southfront--2020-07-22--US Department Of The Air Force Releases Revised Arctic Strategy

Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett unveiled the new , comprehensive Department of the Air Force Arctic Strategy on 21 July .
The strategy outlines the Department ’ s efforts to optimize Air and Space Force capabilities throughout the region in support of the National Defense Strategy .
Barrett stated with respect to the significance of the revised strategy document : The strategy identifies four coordinated lines of effort that Air and Space Forces will use to enhance vigilance , reach and power to the nation ’ s whole-of-government approach in the Arctic region : The strategy states that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is homeland defence .
To achieve this objective , Air and Space Forces in the region monitor potential threats across all warfighting domains , including air , space and cyberspace .
US Air and Space Forces are responsible for the majority of Department of Defense missions in the Arctic region , including the regional architecture for detecting , tracking , and engaging air and missile threats .
Space Force personnel in the region are responsible for critical nodes of the satellite control network that deliver space capabilities to joint and coalition partners , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authority .
US military assets in the region are spearheaded by Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Eielson Air Force Base , both located in Alaska , which host fifth-generation fighters as well as transport and refuelling aircraft .
The Air Force also provides the capability to reach remote northern locations via the New York Air National Guard ’ s 109th Airlift Wing which operates ski-equipped LC-130s that can land on ice .
The combat capabilities of these installations are supplemented by the use of installations in other countries in the region .
The strategy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Arctic , where no one nation has sufficient infrastructure or capacity to operate alone .
Many regional allies and partners have dedicated decades of focus to the Arctic , developing concepts , tactics and techniques from which the joint force can greatly benefit .
The document also noted that Indigenous communities possess millennia of knowledge about the Arctic domain passed down through generations .
Working with indigenous communities helps Air and Space Forces understand the Arctic environment , enriches training and exercises , and ensures recognition of their contributions to Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategy notes the extra preparations that must be taken prior to undertaking operations in the Arctic region due to the extremely challenging environmental conditions .
LINK The latest US Air Force strategy for the Arctic complements the National Defense Strategy , the overall blueprint for defending the United States and its interests , and the the 2019 Department of Defense Arctic Strategy , which also emphasizes the essential role of US Air and Space Force assets in the Arctic .
Commenting on the US strategy and capabilities in the region , other military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the keystone for global power projection .
Alaska offers the quickest flight access from mainland United States to locations across much of the Pacific region and western Russia .
Additionally , with polar ice melting , new and more efficient maritime routes are opening , which is increasing accessibility to Arctic natural resources such as oil and gas reserves and rare earth metals .
This is also driving an increase in commercial traffic and international competition , not just from Russia but also from China and other countries .
While vast Arctic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the United States , technological advancements are eroding this natural geographical defence .
Russia is investing in Arctic airfields and infrastructure to secure its northern approaches , and now has the largest permanent military presence above the Arctic Circle of any country .
The Arctic is also extremely important for US operations in space , a point that is repeatedly emphasized in the new strategy document .
The Alaska Radar System and the 50-plus radars that comprise the North Warning System across Canada , for example , have long provided vital early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the North American Aerospace Defense Command , or NORAD .
Locations like Clear , Alaska and Thule , Greenland offer additional advantages for missile warning and defence as well as serving to enhance space domain awareness , helping track more than 20,000 objects daily .
The Arctic is also a key post for managing satellites .
When Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska receives its full allotment of F-35s , Alaska will host more fifth-generation fighters than any other location in the world .
From the perspective of US military commanders , bases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and west that they are effectively forward-deployed and provide access to multiple combat command zones , including a large part of the Indo-Pacific Command and European Command zones , while simultaneously covering the core Northern Command zone .
LINK The document notes that Russia has always been a heavy player in the region , stating of its presence and activities in the Arctic : The Arctic region is an area where the United States is especially reliant on NATO allies and partners .
That means the US should plan for an increase in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interoperable electronic communications , Air Force leaders said .
Over the past year , the US Air Force has conducted air-to-air training with Nordic partners in the Arctic Challenge Exercise , participated in air policing missions over Iceland , and trained with Canadian and joint partners in Arctic Edge , a homeland defence exercise .
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein said that the Air Force will be conducting even more exercises in the region in the future , pointing to the four ‘ red-flag ’ exercises that the service runs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year ’ s Arctic Challenge , which , he said , saw 140 different aircraft from nine nations and 4,000 participants .
The revised strategy describes the need to increase training with regional partners and establish new forums with allies to discuss Arctic issues , but does not specify if the United States wants NATO or any other international organization to take that lead role .
In this sense , the biggest area of investment for the Air Force in future arctic operations is not cold-weather specific , but networking between different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States and its allies .
Among the Arctic states , Canada , Denmark ( which owns Greenland ) , Iceland , and Norway , are NATO allies , and two others , Finland and Sweden , are NATO Enhanced Opportunities Partners .
LINK MORE ON THE TOPIC : • US strategic bombers trained for strikes on Russia when they were intercepted over the Black Sea • Apocalypse soon ?
US still scrambling and surging to develop new high tech weapons systems

