southfront--2020-04-26--Global Economic Collapse Reveals the Complete Failure of Neo-Liberal Capitalism

As each day passes by data pours in revealing the immense economic damage caused by the Coronavirus pandemic .
Most politicians and economic pundits will put the blame for up the economic hurricane , blasting tens of millions into unemployment , on Coronavirus lock downs .
Fitch Ratings has given a brief snapshot of the unfolding economic catastrophe which it predicts will last well into the 2020s : “ World GDP is now expected to fall by 3.9 % in 2020 , a recession of unprecedented depth in the post-war period .
This is twice as large as the decline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and would be twice as severe as the 2009 recession.
” “ The decline in GDP equates to a USD2.8 trillion fall in global income levels relative to 2019 and a loss of USD4.5 trillion relative to our pre-virus expectations of 2020 global GDP .
Fitch expects Eurozone GDP to decline by 7 % , US GDP by 5.6 % , and UK GDP by 6.3 % in 2020.
” Yet at the beginning of this year the financial media and political classes around the world were making rosy forecasts how we were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year built upon solid economic foundations .
There was no cause for worry or alarm just let global capital work its magic and trickle-down economics would ensure living standards would rise for all .
Fast forward 4 months and a global health pandemic has revealed how shallow , brittle and unstable were the economic foundations of the neo-liberal economic order that has been heralded as such a success since the Reagan-Thatcher era of the 1980s .
These foundations were built upon infinitely low interest rates , an exponential rise in debt both public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the $ 250 trillion mark ) and a massive increase in social and economic inequality .
Alongside this , has been the intense exploitation of nations in the developing world and the use of regime change wars as naked resource grabs which cement the neo-liberal economic model in position.The world economy was slowing down during 2019 and heading towards a global recession .
Japan ’ s economy had already entered recession territory in the last quarter of 2019 , meanwhile PMI data from China and Germany indicated that they were hovering just outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 2019 was teetering on the brink and just needed a catalyst or pin to pop the everything bubble which has seen massive inflation in the prices of paper assets across the globe ranging from stocks and bonds to derivatives such as collateralized loan obligations .
The anaemic economic growth experienced by global capitalism since the last financial crisis , which was a mere 12 years ago , has been based upon a gigantic expansion of the global money supply as central banks and governments mistakenly believe that the only way to sustain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ create ever more debt .
The last 12 years since the 2008 global financial crisis have witnessed an unparalleled wealth transfer from the working classes to the billionaire class which wields immense political influence over governments across the world .
Central bank stimulus programs i.e .
quantitative easing together with historically low interest rates fuelled a speculative bonanza which has pushed financial markets to all-time highs across the globe .
Meanwhile , governments across the world have sought to give the hard pressed billionaire class a helping hand by cutting capital gains , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
President Trump ’ s $ 1 trillion tax give away to the economic elites in 2017 is the most egregious example of this phenomena .
At the same time , wages for billions of ordinary people have stagnated or fallen whilst welfare benefits and health care have declined .
We now have the utterly surreal situation whereby 26 billionaires control as much wealth as the poorest half of humanity amounting to over 3.8 billion people .
The working and middle classes together with the underemployed poor of the developing world were made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2008 global economic crisis .
Once the Coronavirus pandemic has finally burned itself out the working people of this world will be confronted with an economic depression which will rival and indeed may exceed in severity that of the 1930s .
Governments across the board will once again seek to make ordinary people pay for the cost of the gigantic debts incurred by government and central bank bailouts .
In a desperate effort to prop up their system and protect the interests of their own class central bankers and corporate politicians across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transfer that benefits the richest 1 % in society .
Bloomberg has noted how over $ 8 trillion has been printed out of thin air by global central banks and governments to prop up their debt fuelled system .
The bulk of this horde of fiat money has gone to service the needs of Wall Street and its counterparts in London , Paris Frankfurt , Shanghai et cetera.The Wall Street Journal has openly acknowledged this truth in an editorial : As the 2020s progress massive wealth and health inequalities , hunger and poverty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question the hyper financialised economic system whose sole motive is to protect the interests of the 1 % .
The American dominated monetary system which gives preferential treatment to the empire and its allies is in decline .
Its decline will be exacerbated by the twin hammer blows of the Coronavirus pandemic and the global economic depression now unfolding .
During the coming decade the make the world will become an even more unstable place as the hegemonic power of our era seeks to maintain its dominant position in the global economy at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contradictions and tensions between the United States and its rival China will be greatly exacerbated during the next period .
As we saw in the 1930s once these economic contradictions and tensions reach breaking point then the superpowers of the day have few course of action open to them beyond war or appeasement of their rival.Yet during the 1930s there were instances where the onward march to war could have been averted .
If Republican Spain had defeated Franco ’ s fascist insurgency then the momentum towards war would have been slowed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Front government in France and halted the appeasement policies that allowed Nazi Germany to grow in strength like a cancerous tumour .
During the next decade there will no doubt be other such instances where the onward march to war can be averted .

