southfront--2020-05-30--Russia Is Officially Setting Up More Bases In Syria

Google search Russian International Affairs Council [ RIAC ] if you want to know what the most influential people in Russia think , they ’ re way more honest than SF is and they advise the Russian government on EVERYTHING .
Add this link to your sources and check it every now and again , you may be surprised at the some of the things they say .
This wiki link will tell you who the RIAC are and what they do , and also who employs them .
They ’ re among the smartest thinkers that the Russian government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , military and economic advisers , the smartest scientists and the most savvy media analysts and presenters they can find .
Use them as a source every now and again , you ’ ll never know what the horse is really saying unless you listen to the horse itself , and this is the biggest and fastest horse in the Russian stables , at least they are after the Russian government and military .
“ The Russian International Affairs Council ( RIAC ) – is a non-profit academic and diplomatic think tank established @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2010 .
[ 1 ] [ 2 ] The founders of the RIAC are the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation , Ministry of Education and Science , Russian Academy of Science , the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs and Russian news agency Interfax .
The Russian International Affairs Council was founded on orders of then-President Dmitry Medvedev to contribute to Russia ’ s soft power efforts .
[ 3 ] The RIAC activities are aimed at strengthening peace , friendship and solidarity between peoples , preventing international conflicts and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ 4 ] It operates as a link between the state , scholar community , business , and civil society in an effort to find foreign policy solutions to current international issues .
[ 5 ] The RIAC is one of Russia ’ s public diplomacy tools .
The RIAC mission is to facilitate Russia ’ s peaceful integration into the global community , partly through greater cooperation between Russian scientific institutions and foreign think tanks/scholars on major international issues .
The council ’ s strategic mission is to facilitate communication between government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civil communities when elaborating foreign policy decisions .
And this is what they do , “ RIAC ’ s Activities are aimed at assisting practical research in global politics and international relations , which will contribute to the implementation of Russia ’ s foreign policy interests and the establishment of mechanisms for their advancement .
Organizing research on foreign relations issues that are deemed top priorities in Russian foreign policy .
Preparing expert evaluations and advice on foreign policy issues .
Assisting with the implementation of research-based proposals and recommendations .
Joining Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into issues in foreign relations and developing common approaches to identifying solutions .
Holding academic events , i.e .
conferences , roundtables , seminars , etc.
, to promote research into international problems and identify solutions .
Supporting the publication and distribution of research results , including those obtained under the project activities .
Helping integrate Russian and foreign research activities in the field of foreign relations .
Providing education within the scope of the projects .
Assisting with the political promotion of project outcomes.
” If you can ’ t trust what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything , and they say more than anyone else does , especially about Iran , I ’ ve been shocked on more than a few occasions with what I ’ ve read , and it ’ s nothing like the narrative SF usually pushes , the RIAC is about a million times more honest , please use them as a source if you really want to know what Russia ’ s doing , not just saying .

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Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has ordered the defence and foreign ministries to hold talks with Damascus to obtain additional facilities and maritime access in Syria.
“Accept the proposal of the government of the Russian Federation to sign Protocol No. 1 to the agreement between the Russian Federation and the Syrian Arab Republic on the deployment of an aviation group of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic dated Aug. 26, 2015 on the transfer of additional ground and water areas,” the resolution says, according to the Anadolu News Agency.
Currently, Russia has two military bases in Syria, an air base in Lattakia and a naval base in Tartus. A deal with the Damascus government allows Russian forces to use the two bases free of charge for 49 years.
Syria hosts many other smaller Russian fortified positions (often described by locals as bases), like the air-defense facility in western Hama, where an S-400 air-defense system is deployed, or the Russian Military Police base in the northeastern city of al-Qamishli.
Russia’s support allowed Syrian government forces to re-impose control of vast parts of the country. ISIS’ strongholds were liberated and the remaining militants were pushed to a narrow strip in northern Syria.
The expansion of the military structure will solidify the Russian presence in the country and further. This could lead to the increase of the number of air-defense systems, intelligence gathering equipment or even ground forces deployed in Syria. This step also demonstrates that recent reports claiming that Russian-Syrian relations are declining were just fake news.
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southfront--2020-05-30--Turkish Proxies One Again Turned Afrin City Into Battle Zone

On May 28 , an intense fighting erupted between Turkish-backed militant groups in the Turkish-occupied city of Afrin .
The clashes started after Hamza Division militants shot and killed a child and an owner of a shop that had refused to loan goods to them .
The killed persons appeared to be affiliated with Jaish al-Islam .
In response , fighters of the group attacked Hamza Division positions in the city center forcing them to flee Afrin .
3 Hamza Division members , a Jaish al-Islam member and 3 civilians were killed in the clashes .
At least 6 civilians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the end of the day after the Hamza Division released a statement promising to launch investigating into the incident and hold the fighters involved in the attack on the shop accountable .
Early on May 29 , Hamza Division fighters reportedly started returning to the Afrin city center .
Looting , street firefights and extortion racket are an ordinary part of the daily life in the Turkish-controlled part of northern Syria .
On May 25 , two units of the Murad Division clashed with each other in al-Bab and south of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the government-held area .
At least one militant and several civilians were injured in the incident that was caused by the struggle for the smuggling route among local commanders .
Turkish-backed militant groups do not care about possible civilian casualties as a result of their criminal activity .
The only difference of the Afrin case is that the civilian killed by the Hamza Division appeared to be affiliated with a rival militant group .
A one more security problem for Turkish-led forces is regular attacks by Kurdish rebels .
At least nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injured in IED explosions , sniper attacks and ambushed carried out by the Kurdish-led Afrin Liberation Forces in the Afrin region on May 17 , May 18 , May 19 , May 23 and May 25 .
On May 28 , the Turkish Army and the Russian Military Police held a 13th joint patrol along the M4 highway in southern Idlib .
This time the patrol reached the eastern entrance of Kafr Shalaya , which is located a half way from the government-controlled town of Saraqib and the city of Jisr al-Shughur , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ militants .
The expanded length of the joint patrols is a positive signal showing some progress in the Russian-Turkish cooperation to create a security zone along the M4 highway .
However , the presence of radicals near Jisr al-Shughur and the recent attack on a Turkish military patrol there demonstrate that the full implementation of the de-escalation deal is still far away .
The Syrian Army and pro-government locals blocked a US military convoy near the town of Tell Tamr and forced it to retreat back to the al-Hasakah countryside on May 27 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces have been fully squeezed from the territory west of Tell Tamr and now government forces are working to limit their movement even further .
In response , the US-led coalition is trying to implement a similar approach towards the Russian Military Police near al-Hasakah .

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On May 28, an intense fighting erupted between Turkish-backed militant groups in the Turkish-occupied city of Afrin. The clashes started after Hamza Division militants shot and killed a child and an owner of a shop that had refused to loan goods to them. The killed persons appeared to be affiliated with Jaish al-Islam. In response, fighters of the group attacked Hamza Division positions in the city center forcing them to flee Afrin. 3 Hamza Division members, a Jaish al-Islam member and 3 civilians were killed in the clashes. At least 6 civilians were also injured.
The situation de-escalated by the end of the day after the Hamza Division released a statement promising to launch investigating into the incident and hold the fighters involved in the attack on the shop accountable. Early on May 29, Hamza Division fighters reportedly started returning to the Afrin city center.
Looting, street firefights and extortion racket are an ordinary part of the daily life in the Turkish-controlled part of northern Syria. On May 25, two units of the Murad Division clashed with each other in al-Bab and south of the town, near the Abu Zindin crossing with the government-held area. At least one militant and several civilians were injured in the incident that was caused by the struggle for the smuggling route among local commanders.
Turkish-backed militant groups do not care about possible civilian casualties as a result of their criminal activity. The only difference of the Afrin case is that the civilian killed by the Hamza Division appeared to be affiliated with a rival militant group.
A one more security problem for Turkish-led forces is regular attacks by Kurdish rebels. At least nine militants were killed and two others were injured in IED explosions, sniper attacks and ambushed carried out by the Kurdish-led Afrin Liberation Forces in the Afrin region on May 17, May 18, May 19, May 23 and May 25.
On May 28, the Turkish Army and the Russian Military Police held a 13th joint patrol along the M4 highway in southern Idlib. This time the patrol reached the eastern entrance of Kafr Shalaya, which is located a half way from the government-controlled town of Saraqib and the city of Jisr al-Shughur, which is in the hands of al-Qaeda-linked militants.
The expanded length of the joint patrols is a positive signal showing some progress in the Russian-Turkish cooperation to create a security zone along the M4 highway. However, the presence of radicals near Jisr al-Shughur and the recent attack on a Turkish military patrol there demonstrate that the full implementation of the de-escalation deal is still far away.
The Syrian Army and pro-government locals blocked a US military convoy near the town of Tell Tamr and forced it to retreat back to the al-Hasakah countryside on May 27. Over the past months, US forces have been fully squeezed from the territory west of Tell Tamr and now government forces are working to limit their movement even further. In response, the US-led coalition is trying to implement a similar approach towards the Russian Military Police near al-Hasakah.
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southfront--2020-05-30--Conflict In Afghanistan. Structured Analysis, Forecast And Settlement Scenarios