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Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett unveiled the new, comprehensive Department of the Air Force Arctic Strategy on 21 July. The strategy outlines the Department’s efforts to optimize Air and Space Force capabilities throughout the region in support of the National Defense Strategy.
Barrett stated with respect to the significance of the revised strategy document:
“The Arctic is among the most strategically significant regions of the world today – the keystone from which the U.S. Air and Space Forces exercise vigilance. This Arctic Strategy recognizes the immense geostrategic consequence of the region and its critical role for protecting the homeland and projecting global power.”
The strategy identifies four coordinated lines of effort that Air and Space Forces will use to enhance vigilance, reach and power to the nation’s whole-of-government approach in the Arctic region:
Vigilance in all domains
Projecting power through a combat-credible force
Cooperation with allies and partners
Preparation for Arctic operations
Vigilance in all domains:
The strategy states that the number one Department of Defense priority is homeland defence. To achieve this objective, Air and Space Forces in the region monitor potential threats across all warfighting domains, including air, space and cyberspace.
US Air and Space Forces are responsible for the majority of Department of Defense missions in the Arctic region, including the regional architecture for detecting, tracking, and engaging air and missile threats.
Space Force personnel in the region are responsible for critical nodes of the satellite control network that deliver space capabilities to joint and coalition partners, as well as the US national command authority.
“Integrating space capabilities into joint operations fuels the joint force’s ability to project power anywhere on the planet, any time,” said Chief of Space Operations Gen. Jay Raymond. “The Arctic is no different. Spacepower is essential to Arctic operations, allowing us to see with clarity, navigate with accuracy, and communicate across vast distances.”
Projecting power through a combat-credible force
US military assets in the region are spearheaded by Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Eielson Air Force Base, both located in Alaska, which host fifth-generation fighters as well as transport and refuelling aircraft.
The Air Force also provides the capability to reach remote northern locations via the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing which operates ski-equipped LC-130s that can land on ice.
The combat capabilities of these installations are supplemented by the use of installations in other countries in the region.
“Our unique positioning in locations like Alaska, Canada and Greenland are integrated with multi-domain combat power,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein. “These locations harness powerful capabilities, and their unwavering vigilance to protecting the homeland represents a strategic benefit that extends well beyond the region itself.”
Cooperation with allies and partners
The strategy states that alliances and partnerships are key in the Arctic, where no one nation has sufficient infrastructure or capacity to operate alone. Many regional allies and partners have dedicated decades of focus to the Arctic, developing concepts, tactics and techniques from which the joint force can greatly benefit.
The document also noted that Indigenous communities possess millennia of knowledge about the Arctic domain passed down through generations. Working with indigenous communities helps Air and Space Forces understand the Arctic environment, enriches training and exercises, and ensures recognition of their contributions to Department of the Air Force activities.
“Strong relationships with regional allies and partners, including at the local level, are a key strategic advantage for the U.S. in the Arctic,” Barrett said. “U.S. Air and Space Forces are focused on expanding interoperability with peers that value peaceful access in the region, and we appreciate our local hosts that have welcomed Department of the Air Force installations, Airmen and Space Professionals as part of their communities for decades.”
Preparation for Arctic operations
The strategy notes the extra preparations that must be taken prior to undertaking operations in the Arctic region due to the extremely challenging environmental conditions. LINK
The latest US Air Force strategy for the Arctic complements the National Defense Strategy, the overall blueprint for defending the United States and its interests, and the the 2019 Department of Defense Arctic Strategy, which also emphasizes the essential role of US Air and Space Force assets in the Arctic.
Commenting on the US strategy and capabilities in the region, other military analysts have also emphasized that the Arctic is the keystone for global power projection. Alaska offers the quickest flight access from mainland United States to locations across much of the Pacific region and western Russia.
Additionally, with polar ice melting, new and more efficient maritime routes are opening, which is increasing accessibility to Arctic natural resources such as oil and gas reserves and rare earth metals. This is also driving an increase in commercial traffic and international competition, not just from Russia but also from China and other countries.
While vast Arctic expanses formerly served as a strategic buffer for the United States, technological advancements are eroding this natural geographical defence. Russia is investing in Arctic airfields and infrastructure to secure its northern approaches, and now has the largest permanent military presence above the Arctic Circle of any country.
The Arctic is also extremely important for US operations in space, a point that is repeatedly emphasized in the new strategy document.
The Alaska Radar System and the 50-plus radars that comprise the North Warning System across Canada, for example, have long provided vital early warning decision space for homeland defence and the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD.
Locations like Clear, Alaska and Thule, Greenland offer additional advantages for missile warning and defence as well as serving to enhance space domain awareness, helping track more than 20,000 objects daily. The Arctic is also a key post for managing satellites.
“If you’re going to command and control satellites that are in polar orbits, where better to do that than on top of the world at the pole. The geography and position on the globe makes it an extremely advantageous place to operate from,” even if the Arctic does present what the strategy document describes as ‘arctic-unique orbital mechanics and electro-magnetic obstacles’ that the Air Force must overcome.
When Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska receives its full allotment of F-35s, Alaska will host more fifth-generation fighters than any other location in the world. From the perspective of US military commanders, bases in Alaska are positioned so far north and west that they are effectively forward-deployed and provide access to multiple combat command zones, including a large part of the Indo-Pacific Command and European Command zones, while simultaneously covering the core Northern Command zone. LINK
The document notes that Russia has always been a heavy player in the region, stating of its presence and activities in the Arctic:
“Russia’s recent Arctic initiatives include refurbishing airfields and infrastructure, creating new bases, and developing an integrated network of air defense, coastal missile systems, and early warning radars to secure its northern approaches. Further, Russia seeks to regulate maritime traffic on the Northern Sea Route in ways that may exceed its authority permitted under international law.”
The Arctic region is an area where the United States is especially reliant on NATO allies and partners. That means the US should plan for an increase in international military exercises and more spending on interoperable electronic communications, Air Force leaders said.
Over the past year, the US Air Force has conducted air-to-air training with Nordic partners in the Arctic Challenge Exercise, participated in air policing missions over Iceland, and trained with Canadian and joint partners in Arctic Edge, a homeland defence exercise.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein said that the Air Force will be conducting even more exercises in the region in the future, pointing to the four ‘red-flag’ exercises that the service runs on a yearly basis as well as last year’s Arctic Challenge, which, he said, saw 140 different aircraft from nine nations and 4,000 participants.
The revised strategy describes the need to increase training with regional partners and establish new forums with allies to discuss Arctic issues, but does not specify if the United States wants NATO or any other international organization to take that lead role.
“Building these relationships counters influence from adversaries, whose actions are not aligned with U.S. interests, and bolsters U.S. national security,” it reads. “The Department of the Air Force must work to highlight shared goals, ensuring a peaceful and stable region where international norms and standards are upheld. To strengthen collaborative international security relationships.”
In this sense, the biggest area of investment for the Air Force in future arctic operations is not cold-weather specific, but networking between different parts of the Air Force and between the United States and its allies.
Among the Arctic states, Canada, Denmark (which owns Greenland), Iceland, and Norway, are NATO allies, and two others, Finland and Sweden, are NATO Enhanced Opportunities Partners. LINK
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southfront--2020-07-22--P-15 Termit Anti-Ship Missile (Infographics)

At one time Libyan Navy had 4 Nanuchka corvettes and 12 Osa missile boats , each with 4 P-15 Termits @ @ @ @ @ some of these to ground launchers ?

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The P-15 Termit is an anti-ship missile developed by the USSR’s Raduga design bureau in the 1950s.
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southfront--2020-07-22--Facebook’s Neutral “Fact Checkers” Exposed As Ex-CNN Staffers And Democratic Donors

Today in news about the radical left-wing censorship machines our social media companies have become , it was exposed this week that Facebook ’ s fact-checker , Lead Stories , is an outfit that is stocked to the brim with ex-CNN staffers .
The organization presents itself as neutral yet “ most of its employees ” have donated to the Democratic party , according to RT .
The National Pulse reached out to Facebook ’ s fact checkers this week after a story they published about Black Lives Matter was flagged as “ partly false ” by the platform .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ digging ” on who was behind the smear .
What they found was stunning : an organization “ staffed almost entirely by Democratic donors , half of whom had worked for CNN in the past.
” 25 % of the organization ’ s employees were recurring Democratic donors and Lead Stories ’ founder , Perry Sanders , has donated over $ 10,000 to Democratic political campaigns – including Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama ’ s Presidential runs .
TNP also exposed that “ several other writers ” had Democratic contributions on their records @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gita Smith , was listed in “ 99 separate small-dollar donations ” to various Democratic candidates – in addition to contributions to ActBlue .
The org ’ s editor , Alan Duke , spent nearly three decades with CNN as a reporter and editor and the org ’ s senior editor , Monte Plott , spent over 10 years with CNN .
Five other names at the organization were also found to have worked at CNN as some point .
Writer Jessica Ravitz spent 10 years with CNN and also spent “ nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a self-styled anti- ‘ hate ’ watchdog that spends most of its considerable resources demonizing political voices that deviate from the neoliberal centrist mainstream-media line.
” TNP ’ s investigation followed Lead Stories taking exception with their article titled : “ Black Lives Matter Website , ‘ Defund the Police ’ Donations Go to ‘ Act Blue ’ , the ‘ Biden for President ’ Campaign ’ s Top Source of Donations ” .
Facebook posted the story in the “ Hoax Alert ” section of its website as a result of Lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pointed out that “ BLM ’ s donations go , not ActBlue , which is a payment processor for Democratic campaigns and not the ultimate source of the Biden campaign ’ s cash.
” TNP corrected the word “ to ” to “ through ” but claimed Lead Stories still would not lift the “ partly false ” flag on its story .
And so it appears to us what we have is a social media platform clearly acting as a publisher yet not having to incur the legal liabilities that come with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to continue – and only get worse , we predict – until at some point it gets even more blindingly obvious than it is now that these Silicon Valley firms are using their power to nudge the country toward the political ideologies they support , rather than providing unbiased “ fact-checked ” outlets for public discussion .

