southfront--2020-07-05--New Leader For Libya

New Leader For Libya

Hawtar ’ s offensive on Tripoli , launched in April 2019 , was supposed to last 72 hours and to bring to its knees the government of Fayez Sarraj , recognized by the UN but suspected of supporting Islamists .
A year later , several thousand people were killed in the fighting , including hundreds of civilians .
At the same time , the influence of Turkey , which supports the GNA , is increasing in the Libyan capital .
Certainly , the failure of Haftar ’ s offensive caused discontent among his supporters .
First of all , his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to negotiate a favorable political solution while he was in a powerful position .
Haftar largely lost international support after declaring on April 27 , that the Libyan national army ( LNA ) was accepting a “ popular mandate ” to govern the country .
At the same time , he did not explain what form the new power structure would take .
This confirms the absence of a political strategy for governing the country .
Haftar ’ s statement was not supported by his international partners and also had important political consequences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Khalifa Haftar has been the main figure in the process of communication with the international community .
Above all , his desire to gain full power significantly downplays the importance of the civil authority operating in Eastern Libya , the House of Representatives , the Parliament elected in 2014 shortly before the country ’ s split , to which Haftar owes his legitimacy as Marshal .
At a time when Haftar ’ s reputation was rapidly falling , the figure of Aguila Saleh Issa , President of the House of Representatives located in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the political scene .
76-year-old Saleh is a lawyer who built his entire career in Gaddafi ’ s Libya .
Unknown before , he emerged after the dictator ’ s fall in 2011 thanks to two assets : his affiliation with the Obeidat , a powerful Eastern tribe , and his connection to Egypt .
Shortly before Marshal Haftar ’ s announcement , Saleh proposed a reform of the Presidential Council .
In particular , the politician suggested that each of the three regions ( Tripolitania , Cyrenaica and Fezzan ) chose their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should consist of a leader and two deputies .
They , in turn , must appoint the Prime Minister and his two deputies , who will also represent the three regions and will be approved by the House of Representatives .
The head of the Council and the Prime Minister can not be from the same region .
The right to appoint a defense Minister , according to Saleh ’ s plan , should remain with the military itself , and all members of the Presidential Council will lead the armed forces collectively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ united but to a large extent decentralized Libya , which preserves the interests of the East and of the Obeidat .
A few days later , Aguila Saleh admitted at a tribal meeting that his decision had been influenced by Russia , which was concerned about the Haftar ’ s disadvantageous position .
Saleh ’ s proposal received broad support from the Libyan population , which is opposed to the bloody war in Tripoli , as well as from the part that is hostile to the idea of establishing a military dictatorship in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basis of the ‘ ’ Cairo initiative ” , which was developed by Egyptian President .
Against the recent victories , the Government of national accord ( GNA ) was not ready to agree to a cease-fire and rejected this initiative .
Over the past two months , GNA forces have inflicted several significant defeats on Haftar ’ s army , pushing it away from the approaches to the capital .
This position of the GNA is due to Turkey ’ s direct influence on Tripoli ’ s policy .
To date , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with military capabilities that also require large financial expenditures , is achieving its political , military and financial goals .
However , Saleh ’ s initiative was seen by officials in Tripoli as a further starting point for a credible political way to stop the bloodshed .
The international community , which no longer tolerates Haftar ’ s rejection of the agreements adopted for Libya , has begun to negotiate with Aguila Saleh , expressing significant support for his initiative .
Saleh maintains close cooperation with Egypt , as his initiative complies with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is interested in regional stability .
Saleh was invited along with Haftar to Cairo for a presentation of the peace plan for Libya , prepared by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi .
On June 24 , Aguila Saleh declared that the Libyans were unanimous in backing Sisi ’ s efforts towards their country , whether in regards to his Cairo Declaration or his readiness to intervene militarily to help them preserve their resources against foreign forces .
Certainly , in the case of destruction of the current military front and the active advance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Egypt will be ready to send troops to the territory of Libya .
The leadership in Tripoli is strongly affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood organisation , and Turkey actively supports by its foreign policy this movement , which is a direct threat to Egypt .
In the present circumstances it is dangerous for Egypt to participate in the Libyan conflict , since this is fraught with increased terrorist activity on its territory .
However , “ the red lines ” remain , and if the forces controlled by Sarraj cross them , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In this situation the figure of Saleh is extremely important , since he has the opportunity to fix the current military situation ad hoc and move to the political regulation of existing differences .
After having visited Cairo on June 6 , Saleh went directly to Moscow to discuss the political process in the country .
Saleh , who had denied the existence of differences between him and Haftar , added that the Russians also requested the restructuring of the Presidential Council , currently headed by Government of National Accord chief Fayez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fighting for Tripoli in line with the Berlin Conference and called for forming a new Presidential Council .
On July 3 , Saleh ’ s delegation visited Moscow and held talks with Sergey Lavrov , during which they discussed the “ Cairo initiative ” , and announced the reopening of the Russian Embassy in Libya .
Saleh congratulated Norland on the confidence placed in him by the United States .
Norland highlighted the importance of counter-terrorism and the risk that continued conflict will open space for terrorist elements to regroup across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Emmanuel Macron , denies any military presence in Libya and providing any assistance to LNA forces , the French media is actively considering Saleh ’ s candidacy as the main leader of the forces in Eastern Libya .
Replacing Haftar with Saleh would be acceptable to many interested parties , and would also facilitate dialogue with the GNA .
At the same time , on July 2 , while Saleh was on his way to Moscow , French foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian contacted Marshal Haftar to discuss the situation in Libya .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ importance of resolving the conflict through political means .
Thus , the figure of Saleh as the leader of Eastern Libya could be supported by the international community .
He has already become an important figure in the process of communication with foreign partners .
Thus , external players are trying to influence the reformatting of forces within the government of Eastern Libya .
This process is in the interests of many sides , except of Khalifa Haftar , who has lost his position as the undisputed Libyan leader .
Haftar , known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who opposed his ideas , seems to bow this time to a civilian .
The current aggravation of the situation in Libya and preparations for the battle for Sirte are quite advantageous for Marshal .
Victory over the GNA would allow him not only to get closer to realizing its main goal – to capture Tripoli , but also to prove his case that the situation in Libya can only be normalized by the military victory of the LNA and with the mandatory expulsion from the country of all troops of foreign interventionists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Haftar Thanks France While Macron Denies Any Military Presence In Libya

