southfront--2020-08-24--Military Situation In Afghanistan On August 24, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Afghanistan : • A Taliban delegation @ @ @ @ @ s deputy leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar came in Pakistan to discuss the Afghan peace @ @ @ @ @ • Taliban attacked the center of Dehyak district in central Ghazni province , destroying the @ @ @ @ @ Juma Gul Hemat was appointed as the new Kabul police chief after the previous chief @ @ @ @ @ to the deterioration of the security situation in the city .
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A brief overview of the recent developments in Afghanistan:
A Taliban delegation led by the group’s deputy leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar came in Pakistan to discuss the Afghan peace process with Pakistani officials;
Taliban attacked the center of Dehyak district in central Ghazni province, destroying the district government compound;
Juma Gul Hemat was appointed as the new Kabul police chief after the previous chief of police was dismissed due to the deterioration of the security situation in the city.
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southfront--2020-08-24--Military Situation In Iraq On August 24, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Iraq : • The 16 PMU @ @ @ @ @ out a joint raid on Qara Tabah village northwest of Kirkuk , arresting one terrorist @ @ @ @ @ handed over the Camp Taji to Iraqi government forces ; • IED attack targeted a @ @ @ @ @ was withdrawing from the Camp Taji near Baghdad ; • The Popular Mobilization Forces repelled @ @ @ @ @ of Anabr province .
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A brief overview of the recent developments in Iraq:
The 16 PMU Brigade and Federal Police carried out a joint raid on Qara Tabah village northwest of Kirkuk, arresting one terrorist;
The U.S.-led coalition handed over the Camp Taji to Iraqi government forces;
IED attack targeted a convoy of U.S. forces that was withdrawing from the Camp Taji near Baghdad;
The Popular Mobilization Forces repelled ISIS attack in the west of Anabr province.
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southfront--2020-08-24--When A Missile Is A Message: Poland’s All-Encompassing “Information Ops” Doctrine

Poland , for a while now , has been a very US-aligned country , and has served as the premier proxy of Washington in European affairs .
In terms of military activity , it has participated in most US-led interventions throughout the world , and has played a role with its psychological operations in most of them .
Generally , not as significant in their capabilities as the US or the UK , Poland is still a key player .
In brief , Polish PSYOPS history and tradition can be classified into 3 separate areas of historical reference .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Polish Armed Forces lost to the invading German Armies , and Poland was absorbed in to the Greater German Third Reich .
• The 2nd period is the Post War Communist Eastern Bloc era , The most significant and active ‘ era ’ as is quite obvious is the NATO/EU one .
Poland ’ s Central Psychological Operations Group “ King Stefan Báthory ” is situated in Bydgoszcz .
It is a city in northern Poland , on the Brda and Vistula rivers .
Currently , to make it seem less “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PsyOps are called “ Information operations ” .
Similarly , to how the UK transitioned from a more “ hands-on ” approach , a similar thing transpired with Poland – it simply attempts to influence an audience from afar , thanks to various types of social media , and not only .
In order to clean any confusion regarding information operations and that they are simply a fancier way to name PsyOps .
Even more so – PsyOps are just a part of what is now Information Operations , simply a fraction of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Info Ops are defined as “ a staff function to analyse , plan , assess and integrate information activities to create desired effects on the will , understanding and capability of adversaries , potential adversaries and NAC approved audiences in support of Alliance mission objectives ” .
Polish definition of Info Ops is more complex : It was assumed in October 2017 , with a document called “ Operacje Informacyjne DD-3.10 ( A ) ” .
The purpose of this document is to provide guidance and direction for integrating Info Ops planning , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( A ) mainly focuses on the operational level , but can be used as a reference at all levels .
This document presents the basic principles of conducting information operations in the national and allied systems .
It also applies in the coalition dimension ( NATO ) .
In the Polish doctrine , the information activities are defined as : Poland strictly follows NATO ’ s military policy in regard to the information environment and how it should be operated with .
The Polish document , describes the information environment the following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has two facets – the domains that constitute it , and the relationships between them .
The following is an extract from a publication by Zbigniew MODRZEJEWSKI , published early 2018 .
[ pdf ] The domains are three : • Physical domain is the space where physical activities occur and individuals , nations , states , cultures and societies interact .
Within the physical dimension of the information environment there is the connective infrastructure that supports the transmission , reception , and storage of information .
Physical domain involves physical platforms and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a number of elements which include people , infrastructure , publications , computers , tablets , smartphones and other communication items .
Also , within this dimension there are tangible actions or events that transmit a message in and of themselves , such as patrols , aerial reconnaissance , and civil affairs projects .
• Communication is facilitated in the virtual domain by intangible activities and technical tools .
Within the virtual domain there is the content or data itself .
The virtual domain refers to the content and flow of information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data that staffs can collect , process , store , disseminate , and display .
This domain provides the necessary link between the physical and cognitive dimensions .
• The cognitive/psychological domain is the most important as it consists of cognition and emotions , which affect an individual ’ s decision-making .
Within the cognitive domain there are the minds of those who are affected by and act upon information .
These minds range from friendly commanders and leaders , to foreign audiences affecting or being affected by operations , to enemy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ domain focuses on the societal , cultural , religious , and historical contexts that influence the perceptions of those producing the information and of the targets and audiences receiving the information .
In this domain , decision makers and target audiences are the most prone to influence and perception management .
Decisions are made in this domain .
The second facet concerns the interrelationships between six elements or layers of the information environment .
These are : • persona that inhabit the environment and who develop the messages in it ; • people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) that interpret and exploit the environment .
With all this explained , the picture of what is transpiring in Belarus , and opposition members using it as a base of operations to attempt and spearhead and orchestrate the protests are beginning to make quite a bit of sense , since the activities are quite well thought through .
In the Polish doctrine , Info Ops are composed of ten capabilities and techniques and one related activity .
The above list of capabilities and techniques forms the basis of most Info Ops activities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is not exhaustive and is limited only by the availability of the capabilities and techniques and the constraints of policy and law .
As mentioned above PsyOps are one of the 10 , but there are 9 more that conclude a complete package of information operations .
Psychological operations are a key capability required for the conduct of military information activities against opponents or towards a local population .
Since January 2018 , a new doctrine of psychological operations has been implemented in the Polish Army .
According to the above-mentioned document @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Operations ( PSYOPS ) are military activities which are aimed at influencing the perceptions , attitudes and behaviours of target populations .
The essence of PSYOPS consists in the fact they are of a long-term nature .
PSYOPS activities are coordinated through Info Ops as part of the overall information strategy .
PSYOPS represent one of the key capabilities that allows the force to communicate its themes and messages to approved audiences .
In support of Info Ops , PSYOPS seek to affect perceptions , attitudes and behaviour ; they can affect a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision-makers at all levels .
The others are not the focus now , as such they will not be looked into in-depth .
A noteworthy type of operations are the Cybersecurity ones , they are gaining more and more popularity , especially since Poland is one of the countries pushing the “ Russian aggression ” narrative the hardest and need to also start countering the legendary “ Russian hackers.
” Cyberspace does not have a standard , objective definition .
According to the Polish language dictionary cyberspace is : “ a vital space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Internet is carried out.
” The term cyberspace operation means “ the employment of cyberspace capabilities where the primary purpose is to achieve objectives in or through cyberspace.
” The increased attention to information operations both in Poland and in other NATO nations is due to the awareness that we are living in an information-dominated environment .
The information environment has changed the nature of warfare .
Conflicts seem to have no identifiable boundaries and this is why we should think of it as of a global battlespace .
A large element @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operations ( especially in Afghanistan and Iraq ) have shown its significance by increasing the commander ’ s choice of means , whose effects can be created or generated at all stages of a crisis to support achievement of objectives .
But it should be considered that physical destruction through various conventional ( and non-conventional weaponry ) is also a potential information operation .
Since it could be deemed that a missile that destroys a building is a very concrete and down-to-the-point message .
Information operations seek to create specific effects at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conducted at all levels of war , across all phases of an operation and across the conflict spectrum .
Units conduct Info Ops across the full range of military operations , from operations in garrison , through deployment , to combat operations , and continuing through redeployment upon mission completion .
In Ukraine , Poland stood in the background , due to various historical tensions .
In Belarus , it appears that Warsaw ’ s turn has come to utilize what it has learned and show its progress in the field .
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Poland, for a while now, has been a very US-aligned country, and has served as the premier proxy of Washington in European affairs.
In terms of military activity, it has participated in most US-led interventions throughout the world, and has played a role with its psychological operations in most of them.
Generally, not as significant in their capabilities as the US or the UK, Poland is still a key player.
In brief, Polish PSYOPS history and tradition can be classified into 3 separate areas of historical reference.
The period up until WWII, when the Polish Armed Forces lost to the invading German Armies, and Poland was absorbed in to the Greater German Third Reich. The 2nd period is the Post War Communist Eastern Bloc era, And thirdly the modern democratic NATO / EU Membership era.
The most significant and active ‘era’ as is quite obvious is the NATO/EU one.
Poland’s Central Psychological Operations Group “King Stefan Báthory” is situated in Bydgoszcz. It is a city in northern Poland, on the Brda and Vistula rivers.
Currently, to make it seem less “offensive” and “harmless”, PsyOps are called “Information operations”. Similarly, to how the UK transitioned from a more “hands-on” approach, a similar thing transpired with Poland – it simply attempts to influence an audience from afar, thanks to various types of social media, and not only.
In order to clean any confusion regarding information operations and that they are simply a fancier way to name PsyOps. Even more so – PsyOps are just a part of what is now Information Operations, simply a fraction of the whole monolith:
In NATO publication Info Ops are defined as “a staff function to analyse, plan, assess and integrate information activities to create desired effects on the will, understanding and capability of adversaries, potential adversaries and NAC approved audiences in support of Alliance mission objectives”.
Polish definition of Info Ops is more complex:
“Information operations (Info Ops) are projects coordinated by the staff cell consisting in analysing the information environment, planning, integrating and assessing information activities in order to obtain the expected effects on the will to act, understand the situation and possessed by the opponent (potential opponent) and other approved objects of influence to support the achievement of the assumed objectives of the operation, as well as the strategic communication objectives”.
It was assumed in October 2017, with a document called “Operacje Informacyjne DD-3.10(A)”.
The purpose of this document is to provide guidance and direction for integrating Info Ops planning, conduct and assessment of operations. DD-3.10(A) mainly focuses on the operational level, but can be used as a reference at all levels. This document presents the basic principles of conducting information operations in the national and allied systems. It also applies in the coalition dimension (NATO).
In the Polish doctrine, the information activities are defined as:
“Actions designed to affect an object of influence, information and information systems using appropriate abilities and tools. They can be performed by any actor and include precautionary measures limiting the impact on their own information and information systems.”
Poland strictly follows NATO’s military policy in regard to the information environment and how it should be operated with.
The Polish document, describes the information environment the following way:
“the information environment is a space in which information is produced, acquired, processed and transmitted from senders to designated recipients.”
According to it, it has two facets – the domains that constitute it, and the relationships between them.
The following is an extract from a publication by Zbigniew MODRZEJEWSKI, published early 2018. [pdf]
The domains are three:
Physical domain is the space where physical activities occur and individuals, nations, states, cultures and societies interact. Within the physical dimension of the information environment there is the connective infrastructure that supports the transmission, reception, and storage of information. Physical domain involves physical platforms and communications networks that connect them as well as a number of elements which include people, infrastructure, publications, computers, tablets, smartphones and other communication items. Also, within this dimension there are tangible actions or events that transmit a message in and of themselves, such as patrols, aerial reconnaissance, and civil affairs projects. Communication is facilitated in the virtual domain by intangible activities and technical tools. Within the virtual domain there is the content or data itself. The virtual domain refers to the content and flow of information, such as text or images, data that staffs can collect, process, store, disseminate, and display. This domain provides the necessary link between the physical and cognitive dimensions. The cognitive/psychological domain is the most important as it consists of cognition and emotions, which affect an individual’s decision-making. Within the cognitive domain there are the minds of those who are affected by and act upon information. These minds range from friendly commanders and leaders, to foreign audiences affecting or being affected by operations, to enemy, threat or adversarial decision makers. This domain focuses on the societal, cultural, religious, and historical contexts that influence the perceptions of those producing the information and of the targets and audiences receiving the information. In this domain, decision makers and target audiences are the most prone to influence and perception management. Decisions are made in this domain.
The second facet concerns the interrelationships between six elements or layers of the information environment. These are:
real world and its events;
network connectivity that delivers information;
information itself;
persona that inhabit the environment and who develop the messages in it;
people (individuals, actors and social groups) that interpret and exploit the environment.
With all this explained, the picture of what is transpiring in Belarus, and opposition members using it as a base of operations to attempt and spearhead and orchestrate the protests are beginning to make quite a bit of sense, since the activities are quite well thought through.
In the Polish doctrine, Info Ops are composed of ten capabilities and techniques and one related activity.
The above list of capabilities and techniques forms the basis of most Info Ops activities. I would like to emphasize that it is not exhaustive and is limited only by the availability of the capabilities and techniques and the constraints of policy and law.
As mentioned above PsyOps are one of the 10, but there are 9 more that conclude a complete package of information operations.
Psychological operations are a key capability required for the conduct of military information activities against opponents or towards a local population.
Since January 2018, a new doctrine of psychological operations has been implemented in the Polish Army. According to the above-mentioned document, accepted in October 2017:
“Psychological operations are one of the elements of the strategic communication. They constitute a planned process of transferring prepared content using various methods and means of communication directed to selected and approved objects of influence (audiences) in order to influence the expected change in perception, attitudes and behaviours, being designed to achieve the intended political and military objectives.”
Psychological Operations (PSYOPS) are military activities which are aimed at influencing the perceptions, attitudes and behaviours of target populations. The essence of PSYOPS consists in the fact they are of a long-term nature.
PSYOPS activities are coordinated through Info Ops as part of the overall information strategy. PSYOPS represent one of the key capabilities that allows the force to communicate its themes and messages to approved audiences.
In support of Info Ops, PSYOPS seek to affect perceptions, attitudes and behaviour; they can affect a broad range of audiences from populations to decision-makers at all levels.
The others are not the focus now, as such they will not be looked into in-depth.
A noteworthy type of operations are the Cybersecurity ones, they are gaining more and more popularity, especially since Poland is one of the countries pushing the “Russian aggression” narrative the hardest and need to also start countering the legendary “Russian hackers.”
Cyberspace does not have a standard, objective definition. According to the Polish language dictionary cyberspace is: “a vital space in which communication between computers connected via the Internet is carried out.”
The term cyberspace operation means “the employment of cyberspace capabilities where the primary purpose is to achieve objectives in or through cyberspace.”
Currently, cyberspace operations play an increasingly important role.
The increased attention to information operations both in Poland and in other NATO nations is due to the awareness that we are living in an information-dominated environment.
The information environment has changed the nature of warfare. Conflicts seem to have no identifiable boundaries and this is why we should think of it as of a global battlespace.
A large element of Info Ops is non-lethal and recent operations (especially in Afghanistan and Iraq) have shown its significance by increasing the commander’s choice of means, whose effects can be created or generated at all stages of a crisis to support achievement of objectives.
But it should be considered that physical destruction through various conventional (and non-conventional weaponry) is also a potential information operation. Since it could be deemed that a missile that destroys a building is a very concrete and down-to-the-point message.
Information operations seek to create specific effects at a specific time and place. They are conducted at all levels of war, across all phases of an operation and across the conflict spectrum. Units conduct Info Ops across the full range of military operations, from operations in garrison, through deployment, to combat operations, and continuing through redeployment upon mission completion.
In Ukraine, Poland stood in the background, due to various historical tensions. In Belarus, it appears that Warsaw’s turn has come to utilize what it has learned and show its progress in the field.
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southfront--2020-08-24--Another NYC ‘War Zone’ Weekend: Over 30 Shot, Many Of Them Bystanders, In Violence Reminiscent Of 19