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Originally appeared at ZeroHedge
Today in news about the radical left-wing censorship machines our social media companies have become, it was exposed this week that Facebook’s fact-checker, Lead Stories, is an outfit that is stocked to the brim with ex-CNN staffers.
The organization presents itself as neutral yet “most of its employees” have donated to the Democratic party, according to RT.
The National Pulse reached out to Facebook’s fact checkers this week after a story they published about Black Lives Matter was flagged as “partly false” by the platform. This led TNP to “do some digging” on who was behind the smear.
What they found was stunning: an organization “staffed almost entirely by Democratic donors, half of whom had worked for CNN in the past.”
THREAD #1: So Facebook just put a "Partly False" flag on one of our @TheNatPulse exclusives. Except… it's not false at all. I called Alan Duke, the editor at the LeadStories website (I've never heard of it?) which apparently conducts fact checks for Facebook. pic.twitter.com/AwVFd1EO6Z — Raheem Kassam (@RaheemKassam) June 17, 2020
25% of the organization’s employees were recurring Democratic donors and Lead Stories’ founder, Perry Sanders, has donated over $10,000 to Democratic political campaigns – including Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama’s Presidential runs.
TNP also exposed that “several other writers” had Democratic contributions on their records. For example, one writer named Gita Smith, was listed in “99 separate small-dollar donations” to various Democratic candidates – in addition to contributions to ActBlue.
The org’s editor, Alan Duke, spent nearly three decades with CNN as a reporter and editor and the org’s senior editor, Monte Plott, spent over 10 years with CNN. Five other names at the organization were also found to have worked at CNN as some point.
Writer Jessica Ravitz spent 10 years with CNN and also spent “nearly four years with the Anti-Defamation League, a self-styled anti-‘hate’ watchdog that spends most of its considerable resources demonizing political voices that deviate from the neoliberal centrist mainstream-media line.”
TNP’s investigation followed Lead Stories taking exception with their article titled: “Black Lives Matter Website, ‘Defund the Police’ Donations Go to ‘Act Blue’, the ‘Biden for President’ Campaign’s Top Source of Donations”.
Facebook posted the story in the “Hoax Alert” section of its website as a result of Lead Stories’ flagging. The fact checked pointed out that “BLM’s donations go through, not to ActBlue, which is a payment processor for Democratic campaigns and not the ultimate source of the Biden campaign’s cash.”
TNP corrected the word “to” to “through” but claimed Lead Stories still would not lift the “partly false” flag on its story.
And so it appears to us what we have yet again is a social media platform clearly acting as a publisher yet not having to incur the legal liabilities that come with it. This slippery slope is going to continue – and only get worse, we predict – until at some point it gets even more blindingly obvious than it is now that these Silicon Valley firms are using their power to nudge the country toward the political ideologies they support, rather than providing unbiased “fact-checked” outlets for public discussion.
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southfront--2020-07-22--Last Days Of SouthFront

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southfront--2020-07-22--As US Prepares For Polls, Democrats And Republicans Try To Stack The Odds In Their Favour

Illegal immigrants are set to have a major impact on the polls , whether they are included in the census or not As the US prepares to head to the polls later this year , both major parties are making statements accusing the other of attempting to rig the results in their favour .
Against the backdrop of unprecedented polarization and widespread protests and clashes throughout the country , it appears that both political parties are already making preliminary moves to dispute the election results in case their opponents win .
The topic that has been chosen as the basis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the most divisive and controversial , illegal immigration .
Immigrants in the US illegally will be excluded from the 2020 census , President Donald Trump has announced .
The census forms the basis for allocating the number of seats that each state wiuull have in the House of Representatives .
Senior Democrats have called the move racist and unconstitutional .
On Tuesday , Trump instructed the Department of Commerce to “ exclude illegal aliens from the apportionment base following the 2020 census , ” meaning that non-citizens will not be counted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of seats in the House is next apportioned .
The action “ reflects a better understanding of the Constitution and is consistent with the principles of our representative democracy , ” Trump said in a statement .
Giving congressional representation to aliens who enter or remain in the country illegally would “ create perverse incentives and undermine our system of government.
” The release further stated : “ Just as we do not give political power to people who are here temporarily , we should not give political power to people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The census-based apportionment is mandated in Article I of the US Constitution , which originally applied to “ whole persons ” in order to exclude slaves .
The article was subsequently amended after slavery was abolished in 1865 .
According to the White House , the census has previously excluded tourists and visitors , while counting diplomats and military personnel living overseas .
The announcement was met with strong condemnation from the opposition .
Senator Elizabeth Warren ( D-Massachusetts ) denounced it as “ flagrantly unconstitutional ” and said it amounted to another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Civil Liberties Union said the president was attempting to “ weaponize the census for an attack on immigrant communities.
” The Trump administration has already attempted to include a citizenship requirement for the preparation of the census however the move was thwarted in a June 2019 court ruling , when Chief Justice John Roberts said the policy itself was constitutional but sided with the liberals in wanting to see a “ better rationale ” for the change .
The White House press release accompanying the memo also pointed out a 1992 Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which recognized executive authority in census apportionment .
It also noted that the standard of residence may require more than mere physical presence , including some element of allegiance or enduring tie to a place .
LINK MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Trump tries to tame the social media shrew

