southfront--2020-11-06--Israel Warns Of Coming War With Iran If Biden Wins As Trump Calls

Israel has warned of the coming war with Iran if Joe Biden wins the US presidential election , which Donald Trump has already called extremely rigged .
The minister recalled that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and most Israelis saw the Iran Deal signed by the Obama administration in 2015 as “ mistaken – and that ’ s an understatement.
” “ If Biden stays with that policy , there will , in the end , be a violent confrontation between Israel and Iran , ” he stated .
According to Hanegbi , the aim of US President Donald Trump to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the same because it would be “ a different agreement that he would force through maximum pressure sanctions.
” The policy of the Trump administration allowed Israel to achieve significant gains in promoting its agenda in the Middle East .
For example : • In December 2017 , US President Trump announced that the US recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and transfers its embassy there .
In May 2018 , the US embassy was opened in Jerusalem .
• In May 2018 , Trump declared the withdrawal of the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the launch of a “ maximum pressure ” campaign on Iran .
In the coming years , he followed this approach increasing and increasing the sanction and even military pressure on Teheran .
• In March 2019 , the US ruled by the Trump administration recognized the Syrian Golan Heights as the Israeli sovereign territory .
The potential shift of this policy under the new administration will at least partially undermine the Israeli positions in the region thus forcing Tel Aviv to take more measures to protect the recent gains .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exploit this to re-establish its influence in new areas .
This , according to Israel , will lead to the inevitable confrontation .
Meanwhile , US President Donald Trump appears to be sure that the Democratic establishment ( globalists and neo-liberals ) is trying to steal his victory in the presidential election through an apparent vote fraud ( a lot of evidence of which is available online ) .
And it seems that the current US President is not planning to surrender .
At the same time , mainstream media outlets and social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the fraud and even comments saying that the situation seems at least questionable .
For example , Facebook publicly confirmed that it is censoring pro-Trump groups that are concerned over potential vote count irregularities .
The corporates seem to be scared by pro-Trump protests .
ZeroHedge ’ s report on even more strange things in the election is below : Why Does Biden Have So Many More Votes Than Democrat Senators In Swing States ?
In most elections , the majority of votes are cast “ down the ticket ” – meaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s presidential nominee state Congressional candidates .
In fact , according to , “ overwhelming shares of voters who are supporting Trump and Biden say they are also supporting the same-party candidate for Senate.
” Typically , this means that that the number of votes for a presidential candidate and that party ’ s Senate candidates are relatively close .
Twitter user “ US Rebel ” ( @ USRebellion1776 ) , however , found that the number of votes cast for Joe Biden far exceeds those cast for that state ’ s Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump and GOP Senators remains far closer .
In Michigan , for example , there was a difference of just 7,131 votes between Trump and GOP candidate John James , yet the difference between Joe Biden and Democratic candidate Gary Peters was a staggering 69,093 .
In Georgia , there was an 818 vote difference between Trump and the GOP Senator , vs. a 95,000 difference between Biden and the Democratic candidate for Senator .
Yet , in two , there was “ no massive flood of mysterious empty Biden votes , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s fraud.
” In Wyoming , the difference on the Democratic side is is just 725 votes , while in Montana the difference is 27,457 .
What ’ s going on here ?
If it were “ never-Trumpers ” pairing Biden with their GOP Congressional picks ?
If so , we would expect fewer votes for Trump than GOP Senators .
We ’ re open to suggestions .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • “ I ’ m Not Saying We Won , But We Won ” : Joe Biden And The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( UPDATED With More Vote Fraud Examples ) • Who Benefit From Terror In Europe , US Political Chaos And Regional Wars ?

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Israel has warned of the coming war with Iran if Joe Biden wins the US presidential election, which Donald Trump has already called extremely rigged.
“Biden has said openly for a long time that he will go back to the nuclear agreement,” Settlements Minister Tzachi Hanegbi warned said, according to Jerusalem Post. “I see that as something that will lead to a confrontation between Israel and Iran.”
The minister recalled that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and most Israelis saw the Iran Deal signed by the Obama administration in 2015 as “mistaken – and that’s an understatement.”
“If Biden stays with that policy, there will, in the end, be a violent confrontation between Israel and Iran,” he stated. According to Hanegbi, the aim of US President Donald Trump to negotiate a new deal with Iran is not the same because it would be “a different agreement that he would force through maximum pressure sanctions.”
The policy of the Trump administration allowed Israel to achieve significant gains in promoting its agenda in the Middle East. For example:
In December 2017, US President Trump announced that the US recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and transfers its embassy there. In May 2018, the US embassy was opened in Jerusalem.
In May 2018, Trump declared the withdrawal of the United States from the nuclear deal with Iran and the launch of a “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran. In the coming years, he followed this approach increasing and increasing the sanction and even military pressure on Teheran.
In March 2019, the US ruled by the Trump administration recognized the Syrian Golan Heights as the Israeli sovereign territory.
The potential shift of this policy under the new administration will at least partially undermine the Israeli positions in the region thus forcing Tel Aviv to take more measures to protect the recent gains. In own turn, Iran will try to exploit this to re-establish its influence in new areas. This, according to Israel, will lead to the inevitable confrontation.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump appears to be sure that the Democratic establishment (globalists and neo-liberals) is trying to steal his victory in the presidential election through an apparent vote fraud (a lot of evidence of which is available online). And it seems that the current US President is not planning to surrender.
STOP THE FRAUD! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 5, 2020
All of the recent Biden claimed States will be legally challenged by us for Voter Fraud and State Election Fraud. Plenty of proof – just check out the Media. WE WILL WIN! America First! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 5, 2020
STOP THE COUNT! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 5, 2020
At the same time, mainstream media outlets and social media giants have been increasingly censoring repots on the fraud and even comments saying that the situation seems at least questionable.
??? The amount of FRAUD being reported in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nevada, Georgia and Wisconsin is unreal. Please report personal experiences. Please have all facts and evidence. #StopTheSteal pic.twitter.com/leJJh2XhXd — Eric Trump (@EricTrump) November 5, 2020
For example, Facebook publicly confirmed that it is censoring pro-Trump groups that are concerned over potential vote count irregularities.
“In line with the exceptional measures that we are taking during this period of heightened tension, we have removed the Group ‘Stop the Steal,’ which was creating real-world events,” a Facebook spokesman said.
The corporates seem to be scared by pro-Trump protests.
ZeroHedge’s report on even more strange things in the election is below:
Why Does Biden Have So Many More Votes Than Democrat Senators In Swing States?
In most elections, the majority of votes are cast “down the ticket” – meaning, a voter supports both party’s presidential nominee and state Congressional candidates. In fact, according to Pew Research, “overwhelming shares of voters who are supporting Trump and Biden say they are also supporting the same-party candidate for Senate.”
Typically, this means that that the number of votes for a presidential candidate and that party’s Senate candidates are relatively close.
Twitter user “US Rebel” (@USRebellion1776), however, found that the number of votes cast for Joe Biden far exceeds those cast for that state’s Senate candidates in swing states, while those cast for Trump and GOP Senators remains far closer.
In Michigan, for example, there was a difference of just 7,131 votes between Trump and GOP candidate John James, yet the difference between Joe Biden and Democratic candidate Gary Peters was a staggering 69,093.
In Georgia, there was an 818 vote difference between Trump and the GOP Senator, vs. a 95,000 difference between Biden and the Democratic candidate for Senator.
In Georgia, it's even worse. Where they're currently "finding" new Biden votes. Trump: 2,432,799
GOP Sen: 2,433,617
Dif: 818 Biden: 2,414,651
Dem Sen: 2,318,850
Dif: 95,801 Again, after accounting for 3rd party vote, HUGE amount of mysterious Biden votes w/ no down ticket. pic.twitter.com/iRtTM2IaeG — US Rebel (@USRebellion1776) November 5, 2020
Yet, in two non-swing states, there was “no massive flood of mysterious empty Biden votes,” leading US Rebel to suggest “It’s fraud.”
In Wyoming, the difference on the Democratic side is is just 725 votes, while in Montana the difference is 27,457.
Another control state, which Dems aren't currently trying to steaI. Montana Trump: 340,635
GOP Sen: 330,317
Dif: 10,318 Biden: 243,278
Dem Sen: 270,735
Dif: 27,457 Stable numbers for GOP, and when you factor in 3rd party vote, no mysterious Biden-only ballots like the swings. pic.twitter.com/d6QLpGqiI7 — US Rebel (@USRebellion1776) November 5, 2020
What’s going on here? If it were “never-Trumpers” pairing Biden with their GOP Congressional picks? If so, we would expect fewer votes for Trump than GOP Senators. We’re open to suggestions.
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southfront--2020-11-06--Armenian Headquarters In Nagorno-Karabakh Under Heavy Azerbaijani Fire (Video)

