Montenegro Is Burning

The Montenegrin government demonstrates a painful commitment to its campaign against the Serbian Orthodox Church , which already led to wide-scale protests in the country .
On July 19 , Prime Minister Dusko Markovic announced that the government ’ s work group is ready to continue negotiations on the controversial Freedom of Religion Law , which infringes on rights of the Serbian Orthodox Church and its Metropolitanate of Montenegro .
The Serbian Orthodox Church is traditionally the main and only canonic Orthodox church in Montenegro and has a wide support of the local population .
Despite this , the Markovic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this by promoting a project of the ‘ independent ’ Montenegrin Orthodox Church .
To do so , the government seeks to adopt a new law allowing to seize church properties of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro and setting conditions for psuhing the canonic church out of the country .
The government apparently believes that the existence of the canonic church as an important part of the traditionally conservative Serbian society undermines its attempts to impose Western-promoted ‘ neo-liberal values ’ in Montenegro .
While the jointing in NATO in 2017 faced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempts to join the European Union are seem mainly as relatively positive by the population , the blatant propaganda of the modern variant of ‘ democratic values ’ ( i.e .
joining the minorities-ruled , neo-liberal camp ) faces a mostly negative reaction .
In other words , Montenegro seeks to repeat the Ukrainain case , when the Kiev regime also participated in the creation of a local puppet pro-Western church that should support the Ukrainain ‘ integration to Europe ’ , neo-liberal values and oppose the silent conservative majority of the population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bishop of Montenegro and the Littoral , making him the Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro ) accepted the government invitation to hold another meeting on July 20 .
“ We take this opportunity to remind that our Church was , is , and remains committed to dialogue as the only correct way in resolving open issues in relations between the state and the Church , which arose before and after the adoption and entry into force of the questionable Law on Freedom of Religion , ” Metropolitan Amfilohije said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the metropolitanate .
“ For this reason , we accept your invitation , although it comes with a significant delay , to complete the initiated and interrupted dialogue , in the hope that you are not doing this to include this topic in your election campaign < … > We expect that the government will fully respect the church and legal subjectivity of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral and the dioceses of the Serbian Orthodox Church and will accept our proposals for amendments and additions to the said Law .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an administrative case against Metropolitan Amfilohije after supporters of the canonic church held a series of rallies against the law .
The case was opened under pretext of the COVID-19 crisis limiations .
At the same time , the COVID-19 threat did not stop the government from pushing forward the forementioned law and supporters of various neo-liberal groups across Europe from holding their own events .
Earlier , Police repeatedly answered with force to the wave of protests , which has been ongoing in the country since December 2019 .
The Montenegrin government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blamed the Belgrade-based media and Government of Serbia for the crisis over the controversial law , destabilization and unrest across the country .
They claim that the ongoing Church protests actually are not against the disputed law but against Montenegrin statehood and independence .
This posture is quite similar to those of the Kiev regime , which has also become used to blaming an external enemy ( Russia ) for any of its own faults .
A one more factor that contributes to the tensions is the nearing parliamentary election , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to latest polls , up to 42 % of people believe that the country is moving in a wrong direction and 41 % others do not think that there is fair elections in Montenegro .
The complex economic situation , global crisis and the falling popularity of the ruling pro-Western Democratic Party of Socialists are the main factors behind actions of the current government .
By fueling the myth about foreign enemies , imposing a hard-core pro-Western course , and limiting the freedoms under the pretext of the COVID-19 crisis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation under control and guarantee some financial and political support from the Euro-Atlantic establishment .
If Dusko Markovic and his allies win the election once again , it ’ s highly unlikely that their course will be softened , thus causing even more tensions within the society .
For example , the implementation of the Freedom of Religion Law will allow the government to start seizing properties of the Serbian Orthodox Church and transferring it to the new ‘ independent ’ ( government-controlled and loyal to the neo-liberal world order ) church .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests and resistance , including clashes with police and radicals supporting the law .
In Ukraine , where the local canonic church is also in a complicated situation , the Kiev regime and its non-canonic Ukrainian Orthodox Church openly employed groups of neo-Nazis to seize properties of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine ( Moscow Patriarchy ) .
This turned into a useful business for radicals returning from the conflict in eastern Ukraine and various criminal groups .
According to media reports , they receive up to 5,000 USD for every object seized from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violation of the Ukrainian law , but under a direct patronage from Kiev and its backers .
It ’ s easy to imagine how the situation in Montenegro will develop if business and political groups supporting the idea of creation of the ‘ new church ’ get a legal right to do so .
The society will be divided and further and the country would explode by protests , clashes and competing accusations .
After this , it ’ s likely that the government will once again try to accuse Serbia , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to destabilize Montenegro and alienating the major part of the population that do not see them as enemies .
Montenegro will enter a period of political and social instability amid the developing global crisis and remaining COVID-19 threat .
This will lead to a further deterioration of the economic and social situation .
Despite mantras about the ‘ foreign threat ’ , groups supporting this scenario are in fact the main force undermining the Montenegrin statehood and independence .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Religious And Ethnic Tensions Became Cornerstone Of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And Prospects Of Kiev Advance In Eastern Ukraine

Support SouthFront
DEAR FRIENDS. IF YOU LIKE THIS TYPE OF CONTENT, SUPPORT SOUTHFRONT WORK: PayPal: southfront@internet.ru Donation alerts: https://donationalerts.com/r/southfront Gumroad: https://gumroad.com/southfront Or via: http://southfront.org/donate/ or via: https://www.patreon.com/southfront, BTC: 3Gbs4rjcVUtQd8p3CiFUCxPLZwRqurezRZ, BCH ABC: qpf2cphc5dkuclkqur7lhj2yuqq9pk3hmukle77vhq, ETH: 0x9f4cda013e354b8fc285bf4b9a60460cee7f7ea9
The Montenegrin government demonstrates a painful commitment to its campaign against the Serbian Orthodox Church, which already led to wide-scale protests in the country.
On July 19, Prime Minister Dusko Markovic announced that the government’s work group is ready to continue negotiations on the controversial Freedom of Religion Law, which infringes on rights of the Serbian Orthodox Church and its Metropolitanate of Montenegro.
The Serbian Orthodox Church is traditionally the main and only canonic Orthodox church in Montenegro and has a wide support of the local population. Despite this, the Markovic government has been fiercely working to change this by promoting a project of the ‘independent’ Montenegrin Orthodox Church. To do so, the government seeks to adopt a new law allowing to seize church properties of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro and setting conditions for psuhing the canonic church out of the country. The government apparently believes that the existence of the canonic church as an important part of the traditionally conservative Serbian society undermines its attempts to impose Western-promoted ‘neo-liberal values’ in Montenegro. While the jointing in NATO in 2017 faced a controversy in the country and the attempts to join the European Union are seem mainly as relatively positive by the population, the blatant propaganda of the modern variant of ‘democratic values’ (i.e. joining the minorities-ruled, neo-liberal camp) faces a mostly negative reaction.
In other words, Montenegro seeks to repeat the Ukrainain case, when the Kiev regime also participated in the creation of a local puppet pro-Western church that should support the Ukrainain ‘integration to Europe’, neo-liberal values and oppose the silent conservative majority of the population.
Metropolitan Amfilohije (the current Metropolitan bishop of Montenegro and the Littoral, making him the Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro) accepted the government invitation to hold another meeting on July 20.
“We take this opportunity to remind that our Church was, is, and remains committed to dialogue as the only correct way in resolving open issues in relations between the state and the Church, which arose before and after the adoption and entry into force of the questionable Law on Freedom of Religion,” Metropolitan Amfilohije said in a statement published on the website of the metropolitanate. “For this reason, we accept your invitation, although it comes with a significant delay, to complete the initiated and interrupted dialogue, in the hope that you are not doing this to include this topic in your election campaign <…> We expect that the government will fully respect the church and legal subjectivity of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral and the dioceses of the Serbian Orthodox Church and will accept our proposals for amendments and additions to the said Law. “
In June, the Montenegrin Police opened an administrative case against Metropolitan Amfilohije after supporters of the canonic church held a series of rallies against the law. The case was opened under pretext of the COVID-19 crisis limiations. At the same time, the COVID-19 threat did not stop the government from pushing forward the forementioned law and supporters of various neo-liberal groups across Europe from holding their own events. Earlier, Police repeatedly answered with force to the wave of protests, which has been ongoing in the country since December 2019.
upravo sad u Pljevljima za bracu apelase pic.twitter.com/KAWZTK8GX7 — ????zelenascg????1244 (@zelenascg) May 13, 2020
The Montenegrin government and the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists blamed the Belgrade-based media and Government of Serbia for the crisis over the controversial law, destabilization and unrest across the country. They claim that the ongoing Church protests actually are not against the disputed law but against Montenegrin statehood and independence. This posture is quite similar to those of the Kiev regime, which has also become used to blaming an external enemy (Russia) for any of its own faults.
A one more factor that contributes to the tensions is the nearing parliamentary election, which is due to be held on August 30. According to latest polls, up to 42% of people believe that the country is moving in a wrong direction and 41% others do not think that there is fair elections in Montenegro. The complex economic situation, global crisis and the falling popularity of the ruling pro-Western Democratic Party of Socialists are the main factors behind actions of the current government. By fueling the myth about foreign enemies, imposing a hard-core pro-Western course, and limiting the freedoms under the pretext of the COVID-19 crisis, it hopes to both take the political situation under control and guarantee some financial and political support from the Euro-Atlantic establishment.
If Dusko Markovic and his allies win the election once again, it’s highly unlikely that their course will be softened, thus causing even more tensions within the society. For example, the implementation of the Freedom of Religion Law will allow the government to start seizing properties of the Serbian Orthodox Church and transferring it to the new ‘independent’ (government-controlled and loyal to the neo-liberal world order) church. This will cause a new round of protests and resistance, including clashes with police and radicals supporting the law. In Ukraine, where the local canonic church is also in a complicated situation, the Kiev regime and its non-canonic Ukrainian Orthodox Church openly employed groups of neo-Nazis to seize properties of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (Moscow Patriarchy). This turned into a useful business for radicals returning from the conflict in eastern Ukraine and various criminal groups. According to media reports, they receive up to 5,000 USD for every object seized from the canonic church. This happens in violation of the Ukrainian law, but under a direct patronage from Kiev and its backers. It’s easy to imagine how the situation in Montenegro will develop if business and political groups supporting the idea of creation of the ‘new church’ get a legal right to do so. The society will be divided and further and the country would explode by protests, clashes and competing accusations. After this, it’s likely that the government will once again try to accuse Serbia, the Serbian Orthodox Church and even Russia of trying to destabilize Montenegro and alienating the major part of the population that do not see them as enemies.
Montenegro will enter a period of political and social instability amid the developing global crisis and remaining COVID-19 threat. This will lead to a further deterioration of the economic and social situation. Despite mantras about the ‘foreign threat’, groups supporting this scenario are in fact the main force undermining the Montenegrin statehood and independence.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
Support SouthFront


southfront--2020-07-20--Nigerian Army Boasts Successful Operation That Led To Killing Of Several Boko Haram Commanders

