southfront--2020-09-24--Assange’s Twelfth Day at the Old Bailey: Autism, Suicide and Prisons

Following the script sheet of the previous day , the non sequitur , pop medical view of the prosecution was again in sharp evidence at the Old Bailey .
In an effort to make the road for Julian Assange ’ s extradition to the United States for 17 charges under the US Espionage Act and one under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act smoother , James Lewis QC persisted in attacking suggestions that the WikiLeaks publisher was autistic , or should be treated as such .
The prosecution knows that cases such as that of Lauri Love in 2018 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on extradition efforts by the US government for hacking charges , failed on the basis that both accused would be at high risk of suicide in US prison facilities , a point exacerbated by Asperger ’ s syndrome and depression .
In Love ’ s case , the UK High Court found that “ the fact of extradition would bring on severe depression , and that Mr Love would probably be determined to commit suicide , here or in America.
” Being kept on suicide watch was woefully inadequate as a measure of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ form of treatment ” .
In McKinnon ’ s case , the usually icy Home Secretary , Theresa May , melted to the presence of Asperger ’ s syndrome and depressive illness , concluding that “ extradition would give rise to such a high risk of him ending his life that a decision to extradite him would be incompatible with [ his ] human rights.
” Lewis had been less than impressive on September 22 in dealing Dr Michael Kopelman , Emeritus Professor of Neuropsychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry at King @ @ @ @ @ @ @ qualifications he saw fit to disparage as less relevant than his “ advocacy ” .
Now , he faced the testimony of Dr Quinton Deeley , a National Health Service consultant psychiatrist who conducted two Autism Diagnostic Schedule ( ADOS ) tests on Assange when in Belmarsh prison .
Six hours of phone interviews with Assange also took place in July 2020 .
Intelligence , a penchant for analytic thought and the means of understanding systems , were detected .
“ With deliberation he can bring himself to understand what other people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experience he is oblivious.
” Deeley observed “ rigidity of thoughts ” and “ obsessive rumination ” , traits common in autism spectrum disorder .
This caused him a “ sense of horror ” .
For the publisher , extradition and prison would be “ an unbearable ordeal , and I think his inability to bear that in the context of [ an ] acute worsening depression would confer a high risk of suicide.
” Assange saw his predicament as “ unjust ” , believing that an “ example is being made out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Assange was concerned about the superseding indictment .
He feared for Joshua Schulte , alleged to have disclosed the Vault 7 files on the hacking capabilities and tools of the Central Intelligence Agency .
Schulte was found guilty on counts of lying to the FBI and contempt of court but the jury tied on eight other counts in March , including the transmission of national defense information .
Assistant US Attorney David Denton promised that the Department of Justice would “ retry Mr Schulte on the espionage charges.
” A past suggestive of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disorder was , for instance , manifest in the Assange family .
A friend of Assange ’ s from Australia , Suelette Dreyfus , had also been interviewed by Deeley .
Certain behavioural traits ( “ outrageous behaviour and lack of propriety ” ) were noted in the boy from Townsville : a propensity to rearrange furniture in a café ; going behind a bar to change music ; impulsively taking pictures off the walls to inspect .
Small-talk and chatter about the weather was reviled .
Interruptions in conversation were frequent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Not due to arrogance , mind you : he merely had to express his views .
The prosecution then began parading various mistreatments of autism , inflicting a few mutilations upon it on the way .
A person on the autism spectrum is evidently incapable of authoring books , giving speeches and hosting media gigs .
Lewis went so far as to play a video of Assange ’ s address at London ’ s Frontline Club in 2010 , an occasion for answering questions about the releases of WikiLeaks , protective redactions for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The suggestion by the prosecution was that someone able to field questions and participate in such sessions would surely not find themselves on the autistic spectrum .
Deeley attempted to put such erroneous views to rest .
Autism was no bar to demonstrable expertise and confident authority .
“ It ’ s possible to both have a diagnosis of Asperger ’ s syndrome and to demonstrate expertise and be authoritative and knowledgeable about certain topics.
” Assange ’ s performance at the Frontline Club was not exceptional for “ high-functioning intelligent people on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a Q & A format , Assange was familiar with both content and format , able to engage in “ monologue ” .
Social niceties and etiquette were not essential .
An example was put forth .
Deeley suggested Dr Temple Grandin , an expert on animal behaviour and notable autism spokesperson .
On the stage she performs , confident with her subject matter , capable of holding an audience , even able to share the odd joke .
Discussion with attendees after the performance is another matter .
Lewis , losing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to help this court or advocate a cause ?
” Other angles attempting to show Assange as empathetic ( this prosecution is ever a friend of contradiction ) were also pursued .
Having sole custody of a child , for instance , suggested inconsistency with an ASD diagnosis .
His mother had also described her son as an “ extraordinarily selfless father ” .
Deeley was also dismissive of such a reading : those on the autism spectrum could still be capable parents , be affected by suffering , appreciate a sense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ when all else fails ” approach was also deployed .
Deeley ’ s impartiality was challenged .
Was he excusing behaviour or merely confirming a diagnosis ?
No : the witness was merely being comprehensive rather than selective on specific items of evidence .
But Lewis was in the mood for being cuttingly selective , going so far as to press the witness on his lack of eye contact in giving answers .
Everyone did it , and such behaviour was hardly indicative of being on the autism spectrum .
A bemused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not return a high score on an ADOS test ; eye contact alone was not a definitive indicator .
The prosecution then drew upon their own weaponry in the diagnoses war , though it seemed blunted .
Seena Fazel , forensic psychiatry professor at Oxford University , took the stand as the first prosecution witness .
He interviewed Assange during the summer , finding him “ moderately depressed ” .
By late 2019 , he accepted that Assange was “ severely depressed ” , being medicated for his condition , and suffering “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For all that , he deemed Assange capable of managing his suicide risk , and possessing “ autistic-like traits ” on the milder side of the autism spectrum .
The prosecution proceeded to list a range of programs and prison amenities suggesting that what awaited Assange was an adequate , even pleasant Supermax experience at the ADX Florence facility in Colorado .
There were “ 13-inch televisions ” in store ; “ arts and crafts ” available .
( All good , except that Assange would be in housing unit H , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Would this not , put the prosecution , reduce the risk of suicide ?
Fazel ’ s answers proved tentative .
He noted that a “ range of activities ” were seemingly on offer by the US Bureau of Prisons , but he would need to see “ whether they ’ re implemented in practice ” , along with “ the quality of the interventions.
” Not the sort of qualification Lewis would have wanted .
On being cross-examined by the defence , Fazel accepted that he lacked expertise on the vast , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It followed that he had no knowledge of the pre-trial facilities at Alexandria Detention Center , where Assange will be initially held , or the consequences of applying Special Administrative Measures ( SAMs ) .
ADX Florence , this “ Alcatraz of the Rockies ” , has the dubious honour of being a “ clean version of hell ” .
Even that wonderful assessment by a former warden has had to be revised .
The facility , according to Alan Prendergast , became a place where the mentally ill mutilated themselves , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isolation cells .
It took a law suit to force the Bureau of Prisons to move the most disturbed prisoners out of ADX .
Fazel also accepted that lengthy prison sentences and periods of solitary confinement were conductive to a condition of hopelessness , a genuine risk factor in suicide .
Such a risk increased in instances where prospects were “ bleak ” .
Fewer places are bleaker than H Unit .
Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College , Cambridge .
He lectures at RMIT University , Melbourne .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ THE TOPIC : • Assange ’ s Eleventh Day at the Old Bailey : Suicide , Hallucinations and Psychological Torture • Assange ’ s Tenth Day at the Old Bailey : Bolting Horses , Death Penalties and Plots of Eviction • Assange ’ s Ninth Day at the Old Bailey : Torture Testimonies , Offers of Pardon and Truth Telling • Assange ’ s Eighth Day at the Old Bailey : Software Redactions , the Iraq Logs and the Extradition Act • Assange ’ s Seventh Day at the Old Bailey : Diligent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Sixth Day at the Old Bailey : US Prison Conditions and Politicised Prosecutions • Assange ’ s Fourth Day at the Old Bailey : COVID in the Courtroom • Assange ’ s Third Day at the Old Bailey : Bias , Politics and Wars on Journalism • Assange ’ s Second Day at the Old Bailey : Torture , Drone Strikes and Journalism