The conflict in Afghanistan spans over decades of history .
The region itself has remained the scene of geopolitical confrontation for at least several centuries .
In the last 50 years , four stages of the international conflict in Afghanistan can be distinguished .
• Afghan conflict 1979-1989 – a military conflict on the territory of Afghanistan between government forces with the support of a limited contingent of Soviet troops on one side and armed groups of Afghan mujahideen , who enjoy political , financial , material and military support from the leading states of NATO , China and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side • The Civil War of 1989 – 2001 – this is an ongoing conflict of intra-Afghan forces , with the support of foreign states .
In turn , this period can be divided into three parts .
• The Afghanistan War 2001-2014 is a military conflict between the US-led military coalition ( ISAF ) , supported first by NATO and then the new US-controlled government of Afghanistan , and the Taliban Islamist organization , which previously controlled most of Afghanistan .
In fact , the US intervention in Afghanistan with the occupation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has happened under the pretext of “ the fight against terrorism ” • The war in Afghanistan from 2015 to the present is an armed conflict between the Kabul government , the United States and NATO forces on one side , the Taliban and militants from various radical groups on the other , which entered into its acute phase immediately after the withdrawal of the main contingent of NATO troops from Afghanistan .
• The central government in Kabul , headed by Ashraf Ghanif , which relies on part of the Pashtun population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as on the support of part of the forces of the former Northern Alliance , for example , on the forces and political influence of the ethnic Uzbek General Dostum , on ethnic and religious minorities , and , most importantly , on the support it receives from the USA and other Western countries .
It represents the conditionally “ liberal ” part of Afghan society .
It does not enjoy real support and popularity among the masses .
• The Islamic Party of Afghanistan , led by former leader of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party ’ s strategy – Islamic revolution .
The ideology is close to that of the Muslim Brotherhood .
It relies on the support of part of the rural Pashtun population .
It has close ties with Pakistan .
Currently , it is not carrying out open hostilities against the central government .
The population of Kabul is perceived extremely negatively .
• The Taliban movement .
As of May 2020 , it seems to have the greatest support among the population of Afghanistan .
It ’ s support rests in large shares @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a branched structure , and a a very strong military organization .
It is actively fighting against foreign interventionists and the government in Kabul .
• ISIS cells in Afghanistan , which are increasing their activity in the region and are becoming increasingly popular .
• Al-Qaeda groups are also a separate factor of instability .
In the last year , they have established close ties with the Syrian radicals in Idlib , and the Turkic radical organizations in the Central Asian region .
• Local field commanders .
First of all , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they support one or another radical organization .
They rely on ethnic communities and local armed groups .
External forces pursuing an active policy in the region : • USA and NATO member states .
Coordinated policy , led by the United States .
Recently , it makes sense to separately single out the activity of Great Britain in the region , which largely pursues the policy of the American democratic establishment .
• People ’ s Republic of China Traditionally it follows two vectors : economic and political .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrorism , the position of the PRC coincides with the interests of the CSTO countries .
• The Russian Federation and Kazakhstan .
Even more broadly , they align with the CSTO countries .
• Pakistan Traditional support for the main Pashtun population of Afghanistan .
A supportive attitude towards the Taliban .
Some Pakistani elites support the expansion of ISIS in Afghanistan .
• Qatar , support for forces ideologically close to ISIS .
It is an opponent of Saudi Arabia ’ s influence .
• Turkey , support for the Turkic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pro-Turkish groups , as well as promoting the neo-Ottoman agenda in the region .
• International terrorist organizations as independent actors in the region .
In order to demonstrate possible effective directions for resolving the conflict in Afghanistan , it is advisable to divide the main actors into groups with a similar nature of interests .
There are four such groups : • USA and NATO member states .
This group of actors is not interested in stabilizing Afghanistan as an independent state .
The United States and NATO member states do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but in general , there is no positive motivation for their activities in the region .
Afghanistan is needed only as a point of instability and a bridgehead of destructive impact on the Russian Federation and China .
• The diametrically opposed motives are guided by the PRC , the Russian Federation and the countries adjacent to Afghanistan , primarily the CSTO countries and Iran .
For this group of actors , the stability of the region is a key issue of national security .
Even Pakistan , whose elites are not homogeneous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Afghanistan .
Also , these states have economic interests in Afghanistan .
A separate problem is the fight against drug trafficking , and , consequently , the desire to improve the socio-economic situation in Afghanistan .
• The third group of actors should include traditional Islamic extra-regional states , pursuing their own , often narrow interests in Afghanistan ; or those regimes that consider Afghanistan as a springboard for implementation or an element of their geopolitical constructs .
These are : Saudi Arabia , Qatar , UAE , Turkey .
• International terrorist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Al-Qaeda .
These forces consider Afghanistan as a base and a springboard for extending their activities to the Central Asia and the Middle East region , and then the Russian Federation , China , India , etc .
The interests of the various groups operating in Afghanistan , the current situation and the history of the conflict demonstrate that it is difficult , but not impossible , to stabilize the political situation in the region .
Peaceful settlement can be achieved by implementing scenarios A ) or B ) , or various @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : A ) through the process of integrated following through on aspirations and interests : 1. the bulk of the population ; B ) in the event of a significant transformation of ideology , military , economic , political potential : 1. the bulk of the population ; For example , stabilization of the political situation in Afghanistan is possible under the following actions and conditions : • Legalization of the political wing of the Taliban ; • The involvement of a significant number of Taliban functionaries in the general Afghan authorities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; • Softening the position of the Taliban in relation to national and religious minorities of Afghanistan ; • Inclusion in the hierarchy of power and legitimization of the regional leaders of the Taliban through recognition of the rights of the heads of provinces and regions in those areas that are already under their control ; • The withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan .
This could happen , for example , due to a fall in the US economic potential and/or a change in the geopolitical balance of power .
• Creation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic assistance to Afghanistan with an emphasis on direct financing of infrastructure projects through the creation of a special international fund .
The actual volume of the program should be in an amount no less than $ 25 billion .
The term would be 5 years .
The signatories of the fund should include China , the USA , the Russian Federation , Iran , Turkey , Kazakhstan , Pakistan , Germany , France .
Other Western States could also participate , under the conditions of an altered geopolitical situation and if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controlled chaos ” in the region .
• Granting autonomy rights to the regions of compact residence of national and religious minorities , in one way or another , but with the right to form the local judicial system and the rule of law , or to appoint their own leadership .
• Connecting the expanded security forces of Afghanistan to the procedures for ensuring security and the fight against terrorism and extremism in the appropriate formats of the CSTO and SCO .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Caliphate In Miniature : @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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Section 1
The conflict in Afghanistan spans over decades of history. The region itself is the scene of geopolitical confrontation for at least several centuries.
In the last 50 years, there were four main stages of the international conflict in Afghanistan:
The Afghan conflict 1979-1989 – a military conflict on the territory of Afghanistan between government forces (supported by a limited contingent of Soviet troops) and armed groups of Afghan mujahideen, that were receiving political, financial, material and military support from the leading NATO member states, China and the conservative Islamic world. The Civil War of 1989 – 2001. This is an ongoing conflict of intra-Afghan forces supported by foreign powers. This period can be divided into three parts. The Afghanistan War 2001-2014. This is a military conflict between the US-led military coalition (International Security Assistance Force; ISAF) and the Taliban movement, which previously controlled most of Afghanistan. The Northern Alliance and then the US-controlled Kabul government supported actions of the ISAF. In fact, the US intervention in Afghanistan with the occupation of a large part of the country’s territory took place under the pretext of “the fight against terrorism”. The Afghanistan War 2015 – present time. This is an armed conflict between the Kabul government, the United States and NATO forces on the one side, and the Taliban and militants from various radical groups on the other side. It entered into an acute phase immediately after the withdrawal of the main contingent of NATO troops from Afghanistan.
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Section 2
Intra-Afghan factions:
The Kabul-based government. It is led by President Ashraf Ghani and relies on a part of the Pashtun population living in big cities, a part of the forces of the former Northern Alliance, (for example forces and political influence of an ethnic Uzbek, General Abdul Rashid Do‘stum) and ethnic and religious minorities. However, the corner stone of the Kabul influence is the support that it receives from the United States and other Western countries. Kabul represents the conditionally “liberal” part of the Afghan society and has no real support and popularity among the general population. Hezb-e-Islami Gulbuddin. Its head is the former leader of mujahideens, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. The party’s strategy is the Islamic revolution. The ideology is close to that of the Muslim Brotherhood. The party relies on the support of part of the rural Pashtun population and has close ties with Pakistan. Currently, it is not carrying out open hostilities against the central government. The population of Kabul has an extremely negatively position towards the party. The Taliban movement. As of May 2020, it seems to have the greatest support among the population of the country. Its support rests in large shares of the Pashtun population. It has a branched structure and a very strong military organization. It is actively fighting against foreign invaders and the Kabul government. The Haqqani network. This group is based at the border with Pakistan and is involved in an active armed struggle. It has contacts and coordinates its efforts with the Taliban and even foreign terrorist groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. Additionally, the Haqqani network allegedly has organizational and ideological links with ISIS> ISIS – Khorasan Province. ISIS cells in Afghanistan have been increasing their activity. Their popularity among the poorest part of the population is growing. Al-Qaeda. Groups linked with al-Qaeda are a separate factor of instability. In the last year, they have established close ties radicals in Syria’s Idlib and Turkic radical organizations in the Central Asian region. Local field commanders of the “North”. First of all, these are Tajik and Turkmen field commanders. Most of them support one or another radical organization. They rely on ethnic communities and local armed groups.
Section 3
External forces pursuing an active policy in the region:
The United States and NATO member states provide a coordinated policy led by Washington. In the current conditions, it makes sense to view separately the activity of the United Kingdom, which largely pursues the policy of the US democratic establishment. The People’s Republic of China traditionally follows two vectors: economic and political. In the field of security and the fight against terrorism, the position of China coincides with the interests of the Collective Security Treaty Organization member states. The Russian Federation and Kazakhstan, and even more broadly the CSTO, seek to ensure stability of the region, promoting the concept of the Eurasian unity. Pakistan traditional supports the main Pashtun population of Afghanistan and has a supportive attitude towards the Taliban. Some Pakistani elites support the expansion of ISIS in Afghanistan. An example is the support provided to the Haqqani network. Saudi Arabia supports forces ideologically close to al-Qaeda as a tool of its influence in the Islamic world. Qatar supports forces ideologically close to ISIS. It is an opponent of Saudi Arabia’s influence. Turkey support the Turkic population of Afghanistan, pro-Turkish groups and promotes the neo-Ottoman agenda in the region. International terrorist organizations as independent actors in the region.
Section 4
Key developments of 2019:
January 27 – The United States achieved a progress in peace negotiations with the Taliban. These were confirmed by the both sides: U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad and Zabiullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban.
March 2 – The Taliban stormed the Sharobak base killing at least 25 persons. The Taliban claims that about 400 US and Afghan troops were killed.
March 30 – The Taliban seized a district in northeastern Afghanistan. 14 people died.
August 24 – The Taliban and the United States reached an agreement on the schedule of the foreign troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.
October 25 – At least 100 Taliban fighters were killed in a special operation in the province of Baghlan. Government forces retook Dahana i Ghuri District, which was in the hands of the Taliban for almost 3 years.
Key developments of 2020:
February 29 – The Taliban and the United States signed a peace deal in the Qatari capital, Doha. Under the agreement, the United States and NATO will fully withdraw their forces from Afghanistan in 14 months after signing the agreement. The Taliban, on its side, must stop attacks on the territory of Afghanistan.
March 2 – The Taliban announced the resumption of operations against the Kabul government. 3 people died and 11 others were injured in an explosion in the east of the country.
March 11 – The United Kingdom decided to withdraw 330 personnel from Afghanistan by mid-July.
May 12 – 24 people were killed and 16 others were injured in an attack of gunmen on a hospital in Kabul. An explosion erupted during the funeral of a police head killing 32 people and injuring 103 others. President Ashraf Ghani ordered to resume operations against the Taliban in response to regular attacks.
Section 5
In order to demonstrate possible effective directions for resolving the conflict in Afghanistan, it is advisable to divide the main actors into groups with a similar nature of interests.
There are four such groups:
The United States and NATO member states. This group of actors is not interested in stabilizing Afghanistan as an independent state. They do not have economic interests in Afghanistan, in general, and there is no positive motivation for their activities in the region. They see Afghanistan as a point of instability and a bridgehead of destructive impact on Russia and China. The diametrically opposed motives are guided by China, Russia and the countries adjacent to Afghanistan (primarily the CSTO countries and Iran). For this group of actors, the stability of the region is a key factor of national security. Even Pakistan, whose elites are not homogeneous, generally supports the positivist agenda for Afghanistan. These states also have economic interests in Afghanistan. A separate problem is the fight against drug trafficking. Consequently, this group of actors seek to improve the socio-economic situation in Afghanistan. The third group of actors includes traditional Islamic extra-regional states, pursuing their own, often narrow interests and those regimes that consider Afghanistan as a springboard for implementation or an element of their geopolitical constructs. These are Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Turkey. International terrorist organizations centered around two constructs: ISIS and Al-Qaeda. These forces consider Afghanistan as a base and a springboard for extending their activities to the Central Asia and the Middle East region, and then Russia, China, India, etc.
Section 6
The interests of the various groups operating in Afghanistan, the current situation and the history of the conflict demonstrate that it is difficult, but not impossible, to stabilize the political situation in the region.
Peaceful settlement can be achieved by implementing scenarios A) or B), or various configurations between A) and B):
A) through the process of integrated following through on aspirations and interests:
1. the bulk of the population;
2. The key domestic political forces;
3. The key external actors.
B) in the event of a significant transformation of ideology, military, economic, political potential:
1. the bulk of the population;
2. key domestic political forces;
3. The key external actors.
For example, stabilization of the political situation in Afghanistan is possible under the following actions and conditions:
The legalization of the political wing of the Taliban;
The involvement of a significant number of Taliban functionaries in the general Afghan authorities, primarily in the justice system and the government;
Softening the position of the Taliban towards national and religious minorities of Afghanistan;
Inclusion in the hierarchy of power and legitimization of the regional leaders of the Taliban through the recognition of the rights of the heads of provinces and regions in those areas that are already under the control of the movement;
The withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan. This could happen, for example, due to a decrease of the US economic potential and/or a change in the geopolitical balance of power.
Creation and implementation of a program of foreign economic assistance to Afghanistan with an emphasis on a direct financing of infrastructure projects through the creation of a special international fund. The actual volume of the program should be in an amount of no less than $25 billion. The term would be 5 years. The signatories of the fund should include China, the United States, Russia, Iran, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Germany, France. Other Western States could also participate, under the conditions of an altered geopolitical situation and if the US foregoes its strategy of spreading “controlled chaos” in the region.
Granting autonomy rights to the regions of compact residence of national and religious minorities (in one way or another). The main factor would be their right to form the local judicial system and security forces, or to appoint their own leadership.
Connecting the expanded security forces of Afghanistan to the procedures for ensuring security and the fight against terrorism and extremism in the appropriate formats of the CSTO and SCO.
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southfront--2020-05-30--New Allegations Of Massive Corruption In Colombian Armed Forces And Threats Against Whistleblowers