Over the July 17-19th weekend , Nigerian armed forces carried out successful operations against Boko Haram , killing several top commanders in the country ’ s northeastern .
At least 8 senior Boko Haram members were reportedly killed .
“ Troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE have continued to conduct intelligence-based operations which continues to degrade Boko Haram /Islamic State of West Africa Province across the Theatre .
Following credible intelligence , the gallant troops of of Operation LAFIYA DOLE on 17 July 20 targeted the terrorists on their market activities and undercover movement around Kolofata , a border town with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( SRA ) Pulka neutralised six Boko Haram terrorists attempting to cross from Cameroon Border towards Sambisa Axis.
” According to a representative of the headquarters of the Nigerian Armed Forces , after receiving intelligence the security forces managed to encircle and liquidate a detachment of jihadists who tried to cross the border with Cameroon .
Among the killed militants , security forces identified several Boko Haram field commanders .
When inspecting the bodies , the Nigerian military intercepted a letter written in Hausa Language , addressed to Abu Fatima , one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other logistics .
The Nigerian army did not disclose its contents , but they suspect that the addressee is in the forests of Sambis .
The jihadists were probably sent with an important report .
The Sambis forests are a favorite hideout for militants ; earlier , the head of the Boko Haram – Abubakar Shekau was hiding there .
Items recovered from them include three AK 47 rifles , magazine with 48 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition , one Honda Salon car , one motorcycle , eight bicycles , three mobile phones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five copies of the Qur ’ an .
The statement also claimed that on July 2nd , the Nigerian armed forces had carried out another successful anti-terror operation .
“ During such misadventure , the terrorists met their waterloo on 2 July , 2020 when they were led by their top leaders ( Amirs ) to attack the troops in Damasak from two flanks in an effort to cause them massive casualty .
However , with own troops ’ doggedness , superior fire power and maneuver the terrorists were devastated and the rest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Enenche , spokesman for the Nigerian Defense Ministry , told reporters an airstrike targeted Boko Haram in the Goski village of Borno province .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Nigerian Armed Forces Conduct Series Of Operations Against Boko Haram And ISIS In Borno State

Support SouthFront
Over the July 17-19th weekend, Nigerian armed forces carried out successful operations against Boko Haram, killing several top commanders in the country’s northeastern.
At least 8 senior Boko Haram members were reportedly killed.
“Troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE have continued to conduct intelligence-based operations which continues to degrade Boko Haram /Islamic State of West Africa Province across the Theatre. Following credible intelligence, the gallant troops of of Operation LAFIYA DOLE on 17 July 20 targeted the terrorists on their market activities and undercover movement around Kolofata, a border town with Cameroon where troops of Strong Response Area (SRA) Pulka neutralised six Boko Haram terrorists attempting to cross from Cameroon Border towards Sambisa Axis.”
According to a representative of the headquarters of the Nigerian Armed Forces, after receiving intelligence the security forces managed to encircle and liquidate a detachment of jihadists who tried to cross the border with Cameroon.
Among the killed militants, security forces identified several Boko Haram field commanders.
When inspecting the bodies, the Nigerian military intercepted a letter written in Hausa Language, addressed to Abu Fatima, one of the top Boko Haram commanders, documents and other logistics.
The Nigerian army did not disclose its contents, but they suspect that the addressee is in the forests of Sambis. The jihadists were probably sent with an important report.
The Sambis forests are a favorite hideout for militants; earlier, the head of the Boko Haram – Abubakar Shekau was hiding there.
Items recovered from them include three AK 47 rifles, magazine with 48 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, one Honda Salon car, one motorcycle, eight bicycles, three mobile phones with multiple SIM and memory cards and five copies of the Qur’an.
The statement also claimed that on July 2nd, the Nigerian armed forces had carried out another successful anti-terror operation.
“During such misadventure, the terrorists met their waterloo on 2 July, 2020 when they were led by their top leaders (Amirs) to attack the troops in Damasak from two flanks in an effort to cause them massive casualty. However, with own troops’ doggedness, superior fire power and maneuver the terrorists were devastated and the rest escaped in total disarray.”
Separately, John Enenche, spokesman for the Nigerian Defense Ministry, told reporters an airstrike targeted Boko Haram in the Goski village of Borno province.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
Support SouthFront


southfront--2020-07-20--Russia’s Rosatom To Lead Removal Of Sunken Nuclear Submarines From The Arctic

The Russian state corporation Rosatom is preparing to obtain the status of an organization responsible for the removal of sunken nuclear submarines from the Arctic waters .
The rise of decommissioned submarines and the improvement of nuclear and radiation safety were the main topics of the 23rd meeting of the joint Russian-Norwegian commission on cooperation in the field of environmental protection .
While Moscow will take the lead in the efforts , the Norwegian government and Bellona ( international environmental protection NGO , based in Oslo ) have long encouraged Russia to raise the vessels , as their unstable reactors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waters close to Scandinavia ’ s northern coast .
“ I am very pleased that we were able to hold a meeting of the commission , despite the pandemic , ” said Audun Halvorsen , the state secretary to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs .
“ It is extremely important for us that such events should not be interrupted , and that we continue to conduct an open dialogue and exchange information , since for Norway cooperation with Russia in the field of nuclear and radiation safety is a priority .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” In 2020 , the development of a feasibility study on the safe handling of flooded and sunken objects was completed .
The four-year project involved an international consortium under a contract between the European Commission and the Italian company Sogin .
The experts created a database of flooded and sunken objects , assessed their danger , as well as the amount of funding and the timing of the work .
Earlier , in 2019 , the document was discussed at several international conferences , the conclusion is that such dangerous objects can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must be removed and brought into a safe state .
Anatoly Grigoryev , who heads the international programs division of Rosatom , Russia ’ s state nuclear corporation , said that the process of securing the Lepse , which accrued 639 spent nuclear fuel assemblies from icebreakers during its career , will be achieved by the end of this year .
As for Andreyeva Bay , radiation danger there has been decreased by a third , he said .
Of the 22,000 nuclear fuel assemblies that had piled up at the old navy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 7,500 had thus far been removed .
By the end of the year , several fuel assemblies that had been stored in the open air at the facility will also be taken away , he said .
Ole Harbitz , who heads Norway ’ s Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority hailed Rosatom ’ s willingness to recover sunken Soviet subs and other radioactive debris from Arctic waters .
According to Grigoryev , the total activity of the Cold War-era nuclear cast off is some 1 million Curie .
Raising it all , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The goals to be completed by 2027 are to remove nuclear fuel from the facilities of the northwestern part of the Russian Arctic , complete the disposal of submarines , nuclear icebreakers and support vessels , and proceed to the active phase of the facility rehabilitation .
By this time , it is possible that the most dangerous of the submarines that have sunk and sunken in the Arctic have already begun to lift .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Russia ’ s Rosatom Begins Work On Second Reactor At Turkey ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s First Floating Nuclear Power Plant Enters Full Production In Russia ’ s Far East

Support SouthFront
The Russian state corporation Rosatom is preparing to obtain the status of an organization responsible for the removal of sunken nuclear submarines from the Arctic waters.
The rise of decommissioned submarines and the improvement of nuclear and radiation safety were the main topics of the 23rd meeting of the joint Russian-Norwegian commission on cooperation in the field of environmental protection.
While Moscow will take the lead in the efforts, the Norwegian government and Bellona (international environmental protection NGO, based in Oslo) have long encouraged Russia to raise the vessels, as their unstable reactors pose a risk of contaminating critical fishing waters close to Scandinavia’s northern coast.
“I am very pleased that we were able to hold a meeting of the commission, despite the pandemic,” said Audun Halvorsen, the state secretary to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “It is extremely important for us that such events should not be interrupted, and that we continue to conduct an open dialogue and exchange information, since for Norway cooperation with Russia in the field of nuclear and radiation safety is a priority. We have achieved a lot in 25 years.”
In 2020, the development of a feasibility study on the safe handling of flooded and sunken objects was completed.
The four-year project involved an international consortium under a contract between the European Commission and the Italian company Sogin.
The experts created a database of flooded and sunken objects, assessed their danger, as well as the amount of funding and the timing of the work.
Earlier, in 2019, the document was discussed at several international conferences, the conclusion is that such dangerous objects cannot be left to descendants, they must be removed and brought into a safe state.
Anatoly Grigoryev, who heads the international programs division of Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear corporation, said that the process of securing the Lepse, which accrued 639 spent nuclear fuel assemblies from icebreakers during its career, will be achieved by the end of this year.
As for Andreyeva Bay, radiation danger there has been decreased by a third, he said.
Of the 22,000 nuclear fuel assemblies that had piled up at the old navy base over the years, Grigoriyev said that 7,500 had thus far been removed. By the end of the year, several fuel assemblies that had been stored in the open air at the facility will also be taken away, he said.
“Last fall, I personally was in Andreev Bay and could observe how safely the spent nuclear fuel was shipped from the facility to the vessel and leaves for Atomflot,” said ElisabethVik Aspaker, head of Norway’s Tromsø region.
Ole Harbitz, who heads Norway’s Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority hailed Rosatom’s willingness to recover sunken Soviet subs and other radioactive debris from Arctic waters.
According to Grigoryev, the total activity of the Cold War-era nuclear cast off is some 1 million Curie. Raising it all, is estimates to cost €123 million.
The goals to be completed by 2027 are to remove nuclear fuel from the facilities of the northwestern part of the Russian Arctic, complete the disposal of submarines, nuclear icebreakers and support vessels, and proceed to the active phase of the facility rehabilitation.
By this time, it is possible that the most dangerous of the submarines that have sunk and sunken in the Arctic have already begun to lift.
“Taking into account the fact that we already have a positive experience, we will most likely solve these problems positively,” Anatoly Grigoriev concluded.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
Support SouthFront