On November 5 , intense Azerbaijani strikes targeted a headquarters of Armenian forces in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
In an official statement , the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan claimed that the headquarters was “ seriously damaged ” as a result of the pinpoint strikes .
“ The headquarters of the 7th mountain rifle regiment of the 10th mountain rifle division of the Armenian armed forces in the village of Tonashen , barracks , vehicles loaded with ammunition and other military infrastructure were destroyed by artillery strikes , ” the statement reads .
The Azerbaijani MoD also released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video , which was taken by a drone , show several direct hits on the headquarters .
The headquarters was likely targeted with precision-guided rockets and missiles , like the Israeli-made LORA , EXTRA and ACCULAR systems operated by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces .
Azerbaijan is escalating its operations in Nagorno-Karabakh .
Baku ’ s forces are advancing in the southern part of the region .
However , Armenian forces are holding onto their positions in the eastern and northern parts , where they are showing fierce resistance .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Call On Erdogan To Reveal Their Fate

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On November 5, intense Azerbaijani strikes targeted a headquarters of Armenian forces in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
In an official statement, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan claimed that the headquarters was “seriously damaged” as a result of the pinpoint strikes.
“The headquarters of the 7th mountain rifle regiment of the 10th mountain rifle division of the Armenian armed forces in the village of Tonashen, barracks, vehicles loaded with ammunition and other military infrastructure were destroyed by artillery strikes,” the statement reads.
The Azerbaijani MoD also released a video of the strikes. The video, which was taken by a drone, show several direct hits on the headquarters.
The headquarters was likely targeted with precision-guided rockets and missiles, like the Israeli-made LORA, EXTRA and ACCULAR systems operated by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces.
Azerbaijan is escalating its operations in Nagorno-Karabakh. Baku’s forces are advancing in the southern part of the region. However, Armenian forces are holding onto their positions in the eastern and northern parts, where they are showing fierce resistance.
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southfront--2020-11-06--Overview Of Azerbaijani Strikes On November 6, 2020 (Videos)

On November 6 , a series Azerbaijani artillery and rocket strikes hit Armenian forces positions in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
According to the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan , the strikes targeted two mortar and artillery positions located near the towns of Aghdere and Goyarkh .
A number of mortar cannons and D-30 howitzers were destroyed as a result of the strikes .
The ministry shared videos showing the strikes , which were carried out with precision-guided rocket and missiles like the Israeli-made LORA , EXTRA and ACCULAR systems .
The Azerbaijani MoD also released videos showing some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces in the districts of Khojavend and Fuzuli in the southern part of Nagorno-Karabakh .
Earlier today , three civilians were killed when Azerbaijani forces launched cluster rockets at the center of Stepanakert city , the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh .
Despite its intense strikes , the Azerbaijani military failed to secure any new gains on the ground today .
The situation on Nagorno-Karabakh ’ s frontlines was calmer than usual .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Fate Of Armenian-Azerbaijani War Is Being Decided In Battle Of Shusha • Azerbaijani Forces Claimed To @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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On November 6, a series Azerbaijani artillery and rocket strikes hit Armenian forces positions in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
According to the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, the strikes targeted two mortar and artillery positions located near the towns of Aghdere and Goyarkh. A number of mortar cannons and D-30 howitzers were destroyed as a result of the strikes.
The ministry shared videos showing the strikes, which were carried out with precision-guided rocket and missiles like the Israeli-made LORA, EXTRA and ACCULAR systems.
The Azerbaijani MoD also released videos showing some positions which were recently captured from Armenian forces in the districts of Khojavend and Fuzuli in the southern part of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Earlier today, three civilians were killed when Azerbaijani forces launched cluster rockets at the center of Stepanakert city, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Despite its intense strikes, the Azerbaijani military failed to secure any new gains on the ground today. The situation on Nagorno-Karabakh’s frontlines was calmer than usual.
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southfront--2020-11-06--Greater Idlib Militants Killed Dozens Of Syrian Soldiers Since Last Month: Russian Reconciliation Ce

Greater Idlib Militants Killed Dozens Of Syrian Soldiers Since Last Month: Russian Reconciliation Center

Al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay ’ at Tahrir al-Sham ( HTS ) is disarming moderate factions and occupying their positions in the region of Greater Idlib , Alexander Grinkevich , deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation in Syria , revealed on November 6 .
In a press briefing , the commander warned that HTS and its allies may be planning to sabotage the Russian-Turkish agreement on the region , which was reached on March 5 .
“ Terrorists from HTS on the line of contact with government forces in the Jebel-Zawiya area in the south of Idlib province disarm moderate militants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , “ this may indicate that irreconcilable groups are planning to further aggravate the situation in order to disrupt the implementation of the Russian-Turkish agreements.
” Grinkevich revealed that 39 Syrian service members were killed and at least 40 others were wounded since October 1 in attacks launched by Greater Idlib militants .
The Russian commander also denied recent media reports , claiming that Russian forces and the Syrian military are shelling civilian settlements in Greater Idlib .
HTS and its allies have been violating the Russian-Turkish agreement on Greater Idlib for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a serious military escalation in the region soon .
Turkey , which maintains a fairly large force in Greater Idlib , is yet to act against HTS to prevent such a scenario .
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Al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is disarming moderate factions and occupying their positions in the region of Greater Idlib, Alexander Grinkevich, deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation in Syria, revealed on November 6.
In a press briefing, the commander warned that HTS and its allies may be planning to sabotage the Russian-Turkish agreement on the region, which was reached on March 5.
“Terrorists from HTS on the line of contact with government forces in the Jebel-Zawiya area in the south of Idlib province disarm moderate militants and occupy their positions,” Grinkevich said, “this may indicate that irreconcilable groups are planning to further aggravate the situation in order to disrupt the implementation of the Russian-Turkish agreements.”
Grinkevich revealed that 39 Syrian service members were killed and at least 40 others were wounded since October 1 in attacks launched by Greater Idlib militants.
The Russian commander also denied recent media reports, claiming that Russian forces and the Syrian military are shelling civilian settlements in Greater Idlib.
HTS and its allies have been violating the Russian-Turkish agreement on Greater Idlib for a while now. This may lead to a serious military escalation in the region soon. Turkey, which maintains a fairly large force in Greater Idlib, is yet to act against HTS to prevent such a scenario.
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southfront--2020-11-06--ISIS Terrorists Attacked Syrian Troops In Raqqa, Deir Ezzor

