southfront--2020-08-08--Military Situation In Syria On August 8, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria : • Turkish-backed militants ’ @ @ @ @ @ positions in the town of Maarrat al-Numan ; • Two Syrian Democratic Forces ( SDF @ @ @ @ @ the Suhail area as a result of clashes with local forces ; • Clashes between @ @ @ @ @ reported in the Khisham area ; • Joint Russian and Turkish military patrol was held @ @ @ @ @ MORE ON THE TOPIC :

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria:
Turkish-backed militants’ artillery shelled Syrian Arab Army positions in the town of Maarrat al-Numan;
Two Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) members were killed in the Suhail area as a result of clashes with local forces;
Clashes between pro-government forces and SDF were reported in the Khisham area;
Joint Russian and Turkish military patrol was held in the Darbasiyah area.
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southfront--2020-08-08--‘Air Wars’ Releases Analysis Of Reported Air Strikes Causing Civilian Casualties During June

Air Wars has released its analysis of airstrikes and civilian casualties for the month of June 2020 .
According to the analysis , there was a slight resurgence in foreign action in Syria , with several Russian strikes being reported in Idlib and the ‘ US-led Coalition ’ launching numerous operations against ‘ Iranian-backed groups ’ in Syria .
Turkey launched a major joint air and ground operation against Kurdish militants in northern Iraq , resulting in several civilian casualty incidents .
While the conflict in Libya continued on the ground , the number of airstrikes decreased significantly as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with Turkish support , continued to consolidate its gains from the previous month against the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) and its foreign allies .
As the chart below shows , the number of civilian harm incidents decreased during June across all major conflicts tracked by Airwars apart from Iraq ( due to Turkey ’ s Operation Tiger Claw against the PKK . )
The number of reported civilian casualty incidents in Libya decreased by almost 75 % .
June marked the first month in Libya where the GNA and Turkey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LNA and its allies .
While the number of tracked air and artillery strikes dropped significantly from 274 to 94 , locally reported civilian deaths only decreased from 64-81 to 44-54 .
The GNA and Turkey allegedly conducted 25 air and artillery strikes leading to between 24 and 32 civilian deaths .
In the worst event of the month , between 12 and 20 civilians were killed by a GNA or Turkish drone strike on Qasr Bin Gashir on June 3rd .
Civilian harm reported from LNA and Emirati strikes significantly decreased compared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Libya ’ s capital officially ended on 4th June after more than 400 days .
Between 16 and 17 civilian deaths were alleged from 59 LNA and Emirati actions in June .
The most severe incident took place in Gheryan on June 2nd , when five civilian males were reportedly killed by a drone strike .
Another six strikes by unknown belligerents allegedly led to a further four to five civilian deaths .
The vast majority of these strikes in Libya were conducted at the beginning of June , with only seven reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Numerous incidents were reported from Syria , although overall the number of reported civilian casualties was reduced from the previous month .
After three months of relative calm in north western Syria , Russian airstrikes were reported for the first time on June 3rd and then again on June 8th-9th , with some reportedly leading to civilian harm .
In total , four civilian harm incidents allegedly involving Russia were reported during the month , resulting in eight civilian deaths and the injury of 16 others .
The month of June saw only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have involved the US-led Coalition in Syria .
This was a decrease from the four incidents reported for the previous month , which remains the highest monthly tally of the year to date .
On June 24th , on the road between Idlib city and the town of Binnish , a Coalition drone reportedly targeted a ‘ Santa Fe ’ car , allegedly killing Abu Adnan Al-Homsi , a senior figure in Huras al-Din , an affiliate of al-Qaeda .
According to SMART , the drone strike also killed a civilian riding a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iraq , there was one civilian harm incident reported in the Abu Zuwair area near Baiji .
This came after a US MQ-IC Gray Eagle armed drone crashed in the area , which led to shepherds approaching the fallen drone .
However , another drone arrived and struck the same area killing the four shepherds near the crashed drone .
According to other sources , the shepherds had carried parts of the drone in a pickup truck and were then pursued by a second drone and killed as they tried to leave the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Syria and Iraq during June .
The number of civilian harm incidents involving Turkish action decreased considerably in Syria , while Iraq saw Turkey escalating its ongoing anti-PKK campaign , after launching Operation Claw-Tiger .
Airwars tracked one civilian harm incident in Syria involving alleged Turkish action .
On June 23rd , a Turkish drone strike reportedly killed three women in the village of Helince , east of Kobani .
In Iraq , Turkey launched a major joint air and ground operation against the PKK in northern Iraq on June 17th .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the border region of Haftanin in the early hours of Operation Claw-Tiger .
According to the Turkish Ministry of Defence , the campaign targeted 150 suspected PKK positions with jets , helicopters , drones and artillery .
The unprecedented scale and scope of these latest operations posed a significant risk to civilians living near the Turkish border of northern Iraq .
The week following the beginning of operations was particularly harmful to civilians in Dohuk , Erbil and Sulaimaniyah .
As a result , five civilian harm incidents were reported during Juneh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the beginning of Operation Claw-Tiger .
In these events , seven people were reported killed and at least nine others injured .
Turkish attacks in northern Iraq in the first week of the campaign drew widespread condemnation from neighbouring countries such as the UAE , Saudi Arabia and Egypt .
The Iraqi Government also condemned the latest incursion by Turkey into Iraq ’ s territory as a violation of the country ’ s sovereignty .
After more than three months without any civilian harm incidents allegedly resulting from Kurdish counterfire , local Syrian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed after a mortar shell , reportedly from the YPG , exploded near the city of Mare ’ a in Aleppo province on June 28th .
There were no publicly alleged or announced US strikes in Somalia during June , with the last declared AFRICOM action taking place on May 17th .
Airwars tracked one alleged US drone strike in Yemen during the month of June .
According to local reports , the strike took place on Wadi Obeida , just northwest of Marib city on June 24th .
The strike reportedly hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a battle with Saudi-backed Yemeni forces in the Qaniyah front of Baydha province .
According to one source , the airstrike killed an unnamed senior figure within AQAP .
However , this claim has not been corroborated by other reports on the airstrike .
CENTCOM itself said that it did not carry out any strikes in Yemen during the month .
However it remains possible that the June 24th event was conducted by the CIA , which carries out a parallel , covert campaign in Yemen .
LINK MORE ON THE TOPIC : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new northern front on Libyan conflict