Another NYC ‘War Zone’ Weekend: Over 30 Shot, Many Of Them Bystanders, In Violence Reminiscent Of 1980s

Last weekend we detailed how over a mere three day period from Aug.13 through Aug.15 , a whopping 49 people were shot , which was five times more than the eight who were shot during the same 72 hours last year , according to data in the Washington Examiner .
And tragically the trend appears not some aberration but signals the city is fast becoming a war zone now with another deadly subsequent weekend .
NYPD sources and local media already count more than 30 people shot so far this weekend .
This brings NYC to more than 1,000 total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date , already double all of last year , and the summer is not even over a summer which ironically has witnessed a supposed heightened consciousness and awareness of police shootings of black Americans given the ongoing George Floyd and Black Lives Matters protests .
But in the case of New York City ’ s explosion of gun violence , people are being killed with the police far away from the scene , though in one instance over a week ago , it was a black police officer shot in Queens while looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from his home .
And this weekend , according to local PIX11 News : Among these , there were seven deaths between Friday and Sunday morning , according the NYPD , including a 25-year-old mother of three children .
Priscilla Vasquez was described in local reports as shot in the back of the head by an unknown gunman in the early morning hours of Saturday while standing on a sidewalk in front of a public school , just around the corner from her Bronx home .
Underscoring the senseless and often random nature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends and family don ’ t think she was the intended targeted , also given the gunman appeared to fire wildly and haphazardly .
In another incident , a man in Queens was shot and killed while simply playing in a basketball tournament that was also part of a barbecue at a local park .
Interestingly , news reports accompanying the tragic death actually blame for the violence there .
Local residents are reportedly angry that police routinely “ stay away ” something , it should be noted , that national BLM protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve been complaining about that park forever .
It ’ s always dark , ” said nearby resident Elaine Bailey .
“ That park is notorious .
It ’ s been like that for years .
It ’ s a known drug location , ” she said of the site near 207 St. and Hillside Ave. in Hollis .
“ We complain about the drug dealing .
Nobody does anything .
This was bound to happen .
If you ’ re going to commit a crime , it ’ s the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the largest single shootings involved four victims shot in Coney Island Sunday morning , with the youngest victim , a 27-year old man , dying of his injuries .
Meanwhile , as even has observed , the latest nixing of frontline crime fighting units doesn ’ t seem to be going so well : Instead this was substituted with more “ community engagement ” initiatives , though the criminals with guns don ’ t appear to have gotten the memo or more cynically perhaps they ’ ve simply interpreted the lessened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kill .
On that note , FT published the below chart in mid-July , which covers the period which saw the fiercest protests in major American cities against the police killing of George Floyd .
Pressure has remained on city councils across the country to either shut down whole police departments or at least specific anti-crime units .
The result is that ( at minimum it shouldn ’ t be hard to see correlation if not causation ) , as WaPo wrote , “ The gun violence plaguing New York is reminiscent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have recorded about 900 shootings so far this year , up from around 500 through the beginning of August 2019 .
”