Late on November 5 , ISIS terrorists attacked a position of the Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) on the main road between the ancient city of Palmyra in eastern Homs and the town of Resafa in southern Raqqa .
According to Istanbul-based Syria TV , the terrorists targeted the army ’ s position with a number of anti-tank guided missiles .
Following the attack , warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces carried out four airstrikes on ISIS hideouts in the al-Amour Mount , south of Palmyra .
A day earlier , ISIS terrorists attacked a vehicle of the SAA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the southern Deir Ezzor countryside .
The group ’ s news agency , Amaq , claimed that several soldiers were killed or injured .
ISIS terrorists are launching these attacks from their strongholds in the central region , the Homs desert .
The desert lays between eastern Homs and western Deir Ezzor .
The recent wave of attacks confirms that the ISIS terrorists are receiving support .
Recent reports revealed that U.S.-backed fighters in the southeastern area of al-Tanaf are selling supplies to the group .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nagorno-Karabakh

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Late on November 5, ISIS terrorists attacked a position of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) on the main road between the ancient city of Palmyra in eastern Homs and the town of Resafa in southern Raqqa.
According to Istanbul-based Syria TV, the terrorists targeted the army’s position with a number of anti-tank guided missiles.
“As a result of the attack, three personnel of regime forces were killed and eight others of the 5th Corps were injured,” a source told the channel, “they were transferred to Palmyra’s Military Hospital.”
Following the attack, warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces carried out four airstrikes on ISIS hideouts in the al-Amour Mount, south of Palmyra.
A day earlier, ISIS terrorists attacked a vehicle of the SAA west of the town of al-Mayadin in the southern Deir Ezzor countryside. The group’s news agency, Amaq, claimed that several soldiers were killed or injured.
ISIS terrorists are launching these attacks from their strongholds in the central region, the Homs desert. The desert lays between eastern Homs and western Deir Ezzor.
The recent wave of attacks confirms that the ISIS terrorists are receiving support. Recent reports revealed that U.S.-backed fighters in the southeastern area of al-Tanaf are selling supplies to the group.
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southfront--2020-11-06--Fate Of Armenian-Azerbaijani War Is Being Decided In Battle Of Shusha

Azerbaijani troops and Turkish-backed Syrian militants continue storming the town of Shusha , located just south of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic capital , Stepanakert .
During the past 24 hours , infantry of the Turkish-Azerbaijani bloc under cover of intense artillery and drone strikes captured several heights southeast of Shusha and were able to keep fire control over the road linking the town with the Lachin corridor area .
At the same time , Armenian forces repelled several Azerbaijani attacks on the town itself inflicting , at least according to Yerevan , heavy casualties to pro-Baku forces .
This goes contrary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their reports have almost captured the town already .
In fact , Shusha is not even encircled and the Armenians still have an option to send supplies and reinforcements to it from the north and northwest .
Most likely , the Azerbaijani-Turkish bloc wants to repeat the Hadrut scenario by taking control of the main heights surrounding Shusha and block the main nearby roads with drone and artillery fire .
In the case of Hadrut , this forced the Armenians to withdraw their forces from the town .
Nonetheless , Shusha is different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Armenian patriotic narrative and the gates to Stepanakert .
So , Yerevan will likely try to defend it as long as it is possible .
It could be said that the fate of the entire conflict is being decided in the battle of Susha .
If Armenian forces are able to contain the Azerbaijani advance , they will get a chance to keep the Turkish-Azerbaijani bloc in the areas that it has captured in the south .
If Shusha falls into Turkish hands , the fate of the central part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near Martuni , Martakert and Lachin is much better for Armenians .
The trend of clashes there tend to be turned to positional fighting amid the inability of Baku and Azerbaijan to deliver a devastating blow to their opponent in this area .
Nonetheless , the control of these areas will not help to the Armenians if Shusha is captured .
At the same time , they are not able to redeploy forces from Lachin to the east because this will immediately trigger a new attempt by Azerbaijan to capture the area .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Armenia continues receiving help – military equipment and likely intelligence sharing assistance – in the conflict .
The Armenians use this discontent to speculate that soon the airspace over Nagorno-Karabakh will be closed by Russia and the Azerbaijanis will have to run away to Baku .
Despite this , the chances of a direct Russian intervention in the current regional situation remains unlikely .
However , if Turkey and Azerbaijan continue to extensively exploit Syrian militants in the conflict as cannon folder , the strategy that Ankara already tried in Syria and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support to the Armenians will definitely grow .
If one takes into account the reaction in the public sphere , even current limited Russian support already created difficulties for the Azerbaijani-Turkish advance .
A further increase of involvement of Russia in the conflict will make a direct military victory over the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic a hardly possible scenario for the Azerbaijani-Turkish alliance .
This explains its diplomatic positons in the region while Baku and Ankara develop their Karabakh offensive claiming that it is just a forced reaction to the regular ceasefire violations by Armenia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed , diplomatic rhetoric alone will not help .