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Written by Dr. Leon Tressell exclusively for SouthFront
Fitch Ratings, ‘Unparalleled Global Recession Underway’
Economist Sven Heinrich, ‘Central banks are weapons of economic mass destruction.’
As each day passes by data pours in revealing the immense economic damage caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. Most politicians and economic pundits will put the blame for up the economic hurricane, blasting tens of millions into unemployment, on Coronavirus lock downs. Fitch Ratings has given a brief snapshot of the unfolding economic catastrophe which it predicts will last well into the 2020s:
“World GDP is now expected to fall by 3.9% in 2020, a recession of unprecedented depth in the post-war period. This is twice as large as the decline anticipated in our early April GEO update and would be twice as severe as the 2009 recession.” “The decline in GDP equates to a USD2.8 trillion fall in global income levels relative to 2019 and a loss of USD4.5 trillion relative to our pre-virus expectations of 2020 global GDP. Fitch expects Eurozone GDP to decline by 7%, US GDP by 5.6%, and UK GDP by 6.3% in 2020.”
Yet at the beginning of this year the financial media and political classes around the world were making rosy forecasts how we were going to experience moderate economic growth this year built upon solid economic foundations. There was no cause for worry or alarm just let global capital work its magic and trickle-down economics would ensure living standards would rise for all.
Fast forward 4 months and a global health pandemic has revealed how shallow, brittle and unstable were the economic foundations of the neo-liberal economic order that has been heralded as such a success since the Reagan-Thatcher era of the 1980s. These foundations were built upon infinitely low interest rates, an exponential rise in debt both public and private (sending global debt over the $250 trillion mark) and a massive increase in social and economic inequality. Alongside this, has been the intense exploitation of nations in the developing world and the use of regime change wars as naked resource grabs which cement the neo-liberal economic model in position.The world economy was slowing down during 2019 and heading towards a global recession. Japan’s economy had already entered recession territory in the last quarter of 2019, meanwhile PMI data from China and Germany indicated that they were hovering just outside recession territory.The global economy at the end of 2019 was teetering on the brink and just needed a catalyst or pin to pop the everything bubble which has seen massive inflation in the prices of paper assets across the globe ranging from stocks and bonds to derivatives such as collateralized loan obligations.
The anaemic economic growth experienced by global capitalism since the last financial crisis, which was a mere 12 years ago, has been based upon a gigantic expansion of the global money supply as central banks and governments mistakenly believe that the only way to sustain our debt fuelled economic system was to create ever more debt.
The last 12 years since the 2008 global financial crisis have witnessed an unparalleled wealth transfer from the working classes to the billionaire class which wields immense political influence over governments across the world. Central bank stimulus programs i.e. quantitative easing together with historically low interest rates fuelled a speculative bonanza which has pushed financial markets to all-time highs across the globe.
Meanwhile, governments across the world have sought to give the hard pressed billionaire class a helping hand by cutting capital gains, income and corporation taxes across the board. President Trump’s $1 trillion tax give away to the economic elites in 2017 is the most egregious example of this phenomena.
At the same time, wages for billions of ordinary people have stagnated or fallen whilst welfare benefits and health care have declined. We now have the utterly surreal situation whereby 26 billionaires control as much wealth as the poorest half of humanity amounting to over 3.8 billion people.
The working and middle classes together with the underemployed poor of the developing world were made to pay for the costs of the 2008 global economic crisis. Once the Coronavirus pandemic has finally burned itself out the working people of this world will be confronted with an economic depression which will rival and indeed may exceed in severity that of the 1930s. Governments across the board will once again seek to make ordinary people pay for the cost of the gigantic debts incurred by government and central bank bailouts.
In a desperate effort to prop up their system and protect the interests of their own class central bankers and corporate politicians across the globe are presiding over yet another wealth transfer that benefits the richest 1% in society. Bloomberg has noted how over $8 trillion has been printed out of thin air by global central banks and governments to prop up their debt fuelled system. The bulk of this horde of fiat money has gone to service the needs of Wall Street and its counterparts in London, Paris Frankfurt, Shanghai et cetera.The Wall Street Journal has openly acknowledged this truth in an editorial:
“The Fed may feel all of this is essential to protect the financial system’s plumbing and reduce systemic risk until the virus crisis passes, but make no mistake the Fed is protecting Wall Street first. The goal seems to be to lift asset prices, as the Fed did after the financial panic, and hope that the wealth effect trickles down to the rest of the economy.”
As the 2020s progress massive wealth and health inequalities, hunger and poverty will lead large numbers of people to question the hyper financialised economic system whose sole motive is to protect the interests of the 1%.
The American dominated monetary system which gives preferential treatment to the empire and its allies is in decline. Its decline will be exacerbated by the twin hammer blows of the Coronavirus pandemic and the global economic depression now unfolding.
During the coming decade the make the world will become an even more unstable place as the hegemonic power of our era seeks to maintain its dominant position in the global economy at the expense of other nations. The contradictions and tensions between the United States and its rival China will be greatly exacerbated during the next period. As we saw in the 1930s once these economic contradictions and tensions reach breaking point then the superpowers of the day have few course of action open to them beyond war or appeasement of their rival.Yet during the 1930s there were instances where the onward march to war could have been averted. If Republican Spain had defeated Franco’s fascist insurgency then the momentum towards war would have been slowed. It would have greatly strengthened the Popular Front government in France and halted the appeasement policies that allowed Nazi Germany to grow in strength like a cancerous tumour.
During the next decade there will no doubt be other such instances where the onward march to war can be averted.
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southfront--2020-04-26--Updated: Libyan Army Shoots Down (In Fact No) Turkish Combat Drone Near Bani Waled (Video)

