southfront--2020-07-11--Mosques, Museums and Politics: The Fate of Hagia Sophia

When the caustic Evelyn Waugh visited the majestic sixth century creation of Emperor Justinian , one subsequently enlarged , enriched and encrusted by various rulers , he felt underwhelmed .
“ ‘ Agia ’ will always win the day for one , ” he wrote of Istanbul ’ s holiest of holies , Hagia Sophia , in 1930 .
“ A more recondite snobbism is to say ‘ Aya Sofia ’ , but except in a very sophisticated circle , who will probably not need guidance in the matter at all , this is liable to suspicion as a mere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Waugh struggled to reconcile the pop mythology , at that point elevated by celebratory brochure and tourist packages , with the sight of it .
“ We saw Agia Sophia , a majestic shell full of vile Turkish fripperies , whose whole architectural rectitude has been fatally disturbed by the reorientation of the .
” Such snobbery could not impeach the historical pedigree of Hagia Sophia .
Seat of the Patriarchate of Constantinople , religious edifice of the Byzantine Empire , it became a mosque once Constantinople was successfully captured by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , officially terminating the vestigial remains of the Eastern Roman Empire .
This was a function the structure served till 1934 , when the secularist ruler Mustafa Kemal Atatürk ordered its conversion to a museum .
Doing so served to secularize and neutralise a site of religious jostling .
That said , the 1934 decision could hardly be seen as a mark of pure benevolence .
It was a year when Turkification policies were being applied with gusto , best characterised by Settlement Law of 1934 ( Law No .
2510 ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( or not , in some cases ) populations within the state into three zones with a focus on concentrating Turkish populations in some areas , while relocating and resettling populations “ whose assimilation into Turkish culture is desired.
” That same year , pogroms against Jews in Eastern Thrace also took place to resolve , in the evocatively sinister words of İbrahim Tali , inspector general of Thrace , the “ Jewish problem ” .
The Jews , he argued , had not Turkified themselves with sufficient rigour .
They were also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them money at high rates of interest .
The museum status of the edifice has had its fierce detractors .
The poet Necip Fazil Kisakürek described it in 1965 as “ a sarcophagus in which Islam is buried.
” Under the rule of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan , Hagia Sophia has been sporadically threatened with a change of status .
In 2004 , the Turkish Union of Permanent Vakifs of Historical Monuments and Environment issued a plea to the government to change the standing of the building .
It was politely ignored .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ country ’ s highest administrative court , the Council of State , to return Hagia Sophia back to its standing as a mosque .
Ever persistent , that same body sought relief in the Constitutional Court , an application that was rejected in 2018 .
In November 2013 , deputy prime minister Bülent Arinç expressed the view that the approach of treating former mosques as museums was due for revision .
He did so like a mystic , claiming that the structure was speaking to the Turkish state in mournful longing .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and pray to Allah that the days when it smiles on us are near.
” Despite stirring up a fuss with the secularists and irate voices in Greece at the time , he had reason to be confident , given the abolition of the museum status of the Hagia Sophia in both İznik and Trabzon .
In both cases , the General Directorate of Pious Foundations , overseen by Arinç , were active and eventually successful .
The effort to de-museum Hagia Sophia have tended to receive billowing encouragement with undesired remarks in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and present .
Demagoguery is ever on the permanent hunt for excuses .
In 2015 , Pope Francis chose April to use a word illegal in Turkish law to describe the treatment by Ottoman forces of Armenians a century prior .
The deportations , massacres and rapes constituted , in an address by the Pope at a Mass in the Armenian Catholic rite at St. Peter ’ s Basilica in Rome , “ the first genocide of the 20th century ” .
To conceal or deny “ evil is like allowing a wound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The remarks had their shaking effect in Ankara .
Turkey ’ s foreign minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu dismissed the statement , “ which is far from the legal and historical reality ” .
It was not for religious authorities “ to incite resentment and hatred with baseless allegations.
” Domestically , eyes turned to the status of Hagia Sophia .
The mufti of Ankara , Mefail Hızlı , saw a change as imminent .
“ Frankly , I believe that the pope ’ s remarks will only accelerate the process for Hagia Sophia to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” That same month , the first recitation of the Quran for 85 years was made by Ali Tel , imam of the Ahmet Hamdi Akseki Mosque in Ankara .
The wheels were in motion and reached a terminus with the conclusion by the Council of State that “ the settlement deed allocated it as a mosque and its use outside this character is not possible legally.
” The 1934 decision ending the building ’ s “ use as a mosque and defined it as museum did not comply with laws.
” A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state ’ s religious affairs directorate enabling the reopening of the structure as a mosque .
The decree was celebrated by AK members in parliament .
As with many sites of religious contestation , conquest comes with grievance and hot tears of indignation .
The Russian Orthodox Church , through spokesman Vladimir Legoida , expressed the view that “ millions of Christians had not been heard.
” The “ need for extreme delicacy in this matter were ignored.
” UNESCO ’ s World Health Committee is planning to review the status of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Turkish decision was not the subject of dialog or notification beforehand ” .
Erdoğan ’ s concerns lie elsewhere .
He has had little truck with ecumenical politics and practises , battering down the secular divides within his country .
His agenda is that of an up-ended Attatürk .
As Soner Cagaptay of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy remarks , “ Just as Attatürk ‘ un-mosqued ’ Hagia Sophia 86 years ago , and gave it museum status to underline his secularist revolution , Erdoğan is remaking it a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The ancient monument of emperors and sultans promises to be a stage of much self-promotion , with the court decision coming in time for prayers to take place on July 15 , the date marking the failed coup attempt .
To keep matters interesting , the Turkish president is remaining oblique on what will happen to the tourist trade .
( Last year , 3.7 million ventured to the edifice . )
Spokesman İbrahim Kalın has told the Turkish news agency Anadolu that , “ Opening up Hagia Sophia to worship won ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visiting the site.
” Capitalism and finance are often near neighbours of holiness and spirituality .
Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College , Cambridge .
He lectures at RMIT University , Melbourne .
Email : bkampmark @ gmail.com

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Submitted by Dr. Binoy Kampmark
When the caustic Evelyn Waugh visited the majestic sixth century creation of Emperor Justinian, one subsequently enlarged, enriched and encrusted by various rulers, he felt underwhelmed. “‘Agia’ will always win the day for one,” he wrote of Istanbul’s holiest of holies, Hagia Sophia, in 1930. “A more recondite snobbism is to say ‘Aya Sofia’, but except in a very sophisticated circle, who will probably not need guidance in the matter at all, this is liable to suspicion as a mere mispronunciation.”
In a somewhat cool reaction, Waugh struggled to reconcile the pop mythology, at that point elevated by celebratory brochure and tourist packages, with the sight of it. “We saw Agia Sophia, a majestic shell full of vile Turkish fripperies, whose whole architectural rectitude has been fatally disturbed by the reorientation of the mihrab.”
Such snobbery could not impeach the historical pedigree of Hagia Sophia. Seat of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, religious edifice of the Byzantine Empire, it became a mosque once Constantinople was successfully captured by the Ottoman forces of Mehmet II in 1453, officially terminating the vestigial remains of the Eastern Roman Empire. This was a function the structure served till 1934, when the secularist ruler Mustafa Kemal Atatürk ordered its conversion to a museum. Doing so served to secularize and neutralise a site of religious jostling.
That said, the 1934 decision could hardly be seen as a mark of pure benevolence. It was a year when Turkification policies were being applied with gusto, best characterised by Settlement Law of 1934 (Law No. 2510). It was an instrument designed to resettle (or not, in some cases) populations within the state into three zones with a focus on concentrating Turkish populations in some areas, while relocating and resettling populations “whose assimilation into Turkish culture is desired.”
That same year, pogroms against Jews in Eastern Thrace also took place to resolve, in the evocatively sinister words of İbrahim Tali, inspector general of Thrace, the “Jewish problem”. The Jews, he argued, had not Turkified themselves with sufficient rigour. They were also economically advantaged while disadvantaging Muslims in lending them money at high rates of interest.
The museum status of the edifice has had its fierce detractors. The poet Necip Fazil Kisakürek described it in 1965 as “a sarcophagus in which Islam is buried.” Under the rule of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Hagia Sophia has been sporadically threatened with a change of status. In 2004, the Turkish Union of Permanent Vakifs of Historical Monuments and Environment issued a plea to the government to change the standing of the building. It was politely ignored. In 2005, the Union petitioned the country’s highest administrative court, the Council of State, to return Hagia Sophia back to its standing as a mosque. Ever persistent, that same body sought relief in the Constitutional Court, an application that was rejected in 2018.
In November 2013, deputy prime minister Bülent Arinç expressed the view that the approach of treating former mosques as museums was due for revision. He did so like a mystic, claiming that the structure was speaking to the Turkish state in mournful longing. “We look at this forlorn Hagia Sophia and pray to Allah that the days when it smiles on us are near.” Despite stirring up a fuss with the secularists and irate voices in Greece at the time, he had reason to be confident, given the abolition of the museum status of the Hagia Sophia in both İznik and Trabzon. In both cases, the General Directorate of Pious Foundations, overseen by Arinç, were active and eventually successful.
The effort to de-museum Hagia Sophia have tended to receive billowing encouragement with undesired remarks in foreign quarters about Turkish policies, past and present. Demagoguery is ever on the permanent hunt for excuses. In 2015, Pope Francis chose April to use a word illegal in Turkish law to describe the treatment by Ottoman forces of Armenians a century prior. The deportations, massacres and rapes constituted, in an address by the Pope at a Mass in the Armenian Catholic rite at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, “the first genocide of the 20th century”. To conceal or deny “evil is like allowing a wound to keep bleeding without bandaging it.”
The remarks had their shaking effect in Ankara. Turkey’s foreign minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu dismissed the statement, “which is far from the legal and historical reality”. It was not for religious authorities “to incite resentment and hatred with baseless allegations.” Domestically, eyes turned to the status of Hagia Sophia. The mufti of Ankara, Mefail Hızlı, saw a change as imminent. “Frankly, I believe that the pope’s remarks will only accelerate the process for Hagia Sophia to be reopened for [Muslim] worship.” That same month, the first recitation of the Quran for 85 years was made by Ali Tel, imam of the Ahmet Hamdi Akseki Mosque in Ankara.
The wheels were in motion and reached a terminus with the conclusion by the Council of State that “the settlement deed allocated it as a mosque and its use outside this character is not possible legally.” The 1934 decision ending the building’s “use as a mosque and defined it as museum did not comply with laws.” A delighted Erdoğan rushed off the decree to the state’s religious affairs directorate enabling the reopening of the structure as a mosque. The decree was celebrated by AK members in parliament.
As with many sites of religious contestation, conquest comes with grievance and hot tears of indignation. The Russian Orthodox Church, through spokesman Vladimir Legoida, expressed the view that “millions of Christians had not been heard.” The “need for extreme delicacy in this matter were ignored.” UNESCO’s World Health Committee is planning to review the status of Hagia Sophia, claiming it “regrettable that the Turkish decision was not the subject of dialog or notification beforehand”.
Erdoğan’s concerns lie elsewhere. He has had little truck with ecumenical politics and practises, battering down the secular divides within his country. His agenda is that of an up-ended Attatürk. As Soner Cagaptay of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy remarks, “Just as Attatürk ‘un-mosqued’ Hagia Sophia 86 years ago, and gave it museum status to underline his secularist revolution, Erdoğan is remaking it a mosque to underline his religious revolution.” The ancient monument of emperors and sultans promises to be a stage of much self-promotion, with the court decision coming in time for prayers to take place on July 15, the date marking the failed coup attempt.
To keep matters interesting, the Turkish president is remaining oblique on what will happen to the tourist trade. (Last year, 3.7 million ventured to the edifice.) Spokesman İbrahim Kalın has told the Turkish news agency Anadolu that, “Opening up Hagia Sophia to worship won’t keep local or foreign tourists from visiting the site.” Capitalism and finance are often near neighbours of holiness and spirituality.
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--2020-07-11--Type 88 Coastal Defense Missile System (Infographics)

