southfront--2020-11-18--Covid Offices and the Religion of Remote Work

Masks can prove liberating .
The hidden face affords security .
Obnoxious authority breathes better , hiding in comfort .
Behind the material , confidence finds a home .
While tens of millions of jobs have been lost to the novel coronavirus globally , security services , surveillance officers and pen pushers are thriving , policing admissions to facilities , churning through health and safety declarations , and generally making a nuisance of themselves .
Consider the state of Victoria in Australia .
The pandemic lockdown measures have softened but have left a thick film of bureaucracy .
For the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work to retrieve necessary materials ( the definition of what is necessary varies ) , the task is irritating , even taxing .
First , temperature check .
Second , checking in via smart phone with a health declaration , a step discriminatory to those who have no interest in having such devices .
Third , clearance with security to ensure the activation of relevant cards , and the lending of necessary keys .
Even through masks , those lining up exude weariness , feeling saggy after months in epidemiological confinement .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the necessary buildings , it is time to make way to the office , a space neglected since March .
Books , sulking at not having been consulted .
Detritus of memories on the wall : posters and pictures of travel to places now inaccessible for reasons of cost or the pandemic .
Towers of paperwork left unattended , rendered irrelevant by digitalisation .
White board , uncleaned .
A sense of woe grips : the days for having such a space of monkish calm and serene bliss are numbered .
During the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the benefits of making people work from home .
This has very much to do with them , though other virtues are also celebrated : the conveniences of work and home living ; avoiding long , draining commutes ; spending more time with family .
We are doing it for you .
This has meant the invasion of the employee ’ s home , and often not a voluntary one .
Urban managerialism , already identified in the 1970s by the English sociologist Ray Pahl , has been hyper charged by a reallocation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upon the toilers .
The nature of parasitic capitalism , as Andy Merrifield puts it , has come to the fore with aggression .
“ World cities , ” he reasons , “ are giant arenas where the most rabid activity is the activity of rabidly extorting land rent , of making land pay anyway it can ; of dispatching all non-parasitic activities to some other part of town ( as Engels recognized long ago ) , so as to help this rental maximisation.
” The almost operatic description of Karl Marx in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ Capital is dead labour which , vampire-like , lives only by sucking living labour , and lives the more and more it sucks.
” And sucking it does , making sure that employees feed the beast by shouldering more expenses while all the time being told they are fulfilling their civic obligations and minding their good health .
The fact that doing this also means reducing the ongoing costs of the business or entity , ensuring greater rental maximisation , is seen as ancillary to the main show .
Prior to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remote work was already sounding like an urban manager ’ s small book of maxims and clichés .
Sophia Bernazzani of the video conferencing company Owl Labs , writing in December last year , announced how “ new survey data revealed that remote work is a major benefit for employees .
In fact , 34 % of US workers would take a pay cut of up to 5 % in order to work remotely .
And those who do work remotely say they ’ re happy in their jobs 29 % more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make its telling presence , was already diving into reasons why a remote workforce was an exhilarating boon for business .
As contributor Amar Hussain reasoned , “ Although there are challenges that come with hiring and organizing a remote workforce , the reality is working with a remote team might end up being one of the best decisions you could make for your business.
” More work is accomplished by such remote teams ( time otherwise wasted on commuting , for instance , can be used ) ; a “ larger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , given the absence of geographical constraints ; rental costs will be spared , meaning that US companies would be saving $ 10,000 per employee per year .
Finally , a health dividend ( because they care ) , would accrue .
“ Remote work removes the need to commute and the associated negative effects.
” Urban planning academic Richard Shearmur sees past the glossy narrative of saving costs , tilting the focus away from proselytisers of the religion of remote work .
“ Whatever the personal and productivity impacts of remote work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per year are the employer ’ s .
In effect , this represents an offloading of costs onto employees – a new type of enclosure.
” With this comes loneliness , productivity and various inefficiencies .
Shearmur also sees a historical parallel of expropriation .
“ In 16th-century Britain , powerful landowners expropriated common land from the communities , often for the purpose of running lucrative sheep farms .
Today , businesses like Shopify appear to be expropriating their employee ’ s private living space.
” They do so by making employees purchase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ergonomic chairs , desks and so forth ) , placing the emphasis on them to maintain such equipment and the premises that house them .
Such businesses are also casting an Orwellian eye over employees in their home environment .
Expropriation , in a fashion , is not enough ; it must come with the monitoring gaze .
Productivity targets must be maintained .
Elizabeth Lyons of the University of San Diego explains what that entails .
“ The things employers are really looking for is what websites are employees on , are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apps are they using , how much time they are spending on their different tasks.
” In an online survey of 1,800 people in October conducted by Prospect , a UK trade union representing engineers , scientists and civil servants , two-thirds of workers expressed discomfort at the idea of programmes being used to check the frequency of their typing .
Up to 80 % were also unsettled by the use of cameras recording them as they sat at their home computer , with 76 % uncomfortable with the idea of wearing devices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been encouraged to believe in the narcotic of efficiency and productivity .
Take Candice , a “ digital marketer ” behind podcasts aiding students undertaking English proficiency tests .
Interviewed for ABC Radio National in Australia , she is sympathetic to her employer who “ has no idea of what I ’ m doing all day long.
” Except that he does .
But never mind that : home surveillance technology “ keeps me on track … I can see exactly how much time I ’ ve spent doing work ” .
Good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remote work ; bad for many of us .
Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College , Cambridge .
He lectures at RMIT University , Melbourne .
Email : bkampmark @ gmail.com MORE ON THE TOPIC : • The Post Covid World , The WEF ’ s Diabolical Project : “ Resetting the Future of Work Agenda ” – After “ The Great Reset ” .
A Horrifying Future

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Submitted by Dr. Binoy Kampmark
Masks can prove liberating. The hidden face affords security. Obnoxious authority breathes better, hiding in comfort. Behind the material, confidence finds a home. While tens of millions of jobs have been lost to the novel coronavirus globally, security services, surveillance officers and pen pushers are thriving, policing admissions to facilities, churning through health and safety declarations, and generally making a nuisance of themselves.
Consider the state of Victoria in Australia. The pandemic lockdown measures have softened but have left a thick film of bureaucracy. For the overly eager employee wishing to come into work to retrieve necessary materials (the definition of what is necessary varies), the task is irritating, even taxing. First, temperature check. Second, checking in via smart phone with a health declaration, a step discriminatory to those who have no interest in having such devices. Third, clearance with security to ensure the activation of relevant cards, and the lending of necessary keys. Even through masks, those lining up exude weariness, feeling saggy after months in epidemiological confinement.
With the card activated and ready to access the necessary buildings, it is time to make way to the office, a space neglected since March. Books, sulking at not having been consulted. Detritus of memories on the wall: posters and pictures of travel to places now inaccessible for reasons of cost or the pandemic. Towers of paperwork left unattended, rendered irrelevant by digitalisation. White board, uncleaned. A sense of woe grips: the days for having such a space of monkish calm and serene bliss are numbered.
During the pandemic, employers have been chorusing about the benefits of making people work from home. This has very much to do with them, though other virtues are also celebrated: the conveniences of work and home living; avoiding long, draining commutes; spending more time with family. We are doing it for you.
This has meant the invasion of the employee’s home, and often not a voluntary one. Urban managerialism, already identified in the 1970s by the English sociologist Ray Pahl, has been hyper charged by a reallocation of resources, the imposition of stresses upon the toilers. The nature of parasitic capitalism, as Andy Merrifield puts it, has come to the fore with aggression. “World cities,” he reasons, “are giant arenas where the most rabid activity is the activity of rabidly extorting land rent, of making land pay anyway it can; of dispatching all non-parasitic activities to some other part of town (as Engels recognized long ago), so as to help this rental maximisation.” The almost operatic description of Karl Marx in the first volume of Das Kapital comes to mind: “Capital is dead labour which, vampire-like, lives only by sucking living labour, and lives the more and more it sucks.”
And sucking it does, making sure that employees feed the beast by shouldering more expenses while all the time being told they are fulfilling their civic obligations and minding their good health. The fact that doing this also means reducing the ongoing costs of the business or entity, ensuring greater rental maximisation, is seen as ancillary to the main show.
Prior to the pandemic, the literature on attitudes to remote work was already sounding like an urban manager’s small book of maxims and clichés. Sophia Bernazzani of the video conferencing company Owl Labs, writing in December last year, announced how “new survey data revealed that remote work is a major benefit for employees. In fact, 34% of US workers would take a pay cut of up to 5% in order to work remotely. And those who do work remotely say they’re happy in their jobs 29% more than on-site workers.”
With COVID-19 yet to make its telling presence, Forbes was already diving into reasons why a remote workforce was an exhilarating boon for business. As contributor Amar Hussain reasoned, “Although there are challenges that come with hiring and organizing a remote workforce, the reality is working with a remote team might end up being one of the best decisions you could make for your business.” More work is accomplished by such remote teams (time otherwise wasted on commuting, for instance, can be used); a “larger talent pool” can be drawn from, given the absence of geographical constraints; rental costs will be spared, meaning that US companies would be saving $10,000 per employee per year. Finally, a health dividend (because they care), would accrue. “Remote work removes the need to commute and the associated negative effects.”
Urban planning academic Richard Shearmur sees past the glossy narrative of saving costs, tilting the focus away from proselytisers of the religion of remote work. “Whatever the personal and productivity impacts of remote work, the savings of US$10,000 per year are the employer’s. In effect, this represents an offloading of costs onto employees – a new type of enclosure.” With this comes loneliness, reduced productivity and various inefficiencies.
Shearmur also sees a historical parallel of expropriation. “In 16th-century Britain, powerful landowners expropriated common land from the communities, often for the purpose of running lucrative sheep farms. Today, businesses like Shopify appear to be expropriating their employee’s private living space.” They do so by making employees purchase more work equipment for the home (ergonomic chairs, desks and so forth), placing the emphasis on them to maintain such equipment and the premises that house them.
Such businesses are also casting an Orwellian eye over employees in their home environment. Expropriation, in a fashion, is not enough; it must come with the monitoring gaze. Productivity targets must be maintained. Elizabeth Lyons of the University of San Diego explains what that entails. “The things employers are really looking for is what websites are employees on, are these productive or unproductive websites, what apps are they using, how much time they are spending on their different tasks.”
In an online survey of 1,800 people in October conducted by Prospect, a UK trade union representing engineers, scientists and civil servants, two-thirds of workers expressed discomfort at the idea of programmes being used to check the frequency of their typing. Up to 80% were also unsettled by the use of cameras recording them as they sat at their home computer, with 76% uncomfortable with the idea of wearing devices noting their location.
Some employees have been encouraged to believe in the narcotic of efficiency and productivity. Take Candice, a “digital marketer” behind podcasts aiding students undertaking English proficiency tests. Interviewed for ABC Radio National in Australia, she is sympathetic to her employer who “has no idea of what I’m doing all day long.” Except that he does. But never mind that: home surveillance technology “keeps me on track … I can see exactly how much time I’ve spent doing work”. Good for the unassuming Candice and co-religionists of remote work; bad for many of us.
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--2020-11-18--Military Situation In Yemen On November 18, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Yemen : • On November 17 @ @ @ @ @ 14 airstrikes on the Madghal area ; • On November 17 , Saudi-led coalition warplanes @ @ @ @ @ and Shaaf districts ; • On November 17 , Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 2 airstrikes @ @ @ @ @ • The Liaison and Coordination Officers ’ Operations Room ( loyal to Ansar Allah ) @ @ @ @ @ al-Hudaydah during the past 24 hours ; • On November 18 , Clashes between STC @ @ @ @ @ the Tariya area ; • The prisoner exchange talks scheduled for November 19 in the @ @ @ @ @ was postponed for unknown date .
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A brief overview of the recent developments in Yemen:
On November 17, Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 14 airstrikes on the Madghal area;
On November 17, Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 3 airstrikes on Majzar district;
On November 17, Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 2 airstrikes on Khab and Shaaf districts;
On November 17, Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 2 airstrikes on the Baqim area;
The Liaison and Coordination Officers’ Operations Room (loyal to Ansar Allah) reported 167 ceasefire violations in al-Hudaydah during the past 24 hours;
On November 18, Clashes between STC and Saudi-led forces continue in the Tariya area;
The prisoner exchange talks scheduled for November 19 in the Jordanian capital, Amman, was postponed for unknown date.
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southfront--2020-11-18--Military Situation In Syria On November 18, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria : • On November 18 @ @ @ @ @ ( SAA ) soldiers were killed and another one was wounded by Israeli airstrikes on @ @ @ @ @ November 17 , artillery of Turkish-backed forces shelled positions of the SDF near Ain Issa @ @ @ @ @ , a car bomb explosion erupted in the town of Jarabalus ; • On November @ @ @ @ @ forces shelled positions of the SDF east of Minnagh ; • On November 17 , @ @ @ @ @ Turkish-backed forces in al-Barah .
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A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria:
On November 18, 3 Syrian Arab Army (SAA) soldiers were killed and another one was wounded by Israeli airstrikes on southern Syria;
On November 17, artillery of Turkish-backed forces shelled positions of the SDF near Ain Issa;
On November 17, a car bomb explosion erupted in the town of Jarabalus;
On November 17, artillery of Turkish-backed forces shelled positions of the SDF east of Minnagh;
On November 17, SAA artillery shelled positions of Turkish-backed forces in al-Barah.
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southfront--2020-11-18--“Crushing Response” Leading To War: Iran Responds To Report That Trump Mulled Attack