Update : No Turkish UCAVs was shot down in Libya on April 25 .
LNA-affiliated sources have apparently manipulated the wreckage of the UCAV downed on April 17 to make a new video .
On April 25 , the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) shot down yet another Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicle ( UCAV ) .
According to sources close to the LNA , the UCAV was shot down in Wadi al-Dinar , south of the town of Bani Waled .
The town is located 145 km to the southeast of the country ’ s capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video showing the wreckage of the Bayraktar TB2 UCAV burning in an unspecified area in Wadi al-Dinar .
A day earlier , several drone strikes targeted tankers transporting fuel for LNA troops near Bani Waled .
The strikes may have been carried out by the same UCAV .
Developed by Turkey ’ s Bayraktar , the Bayraktar TB2 has an endurance of 24 hours and an operational range of 150 km .
The UCAV can be armed with up to four small-diameter laser-guided munitions .
According to LNA ’ s claims , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot down in Libya , so far .
These numbers are yet to be verified .
Observers believe that Turkish drones operating in Libya are being targeted by UAE forces .
The UAE reportedly deployed Russian-made Pantsir-S1 and U.S.-made MIM-23 Hawk air-defense systems in Libya last year .
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Update: No Turkish UCAVs was shot down in Libya on April 25. LNA-affiliated sources have apparently manipulated the wreckage of the UCAV downed on April 17 to make a new video.
This means that the April 17 downed UAV was videoed&photographed by the #LNA, had the ordnance removed, set on fire (possibly to depict a shoot down- different scenario),videoed again&footage was kept for release at a future date with propaganda value to depict as a new event.
3/ — Oded Berkowitz (@Oded121351) April 25, 2020
———–
On April 25, the Libyan National Army (LNA) shot down yet another Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV).
According to sources close to the LNA, the UCAV was shot down in Wadi al-Dinar, south of the town of Bani Waled. The town is located 145 km to the southeast of the country’s capital, Tripoli.
The sources released a video showing the wreckage of the Bayraktar TB2 UCAV burning in an unspecified area in Wadi al-Dinar.
A day earlier, several drone strikes targeted tankers transporting fuel for LNA troops near Bani Waled. The strikes may have been carried out by the same UCAV.
Developed by Turkey’s Bayraktar, the Bayraktar TB2 has an endurance of 24 hours and an operational range of 150 km. The UCAV can be armed with up to four small-diameter laser-guided munitions.
According to LNA’s claims, at least 30 Bayraktar TB2 UCAVs have been shot down in Libya, so far. These numbers are yet to be verified.
Observers believe that Turkish drones operating in Libya are being targeted by UAE forces. The UAE reportedly deployed Russian-made Pantsir-S1 and U.S.-made MIM-23 Hawk air-defense systems in Libya last year.
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southfront--2020-04-26--New Attacks Target Turkish-Backed Militants In Northern Aleppo