The range is not enough .
A ship could fire a salvo of cruise missiles at these coastal launch sites @ @ @ @ @ wins , that simple .
They can reach out , you cant…

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The Type 88 (SSM-1) is a mobile coastal defense missile system developed by Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. It employs a land-based version of the air-launched Type 80 (ASM-1) anti-ship missile.
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southfront--2020-07-11--Iranian Officials Dismissed Reports Of New Explosion In Tehran

Early on July 10 , a loud explosion was heard in the western suburbs of the Iranian capital , Tehran @ @ @ @ @ by a temporary power outage .
Iranian officials quickly dismissed the reports of the explosion @ @ @ @ @ , Leila Vaseqi , told the Fars News Agency a limited power outrage took place @ @ @ @ @ s suburbs .
However , Vaseqi stressed that Shahr-e Qods and Garmdareh didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ July 10 .
The governor didn ’ t provide any information on the possible causes @ @ @ @ @ This was the seventh explosion to be reported in Iran in the last few weeks @ @ @ @ @ rocked the Natanz nuclear facility .
A centrifuge assembly center was destroyed as a result @ @ @ @ @ vowed that it will respond if the explosion was caused by an attack .
MORE @ @ @ @ @ Wave Of Explosions And Fires At Critical Infrastructure Objects Hits Iran .
Sabotage Or Accidents @

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Early on July 10, a loud explosion was heard in the western suburbs of the Iranian capital, Tehran. The explosion was followed by a temporary power outage.
Iranian officials quickly dismissed the reports of the explosion. Governor of Shahr-e Qods, Leila Vaseqi, told the Fars News Agency a limited power outrage took place in few of Tehran’s suburbs.
“The power outage also occurred in a limited area for five or six minutes, and power outages did not occur extensively,” Vaseqi said.
However, Vaseqi stressed that Shahr-e Qods and Garmdareh didn’t witness any explosion late on July 10. The governor didn’t provide any information on the possible causes of the power outrage.
This was the seventh explosion to be reported in Iran in the last few weeks. One of the explosions rocked the Natanz nuclear facility. A centrifuge assembly center was destroyed as a result of the explosion. Tehran vowed that it will respond if the explosion was caused by an attack.
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southfront--2020-07-11--Scandalous Photos Of American Al-Qaeda Propagandist In Syria Are Leaked On Internet

On July 9 , a number of scandalous photos of Bilal Abdul Kareem , an American journalist working in the Syrian region of Greater Idlib , surfaced on social media .
Abdul Kareem , who appeared entirely naked in the photos , is an infamous propagandist for terrorist groups in Greater Idlib .
His own outlet , On the Ground News , has been promoting these groups and their ideology for years .
Al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay ’ at Tahrir al-Sham ( HTS ) , that received much support from Abdu Kareem in its early years , was accused of leaking the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HTS ’ security forces leaked the photos to pressure and slander Abdul Kareem , who recently criticized the group for the unlawful arrest of Tauqir Sharif , his close affiliate .
Sharif , who is known as “ Abu Hussam al-Birtani , ” is a British aid worker based in Greater Idlib .
He was arrested by HTS last month .
The group accused Sharif of financing projects that promote division in the region .
He was likely financing other terrorist groups without HTS knowledge .
Abdul Kareem slammed HTS for arresting Sharif @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his British citizenship by the United Kingdom ’ s Home Office in 2017 .
In a video message released a few hours after the photos leaks , Abdul Kareem confirmed that his mobile phone was hacked , saying that he has an idea on who may have done it .
His remarks were seen as a direct hint at HTS .
HTS denied responsibility for leaking Abdul Kareem ’ s photos in a statement .
The group claimed that the photos were sent to its security forces by an unknown individual prior to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncover that individual and hold him accountable .
Nevertheless , the statement appears to be an attempt by HTS to dodge the problem by pining the leaks on an anonymous side .
This issue didn ’ t only harm the reputation of Abdul Kareem , but also led to a backlash against HTS .
Leaking private photos is strictly forbidden in Islam and is considered to be a major sin .
The group has already being accused of abandoning Jihadi ideology .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC :

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On July 9, a number of scandalous photos of Bilal Abdul Kareem, an American journalist working in the Syrian region of Greater Idlib, surfaced on social media.
Abdul Kareem, who appeared entirely naked in the photos, is an infamous propagandist for terrorist groups in Greater Idlib. His own outlet, On the Ground News, has been promoting these groups and their ideology for years.
Это Билял Абдул Карим – русофобская обезьяна-пропагандист из США, работающий в Идлибе с сирийскими террористами. Любит рассуждать о «джихаде» и «скорой победе сирийской революции». А ещё любит фоткаться голышом.
Вот такой «ислам». Сборище извращенцев и маньяков.
Грязь и отбросы pic.twitter.com/Fic3f3WZFA — Аббас Джума (@IBN_MOHAMMAD) July 9, 2020
Al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), that received much support from Abdu Kareem in its early years, was accused of leaking the scandalous photos.
Several opposition activists said HTS’ security forces leaked the photos to pressure and slander Abdul Kareem, who recently criticized the group for the unlawful arrest of Tauqir Sharif, his close affiliate.
Sharif, who is known as “Abu Hussam al-Birtani,” is a British aid worker based in Greater Idlib. He was arrested by HTS last month. The group accused Sharif of financing projects that promote division in the region. He was likely financing other terrorist groups without HTS knowledge.
Yvonne Ridley Requests to Visit Imprisoned Tauqir Sharif
Former Taliban detainee and prominent British journalist, Yvonne Ridley, requests that HTS allow her to enter Idlib to observe that Tauqir Sharif’s human rights are being observed.
Full video at: https://t.co/P1j2MGs1qT pic.twitter.com/2U2eMDHAvu — On the Ground News (@OGNreports) July 8, 2020
Abdul Kareem slammed HTS for arresting Sharif, especially that he was stripped from his British citizenship by the United Kingdom’s Home Office in 2017.
In a video message released a few hours after the photos leaks, Abdul Kareem confirmed that his mobile phone was hacked, saying that he has an idea on who may have done it. His remarks were seen as a direct hint at HTS.
Statement Regarding Phone Hacking Unfortunately my personal family pics were stolen from my phone & shared publicly online to silence me. IA this won’t stop me speaking up for the Syrian people. Thank you to everyone for your support. Can you report anyone sharing the pics pls. pic.twitter.com/Daaf8gsJPp — Bilal Abdul Kareem (@BilalKareem) July 10, 2020
HTS denied responsibility for leaking Abdul Kareem’s photos in a statement. The group claimed that the photos were sent to its security forces by an unknown individual prior to their release. The group vowed to uncover that individual and hold him accountable.
Nevertheless, the statement appears to be an attempt by HTS to dodge the problem by pining the leaks on an anonymous side.
This issue didn’t only harm the reputation of Abdul Kareem, but also led to a backlash against HTS. Leaking private photos is strictly forbidden in Islam and is considered to be a major sin. The group has already being accused of abandoning Jihadi ideology.
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southfront--2020-07-11--Erdogan Puts Hammer Down. Hagia Sophia Is Now Officially Mosque

Recep Tayyip Erdogan seems himself as the President that ‘ makes history ’ .
So , he seeks to make ‘ historical decisions ’ .
On July 10 , Erdogan signed a decree officially urning the world-famous Hagia Sophia as a mosque , after the Turksih court ruled that its conversion to a museum in the 1930s was unlawful .
According to the court , the 1934 decree converting the ancient Byzantine cathedral into a museum was not lawful .
Immediately , Erdogan shared a copy of a decree on Twitter , mandating that the site be turned over to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopened for worship .
Dating back to the 6th century , the Hagia Sophia is one of the most visited cultural sites in Turkey , a UNESCO World Heritage Site , and the symbolic place for the Christian world .
It was originally built as the great Cathedral of the Eastern Roman ( Byzantine ) Empire in 537 and was the seat of the ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople .
Earlier , Erdogan spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin said that opening the Hagia Sophia for muslim worship will not prevent local or foreign tourists from visiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the structure as a world heritage site “ is not in question.
” Despite the public rhetoric , the decision to turn Hagia Sophia into a mosque is for sure an act of agression towards the Christian world and a signal that Turkey is going to conitune providing the Erdogan-style foreign policy aimed at turning the modern Turkey into a kind of neo-Ottoman Empire under his leadership .
It ’ s interesting to note that Turkish propaganda on the highest level likes to adress the times of the Ottoman Empire in order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Turkey ’ s ongoing intervention in Libya and other actions of the country in the region .
So , it was just a question of time when the Erdogan government moves to restore other ‘ symols ’ of the Ottoman Empire ‘ cultural heritage ’ inside Turkey itself .
From the geopolitical point of view , the July 10 decision of President Erdogan is a logical public step highlighting the plans to implement the concept of New Greater Turkey in the Middle East and turn Turkey into the power that will have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • War Preparations : Egypt And Turkey Kick Off Large-Scale Drills Near Libya • Erdogan Is Footstep Away From Turning Hagia Sophia Back Into Mosque • Greece Says It ’ s Willing To Do “ Whatever It Takes ” Against Turkey , Even … Negotiate