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Air Wars has released its analysis of airstrikes and civilian casualties for the month of June 2020. According to the analysis, there was a slight resurgence in foreign action in Syria, with several Russian strikes being reported in Idlib and the ‘US-led Coalition’ launching numerous operations against ‘Iranian-backed groups’ in Syria. Turkey launched a major joint air and ground operation against Kurdish militants in northern Iraq, resulting in several civilian casualty incidents.
While the conflict in Libya continued on the ground, the number of airstrikes decreased significantly as the Government of National Accord (GNA), with Turkish support, continued to consolidate its gains from the previous month against the Libyan National Army (LNA) and its foreign allies.
As the chart below shows, the number of civilian harm incidents decreased during June across all major conflicts tracked by Airwars apart from Iraq (due to Turkey’s Operation Tiger Claw against the PKK.) The number of reported civilian casualty incidents in Libya decreased by almost 75%.
June marked the first month in Libya where the GNA and Turkey allegedly caused more civilian harm than the LNA and its allies. While the number of tracked air and artillery strikes dropped significantly from 274 to 94, locally reported civilian deaths only decreased from 64-81 to 44-54.
The GNA and Turkey allegedly conducted 25 air and artillery strikes leading to between 24 and 32 civilian deaths. In the worst event of the month, between 12 and 20 civilians were killed by a GNA or Turkish drone strike on Qasr Bin Gashir on June 3rd.
Civilian harm reported from LNA and Emirati strikes significantly decreased compared to previous months. The siege of Libya’s capital officially ended on 4th June after more than 400 days. Between 16 and 17 civilian deaths were alleged from 59 LNA and Emirati actions in June. The most severe incident took place in Gheryan on June 2nd, when five civilian males were reportedly killed by a drone strike.
Another six strikes by unknown belligerents allegedly led to a further four to five civilian deaths.
The vast majority of these strikes in Libya were conducted at the beginning of June, with only seven reported towards the end of the month.
Numerous incidents were reported from Syria, although overall the number of reported civilian casualties was reduced from the previous month.
After three months of relative calm in north western Syria, Russian airstrikes were reported for the first time on June 3rd and then again on June 8th-9th, with some reportedly leading to civilian harm. In total, four civilian harm incidents allegedly involving Russia were reported during the month, resulting in eight civilian deaths and the injury of 16 others.
The month of June saw only one civilian harm incident locally reported to have involved the US-led Coalition in Syria. This was a decrease from the four incidents reported for the previous month, which remains the highest monthly tally of the year to date.
On June 24th, on the road between Idlib city and the town of Binnish, a Coalition drone reportedly targeted a ‘Santa Fe’ car, allegedly killing Abu Adnan Al-Homsi, a senior figure in Huras al-Din, an affiliate of al-Qaeda. According to SMART, the drone strike also killed a civilian riding a motorbike near the targeted car.
In Iraq, there was one civilian harm incident reported in the Abu Zuwair area near Baiji. This came after a US MQ-IC Gray Eagle armed drone crashed in the area, which led to shepherds approaching the fallen drone. However, another drone arrived and struck the same area killing the four shepherds near the crashed drone. According to other sources, the shepherds had carried parts of the drone in a pickup truck and were then pursued by a second drone and killed as they tried to leave the area.
Turkish-led actions varied considerably in Syria and Iraq during June. The number of civilian harm incidents involving Turkish action decreased considerably in Syria, while Iraq saw Turkey escalating its ongoing anti-PKK campaign, after launching Operation Claw-Tiger.
Airwars tracked one civilian harm incident in Syria involving alleged Turkish action. On June 23rd, a Turkish drone strike reportedly killed three women in the village of Helince, east of Kobani.
In Iraq, Turkey launched a major joint air and ground operation against the PKK in northern Iraq on June 17th. According to reports, Special Forces were airlifted to the border region of Haftanin in the early hours of Operation Claw-Tiger. According to the Turkish Ministry of Defence, the campaign targeted 150 suspected PKK positions with jets, helicopters, drones and artillery.
The unprecedented scale and scope of these latest operations posed a significant risk to civilians living near the Turkish border of northern Iraq. The week following the beginning of operations was particularly harmful to civilians in Dohuk, Erbil and Sulaimaniyah.
As a result, five civilian harm incidents were reported during Juneh, four of which took place following the beginning of Operation Claw-Tiger. In these events, seven people were reported killed and at least nine others injured.
Turkish attacks in northern Iraq in the first week of the campaign drew widespread condemnation from neighbouring countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The Iraqi Government also condemned the latest incursion by Turkey into Iraq’s territory as a violation of the country’s sovereignty.
After more than three months without any civilian harm incidents allegedly resulting from Kurdish counterfire, local Syrian news outlets said that a child was killed after a mortar shell, reportedly from the YPG, exploded near the city of Mare’a in Aleppo province on June 28th.
There were no publicly alleged or announced US strikes in Somalia during June, with the last declared AFRICOM action taking place on May 17th.
Airwars tracked one alleged US drone strike in Yemen during the month of June. According to local reports, the strike took place on Wadi Obeida, just northwest of Marib city on June 24th. The strike reportedly hit al-Qaeda militants, who had just escaped a battle with Saudi-backed Yemeni forces in the Qaniyah front of Baydha province. According to one source, the airstrike killed an unnamed senior figure within AQAP. However, this claim has not been corroborated by other reports on the airstrike.
CENTCOM itself said that it did not carry out any strikes in Yemen during the month. However it remains possible that the June 24th event was conducted by the CIA, which carries out a parallel, covert campaign in Yemen. LINK
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southfront--2020-08-08--Turkey Uses ‘Brokers’ To Recruit Syrian Refugees To Fight In Libya : Monitoring Group

Turkey was recruiting Syrian refugee to fight in Libya with the help of brokers working in refugee camps , the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights ( SOHR ) reported on August 8 .
According to the London-based monitoring group , the brokers are recruiting older men , youth and militants to fight for the Turkish-backed Government of National Accord ( GNA ) in Libya .
For every new recruit , the brokers receive a one-time payment of $ 100 to $ 300 from Turkey .
Turkey has deployed 17,300 Syrian militants in Libya since last year .
The most recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week .
The SOHR revealed in previous reports that Turkey had sent at least 350 Syrian children to fight for the GNA in Libya .
Out of 481 Syrian militants killed in Libya , at least 34 were minors , under the age of 18 .
Turkey is not only recruiting refugees and children to fight in Libya , but also jihadists .
The SOHR allege that 10,000 jihadists of different nationalities were transferred from Syria to Libya by Turkey in the last few months .
The information revealed by the SOHR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advantage of Syria ’ s crisis and the misery of Syrians to further its interests in Libya , where it is fueling a similar crisis .
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Turkey was recruiting Syrian refugees to fight in Libya with the help of brokers working in refugee camps, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on August 8.
According to the London-based monitoring group, the brokers are recruiting older men, youth and militants to fight for the Turkish-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) in Libya. For every new recruit, the brokers receive a one-time payment of $100 to $300 from Turkey.
“They [Turkey and the brokers] are taking advantage of the catastrophic economic situation in the areas under Turkish influence,” the SOHR’s report reads.
Turkey has deployed 17,300 Syrian militants in Libya since last year. The most recent batch of militants arrived in Libya earlier this week.
The SOHR revealed in previous reports that Turkey had sent at least 350 Syrian children to fight for the GNA in Libya. Out of 481 Syrian militants killed in Libya, at least 34 were minors, under the age of 18.
Turkey is not only recruiting refugees and children to fight in Libya, but also jihadists. The SOHR allege that 10,000 jihadists of different nationalities were transferred from Syria to Libya by Turkey in the last few months.
The information revealed by the SOHR shed light on how Turkey is taking advantage of Syria’s crisis and the misery of Syrians to further its interests in Libya, where it is fueling a similar crisis.
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southfront--2020-08-08--Foiled at Toronto: The Tiger Squad’s Canadian Outing