Kurdish forces have carried out a new wave of attacks in the Turkish-occupied part of Syria ’ s northern Aleppo .
The Afrin Liberation Forces ( ALF ) announced that its units targeted personnel and vehicles of Turkish-backed factions with improvise explosive devices ( IEDs ) on April 21 and 23 .
The group ’ s attacks took place in the district of Shirawa in southern Afrin , in the town of Martah near Afrin ’ s city center as well as in the towns of Jarabulus and al-Rai .
According to the Kurdish guerilla group , 10 Turkish-backed militants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the attacks .
The Olive Anger Operations Room , another Kurdish guerilla group operating in Turkish-occupied Afrin , announced on April 25 that its cells had abducted a Turkish-backed militant named Mohamad al-Said Ahmad .
The militant was later executed by the group that accused him of war crimes .
Last week , Kurdish forces in Aleppo ’ s northern countryside killed 6 Turkish-backed militants and injured 5 others in a similar wave of attacks .
The Turkish military and its proxies usually respond to such attacks by shelling the Kurdish-held areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ON THIS TOPIC : • U.S. Tasks Experienced SDF Fighters With Guarding Oil Fields In Northeast Syria – Report

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Kurdish forces have carried out a new wave of attacks in the Turkish-occupied part of Syria’s northern Aleppo.
The Afrin Liberation Forces (ALF) announced that its units targeted personnel and vehicles of Turkish-backed factions with improvise explosive devices (IEDs) on April 21 and 23. The group’s attacks took place in the district of Shirawa in southern Afrin, in the town of Martah near Afrin’s city center as well as in the towns of Jarabulus and al-Rai.
According to the Kurdish guerilla group, 10 Turkish-backed militants were killed and 14 others sustained injures in the attacks.
The Olive Anger Operations Room, another Kurdish guerilla group operating in Turkish-occupied Afrin, announced on April 25 that its cells had abducted a Turkish-backed militant named Mohamad al-Said Ahmad. The militant was later executed by the group that accused him of war crimes.
Last week, Kurdish forces in Aleppo’s northern countryside killed 6 Turkish-backed militants and injured 5 others in a similar wave of attacks.
The Turkish military and its proxies usually respond to such attacks by shelling the Kurdish-held areas in the northern Aleppo countryside.
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southfront--2020-04-26--In Video: ISIS Cells Blow Up Egyptian Armored Vehicle In Sinai

On April 25 , the ISIS news agency , Amaq , released a video showing a recent attack on an @ @ @ @ @ military in the Sinai Peninsula .
The video shows a Caiman mine-resistant ambush protected ( @ @ @ @ @ with an improvised explosive device ( IED ) .
Despite receiving a direct hit , @ @ @ @ @ .
According to Amaq , the attack took place on April 10 on a road @ @ @ @ @ west of the city of Rafah .
The result of the attack is unknown .
@ @ @ @ @ , ISIS cells in Sinai intensified their IED attacks on Egyptian military vehicles and troops @ @ @ @ @ 18 only , several Humvee vehicles were targeted in different parts of the peninsula .
@ @ @ @ @