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September 23. Central Criminal Court, London.
Following the script sheet of the previous day, the non sequitur, pop medical view of the prosecution was again in sharp evidence at the Old Bailey. In an effort to make the road for Julian Assange’s extradition to the United States for 17 charges under the US Espionage Act and one under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act smoother, James Lewis QC persisted in attacking suggestions that the WikiLeaks publisher was autistic, or should be treated as such.
The prosecution knows that cases such as that of Lauri Love in 2018 and Gary McKinnon in 2012, both centred on extradition efforts by the US government for hacking charges, failed on the basis that both accused would be at high risk of suicide in US prison facilities, a point exacerbated by Asperger’s syndrome and depression. In Love’s case, the UK High Court found that “the fact of extradition would bring on severe depression, and that Mr Love would probably be determined to commit suicide, here or in America.” Being kept on suicide watch was woefully inadequate as a measure of protection, and did not constitute a “form of treatment”.
In McKinnon’s case, the usually icy Home Secretary, Theresa May, melted to the presence of Asperger’s syndrome and depressive illness, concluding that “extradition would give rise to such a high risk of him ending his life that a decision to extradite him would be incompatible with [his] human rights.”
Deeley for the Defence
Lewis had been less than impressive on September 22 in dealing Dr Michael Kopelman, Emeritus Professor of Neuropsychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London, whose medical qualifications he saw fit to disparage as less relevant than his “advocacy”. Now, he faced the testimony of Dr Quinton Deeley, a National Health Service consultant psychiatrist who conducted two Autism Diagnostic Schedule (ADOS) tests on Assange when in Belmarsh prison. Six hours of phone interviews with Assange also took place in July 2020.
Intelligence, a penchant for analytic thought and the means of understanding systems, were detected. “With deliberation he can bring himself to understand what other people are thinking and feeling but in his day experience he is oblivious.” Deeley observed “rigidity of thoughts” and “obsessive rumination”, traits common in autism spectrum disorder. This caused him a “sense of horror”. For the publisher, extradition and prison would be “an unbearable ordeal, and I think his inability to bear that in the context of [an] acute worsening depression would confer a high risk of suicide.” Assange saw his predicament as “unjust”, believing that an “example is being made out of him”.
Deeley revealed how Assange was concerned about the superseding indictment. He feared for Joshua Schulte, alleged to have disclosed the Vault 7 files on the hacking capabilities and tools of the Central Intelligence Agency. Schulte was found guilty on counts of lying to the FBI and contempt of court but the jury tied on eight other counts in March, including the transmission of national defense information. Assistant US Attorney David Denton promised that the Department of Justice would “retry Mr Schulte on the espionage charges.”
A past suggestive of autism was also dredged. Autism spectrum disorder was, for instance, manifest in the Assange family. A friend of Assange’s from Australia, Suelette Dreyfus, had also been interviewed by Deeley. Certain behavioural traits (“outrageous behaviour and lack of propriety”) were noted in the boy from Townsville: a propensity to rearrange furniture in a café; going behind a bar to change music; impulsively taking pictures off the walls to inspect. Small-talk and chatter about the weather was reviled. Interruptions in conversation were frequent. He would talk over fellow conversationalists. Not due to arrogance, mind you: he merely had to express his views.
The prosecution then began parading various mistreatments of autism, inflicting a few mutilations upon it on the way. A person on the autism spectrum is evidently incapable of authoring books, giving speeches and hosting media gigs. Lewis went so far as to play a video of Assange’s address at London’s Frontline Club in 2010, an occasion for answering questions about the releases of WikiLeaks, protective redactions for informants and partnerships with media organisations. The suggestion by the prosecution was that someone able to field questions and participate in such sessions would surely not find themselves on the autistic spectrum.
Deeley attempted to put such erroneous views to rest. Autism was no bar to demonstrable expertise and confident authority. “It’s possible to both have a diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome and to demonstrate expertise and be authoritative and knowledgeable about certain topics.” Assange’s performance at the Frontline Club was not exceptional for “high-functioning intelligent people on the autism spectrum.” In such settings as a Q&A format, Assange was familiar with both content and format, able to engage in “monologue”. Social niceties and etiquette were not essential.
An example was put forth. Deeley suggested Dr Temple Grandin, an expert on animal behaviour and notable autism spokesperson. On the stage she performs, confident with her subject matter, capable of holding an audience, even able to share the odd joke. Discussion with attendees after the performance is another matter. Lewis, losing patience, barked. “Are you trying to help this court or advocate a cause?”
Other angles attempting to show Assange as empathetic (this prosecution is ever a friend of contradiction) were also pursued. Having sole custody of a child, for instance, suggested inconsistency with an ASD diagnosis. His mother had also described her son as an “extraordinarily selfless father”. Deeley was also dismissive of such a reading: those on the autism spectrum could still be capable parents, be affected by suffering, appreciate a sense of duty and have principle.
The “when all else fails” approach was also deployed. Deeley’s impartiality was challenged. Was he excusing behaviour or merely confirming a diagnosis? No: the witness was merely being comprehensive rather than selective on specific items of evidence. But Lewis was in the mood for being cuttingly selective, going so far as to press the witness on his lack of eye contact in giving answers. Everyone did it, and such behaviour was hardly indicative of being on the autism spectrum. A bemused Deeley could only reply that he would not return a high score on an ADOS test; eye contact alone was not a definitive indicator.
Fazel for the prosecution
The prosecution then drew upon their own weaponry in the diagnoses war, though it seemed blunted. Seena Fazel, forensic psychiatry professor at Oxford University, took the stand as the first prosecution witness. He interviewed Assange during the summer, finding him “moderately depressed”. By late 2019, he accepted that Assange was “severely depressed”, being medicated for his condition, and suffering “episodic” bouts of depression anxiety. For all that, he deemed Assange capable of managing his suicide risk, and possessing “autistic-like traits” on the milder side of the autism spectrum.
The prosecution proceeded to list a range of programs and prison amenities suggesting that what awaited Assange was an adequate, even pleasant Supermax experience at the ADX Florence facility in Colorado. There were “13-inch televisions” in store; “arts and crafts” available. (All good, except that Assange would be in housing unit H, where such items were conspicuously absent.) Would this not, put the prosecution, reduce the risk of suicide? Fazel’s answers proved tentative. He noted that a “range of activities” were seemingly on offer by the US Bureau of Prisons, but he would need to see “whether they’re implemented in practice”, along with “the quality of the interventions.” Not the sort of qualification Lewis would have wanted.
On being cross-examined by the defence, Fazel accepted that he lacked expertise on the vast, sprawling nature of the US prison system. It followed that he had no knowledge of the pre-trial facilities at Alexandria Detention Center, where Assange will be initially held, or the consequences of applying Special Administrative Measures (SAMs). ADX Florence, this “Alcatraz of the Rockies”, has the dubious honour of being a “clean version of hell”. Even that wonderful assessment by a former warden has had to be revised. The facility, according to Alan Prendergast, became a place where the mentally ill mutilated themselves, chatted to ghosts and festered in faecal-caked isolation cells. It took a law suit to force the Bureau of Prisons to move the most disturbed prisoners out of ADX.
Fazel also accepted that lengthy prison sentences and periods of solitary confinement were conductive to a condition of hopelessness, a genuine risk factor in suicide. Such a risk increased in instances where prospects were “bleak”. Fewer places are bleaker than H Unit.
Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College, Cambridge. He lectures at RMIT University, Melbourne. Email: bkampmark@gmail.com
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southfront--2020-09-24--Pentagon Spent $1Billion Fund On Defense Contracts, Rather Than On Medical Equipment It Was Intended

Pentagon Spent $1Billion Fund On Defense Contracts, Rather Than On Medical Equipment It Was Intended For

In the US , a $ 1 billion anti-COVID-19 fund that Congress provided to the US Department of Defense to stock up on swabs , masks and other medical supplies appears to have instead been funneled to defense contractors .
The money was instead used to make jet engine parts , body armor and dress uniforms .
The Cares Act , which Congress passed earlier this year , gave the Pentagon money to “ prevent , prepare for , and respond to coronavirus.
” Just weeks later , the Defense Department began reshaping how it would award the money in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Congress ’ s intent .
When asked about the Washington Post story , Pentagon spokeswoman Jessica Maxwell noted that the CARES Act did not include any limits specifying that the $ 1 billion must be spent solely on medical equipment .
So , as a result only about 20 % of it was spent on medical equipment .
“ Defense Industrial Base uses would be appropriate as long as they addressed COVID related impacts in the industrial base , even in that portion of the industrial base not producing medical supplies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Following initial investment in support of HHS/FEMA [ Department of Health and Human Services/Federal Emergency Management Agency ] to expand domestic productive capacity for essential medical resources for COVID-19 response ( $ 213M ) , the Department focused use of DPA [ Defense Production Act ] funds to mitigate adverse impacts to the DIB [ defense industrial base ] while HHS funds continued to support medical resources industrial base expansion , ” Maxwell continued .
The Washington Post also reported that some of the companies that were awarded contracts received money under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paycheck Protection Program .
Meaning that the Pentagon was double-dipping .
Maxwell said it is “ not in conflict or duplicative ” for defense contractors to receive money through both the Defense Production Act and the Paycheck Protection Program .
Mandy Smithberger of the Project On Government Oversight said that the US Congress wasn ’ t specific enough on what the money should be spent and that ’ s why the Pentagon circumvented the guidelines .
“ My concern is that Congress will often give the Department an inch and they ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case that they may be taking an overly broad reading of the word ‘ respond ’ to imply other real or perceived consequences or risks of coronavirus , ” Smithberger told Task & Purpose said .
“ But a plain reading and common sense is that Congress did not intend these funds to be used to shore up the industrial base , and if that ’ s what they wanted they would have said so ( as they did for relief for other industries ) .
” Sen. Elizabeth Warren expressed her condemnation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the money that had been earmarked for the COVID-19 response .
Warren accused President Donald Trump ’ s administration of working for “ wealthy corporations ” rather than “ working families ” during the COVID-19 pandemic .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Trump Denounces China ’ s COVID-19 ‘ Lies ’ In Fiery UN Address After Xi Swiped At US “ Bully Of The World ”

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In the US, a $1 billion anti-COVID-19 fund that Congress provided to the US Department of Defense to stock up on swabs, masks and other medical supplies appears to have instead been funneled to defense contractors.
The money was instead used to make jet engine parts, body armor and dress uniforms.
Over 200,000 people are dead. But the Pentagon used taxpayer $ to line the pockets of defense contractors instead of producing medical supplies.@RepBarbaraLee & I are demanding a Congressional investigation & public hearings about the Pentagon's actions.https://t.co/MDZ2ONKcc7 — Rep. Mark Pocan (@repmarkpocan) September 23, 2020
The Cares Act, which Congress passed earlier this year, gave the Pentagon money to “prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.”
Just weeks later, the Defense Department began reshaping how it would award the money in a way that represented a major departure from Congress’s intent.
When asked about the Washington Post story, Pentagon spokeswoman Jessica Maxwell noted that the CARES Act did not include any limits specifying that the $1 billion must be spent solely on medical equipment.
So, as a result only about 20% of it was spent on medical equipment.
“Defense Industrial Base uses would be appropriate as long as they addressed COVID related impacts in the industrial base, even in that portion of the industrial base not producing medical supplies,” Maxwell said in a statement. “Following initial investment in support of HHS/FEMA [Department of Health and Human Services/Federal Emergency Management Agency] to expand domestic productive capacity for essential medical resources for COVID-19 response ($213M), the Department focused use of DPA [Defense Production Act] funds to mitigate adverse impacts to the DIB [defense industrial base] while HHS funds continued to support medical resources industrial base expansion,” Maxwell continued.
The Washington Post also reported that some of the companies that were awarded contracts received money under a separate program as well: The Paycheck Protection Program.
Meaning that the Pentagon was double-dipping.
Maxwell said it is “not in conflict or duplicative” for defense contractors to receive money through both the Defense Production Act and the Paycheck Protection Program.
Mandy Smithberger of the Project On Government Oversight said that the US Congress wasn’t specific enough on what the money should be spent and that’s why the Pentagon circumvented the guidelines.
“My concern is that Congress will often give the Department an inch and they’ll take a mile, and in this case that they may be taking an overly broad reading of the word ‘respond’ to imply other real or perceived consequences or risks of coronavirus,” Smithberger told Task & Purpose said. “But a plain reading and common sense is that Congress did not intend these funds to be used to shore up the industrial base, and if that’s what they wanted they would have said so (as they did for relief for other industries).”
Sen. Elizabeth Warren expressed her condemnation at how the Defense Department had spent the money that had been earmarked for the COVID-19 response.
Warren accused President Donald Trump’s administration of working for “wealthy corporations” rather than “working families” during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Instead of addressing the urgent needs of a pandemic that has killed over 200,000 Americans, the Trump Administration is using money meant to protect lives from COVID-19 to pad the pockets of defense contractors,” Warren said in a statement.
So the Pentagon redirected $1 billion of Coronavirus bailout money meant to make more protective equipment to….defense contractors and weapons makers. CUT THE PENTAGON BUDGET BY 75%https://t.co/xfyIvEZODz — Jordan (@JordanChariton) September 23, 2020
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southfront--2020-09-24--Officer Shot In Louisville; Cops Draw Guns While Protesters Set Fires And Destroy Property