southfront--2020-07-20--Military Situation In Syria On July 20, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria : • An explosion occured @ @ @ @ @ in al-Hasakah Governorate ; • A car bomb explosion killed at least 3 civilians and @ @ @ @ @ town of Sajo , north of the city of Azaz ; • An improvised explosive @ @ @ @ @ center in the town of Busr Al-Harir in Daraa Governorate ; • Syrian Arab Army @ @ @ @ @ the village of Tal Wasit in Hama Governorate ; • According to ANHA , two @ @ @ @ @ artillery fire in Qamishli district of al-Hasakah Governorate ; • 460 people detained in Al-Hol @ @ @ @ @ SDF from the towns of Al-Baghuz and Susah .
MORE ON THE TOPIC :

Support SouthFront
A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria:
An explosion occured in the city of Al-Qamishli in al-Hasakah Governorate;
A car bomb explosion killed at least 3 civilians and wounded several others in the town of Sajo, north of the city of Azaz;
An improvised explosive device detonated in an election center in the town of Busr Al-Harir in Daraa Governorate;
Syrian Arab Army artillery shelled militant positions near the village of Tal Wasit in Hama Governorate;
According to ANHA, two civilians were injured by Turkish artillery fire in Qamishli district of al-Hasakah Governorate;
460 people detained in Al-Hol camp were released by the SDF from the towns of Al-Baghuz and Susah.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
Support SouthFront


southfront--2020-07-20--USS Kearsarge Catches Fire Just Days USS BonHomme Richard Extinguished

On July 17th , a “ rapidly extinguished ” fire aboard yet another US warship caused the US Navy to issue a “ stop work order ” to General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in Norfolk .
The warship in question is the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge .
The incident started when a spark from welding landed on nearby material , which was then quickly put out by the fire watch .
“ Fire Watch ” is a sailor or contractor who stands nearby with a fire hose and/or extinguisher to stop a larger blaze in its tracks .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rory O ’ Connor said the “ stop work ” was to ensure the company followed fire safety protocols .
“ On July 17 , the Navy was informed of a fire aboard USS Kearsarge ( LHD 3 ) , currently conducting a Selected Restricted Availability at General Dynamics NASSCO – Norfolk , ” O ’ Connor said .
“ The fire was quickly extinguished by the fire watch and resulted in minimal damage .
In response to this incident , the Navy has issued a stop work order for all ships in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure compliance with all established fire protocols and procedures.
” Defense News spoke to Anthony Paolino , a General Dynamics NASSCO spokesman and it was confirmed that the incident involved an ember landing on plastic , causing it to melt and smoke , but said there was no larger fire .
Allegedly , NASSCO was already reviewing its safety protocols prior to the “ stop work ” order , and that it fully supported the Navy ’ s ongoing safety stand down in the wake of this week ’ s fire aboard Bonhomme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noteworthy that just days earlier , the USS BonHomme Richard was almost entirely destroyed in a fire , and it is the same Wasp-class amphibious assault ship as the USS Kearsarge .
In an interview with Defense News , Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday said the Navy was preparing to launch dual investigations into the fire on Bonhomme Richard : A safety investigation , which are generally not released to the public so that witnesses can feel free to speak openly , and a more formal administrative investigation , which generally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the public .
Once those investigations are finished , Gilday will determine whether a broader examination of the Navy ’ s culture is necessary .
“ This is a very , very serious incident that I think will force the Navy to stand back and reevaluate itself , ” Gilday said .
“ We ’ ve got to follow the facts , we ’ ve got to be honest with ourselves and we ’ ve got to get after it .
My intention , once the investigations are done , is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate , including what we need to do to get after any systemic problems that we might have.
” It would appear that the general focus in the United States is currently on fighting racism and discrimination of any sort , and fire safety appears to be on the back foot .
Both these fires , within the same week , show a gross neglect of safety protocols ( if they are effective to begin with ) .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • USS Bonhomme Richard Almost Entirely Destroyed By Fire

Support SouthFront
On July 17th, a “rapidly extinguished” fire aboard yet another US warship caused the US Navy to issue a “stop work order” to General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in Norfolk.
The warship in question is the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge.
The incident started when a spark from welding landed on nearby material, which was then quickly put out by the fire watch.
“Fire Watch” is a sailor or contractor who stands nearby with a fire hose and/or extinguisher to stop a larger blaze in its tracks.
In a statement, Naval Sea Systems Command spokesman Rory O’Connor said the “stop work” was to ensure the company followed fire safety protocols.
“On July 17, the Navy was informed of a fire aboard USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), currently conducting a Selected Restricted Availability at General Dynamics NASSCO – Norfolk,” O’Connor said. “The fire was quickly extinguished by the fire watch and resulted in minimal damage. In response to this incident, the Navy has issued a stop work order for all ships in maintenance availabilities at GD NASSCO Norfolk to ensure compliance with all established fire protocols and procedures.”
Defense News spoke to Anthony Paolino, a General Dynamics NASSCO spokesman and it was confirmed that the incident involved an ember landing on plastic, causing it to melt and smoke, but said there was no larger fire.
Allegedly, NASSCO was already reviewing its safety protocols prior to the “stop work” order, and that it fully supported the Navy’s ongoing safety stand down in the wake of this week’s fire aboard Bonhomme Richard, Paolino said.
It is noteworthy that just days earlier, the USS BonHomme Richard was almost entirely destroyed in a fire, and it is the same Wasp-class amphibious assault ship as the USS Kearsarge.
In an interview with Defense News, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday said the Navy was preparing to launch dual investigations into the fire on Bonhomme Richard: A safety investigation, which are generally not released to the public so that witnesses can feel free to speak openly, and a more formal administrative investigation, which generally comes with disciplinary recommendations and are releasable to the public.
Once those investigations are finished, Gilday will determine whether a broader examination of the Navy’s culture is necessary.
“This is a very, very serious incident that I think will force the Navy to stand back and reevaluate itself,” Gilday said. “We’ve got to follow the facts, we’ve got to be honest with ourselves and we’ve got to get after it. My intention, once the investigations are done, is to make this available for the public to debate, including what we need to do to get after any systemic problems that we might have.”
It would appear that the general focus in the United States is currently on fighting racism and discrimination of any sort, and fire safety appears to be on the back foot. Both these fires, within the same week, show a gross neglect of safety protocols (if they are effective to begin with).
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
Support SouthFront


southfront--2020-07-20--Locations Of US Carrier Strike Groups – July 20, 2020

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

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


southfront--2020-07-20--Russia Installs Upgrades On World’s Largest Dry Dock

The Russian Zvezda Shipyard carried out a one-of-a-kind operation to install a watertight shutter at the world ’ s largest dry dock , the company ’ s press service announced on July 16th .
This operation is being carried out for the first time in the modern history of Russia .
The floating structure , 114 meters long and 12 meters high , will separate the dock chamber , the bottom of which is located below the water level , from the water area .
The hull of the watertight shutter , made of high-strength shipbuilding steel , has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decks and bulkheads into air , ballast and open compartments .
The shutter includes ballast systems , drainage systems , ventilation systems , dry dock filling valves , as well as a local fire extinguishing system and fire alarm system .
The shutter is controlled from a central console and local posts .
Another feature is the presence of a carriageway on the upper deck of the shutter .
Before installing the hydraulic seal , the shipyard specialists flooded the dry dock .
Also , work was done to dismantle the boundary lintel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as dredging in the water area adjacent to the dock gate .
The dry dock is one of the largest hydraulic structures in the world with dimensions of 485х114х15 meters and is a key element of the second stage of construction of the Zvezda shipyard .
A dry dock allows a shipbuilder to build most types of existing and prototype ships ( and warships ) with virtually no limit to the tonnage and launch weight of the hulls .
A one-of-a-kind Goliath-type crane with a lifting capacity of 1200 tons was installed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has no analogues in Russia was installed .
Commissioning of the dock is scheduled for 2020 .
The construction of the world ’ s most powerful icebreaker the Project 10510 Lider will be carried out at the dry dock .
The Arktika-class Rossiya icebreaker will be retrofitted there as well .
At present , the first parts for the future nuclear-powered ship are being cut in the hull production unit .
The vessel will become the most powerful ship in the history of world shipbuilding .
This is a technically complex project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Its key task is to provide year-round navigation of the commercial fleet along the Northern Sea Route .
The Lider project will become the backbone of the new generation of Russian icebreaker fleet .
The length of the new nuclear-powered ship will be 210 meters , width – 47 meters , draft – 13 meters .
The icebreaker Rossiya will be equipped with two RITM-400 nuclear reactors , four turbines and four propeller motors .
The total capacity of the icebreaker ’ s power plants will be 120 MW , which will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 4 meters thick at a speed of 2 knots .
With an ice thickness of 2 meters , the icebreaker ’ s speed will be up to 12 knots .
The Zvezda shipyard is operated by a Consortium led by Rosneft on behalf of the President of Russia Vladimir Putin .
To date , the shipyard ’ s portfolio of orders includes over 40 vessels , including modification work – 59 vessels .
The initial order for the shipyard was provided by Rosneft , which has placed an order for 28 vessels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line will include vessels with a displacement of up to 350 thousand tons , elements of offshore platforms , ice-class vessels , commercial vessels for transporting goods , special ships and other types of marine equipment of any complexity , characteristics and purposes , including equipment that previously in Russia it was not produced due to the lack of the necessary launching and hydraulic structures .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Delays In Construction Of Dry Dock For Russia ’ s “ Admiral Kuznetsov ” Heavy Aircraft-Carrying Missile Cruiser • Russia Reopening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Kronsdadt Marine Plant