Silencing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul was a feat of primeval brutality that sent a shudder through even the most hardened officials .
The House of Saud , and in particular certain members of it , had gotten a taste for blood .
Soon after Khashoggi ’ s slicing and dicing in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul at the hands of a specially assembled hit squad , another was sent ostensibly to do away with Saad al-Jabri , a former Saudi Arabian intelligence official .
The plot was foiled .
The curiosity of Canadian border agents about the squad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country at Toronto ’ s Pearson International Airport .
The group denied knowledge of knowing each other .
The discovery of a photo showing them in company suggested otherwise .
Such cases have led Jabri to file a 107-page complaint in the federal court in the District of Columbia , accusing Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of attempted murder in violation of the US Torture Victim Protection Act and international law .
The lawsuit claims that “ a team of Saudi nationals travelled across the Atlantic Ocean from Saudi Arabia … with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The list of accusations against the crown prince include corruption and deploying a team of mercenaries dubbed the Tiger Squad ( Firqat el-Nemr ) , a unit with a record of conducting assassinations .
According to Mustafa Abu Sneineh of the , the “ squad ’ s mission is to covertly assassinate Saudi dissidents , inside the kingdom and on foreign soil , in a way that goes unnoticed by media , the international community and politicians ” .
There was very little in the way of being covert or quiet in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dastardly business in October 2018 in the grounds of the Kingdom ’ s consulate in Istanbul .
Khashoggi ’ s killing was extravagantly cruel , vicious and indulgently brutal .
The manner of doing away with Jabri promised to be similar , with a member of the squad drawn from the same department who had supplied personnel responsible for dismembering Khashoggi .
Two bags of forensic tools kept them company .
The language of the filed lawsuit is ostentatious , even dramatic .
“ Few places hold more sensitive , humiliating and damning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mind and memory of Dr Saad – except perhaps the recordings Dr Saad made in anticipation of his killing.
” For those reasons , “ defendant bin Salman wants him dead ” and had been working “ to achieve that objective over the last three years.
” The extrajudicial killing would have also serve to sever access to “ a uniquely knowledgeable partner vital to US national security , and , in turn , to eliminate any threat posed to Defendant bin Salman by virtue of that partnership [ with the US ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shrugged off as the ravings of an ex-security official hungering for notoriety .
Jabri has good reasons to fear being knocked off .
For a time , he was close to Prince Mohammed bin Nayef , the go-between for the Kingdom with the “ Five Eyes ” ( US , UK , Canada , Australia and New Zealand ) intelligence agencies .
In 2015 , the royal furniture shifted through death and design .
King Abdullah ’ s passing saw the coming to power of his half-brother Salman .
Mohammed bin Salman took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately got busy .
In only two years , Prince Mohammed bin Nayef found himself usurped in his line to the throne in a palace coup engineered by bin Salman , who became crown prince .
Jabri took his cue to leave , fleeing to Canada .
The lawsuit argues the bin Salman threatened Jabri at various times in an effort to compel his return to the Kingdom “ where you will be placed under house arrest ” or become the subject of a global manhunt , beginning with filing “ bogus corruption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrender to the men of the crown prince .
This included a menacing WhatsApp message promising the use of “ all available means ” to silence him .
Bin Salman would personally “ take legal measures , as well as other measures that would be harmful to you.
” The response from the Kingdom to this unveiling is bound to be more cautious this time around .
To Khashoggi ’ s murder , it was amateurishly bumbling : first , abject , implausible denial , followed by the “ accidental killing ” thesis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fist fight – followed by an acceptance , some three weeks later , that his killing was always intended .
Care was taken to distance the crown prince and the royal family from the bloody episode , a stratagem aided by the sentencing of five squad members to death and three others to prison terms in closed proceedings .
Being a member of the Tiger Squad has its drawbacks .
The paw prints of the crown prince were , however , found to be credibly large by Agnes Callamard , UN Special Rapporteur @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As her 2019 report noted , “ The circumstances of Mr Khashoggi ’ s death have led to numerous theories and allegations , but none alters the responsibility of the Saudi Arabia state.
” Fifteen men had “ acted under the cover of their official status and used state means to execute Mr Khashoggi.
” His murder “ was the result of elaborate planning involving extensive coordination and significant human and financial resources .
It was overseen , planned and endorsed by high-level officials .
It was premeditated.
” Bin Salman has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He has charmed , wooed and warmed the hearts of many leaders .
He has even given that lie of being a reformer some stuffing , an anti-corruption warrior keen to give the Kingdom a modernising lick of paint .
In the meantime , he has set about eliminating and isolating his enemies .
A man of such ilk will know that a certain quantum of hypocrisy in international relations will always tolerate murder and blood soaked hands , especially for a Kingdom possessing – at least for the moment – abundant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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
Silencing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul was a feat of primeval brutality that sent a shudder through even the most hardened officials. The House of Saud, and in particular certain members of it, had gotten a taste for blood. Soon after Khashoggi’s slicing and dicing in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul at the hands of a specially assembled hit squad, another was sent ostensibly to do away with Saad al-Jabri, a former Saudi Arabian intelligence official.
The plot was foiled. The curiosity of Canadian border agents about the squad was piqued as they attempted to enter the country at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. The group denied knowledge of knowing each other. The discovery of a photo showing them in company suggested otherwise.
Such cases have led Jabri to file a 107-page complaint in the federal court in the District of Columbia, accusing Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of attempted murder in violation of the US Torture Victim Protection Act and international law. The lawsuit claims that “a team of Saudi nationals travelled across the Atlantic Ocean from Saudi Arabia … with the intention of killing Dr Saad.”
The list of accusations against the crown prince include corruption and deploying a team of mercenaries dubbed the Tiger Squad (Firqat el-Nemr), a unit with a record of conducting assassinations. According to Mustafa Abu Sneineh of the Middle East Eye, the “squad’s mission is to covertly assassinate Saudi dissidents, inside the kingdom and on foreign soil, in a way that goes unnoticed by media, the international community and politicians”.
There was very little in the way of being covert or quiet in the way the Tiger Squad went about its dastardly business in October 2018 in the grounds of the Kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul. Khashoggi’s killing was extravagantly cruel, vicious and indulgently brutal. The manner of doing away with Jabri promised to be similar, with a member of the squad drawn from the same department who had supplied personnel responsible for dismembering Khashoggi. Two bags of forensic tools kept them company.
The language of the filed lawsuit is ostentatious, even dramatic. “Few places hold more sensitive, humiliating and damning information about defendant bin Salman than the mind and memory of Dr Saad – except perhaps the recordings Dr Saad made in anticipation of his killing.” For those reasons, “defendant bin Salman wants him dead” and had been working “to achieve that objective over the last three years.” The extrajudicial killing would have also serve to sever access to “a uniquely knowledgeable partner vital to US national security, and, in turn, to eliminate any threat posed to Defendant bin Salman by virtue of that partnership [with the US].”
The lawsuit should not be shrugged off as the ravings of an ex-security official hungering for notoriety. Jabri has good reasons to fear being knocked off. For a time, he was close to Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, the go-between for the Kingdom with the “Five Eyes” (US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand) intelligence agencies. In 2015, the royal furniture shifted through death and design. King Abdullah’s passing saw the coming to power of his half-brother Salman. Mohammed bin Salman took over the reins as defence minister and immediately got busy. In only two years, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef found himself usurped in his line to the throne in a palace coup engineered by bin Salman, who became crown prince. Jabri took his cue to leave, fleeing to Canada.
The lawsuit argues the bin Salman threatened Jabri at various times in an effort to compel his return to the Kingdom “where you will be placed under house arrest” or become the subject of a global manhunt, beginning with filing “bogus corruption allegations through INTERPOL” to encourage his surrender to the men of the crown prince. This included a menacing WhatsApp message promising the use of “all available means” to silence him. Bin Salman would personally “take legal measures, as well as other measures that would be harmful to you.”
The response from the Kingdom to this unveiling is bound to be more cautious this time around. To Khashoggi’s murder, it was amateurishly bumbling: first, abject, implausible denial, followed by the “accidental killing” thesis – that the journalist perished in a fist fight – followed by an acceptance, some three weeks later, that his killing was always intended. Care was taken to distance the crown prince and the royal family from the bloody episode, a stratagem aided by the sentencing of five squad members to death and three others to prison terms in closed proceedings. Being a member of the Tiger Squad has its drawbacks.
The paw prints of the crown prince were, however, found to be credibly large by Agnes Callamard, UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary killings. As her 2019 report noted, “The circumstances of Mr Khashoggi’s death have led to numerous theories and allegations, but none alters the responsibility of the Saudi Arabia state.” Fifteen men had “acted under the cover of their official status and used state means to execute Mr Khashoggi.” His murder “was the result of elaborate planning involving extensive coordination and significant human and financial resources. It was overseen, planned and endorsed by high-level officials. It was premeditated.”
Bin Salman has shown himself to be a dedicated dissembler. He has charmed, wooed and warmed the hearts of many leaders. He has even given that lie of being a reformer some stuffing, an anti-corruption warrior keen to give the Kingdom a modernising lick of paint. In the meantime, he has set about eliminating and isolating his enemies. A man of such ilk will know that a certain quantum of hypocrisy in international relations will always tolerate murder and blood soaked hands, especially for a Kingdom possessing – at least for the moment – abundant natural resources.
Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College, Cambridge. He lectures at RMIT University, Melbourne. Email: bkampmark@gmail.com
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southfront--2020-08-08--The SNA ‘Neutralized’ Turkish-Backed Faction After Accusations Of Corruption