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Recep Tayyip Erdogan seems himself as the President that ‘makes history’. So, he seeks to make ‘historical decisions’.
On July 10, Erdogan signed a decree officially turning the world-famous Hagia Sophia into a mosque, after the Turksih court ruled that its conversion to a museum in the 1930s was unlawful. According to the court, the 1934 decree converting the ancient Byzantine cathedral into a museum was not lawful. Immediately, Erdogan shared a copy of a decree on Twitter, mandating that the site be turned over to the country’s religious directorate and reopened for worship.
President Erdoğan addresses the nation https://t.co/Z7Gjz8Yr9g — Turkish Presidency (@trpresidency) July 10, 2020
Dating back to the 6th century, the Hagia Sophia is one of the most visited cultural sites in Turkey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the symbolic place for the Christian world. It was originally built as the great Cathedral of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire in 537 and was the seat of the ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople.
Earlier, Erdogan spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin said that opening the Hagia Sophia for muslim worship will not prevent local or foreign tourists from visiting the iconic site and that a loss of the structure as a world heritage site “is not in question.”
“Turkey will still preserve the Christian icons there, just like our ancestors preserved all Christian values,” he told the Anadolu Agency on July 9.
Despite the public rhetoric, the decision to turn Hagia Sophia into a mosque is for sure an act of agression towards the Christian world and a signal that Turkey is going to conitune providing the Erdogan-style foreign policy aimed at turning the modern Turkey into a kind of neo-Ottoman Empire under his leadership.
It’s interesting to note that Turkish propaganda on the highest level likes to adress the times of the Ottoman Empire in order to justify the occupation of northern Syria, Turkey’s ongoing intervention in Libya and other actions of the country in the region. So, it was just a question of time when the Erdogan government moves to restore other ‘symols’ of the Ottoman Empire ‘cultural heritage’ inside Turkey itself.
From the geopolitical point of view, the July 10 decision of President Erdogan is a logical public step highlighting the plans to implement the concept of New Greater Turkey in the Middle East and turn Turkey into the power that will have a real influence on the global scene.
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southfront--2020-07-11--Leaked Recordings Confirm The West’s Concealment Of Ukrain’s Terrorist Policy In Crimea

On June 9 , Member of Ukrainian Parliament Andrii Derkach published a number of phone records .
On one of them , people pretended to be Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and former US Vice President Joseph Biden discussed a sabotage operation in Crimea that took place in August 2016 .
These recordings have become a serious accusation against the Ukrainian authorities , as well as Western countries , which , knowing about the incident , preferred to support Poroshenko ’ s position based on lies .
Ukrainian forces tried to carry out terrorist attacks in the North of the Crimean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FSB ) of the Russian Federation has received operational information that allies of Ukrainian raiders , Yevgeny Panov and Andrey Zakhteya , were meeting a Ukrainian squadron on the territory of Crimea on the night of August 7 to carry out terrorist attacks on the Peninsula ’ s critical infrastructure .
The operations were prepared by the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine .
The interception of the sabotage group by Russian Special Forces unit “ Vimpel ” of the FSB took place near the village of Suvorovo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opened fire .
During the firefight , the commander of the Special Forces unit , Lieutenant Colonel Roman Kamenev , was killed .
Russian Special Forces eliminated two militants and disarmed three others .
Ukrainian supporters Yevgeny Panov and Andrey Zakhteya were arrested .
In the evening of the same day , another group of Ukrainian raiders was stopped on the Crimean-Ukrainian border .
They were hiding in a swampy area on the technological dam across the Sivash Bay .
The Ukrainians aimed to mine the road to the dam and power lines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Russian 22-year-old mechanic-driver of the airborne fighting vehicle , Corporal Semyon Sychev , was killed .
Russian militants of the 247th Guards Air Assault regiment , who were seconded to guard the Ukrainian border , were also wounded .
Ukrainian weapons were found at the site : 20 improvised explosive devices with a total capacity of more than 40 kg , ammunition and special means of initiation , regular anti-personnel and magnetic mines , as well as grenades and special weapons .
These were not the only diversions prevented by Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planned on other critical infrastructure , such as the Kerch ferry or Simferopol international airport .
If the Ukrainian raiders had not been stopped , the explosions on the dam across the Sivash would have affected hundreds of residents of nearby villages .
In an audio recording revealed yesterday by Andriy Derkach , Biden can be heard telling Poroshenko that former US President Barack Obama was very unsatisfied with the accident .
According to Biden , Crimea is “ occupied ” by Russia , but this problem should be solved only by political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force or sabotage methods .
Moreover , according to him , Washington warned Kiev about the inadmissibility of such steps before the operation .
When asked by Biden whether he knew about the upcoming operation , Poroshenko did not give a direct answer , but guaranteed that this would not happen again .
When talking with Biden , Poroshenko promised that the responsible will be held accountable , first of all , the head of the Main intelligence Department of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine , Valery Kondratyuk .
Poroshenko clarified that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order not to cause a public outcry , as his immediate resignation would confirm the admission of guilt of the Ukrainian security services in attempts to commit terrorist attacks on the territory of Crimea .
However , Valery Kondratyuk was not removed from office .
Instead , a month later , General Adriy Taranov , the deputy head of the Poroshenko administration , died under strange circumstances in Kiev .
General Valeri Kondtratuk took his post .
In June 2020 , Kondratuk became the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Ukrainian President about attempts to conduct sabotage on the territory of Crimea , prepared by the Main intelligence Department of the Ministry of Defense .
The released record confirms that not only Poroshenko , but also former President of the US Barack Obama and former Vice President Joe Biden knew about the sabotage operations in Crimea .
In 2016 , Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the Ukrainian authorities .
In his turn Poroshenko called the charges of terrorism senseless and cynical .
Ukrainian mainstream media even put forward a version that drunken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukrainian lies were openly supported by the United States .
European countries also accused Russia of slander , despite the fact that they were also aware of the guilt of the Ukrainian security services in the destabilization of the situation in Crimea .
The audio recordings released in Ukraine , if proved legitimate , will become clear evidence that the West was aware of acts of state terrorism by the Ukrainian authorities in Crimea , despite its collective policy of accusing Russia of slander .
The revealed facts cast doubt on the objectivity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lies , supported primarily by the democratic forces of the United States , have allowed hiding attempts to carry out terrorist acts in the Crimea for several years , then it is highly likely that a similar policy of the collective West is being carried out with regard to unsolved cases against Russia .
These include the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in 2018 , the ” suicide ” of Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky in 2013 , MH17 crash in 2014 , and so on .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Crimea Meddled In US Presidential Election And More • Additional Conversations Between Poroshenko And Biden Released Focused On IMF And Visa Free EU Regime

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On June 9, Member of Ukrainian Parliament Andrii Derkach published a number of phone records. On one of them, people pretended to be Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and former US Vice President Joseph Biden discussed a sabotage operation in Crimea that took place in August 2016. These recordings have become a serious accusation against the Ukrainian authorities, as well as Western countries, which, knowing about the incident, preferred to support Poroshenko’s position based on lies.
Ukrainian forces tried to carry out terrorist attacks in the North of the Crimean Peninsula. The Federal Security Service (FSB) of the Russian Federation has received operational information that allies of Ukrainian raiders, Yevgeny Panov and Andrey Zakhteya, were meeting a Ukrainian squadron on the territory of Crimea on the night of August 7 to carry out terrorist attacks on the Peninsula’s critical infrastructure. The operations were prepared by the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. The interception of the sabotage group by Russian Special Forces unit “Vimpel” of the FSB took place near the village of Suvorovo near the Crimean-Ukrainian border. The raiders opened fire. During the firefight, the commander of the Special Forces unit, Lieutenant Colonel Roman Kamenev, was killed. Russian Special Forces eliminated two militants and disarmed three others. Ukrainian supporters Yevgeny Panov and Andrey Zakhteya were arrested.
In the evening of the same day, another group of Ukrainian raiders was stopped on the Crimean-Ukrainian border. They were hiding in a swampy area on the technological dam across the Sivash Bay. The Ukrainians aimed to mine the road to the dam and power lines. During the clashes with Russian forces, a Russian 22-year-old mechanic-driver of the airborne fighting vehicle, Corporal Semyon Sychev, was killed. Russian militants of the 247th Guards Air Assault regiment, who were seconded to guard the Ukrainian border, were also wounded. Ukrainian weapons were found at the site: 20 improvised explosive devices with a total capacity of more than 40 kg, ammunition and special means of initiation, regular anti-personnel and magnetic mines, as well as grenades and special weapons.
These were not the only diversions prevented by Russian forces in Crimea. Numerous acts were planned on other critical infrastructure, such as the Kerch ferry or Simferopol international airport. If the Ukrainian raiders had not been stopped, the explosions on the dam across the Sivash would have affected hundreds of residents of nearby villages.
In an audio recording revealed yesterday by Andriy Derkach, Biden can be heard telling Poroshenko that former US President Barack Obama was very unsatisfied with the accident. According to Biden, Crimea is “occupied” by Russia, but this problem should be solved only by political means, without the use of military force or sabotage methods. Moreover, according to him, Washington warned Kiev about the inadmissibility of such steps before the operation.
“As you know, we intervened once, before it happened, when we learned that the General staff was taking certain steps. We have made it clear that we do not support this. You took a step back, but the next day it happened. I’ll tell you frankly, he [Barack Obama] is not happy about this,” Biden said. He also clarified that the head of military intelligence of Ukraine received a clear message of categorical rejection by the US of planned sabotage operation against Russian military facilities in Crimea.
When asked by Biden whether he knew about the upcoming operation, Poroshenko did not give a direct answer, but guaranteed that this would not happen again.
“I give you a guarantee that this will not happen again. Nothing like that,” he said.
When talking with Biden, Poroshenko promised that the responsible will be held accountable, first of all, the head of the Main intelligence Department of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Valery Kondratyuk. Poroshenko clarified that this would be done later, in order not to cause a public outcry, as his immediate resignation would confirm the admission of guilt of the Ukrainian security services in attempts to commit terrorist attacks on the territory of Crimea. However, Valery Kondratyuk was not removed from office. Instead, a month later, General Adriy Taranov, the deputy head of the Poroshenko administration, died under strange circumstances in Kiev. General Valeri Kondtratuk took his post. In June 2020, Kondratuk became the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine. This fact confirms the awareness of the former Ukrainian President about attempts to conduct sabotage on the territory of Crimea, prepared by the Main intelligence Department of the Ministry of Defense.
The released record confirms that not only Poroshenko, but also former President of the US Barack Obama and former Vice President Joe Biden knew about the sabotage operations in Crimea.
In 2016, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the Ukrainian authorities. In his turn Poroshenko called the charges of terrorism senseless and cynical.
“These fantasies are just an excuse for another military threat against Ukraine,” the Ukrainian President described Moscow’s statements at the time.
Ukrainian mainstream media even put forward a version that drunken Russians had opened fire among themselves.
Ukrainian lies were openly supported by the United States.
Former US Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt said: “The US government has not seen any confirmation of Russian accusations of “invasion of Crimea”, which Ukraine confidently refutes… This is not the first false accusation of Ukraine made by Russia to distract attention from its own illegal actions.”
European countries also accused Russia of slander, despite the fact that they were also aware of the guilt of the Ukrainian security services in the destabilization of the situation in Crimea.
Speaker of the EU Foreign Service Maja Kosijancic: “We have heard statements of the Russian authorities about alleged events in Armyansk (Crimea), as well as statements of the Ukrainian authorities, who denied any involvement in such alleged events and condemned such statements in the strongest possible terms. It is also important to note that there was no independent confirmation of the allegations made by the Russian authorities.” The NATO headquarters in Brussels commented on the incident as follows: “Russia has not provided any evidence of its accusations against Ukraine.”
The audio recordings released in Ukraine, if proved legitimate, will become clear evidence that the West was aware of acts of state terrorism by the Ukrainian authorities in Crimea, despite its collective policy of accusing Russia of slander.
The revealed facts cast doubt on the objectivity of the Western leadership. If Ukrainian lies, supported primarily by the democratic forces of the United States, have allowed hiding attempts to carry out terrorist acts in the Crimea for several years, then it is highly likely that a similar policy of the collective West is being carried out with regard to unsolved cases against Russia. These include the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in 2018, the ” suicide ” of Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky in 2013, MH17 crash in 2014, and so on.
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southfront--2020-07-11--War Preparations: Egypt And Turkey Kick Off Large-Scale Drills Near Libya