An Iranian government spokesman on Tuesday issued an official response to a late Monday NY Times report that said Trump sought “ options ” from his generals and advisers on mounting a preemptive strike on Iran .
Iran vowed a “ crushing response ” and military action in retaliation , according to the statement .
“ Any action against the Iranian nation would certainly face a crushing response , ” spokesman Ali Rabiei said in televised remarks via state channels .
Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz seized on the potential for Trump to degrade the Islamic Republic ’ s nuclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his presidency , saying that “ If I were the Iranians , I would not feel at ease , ” according to remarks cited in Reuters .
“ It is very important that the Iranians know that if , indeed , they suddenly dash toward high levels of enrichment , in the direction of nuclear weaponry , they are liable to encounter the military might of the United States – and also , perhaps , of other countries , ” Steinitz said in an interview on Israel ’ s Army Radio .
Israel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on its own against Iran should Biden move to restore conditions of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA ) nuclear deal , which Trump had pulled the US out of in May 2018 .
Tel Aviv has long maintained that Iran would secretly pursue nuclear weapons under cover of the deal .
The New York Times report had noted that “ Mr Trump asked his top national security aides what options were available and how to respond ” – but that his top advisers argued against it , saying it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his last weeks in office .
The Iranians have been positively celebrating Biden ’ s victory as it means a likely softening of sanctions and potential restoration of terms of the JCPOA .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Russia Returns To Power Game In Red And Arabian Seas • Karabakh War Could Be Stopped Weeks Before Fall Of Shusha , But Pashinyan Was Refusing To Accept Russian Peacekeepers : Putin

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Originally appeared at ZeroHedge
An Iranian government spokesman on Tuesday issued an official response to a late Monday NY Times report that said Trump sought “options” from his generals and advisers on mounting a preemptive strike on Iran.
Iran vowed a “crushing response” and military action in retaliation, according to the statement. “Any action against the Iranian nation would certainly face a crushing response,” spokesman Ali Rabiei said in televised remarks via state channels.
Via Arms Control Center
Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz seized on the potential for Trump to degrade the Islamic Republic’s nuclear abilities with just weeks to go in his presidency, saying that “If I were the Iranians, I would not feel at ease,” according to remarks cited in Reuters.
“It is very important that the Iranians know that if, indeed, they suddenly dash toward high levels of enrichment, in the direction of nuclear weaponry, they are liable to encounter the military might of the United States – and also, perhaps, of other countries,” Steinitz said in an interview on Israel’s Army Radio.
Israel itself has lately signaled it could act on its own against Iran should Biden move to restore conditions of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal, which Trump had pulled the US out of in May 2018. Tel Aviv has long maintained that Iran would secretly pursue nuclear weapons under cover of the deal.
The American people have spoken. And the world is watching whether the new leaders will abandon disastrous lawless bullying of outgoing regime—and accept multilateralism, cooperation & respect for law. Deeds matter most Iran's record: dignity, interest & responsible diplomacy. — Javad Zarif (@JZarif) November 8, 2020
The New York Times report had noted that “Mr Trump asked his top national security aides what options were available and how to respond” – but that his top advisers argued against it, saying it would spiral into major war which would consume his last weeks in office.
The Iranians have been positively celebrating Biden’s victory as it means a likely softening of sanctions and potential restoration of terms of the JCPOA.
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southfront--2020-11-18--Turkish Parliament Approves Deployment Of Troops To Azerbaijan For Monitoring Center, MPs Claim Its

Turkish Parliament Approves Deployment Of Troops To Azerbaijan For Monitoring Center, MPs Claim Its For “Observation Posts” In Conflict Zone

On November 17th , the Turkish Parliament approved the deployment of Turkish troops to Azerbaijan for a peacekeeping mission to Azerbaijan .
The vote is advertised as a deployment of Turkish troops to take part in the Russian-brokered ceasefire agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan , but it is simply Turkish experts taking part in a monitoring center , alongside Russia .
The peacekeepers are from the Russian military , as it has been made clear .
The ruling Justice and Development Party ( AK Party ) , Nationalist Movement Party ( MHP ) , opposition Republican People ’ s Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IP ) accepted the bill , which will allow “ Turkish peacekeeping efforts in the aftermath of the recent Nagorno-Karabakh deal.
” The agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan doesn ’ t include the deployment of any Turkish forces to Nagorno-Karabakh , regardless of what the claims are .
The mandate will allow Turkish troops to be stationed at a peacekeeping center for one year as part of an accord between Ankara and Moscow to monitor the implementation of the cease-fire , which locked in territorial gains by Azerbaijan .
In comparison , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan ’ s government would determine the number of troops to be sent and it wasn ’ t immediately clear how many the country planned to deploy .
The motion states that civilian personnel could also be deployed as part of the peacekeeping mission .
Russian and Turkish defense ministers signed a memorandum last week to create a joint monitoring center in Azerbaijan .
This came as a result of several days of negotiations between the two sides .
The Turkish troops to be dispatched to Azerbaijan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ observe and report the ceasefire between the two rival parties , Azerbaijan and Armenia , which ended their six-week war .
Meaning that no actual troops will be deployed to Nagorno-Karabakh , but simply in Azerbaijan ’ s sovereign territory , where the monitoring center will be established .
In some internal propaganda , however , Turkish members of parliament appear to believe that there would be Turkish observation posts , similar to the 16 that Russia is establishing in Nagorno-Karabakh .
According to Ankara ’ s understanding , Turkey reiterates that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ territories of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation.
” During the discussions in parliament , Turkish MP Abdul Ahat Andidjan said that “ UAVs should be deployed in the observation posts created by Turkey , which will be guided and analyzed by Turkish Armed Forces officers .
These observation posts should have a specific function.
” This is unlikely to happen , since , as mentioned numerous times , Turkish presence only relates to personnel in an monitoring center , which will not be part of any single or numerous observations posts , but at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Protecting Troops On The Move : The Russian Experience • Karabakh War Could Be Stopped Weeks Before Fall Of Shusha , But Pashinyan Was Refusing To Accept Russian Peacekeepers : Putin