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Azerbaijani troops and Turkish-backed Syrian militants continue storming the town of Shusha, located just south of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic capital, Stepanakert. During the past 24 hours, infantry of the Turkish-Azerbaijani bloc under cover of intense artillery and drone strikes captured several heights southeast of Shusha and were able to keep fire control over the road linking the town with the Lachin corridor area. At the same time, Armenian forces repelled several Azerbaijani attacks on the town itself inflicting, at least according to Yerevan, heavy casualties to pro-Baku forces. This goes contrary to claims of Azerbaijani sources that in their reports have almost captured the town already.
In fact, Shusha is not even encircled and the Armenians still have an option to send supplies and reinforcements to it from the north and northwest. Most likely, the Azerbaijani-Turkish bloc wants to repeat the Hadrut scenario by taking control of the main heights surrounding Shusha and block the main nearby roads with drone and artillery fire. In the case of Hadrut, this forced the Armenians to withdraw their forces from the town. Nonetheless, Shusha is different story. This is the iconic town for the Armenian patriotic narrative and the gates to Stepanakert. So, Yerevan will likely try to defend it as long as it is possible.
It could be said that the fate of the entire conflict is being decided in the battle of Susha. If Armenian forces are able to contain the Azerbaijani advance, they will get a chance to keep the Turkish-Azerbaijani bloc in the areas that it has captured in the south. If Shusha falls into Turkish hands, the fate of the central part of Nagorno-Karabakh will be predetermined.
The situation near Martuni, Martakert and Lachin is much better for Armenians. The trend of clashes there tend to be turned to positional fighting amid the inability of Baku and Azerbaijan to deliver a devastating blow to their opponent in this area. Nonetheless, the control of these areas will not help to the Armenians if Shusha is captured. At the same time, they are not able to redeploy forces from Lachin to the east because this will immediately trigger a new attempt by Azerbaijan to capture the area.
Meanwhile, Turkish and Azerbaijani sources complain that Armenia continues receiving help – military equipment and likely intelligence sharing assistance – in the conflict. The Armenians use this discontent to speculate that soon the airspace over Nagorno-Karabakh will be closed by Russia and the Azerbaijanis will have to run away to Baku. Despite this, the chances of a direct Russian intervention in the current regional situation remains unlikely. However, if Turkey and Azerbaijan continue to extensively exploit Syrian militants in the conflict as cannon folder, the strategy that Ankara already tried in Syria and Libya, the scale of indirect Russian support to the Armenians will definitely grow. If one takes into account the reaction in the public sphere, even current limited Russian support already created difficulties for the Azerbaijani-Turkish advance.
A further increase of involvement of Russia in the conflict will make a direct military victory over the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic a hardly possible scenario for the Azerbaijani-Turkish alliance. This explains its diplomatic positons in the region while Baku and Ankara develop their Karabakh offensive claiming that it is just a forced reaction to the regular ceasefire violations by Armenia. Nonetheless, if red lines are passed, diplomatic rhetoric alone will not help.
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southfront--2020-11-06--U.S. Sanctioned Influential Lebanese Politician Allied To Hezbollah

On November 6 , the U.S. Treasury announced sanctions on influential Lebanese politician Gebran Bassil , a close ally of Hezbollah .
Bassil is the president of the Christian-dominated Free Patriotic Movement ( FPM ) and the son-in-law of its founder , the current President of Lebanon , Michel Aoun .
Over the last twelve years , Bassil served in several high-level posts in the Lebanese government , including as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants , Minister of Energy and Water and Minister of Telecommunications .
In an official statement , U.S. Secretary of State accused Bassil of playing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and as well as of supporting Hezbollah .
“ Through his corrupt activities , Bassil has also undermined good governance and contributed to the prevailing system of corruption and political patronage that plagues Lebanon , which has aided and abetted Hizballah ’ s destabilizing activities , ” Pompeo said , “ Lebanese political leaders should be aware that the time has long passed for them to put aside their own narrow self-interests and instead work for the people of Lebanon.
” The FPM , which holds the largest Christian block in the Lebanese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hezbollah since 2006 , when the two parties signed a memorandum of understanding .
Bassil is the third Lebanese politician to be sanctioned by the U.S. over his ties to Hezbollah .
Last September the U.S. sanctioned Ali Hassan Khalil , a former minister of finance , and Yusuf Finyanus , a former minister of transportation and public works .
While these sanctions are being presented as a response to corruption in Lebanon , they are in reality a part of the U.S. “ maximum pressure ” policy which is targeting Iran and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Lebanon And Israel Agree To Hold Negotiations Over Disputed Maritime Boundary

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On November 6, the U.S. Treasury announced sanctions on influential Lebanese politician Gebran Bassil, a close ally of Hezbollah.
Bassil is the president of the Christian-dominated Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) and the son-in-law of its founder, the current President of Lebanon, Michel Aoun.
Over the last twelve years, Bassil served in several high-level posts in the Lebanese government, including as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Minister of Energy and Water and Minister of Telecommunications.
In an official statement, U.S. Secretary of State accused Bassil of playing a role in Lebanon’s corruption and as well as of supporting Hezbollah.
“Through his corrupt activities, Bassil has also undermined good governance and contributed to the prevailing system of corruption and political patronage that plagues Lebanon, which has aided and abetted Hizballah’s destabilizing activities,” Pompeo said, “Lebanese political leaders should be aware that the time has long passed for them to put aside their own narrow self-interests and instead work for the people of Lebanon.”
The FPM, which holds the largest Christian block in the Lebanese Parliament, has been an ally of Hezbollah since 2006, when the two parties signed a memorandum of understanding.
“Neither the sanctions scared me nor the promises seduced me … I will not turn against any Lebanese … I will not save myself to destroy Lebanon,” Bassil said on Twitter, commenting on the U.S. announcement.
Bassil is the third Lebanese politician to be sanctioned by the U.S. over his ties to Hezbollah. Last September the U.S. sanctioned Ali Hassan Khalil, a former minister of finance, and Yusuf Finyanus, a former minister of transportation and public works.
While these sanctions are being presented as a response to corruption in Lebanon, they are in reality a part of the U.S. “maximum pressure” policy which is targeting Iran and its allies in the Middle East.
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southfront--2020-11-06--Turkish-Backed Syrian Militants Killed, Injured In New Afrin Attack

On November 6 , another attack targeted Turkish-backed militants in the occupied area of Afrin in the northern countryside of Syria ’ s Aleppo .
Unidentified gunmen opened fire at a vehicle of the Sultan Murad Brigade as it was passing on a road in the district of Ma ‘ batli .
A militant was killed and two others were wounded in the attack , according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights .
The Sultan Murad Brigade is a key faction of the Syrian National Army , which rules over Turkish-occupied areas in northern and northeastern Syria .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely carried out by one of the Kurdish guerrilla groups active in the region , like the Afrin Liberation Forces and the Wrath of Olives Operations Room .
A state of chaos is prevailing over Turkish-occupied areas in northern and northeastern Syria .
Attacks are taking place there on a regular basis .
Two days ago , a senior Turkish-backed commander was assassinated in the city of al-Bab in the northern Aleppo countryside .
ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement released by its news agency Amaq on November 6 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rocked a checkpoint in the Turkish-occupied part of the northern Raqqa countryside .
A militant was killed several others were injured .
Security in Turkish-occupied will not likely improve any time soon .
Ankara and its proxies are not making any effort to improve the situation there .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • More Bodies Of Syrian Mercenaries Brought Back From Nagorno-Karabakh • Families Of Missing Syrian Mercenaries Call On Erdogan To Reveal Their Fate

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On November 6, another attack targeted Turkish-backed militants in the occupied area of Afrin in the northern countryside of Syria’s Aleppo.
Unidentified gunmen opened fire at a vehicle of the Sultan Murad Brigade as it was passing on a road in the district of Ma‘batli. A militant was killed and two others were wounded in the attack, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The Sultan Murad Brigade is a key faction of the Syrian National Army, which rules over Turkish-occupied areas in northern and northeastern Syria.
The ambush in Ma’batli was most likely carried out by one of the Kurdish guerrilla groups active in the region, like the Afrin Liberation Forces and the Wrath of Olives Operations Room.
قتلى وجرحى من عناصر فرقة السلطان مراد المدعومين من #تركيا في #معبطلي بريف #حلب الشمالي أثر استهداف سياره تقلّهم من قبل مجهولين. pic.twitter.com/CWYTsl45i2 — خالد اسكيف (@khalediskef) November 6, 2020
A state of chaos is prevailing over Turkish-occupied areas in northern and northeastern Syria. Attacks are taking place there on a regular basis.
Two days ago, a senior Turkish-backed commander was assassinated in the city of al-Bab in the northern Aleppo countryside. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement released by its news agency Amaq on November 6.
On the same day, a bombing rocked a checkpoint in the Turkish-occupied part of the northern Raqqa countryside. A militant was killed several others were injured.
Security in Turkish-occupied will not likely improve any time soon. Ankara and its proxies are not making any effort to improve the situation there.
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southfront--2020-11-06--They Are Our Democratic Terrorists: United States Drops ETIM Group From Terror List