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Originally appeared at ZeroHedge
Last weekend we detailed how over a mere three day period from Aug.13 through Aug.15, a whopping 49 people were shot, which was five times more than the eight who were shot during the same 72 hours last year, according to data in the Washington Examiner.
And tragically the trend appears not some aberration but signals the city is fast becoming a war zone now with another deadly subsequent weekend. NYPD sources and local media already count more than 30 people shot so far this weekend.
This brings NYC to more than 1,000 total shooting incidents across the city year to date, already double all of last year, and the summer is not even over — a summer which ironically has witnessed a supposed heightened consciousness and awareness of police shootings of black Americans given the ongoing George Floyd and Black Lives Matters protests.
But in the case of New York City’s explosion of gun violence, people are being killed with the police far away from the scene, though in one instance over a week ago, it was a black police officer shot in Queens while looking for a parking spot merely a mile from his home.
And this weekend, according to local PIX11 News:
Citywide, there were at least 25 shootings that injured 31 people on Friday and Saturday, police said. Officers responded to 16 shootings on Saturday and nine on Sunday. At least three of those shootings happened within just blocks of each other in Coney Island, according to police.
Among these, there were seven deaths between Friday and Sunday morning, according the NYPD, including a 25-year-old mother of three children.
Priscilla Vasquez was described in local reports as shot in the back of the head by an unknown gunman in the early morning hours of Saturday while standing on a sidewalk in front of a public school, just around the corner from her Bronx home.
Underscoring the senseless and often random nature of much of the violence, her friends and family don’t think she was the intended targeted, also given the gunman appeared to fire wildly and haphazardly.
?WANTED for HOMICIDE: Do you know this person? On 8/22 at approximately 5:20 AM, in front of 335 East 152nd St in the Bronx, a 25-year-old female was shot, causing her death. Call 800-577-TIPS, or DM @NYPDTips with any info. All calls are anonymous. pic.twitter.com/UkuthtAHYi — NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) August 23, 2020
In another incident, a man in Queens was shot and killed while simply playing in a basketball tournament that was also part of a barbecue at a local park. Interestingly, news reports accompanying the tragic death actually blame lack of police presence for the violence there. Local residents are reportedly angry that police routinely “stay away” — something, it should be noted, that national BLM protests have demanded all along.
“We’ve been complaining about that park forever. It’s always dark,” said nearby resident Elaine Bailey. “That park is notorious. It’s been like that for years. It’s a known drug location,” she said of the site near 207 St. and Hillside Ave. in Hollis. “We complain about the drug dealing. Nobody does anything. This was bound to happen. If you’re going to commit a crime, it’s the best place to commit a crime.”
And one of the largest single shootings involved four victims shot in Coney Island Sunday morning, with the youngest victim, a 27-year old man, dying of his injuries.
Gang member carries out three shootings after being freed without bail: prosecutors https://t.co/GN1VUSWsv0 via @nypmetro — Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) August 5, 2020
Meanwhile, as even The Washington Post has observed, the latest nixing of frontline crime fighting units doesn’t seem to be going so well:
“In June, the New York Police Department disbanded its controversial anti-crime unit — the plainclothes officers whose mission, to rid the streets of guns, once relied on a practice known as ‘stop and frisk’ later exposed to have disproportionately targeted innocent Blacks and Latinos.”
Instead this was substituted with more “community engagement” initiatives, though the criminals with guns don’t appear to have gotten the memo — or more cynically perhaps they’ve simply interpreted the lessened law enforcement presence as a license to kill.
On that note, FT published the below chart in mid-July, which covers the period which saw the fiercest protests in major American cities against the police killing of George Floyd.
Pressure has remained on city councils across the country to either shut down whole police departments or at least specific anti-crime units.
The result is that (at minimum it shouldn’t be hard to see correlation if not causation), as WaPo wrote, “The gun violence plaguing New York is reminiscent of the 1980s and ’90s. Authorities have recorded about 900 shootings so far this year, up from around 500 through the beginning of August 2019.”
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southfront--2020-08-24--In Photos: Taliban Held Military Parades In Ghazni, Logar And Laghman Provinces

Iran will never help any Sunni forces fighting America .
If Iran does offer any help , it ’ ll only be symbolic to deceive the largely Islamically uneducated Sunnis who think Iran is sincere in its so-called jihad to uphold Islam .
And don ’ t forget Sunnis make up 85 % of the world ’ s Muslim population .
So Iran has no excuse to alienate 85 % if it really wanted to strengthen the Muslim world .
Iran made a big mistake supporting the U.S. in Afghanistan and Iraq during the invasions .
Even the Turks will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neither will Pakistan or Malaysia .
This huge betrayal of the Muslims opened the eyes of many regarding Iran ’ s willingness to side with the very America it always denounces for evil – provided it promotes their effort to destroy Sunni societies and spread Shiism .
No Sunni country will come to their aid , neither do we expect them to come to ours .
Iran will face the zionists and their arab puppets alone .
The rest of us will stay out of it .
ARABS DON ’ T REPRESENT ISLAM @ @ @ @

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In August, the Taliban held military parades in the Afghan provinces of Ghazni, Logar and Laghman. The military parades were held amid the continued implementation of the US-Taliban peace deal by the US-controlled Kabul government. Under the deal, Kabul has released about 5,000 Taliban members so far. The release of Taliban members comes amid the further expansion of the group across Afghanistan and is set to pave the way for intra-Afghan talks, as well as the continuation of the withdrawal of US troops from the country.
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southfront--2020-08-24--Military Situation In Yemen On August 24, 2020 (Map Update, Videos)

A brief overview of the recent developments in Yemen : • Saudi-led coalition warplanes targeted Kahlan base east of the @ @ @ @ @ The Liaison and Coordination Officers ’ Operations Room ( loyal to Ansar Allah ) reported @ @ @ @ @ over the past 24 hours .
The Houthi ( Ansar Allah ) media wing released @ @ @ @ @ showing preparations of Houthi forces for further operations against the Saudi-led coalition as well as @ @ @ @ @ of al-Badiya .
Weapons and IEDs seized from ISIS and al-Qaeda cells in Al-Badiya : @ @ @ @ @ • Map Update : Ansar Allah Liberated 1,000 km2 From Al-Qaeda And ISIS In Central @

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Yemen:
Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 14 airstrikes on Khab and Shaaf areas;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes targeted Kahlan base east of the city of Saadah;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 2 airstrikes on the Sarwah district;
The Liaison and Coordination Officers’ Operations Room (loyal to Ansar Allah) reported 107 ceasefire violations in al-Hudaydah over the past 24 hours.
The Houthi (Ansar Allah) media wing released fresh videos from the ground showing preparations of Houthi forces for further operations against the Saudi-led coalition as well as anti-ISIS/al-Qaeda operations in the province of al-Badiya.
Weapons and IEDs seized from ISIS and al-Qaeda cells in Al-Badiya:
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southfront--2020-08-25--Free Speech Be Damned: Joshua Krook and the Australian Public Service

There was very little controversial about it .
A featured blog post in the , authored in April by Joshua Krook , suggested that COVID-19 had brought a host of benefits for big tech companies .
Isolation ushered people towards online platforms .
Engagement on such platforms had increased dramatically .
Names were not mentioned .
Krook ’ s then employer , the Australian Public Service , made no appearance in the text .
Tech entities were not outed , though Krook noted , in general , how “ big tech companies ” have been “ pursuing the attention economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our attention at all times.
” With COVID-19 , this had been achieved .
“ People are trapped indoors , at home , on their devices at all times , with nowhere to go.
” Krook ’ s tone did come across as a touch judgmental , suggesting that replacing “ human connection with technology has never felt so nakedly negative.
” He likened big tech entities to spouses who know “ everything about you.
” By giving them information about yourself , a loss of free will is perpetrated precisely “ because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so much about you.
” It took three months for Krook to get the call .
The managers of the APS took issue with the post .
It ’ s pessimism might damage the government ’ s relationship with the technology industry .
In Krook ’ s words to the , “ the problem was that in talking about the big tech companies , we risked damaging the relationship the government has with big tech companies and that when we go and do public-private partnerships , they could Google my name , find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with us.
” Had the article been ingratiating – “ positive about the big tech companies ” – it would have been entirely permissible .
His options were starkly simple : remove the post or face termination of employment .
Any future pieces would have to go through the censoring scissors of the service .
What followed was the usual pattern .
The cold sweat of initial alarm ; a quick request to the that the blog post be removed .
Deletion .
Then , a reconsideration of matters , the growth of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job in the public sector and talking about civil service censorship .
As Krook explained in the , “ I resigned from my job in the government because I fundamentally disagree with the decision .
The Australian government should not be involved in censoring personal blog posts .
Public servants should be able to criticize private companies , including big tech companies .
There is no conflict of interest .
Freedom of speech is fundamental to a thriving , secular democracy.
” It pays to know what creatures you are working for , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing when they deal with expression .
Know their values and code of conduct , because they are bound to be conversely related to what is actually intended .
Ideas will only be permitted in such an ecosystem if they are expressed with respect , which usually means causing no offense to the thick and unimaginative .
What is challenging is bound to be offensive ; what is audaciously defying is bound to rub the dullards the wrong way .
The APS , for instance , has a code of conduct which deals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This has a sinister edge to it .
The APS acknowledges in Section 6 of the Code that employees are citizens and members of the community but “ the right to serve the community as APS employees comes with certain responsibilities.
” Central to the point is a notion that has been stretched and mangled in punishing supposed transgressions by APS employees .
Responsibilities , for instance , “ include maintaining confidence of the community in the capacity of the APS , and each member to it , to undertake their duties professionally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to having no opinions , or at least the sort you can legitimately express .
The section further gives clues as to what an APS employee should , or should not do .
Be careful making comments in an unofficial capacity ( no mention of the healthy thoughts of such a person as an engaged private citizen ) .
Be wary of participating in political activities , participating in acts that might generate a conflict of interest , be cautious when working overseas and when being “ identifiable as an APS employee.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in ways that suggest openness and fairness , while coldly repudiating them .
There is , for instance , a tentative nod to the engagement of APS employees “ in robust discussion … as an important part of open government.
” But the lid is tightly shut on the issue of public comments , which must conform to the “ APS Values , Employment Principles and the Code.
” And public comments are broad indeed , covering public speech , online media including blogs and social media networking sites .
Michaela Banerji , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Immigration and Citizenship , found at much personal cost that tweeting critically about government policy on refugees , even anonymously , was sufficient to get her sacked .
Her heroic effort to bring her messages and opinions within the realms of Australia ’ s implied right to freedom of communication on political subjects was snootily dismissed by the country ’ s highest court in 2019 .
The implied right was not a personal one , intoned the High Court judges , but “ a restriction on legislative power which arises as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Australian Constitution “ and as such , extends only so far as is necessary to preserve and protect the system of representative and responsible government mandated by the Constitution.
” Justice James Edelman went so far as to claim that the APS Code did not turn “ public servants into lonely ghosts ” but conceded that it would cast “ a powerful chill over political communication.
” All that interested the judges , however , was that Banerji had been given a proportionate penalty balanced against preserving a neutral public service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of litigation , it would have been grimly interesting how the High Court might have distinguished his case to that of Banerji ’ s , given that he expressed no criticism in the post of the government or government policy .
The Krook affair also reveals another disturbing trend .
With all that froth and babble about regulators keen to rein in the power of Silicon Valley , we have an object lesson about how keen the Australian government is to stay in the warming bed of big tech .
Google , Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this stinging hypocrisy .
Public servants have been crudely warned : do not write pieces , however general , about the consequences of the COVID-19 tech world and its delighted Silicon Valley stalwarts .
Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College , Cambridge .
He lectures at RMIT University , Melbourne .
Email : bkampmark @ gmail.com