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On November 17th, the Turkish Parliament approved the deployment of Turkish troops to Azerbaijan for a peacekeeping mission to Azerbaijan.
The vote passed with overwhelming approval.
The vote is advertised as a deployment of Turkish troops to take part in the Russian-brokered ceasefire agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, but it is simply Turkish experts taking part in a monitoring center, alongside Russia.
The peacekeepers are from the Russian military, as it has been made clear.
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and Good Party (IP) accepted the bill, which will allow “Turkish peacekeeping efforts in the aftermath of the recent Nagorno-Karabakh deal.”
The agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan doesn’t include the deployment of any Turkish forces to Nagorno-Karabakh, regardless of what the claims are.
The mandate will allow Turkish troops to be stationed at a peacekeeping center for one year as part of an accord between Ankara and Moscow to monitor the implementation of the cease-fire, which locked in territorial gains by Azerbaijan.
In comparison, the mandate of the Russian deployment is 5 years.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government would determine the number of troops to be sent and it wasn’t immediately clear how many the country planned to deploy. The motion states that civilian personnel could also be deployed as part of the peacekeeping mission.
Russian and Turkish defense ministers signed a memorandum last week to create a joint monitoring center in Azerbaijan. This came as a result of several days of negotiations between the two sides.
The Turkish troops to be dispatched to Azerbaijan will work with their Russian counterparts to observe and report the ceasefire between the two rival parties, Azerbaijan and Armenia, which ended their six-week war.
Meaning that no actual troops will be deployed to Nagorno-Karabakh, but simply in Azerbaijan’s sovereign territory, where the monitoring center will be established.
In some internal propaganda, however, Turkish members of parliament appear to believe that there would be Turkish observation posts, similar to the 16 that Russia is establishing in Nagorno-Karabakh.
According to Ankara’s understanding, Turkey reiterates that the troops will be deployed in “the territories of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation.”
During the discussions in parliament, Turkish MP Abdul Ahat Andidjan said that “UAVs should be deployed in the observation posts created by Turkey, which will be guided and analyzed by Turkish Armed Forces officers. These observation posts should have a specific function.”
This is unlikely to happen, since, as mentioned numerous times, Turkish presence only relates to personnel in an monitoring center, which will not be part of any single or numerous observations posts, but at a distance from any potential frontline.
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southfront--2020-11-18--SouthFront Survival Is Not Possible Without Your Support!

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southfront--2020-11-18--Clashes In Western Sahara Continue, As Polisario Front Says There’s No Hope For Peace

Fighting is on-going between Moroccan military forces and the Polisario Front ( Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Río de Oro ) .
On November 16th and 17th , clashes are continuing along the security wall in the disputed area .
King Mohammed VI said the military operation by Morocco ’ s army had enabled trade to resume through the strategic border post at El Guergarat that had been blockaded by supporters of the pro-independence Polisario Front .
Morocco “ has redressed the situation , settled the problem definitively and restored the flow of trade , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Antonio Guterres , according to a royal statement , issued on November 16th .
While authorities would continue to support UN efforts to reach “ a realistic and achievable solution ” for the conflict , those efforts must ensure the territory stays under Moroccan sovereignty , the king said .
The hostilities began after Rabat sent troops to reopen a highway linking Morocco , the Western Sahara and Mauritania that was occupied by protesters .
Polisario , in response , vowed to intensify its attack , and it claims that Morocco defaulted on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighboring Algeria .
For the past three weeks leading up to November 13th , dozens of Sahrawi protesters had blocked the Guerguerat border crossing , cutting trade and traffic between Morocco and Mauritania to the south .
They were demanding Morocco close a road in the U.N.-patrolled buffer zone and calling for the release of political prisoners .
Rabat ’ s reaction was that it deployed a brigade of 1,000 men accompanied by 200 vehicles to the region , violating the terms of the ceasefire .
In response , Polisario said that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declared war on Morocco .
This deployment took place hours after US Major General Andrew Rohling met in Agadir with Lieutenant General Belkhir El Farouk , Commander of the Southern Zone of Morocco ’ s Royal Armed Forces , which includes occupied Western Sahara .
Sidi Omar , the Polisario Front ’ s representative to the U.N. , said of Rabat ’ s action : In an official statement , King Mohammed VI warned that Morocco “ remains firmly determined to react , with the greatest severity , and in self-defence , against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizations , as well as separate states are urging for hostilities to end .
The secretary-general of the United Nations , António Guterres , and the chairperson of the African Union Commission , Moussa Faki , expressed their grave concern over the conflict , with Faki stating : The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy , Josep Borrell , stated that the EU was supporting the efforts of the United Nations to find a peaceful settlement for the conflict , in accordance with the Security Council resolutions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of movement in Guerguerat .
The secretary-general of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation , Yousef Al-Othaimeen , and the secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council , Nayef bin Falah Al-Hajraf , stated that they support Morocco ’ s efforts to what they called “ securing freedom of civil and commercial movement.
” Bahrain , Central African Republic , Comoros , Djibouti , Equatorial Guinea , Gabon , Gambia , Jordan , Kuwait , Oman , Qatar , Saudi Arabia , Turkey , Yemen ( the Saudi-controlled Hadi government ) and the United Arab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while Guyana withdrew its recognition of the SADR .
Egypt , Mauritania , Russia , and Spain have all urged both parties to respect the ceasefire .
South Africa and Algeria , which back the Polisario Front , accused Morocco of violating the ceasefire and urged the UN to appoint a new Western Sahara envoy to restart talks .
Algeria also sent 60 tons of food and medical aid to the refugees in Western Sahara .
In addition , Spain ’ s second deputy prime minister Pablo Iglesias Turrión , and Venezuela have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-determination of the Sahrawis .
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Fighting is on-going between Moroccan military forces and the Polisario Front (Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Río de Oro).
On November 16th and 17th, clashes are continuing along the security wall in the disputed area.
King Mohammed VI said the military operation by Morocco’s army had enabled trade to resume through the strategic border post at El Guergarat that had been blockaded by supporters of the pro-independence Polisario Front.
Morocco “has redressed the situation, settled the problem definitively and restored the flow of trade,” the monarch told United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, according to a royal statement, issued on November 16th.
While authorities would continue to support UN efforts to reach “a realistic and achievable solution” for the conflict, those efforts must ensure the territory stays under Moroccan sovereignty, the king said.
The hostilities began after Rabat sent troops to reopen a highway linking Morocco, the Western Sahara and Mauritania that was occupied by protesters.
Polisario, in response, vowed to intensify its attack, and it claims that Morocco defaulted on the three-decade-old agreement and is backed by neighboring Algeria.
“There is just no feasible way to prevent a full return to war,” the group’s envoy to Europe, Oubi Bouchraya Bachir, said. “The cease-fire is over once and for all.”
For the past three weeks leading up to November 13th, dozens of Sahrawi protesters had blocked the Guerguerat border crossing, cutting trade and traffic between Morocco and Mauritania to the south.
They were demanding Morocco close a road in the U.N.-patrolled buffer zone and calling for the release of political prisoners.
Rabat’s reaction was that it deployed a brigade of 1,000 men accompanied by 200 vehicles to the region, violating the terms of the ceasefire.
In response, Polisario said that it would stop adhering to the ceasefire and declared war on Morocco.
This deployment took place hours after US Major General Andrew Rohling met in Agadir with Lieutenant General Belkhir El Farouk, Commander of the Southern Zone of Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces, which includes occupied Western Sahara.
“War has started, the Moroccan side has liquidated the ceasefire,” senior Polisario official Mohamed Salem Ould Salek said.
Sidi Omar, the Polisario Front’s representative to the U.N., said of Rabat’s action:
“For us, it is an open war.” The Sahara Press Service claimed Polisario had launched attacks for five consecutive days against the Royal Moroccan Army in the Western Sahara, “causing loss of lives and equipment and disrupting its military plans.”
In an official statement, King Mohammed VI warned that Morocco “remains firmly determined to react, with the greatest severity, and in self-defence, against any threat to its security.”
International organizations, as well as separate states are urging for hostilities to end.
The secretary-general of the United Nations, António Guterres, and the chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki, expressed their grave concern over the conflict, with Faki stating:
“The Saharan issue has gone on for a long time and it has become urgent to solve it as a case of decolonization in the first place, and to support the UN efforts in this regard.”
The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, stated that the EU was supporting the efforts of the United Nations to find a peaceful settlement for the conflict, in accordance with the Security Council resolutions, and stressing on the insurance of freedom of movement in Guerguerat.
The secretary-general of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Yousef Al-Othaimeen, and the secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Nayef bin Falah Al-Hajraf, stated that they support Morocco’s efforts to what they called “securing freedom of civil and commercial movement.”
Bahrain, Central African Republic, Comoros, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Yemen (the Saudi-controlled Hadi government) and the United Arab Emirates voiced their support for Morocco, while Guyana withdrew its recognition of the SADR.
Egypt, Mauritania, Russia, and Spain have all urged both parties to respect the ceasefire.
South Africa and Algeria, which back the Polisario Front, accused Morocco of violating the ceasefire and urged the UN to appoint a new Western Sahara envoy to restart talks.
Algeria also sent 60 tons of food and medical aid to the refugees in Western Sahara. In addition, Spain’s second deputy prime minister Pablo Iglesias Turrión, and Venezuela have stated that they supported the right to self-determination of the Sahrawis.
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southfront--2020-11-18--Protecting Troops On The Move: The Russian Experience