The Turkish-backed Syrian National Army ( SNA ) has neutralized one of its formations , the so-called 23rd Division , Syrian opposition sources reported on August 8 .
The SNA ’ s 3rd Corps led a large attack on the 23rd Division headquarters and positions in Afrin city and the town of Azaz in northern Aleppo .
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights , the division ’ s leaders , including the General-Commander , were arrested by the SNA .
Opposition sources said the offensive was carried out by the al-Shamiya Front , a formation of the 3rd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the SNA .
Serageldin al-Omar , head of the 3rd Corps ’ media office , told Enab Baladi that the 23rd Division was neutralized on the basis of an executive order by the corps .
The SNA ’ s 3rd Corps and the al-Shamiya Front themselves are infamous for their corruption and involvement in criminal activities in Turkish-occupied areas in northern and northeastern Syria .
This rises serious questions about the real motives behind the neutralization of the 23rd Division .
Disagreements related to criminal activities are behind most of the SNA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often attempts to present these conflicts as a “ war on corruption ” in its ranks .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Two Militants Assassinated In Syria ’ s Greater Idlib , Perpetrators Reportedly Linked To HTS ( Photos )

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The Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) has neutralized one of its formations, the so-called 23rd Division, Syrian opposition sources reported on August 8.
The SNA’s 3rd Corps led a large attack on the 23rd Division headquarters and positions in Afrin city and the town of Azaz in northern Aleppo. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the division’s leaders, including the General-Commander, were arrested by the SNA.
Opposition sources said the offensive was carried out by the al-Shamiya Front, a formation of the 3rd Corps. However, this was denied by the SNA.
Serageldin al-Omar, head of the 3rd Corps’ media office, told Enab Baladi that the 23rd Division was neutralized on the basis of an executive order by the corps.
“The Corps decision was the result of lawsuits against the 23rd Division and some administrative corruption,” al-Omar told Enab Baladi.
The SNA’s 3rd Corps and the al-Shamiya Front themselves are infamous for their corruption and involvement in criminal activities in Turkish-occupied areas in northern and northeastern Syria. This rises serious questions about the real motives behind the neutralization of the 23rd Division.
Disagreements related to criminal activities are behind most of the SNA’s conflicts. The Turkish-backed coalition often attempts to present these conflicts as a “war on corruption” in its ranks.
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southfront--2020-08-08--US Aims To ‘Level Up’ Missile Defences, Still No Answer To Hypersonic Missiles

During the virtual Space Missile Defense symposium held by the US military last week , some of its plans to ‘ level up ’ its missile defences over the next two years were outlined .
These include plans to commission the first “ laser battalion , ” to demonstrate that sailors can knock down ICBMs with missiles fired from surface ships , and to establish two ‘ counter-Russian ’ missile defence sites in Eastern Europe .
While the measures discussed were described as being part of a series of innovations in missile defence aimed at deterring Russia , China , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ none of the measures appear capable of matching the rapid technological advances made in recent times by the Russians in particular .
Lt. Gen. L. Neil Thurgood , director for Hypersonics , Directed Energy , Space and Rapid Acquisition in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army , said that the 50kw laser-mounted Stryker was due to be commissioned in 2022 .
The service is also working on a 200kw truck-mounted laser dubbed IFPC-HEL that Thurgood said would be deployable ( although not necessarily deployed ) with platoons in 2024 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants to field an even more powerful laser , the 300kw Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High Energy Laser , or IFPC-HEL .
The Army also wants to equip mobile units with portable microwave weapons , which , Thurgood said , are more useful against drone swarms than lasers , as microwaves can destroy the electronics of more targets at once .
But the systems required to support a directed microwave weapon , built at scale , are still too large to deploy on a truck .
Scientists are working on reducing the size and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more feasible .
Next year will also see the Navy test its ability to down ICBMs with SM-3 missiles fired from an Aegis destroyer and guided by off-ship radar via the Sea-Based Weapons System , or SBWS , Hill said .
The Missile Defense Agency ( MDA ) and the Navy also will test the SBWS against a medium-range ballistic missile , and in a separate test against two separate short-range ballistic missiles , he said .
After several delays work is also expected to continue on the new next-generation interceptor program , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of hitting more advanced ICBMs that deploy decoys or multiple warheads .
MDA went back to the drawing board on the project last August , cancelling the program .
It drafted a new request and re-awarded it to Northrop Grumman in May .
All of this activity reflects the growing importance the US is placing on deterring and defending against missile proliferation worldwide .
Congress put missile defence under the jurisdiction of the defence undersecretary for research and engineering in 2018 .
However , MDA ’ s budget requests and appropriations have shrunk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the “ missile defence ” role for themselves .
While the US and its allies in Europe , the Middle East , and Asia are trying to develop new missiles and missile defence systems capable of responding to the new systems being developed by Russia , Iran and China , it appears that they have no answers as yet or in the immediate future .
LINK MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Apocalypse soon ?
US still scrambling and surging to develop new high tech weapons systems

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During the virtual Space Missile Defense symposium held by the US military last week, some of its plans to ‘level up’ its missile defences over the next two years were outlined. These include plans to commission the first “laser battalion,” to demonstrate that sailors can knock down ICBMs with missiles fired from surface ships, and to establish two ‘counter-Russian’ missile defence sites in Eastern Europe.
While the measures discussed were described as being part of a series of innovations in missile defence aimed at deterring Russia, China, Iran, or any other adversary, none of the measures appear capable of matching the rapid technological advances made in recent times by the Russians in particular.
Among the key developments outlined in the symposium is the ‘Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense’, or MSHORAD, basically a Stryker vehicle outfitted with anti-missile defences, including the laser-equipped DE-MSHORAD. “Expect to have the first battalion fielded in 2021 with four battalions by 2023,” Lt. Gen. Dan Karbler, commander of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, told the audience.
Lt. Gen. L. Neil Thurgood, director for Hypersonics, Directed Energy, Space and Rapid Acquisition in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army, said that the 50kw laser-mounted Stryker was due to be commissioned in 2022. The service is also working on a 200kw truck-mounted laser dubbed IFPC-HEL that Thurgood said would be deployable (although not necessarily deployed) with platoons in 2024.
By the following year, the Army wants to field an even more powerful laser, the 300kw Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High Energy Laser, or IFPC-HEL.
The Army also wants to equip mobile units with portable microwave weapons, which, Thurgood said, are more useful against drone swarms than lasers, as microwaves can destroy the electronics of more targets at once. But the systems required to support a directed microwave weapon, built at scale, are still too large to deploy on a truck. Scientists are working on reducing the size and weight of the components to make this more feasible.
The Pentagon’s Missile Defense Agency hopes that by the end of next year in Europe, a new Aegis Ashore missile interceptor site will have been completed in Poland (after delays due, in part, to COVID-19). “We are seeing an uptick in terms of the Army Corps construction,” said Adm. Jon Hill, director of the Missile Defense Agency. The project has a projected completion date of 2022.
Next year will also see the Navy test its ability to down ICBMs with SM-3 missiles fired from an Aegis destroyer and guided by off-ship radar via the Sea-Based Weapons System, or SBWS, Hill said.
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Navy also will test the SBWS against a medium-range ballistic missile, and in a separate test against two separate short-range ballistic missiles, he said.
After several delays work is also expected to continue on the new next-generation interceptor program, an effort to build new missiles capable of hitting more advanced ICBMs that deploy decoys or multiple warheads. MDA went back to the drawing board on the project last August, cancelling the program. It drafted a new request and re-awarded it to Northrop Grumman in May.
The MDA has “paused” its program to design an interceptor that could take out hypersonic missiles, Hill said, to look at near-term options. But the hypersonic threat is only building. That means that a new request could emerge next year, which could speak to the feasibility of different concepts for countering hypersonic missiles.
All of this activity reflects the growing importance the US is placing on deterring and defending against missile proliferation worldwide. Congress put missile defence under the jurisdiction of the defence undersecretary for research and engineering in 2018. However, MDA’s budget requests and appropriations have shrunk as other services have taken on more of the “missile defence” role for themselves.
While the US and its allies in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia are trying to develop new missiles and missile defence systems capable of responding to the new systems being developed by Russia, Iran and China, it appears that they have no answers as yet or in the immediate future. LINK
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southfront--2020-08-08--Globalists Declare Fierce War On SouthFront