The situation has grown more tense in Louisville after a Metro Police Officer was shot downtown according to an LMPD spokesperson , who offered no further details .
There are unconfirmed reports that a second officer was shot as well .
Elsewhere , police officers stood guard with guns drawn as protesters heckled them .
Both the FBI and National Guard have been deployed : The Governor of Kentucky has activated the National Guard and State Police after Brionna Taylor protests began to heat up .
Meanwhile , the Louisville Metro Police Department is livestreaming their response : A police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been indicted by a Grand Jury and charged with three counts of ‘ wanton endangerment ’ of the first degree in Taylor ’ s death , after he was found to have “ blindly ” fired 10 rounds into Taylor ’ s apartment after her boyfriend opened fire on the police .
Bond for the officer , Brett Hankison , has been set at $ 15,000 .
According to Attorney General Daniel Cameron , Hankison faces up to 5 years in prison for each count .
Notably , two other officers involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while more serious charges were not brought against Hankison , per .
According to Cameron , the other officers were “ justified in their use of force.
” The National Guard , meanwhile , is on standby .
The mayor of Louisville , Kentucky has announced a 72-hour curfew from 9 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. beginning Wednesday evening in anticipation of riots over the grand jury decision in the case of Breonna Taylor .
Exemptions will be made for work , medical aid and attending worship .
“ We must plan for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayor Greg Fischer .
“ Our goal is ensuring space and opportunity for people to express their First Amendment rights.
” The move comes after Fischer declared a state of emergency on Tuesday , signing two executive orders which “ allows him to exercise any of his emergency powers ” in response to Wednesday ’ s 1:30 p.m. announcement over whether officers will face charges .
Taylor was shot and killed by LMPD officers serving a search warrant on her apartment when her boyfriend , Kenneth Walker , opened fire on what he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was shot five times .
Taylor ’ s family has received a $ 12 million dollar settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit , however if the officers are not charged , downtown Louisville is likely go off .
Stores in downtown Louisville have boarded up in anticipation of civil unrest .
According to , Target stores as far as a 20 minute drive from downtown have boarded up .

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Originally appeared at ZeroHedge
(Update 2145ET): The situation has grown more tense in Louisville after a Metro Police Officer was shot downtown according to an LMPD spokesperson, who offered no further details. There are unconfirmed reports that a second officer was shot as well.
A cop was shot in Louisville during the protests of the grand jury's decision on Breonna Taylor's killers. #Louisville pic.twitter.com/GhL8MD4OBw — dc (@devinnotbooker) September 24, 2020
BREAKING VIDEO – Second round of shots ring in Louisville pic.twitter.com/ID4GLy4ZsZ — FJ News Reporter (@FJNewsReporter) September 24, 2020
Elsewhere, police officers stood guard with guns drawn as protesters heckled them.
Both the FBI and National Guard have been deployed:
Check back for more updates…
* * *
The Governor of Kentucky has activated the National Guard and State Police after Brionna Taylor protests began to heat up.
KY National Guard and @kystatepolice have been deployed by the Governor. KSP says it "has been authorized to engage in specific missions in support of local law enforcement, but at all times will be under KSP command." @WDRBNews — Valerie Chinn WDRB (@ValerieChinn) September 23, 2020
Protesters surround a man trying to defend his business, and begin smashing the windows #Louisville #BreonnaTaylor #LouisvilleProtests pic.twitter.com/ZeMAuccr4e — Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) September 23, 2020
.@BGOnTheScene was surrounded and pushed out (for filming, I believe). He’s okay: pic.twitter.com/zi3fV2fuR4 — Shelby Talcott (@ShelbyTalcott) September 23, 2020
Meanwhile, the Louisville Metro Police Department is livestreaming their response:
* * *
A police officer in the shooting of Brionna Taylor has been indicted by a Grand Jury and charged with three counts of ‘wanton endangerment’ of the first degree in Taylor’s death, after he was found to have “blindly” fired 10 rounds into Taylor’s apartment after her boyfriend opened fire on the police.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Grand jury indicts 1 officer on criminal charges 6 months after Breonna Taylor fatally shot by police in Kentucky. — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) September 23, 2020
Bond for the officer, Brett Hankison, has been set at $15,000. According to Attorney General Daniel Cameron, Hankison faces up to 5 years in prison for each count.
Notably, two other officers involved in the incident were not charged, while more serious charges were not brought against Hankison, per The Hill. According to Cameron, the other officers were “justified in their use of force.”
It begins…
A man just nearly pulled his gun in reaction. Crowd had to stop him. Louisville is on edge pic.twitter.com/R0WxTQQ8EO — Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) September 23, 2020
.@BGOnTheScene was surrounded and pushed out (for filming, I believe). He’s okay: pic.twitter.com/zi3fV2fuR4 — Shelby Talcott (@ShelbyTalcott) September 23, 2020
The National Guard, meanwhile, is on standby.
The National Guard is on standby in Louisville as the city braces for severe unrest in the wake of the Breonna Taylor announcement #Louisville #BreonnaTaylor pic.twitter.com/roViaqE6Lt — Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) September 23, 2020
* * *
The mayor of Louisville, Kentucky has announced a 72-hour curfew from 9 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. beginning Wednesday evening in anticipation of riots over the grand jury decision in the case of Breonna Taylor. Exemptions will be made for work, medical aid and attending worship.
A demonstrator holds up a sign of Breonna Taylor during a protest in Louisville, Kentucky. Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty Images
“We must plan for the potential of large gatherings,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “Our goal is ensuring space and opportunity for people to express their First Amendment rights.”
The move comes after Fischer declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, signing two executive orders which “allows him to exercise any of his emergency powers” in response to Wednesday’s 1:30 p.m. announcement over whether officers will face charges.
Taylor was shot and killed by LMPD officers serving a search warrant on her apartment when her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, opened fire on what he says he thought were intruders. Taylor was shot five times.
Taylor’s family has received a $12 million dollar settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit, however if the officers are not charged, downtown Louisville is likely go off.
Stores in downtown Louisville have boarded up in anticipation of civil unrest.
Here’s the area around Jefferson Square Park, the hub of protests. pic.twitter.com/mYT5Yo0SbT — Hayes Gardner (@HayesGardner) September 22, 2020
According to Summit News, Target stores as far as a 20 minute drive from downtown have boarded up.
Big box stores in the far suburbs of Louisville are boarding up their windows pic.twitter.com/obQiwbxpDz — Pat Smith ? (@cityresearch) September 23, 2020
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southfront--2020-09-24--US Senate Releases Report Following Lengthy Investigation Of Hunter Biden’s Business Dealings

A joint investigation and report on Hunter Biden ’ s financial dealings with Ukrainian , Chinese and Russian businesses by the GOP-led Senate Homeland and Government Affairs and Senate Finance Committees has been released just six days before the first Presidential Debate between Joe Biden and President Trump is scheduled to take place .
The long-awaited Senate report on Hunter Biden ’ s financial dealings with Ukrainian , Chinese and Russian businesses concluded that the transactions created potential “ criminal financial , counterintelligence and extortion concerns , ” and alarmed US officials who discovered multiple likely conflicts of interest and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bribery .
Zero Hedge reports that the investigation found millions of dollars ’ worth of suspect financial transactions between businessmen/ women , politicians , investors and other associates or family members .
According to the Daily Caller ’ s Chuck Ross , suspect financial transactions between Hunter Biden ’ s firms and foreign nationals from Russia and China – including a Communist Party-linked Chinese businessman , raised serious concerns .
Hunter Biden ’ s seat on the board of the Ukrainian energy firm Burisma while his father served as the Obama administration ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with State Department officials as early as 2015 and 2016 .
One official , Amos Hochstein , told the Senate Homeland Security and Senate Finance committees that he inform then-Vice President Joe Biden in October 2015 that Hunter Biden ’ s position on the board of Burisma “ enabled Russian disinformation efforts and risked undermining U.S. policy in Ukraine.
” Hunter Biden , now 50 , joined Burisma ’ s board of directors in April 2014 , shortly after his father , Joe Biden , took over as the Obama administration ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report does not produce direct evidence of wrongdoing by Hunter Biden , Republicans say the evidence suggests a troubling scenario of Biden receiving “ millions of dollars from foreign sources as a result of business relationships that he built during the period when his father was vice president of the United States and after.
” The report also states that Hunter Biden also received a $ 3.5 million wire transfer from Elena Baturina , the wife of the former mayor of Moscow .
And as Just The News correspondent John Solomon writes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the U.S. Treasury Department flagged payments collected overseas by Hunter Biden and business partner Devon Archer for possible illicit activities.
” According to the report , numerous ‘ Suspicious Activity Reports ’ identified millions of dollars in transactions from the Ukrainian gas company Burisma Holdings , Russian oligarch Yelena Baturina , and Chinese businessmen with ties to senior officials in China ’ s government .
Senate investigators have yet to determine if the FBI or others have investigated the nature of and motives behind the transactions .
Moreover , the report cites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential ties to sex and human trafficking rings .
“ Hunter Biden paid nonresident women who were nationals of Russia or other Eastern European countries and who appear to be linked to an Eastern European prostitution or human trafficking ring , ” the report reads .
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Ron Johnson told Just The News that the sheer volume of potentially illegal activity in Hunter Biden ’ s foreign dealings left Joe Biden vulnerable to illicit influence or extortion .
“ The report raises serious questions that former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There are simply too many potential conflict of interest , counterintelligence and extortion threats to ignore , ” he said .
The Biden campaign has called the Senate report an effort to “ subsidize a foreign attack against the sovereignty of our elections with taxpayer dollars ” and to push a “ long-disproven , hardcore rightwing conspiracy theory.
” And Biden ’ s media campaigners are hard at work today trying to discredit the report ’ s findings : Daily Wire correspondent Ryan Saavedra summarized the main findings including the following : • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv , Ukraine , George Kent , raised concerns to officials in Vice President Joe Biden ’ s office about the perception of a conflict of interest with respect to Hunter Biden ’ s role on Burisma ’ s board .
Kent ’ s concerns went unaddressed , and in September 2016 , he emphasized in an email to his colleagues , “ Furthermore , the presence of Hunter Biden on the Burisma board was very awkward for all U.S. officials pushing an anticorruption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October 2015 , senior State Department official Amos Hochstein raised concerns with Vice President Biden , as well as with Hunter Biden , that Hunter Biden ’ s position on Burisma ’ s board enabled Russian disinformation efforts and risked undermining U.S. policy in Ukraine .
• None Although Kent believed that Hunter Biden ’ s role on Burisma ’ s board was awkward for all U.S. officials pushing an anti-corruption agenda in Ukraine , the Committees are only aware of two individuals — Kent and former U.S. Special Envoy and Coordinator for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raised concerns to Vice President Joe Biden ( Hochstein ) or his staff ( Kent ) … • None Former Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland testified that confronting oligarchs would send an anticorruption message in Ukraine .
Kent told the Committees that Zlochevsky was an “ odious oligarch.
” However , in December 2015 , instead of following U.S. objectives of confronting oligarchs , Vice President Biden ’ s staff advised him to avoid commenting on Zlochevsky and recommended he say , “ I ’ m not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accusing individuals.
” • None Hunter Biden was serving on Burisma ’ s board ( supposedly consulting on corporate governance and transparency ) when Zlochevsky allegedly paid a $ 7 million bribe to officials serving under Ukraine ’ s prosecutor general , Vitaly Yarema , to “ shut the case against Zlochevsky.
” Kent testified that this bribe occurred in December 2014 ( seven months after Hunter joined Burisma ’ s board ) , and , after learning about it , he and the Resident Legal Advisor reported this allegation to the FBI… @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 4 million paid by Burisma for Hunter Biden ’ s and Archer ’ s board memberships , Hunter Biden , his family , and Archer received millions of dollars from foreign nationals with questionable backgrounds… • None Hunter Biden had business associations with Ye Jianming , Gongwen Dong , and other Chinese nationals linked to the Communist government and the People ’ s Liberation Army .
Those associations resulted in millions of dollars in cash flow .
• None Hunter Biden paid nonresident women who were nationals of Russia or other Eastern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ linked to an “ Eastern European prostitution or human trafficking ring.
” It ’ s shaping up to be an ugly campaign season in the United States .
If only there were someone to vote for .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Trump tries to tame the social media shrew • Leader of ultra-right militia predicts end of US and warns of civil war • Protestors in Portland diversify tactics and upgrade hardware the winner is confusion and chaos