Support SouthFront
The Russian Zvezda Shipyard carried out a one-of-a-kind operation to install a watertight shutter at the world’s largest dry dock, the company’s press service announced on July 16th.
This operation is being carried out for the first time in the modern history of Russia.
The floating structure, 114 meters long and 12 meters high, will separate the dock chamber, the bottom of which is located below the water level, from the water area.
The hull of the watertight shutter, made of high-strength shipbuilding steel, has a continuous waterproof cover and is divided by decks and bulkheads into air, ballast and open compartments.
The shutter includes ballast systems, drainage systems, ventilation systems, dry dock filling valves, as well as a local fire extinguishing system and fire alarm system. The shutter is controlled from a central console and local posts. Another feature is the presence of a carriageway on the upper deck of the shutter.
Before installing the hydraulic seal, the shipyard specialists flooded the dry dock. Also, work was done to dismantle the boundary lintel, the dry dock dam, as well as dredging in the water area adjacent to the dock gate.
The dry dock is one of the largest hydraulic structures in the world with dimensions of 485х114х15 meters and is a key element of the second stage of construction of the Zvezda shipyard.
A dry dock allows a shipbuilder to build most types of existing and prototype ships (and warships) with virtually no limit to the tonnage and launch weight of the hulls.
A one-of-a-kind Goliath-type crane with a lifting capacity of 1200 tons was installed at the dock, and pumping equipment that has no analogues in Russia was installed. Commissioning of the dock is scheduled for 2020.
The construction of the world’s most powerful icebreaker the Project 10510 Lider will be carried out at the dry dock. The Arktika-class Rossiya icebreaker will be retrofitted there as well.
At present, the first parts for the future nuclear-powered ship are being cut in the hull production unit.
The vessel will become the most powerful ship in the history of world shipbuilding.
This is a technically complex project that has no analogues in the world. Its key task is to provide year-round navigation of the commercial fleet along the Northern Sea Route.
The Lider project will become the backbone of the new generation of Russian icebreaker fleet. The length of the new nuclear-powered ship will be 210 meters, width – 47 meters, draft – 13 meters.
The icebreaker Rossiya will be equipped with two RITM-400 nuclear reactors, four turbines and four propeller motors.
The total capacity of the icebreaker’s power plants will be 120 MW, which will allow the vessel to overcome ice more than 4 meters thick at a speed of 2 knots. With an ice thickness of 2 meters, the icebreaker’s speed will be up to 12 knots.
The Zvezda shipyard is operated by a Consortium led by Rosneft on behalf of the President of Russia Vladimir Putin.
To date, the shipyard’s portfolio of orders includes over 40 vessels, including modification work – 59 vessels.
The initial order for the shipyard was provided by Rosneft, which has placed an order for 28 vessels at the shipyard.
The Zvezda product line will include vessels with a displacement of up to 350 thousand tons, elements of offshore platforms, ice-class vessels, commercial vessels for transporting goods, special ships and other types of marine equipment of any complexity, characteristics and purposes, including equipment that previously in Russia it was not produced due to the lack of the necessary launching and hydraulic structures.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
Support SouthFront


southfront--2020-07-20--Chinese Ambassador Struggles To Explain Shocking Footage Of Handcuffed & Blindfolded Uighurs Loaded

Chinese Ambassador Struggles To Explain Shocking Footage Of Handcuffed & Blindfolded Uighurs Loaded Onto Train

“ I think the UK should have its own independent foreign policy rather than dance to the tune of the @ @ @ @ @ Huawei.
” The degree to which this video is or can be verified by US @ @ @ @ @ It could be invoked when potential further human rights related sanctions are rolled out , @ @ @ @ @ Beijing and the Trump administration .

Support SouthFront
Originally appeared at ZeroHedge
During a Sunday morning BBC news program, China’s ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming was in a rare segment asked point blank about viral footage which purports to show a terrifying scene from Xinjiang province of Muslim minority Uighurs being handcuffed and loaded onto train cars.
While the footage, which appears to have been secretly caught via drone, appears to be a year old or more, it resurfaced in recent weeks, gaining millions of views and reigniting allegations of Uighur people being mass shipped to communist ‘reeducation’ camps and sprawling detention centers.
#Marr asks Chinese ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming to explain footage from China of handcuffed and blindfolded detained peoplehttps://t.co/PkjcTsClEX pic.twitter.com/RSbrSaOAPT — BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) July 19, 2020
During the tenses Andrew Marr Show segment, Liu described Xinjiang simply as “the most beautiful place.”
Showing the shocking footage which many observers said echoes Jews being mass loaded onto cattle cars during the Holocaust to be taken to their deaths, Marr pressed the Chinese ambassador with:
“Can I ask you why people are kneeling, blindfolded and shaven, and being led to trains in modern China? What is going on there?”
To which Liu replied: “I do not know where you get this video tape. Sometimes you have a transfer of prisoners, in any country.” And Liu then questioned the authenticity and location of the video: “I do not know, where did you get this video clip?”
Drone footage out of #Xinjiang showing hundreds of handcuffed #Uyghurs being led on a train headed to who-knows-where.#Beijing's treatment of #China's Uyghur minority is straight out of the #Communist playbook.pic.twitter.com/WzOjT8ldzs — Prof. Steve Hanke (@steve_hanke) July 18, 2020
Marr then said Western intelligence agencies and Australian experts have backed or ‘verified’ the clip, though this remains uncertain, to which the ambassador said tersely:
“The so-called ‘western intelligence’ keep making false accusations against China.”
He added: “They say ’one million Uighur has been persecuted, do you know how many population Xinjiang has? Forty years ago it was four or five million, now it is 11m people.”
And addressing widespread, persistent accusations of ongoing ethno-religious cleansing of Chinese Muslims in the provice, Liu said: “People say we have ethnic cleansing, but the population has doubled in forty years.”
Marr promptly rebutted: “According to your own local government statistics, the population growth in Uighur jurisdictions in that area has fallen by 84% between 2015 and 2018.” Liu responded: “That’s not right. I gave you the official figure as a Chinese ambassador. This is a very authoritative figure.
The two also sparred over sanctions. “If the UK goes that far to impose sanctions on any individuals in China, China will certainly make a resolute response to it,” the Chinese ambassador said. “You have seen what happened between China (and) the United States. They sanctioned Chinese officials, we sanctioned their senators, their officials. I do not want to see this tit-for-tat between China-US happen in China-UK relations,” he added.
“I think the UK should have its own independent foreign policy rather than dance to the tune of the Americans like what happened to Huawei.” And then this biting line: The degree to which this video is or can be verified by US intelligence will be interesting. It could be invoked when potential further human rights related sanctions are rolled out, given the escalating tit-for-tat between Beijing and the Trump administration.
Support SouthFront


southfront--2020-07-20--Taiwan Conducts Five Day Live-Fire Exercises Simulating Repelling Chinese Invasion

Taiwan ’ s army carried out a live-fire drill in the central city of Taichung on Thursday , as part of a major five day military exercise staged last week against the backdrop of rising tensions with China across the strait and in the South China Sea .
Taiwan ’ s President Tsai Ing-wen was expected to witness the drill , which is based on the scenario of an invasion by the Chinese military .
The five-day war games ended on Friday .
The annual Han Kuang military exercise was scheduled to be held earlier this year but was postponed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Taiwan has now successfully contained the spread of the disease and has declared the island virus free .
On Wednesday , a live torpedo was fired from a Taiwan Navy submarine , the first time in 13 years that such weapons were deployed during the annual exercise .
Taiwan ’ s state-backed Central News Agency ( CNA ) reported that the “ heavyweight ” surface and underwater target torpedo was fired from an electric submarine and hit its target .
The annual exercises , which involve all branches of Taiwan ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held since the early 1980s to test Taiwan ’ s combat readiness in the event of an attack by China .
During the exercises on Wednesday , the military reported that two Chinese reconnaissance vessels were seen off the east coast of Taiwan , according to CNA .
The report said that a Taiwan Navy warship was immediately dispatched “ to monitor and deter ” the two vessels , which “ eventually sailed away ” .
The annual drill comes as Taiwan has accused Chinese military aircraft of “ frequent incursions ” into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the past few months .
In April , a Chinese naval flotilla led by the country ’ s first aircraft carrier passed near Taiwan .
China claims Taiwan as its own territory , and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under Beijing ’ s control .
Taiwan has shown no interest in being reunified with China .
In May , Beijing threatened to “ resolutely smash ” Taiwan in case of any move to declare independence .
Taiwan ’ s military is well-trained and well-equipped , mostly with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an increasingly formidable and far larger Chinese military , which has been undergoing its own modernisation programme , adding stealth fighters , aircraft carriers and anti-satellite missiles .
The exercises are also taking place at a time of increased tensions between China and the United States in the South China Sea .
The US currently has two warships , the USS Nimitz and USS Ronald Reagan , sailing in the disputed regional waters on ‘ freedom of navigation ’ operations .
LINK MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Taiwan becomes new focal point @ @ @ @ @