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Hawtar’s offensive on Tripoli, launched in April 2019, was supposed to last 72 hours and to bring to its knees the government of Fayez Sarraj, recognized by the UN but suspected of supporting Islamists. A year later, several thousand people were killed in the fighting, including hundreds of civilians. At the same time, the influence of Turkey, which supports the GNA, is increasing in the Libyan capital.
Certainly, the failure of Haftar’s offensive caused discontent among his supporters. First of all, his “godfathers” reproached him for refusing to negotiate a favorable political solution while he was in a powerful position.
Haftar largely lost international support after declaring on April 27, that the Libyan national army (LNA) was accepting a “popular mandate” to govern the country. At the same time, he did not explain what form the new power structure would take. This confirms the absence of a political strategy for governing the country.
Haftar’s statement was not supported by his international partners and also had important political consequences within the country.
Till now, Khalifa Haftar has been the main figure in the process of communication with the international community. Above all, his desire to gain full power significantly downplays the importance of the civil authority operating in Eastern Libya, the House of Representatives, the Parliament elected in 2014 shortly before the country’s split, to which Haftar owes his legitimacy as Marshal.
“Khalifa Haftar’s statement is strong when the international community already tends to address him rather than these authorities. He thus weakened the institutions, leaving Aguilah Saleh [Speaker of Parliament, ed.] with only symbolic power, like The Queen of England. “- said Jalel Harchaoui, researcher at the Clingendael Institute in The Hague.
At a time when Haftar’s reputation was rapidly falling, the figure of Aguila Saleh Issa, President of the House of Representatives located in the city of Tobruk, appeared on the political scene.
76-year-old Saleh is a lawyer who built his entire career in Gaddafi’s Libya. Unknown before, he emerged after the dictator’s fall in 2011 thanks to two assets: his affiliation with the Obeidat, a powerful Eastern tribe, and his connection to Egypt.
Shortly before Marshal Haftar’s announcement, Saleh proposed a reform of the Presidential Council. In particular, the politician suggested that each of the three regions (Tripolitania, Cyrenaica and Fezzan) chose their representatives to the Presidential Council, which should consist of a leader and two deputies. They, in turn, must appoint the Prime Minister and his two deputies, who will also represent the three regions and will be approved by the House of Representatives. The head of the Council and the Prime Minister cannot be from the same region. The right to appoint a defense Minister, according to Saleh’s plan, should remain with the military itself, and all members of the Presidential Council will lead the armed forces collectively. Pragmatic Saleh is in favor of united but to a large extent decentralized Libya, which preserves the interests of the East and of the Obeidat.
A few days later, Aguila Saleh admitted at a tribal meeting that his decision had been influenced by Russia, which was concerned about the Haftar’s disadvantageous position.
Saleh’s proposal was apparently intended to remind that “Khalifa Haftar is officially under his authority”, according to Jalel Harchaoui, researcher at the Clingendael Institute in The Hague.
Saleh’s proposal received broad support from the Libyan population, which is opposed to the bloody war in Tripoli, as well as from the part that is hostile to the idea of establishing a military dictatorship in the country.
It also formed the basis of the ‘’Cairo initiative”, which was developed by Egyptian President. Against the recent victories, the Government of national accord (GNA) was not ready to agree to a cease-fire and rejected this initiative. Over the past two months, GNA forces have inflicted several significant defeats on Haftar’s army, pushing it away from the approaches to the capital.
This position of the GNA is due to Turkey’s direct influence on Tripoli’s policy. To date, Turkey, who actively supports the GNA with military capabilities that also require large financial expenditures, is achieving its political, military and financial goals.
However, Saleh’s initiative was seen by officials in Tripoli as a further starting point for a credible political way to stop the bloodshed.
“Political negotiations with the East will take place, but we must take Sirte and al-Jufra first to prevent Russia from establishing its bases there,” Tripoli interior Minister Fathi Bashaga said in his interview for Bloomberg.
The international community, which no longer tolerates Haftar’s rejection of the agreements adopted for Libya, has begun to negotiate with Aguila Saleh, expressing significant support for his initiative.
Saleh maintains close cooperation with Egypt, as his initiative complies with the priorities of the neighboring country, which is interested in regional stability. Saleh was invited along with Haftar to Cairo for a presentation of the peace plan for Libya, prepared by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi.
On June 24, Aguila Saleh declared that the Libyans were unanimous in backing Sisi’s efforts towards their country, whether in regards to his Cairo Declaration or his readiness to intervene militarily to help them preserve their resources against foreign forces.
Certainly, in the case of destruction of the current military front and the active advance of the GNA forces to the East, Egypt will be ready to send troops to the territory of Libya. The leadership in Tripoli is strongly affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood organisation, and Turkey actively supports by its foreign policy this movement, which is a direct threat to Egypt. In the present circumstances it is dangerous for Egypt to participate in the Libyan conflict, since this is fraught with increased terrorist activity on its territory. However, “the red lines” remain, and if the forces controlled by Sarraj cross them, Egypt will bring its troops into Libya. In this situation the figure of Saleh is extremely important, since he has the opportunity to fix the current military situation ad hoc and move to the political regulation of existing differences.
After having visited Cairo on June 6, Saleh went directly to Moscow to discuss the political process in the country. Saleh, who had denied the existence of differences between him and Haftar, added that the Russians also requested the restructuring of the Presidential Council, currently headed by Government of National Accord chief Fayez al-Sarraj. Moscow demanded a ceasefire in the fighting for Tripoli in line with the Berlin Conference and called for forming a new Presidential Council.
“It seems to me that this is exactly what we have been talking about all these years, that the Libyans themselves should find approaches that are generally acceptable to them to build a dialogue first, and then to settle their new state, and external players should encourage such approaches,” Russian foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, said. At the same time, he declared that Haftar’s actions were unacceptable.
On July 3, Saleh’s delegation visited Moscow and held talks with Sergey Lavrov, during which they discussed the “Cairo initiative”, and announced the reopening of the Russian Embassy in Libya.
US Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland held talks with Aquila Saleh. The both sides “… agreed that there is no military solution in Libya, on rejecting an approach of imposing facts on the ground, and on the importance of continuing” negotiations facilitated by the UN mission to Libya, read a US embassy statement.
Saleh congratulated Norland on the confidence placed in him by the United States. Norland highlighted the importance of counter-terrorism and the risk that continued conflict will open space for terrorist elements to regroup across the country.
Smail Chergui, Commissioner for peace and security of the African Union (AU), said: “It seems to me that there are ongoing efforts to get the Al-Bayda Parliament to contribute to an immediate solution to the problems. Thus, we see that there are still displacements in the region, both of Prime Minister [Fayez] Al-Sarraj, and of President Aguila [Saleh] of the Al-Bayda Parliament. I believe that we will need to be able to consolidate these kinds of efforts that could perhaps enable us to have a lasting solution.’’
While the French President, Emmanuel Macron, denies any military presence in Libya and providing any assistance to LNA forces, the French media is actively considering Saleh’s candidacy as the main leader of the forces in Eastern Libya. Replacing Haftar with Saleh would be acceptable to many interested parties, and would also facilitate dialogue with the GNA.
The French international public radio station Radio France Internationale claimed: Sources close to the Parliament in Benghazi say that Russia, the United States and the UN “are actively looking for another personality who better respects the agreements for the next period”, especially since the camp of Fayez Al-Sarraj categorically refuses to sit at the same table with Marshal Haftar, “the putschist”, as they prefer to call him. The replacement of the eastern Libyan warlord would be a prerequisite for a possible return to the negotiating table in Libya.
At the same time, on July 2, while Saleh was on his way to Moscow, French foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian contacted Marshal Haftar to discuss the situation in Libya. During the conversation, he stressed the importance of resolving the conflict through political means.
Thus, the figure of Saleh as the leader of Eastern Libya could be supported by the international community. He has already become an important figure in the process of communication with foreign partners. Thus, external players are trying to influence the reformatting of forces within the government of Eastern Libya.
This process is in the interests of many sides, except of Khalifa Haftar, who has lost his position as the undisputed Libyan leader. Haftar, known for having crushed all the senior officers who opposed his ideas, seems to bow this time to a civilian.
The current aggravation of the situation in Libya and preparations for the battle for Sirte are quite advantageous for Marshal. Victory over the GNA would allow him not only to get closer to realizing its main goal – to capture Tripoli, but also to prove his case that the situation in Libya can only be normalized by the military victory of the LNA and with the mandatory expulsion from the country of all troops of foreign interventionists.
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southfront--2020-07-05--PKK Claimed Responsibiltiy For Large-Scale Explosion At Fireworks Factory In Turkey’s Sakarya

On July 3 , 4 people were killed and 114 injured in a large explosion that rocked a fireworks factory @ @ @ @ @ in Sakarya province in northwestern Turkey .
The government ’ s disaster agency AFAD called @ @ @ @ @ accident ” .
However , later the Kursistah Workes Party ( PKK ) claimed responsibility @ @ @ @ @ the factory was producing explosives for the Turkish Armed Forces .
The attack itself was @ @ @ @ @ ’ s splitner group known as “ Children of Fire ” .
MORE ON THE @ @ @ @ @ Back Against Turkey ’ s Moves In Libya , Reaches Own Maritime Agreement With East @ @ @ @

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On July 3, 4 people were killed and 114 injured in a large explosion that rocked a fireworks factory in the district of Hendek in Sakarya province in northwestern Turkey. The government’s disaster agency AFAD called the explosion an “industrial accident”.
However, later the Kursistah Workes Party (PKK) claimed responsibility for the explosion claiming that the factory was producing explosives for the Turkish Armed Forces. The attack itself was reportedly conducted by the PKK’s splitner group known as “Children of Fire”.
Başka bir açıdan olay yeri pic.twitter.com/PcCsqUa3GY — Mehmet Ardıç ?? (@MehmetArdic_) July 3, 2020
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southfront--2020-07-05--Houthis Repelled Large Attack By Saudi Forces Near Najran (Video 18+)

On July 2 , the Houthis repelled an attack by Saudi-backed Yemeni fighters on their positions in the area of Rshaha al-Sharqiyah on the border with the Kingdom ’ s southern province of Najran .
The Yemeni group ’ s media wing released a 4-minute video documenting the failed attack .
The video shows Houthi fighters targeting the attackers with artillery , heavy machine guns and improvised rocket-assisted munitions , IRAMs .
The fighters can be also seen fighting with the attackers at a short range .
Saudi-led coalition warplanes supported the attack by carrying out a series of airstrikes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nevertheless , the coalition ’ s airstrikes were not that effective .
The attackers eventually retreated from Rshaha al-Sharqiyah under the cover of intense Saudi airstrikes .
The bodies of several Saudi-backed fighters who were killed during the clashes were left behind .
The attack on Rshaha al-Sharqiyah was another futile attempt by the Saudi-led coalition to push the Houthis away from the Saudi-Yemen border .
The Yemeni group has been dominating a large strip of the border line since 2015 .
From there , Houthi fighters launch cross-border attacks and raids on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TOPIC :

5 ( 8 votes) Houthis Repelled Large Attack By Saudi Forces Near Najran (Video 18+) 5 out of 5 based on 8 ratings. 8 user reviews.
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On July 2, the Houthis repelled an attack by Saudi-backed Yemeni fighters on their positions in the area of Rshaha al-Sharqiyah on the border with the Kingdom’s southern province of Najran.
The Yemeni group’s media wing released a 4-minute video documenting the failed attack. The video shows Houthi fighters targeting the attackers with artillery, heavy machine guns and improvised rocket-assisted munitions, IRAMs. The fighters can be also seen fighting with the attackers at a short range.
Saudi-led coalition warplanes supported the attack by carrying out a series of airstrikes on Houthi positions in Rshaha al-Sharqiyah. Nevertheless, the coalition’s airstrikes were not that effective.
The attackers eventually retreated from Rshaha al-Sharqiyah under the cover of intense Saudi airstrikes. The bodies of several Saudi-backed fighters who were killed during the clashes were left behind.
The attack on Rshaha al-Sharqiyah was another futile attempt by the Saudi-led coalition to push the Houthis away from the Saudi-Yemen border. The Yemeni group has been dominating a large strip of the border line since 2015. From there, Houthi fighters launch cross-border attacks and raids on a regular basis.
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southfront--2020-07-05--Turkish MIM-23 Hawk System Deployed In Libya’s Al-Watiya Air Base (Satellite Images)

New satellite images confirmed that Turkey had deployed at least one MIM-23 Hawk medium-ran air-defense system in al-Watiya Air Base in western Libya .
Obretix , a Twitter defence blogger , shared on July 4 the images that show four M-192 towed triple-missile launchers in the southeastern part of the Libyan air base .
Earlier this week , Libyan sources released a video showing a Turkish convoy transporting radars and other components of the MIM-23 Hawk system to al-Watiya Air Base .
The system was likely air-lifted from Turkey .
The Air Defense Command of the Turkish Air Force ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all were upgraded to the XXI standard .
The system , that has a range of 45 km , was probably deployed to counter the armed drones of the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) .
Last year , Turkey deployed a Hawk system in Mitiga International Airport , to the east of the Libyan capital , Tripoli .
Later , a second system was deployed in the Air Academy , near the city of Misrata .
Forces loyal to the Government of National Accord captured al-Watiya Air Base from the LNA on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Turkey .
Turkey is reportedly planning to turn al-Watiya in the permanent base for its troops in Libya .
The deployment of a MIM-23 Hawk air-defense system in the air base indicates that Ankara is already working to achieve this goal .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • While Tripoli Welcomed Turkish Defense Minister , LNA Called For Russia And France