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Submitted by Dr. Binoy Kampmark
There was very little controversial about it. A featured blog post in the Oxford Political Review, authored in April by Joshua Krook, suggested that COVID-19 had brought a host of benefits for big tech companies. Isolation ushered people towards online platforms. Engagement on such platforms had increased dramatically.
Names were not mentioned. Krook’s then employer, the Australian Public Service, made no appearance in the text. Tech entities were not outed, though Krook noted, in general, how “big tech companies” have been “pursuing the attention economy”, seeking to get “all our attention at all times.” With COVID-19, this had been achieved. “People are trapped indoors, at home, on their devices at all times, with nowhere to go.” Krook’s tone did come across as a touch judgmental, suggesting that replacing “human connection with technology has never felt so nakedly negative.” He likened big tech entities to spouses who know “everything about you.” By giving them information about yourself, a loss of free will is perpetrated precisely “because the person, or company, knows so much about you.”
It took three months for Krook to get the call. The managers of the APS took issue with the post. It’s pessimism might damage the government’s relationship with the technology industry. In Krook’s words to the Guardian, “the problem was that in talking about the big tech companies, we risked damaging the relationship the government has with big tech companies and that when we go and do public-private partnerships, they could Google my name, find my article and then refuse to work with us.” Had the article been ingratiating – “positive about the big tech companies” – it would have been entirely permissible. His options were starkly simple: remove the post or face termination of employment. Any future pieces would have to go through the censoring scissors of the service.
What followed was the usual pattern. The cold sweat of initial alarm; a quick request to the Oxford Political Review that the blog post be removed. Deletion. Then, a reconsideration of matters, the growth of a backbone to resist: quitting the job in the public sector and talking about civil service censorship.
As Krook explained in the Oxford Political Review, “I resigned from my job in the government because I fundamentally disagree with the decision. The Australian government should not be involved in censoring personal blog posts. Public servants should be able to criticize private companies, including big tech companies. There is no conflict of interest. Freedom of speech is fundamental to a thriving, secular democracy.”
It pays to know what creatures you are working for, and what strange armour they insist on wearing when they deal with expression. Know their values and code of conduct, because they are bound to be conversely related to what is actually intended. Ideas will only be permitted in such an ecosystem if they are expressed with respect, which usually means causing no offense to the thick and unimaginative. What is challenging is bound to be offensive; what is audaciously defying is bound to rub the dullards the wrong way.
The APS, for instance, has a code of conduct which deals with “employees as citizens”. This has a sinister edge to it. The APS acknowledges in Section 6 of the Code that employees are citizens and members of the community but “the right to serve the community as APS employees comes with certain responsibilities.” Central to the point is a notion that has been stretched and mangled in punishing supposed transgressions by APS employees. Responsibilities, for instance, “include maintaining confidence of the community in the capacity of the APS, and each member to it, to undertake their duties professionally and impartially.” This comes terribly close to having no opinions, or at least the sort you can legitimately express.
The section further gives clues as to what an APS employee should, or should not do. Be careful making comments in an unofficial capacity (no mention of the healthy thoughts of such a person as an engaged private citizen). Be wary of participating in political activities, participating in acts that might generate a conflict of interest, be cautious when working overseas and when being “identifiable as an APS employee.”
Naturally, such elastic codes are drafted in ways that suggest openness and fairness, while coldly repudiating them. There is, for instance, a tentative nod to the engagement of APS employees “in robust discussion … as an important part of open government.” But the lid is tightly shut on the issue of public comments, which must conform to the “APS Values, Employment Principles and the Code.” And public comments are broad indeed, covering public speech, online media including blogs and social media networking sites.
Michaela Banerji, formerly an employee of the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship, found at much personal cost that tweeting critically about government policy on refugees, even anonymously, was sufficient to get her sacked. Her heroic effort to bring her messages and opinions within the realms of Australia’s implied right to freedom of communication on political subjects was snootily dismissed by the country’s highest court in 2019. The implied right was not a personal one, intoned the High Court judges, but “a restriction on legislative power which arises as a necessary implication” on construing various sections of the Australian Constitution “and as such, extends only so far as is necessary to preserve and protect the system of representative and responsible government mandated by the Constitution.”
Justice James Edelman went so far as to claim that the APS Code did not turn “public servants into lonely ghosts” but conceded that it would cast “a powerful chill over political communication.” All that interested the judges, however, was that Banerji had been given a proportionate penalty balanced against preserving a neutral public service. Had Krook dared test the waters of litigation, it would have been grimly interesting how the High Court might have distinguished his case to that of Banerji’s, given that he expressed no criticism in the post of the government or government policy.
The Krook affair also reveals another disturbing trend. With all that froth and babble about regulators keen to rein in the power of Silicon Valley, we have an object lesson about how keen the Australian government is to stay in the warming bed of big tech. Google, Facebook and other representatives will be delighted by this stinging hypocrisy. Public servants have been crudely warned: do not write pieces, however general, about the consequences of the COVID-19 tech world and its delighted Silicon Valley stalwarts.
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--2020-08-25--Sign Up For SouthFront Newsletter Now

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southfront--2020-08-25--Highly Likely Strikes Back: Navalny ‘Poisoning’ And Rift Within Russian Elites