Local media in Colombia this week have been scrutinizing the statements of the retired colonel , Martín Arrauth .
The former military intelligence officer participated in the Bastón operation , an investigation that revealed a major corruption scandal within the Colombian Army after details were first published by the media outlet .
According to sources within the institutions , Arrauth was a long-time confidant of the former commander of the military forces , General Alberto José Mejía , today Colombia ’ s ambassador to Australia .
Colonel Arrauth was one of the Army ’ s Counterintelligence Commanders from December 2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the restructuring and reorganization of the National Army ’ s Counterintelligence during that period , and took part in planning not only the Bastón mission , but more than 700 other related operations pursuant to orders and directives of his superior officers .
According to the officer , the objective of the operations was to identify , prevent , detect , interrupt or counteract foreign intelligence activities , terrorist organizations , subversive agents or activities and other possible threats to the preservation of personnel , facilities , infrastructure , equipment and information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relevant constitutional and legal foundations and requirements .
This week he has been identified both from within the Armed Forces as well as by other sources as one of the people who has delivered to the press a large number of documents about the alleged irregular , criminal and corrupt actions of officers , which he found during the almost three years that he was at the forefront of military counterintelligence .
Regarding his work , retired Colonel Arrauth affirmed that many of the processes were carried out by the Prosecutor ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office , and that they possess all the relevant documents and inquiries as well as more than 25,000 polygraph tests and recordings .
And in the face of the leaking of the documentation to the media , the officer , in a communication that he sent to Caracol Radio , said that “ he will never violate the legal requirements and obligations of the work missions , let alone the intelligence law , as some journalists have alleged who are unaware of the reality of planning and directing , synchronizing information , processing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ command decision-making.
” Colonel Arrauth also responded to former director of the Military Criminal Justice Tribunal Alejandro Ramírez , who in an interview claimed that he had profited from the payment of rewards .
On the contrary , he said that “ he was never paid any reward for the operations and work missions that he had operationally under his command or for protocols , processes and procedures that he directed in the National Army ’ s Counterintelligence , a matter that is easily verifiable in the files of said agency ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s counterintelligence , who he claims has been decorated 53 times and has two master ’ s degrees , denounced that since he left office he has been the subject of constant monitoring , surveillance and threats by unknown persons , “ presumably from structures of power , who not only seek to dishonour his impeccable military career , easily verifiable in his resume , but also jeopardize his life and personal integrity and that of his entire family.
” He said that thanks to the work he completed , more than 3,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that is why he is now the target of attacks .
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Local media in Colombia this week have been scrutinizing the statements of the retired colonel, Martín Arrauth. The former military intelligence officer participated in the Bastón operation, an investigation that revealed a major corruption scandal within the Colombian Army after details were first published by the Semana media outlet.
According to sources within the institutions, Arrauth was a long-time confidant of the former commander of the military forces, General Alberto José Mejía, today Colombia’s ambassador to Australia.
Colonel Arrauth was one of the Army’s Counterintelligence Commanders from December 2015 to July 2018.
He took part in the restructuring and reorganization of the National Army’s Counterintelligence during that period, and took part in planning not only the Bastón mission, but more than 700 other related operations pursuant to orders and directives of his superior officers.
According to the officer, the objective of the operations was to identify, prevent, detect, interrupt or counteract foreign intelligence activities, terrorist organizations, subversive agents or activities and other possible threats to the preservation of personnel, facilities, infrastructure, equipment and information, all within the framework of the relevant constitutional and legal foundations and requirements.
This week he has been identified both from within the Armed Forces as well as by other sources as one of the people who has delivered to the press a large number of documents about the alleged irregular, criminal and corrupt actions of officers, which he found during the almost three years that he was at the forefront of military counterintelligence.
Regarding his work, retired Colonel Arrauth affirmed that many of the processes were carried out by the Prosecutor’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office, and that they possess all the relevant documents and inquiries as well as more than 25,000 polygraph tests and recordings.
And in the face of the leaking of the documentation to the media, the officer, in a communication that he sent to Caracol Radio, said that “he will never violate the legal requirements and obligations of the work missions, let alone the intelligence law, as some journalists have alleged who are unaware of the reality of planning and directing, synchronizing information, processing and dissemination, as a tool for command decision-making.”
El árbol genealógico de Uribe está plagado de narcotráfico por donde lo mire…..lea este informe…..e instruyase…sobre la historia criminal de Uribe biene de familia….. pic.twitter.com/sSHM4MleYa — sergio rueda serrano (@srueda1564) May 28, 2020
Colonel Arrauth also responded to former director of the Military Criminal Justice Tribunal Alejandro Ramírez, who in an interview claimed that he had profited from the payment of rewards.
On the contrary, he said that “he was never paid any reward for the operations and work missions that he had operationally under his command or for protocols, processes and procedures that he directed in the National Army’s Counterintelligence, a matter that is easily verifiable in the files of said agency”.
The former head of the Army’s counterintelligence, who he claims has been decorated 53 times and has two master’s degrees, denounced that since he left office he has been the subject of constant monitoring, surveillance and threats by unknown persons, “presumably from structures of power, who not only seek to dishonour his impeccable military career, easily verifiable in his resume, but also jeopardize his life and personal integrity and that of his entire family.”
He said that thanks to the work he completed, more than 3,000 men were dismissed from the Armed Forces and that is why he is now the target of attacks.
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southfront--2020-05-30--CNN Pushes ‘Russian Meddling’ Version In Its Coverage Of Minneapolis Riots