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New satellite images confirmed that Turkey had deployed at least one MIM-23 Hawk medium-ran air-defense system in al-Watiya Air Base in western Libya.
Obretix, a Twitter defence blogger, shared on July 4 the images that show four M-192 towed triple-missile launchers in the southeastern part of the Libyan air base.
Turkey deploying two MIM-23 Hawk air defense systems at al-Watiyah Air Base https://t.co/lZiw5A6wjf (3 Jul 2020) pic.twitter.com/jOpfc2DGzX — Samir (@obretix) July 4, 2020
Earlier this week, Libyan sources released a video showing a Turkish convoy transporting radars and other components of the MIM-23 Hawk system to al-Watiya Air Base. The system was likely air-lifted from Turkey.
The Air Defense Command of the Turkish Air Force (TAF) has 16 Hawk systems, all were upgraded to the XXI standard. The system, that has a range of 45 km, was probably deployed to counter the armed drones of the Libyan National Army (LNA).
Last year, Turkey deployed a Hawk system in Mitiga International Airport, to the east of the Libyan capital, Tripoli. Later, a second system was deployed in the Air Academy, near the city of Misrata.
Forces loyal to the Government of National Accord captured al-Watiya Air Base from the LNA on May 18. The offensive was backed by Turkey.
Turkey is reportedly planning to turn al-Watiya in the permanent base for its troops in Libya. The deployment of a MIM-23 Hawk air-defense system in the air base indicates that Ankara is already working to achieve this goal.
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southfront--2020-07-05--Military Situation In Yemen On July 4, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Yemen : • Saudi-led coalition warplanes @ @ @ @ @ Maheliya and Abdiya areas ; • The Liaison and Coordination Officers ’ Operations Room reported @ @ @ @ @ during the past 24 hours .
They included 117 artillery strikes and 38 firefights ; @ @ @ @ @ Ansar Allah forces targeted Saudi operations and control room in Najran Airport , ammo depot @ @ @ @ @ Khalid Air Base ; • Clashes between Saudi-led forces and Ansar Allah continue in the @ @ @ @ @ MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Saudi-led Blockade Of Yemen : How Did It All @ @ @ @ @ End ?
• Map Update : Ansar Allah gains In Yemeni Provinces Of Marib And @

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Yemen:
Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 2 airstrikes on the Sawadiya area;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 12 airstrikes on the Hazm area;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 9 airstrikes on the Maheliya and Abdiya areas;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 4 airstrikes on the Majzar area;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 2 airstrikes on the Haradh area;
The Liaison and Coordination Officers’ Operations Room reported 55 ceasefire violations in al-Hudaydah during the past 24 hours. They included 117 artillery strikes and 38 firefights;
Qasef-2K suicide drones of Ansar Allah forces targeted Saudi operations and control room in Najran Airport, ammo depot and warplanes shelters in King Khalid Air Base;
Clashes between Saudi-led forces and Ansar Allah continue in the south of Marib province.
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southfront--2020-07-05--U.S. F-35 Warplanes Pounded ISIS Hideouts In Iraq’s Nineveh (Videos)

The U.S.-led coalition announced on July 4 that it had launched a series of airstrikes on ISIS cells in the northern Iraqi province of Nineveh .
The airstrikes , which took place on June 24 , were carried out by U.S. F-35 stealth combat aircraft .
ISIS hideouts and tunnels in the Makhmur mountain range were struck .
The results of the airstrikes were not released .
Yehia Rasool , a spokesperson for the Iraqi Commander-in-Chief , revealed that the airstrikes were carried out according to “ accurate Iraqi intelligence information.
” The Makhmur mountains are teeming with ISIS cells @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacks against Iraqi government forces on a regular basis .
The U.S.-led coalition targeted the mountains several times this year .
Last month , Joint Task Force of US-led international coalition reportedly conducted 59 operations and 12 strikes against Daesh in Iraq and Syria .
As a result , 39 Daesh leaders and 123 detainees were killed .
Iraqi government forces are now intensifying their operations against ISIS remnants throughout Iraq .
The Iraqi Air Force and the coalition ’ s air force are playing an increasing role in these operations .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cells are sustaining serious losses .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Iraqi ‘ Resistance ’ Shot Down Drone In Al-Anbar , U.S .
Responded By Killing Two Farmers

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The U.S.-led coalition announced on July 4 that it had launched a series of airstrikes on ISIS cells in the northern Iraqi province of Nineveh.
The airstrikes, which took place on June 24, were carried out by U.S. F-35 stealth combat aircraft. ISIS hideouts and tunnels in the Makhmur mountain range were struck. The results of the airstrikes were not released.
Yehia Rasool, a spokesperson for the Iraqi Commander-in-Chief, revealed that the airstrikes were carried out according to “accurate Iraqi intelligence information.”
وفقاً لمعلومات استخبارية دقيقة، وبأمر من قيادة العمليات المشتركة العراقية، طيران التحالف الدولي ينفذ ضربات جوية ضد أنفاق تستخدم من قبل عناصر عصابات #داعش الإرهابية في #نينوى. pic.twitter.com/p4HCWi7KTI — يحيى رسول | Yehia Rasool (@IraqiSpoxMOD) July 4, 2020
The Makhmur mountains are teeming with ISIS cells. From there, the terrorists launch attacks against Iraqi government forces on a regular basis. The U.S.-led coalition targeted the mountains several times this year.
Last month, Joint Task Force of US-led international coalition reportedly conducted 59 operations and 12 strikes against Daesh in Iraq and Syria. As a result, 39 Daesh leaders and 123 detainees were killed.
Iraqi government forces are now intensifying their operations against ISIS remnants throughout Iraq. The Iraqi Air Force and the coalition’s air force are playing an increasing role in these operations. As a result, the group’s cells are sustaining serious losses.
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southfront--2020-07-05--After Al-Hasakah, Turkish-Backed Militants Kill Each Other In Raqqa (Videos)

Turkish-backed militants are clashing with each other in the occupied town of Tell Abyad in northern Raqqa , less than 24 hours after similar clashes in al-Hasakah .
The clashes started on July 4 at noon between militants of the al-Shamiya Front and the al-Majid Corps .
A local source familiar with the matter told the Orient TV that the clashes had erupted when the al-Shamiya Front had attempted to seize a shipping route .
The militants are clashing with each other in the center of Tell Abyad , near the border crossing north of the town as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Al-Shamiya Front militants reportedly managed to capture the Agricultural bank , a headquarters of the al-Majid Corps .
Both groups are now using heavy weapons , including large-caliber machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades .
According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights , two militants of the al-Majid Corps have been killed in the clashes , thus far .
Seven others were injured .
Late on July 3 , similar clashes between militants of the Sultan Murad Division and local tribesmen loyal to the Hamaza Division took place in northern al-Hasakah .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ militants and a little girl , identified as Rimas Mohamad Ashhrha .
The Turkish military , which is present in northern al-Hasakah and Raqqa , is not taking any steps to end the fierce battles between its proxies .
Ankara rarely intervenes in such conflicts .
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Turkish-backed militants are clashing with each other in the occupied town of Tell Abyad in northern Raqqa, less than 24 hours after similar clashes in al-Hasakah.
The clashes started on July 4 at noon between militants of the al-Shamiya Front and the al-Majid Corps. A local source familiar with the matter told the Orient TV that the clashes had erupted when the al-Shamiya Front had attempted to seize a shipping route.
The militants are clashing with each other in the center of Tell Abyad, near the border crossing north of the town as well as in the nearby village of al-Yabisah.
Al-Shamiya Front militants reportedly managed to capture the Agricultural bank, a headquarters of the al-Majid Corps. Both groups are now using heavy weapons, including large-caliber machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades.
إشتباكات عنيفة تدور بين فصائل الجيش الوطني في مناطق نبع السلام، حيث هاجمت عشيرة الموالي وفرقة الحمزة مواقع فصيل السلطان مراد وسيطرت على الكثير منها، في حين اندلعت اشتباكات عنيفة بين فصائل الجبهة الشامية وفيلق المجد من أجل معابر التهريب والسلطة في مناطق تل أبيض. pic.twitter.com/rEV5nB9kRA — الشمالي الحر (@alshmali_alhr0) July 4, 2020
تل أبيض مباشر / كري سبي /
-Girê Sipî pic.twitter.com/OhmJUq1NI3 — Ⓜ – Serdar H Mehmûd (@SerdarMehmuud) July 4, 2020
تجدد اشتباكات بين مرتزقة #الاحتلال_التركي في #تل_ابيض على الغنائم
العرصة يتكلم عن العرصة ههه#Girêspî
Çete xwe bi xwe re li hefketin û şere giran di qweme navbera wan de pic.twitter.com/qvAsYxANHE — Mihyedin (@Mihyedin6) July 4, 2020
According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, two militants of the al-Majid Corps have been killed in the clashes, thus far. Seven others were injured.
Late on July 3, similar clashes between militants of the Sultan Murad Division and local tribesmen loyal to the Hamaza Division took place in northern al-Hasakah. The clashes claimed the lives of four militants and a little girl, identified as Rimas Mohamad Ashhrha.
The Turkish military, which is present in northern al-Hasakah and Raqqa, is not taking any steps to end the fierce battles between its proxies. Ankara rarely intervenes in such conflicts.
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southfront--2020-07-05--New Study: Orthodox Church of Ukraine Divided Orthodoxy