Turkey and Egypt are flexing their military muscles off the Libyan shores as chances of a potential war in the eastern Mediterranean continue growing .
Firstly , the Turkish Ministry of National Defense announced that soon it will hold large-scale naval exercises off the Libyan coast .
The official statement said that the drills , called “ Naftex ” , will take place in three different regions : Barbaros , Turgutreis and Chaka Bey .
Turkey says that the exercises will involve 17 warplanes and 8 ships proving “ Turkey ’ s ability to control the region by air and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the frontline between pro-Turkish forces and the Libyan National Army , backed up by Egypt and the UAE , near the port city of Sirte did not stop Turkey from sending new weapons and equipment to the frontline .
The Turkish military also deployed additional equipment to the al-Watiya Air Base in western Libya .
The airbase , which earlier this year became a strongpoint of Turkish forces , was recently bombed by the LNA Air Force .
At least one MIM-23 Hawk medium-range air-defense system and a KORAL electronic warfare system of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pro-Turkish sources claim that the equipment recently deployed to the base included air defense systems that will give the LNA a ‘ lesson ’ .
On July 9 , the Egyptian Armed Forces kicked off its own drills in the region involving land , air and naval forces deployed near the Libyan border .
The land component of the drills , codenamed Resolve 2020 , took place in the northwestern district of Qabr Gabis .
By this move , Egypt sent Turkey and its proxies a signal that an attempt by Turkish forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and if crossed , they will face a Egyptian military response .
Taking into account , the logistical difficulties of Turkish forces and the apparent Egyptian military advantage in the event of a confrontation near its western border , the open intervention of Egypt into the conflict will put an end to Turkish hopes to consolidate its recently increased influence in Libya .
Meanwhile , ISIS have been trying to exploit the escalation for their own cause .
According to reports , ISIS cells that still hide in the desert area in central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resumed attacks on civilian targets mostly looting small villages and robbing civilian convoys .
ISIS ’ self-proclaimed Caliphate deteriorated into just a loud brand used by various gangs to justify their criminal behavior .
Despite this , even such gangs will become a serious security issue if the conflict in Libya enters a new hot phase .

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Turkey and Egypt are flexing their military muscles off the Libyan shores as chances of a potential war in the eastern Mediterranean continue growing.
Firstly, the Turkish Ministry of National Defense announced that soon it will hold large-scale naval exercises off the Libyan coast. The official statement said that the drills, called “Naftex”, will take place in three different regions: Barbaros, Turgutreis and Chaka Bey. Turkey says that the exercises will involve 17 warplanes and 8 ships proving “Turkey’s ability to control the region by air and sea”.
The current stalemate on the frontline between pro-Turkish forces and the Libyan National Army, backed up by Egypt and the UAE, near the port city of Sirte did not stop Turkey from sending new weapons and equipment to the frontline. The Turkish military also deployed additional equipment to the al-Watiya Air Base in western Libya. The airbase, which earlier this year became a strongpoint of Turkish forces, was recently bombed by the LNA Air Force. At least one MIM-23 Hawk medium-range air-defense system and a KORAL electronic warfare system of the Turkish military were reportedly destroyed. Pro-Turkish sources claim that the equipment recently deployed to the base included air defense systems that will give the LNA a ‘lesson’.
On July 9, the Egyptian Armed Forces kicked off its own drills in the region involving land, air and naval forces deployed near the Libyan border. The land component of the drills, codenamed Resolve 2020, took place in the northwestern district of Qabr Gabis. By this move, Egypt sent Turkey and its proxies a signal that an attempt by Turkish forces to capture Sirte is a red line and if crossed, they will face a Egyptian military response.
Taking into account, the logistical difficulties of Turkish forces and the apparent Egyptian military advantage in the event of a confrontation near its western border, the open intervention of Egypt into the conflict will put an end to Turkish hopes to consolidate its recently increased influence in Libya.
Meanwhile, ISIS have been trying to exploit the escalation for their own cause. According to reports, ISIS cells that still hide in the desert area in central Libya have recently increased their activity and resumed attacks on civilian targets mostly looting small villages and robbing civilian convoys. ISIS’ self-proclaimed Caliphate deteriorated into just a loud brand used by various gangs to justify their criminal behavior. Despite this, even such gangs will become a serious security issue if the conflict in Libya enters a new hot phase.
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southfront--2020-07-11--Mysterious Large Explosion Rocked Idlib City In Northwestern Syria  (Video, Photos)

On July 10 in the afternoon , a large explosion rocked the eastern outskirts of the militant-held city of Idlib in northwestern Syria .
Initially , opposition sources reported that the explosion , which took place in Idlib ’ s industrial zone , was the result of a drone strike .
At least two U.S. combat drones were allegedly circling over the city when the explosion occurred .
These claims were later denied by activists , who said that the explosion took place in an ammunition depot of al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay ’ at Tahrir al-Sham .
The terrorist group is infamous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ populated areas , especially in Idlib city .
Pro-government sources also said that the explosion took place in an ammo depot .
However , they claimed that it was struck by a combat drone of the Syrian military and its allies .
If true , the strike may have been a response to a recent failed attack in northern Lattakia .
The attack was a violation of the ceasefire in Greater Idlib .
The large explosion reportedly killed two unidentified men .
A third individual sustained serious burns all over his body and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More information about the mysterious explosion is likely to emerge in the next few days .
All current speculations are possible .
All the current speculations are possible .
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On July 10 in the afternoon, a large explosion rocked the eastern outskirts of the militant-held city of Idlib in northwestern Syria.
Initially, opposition sources reported that the explosion, which took place in Idlib’s industrial zone, was the result of a drone strike. At least two U.S. combat drones were allegedly circling over the city when the explosion occurred.
more recent satellite image of the place of the blast/strike. the building to the south (blue outline) was destroyed before already pic.twitter.com/pX0Ukx25t8 — Samir (@obretix) July 10, 2020
These claims were later denied by activists, who said that the explosion took place in an ammunition depot of al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham. The terrorist group is infamous for stashing weapons and ammunition near heavily populated areas, especially in Idlib city.
عاجل || مقتل شخصين وإصابة ثالثة بحروق بالغة جرَّاء الانفجار الذي وقع في مدينة إدلب منذ قليل#سوريا #ادلب #MMC pic.twitter.com/wWN8u2IhhG — المركز الإعلامي العام MMC (@MMCSYR) July 10, 2020
Pro-government sources also said that the explosion took place in an ammo depot. However, they claimed that it was struck by a combat drone of the Syrian military and its allies. If true, the strike may have been a response to a recent failed attack in northern Lattakia. The attack was a violation of the ceasefire in Greater Idlib.
The large explosion reportedly killed two unidentified men. A third individual sustained serious burns all over his body and is now in a critical condition.
More information about the mysterious explosion is likely to emerge in the next few days. All current speculations are possible. All the current speculations are possible.
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southfront--2020-07-11--Syrian Army Repels ‘Large-Scale Attack’ In Northern Lattakia