US has too many things where people pay , what they wish istead of , whats needed .
The police is one of them .
It also is shamefull , that so much of the police Leadership is elected by the citicens and by that in a very low rank of professionalisme .
When US citicens dont trust their Governess , they are the reasons themselves by that .
The police should be more neutral and driven by more advanced laws not matter who are political elected by and for them .
I see the same lack of reforms for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as FEMA .
Things are driven by private plunderes and people get the same lack of service and treatment for doublled price being plundered .
They are outside public control apart from as cheep as possible seemes to be , whats preferred .
The Kapitalisme Idea also is to get better products to the price and better decidings for , what actually needed .
We dont see much of that .
We have had a few cases now and then here in Denmark too .
But statistics made by USA clearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times more in % the we do .
Not all mistakes can be eliminated , but strangulation like that is well descriebed and can only be used in seconds to keep very violent people down .
Its the same for the many shootings .
re people learned defendig themselves is John Wayne direct from the menthal hospital .
Furthermore it seemes to hit balck people much more often and white policemen too often remain and not even are moved ti deskjobs only .

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Finally, CNN found whom to blame for the recent spike of violence in the United States. It’s the ‘Russian trace’ that, according to CNN, should be checked in the case of Minneapolis riots.
Here we go again. Fake News @CNN is blaming RUSSIA, RUSSIA, RUSSIA. They are sick losers with VERY bad ratings! P.S. Can’t blame China because they need the cash? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2020
Meanwhile, on the streets:
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southfront--2020-05-30--Syrian Air Force Receives ‘Advanced’ Mig-29 Fighter Jets From Russia

The Syrian Arab News Agency ( SANA ) announced on May 30 that the Syrian Arab Air Force ( SyAAF ) had received a new batch of Mig-29 fighter jets from Russia .
A military source told the state-run agency that the new fighter jets were handed over to the SyAAF during an official ceremony in the Russian Hmeimim Air Base in southern Lattakia .
The source said the fighter jets were “ advanced ” and “ upgraded.
” According to the source , the new Mig-29s will enter service with the SyAAF on June 1 .
The fighter jets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The military source didn ’ t provide the exact number of Mig-29s which were delivered to the SyAAF or share any details on their specifications .
Recently , a number of Mig-29 fighter jets were spotted in the Hmeimim Air Base .
While the U.S. claimed that they were later deployed in Libya , they could be the ones handed over to the SyAAF .
At least 20 Mig-29s were in service with the SyAAF prior to the new delivery .
The Syrian jets were upgraded to special standard , known as SM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air-to-air missiles ( BVRAAMs ) and precision-guided air-to-surface munitions .
Furthermore , the Mig-29SMs were equipped with active jamming systems .
The military source claimed that the newly delivered Mig-29s are more advanced than the ones which were in service with the SyAAF , which mean they could be Mig-29SMTs or Mig-29Ms .
The new Mig-29s will boost the capabilities of the SyAAF , which failed to impose a no-fly zone over the northwestern region of Greater Idlib during the last confrontation with Turkey .
The delivery of these fighter jets is an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Syria and Russia .
A day earlier , Moscow announced that it will initiate talks with Damascus to secure new bases for its troops on the Syrian coast .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • In Video : Turkish Army Foils Infiltration Attempt By Kurdish Fighters In Northeast Syria