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A joint investigation and report on Hunter Biden’s financial dealings with Ukrainian, Chinese and Russian businesses by the GOP-led Senate Homeland and Government Affairs and Senate Finance Committees has been released just six days before the first Presidential Debate between Joe Biden and President Trump is scheduled to take place.
The long-awaited Senate report on Hunter Biden’s financial dealings with Ukrainian, Chinese and Russian businesses concluded that the transactions created potential “criminal financial, counterintelligence and extortion concerns,” and alarmed US officials who discovered multiple likely conflicts of interest and possible crimes ranging from sex trafficking to bribery.
Zero Hedge reports that the investigation found millions of dollars’ worth of suspect financial transactions between businessmen/ women, politicians, investors and other associates or family members.
OUT TODAY: Report with @chuckgrassley found millions of dollars in questionable financial transactions between Hunter Biden & his associates and foreign individuals, including the wife of the former mayor of Moscow. https://t.co/R1MxQ4xGKP — Senator Ron Johnson (@SenRonJohnson) September 23, 2020
According to the Daily Caller’s Chuck Ross, suspect financial transactions between Hunter Biden’s firms and foreign nationals from Russia and China – including a Communist Party-linked Chinese businessman, raised serious concerns.
Hunter Biden’s seat on the board of the Ukrainian energy firm Burisma while his father served as the Obama administration’s principal contact for Ukraine raised alarms with State Department officials as early as 2015 and 2016.
One official, Amos Hochstein, told the Senate Homeland Security and Senate Finance committees that he inform then-Vice President Joe Biden in October 2015 that Hunter Biden’s position on the board of Burisma “enabled Russian disinformation efforts and risked undermining U.S. policy in Ukraine.”
Hunter Biden, now 50, joined Burisma’s board of directors in April 2014, shortly after his father, Joe Biden, took over as the Obama administration’s chief liaison to Ukraine.
Although the report does not produce direct evidence of wrongdoing by Hunter Biden, Republicans say the evidence suggests a troubling scenario of Biden receiving “millions of dollars from foreign sources as a result of business relationships that he built during the period when his father was vice president of the United States and after.” The report also states that Hunter Biden also received a $3.5 million wire transfer from Elena Baturina, the wife of the former mayor of Moscow. And as Just The News correspondent John Solomon writes, “Perhaps the most explosive revelation was that the U.S. Treasury Department flagged payments collected overseas by Hunter Biden and business partner Devon Archer for possible illicit activities.”
According to the report, numerous ‘Suspicious Activity Reports’ identified millions of dollars in transactions from the Ukrainian gas company Burisma Holdings, Russian oligarch Yelena Baturina, and Chinese businessmen with ties to senior officials in China’s government.
Senate investigators have yet to determine if the FBI or others have investigated the nature of and motives behind the transactions.
“The Treasury records acquired by the Chairmen show potential criminal activity relating to transactions among and between Hunter Biden, his family, and his associates with Ukrainian, Russian, Kazakh and Chinese nationals,” reads the 87-page report. Other transactions involving Biden-controlled firms were flagged for “potential criminal financial activity,” including wire transfers to Hunter’s Uncle, James Biden.
Moreover, the report cites US government records which raised concerns over potential ties to sex and human trafficking rings.
“Hunter Biden paid nonresident women who were nationals of Russia or other Eastern European countries and who appear to be linked to an Eastern European prostitution or human trafficking ring,” the report reads. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Ron Johnson told Just The News that the sheer volume of potentially illegal activity in Hunter Biden’s foreign dealings left Joe Biden vulnerable to illicit influence or extortion. “The report raises serious questions that former Vice President Biden needs to answer. There are simply too many potential conflict of interest, counterintelligence and extortion threats to ignore,” he said.
The Biden campaign has called the Senate report an effort to “subsidize a foreign attack against the sovereignty of our elections with taxpayer dollars” and to push a “long-disproven, hardcore rightwing conspiracy theory.”
Biden campaign's @AndrewBatesNC calls Sen. Ron Johnson's report on Burisma/Hunter Biden an effort to "subsidize a foreign attack against the sovereignty of our elections with taxpayer dollars" and to push a "long-disproven, hardcore rightwing conspiracy theory" pic.twitter.com/LRDKEdu0fK — Johnny Verhovek (@JTHVerhovek) September 23, 2020
And Biden’s media campaigners are hard at work today trying to discredit the report’s findings:
— Chuck Ross (@ChuckRossDC) September 23, 2020
A totally laughable headline from Politico, which was the go-to outlet for Democrats to pre-empt and undercut the Biden probe. https://t.co/vy7rfX6fZ2 pic.twitter.com/yqkLGla8GY — Chuck Ross (@ChuckRossDC) September 23, 2020
Daily Wire correspondent Ryan Saavedra summarized the main findings including the following:
In early 2015 the former Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine, George Kent, raised concerns to officials in Vice President Joe Biden’s office about the perception of a conflict of interest with respect to Hunter Biden’s role on Burisma’s board. Kent’s concerns went unaddressed, and in September 2016, he emphasized in an email to his colleagues, “Furthermore, the presence of Hunter Biden on the Burisma board was very awkward for all U.S. officials pushing an anticorruption agenda in Ukraine.”
In October 2015, senior State Department official Amos Hochstein raised concerns with Vice President Biden, as well as with Hunter Biden, that Hunter Biden’s position on Burisma’s board enabled Russian disinformation efforts and risked undermining U.S. policy in Ukraine.
Although Kent believed that Hunter Biden’s role on Burisma’s board was awkward for all U.S. officials pushing an anti-corruption agenda in Ukraine, the Committees are only aware of two individuals — Kent and former U.S. Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs Amos Hochstein — who raised concerns to Vice President Joe Biden (Hochstein) or his staff (Kent)…
Former Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland testified that confronting oligarchs would send an anticorruption message in Ukraine. Kent told the Committees that Zlochevsky was an “odious oligarch.” However, in December 2015, instead of following U.S. objectives of confronting oligarchs, Vice President Biden’s staff advised him to avoid commenting on Zlochevsky and recommended he say, “I’m not going to get into naming names or accusing individuals.”
Hunter Biden was serving on Burisma’s board (supposedly consulting on corporate governance and transparency) when Zlochevsky allegedly paid a $7 million bribe to officials serving under Ukraine’s prosecutor general, Vitaly Yarema, to “shut the case against Zlochevsky.” Kent testified that this bribe occurred in December 2014 (seven months after Hunter joined Burisma’s board), and, after learning about it, he and the Resident Legal Advisor reported this allegation to the FBI…
In addition to the over $4 million paid by Burisma for Hunter Biden’s and Archer’s board memberships, Hunter Biden, his family, and Archer received millions of dollars from foreign nationals with questionable backgrounds…
Hunter Biden had business associations with Ye Jianming, Gongwen Dong, and other Chinese nationals linked to the Communist government and the People’s Liberation Army. Those associations resulted in millions of dollars in cash flow.
Hunter Biden paid nonresident women who were nationals of Russia or other Eastern European countries and who appear to be linked to an “Eastern European prostitution or human trafficking ring.”
It’s shaping up to be an ugly campaign season in the United States. If only there were someone to vote for.
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southfront--2020-09-24--More ‘Axis Of Resistance’ Sanctions Busting: Iranian Fuel Shipments Keep Arriving To Venezuela