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Illegal immigrants are set to have a major impact on the polls, whether they are included in the census or not
As the US prepares to head to the polls later this year, both major parties are making statements accusing the other of attempting to rig the results in their favour. Against the backdrop of unprecedented polarization and widespread protests and clashes throughout the country, it appears that both political parties are already making preliminary moves to dispute the election results in case their opponents win.
The topic that has been chosen as the basis for the mutual accusations is already one of the most divisive and controversial, illegal immigration. Immigrants in the US illegally will be excluded from the 2020 census, President Donald Trump has announced. The census forms the basis for allocating the number of seats that each state wiuull have in the House of Representatives. Senior Democrats have called the move racist and unconstitutional.
On Tuesday, Trump instructed the Department of Commerce to “exclude illegal aliens from the apportionment base following the 2020 census,” meaning that non-citizens will not be counted in the population of those states when the number of seats in the House is next apportioned.
The action “reflects a better understanding of the Constitution and is consistent with the principles of our representative democracy,” Trump said in a statement. Giving congressional representation to aliens who enter or remain in the country illegally would “create perverse incentives and undermine our system of government.” The release further stated: “Just as we do not give political power to people who are here temporarily, we should not give political power to people who should not be here at all.”
The census-based apportionment is mandated in Article I of the US Constitution, which originally applied to “whole persons” in order to exclude slaves. The article was subsequently amended after slavery was abolished in 1865.
According to the White House, the census has previously excluded tourists and visitors, while counting diplomats and military personnel living overseas.
The announcement was met with strong condemnation from the opposition. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) denounced it as “flagrantly unconstitutional” and said it amounted to another attempt rig the system.
It is flagrantly unconstitutional to exclude people from the Census count based on their immigration status. The Constitution requires that every person be counted. This is another attempt by Trump to use scaremongering against immigrants & rig the system. https://t.co/bOHZxBP6aG — Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) July 21, 2020
The American Civil Liberties Union said the president was attempting to “weaponize the census for an attack on immigrant communities.”
BREAKING: Trump tried to add a citizenship question to the census and lost in the Supreme Court. His latest attempt to weaponize the census for an attack on immigrant communities WILL be found unconstitutional. We’ll see him in court — and win — again. — ACLU (@ACLU) July 21, 2020
The Trump administration has already attempted to include a citizenship requirement for the preparation of the census however the move was thwarted in a June 2019 court ruling, when Chief Justice John Roberts said the policy itself was constitutional but sided with the liberals in wanting to see a “better rationale” for the change.
The presidential memorandum Trump sent to Commerce on Tuesday seemed to be written with that in mind, noting that “The discretion delegated to the executive branch to determine who qualifies as an ‘inhabitant’ includes authority to exclude from the apportionment base aliens who are not in a lawful immigration status.”
The White House press release accompanying the memo also pointed out a 1992 Supreme Court decision (Franklin v. Massachusetts), which recognized executive authority in census apportionment. It also noted that the standard of residence may require more than mere physical presence, including some element of allegiance or enduring tie to a place. LINK
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southfront--2020-07-22--Recent Israeli Airstrikes On Syria Damaged Damascus Airport (Photos)

The recent Israeli airstrikes on Syria had destroyed three buildings in Damascus International Airport , newly released satellite images revealed .
The airstrikes took place in the late hours of July 20 .
Seven Syrian service members were injured , while a fighter of Lebanon ’ s Hezbollah was killed .
On July 22 , Obretix , a Twitter defense blogger , released new satellite images showing the three targeted buildings in Damascus International Airport .
The buildings were apparently used for storage and hosted some offices .
The Israeli air attack , which was launched from the Golan Heights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Several hostile missiles were shot down .
Nevertheless , many positions around Damascus were hit .
As usual , media sources reported that the Israeli airstrikes had targeted positions used by Iranian forces .
This is yet to be verified .
Last month , the Israeli Air Force carried out a large-scale operation in Syria .
A newly-established early warning network and a number of ammo depots were completely destroyed .
Some of the targets were indeed used by Iranian forces .
The recent Israeli airstrikes on Damascus will not likely go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lebanese group had previously vowed to retaliate to any attack on its troops in Syria .
The awaited response could lead to an escalation with Israel in Syria or Lebanon .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Woman Killed And Child Injured In New Clashes In Turkish-Occupied Afrin ( Video )

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The recent Israeli airstrikes on Syria had destroyed three buildings in Damascus International Airport, newly released satellite images revealed.
The airstrikes took place in the late hours of July 20. Seven Syrian service members were injured, while a fighter of Lebanon’s Hezbollah was killed.
On July 22, Obretix, a Twitter defense blogger, released new satellite images showing the three targeted buildings in Damascus International Airport. The buildings were apparently used for storage and hosted some offices.
it seems a second building in the same area of the airport was completely destroyed https://t.co/zICeGILfgu an excavator is digging in the rubble pic.twitter.com/7bR3M3WXkU — Samir (@obretix) July 21, 2020
a third building at Damascus International Airport was destroyed by Israeli airstrike on 20 Jul 2020 https://t.co/UODQQjYeRq https://t.co/KbPJgDxIp9 pic.twitter.com/1bYvAxlbyy — Samir (@obretix) July 22, 2020
The Israeli air attack, which was launched from the Golan Heights, overwhelmed the Syrian Air Defense Force. Several hostile missiles were shot down. Nevertheless, many positions around Damascus were hit.
As usual, media sources reported that the Israeli airstrikes had targeted positions used by Iranian forces. This is yet to be verified.
Last month, the Israeli Air Force carried out a large-scale operation in Syria. A newly-established early warning network and a number of ammo depots were completely destroyed. Some of the targets were indeed used by Iranian forces.
The recent Israeli airstrikes on Damascus will not likely go without a response by Hezbollah. The Lebanese group had previously vowed to retaliate to any attack on its troops in Syria. The awaited response could lead to an escalation with Israel in Syria or Lebanon.
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southfront--2020-07-22--US Armed Forces Continue To Test China’s Patience, Prowling Around Disputed Maritime Borders

The Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs unit has announced that two B-1B Lancer bombers assigned to the 37th Bomb Squadron have been deployed to Andersen Air Force Base on Guam , along with approximately 170 support personnel , as part of a Bomber Task Force deployment .
According to the statement , the move is instended to demonstrate the US Indo-Pacific Command ’ s continuing commitment to allies and partners in the region .
The Stripes reported that before arriving on Guam , the bombers conducted intercept training over the Sea of Japan with F-15J fighter jets belonging to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were last deployed to Guam in May when they flew in from Dyess Air Force Base , Texas .
The duration of the current deployment has not been announced .
Against the backdrop of worsening relations between the US and China , the nuclear Ronald Reagan and Nimitz aircraft carrier groups as well as other US Navy vessels have been conducting exercises in and around the South China Sea over the last few weeks .
The exercises and manoeuvres have also involved a strategic long range bomber B-52H Stratofortress .
LINK Earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims to a number of territories in the South China Sea .
The South China Morning Post reports that China ’ s Ambassador to the Philippines has urged Southeast Asian countries to be on guard against US attempts to “ sabotage ” the region ’ s stability by inserting itself into the South China Sea disputes .
The comments followed a shift in Washington ’ s posture on China ’ s claims in the area reflected in an op-ed in which his American counterpart , Sung Kim , declared Washington ’ s support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sea ” .
This is the term Manila uses to refer to the portion of the South China Sea it claims as part of its exclusive economic zone ( EEZ ) , and includes areas claimed by Beijing .
The use of the term by a US state department official is rare and has been interpreted as being deliberately provocative in Beijing .
LINK Last week , one of the US Navy ’ s MQ-4C Triton high altitude long endurance ( HALE ) reconnaissance drones was spotted entering the South China Sea on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasingly long list of US spy planes plying the waterway in recent months .
LINK In addition to flight operations by the US Navy carrier USS Nimitz and USS Ronald Reagan and other US military aircraft , the destroyer USS Ralph Johnson carried out a still-more-provocative act on July 14 , a so-called “ freedom of navigation operation ” inside the waters surrounding the Spratly Islands , which are claimed by China as part of its territory , in a deliberate attempt to repudiate and challenge Chinese claims .
Chinese media outlet stated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ These incidents , taking place thousands of miles away from the US and on China ’ s doorstep , have again proven that the US is the real pusher of militarization in the South China Sea , and China is forced to take countermeasures to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity , ” Global Times wrote , citing an unnamed Chinese military expert .
“ If US military provocations in the South China Sea persist , China could be left with no choice but to conduct more drills and deploy more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sea , to the extent of setting up a possible air defence identification zone ( ADIZ ) .
” Sputnik reports that while the two US Navy carrier strike groups drilled in the South China Sea last week , Chinese People ’ s Liberation Army Air Force ( PLAAF ) jets practiced anti-ship attacks nearby .
The drills involved JH-7A and J-16B naval strike aircraft , which practiced firing anti-ship missiles , the Global Times reported .
The military exercises were held on 15 and 16 July .
LINK MORE ON THE TOPIC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strikes on Russia