The story with the leader of the Russian neo-liberal , pro-Western opposition , Alexei Navalny , has been developing in an expected direction .
The German government claimed that it believes that Navalny was likely poisoned as mainstream media outlets and the Navalny-led group of the Russian opposition have been loudly blaming the Kremlin and personally Vladimir Putin for the ‘ highly likely ’ poisoning .
On August 20 , Navalny suddenly became “ ill ” during a flight from Tomsk to Moscow and was urgently hospitalized in Omsk , Russia , where he received medical help .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a ventilator .
Since then , he has been in a state of artificial coma in order to be connected to a ventilator .
According to people on the flight , Navalny went to the toilet and did not come out for a long while , after that they heard him call for assistance .
The video makes it seem like he was under the influence of some sort of drugs or medication , but the MSM version was that Navalny was poisoned : Omsk doctors say that they received the patient in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his life .
The diagnosis of poisoning was one of the first , but no chemical and toxicological substances that could be regarded as poisons or as products of the action of poisons were identified after tests .
Therefore , doctors moved away from the diagnosis “ poisoning ” .
The hospital ’ s chief physician , Alexander Murakhovsky , and his deputy in the medical department , Anatoly Kalinichenko , held a press conference on August 24 : Doctors were working under an intense propaganda pressure from supporters of the Russian neo-liberal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hysteria ’ and was directly interested in painting this picture .
The pressure campaign even included direct threats to life of doctors involved .
In the case of ‘ poisoning ’ , Navalny immediately becomes the ‘ sacred sacrifice ’ and the ‘ victim of the regime ’ .
The deputy of the hospital ’ s chief physician in the medical department , Anatoly Kalinichenko , said that he received multiple physical threats to himself and his family .
As to the potential diagnosis and results of tests , doctors shared the information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was up to them to decide if they wanted to reveal it .
Surprise , surprise , no Navalny relative opted to tell media about the results of the tests .
Why ?
The answer is simple .
This would undermine the ‘ Kremlin tries to hide the truth ’ narrative .
The Navalny relatives insisted that Navaly should be relocated to a foreign hospital .
This was allowed after the patient ’ s life was saved and the situation stabilized .
On August 22 , the face of the Russian neo-liberal and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the “ Charite ” hospital .
Here , the new round of the ‘ highly likely ’ blame game started .
Steffen Seibert , the spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel , said that Navalny was ‘ likely ’ poisoned .
The German official called for a “ full and transparent ” investigation into the circumstances of Navalny ’ s hospitalization .
Seibert ’ s comments align with claims from Navalny ’ s aides , who say he was poisoned with a cup of tea at an airport cafe .
After this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying that its tests indicate that Navalny was likely poisoned with a substance from the “ cholinesterase inhibitor ” group .
“ Since his admission at the weekend , Alexei Navalny has been receiving treatment at – .
The patient is being treated in intensive care and remains in a medically induced coma .
While his condition is serious , it is not currently life-threatening .
Following his admission , Mr. Navalny underwent extensive examination by a team of physicians .
Clinical findings indicate poisoning with a substance from the group of cholinesterase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unknown , and a further series of comprehensive testing has been initiated .
The effect of the poison – namely , the inhibition of cholinesterase in the body – was confirmed by multiple tests in independent laboratories .
As a result of this diagnosis , the patient is now being treated with the antidote atropine .
Alexei Navalny ’ s prognosis remains unclear ; the possibility of long-term effects , particularly those affecting the nervous system , can not be excluded .
The treating physicians remain in constant contact with Mr. Navalny ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the patient ’ s wife , is reassured that the decision to make details of the patient ’ s condition public would be in accordance with his wishes , ” the statement reads .
As it was expected , immediately after the moving of the opposition figure outside Russia , to the area where Germany and its ‘ democratic partners ’ have full control over his fate and results of the ‘ investigation ’ , the poisoning version became the main one .
If high-skilled Omsk doctors did not make all needed tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was likely that the poisoning of Navalny would be unconditionally declared as the ‘ fact ’ .
Now , German authorities are forced to limit their statements to ‘ highly-likely ’ speculations .
This does not mean that as the situation develops , they will not move to more direct accusations against the Kremlin .
Navalny was moved to Germany despite the fact that it was apparent that this will distract the real situation .
Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov personally announced that the government is ready to assist the evacuation of Navalny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s needed .
The air travel between Russia and Germany is mostly suspended due to coronavirus limitations .
The flight to Germany was organized by the Berlin-based Cinema for Peace Foundation .
The flight was paid by businessman Boris Zimin .
Boris Zimin is the son of Dmitry Zimin – the founder of VimpelCom ( Beeline telecommunications brand ) .
PJSC VimpelCom is the third-largest wireless and second-largest telecom operator in Russia .
It is wholly owned by VEON Ltd. through which it is linked to Mikhail Fridman , Russian Western-linked business magnate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is among the main shareholders of VEON Ltd .
These persons and entities represent the Russian influence group linked to the global finance .
The very same group has links and support work of think tanks affiliated with the Higher School of Economics , the center of the Alma Mater of the liberal economic block of the Russian government .
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobanin and Chairwoman of the Bank of Russia Elvira Nabiullina also could be considered a part of the global finance in Russia .
In Russian media , this network of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and top officials is often described as the ‘ liberal tower ’ of the Kremlin .
Thus , despite the image of the opposition figure , Navalny receives support from the highest levels of the Russian governance and business systems .
Navalny ’ s freedom of movements and trips to foreign countries have never been de-facto limited despite his Anti-Corruption Foundation ( FBK ) being under the investigation for money laundering .
The estimated number of funds investigated under the criminal case is 75.5 million RUB ( over 1,000,000 USD ) .
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years suspended sentence for embezzlement for the misappropriating about 16 million RUB ( then about 500,000 USD ) worth of lumber from a state-owned company in 2009 , while he was acting as an adviser to Kirov ’ s governor Nikita Belykh .
In another corruption case , Alexei Navalny was given 3.5 years of suspended sentence , and his brother Oleg Navalny was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison under the fraudulence case .
These facts did not stop Navalny from continuing his career of the ‘ democratic politician ’ and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protected by the liberal faction of the Russian elites .
The situation with Navalny ’ s supposed ‘ poisoning ’ and the reaction of the Russian elites to the case , including the decision to move Navalny to Germany look at least strange .
In fact , it may indicate the deepening crisis within the Russian elites and the weakening of the governance system , including the security cabinet and even Putin ’ s circle .
A part of the elites has been playing into the hands of forces seeking to destabilize the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid reports about the possible strengthening of the global economic crisis and the second wave of coronavirus this autumn .
In this situation , Navlny , who will likely remain outside Russia in the nearest future , becomes a powerful propaganda symbol that will be for sure used by the opponents of Moscow on the international secene .
At the same time , the ‘ poisoning ’ case will be employed as a part of the wider attempts to destabilize Russia in 2020-2021 .
If we imagine that efforts of foreign actors to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the internal situation in the country deteriorats , it would be possible to also expect the ‘ victorious ’ returning of Navalny to Russia .
In this case , the hero of the ‘ anti-Putin rebellion ’ will likely be presented as the leader of the ‘ democratic forces ’ that should take power ( and destroy Russia from inside ) after the fall of the ‘ corrupt Putin regime ’ .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Sacred Sacrifice : Russian Opposition Figure Alexei Navalny In Coma After Being ‘ Poisoned ’