After defying US sanctions and shipping a cargo of oil condensate to Venezuela last week , Iran is using the same ship to help the Latin American country export its crude oil to the international market .
The Iranian supertanker ‘ Horse ’ , is loading a shipment of Venezuela ’ s top exported grade Merey 16 crude oil at Venezuela ’ s government-owned and controlled port of Jose , according to a shipping report seen by Bloomberg .
The shipments give some respite to the nation ’ s struggling oil industry , as most shipowners are now avoiding doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the unilateral sanctions imposed by the Trump administration .
The vessel , which just unloaded 2 million barrels of Iranian condensate , turned off its satellite signal during the voyage to avoid detection after the US intercepted several shipments of gasoline going to Venezuela in August .
Bloomberg reported that the ship had arrived to Venezuela last week though ship-tracking signals still showed the ship off the coast of Dubai .
Venezuela , which has the world ’ s largest oil reserves , has not been able to find ships willing to risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international waters by the US Navy after the Trump administration announced punitive sanctions on the owners of six vessels for transporting Venezuelan crude oil to international markets .
The Treasury Department eventually removed the vessels from the sanctions list without making a formal explanation but the US has illegally pursued and harassed foreign vessels carrying products to or from Venezuela and seized more than a million barrels of gasoline while in transit .
The latest fuel shipment is expected to be sold in Asia , the main destination of Venezuelan crude .
PDVSA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest developments .
Venezuela ’ s information ministry and the US State Department didn ’ t return an email seeking comment .
In addition to the shipment of condensate for Venezuelan refineries , Tehran has recently supplied 1.5 million barrels of gasoline and has also established a supermarket chain in Venezuela .
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is also reported to be considering the purchase of Iranian missiles .
LINK In Iran , the second-in-command of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps ( IRGC ) says the US has failed in its attempt to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against any act of adventurism against Tehran .
He warned the Americans that they are within reach of Iran ’ s armed forces if they commit any foolish acts while they are in the Persian Gulf region .
Tehran has repeatedly declared that it does not seek war with the US , but that its armed forces stand ready to defend its interests in the region .
LINK MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Preparations for the Final Phase of Regime Change in Venezuela • As Showdown Looms Over Iran ’ s Oil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For Possible Interception • The multinationals among the untouchables of the Colombian conflict • Venezuela : US Maximum Pressure Continues , More Details Of Failed Mercenary Attack Revealed

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After defying US sanctions and shipping a cargo of oil condensate to Venezuela last week, Iran is using the same ship to help the Latin American country export its crude oil to the international market.
The Iranian supertanker ‘Horse’, is loading a shipment of Venezuela’s top exported grade Merey 16 crude oil at Venezuela’s government-owned and controlled port of Jose, according to a shipping report seen by Bloomberg. The shipments give some respite to the nation’s struggling oil industry, as most shipowners are now avoiding doing business with the country for fear of the unilateral sanctions imposed by the Trump administration.
The vessel, which just unloaded 2 million barrels of Iranian condensate, turned off its satellite signal during the voyage to avoid detection after the US intercepted several shipments of gasoline going to Venezuela in August.
Bloomberg reported that the ship had arrived to Venezuela last week though ship-tracking signals still showed the ship off the coast of Dubai.
Venezuela, which has the world’s largest oil reserves, has not been able to find ships willing to risk sanctions and possible acts of piracy in international waters by the US Navy after the Trump administration announced punitive sanctions on the owners of six vessels for transporting Venezuelan crude oil to international markets.
The Treasury Department eventually removed the vessels from the sanctions list without making a formal explanation but the US has illegally pursued and harassed foreign vessels carrying products to or from Venezuela and seized more than a million barrels of gasoline while in transit.
The latest fuel shipment is expected to be sold in Asia, the main destination of Venezuelan crude.
PDVSA declined requests by Bloomberg to comment on the latest developments. Venezuela’s information ministry and the US State Department didn’t return an email seeking comment.
In addition to the shipment of condensate for Venezuelan refineries, Tehran has recently supplied 1.5 million barrels of gasoline and has also established a supermarket chain in Venezuela. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is also reported to be considering the purchase of Iranian missiles. LINK
In Iran, the second-in-command of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the US has failed in its attempt to form an anti-Iran alliance, warning Washington against any act of adventurism against Tehran.
“If Americans commit a new act of folly, they will receive a heavy blow far beyond their imagination,” Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi told Lebanon’s al-Mayadeen television network on Wednesday. The senior IRGC commander also said that the US “will not succeed in achieving its goals of imposing an arms embargo on Iran.”
He warned the Americans that they are within reach of Iran’s armed forces if they commit any foolish acts while they are in the Persian Gulf region.
Tehran has repeatedly declared that it does not seek war with the US, but that its armed forces stand ready to defend its interests in the region. LINK
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southfront--2020-09-24--China’s J-16 Multi-Role Strike Fighter (Infographics)

The J-16 fighter jet , is a Chinese tandem-seat , twinjet , all-weather , multirole strike fighter , designed and manufactured by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation , and operated by the People ’ s Liberation Army Air Force .
In 2019 it was covered by a coating that can provide near stealth capability and the jet was confirmed to be able to carry all types of air-to-surface weapons in precision strikes .
This means the J-16 can use a wide collection of air-to-ground missiles , bombs and anti-ship missiles .
The multi-role fighter jet can carry several tons of munitions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it runs out of ammunition .
Although the J-20 is China ’ s more advanced fighter jet , the PLA Air Force still needs the J-16 as the two types of fighter jets can complement each other , analysts noted .
The J-20 can use its stealth capability to destroy hostile anti-air installations and win aerial superiority first but it can not carry as many weapons as the J-16 , because the J-20 hides its weapons in smaller weapon bays to ensure stealth capability , Fu said .
The J-16 can follow up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targets with its missiles and bombs , Fu said .
The J-16 is a twin-engine , twin-seat multi-role fighter jet that is also capable of air-to-air combat .
It made its debut during the Army Day parade on July 30 , 2017 at the Zhurihe military training base in North China ’ s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region .
The J-16 was first unveiled in mid-2012 and is primarily intended for the strike-fighter role which allows its crew to engage ground targets as well as air threats .
The J-16 is considered to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American Boeing F/A-18 “ Super Hornet ” , European Eurofighter Typhoon and French Dassault Rafale multi-role aircraft and adds a new multi-faceted participant to growing Chinese military authority in the tumultuous Asia-Pacific region .
When it comes to what ’ s on-board , as mentioned earlier it has limited stealth capability .
Internally , the aircraft is given an indigenously-designed and developed , all-modern AESA ( Active , Electronically-Scanned Array ) radar system .
The engines ( WS-10 ) are also of a local design ( though based on the General Electric GE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powers the Chengdu J-10 , Shenyang J-11 and Shenyang J-15 fighters .
The twin powerplants are aspirated through two under-fuselage rectangular intakes under the wingroots , an identifying feature of all Sukhoi Flanker aircraft .
Composites are used throughout the overall construction of the aircraft to promote strength with weight-saving measures .
• Various bombs and rockets including BeiDou satellite-guided bombs and laser-guided bombs As mentioned , it can carry all sorts of air-to-ground missiles , bombs and anti-ship missiles , different from these , but the listed above are the typical armament @ @ @ @ @ @

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The J-16 fighter jet, is a Chinese tandem-seat, twinjet, all-weather, multirole strike fighter, designed and manufactured by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, and operated by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force.
In 2019 it was covered by a coating that can provide near stealth capability and the jet was confirmed to be able to carry all types of air-to-surface weapons in precision strikes.
This means the J-16 can use a wide collection of air-to-ground missiles, bombs and anti-ship missiles.
The multi-role fighter jet can carry several tons of munitions and launch multiple waves of attack before it runs out of ammunition.
Although the J-20 is China’s more advanced fighter jet, the PLA Air Force still needs the J-16 as the two types of fighter jets can complement each other, analysts noted.
The J-20 can use its stealth capability to destroy hostile anti-air installations and win aerial superiority first but it cannot carry as many weapons as the J-16, because the J-20 hides its weapons in smaller weapon bays to ensure stealth capability, Fu said.
The J-16 can follow up a J-20 attack and clean away surface targets with its missiles and bombs, Fu said.
The J-16 is a twin-engine, twin-seat multi-role fighter jet that is also capable of air-to-air combat. It made its debut during the Army Day parade on July 30, 2017 at the Zhurihe military training base in North China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
The J-16 was first unveiled in mid-2012 and is primarily intended for the strike-fighter role which allows its crew to engage ground targets as well as air threats.
The J-16 is considered to be in the same general class as the American Boeing F/A-18 “Super Hornet”, European Eurofighter Typhoon and French Dassault Rafale multi-role aircraft and adds a new multi-faceted participant to growing Chinese military authority in the tumultuous Asia-Pacific region.
When it comes to what’s on-board, as mentioned earlier it has limited stealth capability.
Internally, the aircraft is given an indigenously-designed and developed, all-modern AESA (Active, Electronically-Scanned Array) radar system.
The engines (WS-10) are also of a local design (though based on the General Electric GE F101 turbofan) and the same that powers the Chengdu J-10, Shenyang J-11 and Shenyang J-15 fighters.
The twin powerplants are aspirated through two under-fuselage rectangular intakes under the wingroots, an identifying feature of all Sukhoi Flanker aircraft.
Composites are used throughout the overall construction of the aircraft to promote strength with weight-saving measures.
Its armament consists of:
1 × 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds
Munitions on twelve external hardpoints, including:
8 × PL-12, and 4 × PL-9 air-to-air missiles
Various bombs and rockets including BeiDou satellite-guided bombs and laser-guided bombs
Anti-ship and anti-radiation missiles
Electronic countermeasure (ECM) pods.
As mentioned, it can carry all sorts of air-to-ground missiles, bombs and anti-ship missiles, different from these, but the listed above are the typical armament.
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southfront--2020-09-24--U.S. ‘Electronic Attack’ Aircraft Spotted Over Iraq

A U.S. EC-130H Compass Call “ electronic attack ” aircraft has been spotted over the southern and eastern regions of Iraq .
The aircraft took off from on September 24 from Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE ’ s capital , Abu Dhabi .
After crossing the Persian Gulf , the aircraft entered Iraq ’ s airspace and flew between the southern province of Basrah and the eastern city of Kut in a line parallel to the Iraqi-Iranian border .
Compass Calls is a heavily modified version of the C-130 Hercules developed to disrupt enemy command and control communications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out other kinds of electronic attacks .
The U.S. Air Force ’ s EC-130Hs carry out missions over the Persian Gulf on a regular basis .
Nevertheless , they rarely fly over Iraq .
The U.S. may be intensifying its intelligence operations over Iraq to address the growing threats faced by its forces .
In the last few months , a series of attacks targeted U.S. forces and diplomatic mission in the war-torn country .
Iraqi Shiite armed groups affiliated with Iran ’ s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are reportedly behind the attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TOPIC :