After a month and a half of war , Armenia lost against Azerbaijan ’ s forces in the battle of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The conclusion of hostilities , apart from the gross mismanagement by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the other Armenian leadership also came down to the woefully undermanned and underequipped forces that the Armenian side had .
The most significant advantage that Azerbaijan , with Turkish support , had was the air superiority .
Azerbaijan used a large number of Turkish Bayraktar TB2 , as well as Israeli-made UAVs to monitor and continuously strike Armenian positions .
Furthermore , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Turkey ’ s F-16 fighter jets .
As such , there ’ s been quite a bit of discussion into how things could have gone differently , and how much focus should be placed on protecting one ’ s forces from air attacks , mostly from UAVs , but also from all other threats .
This is valid in the conventional sense , by defending static positions , but also while forces are on the move , since reports of Armenian ( or Azerbaijani forces ) being struck while moving towards a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on November 17th , military blogger Vladlen Tatarskiy ( that participated in the conflict in eastern Ukraine on the side of the Lugansk People ’ s Republic ) ublished some insight into how Russia specifically defends its forces , while they ’ re on the move .
The conclusions are based on a discussion with an unnamed expert , who saw a video Tatarskiy published earlier with Yuri Knutov , who is a well-known Russian military expert .
The entire discussion is below , and all the conclusions made through it : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follows : • The “ Pantsir-S1 ” does not belong to military air defense and therefore can not defend an armored personnel carrier on the march .
This is an object air defense not of the front line of defense .
• EW ( Electronic Warfare ) works on the march – for example , Infauna , R-330BM , Foliage .
• The Tor-M2″ SAM protects against all drones , and the “ kids ” will be dealt with by the new system “ Typhoon Air Defense ” ( an automated system for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and the future system “ Derivation of Air Defense ” .
• Electronic warfare against drones is limited , it can cut operator-drone communication channels , and crush electronic stuffing .
• Supplementing air defense is the “ Peresvet ” laser complex – which “ burns out ” the optics on drones .
Its current execution is object-based .
At the same time , the development of a fully-operational military complex is in progress , at the testing stage .
Question : Do the Russian troops have all of this ?
Answer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , some things are already commissioned , some things are being launched into serial production – everything is going according to plan !
Question : the same question for you : what is needed to cover the BTGr on the march from the air ?
Answer : The minimum set is “ Tunguska ” , “ Tor-M2 ” and MANPADS .
Smoke ducts help well , because optics do not see targets in the smoke .
Attack drones have weaker optics than scout drones .
Question : So , you ’ re saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the troops ?
Answer : Tor-M2 is a key unit , its radar can see all drones , even those that are completely made of plastic and with electric engines .
“ Tor-M2 ” has entered the army since 2016 .
The Ministry of Defense signed a contract for its purchase for 100 billion rubles until 2025 .
The limited conversation provides some interesting insight in how troops on the move can be defended , with just a few systems , which can be provide a very thorough coverage against UAVs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Karabakh And Other Consequences Of Armenian-Azerbaijani War • IRGC Releases Alleged Photo of Azerbaijani President In Sniper ’ s Sights , Iran Says Presence Of Militants In Karabakh Unacceptable

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After a month and a half of war, Armenia lost against Azerbaijan’s forces in the battle of Nagorno-Karabakh. The conclusion of hostilities, apart from the gross mismanagement by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the other Armenian leadership also came down to the woefully undermanned and underequipped forces that the Armenian side had.
The most significant advantage that Azerbaijan, with Turkish support, had was the air superiority. Azerbaijan used a large number of Turkish Bayraktar TB2, as well as Israeli-made UAVs to monitor and continuously strike Armenian positions.
Furthermore, there was the constant threat of strikes by Turkey’s F-16 fighter jets.
As such, there’s been quite a bit of discussion into how things could have gone differently, and how much focus should be placed on protecting one’s forces from air attacks, mostly from UAVs, but also from all other threats.
This is valid in the conventional sense, by defending static positions, but also while forces are on the move, since reports of Armenian (or Azerbaijani forces) being struck while moving towards a position were not uncommon.
As such, on November 17th, military blogger Vladlen Tatarskiy (that participated in the conflict in eastern Ukraine on the side of the Lugansk People’s Republic) ublished some insight into how Russia specifically defends its forces, while they’re on the move. The conclusions are based on a discussion with an unnamed expert, who saw a video Tatarskiy published earlier with Yuri Knutov, who is a well-known Russian military expert.
The entire discussion is below, and all the conclusions made through it:
“Vladlen, good evening. I watched your video with Knutov.
My thoughts on the video are as follows:
The “Pantsir-S1” does not belong to military air defense and therefore cannot defend an armored personnel carrier on the march. This is an object air defense not of the front line of defense. EW (Electronic Warfare) works on the march – for example, Infauna, R-330BM, Foliage. The Tor-M2″ SAM protects against all drones, and the “kids” will be dealt with by the new system “Typhoon Air Defense” (an automated system for reconnaissance and target designation of MANPADS calculations) and the future system “Derivation of Air Defense”. Electronic warfare against drones is limited, it can cut operator-drone communication channels, and crush electronic stuffing. Supplementing air defense is the “Peresvet” laser complex – which “burns out” the optics on drones. Its current execution is object-based. At the same time, the development of a fully-operational military complex is in progress, at the testing stage.
Question: Do the Russian troops have all of this?
Answer: Some things are currently being delivered, some things are already commissioned, some things are being launched into serial production – everything is going according to plan!
Question: the same question for you: what is needed to cover the BTGr on the march from the air?
Answer: The minimum set is “Tunguska”, “Tor-M2” and MANPADS. Smoke ducts help well, because optics do not see targets in the smoke. Attack drones have weaker optics than scout drones.
Question: So, you’re saying that Tor-2m has not yet been delivered to the troops?
Answer: Tor-M2 is a key unit, its radar can see all drones, even those that are completely made of plastic and with electric engines. “Tor-M2” has entered the army since 2016. The Ministry of Defense signed a contract for its purchase for 100 billion rubles until 2025.
The limited conversation provides some interesting insight in how troops on the move can be defended, with just a few systems, which can be provide a very thorough coverage against UAVs.
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southfront--2020-11-18--Israel Strikes Various Syrian Armed Forces And Alleged Iranian Targets, In “Retaliation” For IED Pla

Israel Strikes Various Syrian Armed Forces And Alleged Iranian Targets, In “Retaliation” For IED Placement Attempt

On November 17th , Israel Defense Forces ( IDF ) carried out several strikes on alleged Iranian Quds Force targets , as well as Syrian Arab Army positions inside Syria .
This was in response to detecting an alleged attempt by “ an Iranian-led Syrian squad ” to plant an IED on the Israel-Syria border near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights .
The strikes hit eight targets from the Golan Heights to Damascus these allegedly include : • a secret military barracks which acts as a housing complex for senior Iranian officials as well as visiting delegations ; • a command @ @ @ @ @ @ @ army which cooperates with the Quds force ; • mobile surface-to-air missile trucks which fired towards Israeli jets during the strikes .
The military added that “ the attack was carried out in response to the placement of explosive charges next to the border fence between Syrian and Israeli territory by a Syrian squad acting under Iranian instruction , ” the statement said .
According to IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Hidai Zilberman , the anti-personnel mines discovered on November 17th were actually planted several weeks ago “ by local Syrians under the command of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state-run SANA news agency reported that Syrian air defenses intercepted the “ Israeli aggression ” in the South of the country and downed a number of missiles that had been launched .
SANA also reported that Syrian air defenses had intercepted the Israeli air strikes over the capital city of Damascus .
Three military personnel were killed and one was injured in the attacks ; according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights , some 10 personnel were killed .
“ It isn ’ t clear if the casualties were Syrian or Iranian-backed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was on a tour of the Northern Command on November 17th , where he was briefed on the regional situation and troop readiness , held Syria responsible .
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Early on November 18, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out several strikes on alleged Iranian Quds Force targets, as well as Syrian Arab Army positions inside Syria.
This was in response to detecting an alleged attempt by “an Iranian-led Syrian squad” to plant an IED on the Israel-Syria border near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
We just exposed a number of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) near the Israeli side of the Alpha Line on the southern Golan Heights. We hold the Syrian regime responsible for all events in Syria and will not tolerate any violation of our sovereignty. pic.twitter.com/JoWR2JNM89 — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 17, 2020
What Iran & Syria did: placed improvised explosive devices by the Alpha Line to hit Israeli troops. What we did: just struck Iranian Quds Force & Syrian Armed Forces targets in Syria. We stand prepared to operate against Iranian entrenchment in Syria. — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 18, 2020
Israel and Iran don't share a border. In fact, Tehran is 1,000 miles from Jerusalem. So why did an Iranian-led Syrian squad plant this IED on the Israel-Syria border? Because Iran's terror knows no border. Luckily, we're here to stop them. pic.twitter.com/7yb2TuScRo — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 18, 2020
“IDF warplanes attacked military targets belonging to the Iranian Quds Force and the Syrian army tonight in Syria. The attack damaged warehouses, command posts and military complexes, and batteries of surface-to-air missiles,” the IDF said in a statement.
#عاجل الطائرات الحربية الإسرائيلية تستهدف الليلة أهداف عسكرية تابعة لفيلق القدس الإيراني وللجيش السوري تشمل مخازن ومقرات قيادة ومجمعات عسكرية بالاضافة الى بطاريات أرض-جو. pic.twitter.com/O423OSO7at — افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) November 18, 2020
The strikes hit eight targets from the Golan Heights to Damascus these allegedly include:
an Iranian military complex near Damascus International Airport;
a secret military barracks which acts as a housing complex for senior Iranian officials as well as visiting delegations;
a command post for Division 7 of the Syrian army which cooperates with the Quds force;
mobile surface-to-air missile trucks which fired towards Israeli jets during the strikes.
The military added that “the attack was carried out in response to the placement of explosive charges next to the border fence between Syrian and Israeli territory by a Syrian squad acting under Iranian instruction,” the statement said.
According to IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Hidai Zilberman, the anti-personnel mines discovered on November 17th were actually planted several weeks ago “by local Syrians under the command of Iranian Quds Force.”
Syria’s state-run SANA news agency reported that Syrian air defenses intercepted the “Israeli aggression” in the South of the country and downed a number of missiles that had been launched.
SANA also reported that Syrian air defenses had intercepted the Israeli air strikes over the capital city of Damascus.
Three military personnel were killed and one was injured in the attacks; according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, some 10 personnel were killed. “It isn’t clear if the casualties were Syrian or Iranian-backed troops.”
Defense Minister Benny Gantz, who was on a tour of the Northern Command on November 17th, where he was briefed on the regional situation and troop readiness, held Syria responsible.
“We have long been prepared for the possibility of terror attacks in the northern sector,” he said. “The IDF has the capabilities and the determination to respond severely to any incident both on the Lebanese and Syrian fronts… I say clearly: Syria is responsible for what occurs on its territory.”
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southfront--2020-11-18--Germany Signs $6.5Bn Contract For Delivery Of 38 Eurofighter Typhoon Aircraft With Airbus