It was the TIP [ Uighurs ] that attacked SAA positions , and even though they ’ re actually a member of HTS , which is fast becoming Turkey ’ s enemy , they ’ re also allied to many of the pro Turkish factions that don ’ t belong to HTS , and coincidentally they ’ re mostly all atm in total dispute with HTS .
You can no longer divide the rebel groups into HTS terrorists , Turkish backed rebels/terrorists , or Turkish backed moderate opposition , they all have differing allegiances to different groups , but HTS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longer in Turkey ’ s good books , still lets the pro Turkish Uighurs remain in HTS , but maybe not after this attack , maybe this time they ’ ll get a transfer to one of the Turkish backed factions .
HTS doesn ’ t want to attack or antagonise the Syrian government , they want to trade with the Syrian government , and the Syrian government wants to trade with them , but Turkey doesn ’ t want them trading at all , in fact they keep starting new rebel alliances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all these new alliances all end up calling themselves ‘ this or that – Operations Room ’ , which is not very original and a dead giveaway as to their real intentions .
So why do the pro Turkish Uighurs who belong to HTS attack the SAA , HTS doesn ’ t want them to attack the SAA at all , they don ’ t want to stop trading with the Syrian government and that ’ s what would happen if a fight broke out , so why are the TIP [ Uighurs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potentially harm HTS ’ s interests , it ’ s because they ’ re doing Erdogan ’ s bidding , not HTS ’ s .
There ’ s about 6,000 Uighurs in HTS according to the most recent reports from Turkey [ approx 18 months ago ] , so I wonder if HTS could afford slaughtering 6,000 of its own fighters to stop the counterproductive attacks , probably not , but they ’ ll have to start eliminating some of TIP ’ s top commanders if they want to stop Turkish interests being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turkish groups that are trying to provoke a fight with the SAA , not HTS , but that doesn ’ t mean HTS have become the good guys all of a sudden , it just means they don ’ t want to fight SAA – yet , but the pro Turkish groups do want to start a fight with the SAA , and even more than that they want to start a fight between the SAA and HTS .

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The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) announced on July 10 that it had repelled a “large-scale attack” on its positions in the northern Lattakia countryside.
A source in the army told the Syrian Arab News Agency that Turkish-backed militants had launched the attack early in the morning. The surprise attack targeted military positions in the town of Rabia. According to the source, the militants used different types of weapons in their attack. Yet it was repelled.
“Our forces in the region repelled the attack and inflicted heavy human and material losses on the terrorists,” the source said, adding “there was no losses in the ranks of our forces.”
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported intense rocket strikes by the SAA on militant-held areas in northern Lattakia in the morning.
Greater Idlib factions, including Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, didn’t comment on the failed attack. These factions are known for hiding their losses, especially during a ceasefire.
The failed attack was a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement, which was brokered by Russia and Turkey on March 5. Ankara is responsible for the attack as it was reportedly carried out by its proxy groups. Such provocations could lead to a new military confrontation in Greater Idlib.
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southfront--2020-07-11--Iraqi Resistance Forces Blew Up US Logistic Convoy Near Baghdad (Videos)

On July 11 evening , a US logistic convoy was blew up on the road between Samawah and Diwaniyah , @ @ @ @ @ of Baghdad .
At least 3 vehicles of the convoy were reportedly destroyed or damaged @ @ @ @ @ convoy .
There have been no reports about casualties following the attack .
US logistical @ @ @ @ @ supported or even operated by private contractors .
So , the Pentagon may try to @ @ @ @ @ nothing has happened .
So far , no group has claimed responsibility for the attack @ @ @ @ @ say that the attack was conducted by one of anti-US Iraqi resistance groups .
Multiple @ @ @ @ @ US drone strike on Baghdad International Airport in early January 2020 .
The drone strike @ @ @ @ @ the Iraqi Armed Forces ’ Popular Mobilization Forces and the commander of Iran ’ s @ @ @ @ @ ON THE TOPIC :

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On July 11 evening, a US logistic convoy was blew up on the road between Samawah and Diwaniyah, south of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. At least 3 vehicles of the convoy were reportedly destroyed or damaged by gunment that attacked the convoy.
Pro-#PMU media outlet Sabreen News have released a video of the convoy that was attacked. pic.twitter.com/OPcJTyjKxF — Aurora Intel – #StayHome (@AuroraIntel) July 11, 2020
Additional video from the targeted convoy. No confirmed information on injuries etc. pic.twitter.com/lAcscfQexL — Aurora Intel – #StayHome (@AuroraIntel) July 11, 2020
There have been no reports about casualties following the attack. US logistical convoys in Iraq are often supported or even operated by private contractors. So, the Pentagon may try to ignore the incident pretending that nothing has happened.
So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Nonetheless, Iraqi sources say that the attack was conducted by one of anti-US Iraqi resistance groups. Multiple such groups appeared following the US drone strike on Baghdad International Airport in early January 2020. The drone strike killed the deputy commander of the Iraqi Armed Forces’ Popular Mobilization Forces and the commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force.
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southfront--2020-07-11--Trump: Something Big Will Happen With Venezuela & “We’ll Be Very Much Involved”

Currently the United States is looking to seize gasoline aboard the next group of Iranian tankers bound for Venezuela , after the last delivery by five sanctions-busting tankers last month were successful despite being accompanied by similar US threats .
President Trump on Friday signaled the US is indeed about to “ move ” on Venezuela and its sanctions thwarting activities with the help of ‘ rogue states ’ like Iran .
He told the Spanish-language American channel on Friday that— The president was also asked about the future of election in the country , especially related to US-backed opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Juan Guaido .
Trump said the US would “ take care of the people of Venezuela ” and ultimately support whoever was legitimately elected .
But of course , it remains that the US deems any support to Nicolas Maduro by definition “ illegitimate ” .
The interviewer , Jose Diaz-Balart , asked Trump point-blank : “ For you , Venezuela , is it Guaido , is it Maduro , is it U.S. intervention ?
” And when pressed over precisely through what route this “ something big ” will occur in Venezuela @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re going to take care of the people of Venezuela , ” Trump emphasized .
Since last year the president has reportedly been pressing his generals and admirals on enacting some kind of naval blockade off Venezuela ’ s coast .
However , top Pentagon leadership has reportedly been by and large against the idea , citing the impracticability of such an operation , and likelihood of unnecessary escalation without clear overall goals of how far US military force would be willing to go against pro-Maduro forces .
Washington reportedly does have naval @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to crack down on what the White House previously described as Maduro ’ s “ narco-trafficking ” as well as illegal sanctions-busting activities .

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Originally appeared at ZeroHedge
Currently the United States is looking to seize gasoline aboard the next group of Iranian tankers bound for Venezuela, after the last delivery by five sanctions-busting tankers last month were successful despite being accompanied by similar US threats.
President Trump on Friday signaled the US is indeed about to “move” on Venezuela and its sanctions thwarting activities with the help of ‘rogue states’ like Iran. He told the Spanish-language American channel Noticias Telemundo on Friday that—
“Something will be happening with Venezuela” and that the United States will “be very much involved.”
The president was also asked about the future of election in the country, especially related to US-backed opposition leader and self-styled ‘Interim President’ Juan Guaido.
Trump said the US would “take care of the people of Venezuela” and ultimately support whoever was legitimately elected. But of course, it remains that the US deems any support to Nicolas Maduro by definition “illegitimate”.
The interviewer, Jose Diaz-Balart, asked Trump point-blank: “For you, Venezuela, is it Guaido, is it Maduro, is it U.S. intervention?”
Trump said in response:
“It’s freedom for their people. It’s freedom. Venezuela was a rich country 15 years ago, and it’s been destroyed by two people, but a system, a horrible system. … And something will happen with Venezuela. That’s all I can tell you. Something will be happening with Venezuela.”
And when pressed over precisely through what route this “something big” will occur in Venezuela, Trump responded:
“We’ll be very much involved.”
“We’re going to take care of the people of Venezuela,” Trump emphasized.
Since last year the president has reportedly been pressing his generals and admirals on enacting some kind of naval blockade off Venezuela’s coast.
However, top Pentagon leadership has reportedly been by and large against the idea, citing the impracticability of such an operation, and likelihood of unnecessary escalation without clear overall goals of how far US military force would be willing to go against pro-Maduro forces.
Washington reportedly does have naval ships in the Caribbean Sea, however, to crack down on what the White House previously described as Maduro’s “narco-trafficking” as well as illegal sanctions-busting activities.
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southfront--2020-07-11--Chinese Hand Behind Mass Protests In Russia’s Khabarovsk

Over the past days , Russia ’ s Khabarovsk has been the center of the political turbulence in Russia .
On July 9 , security forces detained the government of the Khabarosvk region , Sergei Furgal .
The detained governor was removed from his post .
He ’ s suspected of organizing of killings of several businessmen by an organized criminal group in 2004-2005 .
The Khabarovsk region is located in Russia ’ s Far East and borders with China .
The part of the regional elites linked with Furgal immediately made an attempt to label the case as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the region .
These protests were widely supported by the pro-Western , neo-liberal segment of Russian media , including outlets affilated with a notorious ‘ leader of the non-system opposition ’ ( the one that declares the goal of overthrowing the government by non-constitutional means ) Alexei Navalny .
The goal of the ongoing coordinated media campaign is to undermine the criminal investigation and help the detained official to avoid responsibility for his criminal actions .
This is an ordinary behaviour for the Russian ‘ liberal opposition ’ and ‘ liberal media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acts of crime , terror and corruption if they allow to damage the interests of the Russian state .
Another interesting fact is that hundreds and thousands bots and and bot videos flooded Tik Tok , the Chinese-controlled social media outlet popular among young people .
According to IT security experts , the bot network involved that instigates the protests in Khabarovsk is no less than 50,000 .
Videos promoted by this network collects hundreds of thousand likes ( most of them from bots ) and enters the trends ( HOT ) section @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general Tik Tok policy , the social network works to limit the reach of politicized content and removes videos calling for protests , riots , violence etc .
Earlier , Tik Tok even removed videos of supporters of the notorious cult of Alexei Navalny ’ s ‘ fighters for democracy ’ .
However , as of now , the Chinese-controlled social media seems to have changed the approach and intetionally promoting pro-protests videos .
Examples of accounts involved in the campaign : Even if the accounts in the examples above are run by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still plays own role in the situation by allowing their operations .
It seems that China seems to exploit the turbulence in Russia ’ s far east to achieve its own political goals and gain additional leverages of pressure on the Russian leadership .
Such an approach is fully in the framework of the general principles of the Chinese diplomacy .
Beijing seeks to weaken the ally in order to improve its own negotiating position in the bilateral relations .
This situation demonstrates how issues with the internal political stability of Russia could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and even its position in the cooperation with traditional allies and partners .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Ukrainization Of Russian Politics ?
Khabarovsk Protests Demand Release Of Governor Detained For Organizing Murders