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The story with the leader of the Russian neo-liberal, pro-Western opposition, Alexei Navalny, has been developing in an expected direction. The German government claimed that it believes that Navalny was likely poisoned as mainstream media outlets and the Navalny-led group of the Russian opposition have been loudly blaming the Kremlin and personally Vladimir Putin for the ‘highly likely’ poisoning.
On August 20, Navalny suddenly became “ill” during a flight from Tomsk to Moscow and was urgently hospitalized in Omsk, Russia, where he received medical help. He was put into intensive care and connected to a ventilator. Since then, he has been in a state of artificial coma in order to be connected to a ventilator.
According to people on the flight, Navalny went to the toilet and did not come out for a long while, after that they heard him call for assistance. The video makes it seem like he was under the influence of some sort of drugs or medication, but the MSM version was that Navalny was poisoned:
Пассажиры рассказывают, что Навальный во время полёта ушёл в туалет и не вернулся. Они услышали его крик с просьбой о помощи. pic.twitter.com/l0cAtroPwy — lifenews_ru (@lifenews_ru) August 20, 2020
Omsk doctors say that they received the patient in critical conditions, in coma and saved his life. The diagnosis of poisoning was one of the first, but no chemical and toxicological substances that could be regarded as poisons or as products of the action of poisons were identified after tests. Therefore, doctors moved away from the diagnosis “poisoning”.
The hospital’s chief physician, Alexander Murakhovsky, and his deputy in the medical department, Anatoly Kalinichenko, held a press conference on August 24:
Doctors were working under an intense propaganda pressure from supporters of the Russian neo-liberal opposition, which launched a ‘poisoning hysteria’ and was directly interested in painting this picture. The pressure campaign even included direct threats to life of doctors involved. In the case of ‘poisoning’, Navalny immediately becomes the ‘sacred sacrifice’ and the ‘victim of the regime’. The deputy of the hospital’s chief physician in the medical department, Anatoly Kalinichenko, said that he received multiple physical threats to himself and his family.
As to the potential diagnosis and results of tests, doctors shared the information with Navalny’s family and it was up to them to decide if they wanted to reveal it. Surprise, surprise, no Navalny relative opted to tell media about the results of the tests. Why? The answer is simple. This would undermine the ‘Kremlin tries to hide the truth’ narrative.
According to sources of Russian daily Izvestia, when Navalny was moved to the Omsk hospital, he was in a withdrawal state complicated by a convulsive disorder. Also, Navalny was diagnosed with an alcoholic encephalopathy and a post-alcoholic hypoglycemia. Earlier, it was revealed that traces of alcohol and caffeine were found in the oppositionist’s analyzes.
The Navalny relatives insisted that Navaly should be relocated to a foreign hospital. This was allowed after the patient’s life was saved and the situation stabilized.
On August 22, the face of the Russian neo-liberal and pro-Western opposition was moved to Germany, to the “Charite” hospital. Here, the new round of the ‘highly likely’ blame game started.
Steffen Seibert, the spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel, said that Navalny was ‘likely’ poisoned.
“We’re dealing with a patient who fairly likely was poisoned,” Seibert told reporters.
The German official called for a “full and transparent” investigation into the circumstances of Navalny’s hospitalization. Seibert’s comments align with claims from Navalny’s aides, who say he was poisoned with a cup of tea at an airport cafe.
The German government believes Russian opposition politician Alexey @navalny was likely the target of a poison attack. Angela Merkel's spokesman (@RegSprecher) says Navalny needs protection. 👇#Navalny #Навальный pic.twitter.com/M37lgyewuJ — DW Politics (@dw_politics) August 24, 2020
After this, the Charite hospital issued a statement saying that its tests indicate that Navalny was likely poisoned with a substance from the “cholinesterase inhibitor” group.
“Since his admission at the weekend, Alexei Navalny has been receiving treatment at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. The patient is being treated in intensive care and remains in a medically induced coma. While his condition is serious, it is not currently life-threatening. Following his admission, Mr. Navalny underwent extensive examination by a team of Charité physicians. Clinical findings indicate poisoning with a substance from the group of cholinesterase inhibitors. The specific substance involved remains unknown, and a further series of comprehensive testing has been initiated. The effect of the poison – namely, the inhibition of cholinesterase in the body – was confirmed by multiple tests in independent laboratories. As a result of this diagnosis, the patient is now being treated with the antidote atropine. Alexei Navalny’s prognosis remains unclear; the possibility of long-term effects, particularly those affecting the nervous system, cannot be excluded. The treating physicians remain in constant contact with Mr. Navalny’s wife. After close consultation with the patient’s wife, Charité is reassured that the decision to make details of the patient’s condition public would be in accordance with his wishes,” the statement reads.
As it was expected, immediately after the moving of the opposition figure outside Russia, to the area where Germany and its ‘democratic partners’ have full control over his fate and results of the ‘investigation’, the poisoning version became the main one.
If high-skilled Omsk doctors did not make all needed tests and collected the needed data, it was likely that the poisoning of Navalny would be unconditionally declared as the ‘fact’. Now, German authorities are forced to limit their statements to ‘highly-likely’ speculations. This does not mean that as the situation develops, they will not move to more direct accusations against the Kremlin.
Navalny was moved to Germany despite the fact that it was apparent that this will distract the real situation. Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov personally announced that the government is ready to assist the evacuation of Navalny to a foreign hospital if it’s needed.
The air travel between Russia and Germany is mostly suspended due to coronavirus limitations. The flight to Germany was organized by the Berlin-based Cinema for Peace Foundation. The flight was paid by businessman Boris Zimin. Boris Zimin is the son of Dmitry Zimin – the founder of VimpelCom (Beeline telecommunications brand).
PJSC VimpelCom is the third-largest wireless and second-largest telecom operator in Russia. It is wholly owned by VEON Ltd. through which it is linked to Mikhail Fridman, Russian Western-linked business magnate. Fridman’s Alfa Group Consortium is among the main shareholders of VEON Ltd.
These persons and entities represent the Russian influence group linked to the global finance. The very same group has links and support work of think tanks affiliated with the Higher School of Economics, the center of the Alma Mater of the liberal economic block of the Russian government. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobanin and Chairwoman of the Bank of Russia Elvira Nabiullina also could be considered a part of the global finance in Russia.
In Russian media, this network of Western-linked persons, organizations, influence groups and top officials is often described as the ‘liberal tower’ of the Kremlin. Thus, despite the image of the opposition figure, Navalny receives support from the highest levels of the Russian governance and business systems.
Navalny’s freedom of movements and trips to foreign countries have never been de-facto limited despite his Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) being under the investigation for money laundering. The estimated number of funds investigated under the criminal case is 75.5 million RUB (over 1,000,000 USD). Earlier, Navalny was convinced to a five years suspended sentence for embezzlement for the misappropriating about 16 million RUB (then about 500,000 USD) worth of lumber from a state-owned company in 2009, while he was acting as an adviser to Kirov’s governor Nikita Belykh. In another corruption case, Alexei Navalny was given 3.5 years of suspended sentence, and his brother Oleg Navalny was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison under the fraudulence case. These facts did not stop Navalny from continuing his career of the ‘democratic politician’ and the ‘fighter against corruption’ promoted and protected by the liberal faction of the Russian elites.
The situation with Navalny’s supposed ‘poisoning’ and the reaction of the Russian elites to the case, including the decision to move Navalny to Germany look at least strange. In fact, it may indicate the deepening crisis within the Russian elites and the weakening of the governance system, including the security cabinet and even Putin’s circle. A part of the elites has been playing into the hands of forces seeking to destabilize the country. These actions become especially dangerous amid reports about the possible strengthening of the global economic crisis and the second wave of coronavirus this autumn.
In this situation, Navlny, who will likely remain outside Russia in the nearest future, becomes a powerful propaganda symbol that will be for sure used by the opponents of Moscow on the international secene. At the same time, the ‘poisoning’ case will be employed as a part of the wider attempts to destabilize Russia in 2020-2021.
If we imagine that efforts of foreign actors to undermine the stability in Russia succeed and the internal situation in the country deteriorats, it would be possible to also expect the ‘victorious’ returning of Navalny to Russia. In this case, the hero of the ‘anti-Putin rebellion’ will likely be presented as the leader of the ‘democratic forces’ that should take power (and destroy Russia from inside) after the fall of the ‘corrupt Putin regime’.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
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southfront--2020-08-25--Russia’s S-500 Missile Defense System Has Entered State Trials, Can Hit Targets In Space

Russia ’ s latest S-500 anti-aircraft missile system has entered state trials , Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov said on August 24th , at the Army-2020 forum .
Back in February 2020 , Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko said that military specialists had held the trials of the world ’ s unrivaled surface-to-air missiles for the latest S-500 air defense system in 2019 .
In March 2020 , CEO of the Design Bureau of Special Machine-Building ( part of Almaz-Antey defense manufacturer ) Vladimir Dolbenkov said that the S-500 had entered final stages of trials .
“ In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ troops , the enterprise ’ s specialists have developed equipment units for the Triumphant-M next-generation mobile anti-aircraft missile system .
As part of this effort , they have developed and are completing the trials of units for the surface-to-air missile system : the launcher , the elements of the multi-functional locator and the missile defense locator , the equipped chassis for the combat control post and transporters for the long-range radar system , ” he said .
The deputy defense minister said in December 2019 that the preliminary tests of the S-500 anti-aircraft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the commencement of its serial deliveries to the troops was scheduled for 2025 .
Even prior , Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that the deliveries of the latest S-500 surface-to-air missile systems to the troops would begin in 2020 .
The developer , VKO Almaz-Antey , a Russian state-owned company , said that the S-500 is capable of destroying all types of ballistic missiles , including hypersonic ones .
The S-500 missiles are also capable of “ working outside the atmosphere where aerodynamic control is impossible.
” Russia has been training specialists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Military Academy of the Aerospace Force in Tver since 2017 .
MORE ON THE TOPIC :

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Russia’s latest S-500 anti-aircraft missile system has entered state trials, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov said on August 24th, at the Army-2020 forum.
“The fact is that state trials have begun and today the S-500 configuration, its simplified configuration is already available and work is underway to purchase parts for its serial production,” the deputy prime minister said.
Back in February 2020, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko said that military specialists had held the trials of the world’s unrivaled surface-to-air missiles for the latest S-500 air defense system in 2019.
In March 2020, CEO of the Design Bureau of Special Machine-Building (part of Almaz-Antey defense manufacturer) Vladimir Dolbenkov said that the S-500 had entered final stages of trials.
“In the interests of air and missile defense troops, the enterprise’s specialists have developed equipment units for the Triumphant-M next-generation mobile anti-aircraft missile system. As part of this effort, they have developed and are completing the trials of units for the surface-to-air missile system: the launcher, the elements of the multi-functional locator and the missile defense locator, the equipped chassis for the combat control post and transporters for the long-range radar system,” he said.
The deputy defense minister said in December 2019 that the preliminary tests of the S-500 anti-aircraft missile system would begin in 2020 and the commencement of its serial deliveries to the troops was scheduled for 2025.
Even prior, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that the deliveries of the latest S-500 surface-to-air missile systems to the troops would begin in 2020.
Russian S 500 system will be able to destroy hypersonic missiles and space targets S 500 capable of destroying targets 600 km above Earth pic.twitter.com/l1jo9KH9qL — ivan (@ivan8848) July 3, 2020
The developer, VKO Almaz-Antey, a Russian state-owned company, said that the S-500 is capable of destroying all types of ballistic missiles, including hypersonic ones. The S-500 missiles are also capable of “working outside the atmosphere where aerodynamic control is impossible.”
Russia has been training specialists to learn to operate the new system at the Military Academy of the Aerospace Force in Tver since 2017.
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southfront--2020-08-25--Saudi-led Coalition Blocks Tankers From Delivering Fuel And Supplies To Yemen

The Saudi-led coalition has prevented at least 20 tankers carrying energy derivatives from unloading their essential consignments in Yemen although they hold proper permits .
This was announced in a statement by the Yemeni Petroleum Company ( YPC ) on August 24th .
The company ’ s statement said that 20 vessels are now detained off the coast of Yemen for different time periods of which 16 tankers are loaded with 400,979 tons of gasoline and diesel fuel .
The YPC claimed that this is a flagrant violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights , besides all international humanitarian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supposed activities also ignore the provisions of the Stockholm agreement , which stressed in its entirety the need for facilitating the arrival of basic materials and humanitarian aid to the Yemen ’ s western port of al-Hudaydah in a way that meets the needs of Yemen .
The YPC also said that the Saudi-led coalition continues enforcing a tight blockade against the Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen , including al-Hudaydah .
This is reportedly carried out through various acts of maritime piracy in order to prevent ships carrying oil derivatives , natural gas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from docking at the port of Hudaydah .
It added , “ These ships have acquired necessary UN permits that verify their cargos conform to the conditions stipulated in the concept of verification and inspection mechanism operations.
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The Saudi-led coalition has prevented at least 20 tankers carrying energy derivatives from unloading their essential consignments in Yemen although they hold proper permits.
This was announced in a statement by the Yemeni Petroleum Company (YPC) on August 24th.
The company’s statement said that 20 vessels are now detained off the coast of Yemen for different time periods of which 16 tankers are loaded with 400,979 tons of gasoline and diesel fuel.
The YPC claimed that this is a flagrant violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, besides all international humanitarian principles.
The Saudi-led coalition’s supposed activities also ignore the provisions of the Stockholm agreement, which stressed in its entirety the need for facilitating the arrival of basic materials and humanitarian aid to the Yemen’s western port of al-Hudaydah in a way that meets the needs of Yemen.
The YPC also said that the Saudi-led coalition continues enforcing a tight blockade against the Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, including al-Hudaydah.
This is reportedly carried out through various acts of maritime piracy in order to prevent ships carrying oil derivatives, natural gas, food, medicine and other basic commodities from docking at the port of Hudaydah.
“Ships are not allowed to anchor in Hudaydah port despite the fact that they have undergone all inspection procedures in Djibouti by the United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism for Yemen (UNVIM),” the company said.
It added, “These ships have acquired necessary UN permits that verify their cargos conform to the conditions stipulated in the concept of verification and inspection mechanism operations.”
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southfront--2020-08-25--Iran’s IRGC Eliminated Subversive Group One Day After Saying Natanz Incident Was Sabotage