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On April 25, the ISIS news agency, Amaq, released a video showing a recent attack on an armored vehicle of the Egyptian military in the Sinai Peninsula.
The video shows a Caiman mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicle getting hit with an improvised explosive device (IED). Despite receiving a direct hit, the vehicle kept moving on.
According to Amaq, the attack took place on April 10 on a road near the al-Fallujah checkpoint, west of the city of Rafah. The result of the attack is unknown.
In the last few weeks, ISIS cells in Sinai intensified their IED attacks on Egyptian military vehicles and troops. On April 17 and 18 only, several Humvee vehicles were targeted in different parts of the peninsula.
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southfront--2020-04-26--Russian Forces Establish New Position Near Tell Tamr In Northeast Syria

On April 26 , the Russian Military Police established a new position in the outskirt of the town of Tell Tamr in northern al-Hasakah .
According to the Step News Agency , the position was established right on the contact line with Turkish forces .
The Turkish military and its proxies occupy dozens of towns in the northwestern countryside of Tell Tamr .
The Russian Military Police deployed dozens of troops and at least ten armored personnel carriers ( APCs ) in the newly-established position .
A few hours before the deployment of Russian personnel , Turkish forces shelled the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outskirt of Tell Tamr .
The shelling damaged civilian houses .
However , no casualties were reported .
Earlier this month , the North Press Agency ( NPA ) reported that the Russian Military Police is preparing to establish four new positions near Tell Tamr .
Back then , a Syrian military source told the news outlet that the new positions are meant to prevent Turkish shelling on the region .
The establishment of more Russian positions around Tell Tamr is likely aimed at detering Turkish-backed militants and thus securing the town and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ :

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On April 26, the Russian Military Police established a new position in the outskirt of the town of Tell Tamr in northern al-Hasakah.
According to the Step News Agency, the position was established right on the contact line with Turkish forces. The Turkish military and its proxies occupy dozens of towns in the northwestern countryside of Tell Tamr.
The Russian Military Police deployed dozens of troops and at least ten armored personnel carriers (APCs) in the newly-established position.
A few hours before the deployment of Russian personnel, Turkish forces shelled the empty position and other points in the outskirt of Tell Tamr. The shelling damaged civilian houses. However, no casualties were reported.
Earlier this month, the North Press Agency (NPA) reported that the Russian Military Police is preparing to establish four new positions near Tell Tamr. Back then, a Syrian military source told the news outlet that the new positions are meant to prevent Turkish shelling on the region.
The establishment of more Russian positions around Tell Tamr is likely aimed at detering Turkish-backed militants and thus securing the town and its inhabitants.
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southfront--2020-04-26--SDF Security Commander Survives Assassination Attempt in Deir Ezzor

On April 26 , a senior commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces ( SDF ) security unit , known as Asayish , survived an assassination attempt in the southeastern countryside of Deir Ezzor .
According to Naher Media , an improvised explosive device ( IED ) struck the commander ’ s vehicle in the town of Jadeed Bakkarah .
“ The IED exploded on the main road in the town of Jadeed Bakkarah , it targeted a commander of the SDF ’ s Asayish , Fuaz al-Kurdi , known as Abu Hammam al-Qadisiyah , however , the damage was limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the town ’ s residents , ” the local outlet ’ s report reads .
No group has claimed responsibility for the assassination attempt .
ISIS remains the main suspect as its cells are known to be active in this part of Deir Ezzor .
Earlier this week , the terrorist group assassinated the SDF ’ s fuel official in the governorate there .
Nevertheless , some opposition sources said that the pro-government National Defense Forces ( NDF ) may have been behind the assassination attempt .
During the last few weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ series of clashes with Asayish in the city of al-Qamishli .
The SDF and the U.S.-led coalition are yet to take measures to address the deteriorating security situation in southeast Deir Ezzor .
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On April 26, a senior commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) security unit, known as Asayish, survived an assassination attempt in the southeastern countryside of Deir Ezzor.
According to Naher Media, an improvised explosive device (IED) struck the commander’s vehicle in the town of Jadeed Bakkarah.
“The IED exploded on the main road in the town of Jadeed Bakkarah, it targeted a commander of the SDF’s Asayish, Fuaz al-Kurdi, known as Abu Hammam al-Qadisiyah, however, the damage was limited to materials, according to an eyewitness from the town’s residents,” the local outlet’s report reads.
No group has claimed responsibility for the assassination attempt. ISIS remains the main suspect as its cells are known to be active in this part of Deir Ezzor. Earlier this week, the terrorist group assassinated the SDF’s fuel official in the governorate there.
Nevertheless, some opposition sources said that the pro-government National Defense Forces (NDF) may have been behind the assassination attempt. During the last few weeks, the NDF was involved in a series of clashes with Asayish in the city of al-Qamishli.
The SDF and the U.S.-led coalition are yet to take measures to address the deteriorating security situation in southeast Deir Ezzor.
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southfront--2020-04-26--Turkish Helicopters Evacuate Injured Service Members From Syria’s Greater Idlib