On August 8 , Facebook deleted all posts and even personal messages with links to SouthFront ’ s website ( southfront.org ) .
Facebook also does not allow to publish links to southfront.org or even send them via personal messages .
SouthFront ’ s backup public page on Facebook “ https : //www.facebook.com/SouthFrontEnThree/ ” still remains active .
This demonstrates the systematic approach aimed to limit the access of people to SouthFront content across the platform .
In late April , early May , Facebook and YouTube already censored SouthFront ’ s official accounts on these platforms with hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not give up and intensify their censorship campaign against SouthFront Team .
The fun fact is that Facebook ’ s decision was made without any explanation or warning .
It seems that the fear of SouthFront is so high that global coporations tasked with censoring of our work do not even try to justify their illegal actions .
SouthFront is not included in sanction or black lists of any governments .
Therefore , the decision of Facebook to censor southfront.org is a rought violation of Facebook ’ s own Community Guidlines , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The new attempt to censor SouthFront took place just a few days after the release of the US State Department ’ s report “ Pillars of Russia ’ s Disinformation and Propaganda Ecosystem ” , a large part of which was dedicated to SouthFront .
Apparently , the Department of State leadership was offended by SouthFront ’ s official response pointing apparent gaps in this brilliant report .
The State Department also requested $ 138 million for FY 2021 for its Global Engagement Center , which authorted this great investigation of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quality of the investigation , SouthFront is concerned that $ 138 million will be not enough to deal with such a powerful “ pillar ” of “ Russia ’ s Disinformation and Propaganda ” as our team .
We are pleasantly surprised to see that SouthFront is the main organization that causes concerns of the globalist establishment and Euro-Atlantic elites .
The report “ Pillars of Russia ’ s Disinformation and Propaganda Ecosystem ” mentions 7 media organizations , including SouthFront .
However , SouthFront became the only one , which was targeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Links of other organizations mentioned in the report remain active on Facebook .
It seems that the structures trying to censor SouthFront do not understand the key point .
Lies , double-faced policies and distortion of facts by government-funded , government-affiliated media and official bodies set the basis for SouthFront ’ s power and influence .
Further attempts to censor SouthFront only inspire people who want to receive an independent point of view .
TOGETHER WE ARE UNSTOPPABLE SouthFront also calls on our readers , subscribers and supporters to send complaints to Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can make it by posting any southfront.org link on Facebook and then pressing the button “ If you think that this does not go against our Community Standards , let us know ” or writting to official Facebook accounts in Social Media ( for example here ) SouthFront once again declares that we are open for volunteers .
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CENSORSHIP AGAINST SOUTHFRONT CONTINUES
On August 8, Facebook deleted all posts and even personal messages with links to SouthFront’s website (southfront.org). Facebook also does not allow to publish links to southfront.org or even send them via personal messages.
SouthFront’s backup public page on Facebook “https://www.facebook.com/SouthFrontEnThree/” still remains active. This demonstrates the systematic approach aimed to limit the access of people to SouthFront content across the platform. In late April, early May, Facebook and YouTube already censored SouthFront’s official accounts on these platforms with hundreds of thousands of subscribers. However, they do not give up and intensify their censorship campaign against SouthFront Team.
The fun fact is that Facebook’s decision was made without any explanation or warning. It seems that the fear of SouthFront is so high that global coporations tasked with censoring of our work do not even try to justify their illegal actions.
SouthFront is not included in sanction or black lists of any governments. Therefore, the decision of Facebook to censor southfront.org is a rought violation of Facebook’s own Community Guidlines, Terms of Service and the US law.
The new attempt to censor SouthFront took place just a few days after the release of the US State Department’s report “Pillars of Russia’s Disinformation and Propaganda Ecosystem”, a large part of which was dedicated to SouthFront. Apparently, the Department of State leadership was offended by SouthFront’s official response pointing apparent gaps in this brilliant report.
The State Department also requested $138 million for FY 2021 for its Global Engagement Center, which authorted this great investigation of the SouthFront activity. Taking into account the quality of the investigation, SouthFront is concerned that $138 million will be not enough to deal with such a powerful “pillar” of “Russia’s Disinformation and Propaganda” as our team.
We are pleasantly surprised to see that SouthFront is the main organization that causes concerns of the globalist establishment and Euro-Atlantic elites. The report “Pillars of Russia’s Disinformation and Propaganda Ecosystem” mentions 7 media organizations, including SouthFront. However, SouthFront became the only one, which was targeted with a new wave of censorship. Links of other organizations mentioned in the report remain active on Facebook.
Over the past few days, we have also received emails saying that some Internet providers in the Middle East started blocking the access to our website (southfront.org). If you face such difficulties, we recommend you to use VPN services, VPN integrated in your browsers or the TOR browser.
It seems that the structures trying to censor SouthFront do not understand the key point. Lies, double-faced policies and distortion of facts by government-funded, government-affiliated media and official bodies set the basis for SouthFront’s power and influence. Further attempts to censor SouthFront only inspire people who want to receive an independent point of view.
TOGETHER WE ARE UNSTOPPABLE
SouthFront also calls on our readers, subscribers and supporters to send complaints to Facebook regarding the censorship of SouthFront. You can make it by posting any southfront.org link on Facebook and then pressing the button “If you think that this does not go against our Community Standards, let us know” or writting to official Facebook accounts in Social Media (for example here)
A SAMPLE OF COMPLAINT TEXT: I ask you to unblock the links to southfront.org and to restore my possibility to share the information since it doesn’t violate any Facebook’s Community Guidelines or Terms of Service. I also ask you to conduct an investigation, because I think that this blocking was caused by a mass false flagging
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southfront--2020-08-08--Two Militants Assassinated In Syria’s Greater Idlib, Perpetrators Reportedly Linked To HTS (Photos)

Early on August 8 , two militants were assassinated by unidentified gunmen in the town of Tell Adeh in the northern part of Greater Idlib .
The militants , Abdul Rahman al-Ghaziz Kabi and Ali Muhammad Ibrahim al-Stifi , were shot and killed in Tell Adeh ’ s town center .
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights , one of the slain militants was a member of al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay ’ at Tahrir al-Sham ( HTS ) .
Local sources claimed that the two militants were killed as a result of a personal disagreement between two prominent families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activists said that HTS itself had orchestrated the assassination of the two militants for no clear reason .
According to the activists , Qutaiba al-Barsha , a radical gang leader in Tell Adeh , may have carried out the assassination on behalf of HTS .
Last month , clashes were reported between HTS forces and al-Barsha ’ s gang in Tell Adeh with some sources even claiming that he was arrested by the group .
This was apparently untrue .
Opposition activists allege that al-Barsha is secretly working for the group ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working to get rid from anyone who poses any threat to its influence in Greater Idlib .
The group is trying to turn the region into a de-facto state .
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Early on August 8, two militants were assassinated by unidentified gunmen in the town of Tell Adeh in the northern part of Greater Idlib.
The militants, Abdul Rahman al-Ghaziz Kabi and Ali Muhammad Ibrahim al-Stifi, were shot and killed in Tell Adeh’s town center. According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, one of the slain militants was a member of al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
Local sources claimed that the two militants were killed as a result of a personal disagreement between two prominent families in Tell Adeh.
Nevertheless, opposition activists said that HTS itself had orchestrated the assassination of the two militants for no clear reason. According to the activists, Qutaiba al-Barsha, a radical gang leader in Tell Adeh, may have carried out the assassination on behalf of HTS.
Last month, clashes were reported between HTS forces and al-Barsha’s gang in Tell Adeh with some sources even claiming that he was arrested by the group. This was apparently untrue. Opposition activists allege that al-Barsha is secretly working for the group’s notorious security forces.
HTS is now working to get rid from anyone who poses any threat to its influence in Greater Idlib. The group is trying to turn the region into a de-facto state.
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southfront--2020-08-08--Major Battle In Greater Idlib Approaches: Militants, Turkish Forces Deploy Large Reinforcements – Re

Major Battle In Greater Idlib Approaches: Militants, Turkish Forces Deploy Large Reinforcements – Report