Support SouthFront
Taiwan’s army carried out a live-fire drill in the central city of Taichung on Thursday, as part of a major five day military exercise staged last week against the backdrop of rising tensions with China across the strait and in the South China Sea.
Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen was expected to witness the drill, which is based on the scenario of an invasion by the Chinese military. The five-day war games ended on Friday.
The annual Han Kuang military exercise was scheduled to be held earlier this year but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, Taiwan has now successfully contained the spread of the disease and has declared the island virus free.
On Wednesday, a live torpedo was fired from a Taiwan Navy submarine, the first time in 13 years that such weapons were deployed during the annual exercise.
Taiwan’s state-backed Central News Agency (CNA) reported that the “heavyweight” surface and underwater target torpedo was fired from an electric submarine and hit its target.
The annual exercises, which involve all branches of Taiwan’s military and reserve forces, have been held since the early 1980s to test Taiwan’s combat readiness in the event of an attack by China.
During the exercises on Wednesday, the military reported that two Chinese reconnaissance vessels were seen off the east coast of Taiwan, according to CNA.
The report said that a Taiwan Navy warship was immediately dispatched “to monitor and deter” the two vessels, which “eventually sailed away”.
The annual drill comes as Taiwan has accused Chinese military aircraft of “frequent incursions” into the island’s air defence zone over the past few months.
In April, a Chinese naval flotilla led by the country’s first aircraft carrier passed near Taiwan.
China claims Taiwan as its own territory, and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under Beijing’s control. Taiwan has shown no interest in being reunified with China.
In May, Beijing threatened to “resolutely smash” Taiwan in case of any move to declare independence.
Taiwan’s military is well-trained and well-equipped, mostly with US-made weapons.
However, Taiwan faces an increasingly formidable and far larger Chinese military, which has been undergoing its own modernisation programme, adding stealth fighters, aircraft carriers and anti-satellite missiles.
The exercises are also taking place at a time of increased tensions between China and the United States in the South China Sea.
The US currently has two warships, the USS Nimitz and USS Ronald Reagan, sailing in the disputed regional waters on ‘freedom of navigation’ operations. LINK
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
Support SouthFront


southfront--2020-07-20--Armenian Prime Minister Expects International Support, As Border Conflict Simmers

On July 18th , Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan tated the need to create an international monitoring system for the observance of the ceasefire regime on the border with Azerbaijan .
The European Union suggested the return of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe ( OSCE ) observers .
In his speech , Prime Minister Pashinyan touched upon the escalation of the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border in recent days .
In particular , the Prime Minister noted : Speaking about the ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan , Pashinyan stated the need “ to get out of the circle of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to him , it is necessary to continue the negotiation process within the framework of the co-chairmanship of the “ Minsk Group ” of the OSCE , “ and Azerbaijan must finally take a constructive position.
” Pashinyan also commented on a statement by Azerbaijani Defense Ministry spokesman Vagif Dargyakhly who claimed that Azerbaijan was prepared to strike a nuclear power plant near the Armenian city of Metsamor .
Pashinyan said that these words are a threat to commit a terrorist attack and should receive an appropriate international response .
He did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety and that of the nuclear power plant .
He further commented that in recent months , the long-standing militaristic rhetoric of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has intensified , and he more aggressively threatened to resolve the Karabakh issue by force , openly demonstrating his intention to ruin the ongoing talks under the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship .
At the same time , Pashinyan claims that Armenia would receive international support , which is puzzling .
Turkey is Azerbaijan ’ s greatest ally , and is a key NATO member , so no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which considers itself a partner state .
Armenia ’ s greatest ally and guarantor of sovereignty is Russia , which Pashinyan ’ s government has attempt to push away in recent years .
On the ground , along the border , there ’ s little violence with the conflict simmering .
On July 18th , the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense said that Armenian Armed Forces “ violated ceasefire 53 times throughout the day in various direction of the front , using large-caliber machine guns and sniper rifles ” .
According to the ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ positions of the Azerbaijan Army located ” in Ağdam , Tovuz , and in Göyəlli , Gadabay .
The Armenian side reported that the night on the border passed quite calmly , but the Azerbaijani side “ violated the ceasefire several times , opening fire from small arms at the positions of the Armenian forces ” On July 19th , the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence issued a statement , reporting that the “ military units of the Armed Forces of Armenia violated ceasefire 70 times throughout the day in various direction of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sniper rifles ” .
According to the ministry , Armenian forces fired upon Zamanlı in Gadabay .
The Armenian side also said that ceasefire was violated about 70 times by the Azerbaijani side , but that the situation was relatively calm .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Turkey Is Recruiting Syrian Militants To Fight For Azerbaijan Against Armenia – Reports • Armenian-Azerbaijani Clashes And Shifting Balance Of Power In South Caucasus

Support SouthFront
On July 18th, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan tated the need to create an international monitoring system for the observance of the ceasefire regime on the border with Azerbaijan.
The European Union suggested the return of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) observers.
In his speech, Prime Minister Pashinyan touched upon the escalation of the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border in recent days. In particular, the Prime Minister noted:
“The purpose of our meeting today is to discuss the operational situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. However, before that, it must be clearly stated that the military-political situation in the region has become tense due to the aggression of Azerbaijan against the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia.”
Speaking about the ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan, Pashinyan stated the need “to get out of the circle of constant allegations of ceasefire violations”.
“As for further actions, our position remains the same,” the prime minister said.
According to him, it is necessary to continue the negotiation process within the framework of the co-chairmanship of the “Minsk Group” of the OSCE, “and Azerbaijan must finally take a constructive position.”
Pashinyan also commented on a statement by Azerbaijani Defense Ministry spokesman Vagif Dargyakhly who claimed that Azerbaijan was prepared to strike a nuclear power plant near the Armenian city of Metsamor.
Pashinyan said that these words are a threat to commit a terrorist attack and should receive an appropriate international response. He did say that Armenia could guarantee its own safety and that of the nuclear power plant.
He further commented that in recent months, the long-standing militaristic rhetoric of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has intensified, and he more aggressively threatened to resolve the Karabakh issue by force, openly demonstrating his intention to ruin the ongoing talks under the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship.
“Against this background, President Aliyev’s claims about the strength and invincibility of the Azerbaijani army was developing, which was an attempt to justify the billions of dollars spent over the past decade and a half under the pretext of developing the army, which did not serve to increase the well-being of the Azerbaijani people.”
At the same time, Pashinyan claims that Armenia would receive international support, which is puzzling. Turkey is Azerbaijan’s greatest ally, and is a key NATO member, so no Alliance support is coming for Armenia, which considers itself a partner state.
Armenia’s greatest ally and guarantor of sovereignty is Russia, which Pashinyan’s government has attempt to push away in recent years.
On the ground, along the border, there’s little violence with the conflict simmering.
On July 18th, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense said that Armenian Armed Forces “violated ceasefire 53 times throughout the day in various direction of the front, using large-caliber machine guns and sniper rifles”. According to the ministry, Armenian Armed Forces fired upon the “positions of the Azerbaijan Army located” in Ağdam, Tovuz, and in Göyəlli, Gadabay.
The Armenian side reported that the night on the border passed quite calmly, but the Azerbaijani side “violated the ceasefire several times, opening fire from small arms at the positions of the Armenian forces”
On July 19th, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence issued a statement, reporting that the “military units of the Armed Forces of Armenia violated ceasefire 70 times throughout the day in various direction of the front, using large-caliber machine guns and sniper rifles”. According to the ministry, Armenian forces fired upon Zamanlı in Gadabay.
The Armenian side also said that ceasefire was violated about 70 times by the Azerbaijani side, but that the situation was relatively calm.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
Support SouthFront


Final Countdown

11 DAYS LEFT UNTIL THE END OF JULY Since July 1 , SouthFront has collected 1616 USD .
This is @ @ @ @ @ budget needed to keep SouthFront working and further .
Meanwhile , the propaganda and technical @ @ @ @ @ .
IN THIS DARK HOUR , YOUR HELP IS VITAL TO KEEP SOUTHFRONT ALIVE : @ @ @ @ @ , Paysafecard , Bitcoin and other options .
This systems accepts all types of cards @ @ @ @ @ , bitcoin ( FAQ is under the main text , in P.S . )
You @ @ @ @ @ donation of $ 15 ( or any another amount ) OR make one time donation @ @ @ @

Support SouthFront
11 DAYS LEFT UNTIL THE END OF JULY
Since July 1, SouthFront has collected 1616 USD. This is 32.3% of the monthly budget needed to keep SouthFront working and further.
Meanwhile, the propaganda and technical pressure campaign against SouthFront continues.
IN THIS DARK HOUR, YOUR HELP IS VITAL TO KEEP SOUTHFRONT ALIVE:
PayPal
Account: southfront@list.ru
DonationAlerts
Donate via VISA, PayPal, Paysafecard, Bitcoin and other options.
Tinypass (Piano)
This systems accepts all types of cards, PayPal, Amazon Payments, bitcoin (FAQ is under the main text, in P.S.)
You can subscribe for a monthly donation of $15 (or any another amount) OR make one time donation by clicking buttons below
Patreon
Donate via SouthFront’s Patreon account (click here)
SouthFront: Analysis & Intelligence Team
Support SouthFront


southfront--2020-07-20--Yet Another Explosion Hits Power Plant In Iran. MSM Points At Israel