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The Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs unit has announced that two B-1B Lancer bombers assigned to the 37th Bomb Squadron have been deployed to Andersen Air Force Base on Guam, along with approximately 170 support personnel, as part of a Bomber Task Force deployment.
According to the statement, the move is instended to demonstrate the US Indo-Pacific Command’s continuing commitment to allies and partners in the region.
The Stripes reported that before arriving on Guam, the bombers conducted intercept training over the Sea of Japan with F-15J fighter jets belonging to the Japanese Air Self-Defence Force. LINK
B-1s were last deployed to Guam in May when they flew in from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. The duration of the current deployment has not been announced.
Against the backdrop of worsening relations between the US and China, the nuclear Ronald Reagan and Nimitz aircraft carrier groups as well as other US Navy vessels have been conducting exercises in and around the South China Sea over the last few weeks. The exercises and manoeuvres have also involved a strategic long range bomber B-52H Stratofortress. LINK
Earlier this week, the US officially rejected Chinese claims to a number of territories in the South China Sea.
The South China Morning Post reports that China’s Ambassador to the Philippines has urged Southeast Asian countries to be on guard against US attempts to “sabotage” the region’s stability by inserting itself into the South China Sea disputes.
He urged Southeast Asian nations to “properly resolve disputes” with China and “prevent them from being capitalised on by the US to sabotage stability in the Asia-Pacific region”.
The comments followed a shift in Washington’s posture on China’s claims in the area reflected in an op-ed in which his American counterpart, Sung Kim, declared Washington’s support for Manila in the “West Philippines Sea”.
This is the term Manila uses to refer to the portion of the South China Sea it claims as part of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and includes areas claimed by Beijing. The use of the term by a US state department official is rare and has been interpreted as being deliberately provocative in Beijing. LINK
Last week, one of the US Navy’s MQ-4C Triton high altitude long endurance (HALE) reconnaissance drones was spotted entering the South China Sea on Wednesday – the latest addition to an increasingly long list of US spy planes plying the waterway in recent months. LINK
In addition to flight operations by the US Navy carrier USS Nimitz and USS Ronald Reagan and other US military aircraft, the destroyer USS Ralph Johnson carried out a still-more-provocative act on July 14, a so-called “freedom of navigation operation” inside the waters surrounding the Spratly Islands, which are claimed by China as part of its territory, in a deliberate attempt to repudiate and challenge Chinese claims. Chinese media outlet stated in response to the latest manoeuvres:
“These incidents, taking place thousands of miles away from the US and on China’s doorstep, have again proven that the US is the real pusher of militarization in the South China Sea, and China is forced to take countermeasures to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Global Times wrote, citing an unnamed Chinese military expert. “If US military provocations in the South China Sea persist, China could be left with no choice but to conduct more drills and deploy more warships and warplanes in the South China Sea, to the extent of setting up a possible air defence identification zone (ADIZ).”
Sputnik reports that while the two US Navy carrier strike groups drilled in the South China Sea last week, Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) jets practiced anti-ship attacks nearby.
The US aircraft carriers have been carrying out drills in waters near China for several weeks, including in the Philippine Sea and South China Sea. Last week, the Chinese military decided to stage their own drills, holding live-fire exercises in which PLAAF jets rehearsed how they would carry out strikes against enemy warships in the region.
The drills involved JH-7A and J-16B naval strike aircraft, which practiced firing anti-ship missiles, the Global Times reported. The military exercises were held on 15 and 16 July. LINK
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southfront--2020-07-22--Military Situation In Egypt’s North Sinai On July 22, 2020 (Map Update)

So now the US has directed their ISIS tools to hit Egypt….. USA becoming Billy no mates .

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Egypt’s North Sinai:
ISIS terrorists attacked Egyptian security checkpoint near the city of Bir al-Abd;
According to the Egyptian Military spokesman, the Egyptian Armed Forces foiled ISIS attacks on a security base in North Sinai. 18 ISIS militants were killed and 3 VBIEDs were destroyed. Also 2 soldiers were killed and 4 were wounded;
On July 18, ISIS claimed IED attack targeting armored vehicle near the city of Rafah.
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southfront--2020-07-22--Woman Killed And Child Injured In New Clashes In Turkish-Occupied Afrin (Video)

On July 22 , a new round of infighting between Turkish-backed Syrian militants took place in the occupied city of Afrin in northern Aleppo .
The clashes reportedly erupted between two units of the al-Sharqiyah Army , a faction of the so-called Syrian National Army .
The exact cause of the clashes remains unknown .
Disputes over criminal activities or personal disagreements are usually the reason of such clashes .
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights , the militants ’ fire killed a woman and injured a child .
The militants didn ’ t suffer any losses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups , including the al-Sharqiyah Army , occupied Afrin in 2018 following a quick battle with Kurdish forces .
Since then , a state of lawlessness has been prevailing over the area .
Several rounds of infighting took place in Afrin over the past few months .
A series of explosions also rocked the Kurdish area .
Moreover , violations against the locals are on the rise .
Turkey is doing nothing to improve security in Afrin , likely because such steps could damage its relations with its Syrian proxies .
MORE ON @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fire On Civilians On M4 Highway Once Again ( Video )

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On July 22, a new round of infighting between Turkish-backed Syrian militants took place in the occupied city of Afrin in northern Aleppo.
The clashes reportedly erupted between two units of the al-Sharqiyah Army, a faction of the so-called Syrian National Army. The exact cause of the clashes remains unknown. Disputes over criminal activities or personal disagreements are usually the reason of such clashes.
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the militants’ fire killed a woman and injured a child. The militants didn’t suffer any losses.
The Turkish military and its proxy groups, including the al-Sharqiyah Army, occupied Afrin in 2018 following a quick battle with Kurdish forces. Since then, a state of lawlessness has been prevailing over the area.
Several rounds of infighting took place in Afrin over the past few months. A series of explosions also rocked the Kurdish area. Moreover, violations against the locals are on the rise.
Turkey is doing nothing to improve security in Afrin, likely because such steps could damage its relations with its Syrian proxies.
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southfront--2020-07-22--Fake Victories Of Fake Country: Ukrainian Special Forces Stage Fake Video With Supposed Detention Of

Fake Victories Of Fake Country: Ukrainian Special Forces Stage Fake Video With Supposed Detention Of Lutsk Gunman