The United States has revoked the terror tag for the East Turkestan Islamic Movement ( ETIM ) , an Islamic extremist militant group that has been seeking to establish own mini-Caliphate in China ’ s western region of Xinjiang .
US secretary of state Mike Pompeo signed off on the order removing ETIM from the list of terrorist groups on October 20 , while the move itself was made public on November 4 .
The ETIM has been under the sanctions of the UN Security Council since 2020 .
It is widely known for terrorist attacks in China and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ founded by Hasan Mahsum , a Uyghur from Xinjiang ’ s Kashgar region , who was shot dead by Pakistani soldiers in 2003 .
The group were not planning attacks on Chinese forces and facilities , but also wanted to kidnap foreign journalists , tourists and athletes during the 2008 Olympics .
The ETIM also trains and employs suicide bombers .
The State Department ’ s decision removes ETIM from the US government ’ s FTO list , the militant group continues to be designated a terrorist group by the United Nations and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ active among other al-Qaeda-styled groups in the Syrian war and , according to China , the group has been involved for over 200 documented acts of terror .
The US move already caused a wide criticism in China , but it poses a threat not only to the security of Xinjiang .
The US move already caused a wide criticism in China , but it poses a threat not only to the security of Xinjiang .
The lifting of the terrorism tag by the US will expectedly lead to the increase of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Central Asia .
No longer considered terrorists , ETIM members and commanders will allow to have bank accounts in the United States , move freely within the US zone of control , conduct business activities , buy and sell weapons .
If one takes into account the US ‘ history of defending democracy ’ , it is possible to expect that the next logical step in the Washington push for further democracy in the Central Asia will be training of ETIM militants by US instructors at US-affiliated military objects .
MORE ON THE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Back After ‘ Illegal ’ US Reaper Drone Sale To Taiwan Approved

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The United States has revoked the terror tag for the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), an Islamic extremist militant group that has been seeking to establish own mini-Caliphate in China’s western region of Xinjiang. US secretary of state Mike Pompeo signed off on the order removing ETIM from the list of terrorist groups on October 20, while the move itself was made public on November 4.
The ETIM has been under the sanctions of the UN Security Council since 2020. It is widely known for terrorist attacks in China and other regions of the world. It was founded by Hasan Mahsum, a Uyghur from Xinjiang’s Kashgar region, who was shot dead by Pakistani soldiers in 2003. The group were not planning attacks on Chinese forces and facilities, but also wanted to kidnap foreign journalists, tourists and athletes during the 2008 Olympics. The ETIM also trains and employs suicide bombers.
The State Department’s decision removes ETIM from the US government’s FTO list, the militant group continues to be designated a terrorist group by the United Nations and several other nations. ETIM-affiliated units are active among other al-Qaeda-styled groups in the Syrian war and, according to China, the group has been involved for over 200 documented acts of terror.
The US move already caused a wide criticism in China, but it poses a threat not only to the security of Xinjiang. The US move already caused a wide criticism in China, but it poses a threat not only to the security of Xinjiang. The lifting of the terrorism tag by the US will expectedly lead to the increase of the group’s activity across the entire Central Asia. No longer considered terrorists, ETIM members and commanders will allow to have bank accounts in the United States, move freely within the US zone of control, conduct business activities, buy and sell weapons. If one takes into account the US ‘history of defending democracy’, it is possible to expect that the next logical step in the Washington push for further democracy in the Central Asia will be training of ETIM militants by US instructors at US-affiliated military objects.
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southfront--2020-11-06--Azerbaijani Forces Claimed To Capture Shushi But Mixed Up The Towns

On November 6 , Azerbaijani news channels on Telegram claimed that the city of Shushi in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh had been captured from Armenian forces .
The channels shared a photo claiming to show Azerbaijan troops raising their flag over the minaret of Shushi ’ s Ashaghi Govhar Agha Mosque .
Nevertheless , Armenian sources denied these claims .
The WarGonzo Telegram channel shared a new photo of Ashaghi Govhar Agha Mosque and revealed that the photo released by Azerbaijani channels actually shows the New Mosque in the northern Azerbaijani city of Qabala .
Azerbaijani forces are now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ south of Shushi city center .
The city will likely be attacked in the upcoming few days , if not hours .
Shushi is the gateway to the city of Stepanakert , the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh .
Due to this , Armenian forces will likely make immense effort to defend the city .
So far , Armenian and Azerbaijani forces have been battling over farmlands , valleys and small settlements .
Shushi may turn into a heated battlefield , if Armenian forces fail to keep Azerbaijani troops away from the city .
MORE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Threshold Of Defeat : Are Armenian Chances In War With Azerbaijan Disappearing ?
• More Bodies Of Syrian Mercenaries Brought Back From Nagorno-Karabakh

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On November 6, Azerbaijani news channels on Telegram claimed that the city of Shushi in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh had been captured from Armenian forces.
The channels shared a photo claiming to show Azerbaijan troops raising their flag over the minaret of Shushi’s Ashaghi Govhar Agha Mosque.
Nevertheless, Armenian sources denied these claims. The WarGonzo Telegram channel shared a new photo of Ashaghi Govhar Agha Mosque and revealed that the photo released by Azerbaijani channels actually shows the New Mosque in the northern Azerbaijani city of Qabala.
Azerbaijani forces are now stationed less than 6 km to the south of Shushi city center. The city will likely be attacked in the upcoming few days, if not hours.
Shushi is the gateway to the city of Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh. Due to this, Armenian forces will likely make immense effort to defend the city.
So far, Armenian and Azerbaijani forces have been battling over farmlands, valleys and small settlements. Shushi may turn into a heated battlefield, if Armenian forces fail to keep Azerbaijani troops away from the city.
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southfront--2020-11-06--Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci Taken Into Custody In The Hague

Hashim Thaci has been taken into custody .
On November 5th , he resigned from the presidency of Kosovo to face his indictment by the Hague International Criminal Court on war crimes committed during the conflict against Serbian forces .
The accusations against the former president of the Republic of Kosovo , Hashim Thaci consist of 10 counts , including “ murder ” and “ torture , ” according to the Kosovo Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor ’ s Office .
The former political leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo ( PDK ) and two other suspects have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court in the Dutch city .
On Friday morning in Pristina , police began raiding the homes of those accused of war crimes : Thaci , ex-speaker of the Kosovo parliament , Kadri Veseli , and former field commander and MP Recep Selimi .
They are also accused in being aware of these crimes by their subordinates and not taking measures to prevent them .
The Netherlands previously established the Special Prosecutor ’ s Office for Crimes in Kosovo in 1998-1999 .
It was done according to the report of the Special Representative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marty , dedicated to the crimes of the “ Kosovo Liberation Army ” ( KLA ) .
About 200 former militants of the KLA were called to testify in war crimes cases during the last two years .
Among the most serious cases are drug trafficking , kidnapping , organ trafficking.former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci taken into custody in the Hague .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Three Civilians Killed In Overnight Azerbaijani Shelling Of Stepanakert