In early May , the Swiss Center for Security Studies at ETH Zurich published its new report on Constantinople ’ s invasion to the canonical territory of the Russian Orthodox Church and its impact on the religious life in the country and the situation in world Orthodoxy .
According to the study by Nikolay Mitrokhin , a Research Fellow at the Research Centre for East European Studies ( Forschungsstelle Osteuropa ) at the University of Bremen , the decision of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to directly interfere in the Ukrainian church situation caused a serious crisis in Orthodoxy .
The Phanar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ division between the “ Greek ” and Moscow-based coalitions .
“ On the one hand , the churches dominated by the Greek diaspora — Ecumenical Patriarchate , Hellenic , Alexandria and Cyprus — and on the other hand , the churches ideologically and organizationally connected with Moscow — the ROC , Antioch ( Syria ) , Bulgarian , Georgian , Serbian , and Polish Orthodox churches , as well as the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia , ” the author writes .
Moreover , some Local Churches ’ efforts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting of Orthodox Churches in Amman organized by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem ) were strongly opposed by Constantinople .
The same thought is expressed by Alexander Ponomariov in his analysis “ International Implications of Ukrainian Autocephaly ( 2019–2020 ) ” ( p. 10 of the Digest ) .
He claims that the Orthodox commonwealth is facing an “ imminent danger of schism ” while “ Greek ” Churches react to their indisputable neo-post-Byzantine leader , the Ecumenical Patriarchate ” , and against the background of the COVID-19 outbreak .
The Ecumenical Patriarchate ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standoff between it and the Russian Orthodox Church .
Mitrokhin claims that in order to repulse the Phanar ’ s attacks , the ROC revoked the traditional system of “ friendship , hostility , or seeking a balance of interests with national Orthodox Churches ” and turned to a “ hybrid ” network of friendship and business relations .
In 2019 , when Constantinople granted the Tomos of autocephaly ( independence ) to the newly created Orthodox Church of Ukraine ( OCU ) , the Moscow Patriarchate break off contact with it but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognized the OCU , the Russian Orthodox Church decided to cut ties only with those clergymen of these Churches who approved of the recognition .
Another step of Moscow was the creation of two new exarchates – West European and South East Asian , which became a “ punch in the nose ” for the Ecumenical Patriarchate .
“ The first included European countries west of Germany , the second to the south and east of mainland China .
Of course , the ROC already had parishes and dioceses in these regions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ROC has not had them outside the former USSR for a long time ) means a new level of symbolic claims .
Previously , in the system of “ world Orthodoxy , ” the Ecumenical Patriarchate was given the role of coordinator of Orthodox life outside the territories controlled by national churches and traditional patriarchates .
[ … ] The ROC exarchates are a clear effort to change this status , ” the study says .
Even more dramatic was the impact of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on the Ukrainian Orthodoxy .
The creation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conflicts during forced transition of parishes supported by former president Poroshenko and right-wing radical parties .
According to the author ’ s data , based on conversations with high-ranking church officials and activists both in Kyiv and in the most affected dioceses , the UOC has hopelessly lost at least 200 communities ( and about 150 priests ) , some 250 communities have split up and it is impossible to serve in their churches ( but the priests have remained in the UOC ) ; another 100 communities serve in the same churches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the OCU .
“ Approximately 200 communities joined the OCU voluntarily or fearful of closure , [ … ] in the vast majority of other cases , however , decisions to “ transfer a community ” to the OCU were not made by the community itself at the parish assembly , but by the territorial ( rural ) community.
” Such transitions were impossible before the amendments to the Law on Freedom of Conscience , very vague in terms of the norms for deciding on the transition , were introduced by Poroshenko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the first months of 2019 in hundreds of villages in six of the seven regions of Western Ukraine ( except the Transcarpathian region ) , as well as in Khmelnytsky , Vinnytsky , Zhytomyr regions there were fierce skirmishes between OCU supporters who tried to seize churches and UOC supporters who tried to keep them .
UOC activists , lacking any help from Kyiv , have to set up networks of mutual support to protect themselves .
The way the UOC can defend its parishes from seizures is to legally confront its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuits against various regional administrations for illegal re-registration of parishes .
Courts mostly support the UOC and confirm that parishes ’ transitions were illegal .
Instead of uniting the Ukrainian faithful , the OCU divided them .
Conflicts ( including the ones between the former church organizations which are now part of the OCU ) across the whole country continue .
Up to this moment , approximately 350 communities that the OCU already considers its own haven ’ t completed the process of transition yet .
It ’ s still unknown how many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to various estimates , it has from 3,500 to 7,000 parishes ) .
Besides , according to Nikolay Mitrokhin ’ s another study ( “ Atheisten des Kiewer Patriarchats ’ .
Die Kirchenfrage in der Ukraine nach dem Tomos ” ) the OCU attendance is relatively low especially compared to those of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church .
The key factor affecting the attendance is that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church succeeded in preserving its unity despite all efforts of the previous authorities .
For the OCU , unity is still unreachable and unfortunately now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religious situation in Ukraine will last for decades .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Hoisted With Their Own Petard : Ukraine ’ s Influence Operations Against Europe • Ukrainian Troops To Use Javelin AGTMs And Turkish Bayraktar TB2 Drones In Eastern Ukraine

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Submitted by Nadia Bazuk
In early May, the Swiss Center for Security Studies at ETH Zurich published its new report on Constantinople’s invasion to the canonical territory of the Russian Orthodox Church and its impact on the religious life in the country and the situation in world Orthodoxy.
According to the study by Nikolay Mitrokhin, a Research Fellow at the Research Centre for East European Studies (Forschungsstelle Osteuropa) at the University of Bremen, the decision of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to directly interfere in the Ukrainian church situation caused a serious crisis in Orthodoxy. The Phanar’s actions led to a deeper division between the “Greek” and Moscow-based coalitions. “On the one hand, the churches dominated by the Greek diaspora — Ecumenical Patriarchate, Hellenic, Alexandria and Cyprus — and on the other hand, the churches ideologically and organizationally connected with Moscow — the ROC, Antioch (Syria), Bulgarian, Georgian, Serbian, and Polish Orthodox churches, as well as the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia,” the author writes. Moreover, some Local Churches’ efforts to resolve the conflict (e.g. the meeting of Orthodox Churches in Amman organized by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem) were strongly opposed by Constantinople.
The same thought is expressed by Alexander Ponomariov in his analysis “International Implications of Ukrainian Autocephaly (2019–2020)” (p. 10 of the Digest). He claims that the Orthodox commonwealth is facing an “imminent danger of schism” while “Greek” Churches react to their indisputable neo-post-Byzantine leader, the Ecumenical Patriarchate”, and against the background of the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate’s strategy concerning Ukraine caused an open standoff between it and the Russian Orthodox Church. Mitrokhin claims that in order to repulse the Phanar’s attacks, the ROC revoked the traditional system of “friendship, hostility, or seeking a balance of interests with national Orthodox Churches” and turned to a “hybrid” network of friendship and business relations. In 2019, when Constantinople granted the Tomos of autocephaly (independence) to the newly created Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), the Moscow Patriarchate break off contact with it but when the Churches of Greece and Alexandria recognized the OCU, the Russian Orthodox Church decided to cut ties only with those clergymen of these Churches who approved of the recognition.
Another step of Moscow was the creation of two new exarchates – West European and South East Asian, which became a “punch in the nose” for the Ecumenical Patriarchate. “The first included European countries west of Germany, the second to the south and east of mainland China. Of course, the ROC already had parishes and dioceses in these regions, but the creation of exarchates (the ROC has not had them outside the former USSR for a long time) means a new level of symbolic claims. Previously, in the system of “world Orthodoxy,” the Ecumenical Patriarchate was given the role of coordinator of Orthodox life outside the territories controlled by national churches and traditional patriarchates. […] The ROC exarchates are a clear effort to change this status,” the study says.
Even more dramatic was the impact of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on the Ukrainian Orthodoxy. The creation of the OCU led to numerous local conflicts during forced transition of parishes supported by former president Poroshenko and right-wing radical parties.
According to the author’s data, based on conversations with high-ranking church officials and activists both in Kyiv and in the most affected dioceses, the UOC has hopelessly lost at least 200 communities (and about 150 priests), some 250 communities have split up and it is impossible to serve in their churches (but the priests have remained in the UOC); another 100 communities serve in the same churches as before, but are formally transferred to the OCU.
“Approximately 200 communities joined the OCU voluntarily or fearful of closure, […] in the vast majority of other cases, however, decisions to “transfer a community” to the OCU were not made by the community itself at the parish assembly, but by the territorial (rural) community.” Such transitions were impossible before the amendments to the Law on Freedom of Conscience, very vague in terms of the norms for deciding on the transition, were introduced by Poroshenko’s government in January 2019.
In the first months of 2019 in hundreds of villages in six of the seven regions of Western Ukraine (except the Transcarpathian region), as well as in Khmelnytsky, Vinnytsky, Zhytomyr regions there were fierce skirmishes between OCU supporters who tried to seize churches and UOC supporters who tried to keep them. UOC activists, lacking any help from Kyiv, have to set up networks of mutual support to protect themselves.
The way the UOC can defend its parishes from seizures is to legally confront its opponents. Currently, there are 60 lawsuits against various regional administrations for illegal re-registration of parishes. Courts mostly support the UOC and confirm that parishes’ transitions were illegal.
Instead of uniting the Ukrainian faithful, the OCU divided them. Conflicts (including the ones between the former church organizations which are now part of the OCU) across the whole country continue. Up to this moment, approximately 350 communities that the OCU already considers its own haven’t completed the process of transition yet. It’s still unknown how many parishes belong to the OCU (according to various estimates, it has from 3,500 to 7,000 parishes).
Besides, according to Nikolay Mitrokhin’s another study (“Atheisten des Kiewer Patriarchats’. Die Kirchenfrage in der Ukraine nach dem Tomos”) the OCU attendance is relatively low especially compared to those of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
The key factor affecting the attendance is that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church succeeded in preserving its unity despite all efforts of the previous authorities. For the OCU, unity is still unreachable and unfortunately now it looks like the normalization of the religious situation in Ukraine will last for decades.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
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southfront--2020-07-05--2 Aircraft Carriers Lead ‘Show Of Strenght’ In South China Sea As Navarro Slams Beijing For “Spreadi