The process of detention of the gunman that briefly held several people hostages in the Ukrainian city of Lutsk on July 22 briefly became popular online after it appeared that special forces ( in an armoured vehicle ) deployed to the area and used a flash-bang grenade after the gunman surrendered .
The longer version of the video clearly shows how so-called ‘ Maxim Plohoi ’ ( Maxim Bad ) went out of the bus with hostages and surrendered to a police officer .
The man ( real name is Maxim Krivosh ) did so after Ukrainian President Zelensky fulfilled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the words “ Film “ People of Earth ” 2005 , watch for everyone ” .
This was the only demand of the attacker , with a criminal record and mental health problems .
About 1.5 minutes after the surrender , a unit of ‘ Ukrainian heroes ’ deployed to the area and used a flash-bang grenade to pretend that they conducted some kind of special operation there .
This is how most of the ‘ victories ’ of the current Kiev regime are being done in practice .
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The process of detention of the gunman that briefly held several people hostages in the Ukrainian city of Lutsk on July 22 briefly became popular online after it appeared that special forces (in an armoured vehicle) deployed to the area and used a flash-bang grenade after the gunman surrendered.
The longer version of the video clearly shows how so-called ‘Maxim Plohoi’ (Maxim Bad) went out of the bus with hostages and surrendered to a police officer. The man (real name is Maxim Krivosh) did so after Ukrainian President Zelensky fulfilled his demand by recording a video appeal with the words “Film “People of Earth” 2005, watch for everyone”. This was the only demand of the attacker, with a criminal record and mental health problems.
About 1.5 minutes after the surrender, a unit of ‘Ukrainian heroes’ deployed to the area and used a flash-bang grenade to pretend that they conducted some kind of special operation there. This is how most of the ‘victories’ of the current Kiev regime are being done in practice.
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southfront--2020-07-22--Failed Show Of Power By Libyan National Army Increases Chances Of Turkish Attack On Sirte

On July 19 , the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) test-fired the Soviet-era P-15 Termit anti-ship missile near Zawiyat Zanzur , on the Libyan coast .
The P-15 Termit is guided by active radar homing and equipped with an inertial navigation system .
Missiles of this type have a range between 35 and 80 km depending on the variant and a top speed of Mach 0.95 .
The Gaddafi-era Libyan Navy had large stockpiles of P-15 missiles and also operated an unknown number of 4K51 Rubezh coastal defense systems , which were armed with an advanced copy of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have access to at least a part of these stockpiles .
The test-launch of the anti-ship missile was presented by pro-LNA sources as a message to Turkey that its warships deployed near the Libyan shores will become the target of anti-ship missile launches should they try to support the attack by the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord on the port city of Sirte .
However , the test-launch had a quite different effect when on July 20 the video from the test site leaked online .
It showed that the missile fell just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question any potential anti-ship missile capabilities of the LNA .
Meanwhile , tensions within the LNA factions erupted in al-Brega , where the Al Saiqa Brigade was demanding the release of several affiliated people from custody .
As of July 22 , the area still remains the focal point of tensions .
Such failed missile tests and other demonstrations of issues within the LNA only strengthen the Turkish commitment to launch a full-scale attack on the port city of Sirte .
According to Turkish media , Ankara is deploying T-155 Fırtına howitzers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the frontline west of the port city .
The largest convoy with Turkish weapons and equipment arrived at the frontline from Misrata , an important logistical hub for Turkish supplies , on July 18 .
Nonetheless , reinforcements and weapons continued pouring into the western countryside of Sirte .
Right now , the main factor deterring further escalation is Egypt ’ s strong position describing a potential Turkish attack on Sirte or Jufra as a red line after which it would directly intervene in the conflict on the side of the LNA .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parliament already approved “ sending elements of the Egyptian armed forces in combat missions outside the borders of the Egyptian state to defend the Egyptian national security in the western strategic front against the acts of criminal militias and foreign terrorist elements until the forces ’ mission ends.
” Thus , a preparatory attack on Sirte risks turning into a military confrontation between Turkey and Egypt on a Libyan battleground .
The Erdogan government has not demonstrated readiness for such a scenario .
However , if the LNA carries out some more failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19 , Ankara may just take that risk .

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On July 19, the Libyan National Army (LNA) test-fired the Soviet-era P-15 Termit anti-ship missile near Zawiyat Zanzur, on the Libyan coast.
The P-15 Termit is guided by active radar homing and equipped with an inertial navigation system. Missiles of this type have a range between 35 and 80 km depending on the variant and a top speed of Mach 0.95. The Gaddafi-era Libyan Navy had large stockpiles of P-15 missiles and also operated an unknown number of 4K51 Rubezh coastal defense systems, which were armed with an advanced copy of the missile. Thus, the LNA may have access to at least a part of these stockpiles.
The test-launch of the anti-ship missile was presented by pro-LNA sources as a message to Turkey that its warships deployed near the Libyan shores will become the target of anti-ship missile launches should they try to support the attack by the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord on the port city of Sirte. However, the test-launch had a quite different effect when on July 20 the video from the test site leaked online. It showed that the missile fell just a few moments after launching putting in question any potential anti-ship missile capabilities of the LNA.
Meanwhile, tensions within the LNA factions erupted in al-Brega, where the Al Saiqa Brigade was demanding the release of several affiliated people from custody. As of July 22, the area still remains the focal point of tensions.
Such failed missile tests and other demonstrations of issues within the LNA only strengthen the Turkish commitment to launch a full-scale attack on the port city of Sirte. According to Turkish media, Ankara is deploying T-155 Fırtına howitzers and T-122 Sakarya multiple launch rocket systems to the frontline west of the port city. The largest convoy with Turkish weapons and equipment arrived at the frontline from Misrata, an important logistical hub for Turkish supplies, on July 18. Nonetheless, reinforcements and weapons continued pouring into the western countryside of Sirte.
Right now, the main factor deterring further escalation is Egypt’s strong position describing a potential Turkish attack on Sirte or Jufra as a red line after which it would directly intervene in the conflict on the side of the LNA. On July 21, Egypt’s Parliament already approved “sending elements of the Egyptian armed forces in combat missions outside the borders of the Egyptian state to defend the Egyptian national security in the western strategic front against the acts of criminal militias and foreign terrorist elements until the forces’ mission ends.” Thus, a preparatory attack on Sirte risks turning into a military confrontation between Turkey and Egypt on a Libyan battleground. The Erdogan government has not demonstrated readiness for such a scenario. However, if the LNA carries out some more failed missile tests like the one on July 19, Ankara may just take that risk.
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southfront--2020-07-22--First Photos Of Egypt’s Su-35s Emerge Online