Syrian militants and Turkish forces are taking defensive measures in the southern countryside of Idlib amid reports of a near attack by the Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) and its allies .
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on August 8 that the militants had deployed large reinforcements in the al-Zawiya Mount area , the highest region in southern Idlib .
Al-Zawiya ’ s villages and towns are occupied by al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay ’ at Tahrir al-Sham and the Turkish-backed National Front for Liberation .
According to the London-based group , the Turkish military , which maintains a number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ redeployed its troops in a number of villages and towns in the al-Zawiya Mount area .
Recent reports revealed that the SAA and its allies are preparing to launch a new operation in Greater Idlib .
The target will reportedly be the al-Zawiya Mount .
Last week , the SAA deployed large reinforcements on the frontlines with al-Zawiya , provoking a wave of panic among militants there .
The recent movements by the militants and their main backer , Turkey , indicate that Ankara is planning to confront any new attack by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead to a large battle similar to the one that ended last March .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • ISIS Attack Near Palmyra Claimed Lives Of Several Syrian Soldiers

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Syrian militants and Turkish forces are taking defensive measures in the southern countryside of Idlib amid reports of a near attack by the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and its allies.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on August 8 that the militants had deployed large reinforcements in the al-Zawiya Mount area, the highest region in southern Idlib. Al-Zawiya’s villages and towns are occupied by al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and the Turkish-backed National Front for Liberation.
“Dozens of [military] vehicles arrived at the frontlines,” the monitoring group said in its report.
According to the London-based group, the Turkish military, which maintains a number of posts in southern Idlib, also redeployed its troops in a number of villages and towns in the al-Zawiya Mount area.
Recent reports revealed that the SAA and its allies are preparing to launch a new operation in Greater Idlib. The target will reportedly be the al-Zawiya Mount.
Last week, the SAA deployed large reinforcements on the frontlines with al-Zawiya, provoking a wave of panic among militants there.
The recent movements by the militants and their main backer, Turkey, indicate that Ankara is planning to confront any new attack by the SAA and its allies. This could lead to a large battle similar to the one that ended last March.
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southfront--2020-08-09--Selective Maritime Rules: The United States, Diego Garcia and International Law

There are few more righteous sights than the paunchy US Secretary of State savaging the People ’ s Republic of China with his next volley on Chinese territorial aspirations .
In July , Mike Pompeo released a statement putting any uncertain minds at ease on where Washington stood on the matter .
“ We are making clear : Beijing ’ s claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea are completely unlawful , as is its campaign of bullying to control them.
” International politics , for all that confidence , rides on the stead of hypocrisy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a course of conduct , the more likely the stead is about to turn .
For all the promises of freedom of navigation and repudiation of Chinese claims to the South China Sea , the United States nurses its own questionable readings of international law .
The term “ rule based order ” is a lovely one seemingly shorn of realpolitik ( nothing of the sort ) , but collapses on closer inspection .
When it comes to the matter of alleged Chinese violations of maritime law in the South China Sea , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US officials on , for instance , violations of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea .
Pompeo speaks of preserving “ peace and stability ” , upholding “ freedom of the seas in a manner consistent with international law , maintain the unimpeded flow of commerce ” and opposing “ any attempt to use coercion or force to settle disputes.
” He also refers to UNCLOS , a document the United States has not ratified despite President Barack Obama ’ s previous plea that the Senate , were it to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our case [ against China ’ s actions in the South China Sea ] .
” Smugly , Pompeo cites the ruling of the Arbitral Tribunal constituted in accordance with UNCLOS , as its finding on July 12 , 2016 rejecting “ the PRC ’ s maritime claims as having no basis in international law.
” The same can be said of the enormous air base known as Diego Garcia , located in the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean .
It is worth noting that predatory behaviour was very much part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the island , which had been a dependency of the British colony of Mauritius .
In 1965 , the Chagos Islands was separated from Mauritius in exchange for an “ indemnity ” of £3 million .
What was created in its place was a legal misnomer of some nastiness : the British Indian Ocean Territory .
In 1966 , the US was promised a strategic tenancy on Diego Garcia for five decades .
The UK Permanent Under-Secretary promised to be “ tough about this .
The object of the exercise was to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there will be no indigenous population except seagulls who have not yet got a Committee ( the Status of Women does not cover the rights of Birds.
” Very droll .
This brutal endeavour was done as part of Britain ’ s continued need to feel relevant in the post-colonial power game , a supposedly sagacious proxy for the projection of US power .
It was also done against the spirit of decolonisation stressed in UN General Assembly Resolution 1514 ( XV ) , which noted that “ [ a ] ny attempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the national unity and the territorial integrity of a country is incompatible with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
” The British authorities were true to their word : the indigenous population between 1967 and 1973 was forcibly relocated to Mauritius and the Seychelles , with the US paying $ 14 million for the effort .
The way for the establishment of a military base was cleared but only after pockets of Chagossian resistance were crushed through threats and intimidation .
Analysts from the US perspective look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States and find China , as tends to be the pattern these days , the catalyst of encouragement .
“ The policy trigger , ” writes retired Rear Admiral Michael McDevitt , “ was the 1962 Sino-Indian war , when Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had pressed Washington for military assistance to India.
” The Kennedy administration obliged by sending the , an aircraft carrier with the express purpose of deterring China in the event of any push towards Calcutta .
The analysis by McDevitt is bloodless , mechanical , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Absent are US methods of terroristic pummelling .
What he does describe is the indispensable nature of the base , “ perfect … for US Navy maritime patrol aircraft and especially US Air Force heavy bombers.
” These were not views shared by many members of the UN General Assembly .
In June 2017 , the General Assembly , in resolution 71/292 , requested an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on whether the decolonisation of Mauritius had been lawfully completed with regards the separation of the Chagos Archipelago .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consequences of the UK ’ s “ continued administration … of the Chagos Archipelago including with respect to the inability to implement a programme for the resettlement on the Chagos Archipelago of its nationals , in particular those of Chagossian origin ” .
In its February 25 , 2019 opinion , the ICJ found that “ the process of decolonisation of Mauritius was not lawfully completed when that country acceded to independence ” .
The UK was “ under an obligation to bring to an end its administration of the Chagos Archipelago as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolution 1514 ( XV ) as “ a defining moment in the consolidation of State practice on decolonisation ” and that “ [ b ] oth State practice and at the relevant time confirm the customary law character of the right to territorial integrity of a non-self-governing territory as a corollary of the right to self-determination.
” No evidence of approval of the practice of an administering power ’ s detachment of part of a non-self-governing territory , certainly for the purposes of maintaining colonial rule over it , was shown .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the territorial integrity of a non-self-governing territory is a key element in the exercise of the right to self-determination under international law.
” The UN affirmed the 13-1 opinion in May 2019 , calling upon Britain to “ withdraw its colonial administration ” within six months and duly acknowledge Chagos as forming “ an integral part ” of Mauritius .
Eviction orders received that month were ignored by the British , showing that the Anglo-American reverence for the sacred “ rules-based international order ” can be selectively profane when it needs to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in doubt about our sovereignty over the British Ocean Territory , ” insisted Britain ’ s ambassador to the UN , Karen Pierce .
The territory had never been part of Mauritius and it had “ freely entered into an agreement ” covering fishing rights and marine resources .
The question left begging here was how the entity could lawfully enter into any arrangements with Britain over Chagos if the territory had never formed the basis of Mauritian control .
The spirit of Neville Chamberlain , one approving the ceding and dividing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very much alive .
It is worth nothing that the approval of the ICJ findings , along with international law bodies in general , is very much dependent on favourability towards the great power .
Playground bullies are always bound to ignore them ; small states , less likely to .
Just as China refuses to acknowledge the legitimacy of international judicial rulings on its maritime claims , the US and Britain refuse to acknowledge determinations regarding the status of Diego Garcia and the Chagossians .
That ’ s the rules-based order in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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
There are few more righteous sights than the paunchy US Secretary of State savaging the People’s Republic of China with his next volley on Chinese territorial aspirations. In July, Mike Pompeo released a statement putting any uncertain minds at ease on where Washington stood on the matter. “We are making clear: Beijing’s claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea are completely unlawful, as is its campaign of bullying to control them.”
International politics, for all that confidence, rides on the stead of hypocrisy. The more vehement a condemnation regarding a course of conduct, the more likely the stead is about to turn. For all the promises of freedom of navigation and repudiation of Chinese claims to the South China Sea, the United States nurses its own questionable readings of international law. The term “rule based order” is a lovely one seemingly shorn of realpolitik (nothing of the sort), but collapses on closer inspection.
When it comes to the matter of alleged Chinese violations of maritime law in the South China Sea, odd messages bubble from the mouths of US officials on, for instance, violations of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Pompeo speaks of preserving “peace and stability”, upholding “freedom of the seas in a manner consistent with international law, maintain the unimpeded flow of commerce” and opposing “any attempt to use coercion or force to settle disputes.” He also refers to UNCLOS, a document the United States has not ratified despite President Barack Obama’s previous plea that the Senate, were it to do so, “should help strengthen our case [against China’s actions in the South China Sea].” Smugly, Pompeo cites the ruling of the Arbitral Tribunal constituted in accordance with UNCLOS, as its finding on July 12, 2016 rejecting “the PRC’s maritime claims as having no basis in international law.”
The same can be said of the enormous air base known as Diego Garcia, located in the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean. It is worth noting that predatory behaviour was very much part of the policy towards the indigenous populace of the island, which had been a dependency of the British colony of Mauritius. In 1965, the Chagos Islands was separated from Mauritius in exchange for an “indemnity” of £3 million. What was created in its place was a legal misnomer of some nastiness: the British Indian Ocean Territory.
In 1966, the US was promised a strategic tenancy on Diego Garcia for five decades. The UK Permanent Under-Secretary promised to be “tough about this. The object of the exercise was to get some rocks which will remain ours; there will be no indigenous population except seagulls who have not yet got a Committee (the Status of Women does not cover the rights of Birds.” Very droll.
This brutal endeavour was done as part of Britain’s continued need to feel relevant in the post-colonial power game, a supposedly sagacious proxy for the projection of US power. It was also done against the spirit of decolonisation stressed in UN General Assembly Resolution 1514 (XV), which noted that “[a]ny attempt aimed at the partial or total disruption of the national unity and the territorial integrity of a country is incompatible with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.”
The British authorities were true to their word: the indigenous population between 1967 and 1973 was forcibly relocated to Mauritius and the Seychelles, with the US paying $14 million for the effort. The way for the establishment of a military base was cleared but only after pockets of Chagossian resistance were crushed through threats and intimidation.
Analysts from the US perspective look at this situation as one forced upon the United States and find China, as tends to be the pattern these days, the catalyst of encouragement. “The policy trigger,” writes retired Rear Admiral Michael McDevitt, “was the 1962 Sino-Indian war, when Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had pressed Washington for military assistance to India.” The Kennedy administration obliged by sending the USS Kitty Hawk, an aircraft carrier with the express purpose of deterring China in the event of any push towards Calcutta. The analysis by McDevitt is bloodless, mechanical, and makes no mention of the Chagossians. Absent are US methods of terroristic pummelling. What he does describe is the indispensable nature of the base, “perfect … for US Navy maritime patrol aircraft and especially US Air Force heavy bombers.”
These were not views shared by many members of the UN General Assembly. In June 2017, the General Assembly, in resolution 71/292, requested an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on whether the decolonisation of Mauritius had been lawfully completed with regards the separation of the Chagos Archipelago. A second question also arose on the legal consequences of the UK’s “continued administration … of the Chagos Archipelago including with respect to the inability to implement a programme for the resettlement on the Chagos Archipelago of its nationals, in particular those of Chagossian origin”.
In its February 25, 2019 opinion, the ICJ found that “the process of decolonisation of Mauritius was not lawfully completed when that country acceded to independence”. The UK was “under an obligation to bring to an end its administration of the Chagos Archipelago as rapidly as possible.” The judges acknowledged resolution 1514 (XV) as “a defining moment in the consolidation of State practice on decolonisation” and that “[b]oth State practice and opinio juris at the relevant time confirm the customary law character of the right to territorial integrity of a non-self-governing territory as a corollary of the right to self-determination.” No evidence of approval of the practice of an administering power’s detachment of part of a non-self-governing territory, certainly for the purposes of maintaining colonial rule over it, was shown. “States have consistently emphasised that respect for the territorial integrity of a non-self-governing territory is a key element in the exercise of the right to self-determination under international law.”
The UN affirmed the 13-1 opinion in May 2019, calling upon Britain to “withdraw its colonial administration” within six months and duly acknowledge Chagos as forming “an integral part” of Mauritius. Eviction orders received that month were ignored by the British, showing that the Anglo-American reverence for the sacred “rules-based international order” can be selectively profane when it needs to be. “The United Kingdom is not in doubt about our sovereignty over the British Ocean Territory,” insisted Britain’s ambassador to the UN, Karen Pierce. The territory had never been part of Mauritius and it had “freely entered into an agreement” covering fishing rights and marine resources. The question left begging here was how the entity could lawfully enter into any arrangements with Britain over Chagos if the territory had never formed the basis of Mauritian control. The spirit of Neville Chamberlain, one approving the ceding and dividing of territory not his own, is still very much alive.
It is worth nothing that the approval of the ICJ findings, along with international law bodies in general, is very much dependent on favourability towards the great power. Playground bullies are always bound to ignore them; small states, less likely to. Just as China refuses to acknowledge the legitimacy of international judicial rulings on its maritime claims, the US and Britain refuse to acknowledge determinations regarding the status of Diego Garcia and the Chagossians. That’s the rules-based order in international relations for you.
Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College, Cambridge. He lectures at RMIT University, Melbourne. Email: bkampmark@gmail.com
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southfront--2020-08-09--Turkey Established Central Command For Syrian Areas Occupied By Its Army  – Report