2 Aircraft Carriers Lead ‘Show Of Strenght’ In South China Sea As Navarro Slams Beijing For “Spreading The Virus”

On the eve of Independence Day , the White House is once again stoking tensions with Beijing , as President Trump continues to embrace aggressive rhetoric toward China as a key campaign issue that ( he hopes ) will help bring out more Trump voters worried about Biden and/or members of his family ’ s dubious business ties to China and Ukraine .
Media reports claim that the US is sending not one but two aircraft carriers into the South China Sea , one of the hottest flashpoints on earth right now ( at least , one of the hottest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along India ’ s land-border ) , as the US Navy holds military exercises in the area , a major middle finger to Beijing and the PLA-Navy .
The USS Ronald Reagan and USS Nimitz are scheduled to hold some of the Navy ’ s largest exercises in recent years in the area , which is frequently beset upon by American destroyers sailing within 12 miles of certain islands developed by China that are the subject of competing international claims .
Media reports claim that the US is sending not one but two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one of the hottest flashpoints on earth right now ( at least , one of the hottest flash points that ’ s not situated along India ’ s land-border ) , as the US Navy holds military exercises in the area , a major middle finger to Beijing and the PLA-Navy .
The USS Ronald Reagan and USS Nimitz are scheduled to hold some of the Navy ’ s largest exercises in recent years in the area , which is frequently beset upon by American destroyers sailing within 12 miles of certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subject of competing international claims .
The exercise will involve the two carriers as well as 4 other warships along with round-the-clock fights and missions .
The news comes as Peter Navarro , who has seemingly been relegated back to a supply closet office in the West Wing now that the trade deal is dead in the water , has apparently been let out of his cage long enough to rant about Beijing and the CCP leadership ’ s unforgivable failure to contain the coronavirus .
Perhaps it ’ s because China has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spree in Latin America ?
For a while there , it seemed like China would buy up ever-more American agricultural products for the simple reason that they were cheap and China needed the supplies .
But now that China is walking away with its money , we wouldn ’ t be too surprised to hear Navarro once again declare the trade deal to be “ over ” ( like he did the other week before Beijing and his colleagues leaned on him to recant ) .
Though he didn ’ t go quite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point , his rhetoric is probably the best barometer , and if he starts talking about the deal being “ over ” again , it might be time to start listening .

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Originally appeared at ZeroHedge
On the eve of Independence Day, the White House is once again stoking tensions with Beijing, as President Trump continues to embrace aggressive rhetoric toward China as a key campaign issue that (he hopes) will help bring out more Trump voters worried about Biden and/or members of his family’s dubious business ties to China and Ukraine.
Media reports claim that the US is sending not one but two aircraft carriers into the South China Sea, one of the hottest flashpoints on earth right now (at least, one of the hottest flash points that’s not situated along India’s land-border), as the US Navy holds military exercises in the area, a major middle finger to Beijing and the PLA-Navy.
The USS Ronald Reagan and USS Nimitz are scheduled to hold some of the Navy’s largest exercises in recent years in the area, which is frequently beset upon by American destroyers sailing within 12 miles of certain islands developed by China that are the subject of competing international claims.
Media reports claim that the US is sending not one but two aircraft carriers into the South China Sea, one of the hottest flashpoints on earth right now (at least, one of the hottest flash points that’s not situated along India’s land-border), as the US Navy holds military exercises in the area, a major middle finger to Beijing and the PLA-Navy.
The USS Ronald Reagan and USS Nimitz are scheduled to hold some of the Navy’s largest exercises in recent years in the area, which is frequently beset upon by American destroyers sailing within 12 miles of certain islands developed by China that are the subject of competing international claims.
The exercise will involve the two carriers as well as 4 other warships along with round-the-clock fights and missions.
The news comes as Peter Navarro, who has seemingly been relegated back to a supply closet office in the West Wing now that the trade deal is dead in the water, has apparently been let out of his cage long enough to rant about Beijing and the CCP leadership’s unforgivable failure to contain the coronavirus.
Navarro: They spawned the virus, they hid the virus, they send hundreds of thousands of Chinese nationals over here to seed and spread the virus pic.twitter.com/nda7cWghoj — Acyn Torabi (@Acyn) July 3, 2020
Perhaps it’s because China has seemingly been on a agricultural commodity buying spree in Latin America?
For a while there, it seemed like China would buy up ever-more American agricultural products for the simple reason that they were cheap and China needed the supplies.
But now that China is walking away with its money, we wouldn’t be too surprised to hear Navarro once again declare the trade deal to be “over” (like he did the other week before Beijing and his colleagues leaned on him to recant). Though he didn’t go quite to that extreme here, at this point, his rhetoric is probably the best barometer, and if he starts talking about the deal being “over” again, it might be time to start listening.
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southfront--2020-07-05--Military Situation In Syria On July 3, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria : • Three Russian military @ @ @ @ @ military vehicles arrived in Deir Ezzor City ; • Turkish military convoy consisting of about @ @ @ @ @ entered from the border crossing in the village of Kafr Lusin and proceeded to the @ @ @ @ @ ; • ISIS launched an attack on SAA positions near Sukhnah desert in eastern Homs @ @ @ @ @ 12 SAA Baqir Brigade soldiers were reportedly killed ; • Heavy clashes continue between the @ @ @ @ @ al-Muali tribe in the border town of Ras al-Ain in the northern al-Hasakah countryside ; @ @ @ @ @ Turkish Armed Forces exchanged artillery fire in the towns of Fatterah , Sufuhon , and @ @ @ @ @ ; • Last month , Joint Task Force of US-led international coalition conducted 59 operations @ @ @ @ @ in Iraq and Syria .
As a result , 39 Daesh leaders and 123 detainees @ @ @ @ @ THE TOPIC :

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria:
Three Russian military convoys consisting of about 30 military vehicles arrived in Deir Ezzor City ;
Turkish military convoy consisting of about 20 vehicles carrying logistic equipment entered from the border crossing in the village of Kafr Lusin and proceeded to the Zawiya area in southern Idlib;
ISIS launched an attack on SAA positions near Sukhnah desert in eastern Homs. 9 ISIS militants and 12 SAA Baqir Brigade soldiers were reportedly killed;
Russian warplanes hit the Takad area West of Aleppo;
Heavy clashes continue between the Sultan Murad Division and the al-Muali tribe in the border town of Ras al-Ain in the northern al-Hasakah countryside;
The SAA and the Turkish Armed Forces exchanged artillery fire in the towns of Fatterah, Sufuhon, and Kafr Nabl in southern Idlib;
Last month, Joint Task Force of US-led international coalition conducted 59 operations and 12 strikes against Daesh in Iraq and Syria. As a result, 39 Daesh leaders and 123 detainees were killed.
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southfront--2020-07-05--Another ‘Mystery’ Blast Rocks Iran Power Plant

The series of mysterious incidents and explosions continues in Iran .
On July 4 , a fire broke out at @ @ @ @ @ plant in the city of Ahvaz in southwestern Iran and a chlorine leak sent dozens @ @ @ @ @ room at a petrochemical plant in the same region , according to Iranian media .
@ @ @ @ @ reported that the fire at the Zargan power plant broke out as a result of @ @ @ @ @ , a spokesman for the Iranian electricity industry later told Iranian media that the “ @ @ @ @ @ the transformers caused the fire .
Meanwhile , 70 people were injured due to a @ @ @ @ @ Karun Petrochemical Company , located south of Ahvaz .
The leak occurred after a pipe @ @ @ @ @ site ruptured .
The cause of the incident is being investigated .
MORE ON THE @ @ @ @ @ Show Impact Of Large Blast At Suspected Missile Site In Iran

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The series of mysterious incidents and explosions continues in Iran.
On July 4, a fire broke out at the Shahid Medhaj Zargan power plant in the city of Ahvaz in southwestern Iran and a chlorine leak sent dozens of employees to the emergency room at a petrochemical plant in the same region, according to Iranian media.
Initially, Fars News Agency reported that the fire at the Zargan power plant broke out as a result of a transformer explosion. Later, a spokesman for the Iranian electricity industry later told Iranian media that the “connection” of one of the transformers caused the fire.
Meanwhile, 70 people were injured due to a chlorine gas leak at the Karun Petrochemical Company, located south of Ahvaz. The leak occurred after a pipe from a tank at the site ruptured. The cause of the incident is being investigated.
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southfront--2020-07-05--Turkey Confirms Losses In Al-Watiya Air Base Strikes, GNA Vows To Respond

Turkish state media confirmed that the recent airstrikes on the al-Watiya Air Base in western Syria had destroyed an air-defense system .
Citing a Libyan military source , the state-run agency Anadolu Agency reported that the air-defense system as well as other military equipment , which were recently deployed in the base , were destroyed as result of the airstrikes .
While the Turkish news agency claimed that the airstrikes led to no casualties , local Libyan sources reported that several ambulances were seen rushing to the air base after the attack .
According to the Libyan National Army ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the airstrikes , a MIM-23 Hawk medium-range air-defense system and a KORAL electronic warfare system were completely destroyed .
Twitter account OSINT Editor shared a satellite image showing al-Watiya Air Base after the airstrikes .
Unfortunately , the areas southeast and southwest of the air base , where the Hawk system was stationed , were both blocked by clouds .
Some Libya sources claimed that Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar , who started a surprise visit to Libya two days ago , was present in al-Watiya when the airstrikes took place on July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not been confirmed , yet .
Activists supporting the Government of National Accord ( GNA ) claimed that the airstrikes were not carried out by the LNA , but by Mirage 2000-9 warplanes of the UAE Air Force .
According to the activists ’ claims , the warplanes took off from Egypt ’ s Sidi Barrani Air Base .
The GNA , whose forces captured al-Watiya from the LNA on May 18 , was triggered by the airstrikes .
Salah al-Namrush , a spokesman for the government , vowed that a response to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ right time and the right place.
” The aerial attack on al-Watiya Air Base was well-planned and executed .
The attack may have been carried out by the allies of the LNA .
Turkey , which received a major blow , will likely try to respond very soon .
This could lead to a new escalation in Libya .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC :