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A U.S. EC-130H Compass Call “electronic attack” aircraft has been spotted over the southern and eastern regions of Iraq.
The aircraft took off on September 24 from Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE’s capital, Abu Dhabi. After crossing the Persian Gulf, the aircraft entered Iraq’s airspace and flew between the southern province of Basrah and the eastern city of Kut in a line parallel to the Iraqi-Iranian border.
NIMBUS35 731581 #USAF SOCOM EC130H Compass Call descent into Al Dhafra after Op #InherentResolve mission over #Iraq. 1035z
To see a/c role … https://t.co/nT8Nigd98Y pic.twitter.com/lfp1d7TKHC — nde (@5472_nde) September 24, 2020
Compass Calls is a heavily modified version of the C-130 Hercules developed to disrupt enemy command and control communications, perform offensive counter-information operations and carry out other kinds of electronic attacks.
The U.S. Air Force’s EC-130Hs carry out missions over the Persian Gulf on a regular basis. Nevertheless, they rarely fly over Iraq.
The U.S. may be intensifying its intelligence operations over Iraq to address the growing threats faced by its forces. In the last few months, a series of attacks targeted U.S. forces and diplomatic mission in the war-torn country.
Iraqi Shiite armed groups affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are reportedly behind the attacks on U.S. forces.
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southfront--2020-09-24--Iranian Drones Buzz US Aircraft Carrier. Helicopter With ‘Russian PMCs’ Crashed In Libya

A Libyan National Army ( LNA ) military helicopter that was transporting Russian private military contractors has crashed near al-Jufra Air Base in central Libya , Brig .
Gen. Abdul Hadi Dara , a spokesman for the Sirte-Jufra Operations Room of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord ( GNA ) , claimed on September 23 .
The helicopter , which was also carrying weapons , allegedly crashed near the town of Sawknah , to the southwest of al-Jufra .
Several explosions were heard in the region .
The GNA spokesman told Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency that at least four Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
These claims were dismissed by the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) , which reported that the helicopter touched the ground with the main rotor during an emergency landing .
The aircraft caught fire and burned as a result of the incident .
However , there were no casualties .
While a limited presence of Russia-linked PMCs in Libya is no secret , pro-GNA and pro-Turkish sources like to claim that almost every incident , crash or explosion involves the mysterious Russians and led to casualties among them .
Likely , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the inability of the Turkish Armed Forces , GNA units and almost 10,000 Turkish-backed Syrian militants deployed in Libya to capture the port city of Sirte from the Libyan National Army .
In fact , the mighty Turkish advance on LNA positions virtually ground to a halt after Turkish-led forces secured the countryside of Tripoli .
The main reason for this being the red line drawn by Egypt , the main LNA backer along with the UAE , which warned that it will respond with direct military action if Sirte is attacked .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the ongoing standoff is mostly focused on distant diplomatic support to the UAE-Egypt block and diplomatic work with Turkey .
Russian PMCs deployed in the conflict zone represent the interests of various Russian business groups rather than those of the state .
According to the US , there are 3,000 Russia-linked PMCs .
Later , AFRICOM even claimed that Russia deployed 14 warplanes in Libya .
These warplanes , the US military says , are based out of Al Jufra and Al Khadim airfields .
They are allegedly operated by Russian contractors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
Nonetheless , the Pentagon provided no evidence to support these claims .
On September 11 , Rear Admiral Heidi Berg , AFRICOM ’ s director of intelligence , said that two Russia-deployed Mig-29 jets had already crashed : one on June 28 , another on September 7 .
The statement came just a few days after an evacuation training video released by a Russian military blog was used by Turkish propaganda and MSM to claim that a Russian warplane had crashed in Libya .
So , it looks as if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , unfounded reports to maintain an artificially created frightening image of Russia .
On September 23 , Iran ’ s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps released several close-up photos of the US Navy ’ s aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and its escort ships in the Persian Gulf .
The photos were taken by an IRGC military drone that buzzed the US carrier strike group recently .
The USS Nimitz passed through the Strait of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf last week .
On the same day , 188 new naval drones and helicopters were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s fleet of aircraft .
During the ceremony , three types of vertical take-off and landing drones , dubbed Sepehr , Shahab-2 and Hodhod-4 , were unveiled for the first time .
According to an IRGC Navy commander , all three drones can take off from ships .
The batch of delivered equipment also included a number of Mohajer-6 combat drones .
The Mohajer-6 has a range of 200 km and can be armed with up to four guided missiles .
Iran insists that it has a full spectrum of means and measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces and bases in the Persian Gulf region in the event of an open military confrontation .
In their turn , the United States regularly deploys aircraft carriers in the gulf as a part of its own power projection policy .
In April 2020 , US President Donald Trump even stated that he had passed an order to “ destroy any and all Iranian gunboats ” if they harass US ships at sea .
Taking into account that Iran sees the Persian Gulf as a vital area of national interest and can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monitoring , the sides are balancing right on the brink of a new open confrontation .

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A Libyan National Army (LNA) military helicopter that was transporting Russian private military contractors has crashed near al-Jufra Air Base in central Libya, Brig. Gen. Abdul Hadi Dara, a spokesman for the Sirte-Jufra Operations Room of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA), claimed on September 23.
The helicopter, which was also carrying weapons, allegedly crashed near the town of Sawknah, to the southwest of al-Jufra. Several explosions were heard in the region. The GNA spokesman told Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency that at least four Russian PMCs lost their lives in the crash.
These claims were dismissed by the Libyan National Army (LNA), which reported that the helicopter touched the ground with the main rotor during an emergency landing. The aircraft caught fire and burned as a result of the incident. However, there were no casualties.
While a limited presence of Russia-linked PMCs in Libya is no secret, pro-GNA and pro-Turkish sources like to claim that almost every incident, crash or explosion involves the mysterious Russians and led to casualties among them. Likely, this approach is an attempt to compensate for the inability of the Turkish Armed Forces, GNA units and almost 10,000 Turkish-backed Syrian militants deployed in Libya to capture the port city of Sirte from the Libyan National Army. In fact, the mighty Turkish advance on LNA positions virtually ground to a halt after Turkish-led forces secured the countryside of Tripoli. The main reason for this being the red line drawn by Egypt, the main LNA backer along with the UAE, which warned that it will respond with direct military action if Sirte is attacked. At the same time, Russian participation in the ongoing standoff is mostly focused on distant diplomatic support to the UAE-Egypt block and diplomatic work with Turkey. Russian PMCs deployed in the conflict zone represent the interests of various Russian business groups rather than those of the state.
According to the US, there are 3,000 Russia-linked PMCs. Later, AFRICOM even claimed that Russia deployed 14 warplanes in Libya. These warplanes, the US military says, are based out of Al Jufra and Al Khadim airfields. They are allegedly operated by Russian contractors and have engaged in “combat activities”. Nonetheless, the Pentagon provided no evidence to support these claims.
On September 11, Rear Admiral Heidi Berg, AFRICOM’s director of intelligence, said that two Russia-deployed Mig-29 jets had already crashed: one on June 28, another on September 7. The statement came just a few days after an evacuation training video released by a Russian military blog was used by Turkish propaganda and MSM to claim that a Russian warplane had crashed in Libya. So, it looks as if the US military simply once again used sensational, unfounded reports to maintain an artificially created frightening image of Russia.
On September 23, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps released several close-up photos of the US Navy’s aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and its escort ships in the Persian Gulf. The photos were taken by an IRGC military drone that buzzed the US carrier strike group recently. The USS Nimitz passed through the Strait of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf last week.
On the same day, 188 new naval drones and helicopters were officially added to the IRGC Navy’s fleet of aircraft. During the ceremony, three types of vertical take-off and landing drones, dubbed Sepehr, Shahab-2 and Hodhod-4, were unveiled for the first time. According to an IRGC Navy commander, all three drones can take off from ships. The batch of delivered equipment also included a number of Mohajer-6 combat drones. The Mohajer-6 has a range of 200 km and can be armed with up to four guided missiles.
Iran insists that it has a full spectrum of means and measures that it can employ against US naval forces and bases in the Persian Gulf region in the event of an open military confrontation. In their turn, the United States regularly deploys aircraft carriers in the gulf as a part of its own power projection policy. In April 2020, US President Donald Trump even stated that he had passed an order to “destroy any and all Iranian gunboats” if they harass US ships at sea. Taking into account that Iran sees the Persian Gulf as a vital area of national interest and cannot leave US strike groups there without close monitoring, the sides are balancing right on the brink of a new open confrontation.
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southfront--2020-09-24--Hezbollah Retrieved Body Of Fighter Killed In Syria In 2013

Lebanon ’ s Hezbollah announced on September 24 that it had retrieved the body of one of his fighters who was killed in Syria more than six years ago .
In a brief statement , Hezbollah identified the fighter as “ Ali Hussein Iskandar , ” originally from the district of Hermel in the northeastern Lebanese governorate of Baalbek-Hermel .
Iskandar was a resident of the town of Bazouriye .
The fighters , who is known by nom de guerre “ Ali al-Akbar , ” was killed near the Syrian capital , Damascus in November of 2013 .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Eastern Ghouta region when he lost his life .
Hezbollah intervened in Syria to support the Syrian Arab Army in 2012 .
The group took part in several battles around Damascus , especially in the Set Zaynab town and Eastern Ghouta .
Dozens of the group ’ s fighters were killed .
The Lebanese group is now under immense pressure from other Lebanese parties and Western countries , led by the U.S , to withdraw its fighters from Syria .
A recent report revealed that Hezbollah has already withdrew some of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head of Lebanon ’ s Free Patriotic Movement , also confirmed that the group is close to full withdrawal from the country .
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Lebanon’s Hezbollah announced on September 24 that it had retrieved the body of one of his fighters who was killed in Syria more than six years ago.
In a brief statement, Hezbollah identified the fighter as “Ali Hussein Iskandar,” originally from the district of Hermel in the northeastern Lebanese governorate of Baalbek-Hermel. Iskandar was a resident of the town of Bazouriye.
The fighters, who is known by nom de guerre “Ali al-Akbar,” was killed near the Syrian capital, Damascus in November of 2013. He was reportedly taking part in a battle in the Eastern Ghouta region when he lost his life.
Hezbollah intervened in Syria to support the Syrian Arab Army in 2012. The group took part in several battles around Damascus, especially in the Set Zaynab town and Eastern Ghouta. Dozens of the group’s fighters were killed.
The Lebanese group is now under immense pressure from other Lebanese parties and Western countries, led by the U.S, to withdraw its fighters from Syria.
A recent report revealed that Hezbollah had already withdrew some of its fighters from Syria. Gebran Bassil, head of Lebanon’s Free Patriotic Movement, also confirmed that the group was close to full withdrawal from the country.
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southfront--2020-09-24--Saudi-Backed Forces Shot Down Two Houthi Drones In Ma’rib Within 48 Hours (Photos)

