines , and open passages for other warships and landing forces , amid Taiwan secessionists ’ attempt to surround the Taiwan Straits with mines.
” The Global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the exercise actually took place in the Taiwan straits .
Furthermore , Chinese military experts have said that Taiwan deploying any US-made missiles and mines would be quite easy to counter .
The anti-sea mine flotilla consisted of he Liuyang , the Kaiping , and the Changshu affiliated with the PLA Southern Theater Command .
The ships covered the calm sea , under which smart sea mines were hidden , as they would explode once they detect any sound or magnetic field change caused by ships passing by , the report said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to detect , identify and dismantle the mines , the report said .
The drills came just days after Taiwan hosted yet another top American diplomatic delegation , which Beijing has repeatedly warned against , noting a violation in the longstanding ‘ One China ’ policy .
Multiple US advanced weapons sales are also currently in the works , which China also considers as a direct threat .
Alongside the mine-sweeping drills , on September 18th and 19th , the Chinese People ’ s Liberation Army ( PLA ) reportedly conducted nearly 40 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – air superiority fighters , multirole fighters , bombers and an anti-submarine warfare aircraft , which Chinese mainland analysts said are capable of seizing air superiority and command of the sea over the island of Taiwan and in the Straits .
Two H-6 bombers , eight J-16 fighters , four J-10 fighters and four J-11 fighters on Friday , and 12 J-16 fighters , two J-10 fighters , two J-11 fighters , two H-6 bombers and one Y-8 anti-submarine warfare aircraft on Saturday crossed the “ middle line ” of the Taiwan Straits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taiwan ’ s defense authority .
In total , only these warplanes and warships are enough to overpower Taiwan , since it ’ s entire fleet consists of nearly 30 surface combatants , most of them quite dated .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • US Pushes Unprecedented 7 Major Weapons Systems Sales To Taiwan At Once

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On September 21st, the People Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) began mock minesweeping activities “amid Taiwan’s attempt to deploy sea mines in the Taiwan Straits.”
#PLA flotillas recently held multiple mine-sweeping exercises amid Taiwan's attempt to deploy sea mines in the Taiwan Straits. https://t.co/TJVLFfhgxG pic.twitter.com/vur6n6g6gH — Global Times (@globaltimesnews) September 21, 2020
Multiple minesweeper flotillas attached to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command and Eastern Theater Command recently held live-fire exercises.
This was to “hone their capability to effectively and rapidly clear sea lanes from mines, and open passages for other warships and landing forces, amid Taiwan secessionists’ attempt to surround the Taiwan Straits with mines.”
The Global Times said that it was unclear if the exercise actually took place in the Taiwan straits.
“The moves showed that the PLA has sufficient capability to thwart any attempt of deploying sea mines to obstruct the PLA’s operations, and Taiwan’s tactics of laying mines in the Taiwan Straits to buy time for US reinforcements will not succeed,” Chinese mainland experts said.
Furthermore, Chinese military experts have said that Taiwan deploying any US-made missiles and mines would be quite easy to counter.
The anti-sea mine flotilla consisted of he Liuyang, the Kaiping, and the Changshu affiliated with the PLA Southern Theater Command.
The ships covered the calm sea, under which smart sea mines were hidden, as they would explode once they detect any sound or magnetic field change caused by ships passing by, the report said.
Sonar systems and minesweeping robots were deployed to detect, identify and dismantle the mines, the report said.
“In this exercise, we comprehensively tested the anti-sea mine ships’ ability to react quickly, deal with complicated situations, and carry out anti-sea mine tasks by setting realistic combat scenarios, battlefield environment and difficult training subjects,” He Jing, captain of the Liuyang China Central Television (CCTV).
RT @CGTNOfficial: Chinese navy conducts underwater anti-mine warfare drill pic.twitter.com/TkFmC4iUfb — China Observer (@ChinaObserver2) September 20, 2020
The drills came just days after Taiwan hosted yet another top American diplomatic delegation, which Beijing has repeatedly warned against, noting a violation in the longstanding ‘One China’ policy.
Multiple US advanced weapons sales are also currently in the works, which China also considers as a direct threat.
Alongside the mine-sweeping drills, on September 18th and 19th, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) reportedly conducted nearly 40 sorties featuring four major types of warplanes – air superiority fighters, multirole fighters, bombers and an anti-submarine warfare aircraft, which Chinese mainland analysts said are capable of seizing air superiority and command of the sea over the island of Taiwan and in the Straits.
Two H-6 bombers, eight J-16 fighters, four J-10 fighters and four J-11 fighters on Friday, and 12 J-16 fighters, two J-10 fighters, two J-11 fighters, two H-6 bombers and one Y-8 anti-submarine warfare aircraft on Saturday crossed the “middle line” of the Taiwan Straits, according to two press releases by Taiwan’s defense authority.
In total, only these warplanes and warships are enough to overpower Taiwan, since it’s entire fleet consists of nearly 30 surface combatants, most of them quite dated.
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southfront--2020-09-22--Turkey Eliminates Dozens Of PKK Members In Both Syria And Iraq