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Hashim Thaci has been taken into custody. On November 5th, he resigned from the presidency of Kosovo to face his indictment by the Hague International Criminal Court on war crimes committed during the conflict against Serbian forces.
The accusations against the former president of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci consist of 10 counts, including “murder” and “torture,” according to the Kosovo Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor’s Office.
The former political leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and two other suspects have been transferred to the detention center of the court in the Dutch city. On Friday morning in Pristina, police began raiding the homes of those accused of war crimes: Thaci, ex-speaker of the Kosovo parliament, Kadri Veseli, and former field commander and MP Recep Selimi.
“Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veseli, Recep Selimi and Yakup Krasniqi bear personal criminal responsibility “for crimes such as persecution for political and ethnic reasons, illegal arrest and detention, torture, murder and others,” the prosecution said in the document.
They are also accused in being aware of these crimes by their subordinates and not taking measures to prevent them.
The Netherlands previously established the Special Prosecutor’s Office for Crimes in Kosovo in 1998-1999. It was done according to the report of the Special Representative of the Council of Europe, Dick Marty, dedicated to the crimes of the “Kosovo Liberation Army” (KLA). About 200 former militants of the KLA were called to testify in war crimes cases during the last two years.
Among the most serious cases are drug trafficking, kidnapping, organ trafficking.former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci taken into custody in the Hague.
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southfront--2020-11-07--SouthFront Survival Is In Your Hands

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southfront--2020-11-07--Armenian-Azerbaijani War: Military Situation In Nagorno-Karabakh On November 7, 2020

Click to see the full-size image Recent developments of the Armenian-Azerbaijani war in the Nagorno-Karabakh region : • On November @ @ @ @ @ and Azerbaijani forces continue near Shusha , according to Armenian Ministry of Defense ; • @ @ @ @ @ Army captured : – Yukhari Veysalli , Yukhari Seyidahmedli , Gorgan , Uchuncu Mahmudlu , @ @ @ @ @ Fuzuli district ; – Yukhari Mazra , Yanarhaj in the Jabrayil district ; – Gazyan @ @ @ @ @ Garagandan in the Qubadli district ; – Beshdali in the Zangilan district ; – Garabulag @ @ @ @ @ Khojali district ; – Atagut and Tsakuri in the Khojavend district .
MORE ON THE @ @ @ @ @ Armenian-Azerbaijani War Is Being Decided In Battle Of Shusha

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Recent developments of the Armenian-Azerbaijani war in the Nagorno-Karabakh region:
On November 6, clashes between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces continue near Shusha, according to Armenian Ministry of Defense;
On November 6, Azerbaijan artillery shelled the Lachin area;
On November 6, Azerbaijan artillery shelled Shusha town;
On November 6, Azerbaijan artillery shelled Stepanakert city reportedly killing 3 civilians;
On November 7, Azerbaijani Army captured:
– Yukhari Veysalli, Yukhari Seyidahmedli, Gorgan, Uchuncu Mahmudlu, Gajar, Divanalilar in the Fuzuli district;
– Yukhari Mazra, Yanarhaj in the Jabrayil district;
– Gazyan, Balasoltanli, Mardanli, Garagandan in the Qubadli district;
– Beshdali in the Zangilan district;
– Garabulag and Moshmakhat villages in the Khojali district;
– Atagut and Tsakuri in the Khojavend district.
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southfront--2020-11-07--Armenian Forces Lost 16 New Settlements In Nagorno-Karabakh

On November 7 , the Azerbaijani Armed Forces resumed their advance in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh , capturing 16 @ @ @ @ @ .
In an official statement , President Ilham Aliyev confirmed that his troops had entered @ @ @ @ @ the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan claimed that heavy human and material losses had been @ @ @ @ @ Mountain Rifle Regiment , the 3rd Artillery Battery , the 22nd Special Forces group and @ @ @ @ @ .
For the last two days , the fierce resistance of Armenian forces prevented Azerbaijani @ @ @ @ @ in Nagorno-Karabakh .
Azerbaijani forces are currently situated less than 6 km to the south @ @ @ @ @ and at least 10 km away from Stepanakert city , the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh .
@ @ @ @ @

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Armenia
On November 7th, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces resumed their advance in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, capturing 16 new settlements from Armenian forces.
In an official statement, President Ilham Aliyev confirmed that his troops had entered the following settlements:
Yukhari Veysalli, Yukhari Seyidahmadli, Gorgan, Uchunju Mahmudlu, Gajar, Divanaliliar of Fuzuli district;
Yukhari Mazra, Yanarhaj of Jabrayil district:
Gazyan, Balasoltanli, Mardanli of Gubadli district:
Beshdali of Zangilan district:
Garabulag, Moshkhmaat of Khojali district:
Atagut, Tsakuri of Khojavand district.
Earlier, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan claimed that heavy human and material losses had been inflicted on the Armenian 6th Mountain Rifle Regiment, the 3rd Artillery Battery, the 22nd Special Forces group and the 178th independent Reconnaissance Battalion.
For the last two days, the fierce resistance of Armenian forces prevented Azerbaijani troops from making any gains in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Azerbaijani forces are currently situated less than 6 km to the south of the city of Shushi and at least 10 km away from Stepanakert city, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh.
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southfront--2020-11-07--Intense Russian Airstrikes Hit Militant Positions In Syria’s Greater Idlib

On November 7 , warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces carried out a series of airstrikes on militants ’ positions in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib .
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights , more than 13 airstrikes hit the towns of Sarjah , Shnan , Farkia , Benin and Ehsim .
The towns are located within the al-Zawiya Mount in southern Idlib .
Opposition activists released several videos and photos showing some of the Russian airstrikes .
No causalities have been reported , so far .
In a recent briefing , the Russian Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hay ’ at Tahrir al-Sham ( HTS ) is disarming moderate factions and occupying their positions in the al-Zawiay Mount .
HTS and its allies are violating the ceasefire in Greater Idlib , which was brokered by Russia and Turkey on March 5 , on a regular basis .
The militants ’ attacks have claimed the lives of 39 Syrian service members and injured at least 40 others since October 1 .
The new wave of airstrikes may be a sign of a near large-scale ground operation in Greater Idlib .
The Syrian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preparing to launch an operation in the region for several months now .
If this happens , Turkey will likely back HTS and its proxies .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Greater Idlib Militants Killed Dozens Of Syrian Soldiers Since Last Month : Russian Reconciliation Center