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Turkish state media confirmed that the recent airstrikes on the al-Watiya Air Base in western Syria had destroyed an air-defense system.
Citing a Libyan military source, the state-run agency Anadolu Agency reported that the air-defense system as well as other military equipment, which were recently deployed in the base, were destroyed as result of the airstrikes.
“The [attack] didn’t result in any human losses, it targeted some of the base’s equipment, which were recently brought to reinforce the base, including an air-defense system,” the Anadolu Agency quoted the unnamed source as saying.
While the Turkish news agency claimed that the airstrikes led to no casualties, local Libyan sources reported that several ambulances were seen rushing to the air base after the attack.
According to the Libyan National Army (LNA), which claimed responsibility for the airstrikes, a MIM-23 Hawk medium-range air-defense system and a KORAL electronic warfare system were completely destroyed.
Twitter account OSINT Editor shared a satellite image showing al-Watiya Air Base after the airstrikes. Unfortunately, the areas southeast and southwest of the air base, where the Hawk system was stationed, were both blocked by clouds.
First (cloudy) sat images from today appear to show no signs of the alleged airstrikes on Al-Watiya Air Base in #Libya
#OSINT pic.twitter.com/swC8441hUF — OSINT Editor – Community powered (@osinteditor) July 5, 2020
Some Libya sources claimed that Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, who started a surprise visit to Libya two days ago, was present in al-Watiya when the airstrikes took place on July 5 morning. However, this has not been confirmed, yet.
Activists supporting the Government of National Accord (GNA) claimed that the airstrikes were not carried out by the LNA, but by Mirage 2000-9 warplanes of the UAE Air Force. According to the activists’ claims, the warplanes took off from Egypt’s Sidi Barrani Air Base.
The GNA, whose forces captured al-Watiya from the LNA on May 18, was triggered by the airstrikes. Salah al-Namrush, a spokesman for the government, vowed that a response to the attack would be given at the “right time and the right place.”
The aerial attack on al-Watiya Air Base was well-planned and executed. The attack may have been carried out by the allies of the LNA. Turkey, which received a major blow, will likely try to respond very soon. This could lead to a new escalation in Libya.
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southfront--2020-07-05--Narco Jet Allegedly Shot Down By Mexican Federal Police

A private jet allegedly packed with drugs was intercepted by the Mexican Federal Police near the Felipe Carrillo Puerto Municipality in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo .
La Jornada , one of Mexico City ’ s leading daily newspapers , reports the jet landed on a highway in flames after being attacked by a Mexican Federal Police “ gunnery helicopter.
” A gunnery helicopter from the armed forces opened fire this morning against a small plane , which had to make an emergency landing on the Chunhuhub-José María Morelos highway section , in the central-western region of Quintana Roo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Security ( SSP ) of the state , Alberto Capella Ibarra .
The official said on his Twitter account that “ the registration of the aircraft is apparently XB-RCM and could be related to illegal activities .
Federal authorities attending to the investigation.
” Initial reports indicate that around 7:30 am this Sunday an Army helicopter that was flying over the area opened fire on the aircraft .
The plane began to emit smoke and later landed on the highway and caught fire , according to unofficial reports .
Witnesses who broadcast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ landed smoothly and was set on fire by its crew , who fled the scene .
Other versions indicate that , upon landing , the crew of the ship unloaded a shipment of drugs they had on board and placed it inside a van in which they fled , which they abandoned kilometers later .
Capella asked motorists to avoid the affected stretch of highway .
Federal authorities had come to the area to carry out the corresponding investigation .
– La Jornada A bunch of videos of the private jet burning on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the last hour .
“ # almomento a Private Jet allegedly linked to organAn alleged attack from the air would have shot down a small plane at kilometer 61 , on the Chunhuhub road section , municipality of José María Morelos .
# QuintanaRoo .
The aircraft could have been used to transport drugsized crime landed in an emergency on the section of the Morelos highway # QuintanaRoo supposedly after a confrontation he had to land and the aircraft was completely consumed , ” tweeted LectorMx .

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Originally appeared at ZeroHedge
A private jet allegedly packed with drugs was intercepted by the Mexican Federal Police near the Felipe Carrillo Puerto Municipality in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo.
La Jornada, one of Mexico City’s leading daily newspapers, reports the jet landed on a highway in flames after being attacked by a Mexican Federal Police “gunnery helicopter.”
A gunnery helicopter from the armed forces opened fire this morning against a small plane, which had to make an emergency landing on the Chunhuhub-José María Morelos highway section, in the central-western region of Quintana Roo, the head of the Secretariat of Public Security (SSP) of the state, Alberto Capella Ibarra. The official said on his Twitter account that “the registration of the aircraft is apparently XB-RCM and could be related to illegal activities. Federal authorities attending to the investigation.” Initial reports indicate that around 7:30 am this Sunday an Army helicopter that was flying over the area opened fire on the aircraft. The plane began to emit smoke and later landed on the highway and caught fire, according to unofficial reports. Witnesses who broadcast videos on Twitter report that the aircraft landed smoothly and was set on fire by its crew, who fled the scene. Other versions indicate that, upon landing, the crew of the ship unloaded a shipment of drugs they had on board and placed it inside a van in which they fled, which they abandoned kilometers later. Capella asked motorists to avoid the affected stretch of highway. Federal authorities had come to the area to carry out the corresponding investigation. – La Jornada
A bunch of videos of the private jet burning on the highway has surfaced on social media in the last hour.
“#almomento a Private Jet allegedly linked to organAn alleged attack from the air would have shot down a small plane at kilometer 61, on the Chunhuhub road section, municipality of José María Morelos. #QuintanaRoo . The aircraft could have been used to transport drugsized crime landed in an emergency on the section of the Morelos highway #QuintanaRoo supposedly after a confrontation he had to land and the aircraft was completely consumed,” tweeted LectorMx.
Un presunto ataque desde el aire habría derribado una avioneta en el kilómetro 61, del tramo carretero Chunhuhub, municipio de José María Morelos #QuintanaRoo. La aeronave podría haber sido utilizada para transportar droga pic.twitter.com/O0LVpk5pgk — LectorMx (@LectorMx) July 5, 2020
Mexican military on the scene.
Aseguran avioneta presuntamente relacionada con actividades ilícitas en el sur de #QuintanaRoo pic.twitter.com/dngQR7kFeD — Televisa Quintana Roo (@TelevisaQR) July 5, 2020
Story is still developing…
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southfront--2020-07-05--Turkish Forces Targeted Civilian Truck On M4 Highway In Northeast Syria (Video)

On July 5 morning , Turkish forces targeted a civilian truck on the M4 highway in Syria ’ s northeastern region for unclear reasons .
The truck was hit with a projectile , which may be a tank shell or an anti-tank guided missile , near the town of Hawshan , 5 km to the west of the town of Ain Issa in northern Raqqa .
The truck was completely destroyed .
According to the Hawar News Agency , the truck driver , 31-year old Osama al-Assaf , was injured in the attack .
A number of sources confirmed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highway is the spine of transportation in northeast Syria .
The strategic highway links al-Hasakah with Raqqa and Aleppo .
The Russian Military Police reopened the M4 in northeast Syria on May 25 of this year .
The step was coordinated with the Turkish military , the Syrian Arab Army and the Syrian Democratic Forces .
The motives behind today ’ s attack remain unclear .
However , there is no doubt that the attack was a violation of the Russian-Turkish agreement on northeast Syria .
The attack will likely slow down traffic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as less people will dare to use it .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • U.S .
Forces Conduct Airborne Operation To Hunt Down ISIS Members In Deir Ezzor

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On July 5 morning, Turkish forces targeted a civilian truck on the M4 highway in Syria’s northeastern region for unclear reasons.
The truck was hit with a projectile, which may be a tank shell or an anti-tank guided missile, near the town of Hawshan, 5 km to the west of the town of Ain Issa in northern Raqqa. The truck was completely destroyed.
According to the Hawar News Agency, the truck driver, 31-year old Osama al-Assaf, was injured in the attack. A number of sources confirmed that al-Assaf is a civilian.
The M4 highway is the spine of transportation in northeast Syria. The strategic highway links al-Hasakah with Raqqa and Aleppo.
The Russian Military Police reopened the M4 in northeast Syria on May 25 of this year. The step was coordinated with the Turkish military, the Syrian Arab Army and the Syrian Democratic Forces.
The motives behind today’s attack remain unclear. However, there is no doubt that the attack was a violation of the Russian-Turkish agreement on northeast Syria. The attack will likely slow down traffic on the highway for a while, as less people will dare to use it.
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southfront--2020-07-05--More Than 5,000 Turkish-Backed Syrian Militants Returned From Libya: Monitoring Group

More Turkish-backed Syrian militants are returning from Libya , the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights ( SOHR ) reported @ @ @ @ @ least 5,250 militants out of 15,300 originally deployed in Libya have returned , thus far @ @ @ @ @ for the Government of National Accord ( GNA ) , which is backed by Ankara @ @ @ @ @ that 300 Syrian child soldiers are still fighting in Libya .
All of them are @ @ @ @ @ .
Most of these minors were recruited by the Turkish-backed al-Sultan Murad Division .
Syrian @ @ @ @ @ fighting in Libya .
According to the SOHR , at least 459 militants , including @ @ @ @ @ by the Libyan National Army .
The deployment of thousands of Syrian militants together with @ @ @ @ @ supplies boosted the offensive capabilities of GNA forces .
Nevertheless , this caused a serious @ @ @ @ @ the GNA among a large part of the Libyan population , which now considers it @ @ @ @ @ of Turkey .
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More Turkish-backed Syrian militants are returning from Libya, the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on July 5.
At least 5,250 militants out of 15,300 originally deployed in Libya have returned, thus far. The militants were fighting for the Government of National Accord (GNA), which is backed by Ankara.
“Turkey continues to bring more elements of its factions’ mercenaries to its camps and train them,” the SOHR noted in its report, highlighting Turkey’s ongoing efforts to send even more militants to Libya.
The monitoring group revealed that 300 Syrian child soldiers are still fighting in Libya. All of them are aged between 14 and 18. Most of these minors were recruited by the Turkish-backed al-Sultan Murad Division.
Syrian militants sustained heavy losses while fighting in Libya. According to the SOHR, at least 459 militants, including 30 minors, were killed by the Libyan National Army.
The deployment of thousands of Syrian militants together with an increase of Turkish weapon supplies boosted the offensive capabilities of GNA forces. Nevertheless, this caused a serious damage to the image of the GNA among a large part of the Libyan population, which now considers it a “puppet government” of Turkey.
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southfront--2020-07-05--U.S. Forces Conduct Airborne Operation To Hunt Down ISIS Members In Deir Ezzor