Turkey had established a central military command for the areas occupied by its military in northern and northeastern Syria , Yeni Şafak reported on August 8 .
According to the Turkish newspaper , the new command , that ’ s called the Military Command for Operation Peace Shield ( MC-OPS ) , will coordinate Turkish military operations in the occupied Syrian areas .
The MC-OPS will control four Syrian regions , the Euphrates Shield region in northern Aleppo , the Olive Branch region in Afrin , the Peace Spring region in al-Hasakah and Raqqa as well as the Spring Shield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hakan Öztekin was reportedly appointed as the commander of MC-OPS by the Turkish Supreme Military Council , YAŞ .
Yeni Şafak said the MC-OPS would be reinforced with units from the Turkish Armed Forces ’ Special Forces Command , which are known as the “ Maroon Berets.
” Turkey intervened in Syria in 2016 under the pretext of war with ISIS .
Later , the alleged threat of Kurdish forces was used by Ankara to justify its actions in Syria .
Today , tens of thousands of Turkish troops are deployed in northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statements , Turkey claims that its forces will withdraw from Syria once a political solution is reached .
However , the establishment of the MC-OPS indicates that Ankara is planning a lasting military presence in the war-torn country .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Turkish Army Clashed With Its Own Proxies In Northern Aleppo ( Video )

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Turkey had established a central military command for the areas occupied by its military in northern and northeastern Syria, Yeni Şafak reported on August 8.
According to the Turkish newspaper, the new command, that’s called the Military Command for Operation Peace Shield (MC-OPS), will coordinate Turkish military operations in the occupied Syrian areas.
“The central command will be responsible for the areas, which were captured by the Turkish army and Turkish-backed Syrian opposition factions during their battles against the Islamic State [ISIS] and the Syrian Democratic Forces [SDF],” Yeni Şafak’s report reads, according to Enab Baladi.
The MC-OPS will control four Syrian regions, the Euphrates Shield region in northern Aleppo, the Olive Branch region in Afrin, the Peace Spring region in al-Hasakah and Raqqa as well as the Spring Shield region in Greater Idlib.
Maj. Gen. Hakan Öztekin was reportedly appointed as the commander of MC-OPS by the Turkish Supreme Military Council, YAŞ.
Yeni Şafak said the MC-OPS would be reinforced with units from the Turkish Armed Forces’ Special Forces Command, which are known as the “Maroon Berets.”
Turkey intervened in Syria in 2016 under the pretext of war with ISIS. Later, the alleged threat of Kurdish forces was used by Ankara to justify its actions in Syria. Today, tens of thousands of Turkish troops are deployed in northern and northeastern Syria.
In its public statements, Turkey claims that its forces will withdraw from Syria once a political solution is reached. However, the establishment of the MC-OPS indicates that Ankara is planning a lasting military presence in the war-torn country.
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southfront--2020-08-09--Military Situation In Syria On August 9, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria : • Syrian Arab Army @ @ @ @ @ Turkish-backed militants ’ positions in the village of Sarmaniya and the town of Kabani ; @ @ @ @ @ ( SDF ) conducted raids against ISIS cells in the towns of Jadida Akkidat and @ @ @ @ @ sent military reinforcements to the East of the Al-San area ; • Clashes between ISIS @ @ @ @ @ south of Deir Ezzor military airport .
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A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria:
Syrian Arab Army (SAA) artillery shelled Turkish-backed militants’ positions in the village of Sarmaniya and the town of Kabani;
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) conducted raids against ISIS cells in the towns of Jadida Akkidat and Al-Hawayj;
The SAA sent military reinforcements to the East of the Al-San area;
Clashes between ISIS and the SAA were reported south of Deir Ezzor military airport.
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southfront--2020-08-09--Turkish Army Clashed With Its Own Proxies In Northern Aleppo (Video)