Saudi-backed forces have shot down two drones launched by the Houthis , Ansar Allah , in the central Yemeni province of Ma ’ rib .
On September 22 , Saudi-backed tribal fighters shot down the first drone in the southern part of the district of Sirwah .
The drone was a Qasef-2k , a copy of the Iranian Ababil-2 .
The kamikaze drone is armed with a heavy high-explosive fragmentation , HE-FRAG , warhead that explodes 20m over the target .
On September 23 , the Yemeni National Army , the main local ally of the Saudi-led coalition , shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the area of al-Alam .
The drone ’ s type was not identified .
Photos of the wreckage revealed that the drone has a “ delta wing ” design .
Similar drones were used in the 2019 Abqaiq–Khurais attack that targeted oil processing facilities in eastern Saudi Arabia .
The two drones were likely on their way to hit military targets in Ma ’ rib .
The Houthis attack Saudi-backed forces in the province on a regular basis .
In the last three years , the Houthis developed their offensive capabilities and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
High-value targets in Yemen and deep inside Saudi Arabia were struck by the Yemeni group .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Iran Says Houthis Use Its Military Know-How In Battle Against Saudi Arabia • “ Spiritual ” Assistance And “ Experience ” Sharing : Iran Explains How It Helps Houthis In War With Saudi Arabia

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Saudi-backed forces have shot down two drones launched by the Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthis, in the central Yemeni province of Ma’rib.
On September 22, Saudi-backed tribal fighters shot down the first drone in the southern part of the district of Sirwah. The drone was a Qasef-2k, a copy of the Iranian Ababil-2. The kamikaze drone is armed with a heavy high-explosive fragmentation, HE-FRAG, warhead that explodes 20m over the target.
On September 23, the Yemeni National Army, the main local ally of the Saudi-led coalition, shot down a second drone of the Houthis in the area of al-Alam.
The drone’s type was not identified. Photos of the wreckage revealed that the drone has a “delta wing” design. Similar drones were used in the 2019 Abqaiq–Khurais attack that targeted oil processing facilities in eastern Saudi Arabia.
القوات الحكومية تسقط طائرة مسيرة للحوثيين في جبهة العلم شمالي مارب pic.twitter.com/qYPGWOWdwi — المصدر أونلاين (@almasdaronline) September 23, 2020
The two drones were likely on their way to hit military targets in Ma’rib. The Houthis attack Saudi-backed forces in the province on a regular basis.
In the last three years, the Houthis developed their offensive capabilities and launched several successful drone and missile attacks. High-value targets in Yemen and deep inside Saudi Arabia were struck by the Yemeni group.
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southfront--2020-09-24--Military Situation In Yemen On September 24, 2020 (Map Update)

A brief overview of the recent developments in Iraq : • Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 7 airstrikes on the Khab @ @ @ @ @ The Liaison and Coordination Officers ’ Operations Room ( loyal to Ansar Allah ) reported @ @ @ @ @ over the past 24 hours ; • Clashes between Ansar Allah and Saudi-led forces continue @ @ @ @ @ Jubah districts ; • Saudi-led forces allegedly shot down the drone of Ansar Allah in @ @ @ @ @ of Marib .
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A brief overview of the recent developments in Iraq:
Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 7 airstrikes on the Khab and Shaaf districts;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 2 airstrikes on the Haradh district;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 3 airstrikes on the Sarwah district;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 5 airstrikes on the Rahbah district;
The Liaison and Coordination Officers’ Operations Room (loyal to Ansar Allah) reported 207 ceasefire violations in al-Hudaydah over the past 24 hours;
Clashes between Ansar Allah and Saudi-led forces continue in the Jabal Murad and Jubah districts;
Saudi-led forces allegedly shot down the drone of Ansar Allah in the al-Alam front, North of Marib.
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southfront--2020-09-24--Two Blasts Rocked Turkish-Occupied Town In Syria’s Al-Hasakah (Photos, Videos)

On September 24 , the Turkish-occupied town of Tell Halaf in the northern countryside of al-Hasakah was rocked by two explosions .
The first explosion , which took place in the noon , was caused by a improvise explosive deceive that was planted in the center of the town .
The explosion caused material losses .
However , no casualties were reported .
In the afternoon , a booby-trapped car exploded in front of al-Sufi shops inside Tell Halaf .
Three civilians were killed and 11 others were injured in the explosions , which destroyed a bus .
There was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nevertheless , Kurdish forces were blamed by few oppositions activists , as usual .
Tell Halaf , which is located near the border town of Ras al-Ain , was occupied by Turkish forces in October of 2019 .
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces showed fierce resistance but failed to hold onto the region .
The Turkish military and its proxies are yet to take serious measures to secure their areas in northeast Syria .
Dozens of bombings have hit these areas since last October .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Turkey Sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monitoring Group

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On September 24, the Turkish-occupied town of Tell Halaf in the northern countryside of al-Hasakah was rocked by two explosions.
The first explosion, which took place in the noon, was caused by an improvise explosive device that was planted in the center of the town. The explosion caused material losses. However, no casualties were reported.
انفجار عبوة ناسفة في بلدة تل حلف الواقعة بريف رأس العين (سري كانييه) الغربي ما أدى لأضرار مادية دون معلومات عن خسائر بشرية pic.twitter.com/gqvomCqsMN — Ⓜ – SERDAR H MEHMÛD (@SerdarMehmuud) September 24, 2020
In the afternoon, a booby-trapped car exploded in front of al-Sufi shops inside Tell Halaf. Three civilians were killed and 11 others were injured in the explosions, which destroyed a bus.
عاجل انفجار ثاني يهز بلدة تل حلف بريف رأس العين سري كانية#Syria pic.twitter.com/cVGv3HjXO6 — Ⓜ – SERDAR H MEHMÛD (@SerdarMehmuud) September 24, 2020
#الحسكة
انفجار ثاني لسيارة مفخخة أمام محلات الصوفي في بلدة تل حلف غرب #راس_العين. pic.twitter.com/KBD00gQR0l — اتحاد شباب الحسكة (@HASAKH_NEWS) September 24, 2020
#الحسكة #عاجـل انفجار ثاني بسيارة مفخخة أمام محلات الصوفي في بلدة تل حلف غرب #راس_العين في مناطق نبع السلام ولا معلومات عن الخسائر حتى اللحظة pic.twitter.com/VZsCOBPfG9 — احمد الشبلي (@Ahmad_1alshble) September 24, 2020
There was no immediate claim for the attacks. Nevertheless, Kurdish forces were blamed by few oppositions activists, as usual.
Tell Halaf, which is located near the border town of Ras al-Ain, was occupied by Turkish forces in October of 2019. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces showed fierce resistance but failed to hold the region.
The Turkish military and its proxies are yet to take serious measures to secure their areas in northeastern Syria. Dozens of bombings have hit these areas since last October.
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southfront--2020-09-24--Russian Airstrikes Hit ISIS Terrorists In Hama-Aleppo-Raqqa Triangle

On September 24 , warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces carried out a series of airstrikes on ISIS ’ hideouts in central Syria .
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights , the airstrikes targeted the Hama-Aleppo-Raqqa triangle .
A desert where ISIS terrorists have been very active recently .
The terrorists are sneaking into the triangle from the Homs desert , that lays between eastern Homs and western Deir Ezzor .
Hundreds of terrorists , including senior leaders , are taking shelter in the desert .
According to some reports , the terrorists are receiving support from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago , ISIS terrorists launched a large attack on Syrian Arab Army positions in the town of Resafa in southern Raqqa from their hideouts in Hama-Aleppo-Raqqa triangle .
13 Syrian soldiers and 17 terrorists were killed during the battle .
The Russian airstrikes were likely a response to ISIS recent attack .
Syrian government forces are working to push ISIS remnants out of the Hama-Aleppo-Raqqa triangle .
ISIS is constantly attempting to expand its influence in central Syria .
The notorious group wants to turn the region into a stronghold for its terrorists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TOPIC : • Turkey Sent Hundreds Of Syrian Militants To Azerbaijan : Monitoring Group

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On September 24, warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces carried out a series of airstrikes on ISIS’ hideouts in central Syria.
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the airstrikes targeted the Hama-Aleppo-Raqqa triangle. A desert where ISIS terrorists have been very active recently.
The terrorists are sneaking into the triangle from the Homs desert, that lays between eastern Homs and western Deir Ezzor. Hundreds of terrorists, including senior leaders, are taking shelter in the desert. According to some reports, the terrorists are receiving support from U.S.-backed fighters in al-Tanaf.
Two days ago, ISIS terrorists launched a large attack on Syrian Arab Army positions in the town of Resafa in southern Raqqa from their hideouts in Hama-Aleppo-Raqqa triangle. 13 Syrian soldiers and 17 terrorists were killed during the battle.
The Russian airstrikes were likely a response to ISIS recent attack. Syrian government forces are working to push ISIS remnants out of the Hama-Aleppo-Raqqa triangle.
ISIS is constantly attempting to expand its influence in central Syria. The group wants to turn the region into a stronghold for its terrorists in the Levant.
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southfront--2020-09-24--Military Situation In Iraq On September 24, 2020 (Map Update)

A brief overview of the recent developments in Iraq : • An IED attack targeted a US Army logistics convoy @ @ @ @ @ IED attack targeted a US Army logistics convoy near Abu Ghuraib ; • Iraqi Army @ @ @ @ @ continues in the Kanus island ; • ISIS killed a man and his wife in @ @ @ @ @ of Mosul ; • According to the Kataib Hezbollah spokesman , the group deployed “ @ @ @ @ @ city to disengage and mediate between Counter Terrorism Service forces and tribal fighters in the @ @ @ @ @ Naseriyah after Iraqi Army raided a house of Al Asakir tribe leader .
MORE ON @ @ @