On November 11th , the German government signed a contract with Airbus SE for the delivery of 38 new Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets .
The contract makes Germany the largest ordering nation in Europe ’ s biggest defence programme .
The order , also known by its project name Quadriga , covers the delivery of 30 single-seater and 8 twin-seater Eurofighters .
Three of the aircraft will be equipped with additional test installations as Instrumented Test Aircraft for the further development of the Eurofighter programme .
The contract is estimated at $ 6.5 billion .
The new batch , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first tranche , bought between 2003 and 2008 , which can only do air-to-air combat and boasts an obsolete radar , according to the German Defence Ministry .
Earlier , on November 8th , it was reported that the German parliament approved the acquisition of 38 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets from Airbus to arm the Luftwaffe , the German air force – rejecting the Lockheed Martin F-35 bid .
Germany ’ s decision not to buy the F-35 stealth fighter jet was labeled a “ retrograde step ” that could hamper the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same level as its NATO partners , the European head of Lockheed Martin said in April 2019 .
Jonathan Hoyle , vice-president for Europe at the US defense group , said the German decision to exclude the F-35 prompted questions among other European governments .
He alleged that during a recent visit to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization several ambassadors had expressed “ disappointment ” at the German decision .
However , it should not come as any surprise , Airbus is the biggest airliner manufacturer and seller in the world , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 pandemic .
As such , it is no surprise that Germany would also prefer to make a purchase from a European company rather than a US one .
Another reason for Germany to choose the Eurofighter Typhoon over the F-35 was the wish to retain intellectual property of the aircraft , electronic systems and weapons within the country .
Back in the spring of 2020 , he German Ministry of Defense decided to purchase 30 American Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet fighters and 15 EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft to replace the fleet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Air Force , as well as 93 newly built Eurofighter fighters of the Tranche 4 series within the Quadriga project .
On April 16th , the Minister of Defense of the Federal Republic of Germany sent to the US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper in an e-mail an official request to the US government regarding the purchase of 30 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet multirole fighters and 15 electronic warfare aircraft and Boeing EA-18G Growler air defense suppression aircraft for the German Air Force .
The final decision to replace the Tornado fighter-bombers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new types will be made in 2022 or 2023 .
Only then will the German Parliament make the necessary allocation of funds .
The aircraft will be purchased in 2025 with plans to replace the Tornado aircraft by 2030 .
Now the German Luftwaffe has 233 combat aircraft , including 140 Eurofighter fighters and 93 Tornado aircraft .
The decommissioning of the obsolete Tornado aircraft was previously planned for 2025 , but has now been shifted to at least 2030 .
The choice of American F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft to partially replace the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use them as carriers of nuclear weapons – American B61 series nuclear bombs .
It is believed that 20 B61 nuclear bombs are in a US storage facility at Büchel Air Base , Rhineland-Palatinate , where the 33rd Luftwaffe Tactical Aviation Squadron is based , equipped with 46 Tornado IDS aircraft .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • A Return to Containment : Kennan and the Responsible Use of Power – Part 4

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On November 11th, the German government signed a contract with Airbus SE for the delivery of 38 new Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets.
The contract makes Germany the largest ordering nation in Europe’s biggest defence programme. The order, also known by its project name Quadriga, covers the delivery of 30 single-seater and 8 twin-seater Eurofighters.
Three of the aircraft will be equipped with additional test installations as Instrumented Test Aircraft for the further development of the Eurofighter programme.
Dirk Hoke, CEO Airbus Defence and Space, said: “The new Tranche 4 Eurofighter is currently the most modern European-built combat aircraft with a service life well beyond 2060. Its technical capabilities will allow full integration into the European Future Combat Air System FCAS”.
The contract is estimated at $6.5 billion.
“The renewed order from Germany secures production until 2030 and comes at a strategically important time for the program,” the company statement read. “In addition to an expected Eurofighter order from Spain to replace its legacy F-18s, procurement decisions in Switzerland and Finland are imminent in 2021.”
The new batch, to be delivered by 2030, will replace the first tranche, bought between 2003 and 2008, which can only do air-to-air combat and boasts an obsolete radar, according to the German Defence Ministry.
Earlier, on November 8th, it was reported that the German parliament approved the acquisition of 38 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets from Airbus to arm the Luftwaffe, the German air force – rejecting the Lockheed Martin F-35 bid.
Germany’s decision not to buy the F-35 stealth fighter jet was labeled a “retrograde step” that could hamper the country’s ability to operate at the same level as its NATO partners, the European head of Lockheed Martin said in April 2019.
Jonathan Hoyle, vice-president for Europe at the US defense group, said the German decision to exclude the F-35 prompted questions among other European governments.
He alleged that during a recent visit to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization several ambassadors had expressed “disappointment” at the German decision.
“When we go off and collaborate together operationally, if you are flying stealth, fifth-generation jets, you don’t want a fourth-generation jet in the middle of your operations because everyone can see that,” he added.
However, it should not come as any surprise, Airbus is the biggest airliner manufacturer and seller in the world, but it has struggled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, it is no surprise that Germany would also prefer to make a purchase from a European company rather than a US one.
“The decision of the German parliament to buy 38 Eurofighters, known as the Quadriga project, is a very strong message, not only for the German air force but also for Europe, in particular for European defense manufacturers,” said Dirk Hoke, chief executive of Airbus Defense and Space. “More than 100,000 jobs are based on programs like this.”
Another reason for Germany to choose the Eurofighter Typhoon over the F-35 was the wish to retain intellectual property of the aircraft, electronic systems and weapons within the country.
Back in the spring of 2020, he German Ministry of Defense decided to purchase 30 American Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet fighters and 15 EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft to replace the fleet of obsolete Tornado fighter-bombers in the FRG Air Force, as well as 93 newly built Eurofighter fighters of the Tranche 4 series within the Quadriga project.
On April 16th, the Minister of Defense of the Federal Republic of Germany sent to the US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper in an e-mail an official request to the US government regarding the purchase of 30 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet multirole fighters and 15 electronic warfare aircraft and Boeing EA-18G Growler air defense suppression aircraft for the German Air Force.
The final decision to replace the Tornado fighter-bombers in the German Air Force with aircraft of new types will be made in 2022 or 2023. Only then will the German Parliament make the necessary allocation of funds. The aircraft will be purchased in 2025 with plans to replace the Tornado aircraft by 2030.
Now the German Luftwaffe has 233 combat aircraft, including 140 Eurofighter fighters and 93 Tornado aircraft.
The decommissioning of the obsolete Tornado aircraft was previously planned for 2025, but has now been shifted to at least 2030.
The choice of American F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft to partially replace the Tornado was caused by the need to use them as carriers of nuclear weapons – American B61 series nuclear bombs. It is believed that 20 B61 nuclear bombs are in a US storage facility at Büchel Air Base, Rhineland-Palatinate, where the 33rd Luftwaffe Tactical Aviation Squadron is based, equipped with 46 Tornado IDS aircraft.
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southfront--2020-11-18--Everybody Appears To Confess To Failing, Except Nikol Pashinyan