Late on August 8 , clashes broke out between the Turkish military and its Syrian militants in the occupied town of Sudju in northern Aleppo .
According to a number of sources , locals and militants were protesting in the town ’ s center over the disbanding of the 23rd Division when a convoy of the Turkish military passed by .
The protestors blocked the convoy ’ s route forcing it to retreat .
At that moment , a Turkish vehicle run over a child , injuring him .
Few of the militants attending the protests responded to the accident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which withdrew right away .
Opposition activists said the militants were members of the al-Shamiya Front .
A few hours later , Turkish forces returned to Sudju , this time with a number of armored vehicles .
The forces opened fire at the militants as well as on surrounding civilian houses .
However , no losses were reported .
The Turkish Ministry of National Defense has not commented on the incident , so far , nor its main proxy , the so-called Syrian National Army .
This was the first reported stand-off between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Turkish “ attack ” in Sudju was likely meant to intimidate militants and locals in Turkish-occupied area in northern and northeastern Syria .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • The SNA ‘ Neutralized ’ Turkish-Backed Faction After Accusations Of Corruption

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Late on August 8, clashes broke out between the Turkish military and its Syrian militants in the occupied town of Sudju in northern Aleppo.
According to a number of sources, locals and militants were protesting in the town’s center over the disbanding of the 23rd Division when a convoy of the Turkish military passed by. The protestors blocked the convoy’s route forcing it to retreat. At that moment, a Turkish vehicle run over a child, injuring him.
Few of the militants attending the protests responded to the accident by opening fire at Turkish forces, which withdrew right away. Opposition activists said the militants were members of the al-Shamiya Front.
A few hours later, Turkish forces returned to Sudju, this time with a number of armored vehicles. The forces opened fire at the militants as well as on surrounding civilian houses. However, no losses were reported.
The Turkish Ministry of National Defense has not commented on the incident, so far, nor its main proxy, the so-called Syrian National Army.
This was the first reported stand-off between the Turkish military and its Syrian proxies. The Turkish “attack” in Sudju was likely meant to intimidate militants and locals in Turkish-occupied area in northern and northeastern Syria.
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southfront--2020-08-09--Feds Uncover “Most Sophisticated Tunnel In US History” Along Southern Border

Special agents with Homeland Security Investigations ( HSI ) have uncovered an incomplete drug smuggling tunnel stretching from Arizona to Mexico , reported AZ Family .
Agents are calling the tunnel “ the most sophisticated [ drug ] tunnel in U.S. history ” after finding a rail cart system , ventilation ducts , electrical wiring , and water lines , along with extensive wall reinforcements .
“ This appears to be the most sophisticated tunnel in U.S. history , and certainly the most sophisticated I ’ ve seen in my career , ” said Carl E. Landrum , acting chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Yuma Sector .
The tunnel is 3 feet wide and 4 feet high and runs from a Mexican neighborhood to San Luis , Arizona .
Agents sent a camera 25 feet underground to investigate the tunnel .
Here ’ s what they found : “ Homeland Security Investigations and our esteemed law enforcement partners swiftly and effectively worked together to uncover and dismantle a cross-border tunnel for smuggling purposes into the United States , ” said Scott Brown , HSI special agent in charge in Phoenix .
Brown said , “ despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement colleagues remain resilient and committed to pursuing dangerous criminal trans-border smuggling activities along the southwest border.
” The tunnel was discovered in mid-July when U.S. Border Patrol agents found a sinkhole near the U.S.-Mexico border .
HSI was called in to investigate , and that was when they found the tunnel .

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Originally appeared at ZeroHedge
Special agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) have uncovered an incomplete drug smuggling tunnel stretching from Arizona to Mexico, reported AZ Family.
Agents are calling the tunnel “the most sophisticated [drug] tunnel in U.S. history” after finding a rail cart system, ventilation ducts, electrical wiring, and water lines, along with extensive wall reinforcements.
“This appears to be the most sophisticated tunnel in U.S. history, and certainly the most sophisticated I’ve seen in my career,” said Carl E. Landrum, acting chief patrol agent with the Border Patrol’s Yuma Sector.
The tunnel is 3 feet wide and 4 feet high and runs from a Mexican neighborhood to San Luis, Arizona.
Agents sent a camera 25 feet underground to investigate the tunnel. Here’s what they found:
“Homeland Security Investigations and our esteemed law enforcement partners swiftly and effectively worked together to uncover and dismantle a cross-border tunnel for smuggling purposes into the United States,” said Scott Brown, HSI special agent in charge in Phoenix.
.@DHSgov along with @CBPArizona 's #Yuma Sector are investigating a cross-border tunnel discovered near a residential area of San Luis, less than 600ft from the U.S.-Mexico border. Story: https://t.co/TxCuZ579CO pic.twitter.com/g446cGtCrx — Brandon Mejia (@Brandon_MejiaTV) August 7, 2020
Brown said, “despite the international pandemic, HSI and our law enforcement colleagues remain resilient and committed to pursuing dangerous criminal trans-border smuggling activities along the southwest border.”
The tunnel was discovered in mid-July when U.S. Border Patrol agents found a sinkhole near the U.S.-Mexico border. HSI was called in to investigate, and that was when they found the tunnel.
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southfront--2020-08-09--Military Situation In Iraq On August 8, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Iraq : • Terrorist Abu Khattab @ @ @ @ @ forces .
He was responsible for the Bani Saad market bombing in Diyala in 2008 @ @ @ @ @ almost 150 people ; • Two ISIS militants were arrested in Kirkuk ; • Turkish @ @ @ @ @ village of Qamish in the Sulaimania area .
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A brief overview of the recent developments in Iraq:
Terrorist Abu Khattab was arrested by Iraqi security forces. He was responsible for the Bani Saad market bombing in Diyala in 2008, which claimed lives of almost 150 people;
Iraqi Brigade 315 shelled with mortars ISIS locations south of Samarra;
Two ISIS militants were arrested in Kirkuk;
Turkish warplanes conducted airstrikes on the village of Qamish in the Sulaimania area.
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southfront--2020-08-09--Military Situation On Israeli-Lebanese Contact Line And In Golan Heights Area On August 8, 2020 (Map

Military Situation On Israeli-Lebanese Contact Line And In Golan Heights Area On August 8, 2020 (Map Update)

If hezbollocks were serious in defending lebanon , you ’ d think theyd have iranian air defense system against the @ @ @ @ @ in near proximations to the rest of the sht that went keboom , but no @ @ @ @ @ war narrative contracts to keep cia/lockheed/dupont arms deals topped up , eg : palestine mk2 @ @ @ @ @ another 30 yrs contracted evils requires hezbolla grounds+ israel air support , very much like @ @ @ @ @ scheme of zogs !
Make of it what you want , either way both will @ @ @ @ @ as one another ( period )

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A brief overview of the recent developments on the Israeli-Lebanese contact line:
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) shot down an unknown drone over the Mount Hermon;
An Israeli army unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was falsely identified as Lebanese drone over the Galilee region;
The Palestinian Hamas Movement announced that one of its members had survived an assassination attempt in the city of Saida.
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