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Iraq:
An IED attack targeted a US Army logistics convoy near Hillah;
An IED attack targeted a US Army logistics convoy near Abu Ghuraib;
Iraqi Army and PMU operation against ISIS continues in the Kanus island;
ISIS killed a man and his wife in Hawi Aslan village, south of Mosul;
According to the Kataib Hezbollah spokesman, the group deployed “specialized units” in Naseriyah city to disengage and mediate between Counter Terrorism Service forces and tribal fighters in the town. Tensions rise in Naseriyah after Iraqi Army raided a house of Al Asakir tribe leader.
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southfront--2020-09-24--Military Situation In Syria On September 24, 2020 (Map Ipdate)

A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria : • Russian warplanes carried out a series of airstrikes on @ @ @ @ @ area south of the Riqqah town ; • A former rebel was assassinated by unknown @ @ @ @ @ The assassinations of former members of the militants in southern Syria continue since the national @ @ @ @ @ • Turkish Army sent a new military convoy to Greater Idlib through Kafr Lusin crossing @ @ @ @ @ :

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria:
Russian warplanes carried out a series of airstrikes on ISIS positions near the Risafah area south of the Riqqah town;
The US-led coalition conducted a patrol near Tal Tammar;
TFSA artillery shelled SDF positions north of Tal Tamar;
A former rebel was assassinated by unknown gunmen in Tafas town. The assassinations of former members of the militants in southern Syria continue since the national reconciliation in the area;
Turkish Army sent a new military convoy to Greater Idlib through Kafr Lusin crossing;
Turkish-backed forces shelled SAA positions in the Malajah village;
SAA artillery shelled Turkish-backed forces in Kadurah village.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
Military Situation In Syria On September 23, 2020 (Map Update)
Military Situation In Syria On September 22, 2020 (Map Update)
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southfront--2020-09-24--Turkey Sent Hundreds Of Syrian Militants To Azerbaijan: Monitoring Group

Turkey has sent 300 Syrian militants to Azerbaijan , where they will support the Azerbaijani Armed Forces , the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights ( SOHR ) reported on September 24 .
According to the UK-based monitoring group , the militants were recruited from many towns and villages in the Turkish-occupied area of Afrin in northern Syria .
Most of them are members of the Turkish-backed Suleyman Shah Brigade and the Sultan Murad Brigade .
The militants were told that they are heading to Azerbaijan to guard the border line with Armenia .
They were promised a monthly salary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days ago , Syrian opposition activists shared a photo allegedly showing Turkish-backed Syrian militants aboard a plane heading to the Azeri capital , Baku .
The photo has not been verified yet .
In the last two months , several reports alleged that Turkey had recruited Syrian militants to fight as mercenaries for the Azerbaijani Armed Forces against the Armenian forces .
Azerbaijan and Armenia engaged in a series of military skirmishes in July .
Back then , Turkey vowed to provide military assistance to the Azerbaijani Armed Forces .
MORE ON THIS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Killed In New Greater Idlib Attack

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Turkey has sent 300 Syrian militants to Azerbaijan, where they will support the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on September 24.
According to the UK-based monitoring group, the militants were recruited from many towns and villages in the Turkish-occupied area of Afrin in northern Syria. Most of them are members of the Turkish-backed Suleyman Shah Brigade and the Sultan Murad Brigade.
The militants were told that they are heading to Azerbaijan to guard the border line with Armenia. They were promised a monthly salary of $1,500 to 2,000.
“The Syrian Observatory was not able to confirm, without a doubt, that the final destination [of the militants] was Azerbijan, Libya or another region,” the SOHR’s report reads.
A few days ago, Syrian opposition activists shared a photo allegedly showing Turkish-backed Syrian militants aboard a plane heading to the Azeri capital, Baku. The photo has not been verified yet.
This news is circulating among SNA news groups. Several militants have said they’ll be going, or know someone who is. Again: unconfirmed mercenary rumors. But there are a lot of them, spanning several factions. (If mercenary gossip offends you, don’t follow me.) https://t.co/OArMVneP2m — Lindsey Snell (@LindseySnell) September 23, 2020
In the last two months, several reports alleged that Turkey had recruited Syrian militants to fight as mercenaries for the Azerbaijani Armed Forces against the Armenian forces.
Azerbaijan and Armenia engaged in a series of military skirmishes in July. Back then, Turkey vowed to provide military assistance to the Azerbaijani Armed Forces.
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southfront--2020-09-24--Greater Idlib Militants Shelled Civilians With Heavy Munitions In Northwestern Hama  (Photos)

Early on September 24 , militants stationed in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib shelled the government-held town of Jurin in northwestern Hama with heavy improvised rocket-assisted munitions ( IRAMs ) .
According to the Syrian Arab News Agency , the IRAMs landed in the vicinity of Jurin , causing serious material damage to a number of civilian houses .
No human losses were reported , however .
Opposition sources revealed that the strike was carried out by the al-Fateh al-Mubeen Operations Room .
The room , that includes Turkish-backed factions , is led by al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay ’ at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Syrian Arab Army , where Russian forces are known to be present , is located near Jurin .
The camp was the target of the failed attack .
In the last few weeks , Greater Idlib militants stepped up their attacks in a blatant violation of the March 5 agreement .
A day earlier , a series of artillery strikes on southern Idlib claimed the lives of three Syrian service members .
These repeated violations may force government forces to resume their ground operations in Greater Idlib in the future .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ their aerial operations .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Three Syrian Service Members Killed In New Greater Idlib Attack

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Early on September 24, militants stationed in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib shelled the government-held town of Jurin in northwestern Hama with heavy improvised rocket-assisted munitions (IRAMs).
According to the Syrian Arab News Agency, the IRAMs landed in the vicinity of Jurin, causing serious material damage to a number of civilian houses. No human losses were reported, however.
Opposition sources revealed that the strike was carried out by the al-Fateh al-Mubeen Operations Room. The room, that includes Turkish-backed factions, is led by al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham.
A large military camp of the Syrian Arab Army, where Russian forces are known to be present, is located near Jurin. The camp was the target of the failed attack.
In the last few weeks, Greater Idlib militants stepped up their attacks in a blatant violation of the March 5 agreement. A day earlier, a series of artillery strikes on southern Idlib claimed the lives of three Syrian service members.
These repeated violations may force government forces to resume their ground operations in Greater Idlib in the future. The Russian Aerospace Forces have already resumed their aerial operations.
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southfront--2020-09-25--HTS Security Forces Killed Foreign Jihadist, Arrested Others In Greater Idlib

Security forces of al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay ’ at Tahrir al-Sham ( HTS ) have carried out an operation against jihadists in Jisr al-Shughur city in southwestern Idlib .
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights ( SOHR ) , security forces chased a foreign ISIS member in the city in the late hours of September 24 .
Security personnel opened fire at the terrorist in the area of al-Suma ’ a then killed him after he attempted to drew his gun .
Later , HTS security forces stormed a house in Jisr al-Shughur ’ s Christian district , where they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sources claimed that “ a group of Turkish jihadists ” was arrested in the Christian district .
The sources also reported the arrest of a jihadists known as “ Abu Sufiyan al-Turki ” near Idlib city on September 25 .
While the SOHR said the jihadists killed and arrested by HTS ’ security forces were members of ISIS , other sources said they were from Horas al-Din .
HTS is waging a secret war against other terrorist groups in Greater Idlib .
The group is working to assert its dominance over the region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own de-facto state .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Another Wave Of Russian Airstrikes Hit ISIS Terrorists In Central Syria

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Security forces of al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) have carried out an operation against jihadists in Jisr al-Shughur city in southwestern Idlib.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), security forces chased a foreign ISIS member in the city in the late hours of September 24. Security personnel opened fire at the terrorist in the area of al-Suma’a then killed him after he attempted to drew his gun.
Later, HTS security forces stormed a house in Jisr al-Shughur’s Christian district, where they arrested another foreign ISIS member.
Opposition sources claimed that “a group of Turkish jihadists” was arrested in the Christian district. The sources also reported the arrest of a jihadists known as “Abu Sufiyan al-Turki” near Idlib city on September 25.
While the SOHR said the jihadists killed and arrested by HTS’ security forces were members of ISIS, other sources said they were from Horas al-Din.
HTS is waging a secret war against other terrorist groups in Greater Idlib. The group is working to assert its dominance over the region in order to turn it into its own de-facto state.
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southfront--2020-09-25--Another Wave Of Russian Airstrikes Hit ISIS Terrorists In Central Syria

On September 25 , warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces ( VKS ) carried out another wave of airstrikes on @ @ @ @ @ .
The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the intense airstrikes are targeting @ @ @ @ @ monitoring group didn ’ t provide any information on the terrorist group ’ s losses @ @ @ @ @ a similar wave of airstrikes hit ISIS terrorists and their hideouts in the Hama-Aleppo-Raqqa triangle @ @ @ @ @ a response to a recent attack by the terrorist group .
In the last few @ @ @ @ @ their activities in the Hama-Aleppo-Raqqa triangle .
The terrorists are sneaking into the region from @ @ @ @ @ Syrian government forces and the VKS appear to be determined to push ISIS terrorists out @ @ @ @ @ it is possible to achieve this within a few weeks , securing the Homs desert @ @ @ @ @ time .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Hezbollah Retrieved Body Of Fighter Killed In @ @ @

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On September 25, warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) carried out another wave of airstrikes on ISIS terrorists in central Syria.
The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the intense airstrikes are targeting the Hama-Aleppo-Raqqa triangle. The monitoring group didn’t provide any information on the terrorist group’s losses.
“Several Russian warplanes are taking turns targeting the organization’s [ISIS] sites at the Hama-Aleppo-Raqqa triangle, amid continuous hit-and-run battles between the organization’s fighters and regime forces in al-Badiya,” the group’s report read.
A day earlier, a similar wave of airstrikes hit ISIS terrorists and their hideouts in the Hama-Aleppo-Raqqa triangle. The airstrikes were likely a response to a recent attack by the terrorist group.
In the last few weeks, ISIS terrorists intensified their activities in the Hama-Aleppo-Raqqa triangle. The terrorists are sneaking into the region from the nearby Homs desert.
Syrian government forces and the VKS appear to be determined to push ISIS terrorists out from the region. While it is possible to achieve this within a few weeks, securing the Homs desert will likely take much more time.
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