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The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) announced on May 30 that the Syrian Arab Air Force (SyAAF) had received a new batch of Mig-29 fighter jets from Russia.
A military source told the state-run agency that the new fighter jets were handed over to the SyAAF during an official ceremony in the Russian Hmeimim Air Base in southern Lattakia. The source said the fighter jets were “advanced” and “upgraded.”
“These warplanes, which are more effective than their previous generation, flew from the Hmeimim Air Base to their deployment areas in Syrian air bases,” the source said.
According to the source, the new Mig-29s will enter service with the SyAAF on June 1. The fighter jets will patrol Syria’s airspace.
The military source didn’t provide the exact number of Mig-29s which were delivered to the SyAAF or share any details on their specifications.
Recently, a number of Mig-29 fighter jets were spotted in the Hmeimim Air Base. While the U.S. claimed that they were later deployed in Libya, they could be the ones handed over to the SyAAF.
At least 20 Mig-29s were in service with the SyAAF prior to the new delivery. The Syrian jets were upgraded to special standard, known as SM. This allowed them to fire beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAMs) and precision-guided air-to-surface munitions. Furthermore, the Mig-29SMs were equipped with active jamming systems.
The military source claimed that the newly delivered Mig-29s are more advanced than the ones which were in service with the SyAAF, which mean they could be Mig-29SMTs or Mig-29Ms.
The new Mig-29s will boost the capabilities of the SyAAF, which failed to impose a no-fly zone over the northwestern region of Greater Idlib during the last confrontation with Turkey.
The delivery of these fighter jets is an example of the ever growing partnership between Syria and Russia. A day earlier, Moscow announced that it will initiate talks with Damascus to secure new bases for its troops on the Syrian coast.
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southfront--2020-05-30--Prominent Turkish-Backed Syrian Commander Killed In Libya

On May 30 , the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) announced that its units had eliminated a prominent Turkish-backed Syrian commander .
According to the army , the commander , Murad Abu Hamoud al-Azizi , was killed during clashes on a highway leading to the Tripoli International Airport , a few kilometres south of the capital .
Al-Azizi was leading militants from the Sultan Murad Division in Libya .
The group is one of the Turkish-backed factions which deployed militants in Libya to support the Government of National Accord ( GNA ) upon Turkey ’ s order .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eliminated several Syrian commanders .
One of them was Mohamed Hindawi who was commanding the 2nd Corps of Turkish-backed Syrian militants in Libya .
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights ( SOHR ) , a total of 331 Syrian militants have been killed while fighting for the GNA in Libya thus far .
At least 13 militants , including two children , were killed in the last few days only .
Despite the recent losses , Turkey is working to send even more Syrian militants to Libya .
Around 2,300 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead of deployment .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • U.S. Seizes $ 1.1 Billion Of Russian-Printed Libyan Currency In Joint Operation With Malta

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On May 30, the Libyan National Army (LNA) announced that its units had eliminated a prominent Turkish-backed Syrian commander.
According to the army, the commander, Murad Abu Hamoud al-Azizi, was killed during clashes on a highway leading to the Tripoli International Airport, a few kilometres south of the capital.
عاجل
مقتل القيادي في فرقة السلطان مراد “ابو حمود العزيزي” برصاص احد عناصر الفرقة في #ليبيا pic.twitter.com/YiVVeXW4Yc — ثوار تويتر/ردينة سليم (@SRoudinah) May 29, 2020
Al-Azizi was leading militants from the Sultan Murad Division in Libya. The group is one of the Turkish-backed factions which deployed militants in Libya to support the Government of National Accord (GNA) upon Turkey’s order.
In the last few weeks, the army eliminated several Syrian commanders. One of them was Mohamed Hindawi who was commanding the 2nd Corps of Turkish-backed Syrian militants in Libya.
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a total of 331 Syrian militants have been killed while fighting for the GNA in Libya thus far. At least 13 militants, including two children, were killed in the last few days only.
Despite the recent losses, Turkey is working to send even more Syrian militants to Libya. Around 2,300 recruits are now receiving training in Turkey ahead of deployment.
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southfront--2020-05-30--In Videos: Security Forces Hunt Down Group Of Militants In Russia’s Ingushetia

On May 30 , security forces besieged a group of militants in the town of Sunga in Russia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ militants resisted detention and engaged security personnel in a firefight .
According to Russian media @ @ @ @ @ .
2 militants were eliminated .
There were no casualties among security personnel or civilians @ @ @ @ @ :

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On May 30, security forces besieged a group of militants in the town of Sunga in Russia’s Republic of Ingushetia. The militants resisted detention and engaged security personnel in a firefight. According to Russian media, the firefight already ended. 2 militants were eliminated. There were no casualties among security personnel or civilians.
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southfront--2020-05-30--In Video: Turkish Army Foils Infiltration Attempt By Kurdish Fighters In Northeast Syria

The Turkish Ministry of National Defense announced on May 30 that its forces had foiled an infiltration attempt by Kurdish @ @ @ @ @ The ministry also released a short video showing Turkish forces detecting the infiltration attempt with @ @ @ @ @ drone .
Then , the infiltrators were targeted with heavy howitzers .
The U.S.-backed Syrian @ @ @ @ @ , which is affiliated with the YPG , is yet to comment on the Turkish @ @ @ @ @ .
Earlier this year , Kurdish fighters in northeast Syria began launching attacks on Turkish @ @ @ @ @ region .
In a recent incident , two Kurdish fighters were captured while attempting to @ @ @ @ @ the town of Ras al-Ayn using DIY “ invisibility suits.
” MORE ON THIS TOPIC @

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The Turkish Ministry of National Defense announced on May 30 that its forces had foiled an infiltration attempt by Kurdish fighters in northeast Syria.
“Five terrorists of the PKK [Kurdistan Workers’ Party]\YPG [the People’s Protection Units] organization were neutralized while attempting to sneak into Operation Peace Spring region,” the ministry said in a press release.
The ministry also released a short video showing Turkish forces detecting the infiltration attempt with ground-based surveillance systems and a drone. Then, the infiltrators were targeted with heavy howitzers.
Komandolarımız terör örgütlerine geçit vermiyor. Huzur ve güven ortamını bozmak için Barış Pınarı bölgesinde sızma girişiminde bulunan 5 PKK/YPG’li terörist etkisiz hale getirildi. #MSB #TSK pic.twitter.com/Eq0MOHI5YY — T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) May 30, 2020
The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is affiliated with the YPG, is yet to comment on the Turkish Ministry of National Defense claims.
Earlier this year, Kurdish fighters in northeast Syria began launching attacks on Turkish forces occupying parts of the region. In a recent incident, two Kurdish fighters were captured while attempting to infiltrate a Turkish position near the town of Ras al-Ayn using DIY “invisibility suits.”
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southfront--2020-05-30--U.S. Seizes $1.1 Billion Of Russian-Printed Libyan Currency In Joint Operation With Malta

The U.S. Department of State announced on May 30 that $ 1.1 billion worth of “ counterfeit ” Libyan currency were seized on May 26 in a joint operation with Malta ’ s authorities .
In an official statement , a spokesman for the department said that the currency was printed in Russia by the state-owned Joint Stock Company Goznak .
The notes were printed upon request from the House of Representatives ( HoR ) Central Bank in eastern Libya .
The spokesman , Morgan Ortagus , called the bank an “ illegitimate parallel entity , ” stressing that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bank , the Central Bank of Libya , is the country ’ s only legitimate central bank .
The HoR ’ s bank has been printing notes in Russia since 2016 .
The step was taken in response to a shortage of cash in the eastern part of the country .
The GNA , which controls the northwestern part , is currently in conflict with the HoR and the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) .
In the last few months , the GNA ’ s central bank was accused of misconduct on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claim that the bank is selling and transferring hard currency as well as gold to the Central Bank of Turkey in return for the Turkish military support for GNA forces .
The shortage of currency in Libya worsened in the recent days , with the Dinar losing some of its value .
Ramzi al-Agha , a director in the HoR ’ s bank in eastern Libya , claims that the recent influx of Syrian militants to Libya caused the new crisis as the demand for cash skyrocketed .
The U.S. is attempting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s economic problems , which are first of all a result of the 2011 NATO intervention in the country .
Washington is worried that Russia may be preparing to provide a direct military support to the HoR and the LNA .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Prospects For Resolving Conflict And Stabilizing Political Situation In Libya