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Over the past days, Russia’s Khabarovsk has been the center of the political turbulence in Russia. On July 9, security forces detained the government of the Khabarosvk region, Sergei Furgal. The detained governor was removed from his post. He’s suspected of organizing of killings of several businessmen by an organized criminal group in 2004-2005.
The Khabarovsk region is located in Russia’s Far East and borders with China.
The detention of Furgal:
The part of the regional elites linked with Furgal immediately made an attempt to label the case as a ‘political presecution’ and instigated protests in the region.
Сегодня около 20 тысяч сторонников губернатора Фургала, арестованного за организацию убийств, устроили несанкционированную акцию протеста в Хабаровске. Митингующие собрались на площади Ленина, возле администрации губернатора, а затем прошли по центральным улицам города pic.twitter.com/I5lkt6OZf6 — НТВ (@ntvru) July 11, 2020
These protests were widely supported by the pro-Western, neo-liberal segment of Russian media, including outlets affilated with a notorious ‘leader of the non-system opposition’ (the one that declares the goal of overthrowing the government by non-constitutional means) Alexei Navalny.
Хабаровск сейчас. Дальний Восток, мы с вами! pic.twitter.com/x0oPjLWCfP — Alexey Navalny (@navalny) July 11, 2020
Активист с мегафоном спрашивает — с каким пор Москва является нашим хозяином? Регионы должны быть независимыми! pic.twitter.com/N8A8UQ11xe — Штаб Навального в Хабаровске (@teamnavalnykhv) July 11, 2020
The goal of the ongoing coordinated media campaign is to undermine the criminal investigation and help the detained official to avoid responsibility for his criminal actions. This is an ordinary behaviour for the Russian ‘liberal opposition’ and ‘liberal media’ that became used to justifying any acts of crime, terror and corruption if they allow to damage the interests of the Russian state.
Another interesting fact is that hundreds and thousands bots and and bot videos flooded Tik Tok, the Chinese-controlled social media outlet popular among young people. According to IT security experts, the bot network involved that instigates the protests in Khabarovsk is no less than 50,000. Videos promoted by this network collects hundreds of thousand likes (most of them from bots) and enters the trends (HOT) section of the social network.
Under the general Tik Tok policy, the social network works to limit the reach of politicized content and removes videos calling for protests, riots, violence etc. Earlier, Tik Tok even removed videos of supporters of the notorious cult of Alexei Navalny’s ‘fighters for democracy’. However, as of now, the Chinese-controlled social media seems to have changed the approach and intetionally promoting pro-protests videos.
Examples of videos promoted in Tik Tok:
Examples of accounts involved in the campaign:
Even if the accounts in the examples above are run by the pro-Furgal media campaign, Tik Tok still plays own role in the situation by allowing their operations.
It seems that China works to exploit the turbulence in Russia’s far east to achieve its own political goals and gain additional leverages of pressure on the Russian leadership. Such an approach is fully in the framework of the general principles of the Chinese diplomacy. Beijing seeks to weaken the ally in order to improve its own negotiating position in the bilateral relations.
This situation demonstrates how issues with the internal political stability of Russia could undermine its stance on the international arena and even its position in the cooperation with traditional allies and partners.
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southfront--2020-07-11--Advanced Russian Costal Radar Spotted At Tartus Naval Base

The advanced Monolit-B coastal sea-surface and air reconnaissance system was spotted in the Russian Naval base in Tartus , Syria .
The radar system appeared in a report shared by Petersburg Channel 5 on July 10 .
The report shows joint training and drills involving the Russian and Syrian navies , which both operate in the area of the Tartus naval base .
Monolit-B was designed to provide long-range , over-the-horizon active and passive radar search capabilities .
In active mode , the system can detect surface targets with a range exceeding 100 km .
In passive mode , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to Rosoboronexport , the system has the following features : The Monolit-B radar is in service with the Syrian Navy as a part of the advanced Bastion-P coastal missile system .
The Russian military also deployed systems of this type in Syria .
In 2016 , the system fired cruise missiles at terrorist positions in northern Syria .
The Monolit-B allows the Russian and Syrian navies to monitor and counter possible threats in the eastern Mediterranean .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • U.S .
Forces Stopped At Three Syrian Army Checkpoints @ @ @ @ @ @

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The advanced Monolit-B coastal sea-surface and air reconnaissance system was spotted in the Russian Naval base in Tartus, Syria.
The radar system appeared in a report shared by Petersburg Channel 5 on July 10. The report shows joint training and drills involving the Russian and Syrian navies, which both operate in the area of the Tartus naval base.
Monolit-B was designed to provide long-range, over-the-horizon active and passive radar search capabilities. In active mode, the system can detect surface targets with a range exceeding 100 km. In passive mode, the range increases up to 450 km.
According to Rosoboronexport, the system has the following features:
searching, detection, tracking and classification of sea-surface targets by active radar;
over-the-horizon detection, classification, and determination of the coordinates of radiating radars, using the means of passive radar detection and ranging;
identification of surface targets’ nationality based on the “friend-or-foe” principle;
automated acquisition, processing and display of the data on sea-surface situation received from the interactive objects and data sources;
generation and output of sea-surface situation and target designation data to the control systems of the coastal missile system;
operational control of own spatial position and that of the interactive objects then execution of a march to the assigned positions;
automated generation and transmission of clear and encrypted commands, signals and directives, and sea-surface situation data to the interactive objects using standard communication lines;
generation and transmission of sea-situation and targeting data to the interactive objects using mutual Data Exchange and Oriental Radar (DEORdr).
The Monolit-B radar is in service with the Syrian Navy as a part of the advanced Bastion-P coastal missile system. The Russian military also deployed systems of this type in Syria. In 2016, the system fired cruise missiles at terrorist positions in northern Syria.
The Monolit-B allows the Russian and Syrian navies to monitor and counter possible threats in the eastern Mediterranean.
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southfront--2020-07-11--Independent Church Of Ukraine Crumbles Even Further

The ‘ independent ’ ( spoiler : not very ) Orthodox Church of Ukraine , created in December 2019 with the direct assistance from then President Petro Poroshenko , the US State Department and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is passing through hard times .
This pseudo-church organization has faced multiple difficulties since its very creation due to its nature .
As an entity created to gain revenue and provide political interests of its backers , it ’ s engaged in the never-ending struggle for power and funding .
In fact , it ’ s publicly crumbling .
First , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of its creators Patriarch Filaret ( Mykhailo Denysenko ) that withdrew from the Orthodox Church of Ukraine with all the properties of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kiev Patriarchate , which it leads .
Thus , the ‘ indpendent ’ church split into two parts .
Patriarch Filaret is in the deep conflict with the current formal head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine – Patriarch Epiphanius .
However , this did not stop members of the Constantinople-backed entities to continue clashing with each others .
On July 9 , the entity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to his supposed contacts with Patriarch Filaret .
According to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine press service , Bishop Filaret Panku declared his allegiance to Patriarch Filaret damaging the interests of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine .
They also claimed that the entities led by Bishop Filaret Panku has never officially represented the so-called Ukrainain diaspora .
This is only one of the recent cases showing the fierce conflict within the ‘ independent ’ cuhrch of Ukraine .
The core of this conflict is attempts of various persons and entities to establsih @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible .
Meanwhile , the canonic Ukrainian Orthodox Church ( Moscow Patriarchate ) continues facing an increasing pressure from the government and radicals affilated with forces that insigated creation of the independent pseudo-church in the country .
Despite this , the canonic church continues remaining a major center of power in Ukraine and has even started increasing its influence amid the developing conflicts within the ‘ independent church ’ supported by the Kiev regime .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Leaked Recordings Confirm The West ’ s Concealment Of Ukrain ’ s @ @ @ @

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The ‘independent’ (spoiler: not very) Orthodox Church of Ukraine, created in December 2019 with the direct assistance from then President Petro Poroshenko, the US State Department and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is passing through hard times. This pseudo-church organization has faced multiple difficulties since its very creation due to its nature. As an entity created to gain revenue and provide political interests of its backers, it’s engaged in the never-ending struggle for power and funding.
In fact, it’s publicly crumbling. First, the organization entered into the conflict with one of its creators Patriarch Filaret (Mykhailo Denysenko) that withdrew from the Orthodox Church of Ukraine with all the properties of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kiev Patriarchate, which it leads. Thus, the ‘indpendent’ church split into two parts. Patriarch Filaret is in the deep conflict with the current formal head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine – Patriarch Epiphanius.
However, this did not stop members of the Constantinople-backed entities to continue clashing with each others. On July 9, the entity excluded from its ranks Bishop Filaret Panku due to his supposed contacts with Patriarch Filaret. According to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine press service, Bishop Filaret Panku declared his allegiance to Patriarch Filaret damaging the interests of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. They also claimed that the entities led by Bishop Filaret Panku has never officially represented the so-called Ukrainain diaspora.
This is only one of the recent cases showing the fierce conflict within the ‘independent’ cuhrch of Ukraine. The core of this conflict is attempts of various persons and entities to establsih control over as much church properties as possible.
Meanwhile, the canonic Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) continues facing an increasing pressure from the government and radicals affilated with forces that insigated creation of the independent pseudo-church in the country. Despite this, the canonic church continues remaining a major center of power in Ukraine and has even started increasing its influence amid the developing conflicts within the ‘independent church’ supported by the Kiev regime.
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southfront--2020-07-11--Military Situation In Afghanistan On July 11, 2020 (Map Update)

Clik to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Afghanistan : • Three children were @ @ @ @ @ of Zabul in an explosion of rocket , with wich they were playing ; • @ @ @ @ @ of the Taliban ’ s political office in Qatar , said that the group released @ @ @ @ @ province ; • Afghan forces have repelled Taliban attacks in Shalez and Asheqwal areas in @ @ @ @ @ , the Defense Ministry said ; • US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper claimed that @ @ @ @ @ the Taliban , the Haqqani Network , and other groups in Afghanistan and it is @ @ @ @ @ .
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A brief overview of the recent developments in Afghanistan:
Three children were killed in the southern province of Zabul in an explosion of rocket, with wich they were playing;
Suhail Shaheen, a spokesman of the Taliban’s political office in Qatar, said that the group released 17 government-affiliated prisoners in Ghor province;
Afghan forces have repelled Taliban attacks in Shalez and Asheqwal areas in the center of Ghazni province, the Defense Ministry said;
US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper claimed that Russia is in contact with the Taliban, the Haqqani Network, and other groups in Afghanistan and it is taking advantage of this connection.
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southfront--2020-07-11--U.S. Forces Stopped At Three Syrian Army Checkpoints In Northern Al-Hasakah (Photos)