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On November 7th, warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces carried out a series of airstrikes on militants’ positions in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib.
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, more than 13 airstrikes hit the towns of Sarjah, Shnan, Farkia, Benin and Ehsim. The towns are located within the al-Zawiya Mount in southern Idlib.
Opposition activists released several videos and photos showing some of the Russian airstrikes. No causalities have been reported, so far.
In the recent briefing, the Russian Center for Reconciliation in Syria warned that al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is disarming moderate factions and occupy their positions in the al-Zawiay Mount.
HTS and its allies are violating the ceasefire in Greater Idlib, which was brokered by Russia and Turkey on March 5, on a regular basis.
The militants’ attacks have claimed the lives of 39 Syrian service members and injured at least 40 others since October 1.
The new wave of airstrikes may be a sign of a near large-scale ground operation in Greater Idlib. The Syrian Arab Army and its allies have been preparing to launch an operation in the region for several months now. If this happens, Turkey will likely back HTS and its proxies.
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southfront--2020-11-07--Military Situation In Syria On November 7, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria : • On November 7 @ @ @ @ @ the village of Sarjah ; • On November 6 , Syrian Arab Army ( SAA @ @ @ @ @ Turkish-backed forces in villages of al-Barah , Safuhin and Fulaifil ; • On November 5 @ @ @ @ @ carried out a joint patrol near Darbasiyah ; • On November 6 , US forces @ @ @ @ @ near Tal Tamar ; • On November 6 , ISIS militants carried out a hit @ @ @ @ @ positons in the Rasafah area allegedly killing 5 SAA soldiers .
MORE ON THE TOPIC @

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria:
On November 7, a Russian warplane struck the village of Sarjah;
On November 6, Syrian Arab Army (SAA) artillery shelled positions of Turkish-backed forces in villages of al-Barah, Safuhin and Fulaifil;
On November 5, Russian and Turkish forces carried out a joint patrol near Darbasiyah;
On November 6, US forces carried out a military patrol near Tal Tamar;
On November 6, ISIS militants carried out a hit and run attack to SAA positons in the Rasafah area allegedly killing 5 SAA soldiers.
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southfront--2020-11-07--Fur Trades and Pandemics: Coronavirus and Denmark’s Great Mink Massacre

“ The worst case scenario is a new pandemic , starting all over again out of Denmark , ” came the words of a grave Kåre Mølbak , director of the Danish health authorities , the State Serum Institute .
According to the Institute , COVID-19 infections were registered on 216 mink farms on November 6 .
Not only had such infections been registered ; new variants , five different clusters in all , were also found .
Mink variants were also detected in 214 people among 5,102 samples , of whom 200 live in the North Jutland Region .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public health community .
It was already known that mink are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 .
On April 23 and 25 , outbreaks linked with mink farms were reported at farms in the Netherlands holding 12,000 and 7,500 animals respectively .
The mink had been infected by a farm worker with COVID-19 and , like humans , proved to be either asymptomatic , or evidently ill with symptoms such as intestinal pneumonia .
In time 12 of the 130 Dutch mink farms were struck .
What interested researchers was the level of virulence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the population .
“ Although SARS-CoV-2 is undergoing plenty of mutations as it spreads through mink , ” writes Martin Enserik for , “ its virulence shows no signs of increasing.
” The Danish discoveries , however , fuelled another concern : the possibility that the virus from cluster 5 , as identified by the Institute , was more resistant to antibodies from humans infected with SARS-CoV-2 when compared to other non-mutated SARS-CoV-2 viruses .
Potential vaccines , in other words , could be threatened with obsolescence .
“ This hits all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carl Bergstrom .
In her November 6 briefing , Tyra Grove Krause , head of the department of infectious disease epidemiology and prevention at the SSI , did not wish to strike the doomsday register .
But she was none the less abundantly cautious .
“ We definitely need to do more studies on this specific variant and its possible effect on future vaccines , but it takes a long time to do these kinds of studies.
” But she was in no mood to wait to “ get all the evidence ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to act in time to stop transmission.
” The World Health Organization is attempting to provide some reassurance , and while this is welcome , that body ’ s public image has been often unjustly frayed by its initial approach to the novel coronavirus .
In a statement to , the WHO admitted concern “ when a virus has gone from humans to animals , and back to humans .
Each time this happens , it can change more.
” But Soumya Swaminathan , the WHO ’ s chief scientist , refrained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crop of revelations from Denmark .
“ We need to wait and see what the implications are but I don ’ t think we should come to any conclusions about whether this particular mutation is going to impact vaccine efficiency.
” Francois Balloux , director of University College London ’ s Genetics Institute , is also making his own infectious disease wager , thrilled by this “ fantastically interesting ” scenario .
“ I don ’ t believe that a strain which gets adapted to mink poses a higher risk to humans.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We can never rule out anything , but in principle it shouldn ’ t .
It should definitely not increase transmission .
I don ’ t see any good reason why it should make the virus more severe.
” In Denmark , no scientific chances are being taken on either the issue of virulence or the matter of vaccine effectiveness .
The entire mink herd of 17 million is being culled .
The Danish Prime Minister , Mette Frederiksen , attempted to see the problems of her country and its mink @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a great responsibility toward our population , ” she explained on Wednesday , “ but with the mutation that has now been found we have an even greater responsibility for the rest of the world as well.
” Residents in seven areas in North Jutland have also been told “ to stay in their area to prevent the spread of infection … .
We are asking you in North Jutland to do something completely extraordinary .
The eyes of the world are upon us.
” Despite the immediate and effective destruction of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Food and Fisheries , stated that this would be “ the right thing to do in a situation where the vaccine , which is currently the light at the end of a very dark tunnel , is in danger.
” Magnus Heunicke , the Minister for Health , also reiterated the point that “ mink farming during the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic entails a possible risk to the public health – and for possibilities to combat COVID-19 with vaccines.
” The inevitably callous and brutal measure means that both the animals concerned and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history .
Animal welfare advocates see mixed promise in the measure : cruelty in the culling , but hope in the eradication of a trade .
“ The right decision , ” according to Animal Protection Denmark , “ would be to end mink farming entirely and help farmers into [ another ] occupation that does not jeopardize public health and animal welfare.
” Joanna Swabe , the senior director of public affairs for Humane Society International/Europe , did express some pleasure at what was otherwise a grim end to Denmark ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largest fur producers in the global market , the “ total shutdown of all Danish mink fur farms amid spiralling COVID-19 infections is a significant development.
” She even went so far as to congratulate the Danish prime minister for the “ decision to take such an essential and science-led step to protect Danish citizens from the deadly coronavirus.
” Fur lobbyists and traders , while accepting of the health risks , have had reservations at the absolute nature of the Danish response .
Magnus Ljung , CEO of Saga Furs , noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ populations was achieved in the Netherlands and Spain without a need to resort to mass culling .
Mick Madsen of the Brussels-based industry group Fur Europe accepted that “ public safety must come first ” but urged Danish authorities to “ release their research for scrutiny amongst international scientists.
” In the United States , mass culling is yet to take off .
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention remains cool to any drastic measures , despite cases of contracted coronavirus at mink farms in Utah , Wisconsin and Michigan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ documented , though spokesperson Jasmine Reed noted “ ongoing ” investigations .
Some scrutiny from international sources regarding Denmark ’ s decision has been forthcoming , though it is more in the order of modest scepticism .
Marion Koopmans of the Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam , recalling the research into mink outbreaks in Dutch mink populations , considered the claim on a resistant mutation a bold one .
“ That is a very big statement .
A single mutation , I would not expect to have that dramatic an effect.
” Emma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine in Bern , Switzerland , was also doubtful .
“ It ’ s almost never the case that it ’ s such a simple story of one mutation and all your vaccines stop working.
” After the great Danish mink massacre , it may well transpire that Prime Minister Frederiksen ’ s decision might have been less “ science-led ” as was presupposed .
This does not dishearten Hodcroft , who warmly embraces the Danish approach to “ take a step too far rather than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mink , then .
Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College , Cambridge .
He lectures at RMIT University , Melbourne .
Email : bkampmark @ gmail.com MORE ON THE TOPIC : • 22m Out Of Work In US As Country Nearing Great Depression 2.0 • IMF Warns That ‘ Great Lockdown ’ To Rival Great Depression With 3 % Hit To Global Economy