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The U.S. Department of State announced on May 30 that $1.1 billion worth of “counterfeit” Libyan currency were seized on May 26 in a joint operation with Malta’s authorities.
In an official statement, a spokesman for the department said that the currency was printed in Russia by the state-owned Joint Stock Company Goznak. The notes were printed upon request from the House of Representatives (HoR) Central Bank in eastern Libya.
The spokesman, Morgan Ortagus, called the bank an “illegitimate parallel entity,” stressing that the Government of National Accord (GNA) bank, the Central Bank of Libya, is the country’s only legitimate central bank.
“The influx of counterfeit, Russian-printed Libyan currency in recent years has exacerbated Libya’s economic challenges,” the spokesman said, adding “This incident once again highlights the need for Russia to cease its malign and destabilizing actions in Libya.”
The HoR’s bank has been printing notes in Russia since 2016. The step was taken in response to a shortage of cash in the eastern part of the country. The GNA, which controls the northwestern part, is currently in conflict with the HoR and the Libyan National Army (LNA).
In the last few months, the GNA’s central bank was accused of misconduct on many occasions. Pro-HoR and LNA sources claim that the bank is selling and transferring hard currency as well as gold to the Central Bank of Turkey in return for the Turkish military support for GNA forces.
The shortage of currency in Libya worsened in the recent days, with the Dinar losing some of its value. Ramzi al-Agha, a director in the HoR’s bank in eastern Libya, claims that the recent influx of Syrian militants to Libya caused the new crisis as the demand for cash skyrocketed.
The U.S. is attempting to blame Russia and the LNA for Libya’s economic problems, which are first of all a result of the 2011 NATO intervention in the country. Washington is worried that Russia may be preparing to provide a direct military support to the HoR and the LNA.
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southfront--2020-05-30--ISIS Claims It Killed Syrian Army Soldiers, Informants In Eastern Homs (Video)

On May 30 , ISIS claimed that its cells had carried out a new attack on Syrian Arab Army ( @ @ @ @ @ eastern Homs countryside .
The terrorists targeted a pick-up of pro-government forces near al-Amour Mount @ @ @ @ @ ( IED ) two days ago .
The mountain is located in the vicinity of @ @ @ @ @ The ISIS-run Amaq news agency claimed that four Syrian soldiers and local informants were killed @ @ @ @ @ attack .
The terrorist group ’ s claims turned out to be untrue .
The @ @ @ @ @ the National Defense Forces ( NDF ) , not the SAA .
Several NDF fighters @ @ @ @ @ , but none were killed .
Hundreds of ISIS terrorists are reportedly taking shelter in @ @ @ @ @ desert lays between eastern Homs , western Deir Ezzor and southwest Raqqa .
In the @ @ @ @ @ SAA and its allies intensified their security operations across the Homs desert .
MORE ON @ @ @

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On May 30, ISIS claimed that its cells had carried out a new attack on Syrian Arab Army (SAA) troops in the eastern Homs countryside.
The terrorists targeted a pick-up of pro-government forces near al-Amour Mount with an improvised explosive device (IED) two days ago. The mountain is located in the vicinity of the town of al-Sukhnah.
The ISIS-run Amaq news agency claimed that four Syrian soldiers and local informants were killed or injured in the IED attack.
The terrorist group’s claims turned out to be untrue. The IED targeted a pick-up of the National Defense Forces (NDF), not the SAA. Several NDF fighters were injured in the attack, but none were killed.
Hundreds of ISIS terrorists are reportedly taking shelter in the Homs desert. The desert lays between eastern Homs, western Deir Ezzor and southwest Raqqa. In the last few weeks, the SAA and its allies intensified their security operations across the Homs desert.
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southfront--2020-05-30--Syrian Army And Allies Deploy Large Reinforcements In Southern Idlib

The Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) and Iranian-backed forces are amassing a large strike force in the southern countryside of Idlib , according to opposition sources .
On May 29 , opposition sources said large reinforcements of the army and its allies arrived in the cities of Saraqib and Ma ` arat al-Nu ` man as well as the Zawiya Mountain .
The sources also reported an increase in reconnaissance sorties over Greater Idlib .
Syrian and Russian warplanes patrol the region on a regular basis .
Nevertheless , no airstrikes have been carried out so far .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known as the Tiger Forces , and Lebanon ’ s Hezbollah maintain a strong presence in Greater Idlib .
Militants ’ violations of the ceasefire in Greater Idlib are increasing .
In the last two days , heavy clashes broke out in the region ’ s southern part .
The SAA usually responds to any violation in Greater Idlib with artillery and anti-tank guided missiles ( ATGMs ) .
Some drone strikes also targeted prominent militants in the region .
The deployment of additional reinforcements in Greater Idlib could be a defense measure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new military operation in the region is high .
Turkey is yet to fulfill its commitments under the March 5 agreement with Russia .
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The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and Iranian-backed forces are amassing a large strike force in the southern countryside of Idlib, according to opposition sources.
On May 29, opposition sources said large reinforcements of the army and its allies arrived in the cities of Saraqib and Ma`arat al-Nu`man as well as the Zawiya Mountain.
The sources also reported an increase in reconnaissance sorties over Greater Idlib. Syrian and Russian warplanes patrol the region on a regular basis. Nevertheless, no airstrikes have been carried out so far.
The SAA’s 25th Division, previously known as the Tiger Forces, and Lebanon’s Hezbollah maintain a strong presence in Greater Idlib.
Militants’ violations of the ceasefire in Greater Idlib are increasing. In the last two days, heavy clashes broke out in the region’s southern part.
The SAA usually responds to any violation in Greater Idlib with artillery and anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). Some drone strikes also targeted prominent militants in the region.
The deployment of additional reinforcements in Greater Idlib could be a defense measure. Nevertheless, the possibility of a new military operation in the region is high. Turkey is yet to fulfill its commitments under the March 5 agreement with Russia.
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southfront--2020-05-31--Turkish Military Deploys Heavy Howitzers In Syria’s Greater Idlib (Videos)

On May 30 , the Turkish military deployed at least four M110 self-propelled howitzers in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib .
The heavy howitzers , which belong to the Turkish Armed Forces ’ 106th Artillery Regiment , entered Idlib through the Kafr Lusin border crossing .
Turkey ’ s Ihlas News Agency shared a video of the guns passing through the province of Haytay .
Another video , taken by Syrian opposition activists , showed the guns in Greater Idlib ’ s northern part .
The M110 203 mm gun range varies from 16,8 km to approximately 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to 30 km when firing rocket-assisted projectiles .
A total of 219 howitzers of this type are in service with the Turkish Armed Forces .
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights ( SOHR ) , more than 100 Turkish military vehicles entered Greater Idlib over the last few days .
Turkey ’ s military buildup in Greater Idlib is for sure not aimed against terrorist groups there .
These groups are stationed right around Turkish posts .
Ankara is most likely preparing for yet another confrontation with the Syrian Arab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ THIS TOPIC :

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On May 30, the Turkish military deployed at least four M110 self-propelled howitzers in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib.
The heavy howitzers, which ebelong to the Turkish Armed Forces’ 106th Artillery Regiment, entered Idlib through the Kafr Lusin border crossing.
Turkey’s Ihlas News Agency shared a video of the artillery guns passing through the province of Haytay. Another video, taken by Syrian opposition activists, showed the guns in Greater Idlib’s northern part.
The M110 203mm artillery gun range varies from 16,8 km to approximately 25 km when firing standard projectiles, and up to 30 km when firing rocket-assisted projectiles. A total of 219 howitzers of this type are in service with the Turkish Armed Forces.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), more than 100 Turkish military vehicles entered Greater Idlib over the last few days.
Turkey’s military buildup in Greater Idlib is likely not aimed against terrorist groups operating there. These groups are stationed right around Turkish posts. Ankara is most likely preparing for yet another confrontation with the Syrian Arab Army and its allies.
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southfront--2020-05-31--A Swarm of Swarms: Toward Aerospace Warfare Model of the 21st Century