On July 11 , checkpoints of the Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) stopped several U.S. military vehicles in three different villages in the northern al-Hasakah countryside .
The Syrian News Agency said the U.S. vehicles were intercepted by Syrian troops in al-Sybat , Tell Shamiran and Mansaf Tahtani .
The vehicles withdrew to their bases after failing to enter the villages .
Several similar incidents took place in northern al-Hasakah recently .
A day earlier , army service members intercepted a U.S. convoy consisting of three vehicles in Mansaf Tahtani .
Prior to that , a U.S. convoy was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tamr .
So far , U.S. forces have not attempted to use force against the SAA and local pro-government fighters .
In most cases , Syrian and American service members exchange slurs and threats .
These incidents always end up with U.S. forces retreating .
U.S. forces can ’ t move freely in northern al-Hasakah anymore , especially around tell Tamr and al-Qamishli .
The SAA ’ s influence in the region is without a doubt growing .
Damascus is restoring its relations with the locals there with much success .
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On July 11, checkpoints of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) stopped several U.S. military vehicles in three different villages in the northern al-Hasakah countryside.
The Syrian News Agency said the U.S. vehicles were intercepted by Syrian troops in al-Sybat, Tell Shamiran and Mansaf Tahtani. The vehicles withdrew to their bases after failing to enter the villages.
Several similar incidents took place in northern al-Hasakah recently. A day earlier, army service members intercepted a U.S. convoy consisting of three vehicles in Mansaf Tahtani. Prior to that, a U.S. convoy was stopped next to the town of Tell Tamr.
So far, U.S. forces have not attempted to use force against the SAA and local pro-government fighters. In most cases, Syrian and American service members exchange slurs and threats. These incidents always end up with U.S. forces retreating.
U.S. forces can’t move freely in northern al-Hasakah anymore, especially around tell Tamr and al-Qamishli. The SAA’s influence in the region is without a doubt growing. Damascus is restoring its relations with the locals there with much success.
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southfront--2020-07-11--Russian Warplanes Are Patrolling Syrian-Turkish Broder On Daily Basis – Report

Warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces ( VKS ) are conducting patrols on the Syrian-Turkish border on a daily basis @ @ @ @ @ Human Rights ( SOHR ) reported on July 11 .
According to the UK-based monitoring @ @ @ @ @ flying along the border line between the northwestern region of Greater Idlib and Turkish-occupied areas @ @ @ @ @ .
The opposition ’ s aviation observers in northwest and north Syria confirmed the information @ @ @ @ @ Last week , activists even reported that Russian warplanes fired air-to-air missiles over northern Aleppo @ @ @ @ @ patrols appear to be coordinated with Turkey .
So far , Ankara has not complained @ @ @ @ @ border line .
These patrols are likely meant to monitor the border with Turkey .
@ @ @ @ @ training camps , main headquarters and weapons depots in the region .
MORE ON THIS @ @

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Warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) are conducting patrols on the Syrian-Turkish border on a daily basis, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on July 11.
According to the UK-based monitoring group, VKS warplanes are flying along the border line between the northwestern region of Greater Idlib and Turkish-occupied areas in the northenr Aleppo countryside.
“So far, there is no information on the reasons behind this [the Russian aerial patrols],” the SOHR’s report reads.
The opposition’s aviation observers in northwest and north Syria confirmed the information revealed by the SOHR. Last week, activists even reported that Russian warplanes fired air-to-air missiles over northern Aleppo.
The unusual Russian aerial patrols appear to be coordinated with Turkey. So far, Ankara has not complained about VKS operations near its border line.
These patrols are likely meant to monitor the border with Turkey. Terrorist groups position their military training camps, main headquarters and weapons depots in the region.
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southfront--2020-07-11--Libya’s National Oil Corporation Lifts Force Majeure On Oil Exports

Libya ’ s National Oil Corporation ( NOC ) announced on July 10 that it had lifted force majeure on all oil exports from the country .
In a statement , the corporation revealed that the first tanker to export oil will be Kriti Bastion , which is loading 730,000 barrels of crude at Es Sider port .
The tanker will carry the oil to Italy , one of the top customers of Libyan oil .
The NOC noted in its statement that increasing oil production in the country will take a long time due to the significant damage to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposed on January 17 .
“ On the top of the $ 6.5 billion in lost production we as a nation have suffered , the NOC faces huge extra costs to repair infrastructure damage , the cost of repairing pipelines , surface equipment and the maintained of wells will run to billions of dinars , ” NOC Chairman Mustafa Sanalla said in the statement .
The NOC suspended oil exports six months ago as a result of the conflict between the Government of National Accord ( GNA ) and the Libyan National Army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which controls major oil field and oil export ports , forced the shutdown in response to the Turkish intervention in Libya .
Prior to the shutdown , Libya , a key OPEC member , exported at least 1 million barrels a day of oil .
The shutdown slashed production to around 90,000 barrels a day .
The resumption of Libya oil export could be a sign that the conflict between the GNA and the LNA is cooling down .
A full political settlement between the two sides is still highly unlikely , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More Syrian Militants Die Fighting For Turkey In Libya : Monitoring Group

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Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced on July 10 that it had lifted force majeure on all oil exports from the country.
In a statement, the corporation revealed that the first tanker to export oil will be Kriti Bastion, which is loading 730,000 barrels of crude at Es Sider port. The tanker will carry the oil to Italy, one of the top customers of Libyan oil.
The NOC noted in its statement that increasing oil production in the country will take a long time due to the significant damage to reservoirs and infrastructure caused by the blockade imposed on January 17.
“On the top of the $6.5 billion in lost production we as a nation have suffered, the NOC faces huge extra costs to repair infrastructure damage, the cost of repairing pipelines, surface equipment and the maintained of wells will run to billions of dinars,” NOC Chairman Mustafa Sanalla said in the statement.
The NOC suspended oil exports six months ago as a result of the conflict between the Government of National Accord (GNA) and the Libyan National Army (LNA). The army, which controls major oil field and oil export ports, forced the shutdown in response to the Turkish intervention in Libya.
Prior to the shutdown, Libya, a key OPEC member, exported at least 1 million barrels a day of oil. The shutdown slashed production to around 90,000 barrels a day.
The resumption of Libya oil export could be a sign that the conflict between the GNA and the LNA is cooling down. A full political settlement between the two sides is still highly unlikely, however.
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southfront--2020-07-11--ISIS Summarizes 30 Days Of Attacks By Its Terrorists In West Africa

On July 10 , ISIS ’ al-Naba ’ newspaper released a summery of the terrorist group ’ s recent operations in the “ West Africa Wilayah.
” According to the newspaper , the group ’ s terrorists carried out 25 operations against the armed forces of Nigeria , Chad and Cameroon between June 7 and July 6 .
The operations included raids , ambushes , bombings and assassinations .
ISIS claimed that more than 290 Nigerian , Chadian and Cameroonian soldiers were killed in the operations .
Moreover , 14 vehicles were destroyed and 14 others were captured .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroyed 6 military posts .
The terrorist group listed the following operations as the most significant : • The June 9 attack on the town of Gubio in the Nigerian state of Borno .
ISIS claims that 90 pro-government fighters were killed .
• The June 15 suicide attack in the town of Krinwa in the Cameroonian area of Marte .
ISIS claims that 34 service members were killed .
• The June 28 attack on the towns of Maiduguri and Damboa in the state of Boron .
ISIS claims that 16 service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7 attack on Maiduguri-Damboa road .
ISIS Claims that 40 service members were killed .
ISIS ’ branch in West Africa , previously known as Boko Harm , is active in the Nigerian , Cameroonian and Chadian areas surrounding Lake Chad .
Nigeria , Cameroon and Chad are conducting operations against ISIS remnants near Lake Chad on a regular basis .
The three countries should improve coordination between their forces to address the growing threat of the terrorist group .
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On July 10, ISIS’ al-Naba’ newspaper released a summery of the terrorist group’s recent operations in the “West Africa Wilayah.”
According to the newspaper, the group’s terrorists carried out 25 operations against the armed forces of Nigeria, Chad and Cameroon between June 7 and July 6. The operations included raids, ambushes, bombings and assassinations.
ISIS claimed that more than 290 Nigerian, Chadian and Cameroonian soldiers were killed in the operations. Moreover, 14 vehicles were destroyed and 14 others were captured. The group terrorists also burned 10 houses and destroyed 6 military posts.
The terrorist group listed the following operations as the most significant:
The June 9 attack on the town of Gubio in the Nigerian state of Borno. ISIS claims that 90 pro-government fighters were killed.
The June 15 suicide attack in the town of Krinwa in the Cameroonian area of Marte. ISIS claims that 34 service members were killed.
The June 28 attack on the towns of Maiduguri and Damboa in the state of Boron. ISIS claims that 16 service members were killed.
The July 7 attack on Maiduguri-Damboa road. ISIS Claims that 40 service members were killed.
ISIS’ branch in West Africa, previously known as Boko Harm, is active in the Nigerian, Cameroonian and Chadian areas surrounding Lake Chad.
Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad are conducting operations against ISIS remnants near Lake Chad on a regular basis. The three countries should improve coordination between their forces to address the growing threat of the terrorist group.
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southfront--2020-07-11--Military Situation In Libya On July 11, 2020 (Map Update)

“ To not put the income into the accounts of the Central Bank of Tripoli ” .
So one might @ @ @ @ @ put into the accounts of the LNA , or possibly be used a maintenance only @ @ @ @ @ long it would take to move around those ‘ rules ’ .