On July 22 , a number of photos showing five Su-35 fighter jets out of 24 ordered by Egypt emerged on social media .
The five fighter jets , numbered 9210 , 9211 , 9212 , 9213 and 9214 , were spotted flying in the Russian city of Novosibirsk , where the Sukhoi Aircraft Company is located .
Some sources claimed that the five Su-35s were on a test-flight before being delivered to the Egyptian Air Force ( EAF ) .
This is yet to be verified .
Reports on an Egyptian deal to acquire Su-35 warplanes have been flown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 2019 , Russia ’ s Kommersant newspaper reported that Cairo indeed signed a contract for 24 warplanes of this type .
Delivery is supposed to take place between 2020 and 2021 .
The reports of the Egyptian-Russian deal provoked much pressure from the U.S. Washington threatened Cairo with sanctions under the Countering America ’ s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act ( CAATSA ) .
Despite the conformation of the deal , the U.S. has yet taken no measures against Egypt .
Washington is likely avoiding harming its relations with Cairo .
The Su-35 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technology , will boost the offensive capabilities of the EAF , which is facing increasing challenges .
Su-35 will likely be put into service side by side with the Mig-29M which has been in service of the EAF since 2017 .
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On July 22, a number of photos showing five Su-35 fighter jets out of 24 ordered by Egypt emerged on social media.
The five fighter jets, numbered 9210, 9211, 9212, 9213 and 9214, were spotted flying in the Russian city of Novosibirsk, where the Sukhoi Aircraft Company is located.
Some sources claimed that the five Su-35s were on a test-flight before being delivered to the Egyptian Air Force (EAF). This is yet to be verified.
Reports on an Egyptian deal to acquire Su-35 warplanes have been flown around since late 2018. In March of 2019, Russia’s Kommersant newspaper reported that Cairo indeed signed a contract for 24 warplanes of this type. Delivery is supposed to take place between 2020 and 2021.
The reports of the Egyptian-Russian deal provoked much pressure from the U.S. Washington threatened Cairo with sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
Despite the conformation of the deal, the U.S. has yet taken no measures against Egypt. Washington is likely avoiding harming its relations with Cairo.
The Su-35, which is armed with the latest technology, will boost the offensive capabilities of the EAF, which is facing increasing challenges. Su-35 will likely be put into service side by side with the Mig-29M which has been in service of the EAF since 2017.
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southfront--2020-07-22--Military Situation In Afghanistan On July 22, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Afghanistan : • Kabul-Nangarhar highway was @ @ @ @ @ and Afghan forces broke out in Kabul ’ s Mahi Par area ; • A @ @ @ @ @ in a car on the 601 highway in Nahr Seraj district of Helmand .
Two @ @ @ @ @ • According to Taliban spokesman , Taliban released 16 policemen from captivity in Balkh province @ @ @ @ @ :

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Afghanistan:
Kabul-Nangarhar highway was closed after fighting between militants and Afghan forces broke out in Kabul’s Mahi Par area;
A suicide attacker detonated explosives planted in a car on the 601 highway in Nahr Seraj district of Helmand. Two ANA members were killed;
According to Taliban spokesman, Taliban released 16 policemen from captivity in Balkh province.
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southfront--2020-07-22--IED Struck Syrian Intelligence Armored Vehicle In Daraa

On July 22 , an armored vehicle of the Syrian General Intelligence Directorate ( GID ) was struck with an improvised explosive device in the northern Daraa countryside .
According to local sources , the incident took place near a checkpoint of government forces , east of the town of Jasim .
Opposition sources claimed that several GID officers were killed or injured in the attack .
However , the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed that no losses had been confirmed so far .
This was the second attack on Syrian intelligence personnel in Daraa over the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an explosion in the western part of Daraa city killed two officers of the Military Intelligence Directorate and injured another .
No group has claimed responsibility for eather of these two attacks .
ISIS is the main suspect .
Nevertheless , other terrorist groups or even foreign agencies , like the Israeli intelligence , may be responsible for these attacks .
The repeated attacks in Daraa take a toll on Syrian government forces and local fighters .
Despite this , too little is being done to improve security in the governorate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forces Opened Fire On Civilians On M4 Highway Once Again ( Video )

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On July 22, an armored vehicle of the Syrian General Intelligence Directorate (GID) was struck with an improvised explosive device in the northern Daraa countryside.
According to local sources, the incident took place near a checkpoint of government forces, east of the town of Jasim.
Opposition sources claimed that several GID officers were killed or injured in the attack. However, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed that no losses had been confirmed so far.
This was the second attack on Syrian intelligence personnel in Daraa over the past 24 hours. Late on July 21, an explosion in the western part of Daraa city killed two officers of the Military Intelligence Directorate and injured another.
No group has claimed responsibility for eather of these two attacks. ISIS is the main suspect. Nevertheless, other terrorist groups or even foreign agencies, like the Israeli intelligence, may be responsible for these attacks.
The repeated attacks in Daraa take a toll on Syrian government forces and local fighters. Despite this, too little is being done to improve security in the governorate.
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southfront--2020-07-22--Turkish Forces Opened Fire On Civilians On M4 Highway Once Again (Video)

On July 22 , Turkish forces again opened fire on civilian cars passing on the M4 highway in Syria ’ s northeastern region .
According to the Hawar News Agency , the cars were targeted with machine guns between the town of al-Julabiyah in northeastern Aleppo and the town of Ain Issa in northern Raqqa .
25-year old civilian Ahmad Ali from the town of Tell Abyad in northern Raqqa was injured when his truck was hit .
He is currently receiving medical care .
The M4 , which links al-Hasakah with Raqqa and Aleppo , was reopened with Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coordinated with the Turkish military , the Syrian Arab Army and the Syrian Democratic Forces .
This was the second such incident on the M4 this month .
On July 5 , Turkish forces targeted a truck on the highway with a shell .
The truck was completely destroyed and its driver was injured .
It remains unclear if the Turkish military itself was responsible for these incidents , or whether Syrian militants were behind them .
In any case , these attacks are disturbing peace in northeastern Syria and damaging Turkish-Russian cooperation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TOPIC : • SDF Shared Results Of The Second Stage Of Operation Deterring Terrorism In Deir Ezzor

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On July 22, Turkish forces again opened fire on civilian cars passing on the M4 highway in Syria’s northeastern region.
According to the Hawar News Agency, the cars were targeted with machine guns between the town of al-Julabiyah in northeastern Aleppo and the town of Ain Issa in northern Raqqa.
25-year old civilian Ahmad Ali from the town of Tell Abyad in northern Raqqa was injured when his truck was hit. He is currently receiving medical care.
The M4, which links al-Hasakah with Raqqa and Aleppo, was reopened with Russian guarantees last May. The step was coordinated with the Turkish military, the Syrian Arab Army and the Syrian Democratic Forces.
This was the second such incident on the M4 this month. On July 5, Turkish forces targeted a truck on the highway with a shell. The truck was completely destroyed and its driver was injured.
It remains unclear if the Turkish military itself was responsible for these incidents, or whether Syrian militants were behind them. In any case, these attacks are disturbing peace in northeastern Syria and damaging Turkish-Russian cooperation in the region.
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southfront--2020-07-23--14 People Killed, Injured In New Car Bomb Attack In Turkish-Occupied Ras Al-Ain (Videos)