While the phrase “ system of systems ” has entered relatively common usage some years ago as a reflection of the need to field systems and assets with complementary capabilities that will operate as part of a synergistic whole in their respective domain of warfare , in the realm of aerospace combat the United States is moving in the direction of the “ swarm ” as the key organizing principle of its combat paradigm .
The US Air Force Future Operating Concept which attempts to envision USAF operations in the year 2035 places “ interconnectedness ” high on the list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as “ Global Integrated Intelligence , Surveillance , and Reconnaissance ” and “ Global Precision Strike ” , all being controlled from “ Multi-Domain Operations Centers ” whose ability to manage a wide variety of interconnected systems and assets would guarantee getting inside the adversary ’ s “ Observe , Orient , Decide , Act ” ( OODA ) Loop , a long-standing Holy Grail among US airmen ever since USAF Colonel John Boyd formulated the concept as a result of his Korean War experiences .
Advances in communications , sensors , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progressed greatly beyond being little more than bullets , launched at a specific target and then guided to it by either its on-board sensors perceiving some aspect of the electromagnetic spectrum emanated by the target , or by an autopilot navigating it and its lethal payload to its destination .
The swarm approach apparently became attractive to the US military following the cruise missile strikes against targets in Syria , during which the slow-moving trickle of subsonic , non-maneuverable , but very expensive Tomahawk SLCMs was combed out of the sky by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Evidently even the current sophisticated Tomahawk mission planning software is incapable of delivering the “ time on target ” response necessary to overcome local air defenses .
On the other hand , an AI-enhanced swarm of smaller , cheaper munitions might succeed where the by now dated Tomahawk had failed .
In response , the US military had embraced the “ swarm ” idea with a vengeance , hoping that interconnectedness and AI will deliver the sort of technological overmatch of any and all adversaries that currently does not exist .
US Air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enormously resistant to the idea of heavy unmanned combat aerial vehicles ( UCAVs ) for much of the last decade .
Many earlier experiments involving flying wing-style UCAVs such as the X-47 have failed to result in a deployed combat system .
This hesitancy was driven by two factors .
The first was the “ fighter mafia ” that rules the USAF and the naval aviation component of the USN , which is jealously guarding its elite status and which is not interested in “ fighter jocks ” being displaced by a bunch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UCAVs .
The second was the belief that the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter would live up to Lockheed-Martin propaganda and be that technological “ silver bullet ” in both air-to-air and air-to-ground applications , thanks to its stealth , advanced sensors , and the ability to share tactical information in real time .
In actuality , however , the incredibly protracted F-35 development allowed for countermeasures to be developed , and secondly the fighter itself was found to have enough shortcomings to practically relegate it to a “ niche ” weapon system , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a workhorse to replace the vast fleet of F-16 fighters in US and allied use .
With the F-35 ’ s flaws now in plain view , the UCAV has been given a second lease on life as a means of rescuing the most expensive combat aircraft program in history from failure .
Remarkably enough , the first air force to recognize these problems was Australia ’ s , which launched the “ loyal wingman ” project for which Boeing , a competitor to Lockheed Martin , is already building prototypes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ambitious Skyborg which is still in the conceptual stage , but which also is pursuing the same aim that is close to being achieved in Russia with the Su-57—Okhotnik UCAV combination .
While the information about Skyborg is still scarce , once operational it will be procured in large numbers to ensure each F-35 could take at least one into combat by its side .
USAF ’ s swarm principle is unlikely to stop there , and will also extend into munitions .
The service awarded several contracts in the past couple of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ munitions that would be cheaper , longer-ranged , equipped with sensors , and interlinked , in order to facilitate their cooperation while in flight .
The US “ space swarm ” so far is the least developed of the three , but its rudiments are already visible .
The SpaceX Starlink constellation of small satellites that was advertised as a means of providing the entire world with access to wireless internet has also been revealed to have direct military applications .
The US Air Force has acknowledged it will rely on it for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moreover , if combined with powerful enough signal processing capabilities , Starlink offers the prospect of a global aircraft detection system , possibly even capable of tracking large moving objects on the surface of the planet , such as aircraft carriers .
It ’ s difficult to imagine USAF and USSF would forgot attempting to develop a technology which was demonstrated for the first time with the downing of the F-117 over Serbia in 1999 .
Given the US military ’ s interest in reusable space-launch vehicles and developing the ability to surge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubtful the Starlink will remain the only US application of the swarm concept in space .
Sooner or later they will be supplemented by combat vehicles , likely based on the X-37 unmanned and reusable space shuttle that has logged an impressive number of hours in space , and whose payloads and activities remain a closely guarded secret .
The recent tests of an anti-drone combat laser aboard a US warship suggest that such a weapon could eventually be deployed aboard X-37-derived combat spacecraft .
While the small size of the X-37 means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lasers effective would be a daunting task indeed , the absence of an atmosphere in low Earth orbit and the fragility of most satellites mean that a space-borne laser would be a more effective anti-satellite than anti-missile weapon .
The dream of interconnected aerospace swarms extending from the Earth ’ s surface into low Earth orbit and beyond will encounter major obstacles along the way , to the point that perhaps it will remain yet another US utopian technological project aiming at obtaining permanent military supremacy .
The first is the existence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight tooth and nail for organizational turf and control over space-capable assets .
Ironically , the establishment of the USSF may undermine the drive toward integrated aerospace operations the same way as the creation of the US Air Force as an independent service led to the promotion of the idea of airpower winning wars entirely on its own , without collaboration with other services .
While strategic airpower was a favorite among the US Army Air Corps leadership in part because , in the absence of a large land theater of operations against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means of bringing the war to Germany , the subordination to the Army meant tactical air could not be ignored .
Once that independence from the Army was won , time and again tactical air support capabilities had to be engineered into various combat aircraft only after they became operational .
One still remembers “ not a pound for air to ground ” that accompanied the creation of the F-15 Eagle .
By the same token , the creation of the USSF means the existence of an organization about as interested in watching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it seems very interested in doing , as USAF is in the US Army having its own fixed-wing combat aircraft .
And just as USAF prioritized air superiority and strategic warfare over tactical air support , so is the USSF liable to lose sight of the fact the most important aspect of its mission is the support of combat operations in the atmosphere and on the Earth ’ s surface .
The sheer complexity of the goal of building a global swarm of swarms that links all the aerial and space platforms and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It should be noted that many of the problems of the F-35 are actually software-based , for example the failed ALIS centralized maintenance monitoring system which USAF finally gave up on and decided to commission an entirely different system .
Since US software development do not appear to be on a part with US military ’ s ambitions , there is no guarantee the US military will be able to achieve its end objective .
This is not the first time the US military has bet on a technological advance to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give it an irresistible advantage .
The Norden bombsight , the nuclear weapon , guided munitions , were all supposed to deliver a similar objective .
None of them really delivered what they promised because other powers responded in kind , and the technological capabilities themselves fell short of what was advertised .
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While the phrase “system of systems” has entered relatively common usage some years ago as a reflection of the need to field systems and assets with complementary capabilities that will operate as part of a synergistic whole in their respective domain of warfare, in the realm of aerospace combat the United States is moving in the direction of the “swarm” as the key organizing principle of its combat paradigm. The US Air Force Future Operating Concept which attempts to envision USAF operations in the year 2035 places “interconnectedness” high on the list of buzzwords, and promotes such goals as “Global Integrated Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance” and “Global Precision Strike”, all being controlled from “Multi-Domain Operations Centers” whose ability to manage a wide variety of interconnected systems and assets would guarantee getting inside the adversary’s “Observe, Orient, Decide, Act” (OODA) Loop, a long-standing Holy Grail among US airmen ever since USAF Colonel John Boyd formulated the concept as a result of his Korean War experiences.
Advances in communications, sensors, and artificial intelligence have meant that munitions have progressed greatly beyond being little more than bullets, launched at a specific target and then guided to it by either its on-board sensors perceiving some aspect of the electromagnetic spectrum emanated by the target, or by an autopilot navigating it and its lethal payload to its destination.
The swarm approach apparently became attractive to the US military following the cruise missile strikes against targets in Syria, during which the slow-moving trickle of subsonic, non-maneuverable, but very expensive Tomahawk SLCMs was combed out of the sky by a variety of modern air defense systems. Evidently even the current sophisticated Tomahawk mission planning software is incapable of delivering the “time on target” response necessary to overcome local air defenses. On the other hand, an AI-enhanced swarm of smaller, cheaper munitions might succeed where the by now dated Tomahawk had failed.
In response, the US military had embraced the “swarm” idea with a vengeance, hoping that interconnectedness and AI will deliver the sort of technological overmatch of any and all adversaries that currently does not exist.
Tac Air component
US Air Force and the US Navy have been enormously resistant to the idea of heavy unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) for much of the last decade. Many earlier experiments involving flying wing-style UCAVs such as the X-47 have failed to result in a deployed combat system. This hesitancy was driven by two factors. The first was the “fighter mafia” that rules the USAF and the naval aviation component of the USN, which is jealously guarding its elite status and which is not interested in “fighter jocks” being displaced by a bunch of kids with video game consoles controlling UCAVs. The second was the belief that the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter would live up to Lockheed-Martin propaganda and be that technological “silver bullet” in both air-to-air and air-to-ground applications, thanks to its stealth, advanced sensors, and the ability to share tactical information in real time. In actuality, however, the incredibly protracted F-35 development allowed for countermeasures to be developed, and secondly the fighter itself was found to have enough shortcomings to practically relegate it to a “niche” weapon system, a sort of second-generation F-117, rather than a workhorse to replace the vast fleet of F-16 fighters in US and allied use.
With the F-35’s flaws now in plain view, the UCAV has been given a second lease on life as a means of rescuing the most expensive combat aircraft program in history from failure. Remarkably enough, the first air force to recognize these problems was Australia’s, which launched the “loyal wingman” project for which Boeing, a competitor to Lockheed Martin, is already building prototypes. The US equivalent is the considerably more ambitious Skyborg which is still in the conceptual stage, but which also is pursuing the same aim that is close to being achieved in Russia with the Su-57—Okhotnik UCAV combination. While the information about Skyborg is still scarce, once operational it will be procured in large numbers to ensure each F-35 could take at least one into combat by its side.
USAF’s swarm principle is unlikely to stop there, and will also extend into munitions. The service awarded several contracts in the past couple of years to further the development of stand-off munitions that would be cheaper, longer-ranged, equipped with sensors, and interlinked, in order to facilitate their cooperation while in flight.
Space Component
The US “space swarm” so far is the least developed of the three, but its rudiments are already visible. The SpaceX Starlink constellation of small satellites that was advertised as a means of providing the entire world with access to wireless internet has also been revealed to have direct military applications. The US Air Force has acknowledged it will rely on it for broadband access for its combat aircraft. Moreover, if combined with powerful enough signal processing capabilities, Starlink offers the prospect of a global aircraft detection system, possibly even capable of tracking large moving objects on the surface of the planet, such as aircraft carriers. It’s difficult to imagine USAF and USSF would forgot attempting to develop a technology which was demonstrated for the first time with the downing of the F-117 over Serbia in 1999.
Given the US military’s interest in reusable space-launch vehicles and developing the ability to surge launches whenever needed, it’s doubtful the Starlink will remain the only US application of the swarm concept in space. Sooner or later they will be supplemented by combat vehicles, likely based on the X-37 unmanned and reusable space shuttle that has logged an impressive number of hours in space, and whose payloads and activities remain a closely guarded secret. The recent tests of an anti-drone combat laser aboard a US warship suggest that such a weapon could eventually be deployed aboard X-37-derived combat spacecraft. While the small size of the X-37 means accommodating necessary power supplies to make the lasers effective would be a daunting task indeed, the absence of an atmosphere in low Earth orbit and the fragility of most satellites mean that a space-borne laser would be a more effective anti-satellite than anti-missile weapon.
Flies in the Ointment
The dream of interconnected aerospace swarms extending from the Earth’s surface into low Earth orbit and beyond will encounter major obstacles along the way, to the point that perhaps it will remain yet another US utopian technological project aiming at obtaining permanent military supremacy.
The first is the existence of the US Space Force, which will fight tooth and nail for organizational turf and control over space-capable assets. Ironically, the establishment of the USSF may undermine the drive toward integrated aerospace operations the same way as the creation of the US Air Force as an independent service led to the promotion of the idea of airpower winning wars entirely on its own, without collaboration with other services. While strategic airpower was a favorite among the US Army Air Corps leadership in part because, in the absence of a large land theater of operations against Germany, the bombers were the only means of bringing the war to Germany, the subordination to the Army meant tactical air could not be ignored. Once that independence from the Army was won, time and again tactical air support capabilities had to be engineered into various combat aircraft only after they became operational. One still remembers “not a pound for air to ground” that accompanied the creation of the F-15 Eagle.
By the same token, the creation of the USSF means the existence of an organization about as interested in watching USAF develop its space capabilities, which it seems very interested in doing, as USAF is in the US Army having its own fixed-wing combat aircraft. And just as USAF prioritized air superiority and strategic warfare over tactical air support, so is the USSF liable to lose sight of the fact the most important aspect of its mission is the support of combat operations in the atmosphere and on the Earth’s surface.
The sheer complexity of the goal of building a global swarm of swarms that links all the aerial and space platforms and munitions will also be a major challenge. It should be noted that many of the problems of the F-35 are actually software-based, for example the failed ALIS centralized maintenance monitoring system which USAF finally gave up on and decided to commission an entirely different system. Since US software development do not appear to be on a part with US military’s ambitions, there is no guarantee the US military will be able to achieve its end objective.
Conclusion
This is not the first time the US military has bet on a technological advance to provide a “game changer” that would give it an irresistible advantage. The Norden bombsight, the nuclear weapon, guided munitions, were all supposed to deliver a similar objective. None of them really delivered what they promised because other powers responded in kind, and the technological capabilities themselves fell short of what was advertised.
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southfront--2020-05-31--Military Situation In Libya On May 31, 2020 (Map Update)