On November 17th , the head of the General staff of the Armenian armed forces took responsibility for the army ’ s failures in the war for Nagorno-Karabakh against Azerbaijan .
Artak Davtyan , head of the military-industrial Committee of the Ministry of high-tech industry of Armenia , has been dismissed from his post .
There are also reports that the Armenian and Karabakh defense forces are to be profoundly reformed and changed , in order to avoid future “ disappointments ” such as the fiasco in the war against Azerbaijan .
Russian President Vladimir Putin on the situation in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Karabakh said that the power structures can not afford to have a society split from inside .
On the reasons for Armenia ’ s defeat in the conflict : Armenian President Armen Sarkissian distanced himself from Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and said that he regrets that his experience was not used .
At a meeting with the residents of Hadrut , Armenian President Armen Sarkissian stated that he has nothing to do with the ceasefire statement signed by the Armenian Prime Minister and the presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan .
He also noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of diplomatic and negotiation experience were not used by Armenia in making a decision .
Representative of the Armenian Ministry of Defense Artsrun Hovhannisyan was attacked by unknown individuals .
“ Since the 9th , I have received various threats , but I did not pay attention to anything .
I do not even respond to calls for explicit revenge .
I refused to file a complaint against these people with the police .
Last night I was attacked by two people , fortunately I was able to protect myself , I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not consider anyone an enemy .
However , since the calls and threats of revenge continue today , I have to go to the police , ” Artsrun Hovhannisyan claimed .
Some pressure appears to be mounting on Turkey , which has been quite active in Nagorno by supporting Azerbaijan .
Turkey ’ s recent actions have been very aggressive , US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said .
The US administration and Europe must work together to resolve Turkey ’ s actions in the Middle East over the past few months .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ French newspaper Le Figaro .
Pompeo arrived in Turkey on November 17th , but hadn ’ t yet spoken to the Turkish leadership when he made the statement .
He arrived there from Tbilisi , Georgia ’ s capital .
Washington welcomes the cessation of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan , said in a statement by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo .
The statement says that the US will provide aid in response to the humanitarian emergency in Nagorno-Karabakh .
According to Pompeo , the United States urges all parties to respect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international humanitarian law .
At the same time , he notes that the end of the recent hostilities is “ only the first step ” for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh .
It notes that the United States , as the co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group , remains fully involved in these efforts .
On the ground in Nagorno-Karabakh , there have been no reports of new Russian peacekeeping deployments , however , 502 refugees returned to Nagorno-Karabakh from the territory of the Republic of Armenia .
A column @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the main square of Stepanakert , accompanied by patrols of the Russian peacekeeping contingent and military police .
Since November 14th , more than 1,700 residents who had previously left their homes have returned to Stepanakert .
Russian military personnel ensured the safety of buses moving across the contact line to return civilians to their homes in Stepanakert .
There are issues , such as videos of Azerbaijani forces allegedly beating on civilians and so on .
The Armenian population continues to leave the Kalbejar region , which has been their home for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing behind .
They continue burning houses and destroying property and not leaving anything behind , as can be seen in the videos .
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On November 17th, the head of the General staff of the Armenian armed forces took responsibility for the army’s failures in the war for Nagorno-Karabakh against Azerbaijan.
“As chief of the General staff of the Armed forces and direct commander, I am responsible for all the successes and failures of the Armed forces,” Onik Gasparyan said.
Artak Davtyan, head of the military-industrial Committee of the Ministry of high-tech industry of Armenia, has been dismissed from his post.
There are also reports that the Armenian and Karabakh defense forces are to be profoundly reformed and changed, in order to avoid future “disappointments” such as the fiasco in the war against Azerbaijan.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on the situation in Armenia after the signing of agreements on Karabakh said that the power structures cannot afford to have a society split from inside.
On the reasons for Armenia’s defeat in the conflict:
“A country that is at war or is in danger of renewed hostilities, as it has always been the case over previous years, cannot afford to behave in such a way, including in the sphere of organizing power, in order to split society from within. This is absolutely unacceptable, counterproductive, and highly dangerous. In my opinion, we are witnessing [the consequences] of what has happened recently”
Armenian President Armen Sarkissian distanced himself from Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and said that he regrets that his experience was not used.
At a meeting with the residents of Hadrut, Armenian President Armen Sarkissian stated that he has nothing to do with the ceasefire statement signed by the Armenian Prime Minister and the presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan.
He also noted that he regrets that his many years of diplomatic and negotiation experience were not used by Armenia in making a decision.
Representative of the Armenian Ministry of Defense Artsrun Hovhannisyan was attacked by unknown individuals.
“Since the 9th, I have received various threats, but I did not pay attention to anything. I do not even respond to calls for explicit revenge. I refused to file a complaint against these people with the police. Last night I was attacked by two people, fortunately I was able to protect myself, I am not afraid of anyone, I do not consider anyone an enemy. However, since the calls and threats of revenge continue today, I have to go to the police,” Artsrun Hovhannisyan claimed.
Some pressure appears to be mounting on Turkey, which has been quite active in Nagorno by supporting Azerbaijan.
Turkey’s recent actions have been very aggressive, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.
The US administration and Europe must work together to resolve Turkey’s actions in the Middle East over the past few months. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told the French newspaper Le Figaro.
“French President Emmanuel Macron and I agree that Turkey’s recent actions have been very aggressive”, Pompeo said, referring to Turkey’s recent support for Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as well as military operations in Libya and the Mediterranean.
Pompeo arrived in Turkey on November 17th, but hadn’t yet spoken to the Turkish leadership when he made the statement. He arrived there from Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital.
Washington welcomes the cessation of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan, said in a statement by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
The statement says that the US will provide aid in response to the humanitarian emergency in Nagorno-Karabakh.
“Since the beginning of hostilities, the United States has called for an end to the violence and condemned the military escalation, which has resulted in heavy casualties, including among the civilian population,” the statement said.
According to Pompeo, the United States urges all parties to respect their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law.
At the same time, he notes that the end of the recent hostilities is “only the first step” for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.
“We call on the parties, as soon as possible, together with the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, in accordance with the principles of the non-use of force and threats, territorial integrity, self-determination and equality of peoples, determined by the Helsinki Final Act, to re-engage in the process of finding a long-term and sustainable political solution to the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh,” the statement said.
It notes that the United States, as the co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, remains fully involved in these efforts.
“In parallel with our diplomatic engagement, the United States will provide $ 5 million in humanitarian aid to support the actions and work of the International Committee of the Red Cross and other international partner organizations and non-governmental organizations in assisting the war-affected population,” Pompeo said.
On the ground in Nagorno-Karabakh, there have been no reports of new Russian peacekeeping deployments, however, 502 refugees returned to Nagorno-Karabakh from the territory of the Republic of Armenia.
A column of 24 buses from Yerevan proceeded to the main square of Stepanakert, accompanied by patrols of the Russian peacekeeping contingent and military police.
Since November 14th, more than 1,700 residents who had previously left their homes have returned to Stepanakert.
Russian military personnel ensured the safety of buses moving across the contact line to return civilians to their homes in Stepanakert.
There are issues, such as videos of Azerbaijani forces allegedly beating on civilians and so on.
A group of Azerbaijani soldiers beating an old Armenian man who was captured and posting it on Tik Tok.
Expect everything from these savages. (Not clear when he was captured, probably earlier during the war) pic.twitter.com/a90yMV27Fq — 301?? (@301_AD) November 17, 2020
The Armenian population continues to leave the Kalbejar region, which has been their home for the past 27 years. Still leaving nothing behind.
They continue burning houses and destroying property and not leaving anything behind, as can be seen in the videos.
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southfront--2020-11-18--US Announces Partial Withdrawal Of Troops From Afghanistan And Iraq

On November 17 , Acting Secretary of Defense Chris Miller announced that the US will withdraw 500 troops from Iraq @ @ @ @ @ January 15 , 2021 .
“ I celebrate this day as we continue the president @ @ @ @ @ completing the mission we began two decades ago , ” Miller said .
According to @ @ @ @ @ a “ collaborative ” one between Trump and senior US military leaders .
Miller added @ @ @ @ @ are still “ ongoing.
” Earlier , Washington signed an agreement with the Taliban promising @ @ @ @ @ Afghanistan by mid-2021 if they upheld agreed-upon counterterrorism measures .
As a result Taliban forces @ @ @ @ @ in Afghanistan .
However , the final deal is yet to be reached .
Meanwhile @ @ @ @ @ Taliban and the US-backed Kabul government has not been reached and the group has been @ @ @ @ @ government forces in several regions .
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On November 17, Acting Secretary of Defense Chris Miller announced that the US will withdraw 500 troops from Iraq and 2,000 from Afghanistan before January 15, 2021.
“I celebrate this day as we continue the president’s consistent progress in completing the mission we began two decades ago,” Miller said. According to him, the decision was a “collaborative” one between Trump and senior US military leaders.
Miller added that negotiations with the Taliban are still “ongoing.” Earlier, Washington signed an agreement with the Taliban promising a full troop withdrawal from Afghanistan by mid-2021 if they upheld agreed-upon counterterrorism measures. As a result Taliban forces halted attacks on US troops in Afghanistan. However, the final deal is yet to be reached.
Meanwhile, the peace between the Taliban and the US-backed Kabul government has not been reached and the group has been developing advance on positions of government forces in several regions.
LIVE: Acting Secretary of Defense Chris Miller speaks to reporters at the Pentagon https://t.co/qd6KNq53fP — Department of Defense ?? (@DeptofDefense) November 17, 2020
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southfront--2020-11-18--Karabakh War Could Be Stopped Weeks Before Fall Of Shusha, But Pashinyan Was Refusing To Accept Russ

Karabakh War Could Be Stopped Weeks Before Fall Of Shusha, But Pashinyan Was Refusing To Accept Russian Peacekeepers: Putin