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Libya:
Rafe’ Sassi Al-Makni, an ISIS member, were arrested in Tripoli by the GNA;
The Al Sidra oil port officially started the crude oil export after a deal was reached to not put the income in the accounts of the Central Bank of Tripoli;
Several supposed Russian mmilitary contractors were spotted in Sokhnah town near the Jufrah airbase;
192 students of the Military College of Libya are receiving military training in Turkey within the framework of the military cooperation agreement signed between the GNA and Aknara.
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southfront--2020-07-11--Ukrainization Of Russian Politics? Khabarovsk Protests Demand Release Of Governor Detained For Organ

Ukrainization Of Russian Politics? Khabarovsk Protests Demand Release Of Governor Detained For Organizing Murders

On July 9 , authorities detained Sergei Furgal , the governor of the Khabarovsk region in Russia ’ s Far East .
He was flown to Moscow for interrogation that lasted nearly until midnight .
On July 10 , Moscow ’ s Basmanny District Court ruled he should be held behind bars for two months as the investigation continues .
The Investigative Committee said Furgal is accused of organazing murders of several businessmen in the region and nearby territories in 2004 and 2005 .
Testimony against the governor was given by his other business partner , Nikolai Mistryukov , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities detained 4 other suspects .
All of them named Furgal as the organizer of these crimes .
The investigation is still ongoing .
The Investigative Committee is checking the possible involvement of Furgal in other grave crimes .
On the same day , authorities detained 2 members of the local parliament – Dmitry Kozlov and Sergey Kuznetsov .
They are accused of a large scale fraud .
Both persons earlier were members of the management of ‘ Amurstal ’ metallurgic plant .
25 % of ‘ Amurstal ’ belongs to the wife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the charges .
His supporters claim that the investigation of murders is somehow ‘ politically motivated ’ .
Furgal is a member of the Liberal Democrat Party of Russia , which formally remains in the opposition , but in fact almost always supports the policy of the government .
Therefore , some ‘ political motivation ’ behind the detention of the governor is very unlikely .
Despite this , the elite group that supports Furgal was able to mobilize thousands of people to take part in protests in the support of the detained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government in Khabarovsk shouting anti-government slogans and demanding to ‘ return ’ ( free ) Furgal to Khabarovsk .
Estimates by local media put the number of demonstrators at between 5,000-7,000 , in the city of about 600,000 inhabitants .
These protests were widely supported by the pro-Western part of the Russian opposition , known for its destructive actions against the Russian state .
The current situation in Russia ’ s far east demonstrates how shaky the current political stability and the governance system in Russia .
Anti-government forces paint attempts of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politically-motivated ’ actions and attempt to undermine the investigation by politizing it .
Earlier , the same situation happened with the detention of the aide to the head of Russia ’ s space agency Roscosmos Ivan Safronov for treason .
According to the FSB , he was working for intelligence agencies of one of the NATO member states .
The Russian neo-lbieral , pro-Western opposition also attempted to paint the case as a ‘ politically motivated move ’ not linked with the act of treason made by Safronov .
The state of chaos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine since 2014 , also started with the destruction of the governance system and the collapse of the law enforcement that appeared to be unable to put an end to the violence and the expansion of neo-Nazi militants across the country .
The regime that came to power in Kiev during these events only made the situation eve further supporting neo-Nazi terrorists .
Elite groups and forces destabilizing the sitaution in Khabarosvk in an attempt to impact the investigation of murders supposedly organized by Furgal seek to turn Russia into Ukraine 2.0 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Recordings Confirm The West ’ s Concealment Of Ukrain ’ s Terrorist Policy In Crimea • Leaked Tapes Confirm Poroshenko Ordered Terroirst Attacks In Crimea , Meddled In US Presidential Election And More • ‘ Horror Without End ’ : Aide To Head Of Russian Space Agency Roscosmos Arrested For Treason

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On July 9, authorities detained Sergei Furgal, the governor of the Khabarovsk region in Russia’s Far East. He was flown to Moscow for interrogation that lasted nearly until midnight. On July 10, Moscow’s Basmanny District Court ruled he should be held behind bars for two months as the investigation continues.
The Investigative Committee said Furgal is accused of organazing murders of several businessmen in the region and nearby territories in 2004 and 2005. Testimony against the governor was given by his other business partner, Nikolai Mistryukov, who was arrested in 2019. Earlier, authorities detained 4 other suspects. All of them named Furgal as the organizer of these crimes.
The investigation is still ongoing. The Investigative Committee is checking the possible involvement of Furgal in other grave crimes.
On the same day, authorities detained 2 members of the local parliament – Dmitry Kozlov and Sergey Kuznetsov. They are accused of a large scale fraud. Both persons earlier were members of the management of ‘Amurstal’ metallurgic plant. 25% of ‘Amurstal’ belongs to the wife of Furgal.
The 50-year-old governor denied the charges. His supporters claim that the investigation of murders is somehow ‘politically motivated’. Furgal is a member of the Liberal Democrat Party of Russia, which formally remains in the opposition, but in fact almost always supports the policy of the government. Therefore, some ‘political motivation’ behind the detention of the governor is very unlikely.
Despite this, the elite group that supports Furgal was able to mobilize thousands of people to take part in protests in the support of the detained governor. They marched to the regional government in Khabarovsk shouting anti-government slogans and demanding to ‘return’ (free) Furgal to Khabarovsk. Estimates by local media put the number of demonstrators at between 5,000-7,000, in the city of about 600,000 inhabitants. These protests were widely supported by the pro-Western part of the Russian opposition, known for its destructive actions against the Russian state.
The current situation in Russia’s far east demonstrates how shaky the current political stability and the governance system in Russia. Anti-government forces paint attempts of the authorities to investigate grave crime as ‘politically-motivated’ actions and attempt to undermine the investigation by politizing it.
Earlier, the same situation happened with the detention of the aide to the head of Russia’s space agency Roscosmos Ivan Safronov for treason. According to the FSB, he was working for intelligence agencies of one of the NATO member states. The Russian neo-lbieral, pro-Western opposition also attempted to paint the case as a ‘politically motivated move’ not linked with the act of treason made by Safronov.
The state of chaos, which became a common state of Ukraine since 2014, also started with the destruction of the governance system and the collapse of the law enforcement that appeared to be unable to put an end to the violence and the expansion of neo-Nazi militants across the country. The regime that came to power in Kiev during these events only made the situation eve further supporting neo-Nazi terrorists.
Elite groups and forces destabilizing the sitaution in Khabarosvk in an attempt to impact the investigation of murders supposedly organized by Furgal seek to turn Russia into Ukraine 2.0.
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southfront--2020-07-11--SDF Returns Government Building In Al-Hasakah To Damascus Control

On July 11 , the Syrian Democratic Forces ( SDF ) evacuated one of several government buildings in al-Hasakah city , which were occupied by its personnel last month .
The building , which belong to the General Administration for Grains , returned to the control of the Damascus government .
According to the Syrian Arab News Agency ( SANA ) , employees were able to access the building to resume their work .
SDF forces occupied nine government buildings and state-owned properties on June 27 .
The move was reportedly ordered by the U.S.-led coalition , which is working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city .
The state employees held a sit-in outside the occupied buildings to protest against the SDF ’ s unlawful move .
While the employees of the General Administration for Grains returned to work , the employees of the remaining occupied institutions are still protesting on a daily basis .
The SDF decision to evacuate the General Administration for Grains is a positive step .
The decision shows that the Kurdish-led group is still willing to cooperate with Damascus , despite U.S. pressure .
The group will likely evacuate the remaining buildings soon @ @ @ @ @ @

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On July 11, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) evacuated one of several government buildings in al-Hasakah city, which were occupied by its personnel last month.
The building, which belong to the General Administration for Grains, returned to the control of the Damascus government. According to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), employees were able to access the building to resume their work.
“The headquarters was retaken and the employees returned to their posts to follow up on the work originally assigned to them,” Yusuf Qassim, director of the General Administration for Grains in al-Hasakah, told the SANA.
SDF forces occupied nine government buildings and state-owned properties on June 27. The move was reportedly ordered by the U.S.-led coalition, which is working to expand it military presence in al-Hasakah city.
The state employees held a sit-in outside the occupied buildings to protest against the SDF’s unlawful move. While the employees of the General Administration for Grains returned to work, the employees of the remaining occupied institutions are still protesting on a daily basis.
The SDF decision to evacuate the General Administration for Grains is a positive step. The decision shows that the Kurdish-led group is still willing to cooperate with Damascus, despite U.S. pressure. The group will likely evacuate the remaining buildings soon.
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southfront--2020-07-12--Nigerian Warplanes And Attack Helicopters Hunt Down Terrorists In Zamfara State (Video, Map)

Regional states continue their struggle against the ISIS local branch and Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region .
Just @ @ @ @ @ helicopters pounded terrroists in the Kagara forest area in Zamfara state .
The airstrikes were @ @ @ @ @ a larger campaign against terrorists in the area .
The Nigerian Army insists that the @ @ @ @ @ against Boko Haram had significantly weakened the terrorists in the Lake Chad basin .
Meanwhile @ @ @ @ @ abducted 7 people including 6 males and a female from the Buduma tribe and a @ @ @ @ @ town of Kinchandi .
As to the Islamic State West Africa Province , the terrorist @ @ @ @ @ recently killed 8 Chadian soldiers by a bomb attack .
These developments demonstrate that despite @ @ @ @ @ terrorists are still pretty active in the region .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • @ @ @ @ @ Of Operations Against Boko Haram And ISIS In Borno State

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Regional states continue their struggle against the ISIS local branch and Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region. Just recently, warplanes and attack helicopters pounded terrroists in the Kagara forest area in Zamfara state. The airstrikes were conducted in the framework of a larger campaign against terrorists in the area.
The Nigerian Army insists that the recent series of successful operations against Boko Haram had significantly weakened the terrorists in the Lake Chad basin.
OPERATION HADARIN DAJI Air Component dispatched @NigAirForce fighter jets and helicopter gunships to engage terrorists at Kagara forest in Zamfara state. Watch video pic.twitter.com/876hsbI5Fp — DEFENCE HQ NIGERIA (@DefenceInfoNG) July 10, 2020
Meanwhile, Boko Haram militants reportedly abducted 7 people including 6 males and a female from the Buduma tribe and a local leader in the border town of Kinchandi. As to the Islamic State West Africa Province, the terrorist group claimed that it had recently killed 8 Chadian soldiers by a bomb attack. These developments demonstrate that despite the efforts of security forces terrorists are still pretty active in the region.
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