I ’ m surprised at how long the GNA can stay alive .
Turkish intervention seems to be working .

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Libya:
Murad Abu Hamoud Al-Azizi, the commander of the Turkish-backed Sultan Murad Brigade was killed on the Al-Kazirma front in southern Tripoli;
Heavy clashes between the GNA and the LNA continue in Ayn Zara and Wadi Rabi areas;
Turkish drone strikes hit the Abu Qarin area;
According to pro-LNA sources, the LNA has shot down 3 UAVs near the Bani Walid area.
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southfront--2020-05-31--Military Situation In Afghanistan On May 31, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Afghanistan : • At least 3 @ @ @ @ @ mortar shell landed on a their house in Joye Dukhtar village , Parwan province ; @ @ @ @ @ vehicle of Khurshid TV channel in PD4 of Kabul city killing a journalist and a @ @ @ @ @ people were injured ; • 72 government troops defected to the Taliban in Dawlat Shah @ @ @ @ @ Bad Pakh districts of Laghman province , and Chak district of Wardak province , according @ @ @ @ @ ON THE TOPIC : • Military Situation In Afghanistan On May 27 , 2020 ( @ @ @

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Afghanistan:
At least 3 civilians were killed when a mortar shell landed on a their house in Joye Dukhtar village, Parwan province;
An IED hit a vehicle of Khurshid TV channel in PD4 of Kabul city killing a journalist and a studio technician. 6 other people were injured;
72 government troops defected to the Taliban in Dawlat Shah, Alishang, Alingar and Bad Pakh districts of Laghman province, and Chak district of Wardak province, according to the Taliban.
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southfront--2020-05-31--Military Situation In Yemen On May 31, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Yemen : • Clashes between Ansar @ @ @ @ @ in Majzar and Madghal areas ; • Ansar Allah reported 47 ceasefire violations in al-Hudaydah @ @ @ @ @ .
These included 109 artillery strikes and sporadic firefights .
Saudi-led forces ’ limited advance @ @ @ @ @ in the Hays area.. MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Military Situation In Yemen On @ @ @ @ @ Map Update )

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Yemen:
Saudi-led coalition warplanes struck the Najran area 10 times;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes struck the Zaher area 3 times;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes struck the Kitaf area 6 times;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes struck the Shada area 3 times;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes struck the Haradh area 5 times;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes struck the Qaniyah area 3 times;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes struck the Majzar area 12 times;
Clashes between Ansar Allah and Saudi-led forces continue in Majzar and Madghal areas;
Ansar Allah reported 47 ceasefire violations in al-Hudaydah during the past 24 hours. These included 109 artillery strikes and sporadic firefights. Saudi-led forces’ limited advance was repelled by Ansar Allah in the Hays area..
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