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Submitted by Dr. Binoy Kampmark
“The worst case scenario is a new pandemic, starting all over again out of Denmark,” came the words of a grave Kåre Mølbak, director of the Danish health authorities, the State Serum Institute. According to the Institute, COVID-19 infections were registered on 216 mink farms on November 6. Not only had such infections been registered; new variants, five different clusters in all, were also found. Mink variants were also detected in 214 people among 5,102 samples, of whom 200 live in the North Jutland Region.
A noticeable tremor of fear passed through the public health community. It was already known that mink are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. On April 23 and 25, outbreaks linked with mink farms were reported at farms in the Netherlands holding 12,000 and 7,500 animals respectively. The mink had been infected by a farm worker with COVID-19 and, like humans, proved to be either asymptomatic, or evidently ill with symptoms such as intestinal pneumonia. In time 12 of the 130 Dutch mink farms were struck. What interested researchers was the level of virulence in the transmission of the virus through the population. “Although SARS-CoV-2 is undergoing plenty of mutations as it spreads through mink,” writes Martin Enserik for Science, “its virulence shows no signs of increasing.”
The Danish discoveries, however, fuelled another concern: the possibility that the virus from cluster 5, as identified by the Institute, was more resistant to antibodies from humans infected with SARS-CoV-2 when compared to other non-mutated SARS-CoV-2 viruses. Potential vaccines, in other words, could be threatened with obsolescence. “This hits all the scary buttons,” claimed evolutionary biologist Carl Bergstrom.
In her November 6 briefing, Tyra Grove Krause, head of the department of infectious disease epidemiology and prevention at the SSI, did not wish to strike the doomsday register. But she was none the less abundantly cautious. “We definitely need to do more studies on this specific variant and its possible effect on future vaccines, but it takes a long time to do these kinds of studies.” But she was in no mood to wait to “get all the evidence” given the possible risks. “You need to act in time to stop transmission.”
The World Health Organization is attempting to provide some reassurance, and while this is welcome, that body’s public image has been often unjustly frayed by its initial approach to the novel coronavirus. In a statement to National Geographic, the WHO admitted concern “when a virus has gone from humans to animals, and back to humans. Each time this happens, it can change more.” But Soumya Swaminathan, the WHO’s chief scientist, refrained from drawing any conclusions from the current crop of revelations from Denmark. “We need to wait and see what the implications are but I don’t think we should come to any conclusions about whether this particular mutation is going to impact vaccine efficiency.”
Francois Balloux, director of University College London’s Genetics Institute, is also making his own infectious disease wager, thrilled by this “fantastically interesting” scenario. “I don’t believe that a strain which gets adapted to mink poses a higher risk to humans.” This comes with qualification, of course. “We can never rule out anything, but in principle it shouldn’t. It should definitely not increase transmission. I don’t see any good reason why it should make the virus more severe.”
In Denmark, no scientific chances are being taken on either the issue of virulence or the matter of vaccine effectiveness. The entire mink herd of 17 million is being culled. The Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, attempted to see the problems of her country and its mink industry in humanitarian terms. “We have a great responsibility toward our population,” she explained on Wednesday, “but with the mutation that has now been found we have an even greater responsibility for the rest of the world as well.” Residents in seven areas in North Jutland have also been told “to stay in their area to prevent the spread of infection …. We are asking you in North Jutland to do something completely extraordinary. The eyes of the world are upon us.”
Despite the immediate and effective destruction of an industry, Mogens Jensen, Minister for Food and Fisheries, stated that this would be “the right thing to do in a situation where the vaccine, which is currently the light at the end of a very dark tunnel, is in danger.” Magnus Heunicke, the Minister for Health, also reiterated the point that “mink farming during the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic entails a possible risk to the public health – and for possibilities to combat COVID-19 with vaccines.”
The inevitably callous and brutal measure means that both the animals concerned and an industry, are being confined to history. Animal welfare advocates see mixed promise in the measure: cruelty in the culling, but hope in the eradication of a trade. “The right decision,” according to Animal Protection Denmark, “would be to end mink farming entirely and help farmers into [another] occupation that does not jeopardize public health and animal welfare.”
Joanna Swabe, the senior director of public affairs for Humane Society International/Europe, did express some pleasure at what was otherwise a grim end to Denmark’s mink population. As one of the largest fur producers in the global market, the “total shutdown of all Danish mink fur farms amid spiralling COVID-19 infections is a significant development.” She even went so far as to congratulate the Danish prime minister for the “decision to take such an essential and science-led step to protect Danish citizens from the deadly coronavirus.”
Fur lobbyists and traders, while accepting of the health risks, have had reservations at the absolute nature of the Danish response. Magnus Ljung, CEO of Saga Furs, noted how control of COVID-19 infections in mink populations was achieved in the Netherlands and Spain without a need to resort to mass culling. Mick Madsen of the Brussels-based industry group Fur Europe accepted that “public safety must come first” but urged Danish authorities to “release their research for scrutiny amongst international scientists.”
In the United States, mass culling is yet to take off. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention remains cool to any drastic measures, despite cases of contracted coronavirus at mink farms in Utah, Wisconsin and Michigan. Transmission to humans had yet to be documented, though spokesperson Jasmine Reed noted “ongoing” investigations.
Some scrutiny from international sources regarding Denmark’s decision has been forthcoming, though it is more in the order of modest scepticism. Marion Koopmans of the Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam, recalling the research into mink outbreaks in Dutch mink populations, considered the claim on a resistant mutation a bold one. “That is a very big statement. A single mutation, I would not expect to have that dramatic an effect.” Emma Hodcroft, a molecular epidemiologist based at the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine in Bern, Switzerland, was also doubtful. “It’s almost never the case that it’s such a simple story of one mutation and all your vaccines stop working.”
After the great Danish mink massacre, it may well transpire that Prime Minister Frederiksen’s decision might have been less “science-led” as was presupposed. This does not dishearten Hodcroft, who warmly embraces the Danish approach to “take a step too far rather than a step too little”. Pity about the mink, then.
Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College, Cambridge. He lectures at RMIT University, Melbourne. Email: bkampmark@gmail.com
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