Yet another strange and unexplained explosion has rocked central Iran on Sunday , state-owned Islamic Republic News Agency ( IRNA ) reported on Sunday .
The explosion occurred at a power station in the city of Islamabad , which is in the central province of Isfahan .
Iranian officials blamed faulty equipment , and no casualties were reported .
The facility returned to normal working conditions after about two hours and Isfahan ’ s power supply was uninterrupted , he added .
The blaze was the result of an explosion of 230 KV power transformer at a substation of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company , blaming “ wear and tear on the transformer.
” The substation returned to normal operations within two hours and the damaged equipment was being repaired and replaced , plant officials said .
The power plant was constructed about 50 years ago , and provides electricity to the main city of Isfahan , with capacity to generate around 500 MW of electricity .
Separately on Sunday , a cellophane factory in northwest Iran erupted in fire .
Video and images showed a huge cloud of smoke billowing from the site through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it out .
Iran ’ s civil defence organization chief , Ghulam Reza Jalali , was cited in state media as saying Iran is not ruling out sabotage on the power plant either by internal opposition groups or externally supported entities .
Last week , an explosion occurred at a chemical plant in the Razavi Khorasan Province in eastern Iran on 13 July .
The blast allegedly occurred at a gas condensate plant in the Kavian Fariman industrial zone in the Razavi Khorasan Province in eastern Iran .
The explosion was caused by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the gas tanks .
On 15 July a fire damaged at least seven vessels at a shipyard in the southern Iranian port city of Bushehr , according to state media .
The blaze started Wednesday afternoon local time , crisis management official Jahangir Dehghani said .
The cause of the fire is still unknown .
There were no reports of victims , according to Iran ’ s state news agency IRNA .
LINK At this point , the spate of ‘ mystery ’ blasts and fires which has damaged key military , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is approaching a dozen in the past month .
The most damaging of the spate of recent fires and explosions occurred earlier this month when an advanced centrifuge assembly plant at Iran ’ s Natanz nuclear site was destroyed in a mysterious fire which is increasingly being blamed on Israeli or US intelligence .
Some mainstream media outlets are also increasingly laying blame on an Israeli Mossad sabotage campaign , especially prior to the US presidential election , given concern that if Joe Biden takes the White House , Israel will be pressured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provoke a catastrophic war .
The report by Vox further noted : “ when it became clear two of the recent explosions in Iran happened at a missile site ( Khojir ) and a key uranium enrichment facility ( Natanz ) , all eyes turned to Israel as the likely culprit .
“ Israel as well as the US have a clear interest in stopping , or at least disrupting , Iran ’ s weapons production capability , and in particular nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles , ” retired Israel Defense Forces Lt. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israeli military intelligence and in the prime minister ’ s office , told me… Israeli officials see the persistent thwarting of Iranian intentions , especially after the 2006 conflict , as the “ war between the wars.
” As Shapiro , the former American ambassador to Israel , explained it to me , the concept “ reflects the Israeli philosophical approach to buy time and maybe indefinitely push off future wars — and if they occur , to make them as short as possible.
” Following this strategy allows Israel to increase its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gain a greater military advantage against Iran over time .
Degrading Iran ’ s nuclear and missile program via covert means fits within this framework .
Jerusalem is able to keep Tehran from gaining power at minimal expense and without much public fuss , thereby lowering Iran ’ s confidence it could defeat Israel in a war , should one break out… What Israel may have done “ is a slight escalation , but it ’ s not really that surprising and not really uncharacteristic of what you ’ ve seen in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Defense Department ’ s Iran team chief from 2009 to 2012 , told me .
“ All these activities are being done in a way that makes it hard for Iran to retaliate , and gives them space to not retaliate.
” “ The Iranians don ’ t want this to spiral , ” the RAND Corporation ’ s Kaye told me , “ but the longer this persists , the harder it will be for Iran to pretend this isn ’ t happening.
” LINK Early on Sunday ( 19 July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s UN Mission has denounced a Bloomberg article that praised the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists and encouraged sabotage in the country ’ s infrastructure .
Alireza Miryousefi , minister and head of media office of Iran ’ s Mission to the UN , was responding to a Bloomberg opinion column written by Eli Lake titled , “ Sabotage in Iran Is Preferable to a Deal With Iran ” .
Lake ’ s article argued that recent incidents in Iran , among them the one at Natanz nuclear facility , showed that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called the “ nuclear ambitions ” of the Islamic Republic .
Iran has not officially declared whether the incident at the Natanz complex was an accident or an act of sabotage , but the Supreme National Security Council ( SNSC ) said the main cause has been determined and will be announced at an appropriate time .
Some reports suggested Tel Aviv ’ s alleged role , but Israeli officials neither confirmed nor denied the regime ’ s involvement .
Iranian officials have responded saying much of the speculation linking the incident to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israeli leaders and serves their interests , at the same time however warning Tel Aviv of serious consequences if there is evidence of their involvement in any of the incidents .
LINK MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Explosion at Iranian military site known for nuclear testing-official version is gas explosion • No sympathy for the devil ?
Iranian media speculates about cause of fire on US warship

Support SouthFront
Yet another strange and unexplained explosion has rocked central Iran on Sunday, state-owned Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported on Sunday. The explosion occurred at a power station in the city of Islamabad, which is in the central province of Isfahan.
Iranian officials blamed faulty equipment, and no casualties were reported.
A “worn out transformer… at Isfahan’s Islamabad thermal power plant exploded at around 5:00 am today,” the managing director of Isfahan’s electricity company Said Mohseni told IRNA.
The facility returned to normal working conditions after about two hours and Isfahan’s power supply was uninterrupted, he added.
The blaze was the result of an explosion of 230 KV power transformer at a substation of the power plant, said the provincial electric company, blaming “wear and tear on the transformer.”
The substation returned to normal operations within two hours and the damaged equipment was being repaired and replaced, plant officials said.
The power plant was constructed about 50 years ago, and provides electricity to the main city of Isfahan, with capacity to generate around 500 MW of electricity.
Separately on Sunday, a cellophane factory in northwest Iran erupted in fire. Video and images showed a huge cloud of smoke billowing from the site through the day as fire fighters struggled to put it out.
Iran’s civil defence organization chief, Ghulam Reza Jalali, was cited in state media as saying Iran is not ruling out sabotage on the power plant either by internal opposition groups or externally supported entities.
Last week, an explosion occurred at a chemical plant in the Razavi Khorasan Province in eastern Iran on 13 July. The blast allegedly occurred at a gas condensate plant in the Kavian Fariman industrial zone in the Razavi Khorasan Province in eastern Iran. The explosion was caused by a fire which broke out at one of the gas tanks.
On 15 July a fire damaged at least seven vessels at a shipyard in the southern Iranian port city of Bushehr, according to state media. The blaze started Wednesday afternoon local time, crisis management official Jahangir Dehghani said. The cause of the fire is still unknown. There were no reports of victims, according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA. LINK
At this point, the spate of ‘mystery’ blasts and fires which has damaged key military, nuclear, and industrial sites across Iran is approaching a dozen in the past month.
The most damaging of the spate of recent fires and explosions occurred earlier this month when an advanced centrifuge assembly plant at Iran’s Natanz nuclear site was destroyed in a mysterious fire which is increasingly being blamed on Israeli or US intelligence.
Some mainstream media outlets are also increasingly laying blame on an Israeli Mossad sabotage campaign, especially prior to the US presidential election, given concern that if Joe Biden takes the White House, Israel will be pressured to stop such sabotage campaigns that could provoke a catastrophic war.
“Israel has long targeted nuclear programs in the Middle East in secret, open, and openly secret ways,” writes Vox. “Simply put, officials in Jerusalem worry Iran could more credibly threaten Israel’s existence if it had a nuclear weapon.” LINK
The report by Vox further noted:
“when it became clear two of the recent explosions in Iran happened at a missile site (Khojir) and a key uranium enrichment facility (Natanz), all eyes turned to Israel as the likely culprit. “Israel as well as the US have a clear interest in stopping, or at least disrupting, Iran’s weapons production capability, and in particular nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles,” retired Israel Defense Forces Lt. Col. Raphael Ofek, who served in Israeli military intelligence and in the prime minister’s office, told me… Israeli officials see the persistent thwarting of Iranian intentions, especially after the 2006 conflict, as the “war between the wars.” As Shapiro, the former American ambassador to Israel, explained it to me, the concept “reflects the Israeli philosophical approach to buy time and maybe indefinitely push off future wars — and if they occur, to make them as short as possible.” Following this strategy allows Israel to increase its own capabilities, gather intelligence, and gain a greater military advantage against Iran over time. Degrading Iran’s nuclear and missile program via covert means fits within this framework. Jerusalem is able to keep Tehran from gaining power at minimal expense and without much public fuss, thereby lowering Iran’s confidence it could defeat Israel in a war, should one break out… What Israel may have done “is a slight escalation, but it’s not really that surprising and not really uncharacteristic of what you’ve seen in the recent history,” Ilan Goldenberg, the Defense Department’s Iran team chief from 2009 to 2012, told me. “All these activities are being done in a way that makes it hard for Iran to retaliate, and gives them space to not retaliate.” “The Iranians don’t want this to spiral,” the RAND Corporation’s Kaye told me, “but the longer this persists, the harder it will be for Iran to pretend this isn’t happening.” LINK
Early on Sunday (19 July) Press TV reported that Tehran’s UN Mission has denounced a Bloomberg article that praised the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists and encouraged sabotage in the country’s infrastructure.
Alireza Miryousefi, minister and head of media office of Iran’s Mission to the UN, was responding to a Bloomberg opinion column written by Eli Lake titled, “Sabotage in Iran Is Preferable to a Deal With Iran”.
In his response, which was published by the US news outlet, Miryousefi said Lake’s column is “one that against all journalistic standards encourages violence, terror and sabotage, and makes a number of factual errors and assumptions.” He further commented that “praising the illegal assassination of nuclear scientists and encouraging sabotage in Iran’s infrastructures amounts to what are inhumane, barbaric acts that promote violence and terrorism. Such measures do nothing less than keeping tensions high, and could ignite a full range escalation.”
Lake’s article argued that recent incidents in Iran, among them the one at Natanz nuclear facility, showed that there were better ways to frustrate what he called the “nuclear ambitions” of the Islamic Republic.
Iran has not officially declared whether the incident at the Natanz complex was an accident or an act of sabotage, but the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) said the main cause has been determined and will be announced at an appropriate time.
Some reports suggested Tel Aviv’s alleged role, but Israeli officials neither confirmed nor denied the regime’s involvement.
Iranian officials have responded saying much of the speculation linking the incident to Israel is nothing but bluster which pleases Israeli leaders and serves their interests, at the same time however warning Tel Aviv of serious consequences if there is evidence of their involvement in any of the incidents. LINK
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
Support SouthFront


southfront--2020-07-20--Preparing For Strikes? Israeli Warplanes, Drones Flew Near Syrian Border