The Iranian state media refer to it as a ‘ team of terrorists.
’ The IRGC ’ s forces engaged the group in the general area of Maku and destroyed it .
The team reportedly had 3 members , and all of them were killed .
The IRGC added that significant quantities of weapons , military equipment , ammunition and communication equipment were also confiscated during the operation .
This operation came just one day after Behrouz Kamalvandi , spokesman for Iran ’ s Atomic Energy Organisation said that a fire at Iran ’ s Natanz nuclear facility in July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials said that the fire on July 2nd at the plant south of Tehran had caused significant damage which could slow the development of advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges .
In July , an article by Iran ’ s state news agency IRNA addressed the possibility of sabotage by enemies such as Israel and the United States .
Neither of them was directly accused , back then , and with this report as well .
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said on August 22nd that he would make his first trip to Tehran in that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran to grant inspectors access to two suspected former atomic sites .
The IAEA suspects activities possibly related to developing nuclear weapons were carried out in the early 2000s at these sites .
Iran insists its nuclear programme has no military dimensions .
Grossi said that the objective of the trip was “ that my meetings in Tehran will lead to concrete progress in addressing the outstanding questions that the agency has related to safeguards in Iran and , in particular , to resolve the issue of access.
” Just days after these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which could have presumably carried out the attack .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • For First Time , Iran ’ s Nuclear Agency Confirms Natanz Facility Blast Was “ Sabotage Operations ” • Pro-Iranian Forces Attack US Convoys Withdrawing From Largest Base In Iraq

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On August 24th, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) eliminated a secret subversive group.
The Iranian state media refer to it as a ‘team of terrorists.’
“Last night, a counter-revolutionary terrorist group affiliated to the global arrogance that intended to penetrate deep into our country’s territory was caught in the intelligence net spread by Hamzeh Seyed al-Shohada Base fighters in the general area of Maku,” a statement released by IRGC’s Hamzeh Seyed al-Shohada Base said.
The IRGC’s forces engaged the group in the general area of Maku and destroyed it.
The team reportedly had 3 members, and all of them were killed.
The IRGC added that significant quantities of weapons, military equipment, ammunition and communication equipment were also confiscated during the operation.
This operation came just one day after Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesman for Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation said that a fire at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility in July was the result of sabotage.
“The explosion at Natanz nuclear facility was a result of sabotage operations,” said Behrouz Kamalvandi. “Security authorities will reveal in due time the reason behind the blast.”
Iranian officials said that the fire on July 2nd at the plant south of Tehran had caused significant damage which could slow the development of advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges.
In July, an article by Iran’s state news agency IRNA addressed the possibility of sabotage by enemies such as Israel and the United States. Neither of them was directly accused, back then, and with this report as well.
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said on August 22nd that he would make his first trip to Tehran in that role on Monday in order to pressure Iran to grant inspectors access to two suspected former atomic sites.
I will travel to Tehran on Monday for meetings with Iranian authorities to address outstanding questions related to safeguards in Iran. I hope to establish a fruitful and cooperative channel of direct dialogue. It is necessary. pic.twitter.com/nkF0X8A4ZM — Rafael MarianoGrossi (@rafaelmgrossi) August 22, 2020
The IAEA suspects activities possibly related to developing nuclear weapons were carried out in the early 2000s at these sites. Iran insists its nuclear programme has no military dimensions.
Grossi said that the objective of the trip was “that my meetings in Tehran will lead to concrete progress in addressing the outstanding questions that the agency has related to safeguards in Iran and, in particular, to resolve the issue of access.”
“Iran has not opposed access to its nuclear facilities, but the IAEA’s questions and allegations should be based on serious evidence and documents,” Kamalvandi said.
Just days after these revelations, a subversive group was eliminated, which could have presumably carried out the attack.
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southfront--2020-08-25--Greece And Turkey Hold Rival Military Drills In Same Mediterranean Sea Area

On August 22nd , Turkish air and naval forces conducted joint training exercises in the Aegean Sea , amid increased tensions with Greece in the region .
F-16 fighter jets took part alongside warships to “ enhance , maintain and improve the operational capability of joint inter-forces operations , ” the Turkish defense ministry tweeted .
This is notable , since Greece also announced that it would be carrying out military drills , in the same area .
As a result , Greece and Turkey are carrying out rival exercises in the same area .
Turkey announced on August 24th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vessel in contentious waters would be extended for four days till August 27th .
Greece had “ thrown itself into a chaos from which it can not find a way out , ” he said .
Four F-16 fighter jets of the United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) were deployed at the Souda Air Base in Crete .
They are taking part in the Greek exercise , the UAE has little interest in Turkish drilling activities in the Mediterranean , however , it supports Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar in Libya .
Turkey supports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , and as such they are conditional enemies within that scope .
As such , the UAE are attempting to assist Greece in pressuring Turkey in the Mediterranean Sea , hoping that it would give a result elsewhere as well .
Additionally , Egypt opposes Turkish ambitions in both Libya and the Mediterranean , but they ’ re not taking part in these exercises .
Greece and Egypt , though , signed a maritime deal , allowing them to share usage of their exclusive economic zones , which Turkey deems illegal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a deal with the Libyan Government Accord , allow Turkey to drill in the eastern Mediterranean , which would be Libya ’ s EEZ .
This agreement is deemed illegal by France , Greece , Egypt , Israel and Cyprus .
Essentially , Turkey has conflicts with most countries operating and exploiting the eastern Mediterranean Sea for one purpose or another , as well as those acting in Libya .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • In Photos : Turkish Frigate Damaged After Collision With Greek Warship In Eastern Mediterranean

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On August 22nd, Turkish air and naval forces conducted joint training exercises in the Aegean Sea, amid increased tensions with Greece in the region.
F-16 fighter jets took part alongside warships to “enhance, maintain and improve the operational capability of joint inter-forces operations,” the Turkish defense ministry tweeted.
This is notable, since Greece also announced that it would be carrying out military drills, in the same area.
As a result, Greece and Turkey are carrying out rival exercises in the same area.
Turkey announced on August 24th that exploration by its Oruc Reis research vessel in contentious waters would be extended for four days till August 27th.
“Greece is responding calmly and with readiness both on a diplomatic and on an operational level. And with national confidence it does everything needed to defend its sovereign rights,” Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas said.
Turkey provided a response in suit.
“Turkey will not take even the smallest step back from the activities of either Oruc Reis or our naval elements escorting it,” President Recip Tayyip Erdogan said.
Greece had “thrown itself into a chaos from which it cannot find a way out,” he said.
Four F-16 fighter jets of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were deployed at the Souda Air Base in Crete.
They are taking part in the Greek exercise, the UAE has little interest in Turkish drilling activities in the Mediterranean, however, it supports Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar in Libya.
Turkey supports the Government of National Accord (GNA), and as such they are conditional enemies within that scope.
As such, the UAE are attempting to assist Greece in pressuring Turkey in the Mediterranean Sea, hoping that it would give a result elsewhere as well.
Additionally, Egypt opposes Turkish ambitions in both Libya and the Mediterranean, but they’re not taking part in these exercises.
Greece and Egypt, though, signed a maritime deal, allowing them to share usage of their exclusive economic zones, which Turkey deems illegal.
Turkey, on its part, signed a deal with the Libyan Government Accord, allow Turkey to drill in the eastern Mediterranean, which would be Libya’s EEZ.
This agreement is deemed illegal by France, Greece, Egypt, Israel and Cyprus.
Essentially, Turkey has conflicts with most countries operating and exploiting the eastern Mediterranean Sea for one purpose or another, as well as those acting in Libya.
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southfront--2020-08-25--Russian-Turkish Patrol In Idlib Attacked For 2nd Time Within Same Week

On August 24th , a Russian military vehicle was targeted with an RPG along the M4 Highway , during the 25th Turkish-Russian Joint Patrol .
There are no fatalities reported .
Exactly one week earlier , on August 17th , a Turkish military vehicle was hit by a blast during the same 25th patrol .
The Turkish Defense Ministry noted that there had been an attack that caused material damage but no deaths .
No further information was immediately available .
The Russian Defense Ministry said no Russian soldiers were hurt in the incident .
Following the attack , President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin .
Just days prior , on August 14th , Russia said the joint military patrols in Idlib , carried out along the M4 highway linking Syria ’ s east and west , had been suspended over increasing militant attacks in the area .
It appeared that the decision had been reversed , as they began again on August 17th , but to renewed attacks .
When the patrols were cancelled , Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that ‘ radicals ’ have prompted a suspension of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that carry out the attacks are Turkish-backed groups that carry out attacks on both the Russian and their supposedly allied Turkish troops .
The two militaries had carried out 24 joint patrols along the key M4 highway that links Syria ’ s east and west , with the latest along the Trumbah and Ayn Al Havron road .
The current 25th patrol appears to be still continuing , despite the two attacks within 7 days .
Two patrols had previously been cut short over security concerns .
The ceasefire reached by Ankara and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with both sides saying there have only been minor violations .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • ISIS Claimed Responsibility For Recent Attack On Russian Troops In Syria ’ s Deir Ezzor • Russia Suspends Joint Patrols With Turkey On M4 Highway In Syria ’ s Greater Idlib