The U.S.-led coalition and the Syrian Democratic Forces ( SDF ) have arrested suspected terrorists in a successful special operation @ @ @ @ @ The operation reportedly took place in the town of Husayn on July 5 morning .
@ @ @ @ @ in the town with support from SDF members .
Several attack helicopters backed the special @ @ @ @ @ London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights , four men suspected of being ISIS members were @ @ @ @ @ the operation .
The U.S.-led coalition and the SDF intensified their anti-terrorism operations this year @ @ @ @ @ increasing attacks by ISIS cells .
Most of the attacks took place in the eastern @ @ @ @ @ Ezzor .
While a fair number of ISIS fighters and commanders were neutralized in recent @ @ @ @ @ is still as active as before .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • SDF Commander-in-Chief @ @ @ @ @ Deir Ezzor In Exchange For Settlement

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The U.S.-led coalition and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have arrested suspected terrorists in a successful special operation in eastern Deir Ezzor.
The operation reportedly took place in the town of Husayn on July 5 morning. Helicopters of the coalition landed in the town with support from SDF members. Several attack helicopters backed the special operation.
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, four men suspected of being ISIS members were arrested in the course of the operation.
The U.S.-led coalition and the SDF intensified their anti-terrorism operations this year in response to the ever increasing attacks by ISIS cells. Most of the attacks took place in the eastern and southeastern countryside of Deir Ezzor.
While a fair number of ISIS fighters and commanders were neutralized in recent operations, the terrorist group is still as active as before.
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southfront--2020-07-05--Military Situation In Libya On July 5, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Libya : • The Governent of @ @ @ @ @ Deputy Minister of Defense stated that Turkey confirmed its plan to support the GNA and @ @ @ @ @ field of training of GNA forces and increasing their capabilities ; MORE ON THE TOPIC @

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Libya:
Libyan National Army (LNA) warplanes struck al-Watiyah Airbase allegedly destroying newly deployed Turkish MIM-23 Hawk system;
The Governent of National Accord (GNA) Deputy Minister of Defense stated that Turkey confirmed its plan to support the GNA and further, including in the field of training of GNA forces and increasing their capabilities;
GNA warplanes allegedly targeted LNA positions near Jufra Airbase.
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southfront--2020-07-05--SDF Commander-in-Chief Says Damascus Wants Raqqa, Deir Ezzor In Exchange For Settlement

No , they are not .
Whats descriebed above is filthy propaganda of the worst kind .
SDFs want the Syrian one string system replaced in their areas for local devellopments , which are impossible without a structure for it .
So they dont want a part .
They want or wish for a structure , which is very very very normal for many many many other parts of the world .
Locals decides for local things and also pay for it by a local parlament .
They know better what they need and make better and often cheeper solutions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its like that .
50 % of the tax never reach the parlament like that and it works , By that we also are number one in low corruption .
People work harder and better and by that provide more tax and welfare for local matters as well as the Goverment .
The Goverment has a uch easier job and therefore also do the upper things much better .
The best is , that we at least every forth year can relect or replace all politicians which do a bad job .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We know what the no good ones do or dont do – and can fire them .
So stop babling about 2 states .
Syria today as several other has a structure which is acceptabel for an Emirate or a small Dictatorship , but Syria is too big for that kind of rule .
None in a primitive structure like that can see alll the corners even its very needed .
So the rest of Syria should be divided in the same way .
You can name it Counsils , Counties , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same for Iraq even bigger then Syria .
It make no sense some in Bagdad decide that much and dont care about anything in the north ( and west ) aoart fro oil .
You could share oil and give anybody oilmoney i each hand every year and half for every children for school and education .
You sont understand why west is doing fine according production and wellfare .
But that why and You have left 50 % unimplyed before the uprice as vacant for armed uprisers .
Number one in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and at least some light for the end of the tunnel .
I again will remind You that Kurds were not the uprisers against Assads .
14.000 of them has died mainly against ISIS , which also are enemies of Assads and thats a great help – even it of course is for own purpose .
But it certainly never was kurds making 10 million Syrians not in their homes as well as estimated 550.000 dead ones .

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The Damascus government wants the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to hand over the SDF-held parts of Raqqa and Deir Ezzor in exchange for a political settlement, Commander-in-Chief of the SDF, Ferhat Abdi Şahin, claimed on July 4.
Şahin, whose is known by his nom de guerre Mazlum Abdi, made his remarks while he was attending a rare meeting with Arab tribal leaders from Raqqa in al-Hasakah city.
The Kurdish commander said that the SDF will not accept these demands, stressing that Raqqa and Deir Ezzor will be run by their respective councils. He also noted that the two areas were liberated by their “sons.”
“There are no solutions to the Syrian crisis looming at the moment, despite the fact that many meetings were held in Geneva, Astana and Sochi, but they did not work,” the North Press Agency quoted Şahin as saying.
Last year, Damascus and the SDF reached a breakthrough military agreement. The agreement allowed the Syrian Arab Army to deploy large forces in northeast Syria. This put an end to the Turkish-led attack on the region, which started in October.
Despite serious efforts by Russia, Damascus and the SDF failed to reach a full settlement. The U.S. restrengthened its presence in northeast Syria after the end of the Turkish-led attack. This drew the SDF away from Damascus, again.
Şahin’s new remarks indicate that the SDF is not willing to reach a full political settlement with Damascus as for now. Both Raqqa and Deir Ezzor are Arab majority provinces. This means that if the Kurds accept the deal, they won’t lose any of their areas in the northeast. However, the Kurdish leadership has repeatedly demonstrated that they have much wider demands than an ordnairy autonomy of Kurdish-majority areas. In fact, it wants to turn northeastern Syria into a de-facto semi-independent state ruled by the current SDF leadership.
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southfront--2020-07-05--Biggest Problem For Orthodoxy Today Is Erroneous Ecclesiology Of Patriarchate Of Constantinople—Ukra

The increaing political and cultural struggle caused by the large-scale advance of globalists and suppoters of so-called ‘ neo-liberal values ’ on the global ideological front contributes not only the current crisis in the West , but also expanded to the religious sphere .
Radical supporters of neo-liberal ideology push an idea of the need to topple ‘ wrong ’ and ‘ racist ’ pictures of ‘ white ’ Jesus .
Archbishop Elpidophoros of America has been playing own political games by comparing the death of people killed by Police during detention with the crucifying Of Jesus Christ and their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Orthodox World itself is facing an additional pressure due to the advance of new pseudo-church organizations under the control of the US State Department , the CIA and the Patriarchate of Constantinople as well as attempts of the Patriarchate of Constantinople to gain more control over local churches .
Biggest Problem For Orthodoxy Today Is Erroneous Ecclesiology Of Patriarchate Of Constantinople—Ukrainian Holy Synod ( orthochristian.com ) : While the Patriarchate of Constantinople , as the first among equals , is meant to serve as a guarantor of Orthodox unity , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact comes from Constantinople , the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church believes .
The Synod met yesterday at the Holy Dormition-Kiev Caves Lavra under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine , the primate of the canonical Church in Ukraine .
Among other things , the Synod heard a report from Met .
Onuphry about his recent trip to Amman , Jordan to take part in the meeting of primates and representatives of Local Orthodox Churches organized by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem , reports the Information-Education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The members of the Synod noted the importance of the meeting as a first step towards resolving the crisis facing the Orthodox world today .
Moreover , “ The Synod stated that the main problem for Orthodoxy today is the erroneous ecclesiology of the Patriarchate of Constantinople , resulting , in particular , in the non-canonical actions of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in Ukraine.
” “ The Synod also noted the urgent need for world Orthodoxy to resolve the Ukrainian Church issue , ” the report reads .
The Amman gathering was attended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jerusalem , Moscow , Serbia , and the Czech Lands and Slovakia and representatives of the Churches of Romani and Poland , while several primates—of Alexandria , Cyprus , Greece , and Albania—rejected the invitation of their brother primate His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem precisely because of the ecclesiology of Constantinople , which posits that only the Patriarch of Constantinople has the right to gather bishops to address issues facing the Church .
Concerning Ukraine , the press release from the fraternal gathering in Amman stated that “ the participants also recognised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healing and reconciliation.
” Met .
Onuphry later stated that he had hoped for more concrete decisions from the gathering .
In his presentation at the Amman gathering , His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow also pinpointed what he views as the 6 most acute problems facing the Church today , all of which stem from the ecclesiology of Constantinople : “ 1 .
The problem of understanding primacy in the Church ; attempts to justify the claims to universal leadership through specially created theological argumentation ; the absence of a system of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primatial see , the need for consensus in decision-making on the pan-Orthodox scale .
2 .
The threat to the institute of autocephaly in the Church ; the lack of a common Orthodox mechanism , indisputable for all , of granting autocephaly ; attempts to introduce inequality among “ senior ” and “ minor ” autocephalous Churches .
3 .
Attempts to challenge the canonical boundaries of autocephalous Churches , to review and revoke the once adopted documents of historic importance defining these boundaries .
4 .
The claims of the first among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Churches to a right to receive appeals from any Church , the threats to use these appeals as an instrument of interference in the internal life of other Local Churches , which , I believe , demand comprehension and discussion .
5 .
The development of an abnormal situation in which the primatial hierarch , contrary to the basic principles of canon law , acts as a judge in a matter in which he is one of the sides and presents himself as the last instance in considering the matter , and 6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called ‘ stavropegial structures ’ in the territories of other Local Churches without their consent or against their will.
’ ” Pat .
Kirill ’ s last point concerns the Patriarchate of Constantinople ’ s present attempts to establish a monastery-association in the Czech Republic without the consent of the Holy Synod of the Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Historian Finds New Evidence to Prove Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church ’ s Initial Ordination was Illegitimate • Montenegro SITREP : NATO persecutes the Orthodox Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war