On July 19 , six warplanes and two unmanned aerial vehicles ( UAVs ) of the Israeli Air Force ( IAF ) violated Lebanon ’ s airspace , according to Syrian pro-government sources .
According to sreports , warplanes and UAVs flew in dual formations near the Syrian-Lebanese border in what appears to be a wide reconnaissance mission .
Lebanon ’ s National News Agency confirmed that a number of IAF warplanes flew over different regions of the country on high , medium and very low altitudes .
This year , the IAF launched a number of aerial attacks on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Most of the targets were located in the central governorates of Hama and Homs .
The two main targets were Shayrat Air Base in eastern Homs and Masyaf Scientific Research Facility in western Hama .
Despite posing a real threat to Syria , the Syrian Air Defense Force doesn ’ t engage IAF warplanes over Lebanon .
The Israeli sorties over Lebanon today indicate that the IAF is preparing a new wave of airstrikes on targets in central Syria or near the capital , Damascus .
Another possibility is that Israeli warplanes were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC :

Support SouthFront
On July 19, six warplanes and two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of the Israeli Air Force (IAF) violated Lebanon’s airspace, according to Syrian pro-government sources.
According to sreports, warplanes and UAVs flew in dual formations near the Syrian-Lebanese border in what appears to be a wide reconnaissance mission.
The warplanes are flying in close formations, two each. The UAVs are also flying side by side, which is unusual. — Within Syria (@WithinSyriaBlog) July 19, 2020
Lebanon’s National News Agency confirmed that a number of IAF warplanes flew over different regions of the country on high, medium and very low altitudes.
This year, the IAF launched a number of aerial attacks on Syria from Lebanon’s airspace. Most of the targets were located in the central governorates of Hama and Homs. The two main targets were Shayrat Air Base in eastern Homs and Masyaf Scientific Research Facility in western Hama.
Despite posing a real threat to Syria, the Syrian Air Defense Force doesn’t engage IAF warplanes over Lebanon.
The Israeli sorties over Lebanon today indicate that the IAF is preparing a new wave of airstrikes on targets in central Syria or near the capital, Damascus. Another possibility is that Israeli warplanes were involved in a reconnaissance mission against Hezbollah.
MORE ON THIS TOPIC:
Support SouthFront


southfront--2020-07-20--Egyptian Parliament Authorizes Possible Deployment Of Troops To Libya

Egypt ’ s parliament on Monday unanimously approved the deployment of armed forces abroad if necessary to defend Egypt ’ s national security following the rapid expansion of Libya ’ s Turkey-backed Government of National Accord ( GNA ) , which appears to be preparing for a major assault to capture the key coastal city of Sirte .
The stage is set for a dramatic escalation of the conflict in Libya , which appears to be certain to occur if the armed forces of the Government of National Accord and its major ally Turkey attempt to capture Sirte .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeated warnings by Egypt ’ s president that Egypt will join the battle in force if this occurs .
Under Egypt ’ s constitution , the president , who is the supreme commander of the Armed Forces , shall not declare war or deploy troops outside the country without first seeking the opinion of the National Defence Council and the approval of a two-thirds majority of MPs .
Libya ’ s Tobruk-based parliament , the House of Representatives , has already granted permission for Egypt to deploy its armed forces in Libya if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parliament has cleared the way for any future deployment by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi .
In an official statement following a closed-door session , the parliament said it “ unanimously approved sending elements of the Egyptian armed forces in combat missions outside the borders of the Egyptian state to defend the Egyptian national security in the western strategic front against the acts of criminal militias and foreign terrorist elements until the forces ’ mission ends.
” “ The Egyptian nation , throughout history , has advocated for peace , but it does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights .
Egypt is extremely able to defend itself , its interests , its brothers and neighbours from any peril or threat.
” “ The armed forces and its leadership have the constitutional and legal licence to determine when and where to respond to these dangers and threats.
” LINK The decision was announced several days after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said Egypt “ will not stand idle ” in the face of any attack on Sirte , which he earlier described as a “ red line ” for Egypt ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military intervention by Cairo .
President El-Sisi also met with Libyan tribal leaders on 16 July in Cairo , where they called on the Egyptian Armed Forces “ to intervene to protect the national security of Libya and Egypt.
” El-Sisi said that Egypt “ will quickly and decisively change the military situation ” in Libya if it intervenes , adding that the Egyptian Army is one of the strongest in the region and Africa .
Earlier in July , the Egyptian Armed Forces conducted an exercise near Libya ’ s border .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ took place in the north-western district of Qabr Gabis , about 37 miles from the Libyan border .
The parliament also reviewed the outcomes of a meeting on Sunday of the country ’ s National Defence Council ( NDC ) headed by El-Sisi .
The closed-door session was also attended by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Alaa Fouad and Major General Mamdouh Shaheen , assistant minister of defence .
The statement of the NDC after Sunday ’ s meeting declared that Egypt seeks to stabilise the current situation in the field and not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Libyan cities of Sirte and Al-Jafra — with the aim of bringing about peace between all Libyan parties .
The NDC affirmed commitment to a political solution to put an end to the Libyan crisis , in a manner that maintains its sovereignty and national and regional unity , eliminates terrorism , and prevents the chaos of criminal groups and extremist armed militias .
It also asserted the importance of limiting illegal foreign interference that contributes to aggravating the security situation and threatens neighbouring countries and international peace and security .
The meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ongoing trilateral negotiations with Sudan and Ethiopia concerning the latter ’ s Renaissance Dam Project .
LINK MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Al Sisi says Egypt has right to intervene in Libya vows to protect Sirte al Jufra • A reconsideration of domestic challenges to achieving a peaceful settlement in Libya • Military intervention in Libya and Turkeys grand game in eastern Mediterranean

Support SouthFront
Egypt’s parliament on Monday unanimously approved the deployment of armed forces abroad if necessary to defend Egypt’s national security following the rapid expansion of Libya’s Turkey-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), which appears to be preparing for a major assault to capture the key coastal city of Sirte.
The stage is set for a dramatic escalation of the conflict in Libya, which appears to be certain to occur if the armed forces of the Government of National Accord and its major ally Turkey attempt to capture Sirte. They appear determined to do so, notwithstanding repeated warnings by Egypt’s president that Egypt will join the battle in force if this occurs.
Under Egypt’s constitution, the president, who is the supreme commander of the Armed Forces, shall not declare war or deploy troops outside the country without first seeking the opinion of the National Defence Council and the approval of a two-thirds majority of MPs.
Libya’s Tobruk-based parliament, the House of Representatives, has already granted permission for Egypt to deploy its armed forces in Libya if deemed necessary. Now, the Egyptian Parliament has cleared the way for any future deployment by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
In an official statement following a closed-door session, the parliament said it “unanimously approved sending elements of the Egyptian armed forces in combat missions outside the borders of the Egyptian state to defend the Egyptian national security in the western strategic front against the acts of criminal militias and foreign terrorist elements until the forces’ mission ends.” “The Egyptian nation, throughout history, has advocated for peace, but it does not accept trespasses nor does it renounce its rights. Egypt is extremely able to defend itself, its interests, its brothers and neighbours from any peril or threat.” “The armed forces and its leadership have the constitutional and legal licence to determine when and where to respond to these dangers and threats.” LINK
The decision was announced several days after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said Egypt “will not stand idle” in the face of any attack on Sirte, which he earlier described as a “red line” for Egypt’s national security and warned it would prompt military intervention by Cairo.
President El-Sisi also met with Libyan tribal leaders on 16 July in Cairo, where they called on the Egyptian Armed Forces “to intervene to protect the national security of Libya and Egypt.” El-Sisi said that Egypt “will quickly and decisively change the military situation” in Libya if it intervenes, adding that the Egyptian Army is one of the strongest in the region and Africa.
Earlier in July, the Egyptian Armed Forces conducted an exercise near Libya’s border. The drills, codenamed Resolve 2020, took place in the north-western district of Qabr Gabis, about 37 miles from the Libyan border.
The parliament also reviewed the outcomes of a meeting on Sunday of the country’s National Defence Council (NDC) headed by El-Sisi. The closed-door session was also attended by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Alaa Fouad and Major General Mamdouh Shaheen, assistant minister of defence.
The statement of the NDC after Sunday’s meeting declared that Egypt seeks to stabilise the current situation in the field and not to cross declared lines — referring to the Libyan cities of Sirte and Al-Jafra — with the aim of bringing about peace between all Libyan parties.
“Egypt will spare no efforts to support the sister Libya and help its people to bring their country to safety and overcome the current critical crisis, grounded in the fact that Libya is one of the highest priorities for Egypt’s foreign policy, taking into account that Libyan security is inseparable from Egyptian and Arab national security.”
The NDC affirmed commitment to a political solution to put an end to the Libyan crisis, in a manner that maintains its sovereignty and national and regional unity, eliminates terrorism, and prevents the chaos of criminal groups and extremist armed militias. It also asserted the importance of limiting illegal foreign interference that contributes to aggravating the security situation and threatens neighbouring countries and international peace and security.
The meeting of the National Defence Council also discussed ongoing trilateral negotiations with Sudan and Ethiopia concerning the latter’s Renaissance Dam Project. LINK
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
Support SouthFront


southfront--2020-07-20--China Commences Final Assembly Of Two Aircraft Carriers, Completion Scheduled For Next Year