On September 20th , the Turkish Air Force struck PKK ( Kurdistan Workers ’ Party ) in the Sinjar area , Ninawa Province , Iraq .
The Security Media Cell announced that a vehicle in which PKK members were traveling was bombed by a Turkish drone .
A statement by the cell stated that the bombing targeted an “ Opel Omica ” car , containing three members of the PKK , near the Sharaf al-Din shrine in the Sinjar district .
No other details were revealed .
Meanwhile , reports are such that the locals in the Kurdistan region of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave the area , so that people can return to peaceful life .
“ Officials in the Kurdistan Region and the Yazidis are demanding that the PKK leave the Sinjar region to make room for the citizens of the region to return to their homes , and the Kurdish leaders say that the presence of the Kurdistan Workers ’ Party ( PKK ) destabilizes the Yazidi-majority town and impedes the rebuilding and establishing the foundations of stability.
” Separately , Turkish warplanes also struck targets in the Iraqi city of Duhok , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Turkish Ministry of National Defense reported that in northeastern Syria , three PKK members attempted to infiltrate the Euphrates Shield anti-terror operation zone and were eliminated .
“ Three PKK/YPG terrorists who opened fire and attempted to infiltrate into the Operation Euphrates Shield region to disrupt peace and security were neutralized by our heroic commandos , ” the ministry said on Twitter .
“ We will not allow peace and security in the region to be spoiled , ” it added .
In the other operation by the Turkish Armed Forces , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eliminated in an undisclosed area of northeastern Syria .
On the previous day , September 19th , 8 more PKK members were eliminated , and they were also allegedly attempting to infiltrate the Peace Spring operation zone in Syria .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Turkey Will Reduce Number Of Troops Deployed In Idlib : Russian Media

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On September 20th, the Turkish Air Force struck PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) in the Sinjar area, Ninawa Province, Iraq.
Iraqi Security Media Cell: Turkish aircraft strikes PKK vehicle in Sinjar area of Ninawa Province https://t.co/EsMJFl8lES — David M. Witty (@DavidMWitty1) September 20, 2020
The Security Media Cell announced that a vehicle in which PKK members were traveling was bombed by a Turkish drone.
A statement by the cell stated that the bombing targeted an “Opel Omica” car, containing three members of the PKK, near the Sharaf al-Din shrine in the Sinjar district.
No other details were revealed.
Meanwhile, reports are such that the locals in the Kurdistan region of Iraq are demanding for the PKK to leave the area, so that people can return to peaceful life.
“Officials in the Kurdistan Region and the Yazidis are demanding that the PKK leave the Sinjar region to make room for the citizens of the region to return to their homes, and the Kurdish leaders say that the presence of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) destabilizes the Yazidi-majority town and impedes the rebuilding and establishing the foundations of stability.”
Separately, Turkish warplanes also struck targets in the Iraqi city of Duhok, according to other reports.
Turkish F-16 fighter Jets short time ago once again violated Iraq’s sovereignty and attacked Kurdish targets in the Iraqi city of Duhok. — Amir Tsarfati (@BeholdIsrael) September 21, 2020
In addition, the Turkish Ministry of National Defense reported that in northeastern Syria, three PKK members attempted to infiltrate the Euphrates Shield anti-terror operation zone and were eliminated.
“Three PKK/YPG terrorists who opened fire and attempted to infiltrate into the Operation Euphrates Shield region to disrupt peace and security were neutralized by our heroic commandos,” the ministry said on Twitter. “We will not allow peace and security in the region to be spoiled,” it added.
In the other operation by the Turkish Armed Forces, Peace Spring, 4 PKK members were eliminated in an undisclosed area of northeastern Syria.
Kahraman Komandolarımız, Barış Pınarı bölgesindeki Suriyeli kardeşlerimizin huzur ve güvenliği için her türlü tedbiri almaya devam ediyor.
Komandolarımız, terör örgütü PKK/YPG’nin bir saldırı girişimini daha önleyerek 4 PKK/YPG’li teröristi etkisiz hale getirdi.#MSB #TSK pic.twitter.com/ATvaBNsTC5 — T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) September 22, 2020
On the previous day, September 19th, 8 more PKK members were eliminated, and they were also allegedly attempting to infiltrate the Peace Spring operation zone in Syria.
Son 24 saatte Barış Pınarı bölgesinde sızma girişiminde bulunan 8 PKK/YPG’li terörist, Kahraman Komandolarımız tarafından etkisiz hale getirildi. Bölgede huzur ve güven ortamının bozulmasına izin vermeyeceğiz!#MSB #TSK pic.twitter.com/hSMUpIy8lh — T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) September 19, 2020
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