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The increaing political and cultural struggle caused by the large-scale advance of globalists and suppoters of so-called ‘neo-liberal values’ on the global ideological front contributes not only the current crisis in the West, but also expanded to the religious sphere.
Radical supporters of neo-liberal ideology push an idea of the need to topple ‘wrong’ and ‘racist’ pictures of ‘white’ Jesus.
Yes. All murals and stained glass windows of white Jesus, and his European mother, and their white friends should also come down. They are a gross form white supremacy. Created as tools of oppression.
Racist propaganda. They should all come down. — Shaun King (@shaunking) June 22, 2020
Archbishop Elpidophoros of America has been playing own political games by comparing the death of people killed by Police during detention with the crucifying Of Jesus Christ and their mothers with the Virgin Mary.
Meanwhile, the Orthodox World itself is facing an additional pressure due to the advance of new pseudo-church organizations under the control of the US State Department, the CIA and the Patriarchate of Constantinople as well as attempts of the Patriarchate of Constantinople to gain more control over local churches.
Biggest Problem For Orthodoxy Today Is Erroneous Ecclesiology Of Patriarchate Of Constantinople—Ukrainian Holy Synod (orthochristian.com):
While the Patriarchate of Constantinople, as the first among equals, is meant to serve as a guarantor of Orthodox unity, the biggest problem facing the Orthodox Church in fact comes from Constantinople, the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church believes.
The Synod met yesterday at the Holy Dormition-Kiev Caves Lavra under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine, the primate of the canonical Church in Ukraine.
Among other things, the Synod heard a report from Met. Onuphry about his recent trip to Amman, Jordan to take part in the meeting of primates and representatives of Local Orthodox Churches organized by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, reports the Information-Education Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
The members of the Synod noted the importance of the meeting as a first step towards resolving the crisis facing the Orthodox world today.
Moreover, “The Synod stated that the main problem for Orthodoxy today is the erroneous ecclesiology of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, resulting, in particular, in the non-canonical actions of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in Ukraine.”
“The Synod also noted the urgent need for world Orthodoxy to resolve the Ukrainian Church issue,” the report reads.
The Amman gathering was attended by the primates of the Churches of Jerusalem, Moscow, Serbia, and the Czech Lands and Slovakia and representatives of the Churches of Romani and Poland, while several primates—of Alexandria, Cyprus, Greece, and Albania—rejected the invitation of their brother primate His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem precisely because of the ecclesiology of Constantinople, which posits that only the Patriarch of Constantinople has the right to gather bishops to address issues facing the Church.
Concerning Ukraine, the press release from the fraternal gathering in Amman stated that “the participants also recognised that a pan-Orthodox dialogue is necessary for healing and reconciliation.” Met. Onuphry later stated that he had hoped for more concrete decisions from the gathering.
In his presentation at the Amman gathering, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow also pinpointed what he views as the 6 most acute problems facing the Church today, all of which stem from the ecclesiology of Constantinople:
“1. The problem of understanding primacy in the Church; attempts to justify the claims to universal leadership through specially created theological argumentation; the absence of a system of conciliar control over the actions of the primatial see, the need for consensus in decision-making on the pan-Orthodox scale. 2. The threat to the institute of autocephaly in the Church; the lack of a common Orthodox mechanism, indisputable for all, of granting autocephaly; attempts to introduce inequality among “senior” and “minor” autocephalous Churches. 3. Attempts to challenge the canonical boundaries of autocephalous Churches, to review and revoke the once adopted documents of historic importance defining these boundaries. 4. The claims of the first among equals in the family of Local Orthodox Churches to a right to receive appeals from any Church, the threats to use these appeals as an instrument of interference in the internal life of other Local Churches, which, I believe, demand comprehension and discussion. 5. The development of an abnormal situation in which the primatial hierarch, contrary to the basic principles of canon law, acts as a judge in a matter in which he is one of the sides and presents himself as the last instance in considering the matter, and 6. The problem of creating the so called ‘stavropegial structures’ in the territories of other Local Churches without their consent or against their will.’”
Pat. Kirill’s last point concerns the Patriarchate of Constantinople’s present attempts to establish a monastery-association in the Czech Republic without the consent of the Holy Synod of the Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia.
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southfront--2020-07-05--Military Situation In Iraq On July 5, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Iraq : • A new series @ @ @ @ @ .
Iraqi Security forces used tear gas and water cannon to disperse protests near Green @ @ @ @ @ Turkey it could file a UN complaint against its incursion in the north ; • @ @ @ @ @ in the northern part of Iraq ; • The Popular Mobilization Forces carried out a @ @ @ @ @ near Samarra .
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A brief overview of the recent developments in Iraq:
A new series of protests erupted in Baghdad. Iraqi Security forces used tear gas and water cannon to disperse protests near Green Zone;
Iraq warns Turkey it could file a UN complaint against its incursion in the north;
The Turkish areal operation continues in the northern part of Iraq;
The Popular Mobilization Forces carried out a security operation against ISIS cells near Samarra.
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southfront--2020-07-05--Syrian Army Loses Contact With Unit In East Homs As Battle With ISIS Heats Up

“ Boycotting Turkey is not merely an attempt to economically disrupt a billion-dollar business empire that profits from massacre , authoritarianism and intimidation .
It is also an ethical stance against the exploitation , terrorization and annihilation of the Kurdish people and other communities , targeted by the nationalist state mentality of Turkey .
Boycotting Turkey means saying NO to the normalization and white-washing of dictatorship and genocidal politics.
” The Turkish State was founded 100 years ago on the back of Armenian , Greek and Assyrian genocides .
Many of today ’ s Turkish elite made their fortunes from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or were massacred .
In 2015 , peace negotiations between the Turkish State and the PKK collapsed .
The state attacked the civilian population with a ferocity not seen since the 1990s .
The military attacked towns and villages , installed rolling military curfews during which anyone seen on the street would be shot .
Whole neighbourhoods and villages were razed to the ground .
Since a failed coup attempt in July 2016 , an ongoing crackdown has seen hundreds of thousands of people arrested and dismissed from work ; over 180 media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalists arrested .
No dissenting voices are tolerated .
Turkey now has more journalists behind bars than any other country on Earth .
Turkish President Erdoğan has rewritten the constitution to give himself absolute power , and has imprisoned a large number of the political opposition .
The Turkish economy is highly dependent on tourism In 2017 , Turkey ’ s GDP amounted to around $ 851.52 billion USD , but this plummeted to $ 713.51 billion in 2018 .
Unemployment is steadily rising .
The economy reportedly contracted by 2.6 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Still , the number of foreigners visiting Turkey increased almost 22 % from 2017 to 2018 .
The Turkish economy is increasingly reliant on tourism .
Tourism in Turkey funds genocide , ethic cleansing and war .
There is a direct relationship between the tourist industry in Turkey , the Erdoğan regime and the arms trade .
Money spent on your holiday may be spent on killing Kurds .
According to figures released by the Turkish Statistical Institute , in 2018 alone , tourism accounted for an income of $ 29.5 billion USD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military budget was raised by 24 % to $ 19 billion USD .
To put it bluntly : the more tourists enjoy Turkey ’ s beaches , the more Kurds will die .
In May 2018 , Forbes reported that “ since Erdogan became President in August of 2014 , the Lira has lost a stunning 56 % of its value ” , describing the Lira as Erdoğan ’ s ‘ Achille ’ s heel ’ .
Erdogan ’ s power and stability is based , among other things , on the distribution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters and followers .
When the economy goes down , support for Erdoğan also falls .
As Kurdish activist Ercan Ayboğa points out , “ When he is not able to give money to his followers any more , the whole system can break.
” The boycott of South African goods , and the cultural and academic boycott campaign that was active from the 1960s to the 1990s is widely acknowledged to have played a significant part in ending the apartheid system in that country .
The Palestinian ‘ Boycott , Divestment and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boycott Israeli goods and cultural products began in 2005 , largely modelled on the South Africa campaign .
has been very effective in raising awareness about the plight of Palestinians and in successfully pressuring international companies to pull out of their contracts on occupied Palestinian land .
“ The boycott is important because the Turkish state finances it ’ s war and repression of the Kurds in Bakur [ Turkey ] and Syria with a lot of money .
It ’ s very important that the Turkish State has less money for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and for its wars .
We have to attack it wherever we can , and to make the economy of Turkey as weak as possible .
”

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The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has lost contact with one of its units in eastern Homs where a fierce battle with ISIS remnants is taking place, the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on July 4.
The army’s unit, which consisted of 25 service members, allegedly went missing while they were engaged in heavy clashes with the terrorist group. These claims are yet to be confirmed.
The ongoing battle in eastern Homs started with an attack by ISIS cells on SAA positions there on July 2. The Russian Aerospace Forces are reportedly providing army troops in the region with air support.
According to the SOHR, two Syrian service members and five terrorists of ISIS were killed in eastern Homs late on July 4.
“The death toll of regime forces and the militants loyal to them reached 20, while the death toll of the organization [ISIS] members is 31 … The number of those killed may rise as many of the wounded [on both sides] are in a critical condition,” the monitoring group said in its report.
Hundreds of ISIS fighters and commanders are now taking shelter in Homs desert, which lays between eastern Homs and wester Deir Ezzor.
The terrorists likely launched their attack in an attempt to capture additional resources that would help them survive during the summer. Now, they are being depleted.
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