The South China Morning Post has reported that China is expected to launch its first next-generation aircraft carrier within a year , and construction on a sister ship has been fast-tracked .
The first Type 002 aircraft carrier has started the final assembly process , two independent sources told the .
It will be the country ’ s third aircraft carrier , and the second to be domestically built ( the first was purchased from the Ukraine in 1998 ) .
“ Assembly of the new aircraft carrier has begun and is expected to be completed in the first half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic slowed down progress , ” one of two sources that spoke with the paper said .
Both sources requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue .
“ Workers are also starting the keel-laying for the new carrier ’ s sister ship .
Both ships have been built by the Jiangnan Shipyard outside Shanghai.
” Laying the keel is deemed the official start of construction on a new ship .
However , production of the component parts for the first two Type 002 aircraft carriers started in 2015 and 2018 respectively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carrier could also be completed by next year .
Recent photos circulated on mainland China ’ s social media platforms showed two huge parts berthed in a dry dock and assembled from prefabricated vessel components .
There were incomplete flight decks on the top of them .
The images showed that much progress had been made compared with previous satellite images taken in April 2019 by the US think tank the Centre for Strategic and International Studies .
The Center for Strategic and International Studies ( CSIS ) think tank in Washington , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be roughly 80,000 tons each , with a 40-meter beam at the waterline .
That ’ s nearly twice the displacement of China ’ s present carriers and comparable to the US Navy ’ s first supercarriers , but less than the most recent Nimitz-class and Ford-class carriers which have a displacement of 100,000 tons .
LINK The first two Russian-designed Type 001 aircraft carriers , the Liaoning and Shandong , were built with ‘ ski-jump ’ ramps for launching aircraft .
The Type 002 carriers will be equipped with an electromagnetic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used by the US Navy ’ s new-generation Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier .
The electromagnetic take-off technology means less wear and tear on the aircraft , allows more planes to be launched in a shorter time , and also enables the aircraft to carry more fuel and weapons .
Hong Kong-based military commentator Liang Guoliang said the Type 002 was not expected to be nuclear-powered because so far only Chinese submarines had used the technology and none of its surface warships were nuclear-powered .
China plans to build at least six aircraft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ objective of matching US naval strength in the Pacific region .
According to the strategy , China will have three fleets to patrol the Yellow Sea , East Sea and South China Sea respectively , with each fleet having two aircraft carriers .
LINK Liang said he expected that a new stealth carrier-based fighter jet designed for the Type 002 would make its debut when the first advanced warship was ready to be launched next year .
Two candidates have been identified , the FC-31 or the J-20 stealth fighters .
LINK1 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ researcher from the Yuan Wang think tank , a Beijing-based military science and technology institute , said the Type 002 carrier would continue to carry the J-15 ship-borne fighter jet , which is currently deployed on the Liaoning and Shandong .
The J-20 is made by the Chengdu Aerospace Corporation .
The FC-31 was independently developed by Chengdu Aerospace Corporation ’ s sister company Shenyang Aircraft Corporation ( SAC ) , which also produced the J-15 – the jets currently in use .
Both aerospace firms are subsidiaries of the state-owned giant Aviation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in designing and developing military aircraft , and were set up to provide benign competition between manufacturers .
Ground-based J-20s – also known as Powerful Dragons – entered service with the PLA Air Force in 2017 .
Mass production of the stealth fighters began late last year as China stepped up its efforts to counter the deployment of American F-22s and F-35s in the Asia-Pacific region .
MORE ON THE TOPIC :

Support SouthFront
The South China Morning Post has reported that China is expected to launch its first next-generation aircraft carrier within a year, and construction on a sister ship has been fast-tracked.
The first Type 002 aircraft carrier has started the final assembly process, two independent sources told the South China Morning Post. It will be the country’s third aircraft carrier, and the second to be domestically built (the first was purchased from the Ukraine in 1998).
“Assembly of the new aircraft carrier has begun and is expected to be completed in the first half of next year, because the Covid-19 pandemic slowed down progress,” one of two sources that spoke with the paper said. Both sources requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. “Workers are also starting the keel-laying for the new carrier’s sister ship. Both ships have been built by the Jiangnan Shipyard outside Shanghai.” Laying the keel is deemed the official start of construction on a new ship.
However, production of the component parts for the first two Type 002 aircraft carriers started in 2015 and 2018 respectively. It is anticipated that the second carrier could also be completed by next year.
“Construction for the second Type 002 will be faster than the first one because workers have learned and overcome a lot of problems building the first one,” the second source said. “It’s a challenging job because the Type 002 is our country’s first domestically designed aircraft carrier.”
Recent photos circulated on mainland China’s social media platforms showed two huge parts berthed in a dry dock and assembled from prefabricated vessel components. There were incomplete flight decks on the top of them. The images showed that much progress had been made compared with previous satellite images taken in April 2019 by the US think tank the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.
#China steps up shipbuilding with two more #aircraftcarriers under construction. China aims to equal US naval strength in Pacific, its first domestically developed carrier. Type 002 vessels, advanced electromagnetic aircraft launch system allowing faster, more frequent take-off pic.twitter.com/ArfzRSyqFq — NRao (@kamireddynrao) July 18, 2020
China's third and fourth aircraft carriers have begun their final assembly in Shanghai (photo from Weibo) pic.twitter.com/SAkXnFoDQR — Morgan Artyukhina (@LavenderNRed) July 20, 2020
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) think tank in Washington, DC, estimates the ships’ displacement to be roughly 80,000 tons each, with a 40-meter beam at the waterline. That’s nearly twice the displacement of China’s present carriers and comparable to the US Navy’s first supercarriers, but less than the most recent Nimitz-class and Ford-class carriers which have a displacement of 100,000 tons. LINK
The first two Russian-designed Type 001 aircraft carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong, were built with ‘ski-jump’ ramps for launching aircraft. The Type 002 carriers will be equipped with an electromagnetic aircraft launch system, similar to that used by the US Navy’s new-generation Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier.
The electromagnetic take-off technology means less wear and tear on the aircraft, allows more planes to be launched in a shorter time, and also enables the aircraft to carry more fuel and weapons.
Hong Kong-based military commentator Liang Guoliang said the Type 002 was not expected to be nuclear-powered because so far only Chinese submarines had used the technology and none of its surface warships were nuclear-powered.
“The nuclear-powered technology is designed for China’s fifth aircraft carrier, which is likely to be built in the Dalian Shipbuilding yard,” Liang said, referring to the manufacturer that built the Shandong ship.
China plans to build at least six aircraft battle groups by 2035, with the objective of matching US naval strength in the Pacific region. According to the strategy, China will have three fleets to patrol the Yellow Sea, East Sea and South China Sea respectively, with each fleet having two aircraft carriers. LINK
Liang said he expected that a new stealth carrier-based fighter jet designed for the Type 002 would make its debut when the first advanced warship was ready to be launched next year. Two candidates have been identified, the FC-31 or the J-20 stealth fighters. LINK1, LINK2
However, Zhou Chenming, a researcher from the Yuan Wang think tank, a Beijing-based military science and technology institute, said the Type 002 carrier would continue to carry the J-15 ship-borne fighter jet, which is currently deployed on the Liaoning and Shandong.
The J-20 is made by the Chengdu Aerospace Corporation. The FC-31 was independently developed by Chengdu Aerospace Corporation’s sister company Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC), which also produced the J-15 – the jets currently in use.
Both aerospace firms are subsidiaries of the state-owned giant Aviation Industry Corporation of China, which specialises in designing and developing military aircraft, and were set up to provide benign competition between manufacturers.
Ground-based J-20s – also known as Powerful Dragons – entered service with the PLA Air Force in 2017. Mass production of the stealth fighters began late last year as China stepped up its efforts to counter the deployment of American F-22s and F-35s in the Asia-Pacific region.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
Support SouthFront


southfront--2020-07-20--Israel Strikes Targets In Southern Countryside Of Syria’s Damascus (Videos, Photos)

Late on July 20 , the Israeli Air Force conducted a series of airstrikes on targets in the southern countryside @ @ @ @ @ Damascus .
According to Syria ’ s state-run news agency SANA , Israeli warplanes launched @ @ @ @ @ the Golan Heights at 21.48 local time .
Syrian sources claim that the country ’ @ @ @ @ @ down a majority of the missiles .
However , the rest of the missiles hit @ @ @ @ @ matterial damage .
Other sources claim that 7 Syrian personnel were injured in the attack @ @ @ @ @ : • Drone Wars Open New Phase Of Conflict In Syria

Support SouthFront
Late on July 20, the Israeli Air Force conducted a series of airstrikes on targets in the southern countryside of the Syrina capital of Damascus. According to Syria’s state-run news agency SANA, Israeli warplanes launched missiles from the airspace over the Golan Heights at 21.48 local time.
Syrian sources claim that the country’s air defense forces shot down a majority of the missiles. However, the rest of the missiles hit their targets causing at least matterial damage.
Other sources claim that 7 Syrian personnel were injured in the attack.
#Syria: close up on air defense missile fired amidst #Israel|i bombardment on area of #Damascus followed up by strong explosion. pic.twitter.com/4gGHZLBkX6 — QalaatM (@QalaatM) July 20, 2020
Photos & video:
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
Support SouthFront


southfront--2020-07-20--Project 03160 Raptor High-Speed Patrol Boat (Infographics)

Cia agents and hasbarats will cry and rage !
Awesome shape , as allways !
Russia is best in every @ @ @ @ @ !
Where is my buckwheat ?

Support SouthFront
The Project 03160 Raptor is a high-speed patrol boat designed and built by Open JSC Pella Shipyard based in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
Support SouthFront