On November 17 , Russian President Vladimir Putin held a kind of press-conference answering media questions regarding the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the Azerbaijani-Armenian negotiations .
Comments of the Russian president provide a great insight into the diplomatic background of the Karabakh war and the posture of the pro-Western government of Armenia , led by Soros-produced Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan .
According to the Russian president , “ the most important achievement was stopping the bloodshed.
” “ I have already said that according to official figures alone , over 4,000 people have died .
I think that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tens of thousands are wounded and mutilated .
Look , this is not a movie .
This is a tragedy that has befallen real people , real families .
Therefore , stopping the bloodshed is the main result .
However , to understand what is happening we will still have to go back into history , literally in a few words .
I have to recall that it all started in the already remote year of 1988 , when ethnic clashes took place in the Azerbaijani city of Sumgayit .
Armenian civilians fell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it spread to Nagorno-Karabakh .
And since the Soviet Union ’ s leaders did not react duly to these events… let me say it again : these are sensitive issues , and I do not want to side with anyone or decide who was right or wrong .
It is no longer possible to determine this now , but it was necessary to put things in order and protect civilians , and this was not done .
At that point , the Armenians themselves took up arms , and this protracted conflict , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broke out .
Eventually , it led to a declaration of independence , sovereignty and self-reliance by Karabakh in 1991 .
The Bishkek agreements were signed in 1994 and this Bishkek memorandum stopped the hostilities at that time .
What happened as a result ?
Karabakh declared independence , as I have said , and another seven adjacent regions came under the control of the Armenians , that is , Armenia .
This is basically what we inherited from the past and this is the problem we had to resolve .
I believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , importantly , the parties agreed to unblock the roads and to restore economic ties is critically important and creates a good basis for normalising relations for the long term , ” Putin said .
The Russian president also revealed that the hostilities in Karabakh may have been stopped weeks ago ( in October , before the full collapse of the Armenian defense and the fall of the key stronghold of Susha ) , but Pashinyan was refusing to accept Russian peacekeepers in the region and allow displaced Azerbaijani people to return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On October 19-20 , I had a series of telephone conversations with both President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan .
And then the Azerbaijani armed forces regained control over an insignificant southern part of Karabakh .
In general , I managed to convince President Aliyev that it is needed to stop hostilities , but a mandatory condition on his part was the return of refugees , including to the city of Shusha , ” Putin said .
“ But unexpectedly for me , the position of our Armenian partners was formulated in such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them , and Prime Minister Pashinyan told me directly that he sees this as a threat to the interests of Armenia and Karabakh.
“ “ Bearing in mind that the return of civilians was supposed , while maintaining control on the part of the Armenian side over this part of the territory of Karabakh , including Shusha , and bearing in mind the presence of our peacekeepers , about which we already agreed with both Armenia and Azerbaijan .
The prime minister ( of Armenia ) then said : no , we can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggle , we will fight , ” Putin said .
Being an experienced politician , Putin added that accusations against Pashinyan over his betrayal of Armenia “ have no basis.
” As to the status of Nagorno-Karabakh , Putin noted , it still should be determined .
“ Yes , there is this problem , since Karabakh ’ s final status has not been settled .
We have agreed to maintain the status quo .
What happens next will be decided eventually by the future leaders and the future participants in this process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created for normal life and relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan , between people in everyday life , especially in the conflict zone , are restored , it will create an environment for determining Karabakh ’ s status .
With regard to recognising or not recognising Karabakh as an independent state , there may be different approaches , but this undoubtedly was a significant factor , including in the course of the bloody conflict that I hope has ended .
Because the very fact of the non-recognition of Karabakh , including by Armenia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course of events and the way it is perceived .
To put it bluntly , after the former Georgian leaders ’ undoubtedly criminal moves , I mean the attacks against our peacekeepers in South Ossetia , Russia recognised the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia .
We recognised the expression of the will of the people living in Crimea to reunite with Russia as just , and we met the people halfway , we did so openly .
Some people may like it , others may not like it , but we did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who live there and in the interests of Russia , and we are not ashamed to speak about it openly .
This did not happen with Karabakh , and this , of course , has significantly influenced the developments there.
“ In fact , as it was already noted by experts , Pashinyan and his government just betrayed interests of the Armenian nation by sabotaging the Russia-proposed piece deal in October because it would inevitably lead to the further increase of Russian influence in the region that goes contrary to interests of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russia-brokered peace deal was delayed for weeks and the Armenians lost not only the south of Karabakh , but a large part of the territories of the Nagorno-Karabkh Republic , including the key city of Shusha .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Washington And Paris Ask Russia To Clarify For Them Turkish Role In Karabakh • IRGC Releases Alleged Photo of Azerbaijani President In Sniper ’ s Sights , Iran Says Presence Of Militants In Karabakh Unacceptable • Pinch-Me Moment Of Armenian Media Reveals Corruption And Chaos In Defense Ministry

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On November 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a kind of press-conference answering media questions regarding the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the Azerbaijani-Armenian negotiations. Comments of the Russian president provide a great insight into the diplomatic background of the Karabakh war and the posture of the pro-Western government of Armenia, led by Soros-produced Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
According to the Russian president, “the most important achievement was stopping the bloodshed.”
“I have already said that according to official figures alone, over 4,000 people have died. I think that in reality the figures are higher. Tens of thousands are wounded and mutilated. Look, this is not a movie. This is a tragedy that has befallen real people, real families. Therefore, stopping the bloodshed is the main result. However, to understand what is happening we will still have to go back into history, literally in a few words. I have to recall that it all started in the already remote year of 1988, when ethnic clashes took place in the Azerbaijani city of Sumgayit. Armenian civilians fell victim to these events, and later it spread to Nagorno-Karabakh. And since the Soviet Union’s leaders did not react duly to these events… let me say it again: these are sensitive issues, and I do not want to side with anyone or decide who was right or wrong. It is no longer possible to determine this now, but it was necessary to put things in order and protect civilians, and this was not done. At that point, the Armenians themselves took up arms, and this protracted conflict, a conflict building for many years, broke out. Eventually, it led to a declaration of independence, sovereignty and self-reliance by Karabakh in 1991. The Bishkek agreements were signed in 1994 and this Bishkek memorandum stopped the hostilities at that time. What happened as a result? Karabakh declared independence, as I have said, and another seven adjacent regions came under the control of the Armenians, that is, Armenia. This is basically what we inherited from the past and this is the problem we had to resolve. I believe the fact that hostilities have stopped and, importantly, the parties agreed to unblock the roads and to restore economic ties is critically important and creates a good basis for normalising relations for the long term,” Putin said.
The Russian president also revealed that the hostilities in Karabakh may have been stopped weeks ago (in October, before the full collapse of the Armenian defense and the fall of the key stronghold of Susha), but Pashinyan was refusing to accept Russian peacekeepers in the region and allow displaced Azerbaijani people to return to the region, including Susha.
“On October 19-20, I had a series of telephone conversations with both President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan. And then the Azerbaijani armed forces regained control over an insignificant southern part of Karabakh. In general, I managed to convince President Aliyev that it is needed to stop hostilities, but a mandatory condition on his part was the return of refugees, including to the city of Shusha,” Putin said. “But unexpectedly for me, the position of our Armenian partners was formulated in such a way that it was unacceptable for them, and Prime Minister Pashinyan told me directly that he sees this as a threat to the interests of Armenia and Karabakh.“ “Bearing in mind that the return of civilians was supposed, while maintaining control on the part of the Armenian side over this part of the territory of Karabakh, including Shusha, and bearing in mind the presence of our peacekeepers, about which we already agreed with both Armenia and Azerbaijan. The prime minister (of Armenia) then said: no, we cannot agree to this, we will struggle, we will fight,” Putin said.
Being an experienced politician, Putin added that accusations against Pashinyan over his betrayal of Armenia “have no basis.”
“Another thing is whether it was right or wrong, this is another question. But here there can be no talk of any betrayal,” he added noting that it is unclear what kind of Armenian interests would be damaged by the Russian-backed peace in October 19-20.
As to the status of Nagorno-Karabakh, Putin noted, it still should be determined.
“Yes, there is this problem, since Karabakh’s final status has not been settled. We have agreed to maintain the status quo. What happens next will be decided eventually by the future leaders and the future participants in this process. I think if proper conditions are created for normal life and relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, between people in everyday life, especially in the conflict zone, are restored, it will create an environment for determining Karabakh’s status. With regard to recognising or not recognising Karabakh as an independent state, there may be different approaches, but this undoubtedly was a significant factor, including in the course of the bloody conflict that I hope has ended. Because the very fact of the non-recognition of Karabakh, including by Armenia, has left a deep imprint on the course of events and the way it is perceived. To put it bluntly, after the former Georgian leaders’ undoubtedly criminal moves, I mean the attacks against our peacekeepers in South Ossetia, Russia recognised the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. We recognised the expression of the will of the people living in Crimea to reunite with Russia as just, and we met the people halfway, we did so openly. Some people may like it, others may not like it, but we did it in the interests of the people who live there and in the interests of Russia, and we are not ashamed to speak about it openly. This did not happen with Karabakh, and this, of course, has significantly influenced the developments there.“
In fact, as it was already noted by experts, Pashinyan and his government just betrayed interests of the Armenian nation by sabotaging the Russia-proposed piece deal in October because it would inevitably lead to the further increase of Russian influence in the region that goes contrary to interests of the Western puppeteers of Pashinyan. Thus, the Russia-brokered peace deal was delayed for weeks and the Armenians lost not only the south of Karabakh, but a large part of the territories of the Nagorno-Karabkh Republic, including the key city of Shusha.
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southfront--2020-11-18--Syria’s Life Line: Historic Reopening Of Arar Border Crossing Between Iraq And Saudi Arabia