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On August 25th, a Russian military vehicle was targeted with an RPG along the M4 Highway, during the 25th Turkish-Russian Joint Patrol.
? A Russian military vehicle targeted with RPG during the 25th Turkish-Russian Joint Patrol on the M4 highway in the of #Syria's #Idlib province.
? pic.twitter.com/TEANcqKqap — Mete Sohtaoğlu (@metesohtaoglu) August 25, 2020
There are no fatalities reported.
Exactly one week earlier, on August 17th, a Turkish military vehicle was hit by a blast during the same 25th patrol.
The Turkish Defense Ministry noted that there had been an attack that caused material damage but no deaths. No further information was immediately available.
The Russian Defense Ministry said no Russian soldiers were hurt in the incident.
Following the attack, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a phone call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
Just days prior, on August 14th, Russia said the joint military patrols in Idlib, carried out along the M4 highway linking Syria’s east and west, had been suspended over increasing militant attacks in the area.
It appeared that the decision had been reversed, as they began again on August 17th, but to renewed attacks.
When the patrols were cancelled, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that ‘radicals’ have prompted a suspension of the patrols.
Most of these radicals that carry out the attacks are Turkish-backed groups that carry out attacks on both the Russian and their supposedly allied Turkish troops.
“Terrorists have stepped up the amount of shelling on government troops and nearby settlements, not ceasing their provocations in the ‘security corridor’ along the M4 highway. Thus, the joint patrols have been suspended,” Zakharova said.
The two militaries had carried out 24 joint patrols along the key M4 highway that links Syria’s east and west, with the latest along the Trumbah and Ayn Al Havron road.
The current 25th patrol appears to be still continuing, despite the two attacks within 7 days.
Two patrols had previously been cut short over security concerns.
The ceasefire reached by Ankara and Moscow on March 5th has largely held, with both sides saying there have only been minor violations.
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southfront--2020-08-25--Two Terror Attacks In Philippines Leave At Least 14 Dead, 75 Wounded

On August 24th , two explosions in the Jolo , Sulu province , in the Philippines , left at least 14 dead and 75 wounded .
4 soldiers died on the spot , 17 wounded , no details yet regarding about civilian casualties , ” Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan Jr , chief of the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command , said initially .
Philippine Red Cross Chief Richard Gordon said the first explosion hit at approximately midday .
Gordon , who is also a senator , said a motorcycle loaded with improvised explosive device went off near a military truck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is located near the site of the blast .
According to news reports , as authorities were cordoning off the area , a second explosion was reportedly carried out by a female suicide bomber .
According to him , the second explosion was caused by a female suicide bomber with suspected links to Abu Sayyaf bomber Mundi Sawadjaan , nephew of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader and Islamic State ( ISIS ) head in the Philippines Hajan Sawadjaan .
In total , 8 security forces members , 6 civilians and the bomber were killed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 27 security personnel and 48 civilians were wounded .
Jolo is one of a chain of mainly Muslim islands in the southwest of the majority Roman Catholic country .
The blasts happened not far from the site of a major explosion that killed more than 20 people inside a Catholic church in early 2019 , according to state-run PTV channel .
In a statement , Philippine police chief General Archie Francisco Gamboa said he has ordered an investigation into the deadly incident .
It is likely that the attacks were carried out by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with ties to ISIS .
Abu Sayyaf has been battling for independence in the southern region of Mindanao .
They regard the region as their ancestral homeland dating back to the pre-Spanish colonial period .
The group is infamous for its kidnappings , robberies and bombings .
To further make the situation even more volatile , there appears to be tensions between the army and police .
In June , four soldiers were killed in Jolo following an alleged confrontation with police officers .
The soldiers were reportedly pursuing suspected armed fighters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the deadly incident .
The Philippine National Police ( PNP ) in Sulu said its Explosives and Ordnance Division swept the area “ for possible further explosive device or devices.
” AFP ( Armed Forces of Philippines ) spokesperson Major General Edgard Arevalo said an investigation on the site is underway .
Military troops are on hand to secure the area , and to evacuate and provide treatment to casualties .
“ We condemn in the strongest possible terms the explosion incidents in Jolo , Sulu today , which left scores dead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likewise condole with the families and loved ones of those who died in these tragic incidents .
Authorities are now conducting an investigation , which includes identifying individuals or groups behind these dastardly attacks , ” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement on Monday afternoon .
“ We call on the residents of Jolo to stay vigilant , and report suspicious personalities and unattended items in their areas , ” Roque added .
Just before the incident , the above-mentioned Major General Corleto Vinluan said that it is “ possible ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooting in June may be related by blood to the Abu Sayyaf terrorists pursued by the military .
Less than two weeks earlier , on August 13th , one of Abu Sayyaf ’ s leaders Abduljihad “ Idang ” Susukan , was handed over to police by Moro National Liberation Front ( MNLF ) founding chairman Nur Misuari on August 13th .
Bomb attacks also happened around the time Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana officially assumed command of the military in Western Mindanao on September 4 , 2019 .
On September 7th , 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an IED went off near the public market in Isulan , Sultan Kudarat .
On September 8th , 2019 , a suicide bomber tried to attack an Army Camp in Indanan , Sulu , killing only herself .
The entire Sulu province appears to be a hotbed of Islamic extremists and the situation appears to be gradually deteriorating .
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On August 24th, two explosions in the Jolo, Sulu province, in the Philippines, left at least 14 dead and 75 wounded.
4 soldiers died on the spot, 17 wounded, no details yet regarding about civilian casualties,” Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan Jr, chief of the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command, said initially.
“Secondary blast is on the same street, just 100 meters from the first one. Initially, it’s an IED planted in a motorbike,” he said later.
Philippine Red Cross Chief Richard Gordon said the first explosion hit at approximately midday.
Gordon, who is also a senator, said a motorcycle loaded with improvised explosive device went off near a military truck. The Red Cross office in Jolo is located near the site of the blast.
According to news reports, as authorities were cordoning off the area, a second explosion was reportedly carried out by a female suicide bomber.
“A female suicide bomber detonated herself as a soldier stopped her from entering the cordoned area,” Lieutenant Colonel Ronaldo Mateo, an army spokesman said.
According to him, the second explosion was caused by a female suicide bomber with suspected links to Abu Sayyaf bomber Mundi Sawadjaan, nephew of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader and Islamic State (ISIS) head in the Philippines Hajan Sawadjaan.
In total, 8 security forces members, 6 civilians and the bomber were killed in the two blasts. In addition, 27 security personnel and 48 civilians were wounded.
Jolo is one of a chain of mainly Muslim islands in the southwest of the majority Roman Catholic country.
The blasts happened not far from the site of a major explosion that killed more than 20 people inside a Catholic church in early 2019, according to state-run PTV channel.
In a statement, Philippine police chief General Archie Francisco Gamboa said he has ordered an investigation into the deadly incident.
It is likely that the attacks were carried out by Abu Sayyaf Group, a militant group with ties to ISIS.
Abu Sayyaf has been battling for independence in the southern region of Mindanao. They regard the region as their ancestral homeland dating back to the pre-Spanish colonial period.
The group is infamous for its kidnappings, robberies and bombings.
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms the explosion incidents in Jolo,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said. “Authorities are now conducting an investigation, which includes identifying individuals or groups behind these dastardly attacks.”
To further make the situation even more volatile, there appears to be tensions between the army and police. In June, four soldiers were killed in Jolo following an alleged confrontation with police officers.
The soldiers were reportedly pursuing suspected armed fighters, when they were stopped by police leading to the deadly incident.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Sulu said its Explosives and Ordnance Division swept the area “for possible further explosive device or devices.”
AFP (Armed Forces of Philippines) spokesperson Major General Edgard Arevalo said an investigation on the site is underway. Military troops are on hand to secure the area, and to evacuate and provide treatment to casualties.
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms the explosion incidents in Jolo, Sulu today, which left scores dead and wounded, including soldiers. We likewise condole with the families and loved ones of those who died in these tragic incidents. Authorities are now conducting an investigation, which includes identifying individuals or groups behind these dastardly attacks,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement on Monday afternoon. “We call on the residents of Jolo to stay vigilant, and report suspicious personalities and unattended items in their areas,” Roque added.
Just before the incident, the above-mentioned Major General Corleto Vinluan said that it is “possible” that the police officers involved in the shooting in June may be related by blood to the Abu Sayyaf terrorists pursued by the military.
“That is possible, because almost everyone are related to each other in Sulu. There are ASG [Abu Sayyaf Group] who have relatives in the police force … Sulu is small.”
Less than two weeks earlier, on August 13th, one of Abu Sayyaf’s leaders Abduljihad “Idang” Susukan, was handed over to police by Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari on August 13th.
Bomb attacks also happened around the time Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana officially assumed command of the military in Western Mindanao on September 4, 2019.
On September 7th, 2019 at least 7 people were wounded when an IED went off near the public market in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.
On September 8th, 2019, a suicide bomber tried to attack an Army Camp in Indanan, Sulu, killing only herself.
The entire Sulu province appears to be a hotbed of Islamic extremists and the situation appears to be gradually deteriorating.
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