On July 23 morning , a booby-trapped car exploded in the Turkish-occupied town of Ras al-Ain in the northern countryside of Syria ’ s al-Hasakah .
The car bomb reportedly blew up in the town ’ s center , near the cultural center and the so-called Local Council .
Ras al-Ain , which was occupied by Turkish forces in October last year , is located right on the border with Turkey .
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights , four people , including a woman , were killed in the explosion .
At least ten others were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeted Ras al-Ain and other Turkish-occupied towns and villages in northern and northeastern regions of Syria over the past few months .
Dozens of people , including Turkish service members , were killed or injured .
Kurdish forces , especially the People ’ s Protection Units , are often blamed for such bombings , despite the lack of any solid evidence of their guilt .
The Turkish military is doing nothing to solve security issues in northeastern Syria .
Meanwhile , many opposition activists claim that some Turkish-backed militants are actually facilitating such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ THIS TOPIC :

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On July 23 morning, a booby-trapped car exploded in the Turkish-occupied town of Ras al-Ain in the northern countryside of Syria’s al-Hasakah.
The car bomb reportedly blew up in the town’s center, near the cultural center and the so-called Local Council. Ras al-Ain, which was occupied by Turkish forces in October last year, is located right on the border with Turkey.
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, four people, including a woman, were killed in the explosion. At least ten others were injured.
A series of similar bombings targeted Ras al-Ain and other Turkish-occupied towns and villages in northern and northeastern regions of Syria over the past few months. Dozens of people, including Turkish service members, were killed or injured.
Kurdish forces, especially the People’s Protection Units, are often blamed for such bombings, despite the lack of any solid evidence of their guilt.
The Turkish military is doing nothing to solve security issues in northeastern Syria. Meanwhile, many opposition activists claim that some Turkish-backed militants are actually facilitating such bombings in the region.
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southfront--2020-07-23--Israel Prepares To Hezbollah’s Response Deploying Elite Unit On Lebanese Border

The Israeli Defense Forces ( IDF ) will be reinforcing its units on the border with Lebanon , Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee , a spokesman for the army , announced on July 23 .
Israeli Channel 13 revealed that the 13th “ Gideon ” Infantry Battalion of the IDF ’ s elite 1st “ Golani ” Brigade was chosen to reinforce the border with Lebanon amid the rising tension with Hezbollah .
A series of Israeli airstrikes on the Syrian capital , Damascus , on July 20 killed a fighter of Hezbollah .
The group usually responds to such incidents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The IDF ’ s precautions were not limited to reinforcing its troops on the border with Lebanon .
The military also intensified the reconnaissance sorties of its drones over Hezbollah ’ s strongholds in Southern Lebanon .
In September 2019 , Hezbollah responded to an Israeli airstrike that killed two of its fighters in the Syrian capital by targeting an IDF vehicle in Upper Galilee .
Hezbollah upcoming response will likely be limited .
Nevertheless , it could lead to a serious escalation .
Israel may use any attack by Hezbollah as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operation in Lebanon , similar to what happened in the summer of 2006 .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Israeli Soldier Killed In Vehicle Incident Amid Tensions On Contact Line With Lebanon

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The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) will be reinforcing its units on the border with Lebanon, Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee, a spokesman for the army, announced on July 23.
“In accordance with the situational assessment, the Northern Command will be reinforced with select infantry forces,” the spokesman wrote on Twitter.
Israeli Channel 13 revealed that the 13th “Gideon” Infantry Battalion of the IDF’s elite 1st “Golani” Brigade was chosen to reinforce the border with Lebanon amid the rising tension with Hezbollah.
A series of Israeli airstrikes on the Syrian capital, Damascus, on July 20 killed a fighter of Hezbollah. The group usually responds to such incidents by attacking Israeli troops from Southern Lebanon.
The IDF’s precautions were not limited to reinforcing its troops on the border with Lebanon. The military also intensified the reconnaissance sorties of its drones over Hezbollah’s strongholds in Southern Lebanon.
أكثر من طائرة تجسس معادية من دون طيار تحلق في أجواء عدد من بلدات الجنوب اللبناني . pic.twitter.com/8Usq4E74JG — علي شعيب ?? (@alishoeib1970) July 23, 2020
In September 2019, Hezbollah responded to an Israeli airstrike that killed two of its fighters in the Syrian capital by targeting an IDF vehicle in Upper Galilee.
Hezbollah upcoming response will likely be limited. Nevertheless, it could lead to a serious escalation. Israel may use any attack by Hezbollah as a pretext to launch a large-scale aerial operation in Lebanon, similar to what happened in the summer of 2006.
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southfront--2020-07-23--Military Situation In Syria On July 23, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria : • Syrian Arab Army @ @ @ @ @ militant positions near the villages of Ziyarah and Mansurah in the Ghab Plain ; • @ @ @ @ @ near the villages of Barah and Kanasfara in Southern Idlib ; • The Turkish Army @ @ @ @ @ conducted the 22nd joint patrol along the M4 highway from the town of Tronba in @ @ @ @ @ of Ain Hawr in northern Lattakia ; • Armored vehicle of the Syrian General Intelligence @ @ @ @ @ IED in the northern Daraa countryside ; • Clashes between two units of the Turkish-backed @ @ @ @ @ the city of Afrin in northern Aleppo .
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A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria:
Syrian Arab Army (SAA) artillery shelled militant positions near the villages of Ziyarah and Mansurah in the Ghab Plain;
SAA artillery shelled militant positions near the villages of Barah and Kanasfara in Southern Idlib;
The Turkish Army and the Russian Military Police conducted the 22nd joint patrol along the M4 highway from the town of Tronba in southern Idlib to the town of Ain Hawr in northern Lattakia;
Armored vehicle of the Syrian General Intelligence Directorate was hit by an IED in the northern Daraa countryside;
Clashes between two units of the Turkish-backed al-Sharqiyah Army took place in the city of Afrin in northern Aleppo.
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southfront--2020-07-23--Israeli Soldier Killed In Vehicle Incident Amid Tensions On Contact Line With Lebanon

On July 22 , an Israeli soldier was killed , when a military vehicle carrying diesel fuel overturned in the @ @ @ @ @ border with Lebanon .
The incident took place at Mount Dov in the Hermon region @ @ @ @ @ identified as Nahal Brigade Corporal Sahar Algazar , 20 , from Moshav Ranen .
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ , two shells landed in the Israeli-occupied farm area after being fired during an Israeli @ @ @ @ @ sparked fires in the area and prompted Israel to scramble firefighting vehicles .
An Israeli @ @ @ @ @ shells near Bustra .
The Israeli miltary increased security in the occupied area and launched @ @ @ @ @ recent Israeli strikes on Syria killed a Hezbollah fighter .
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On July 22, an Israeli soldier was killed, when a military vehicle carrying diesel fuel overturned in the Golan Heights, near the border with Lebanon. The incident took place at Mount Dov in the Hermon region.
The killed soldier was identified as Nahal Brigade Corporal Sahar Algazar, 20, from Moshav Ranen.
Earlier on the same day day, two shells landed in the Israeli-occupied farm area after being fired during an Israeli military drill. The shells sparked fires in the area and prompted Israel to scramble firefighting vehicles. An Israeli battle tank also fired 14 shells near Bustra.
The Israeli miltary increased security in the occupied area and launched a tactical drill after the recent Israeli strikes on Syria killed a Hezbollah fighter.
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southfront--2020-07-23--Last Days Of SouthFront

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