The Iraqi Border Ports Authority announced on November 18 that the Arar border crossing with Saudi Arabia had been reopened .
The Arar crossing has been closed since 1990 , when the forces of the then-president Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait provoking the first Gulf War .
In an official statement , the Iraqi Border Ports Authority said the crossing is now open for “ trade exchange between the two brotherly countries.
” The ceremony was also attended by Saudi Ambassador in Baghdad Abdulaziz Alshamri and a number of other officials from the Kingdom .
Iraq and Saudi Arabia have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since May .
The reopening of the crossing is a symbol of the improving ties between the two countries , whose relations were tense for the last 30 years .
The reopening of the crossing will reportedly have a good impact on Syria ’ s struggling economy.This will facilitate Syrian legal and illegal traffic , including weapons , drugs and humans .
According to several media sources , Saudi Arabia , which lifted a ban on shipping from Syria earlier this year , had asked Iraq to facilitate the passage of Syrian goods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gulf , including Saudi Arabia , are now being shipped through Jordan , which impose high taxes on Syrian-made goods .
The new route through Iraq should lower the cost and time of shipping from Syria to the Kingdom .
The reopening of a direct shipping route between Syria and Saudi Arabia through Iraq ’ s territory may be a sign of a near rapprochement between Riyadh and Damascus .
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The Iraqi Border Ports Authority announced on November 18 that the Arar border crossing with Saudi Arabia had been reopened.
The Arar crossing has been closed since 1990, when the forces of the then-president Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait provoking the first Gulf War.
In an official statement, the Iraqi Border Ports Authority said the crossing is now open for “trade exchange between the two brotherly countries.”
“Interior Minister Othman Al-Ghanmi deputized for Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, and the inauguration took place in the presence of the Deputy Commander of Joint Operations Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir Al-Shammari and Major General Omar Adnan Al-Waeli, Chairman of the Border Ports Authority, the Governors of Anbar and Karbala, and my leaders Anbar and Border Police,” the statement reads, according to the Iraqi News Agency.
The ceremony was also attended by Saudi Ambassador in Baghdad Abdulaziz Alshamri and a number of other officials from the Kingdom.
Iraq and Saudi Arabia have been preparing to reopen the Arar border crossing since May. The reopening of the crossing is a symbol of the improving ties between the two countries, whose relations were tense for the last 30 years.
The reopening of the crossing will reportedly have a good impact on Syria’s struggling economy.This will facilitate Syrian legal and illegal traffic, including weapons, drugs and humans.
According to several media sources, Saudi Arabia, which lifted a ban on shipping from Syria earlier this year, had asked Iraq to facilitate the passage of Syrian goods through Arar.
Syrian exports to the Gulf, including Saudi Arabia, are now being shipped through Jordan, which impose high taxes on Syrian-made goods. The new route through Iraq should lower the cost and time of shipping from Syria to the Kingdom.
“The transit of goods and trucks from Syria to Gulf states and vice versa through the Arar border crossing is considered better and faster than moving through Jordan’s territory,” Hassan Ajam, co-chairman of the Union of International Cargo Shipping Companies in Syria, told Sputnik.
The reopening of a direct shipping route between Syria and Saudi Arabia through Iraq’s territory may be a sign of a near rapprochement between Riyadh and Damascus.
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southfront--2020-11-18--Serbian Rocket Launcher Spotted With Libyan National Army (Video, Photos)

The Serbian LRSVM Morava modular self-propelled multiple rocket launcher was spotted with the Libyan National Army .
At least two Morava rocket launchers appeared during the Dignity 2020 drills , which were held by the LNA earlier this month .
The launchers can be seen in an official video of the drills shared by the LNA ’ s media office on November 14 .
The Morava rocket launcher was designed by the Serbian Military Technical Institute to provide subsystem modularity , allowing the use of rockets from different calibers .
The system can launch 107 mm , 122 mm and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8 and 50 km , like the Serbian-made Plamen A , Plamen B , OGANJ , GRAD and G-2000 .
The rockets are pre-loaded in pods .
The version spotted with the LNA in Libya was based on a FAP 1118 4 x 4 cross-country military truck that provides a good tactical mobility .
The LNA likely received Morava rocket launchers from the UAE , the only known customer of the system .
At least 30 rocket launchers are in service with the UAE ’ s armed forces , some are based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UAE is the main backer of the LNA .
Abu Dhabi provided the LNA with weapons as well as aerial and intelligence support in the last few years in an attempt to overthrow the Muslim Brotherhood-aligned , Turkish-backed Government of National Accord in Tripoli .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • “ UAE Gave Free S-300 To Haftar ” : Turkey ’ s Struggle To Find Excuses For Its Apparent Failure In Libya • Map Comparison : Ceasefire Deal In Libya As Result Of Failure Of Turkish Push On Sirte

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The Serbian LRSVM Morava modular self-propelled multiple rocket launcher was spotted with the Libyan National Army.
At least two Morava rocket launchers appeared during the Dignity 2020 drills, which were held by the LNA earlier this month. The launchers can be seen in an official video of the drills shared by the LNA’s media office on November 14.
The Morava rocket launcher was designed by the Serbian Military Technical Institute to provide subsystem modularity, allowing the use of rockets from different calibers.
Some HD fotos of Morava MRLS pic.twitter.com/NAAc9mOYYD — ZOKA (@200_zoka) November 14, 2020
The system can launch 107 mm, 122 mm and 128 mm unguided rockets with ranges between 8 and 50 km, like the Serbian-made Plamen A, Plamen B, OGANJ, GRAD and G-2000. The rockets are pre-loaded in pods.
The version spotted with the LNA in Libya was based on a FAP 1118 4 x 4 cross-country military truck that provides a good tactical mobility.
The LNA likely received Morava rocket launchers from the UAE, the only known customer of the system. At least 30 rocket launchers are in service with the UAE’s armed forces, some are based on Nimr 6 × 6 chassis.
The UAE is the main backer of the LNA. Abu Dhabi provided the LNA with weapons as well as aerial and intelligence support in the last few years in an attempt to overthrow the Muslim Brotherhood-aligned, Turkish-backed Government of National Accord in Tripoli.
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southfront--2020-11-18--Kurdish PKK Fighters Released Videos Of Drone Attacks On Turkish Forces (Videos)

The Kurdistan Workers ’ Party ( PKK ) has carried out two new attacks with primitive armed drones against the Turkish military .
The attacks , which took place on October 20 and 29 , targeted posts of the Turkish Armed Forces in the southeastern Turkish region of Hakkâri , on the border with the Iraqi Kurdistan Region .
The Gerîla TV released videos of the attacks , which appeared to be successful .
However , no losses were reported .
The PKK carried out the attacks with a locally-modified variant of the X-UAV mini-Talon , armed with what appears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Similar drones were used by the Kurdish guerilla group in previous attacks .
Earlier this year , the Turkish military carried out a series of operations against PKK remnants in the northern part of the Kurdistan Region .
The Ministry of Defense of Turkey claims that 83 PKK fighters were killed , injured or captured in the operations , dubbed Claw Tiger and Claw Eagle .
Despite these operations , the PKK is still present in the area of Haftanin , along Turkey ’ s border .
From there , the guerilla group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces , especially in Hakkâri .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Ugly Truth Behind Devastating Armenian Defeat In Karabakh Was Revealed

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The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has carried out two new attacks with primitive armed drones against the Turkish military.
The attacks, which took place on October 20 and 29, targeted posts of the Turkish Armed Forces in the southeastern Turkish region of Hakkâri, on the border with the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. The Gerîla TV released videos of the attacks, which appeared to be successful. However, no losses were reported.
The PKK carried out the attacks with a locally-modified variant of the X-UAV mini-Talon, armed with what appears to be 60 mm mortar shells. Similar drones were used by the Kurdish guerilla group in previous attacks.
Earlier this year, the Turkish military carried out a series of operations against PKK remnants in the northern part of the Kurdistan Region.
The Ministry of Defense of Turkey claims that 83 PKK fighters were killed, injured or captured in the operations, dubbed Claw Tiger and Claw Eagle.
Despite these operations, the PKK is still present in the area of Haftanin, along Turkey’s border. From there, the guerilla group continues to launch attacks against Turkish government forces, especially in Hakkâri.
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southfront--2020-11-18--Tigray Rebels Refuse To Surrender Despite Advances By Federal Government Forces (Map Update)

On November 18 , the leadership of the Tigray People ’ s Liberation Front ( TPLF ) refused to surrender to the advancing forces of the Federal Government .
Instead , the TPLF claimed that it is winning the civil war , which recently started in Ethiopia .
TTPLF claim that it was defeating “ the enemy ” and its citizens “ will never kneel ” followed airstrikes on its regional capital , Mekelle , and amid the advance of government troops towards the city .
In turn , the chief of government forcesc , Berhanu Jula , said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on all fronts ” and TPLF fighters were “ in a state of desperation ” .
“ The TPLF ’ s plan to drag Ethiopia into civil war and tear it apart has failed .
It is currently in a desperate mode as it is surrounded , ” Berhanu said .
Meanwhile , on the frontline : • As of November 18 , the Ethiopian Government forces are reportedly conducting an advance in the Mekelle area , according to Abiy Ahmed Ethiopia ’ s Prime Minister ; • On November 18 , clashes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near Korem town ; A detailed analysis of what ’ s going on in Ethiopia and the background of the conflict can be found HERE .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • At Least Two Missiles Hit Ethiopian Airports As War In Tigray Widens

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On November 18, the leadership of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) refused to surrender to the advancing forces of the Federal Government. Instead, the TPLF claimed that it is winning the civil war, which recently started in Ethiopia.
TTPLF claim that it was defeating “the enemy” and its citizens “will never kneel” followed airstrikes on its regional capital, Mekelle, and amid the advance of government troops towards the city.
“Tigray is now a hell to its enemies,” the TPLF claimed.
In turn, the chief of government forcesc, Berhanu Jula, said that Ethiopia’s military was “winning on all fronts” and TPLF fighters were “in a state of desperation”.
“The TPLF’s plan to drag Ethiopia into civil war and tear it apart has failed. It is currently in a desperate mode as it is surrounded,” Berhanu said.
Meanwhile, on the frontline:
As of November 18, the Ethiopian Government forces are reportedly conducting an advance in the Mekelle area, according to Abiy Ahmed Ethiopia’s Prime Minister;
On November 18, clashes between government troops and TPLF forces continued near Korem town;
On November 16, the Ethiopian Government forces captured Alamata town.
A detailed analysis of what’s going on in Ethiopia and the background of the conflict can be found HERE.
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