On April 26 afternoon , Turkish military helicopters flew to the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib to evacuate several service members that had been injured in clashes with al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay ’ at Tahrir al-Sham ( HTS ) and other terrorist groups .
The clashes erupted in the early morning when the Turkish military confronted radicals blocking the Lattakia-Aleppo highway , known as the M4 .
At least four radicals , including HTS members , were killed .
Following the clashes on the M4 , the militants targeted a battle tank , an armored vehicle and a bulldozer of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the town of al-Nerab with anti-tank guided missiles ( ATGMs ) .
The Turkish military responded to the attack , carrying out airstrikes on two positions of HTS in the town of San .
At least two militants of the group were killed .
According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights ( SOHR ) , the Turkish military is currently in talks with Greater Idlib factions , including HTS , to de-escalate the situation .
The April 24 clashes demonstrate that many Idlib militants have little respect to Ankara despite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Turkey .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • For First Time Ever Turkish Armed Forces Strike Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Positions In Greater Idlib

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On April 26 afternoon, Turkish military helicopters flew to the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib to evacuate several service members that had been injured in clashes with al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and other terrorist groups.
The clashes erupted in the early morning when the Turkish military confronted radicals blocking the Lattakia-Aleppo highway, known as the M4. At least four radicals, including HTS members, were killed.
Following the clashes on the M4, the militants targeted a battle tank, an armored vehicle and a bulldozer of the Turkish military in an observation post near the town of al-Nerab with anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs).
The Turkish military responded to the attack, carrying out airstrikes on two positions of HTS in the town of San. At least two militants of the group were killed.
According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the Turkish military is currently in talks with Greater Idlib factions, including HTS, to de-escalate the situation.
The April 24 clashes demonstrate that many Idlib militants have little respect to Ankara despite the fact that they receive funding and weapons from Turkey.
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southfront--2020-04-26--Libyan Army Shells Airport Hosting Turkish Troops Near Tripoli

On April 26 , the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) shelled the Mitiga International Airport , according to forces @ @ @ @ @ National Accord ( GNA ) .
The airport , which is located east of the @ @ @ @ @ Tripoli , is known to be hosting Turkish troops that support GNA operations .
The @ @ @ @ @ a video showing thick smoke rising from the airport after the LNA ’ s shelling @ @ @ @ @ reported .
Earlier this year , the Turkish military deployed air-defense systems in the Mitiga @ @ @ @ @ drones are also known to be operating from the airport .
Several months ago , @ @ @ @ @ for GNA forces .
Thousands of Turkish-backed Syrian militants were deployed there , which allowed @ @ @ @ @ offensive operations .
As a result , the LNA sustained notable losses , mainly on @ @ @ @ @ of Tripoli .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Updated : Libyan Army Shoots Down @ @ @ @ @ Turkish Combat Drone Near Bani Waled ( Video )

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On April 26, the Libyan National Army (LNA) shelled the Mitiga International Airport, according to forces loyal to the Government of National Accord (GNA).
The airport, which is located east of the country’s capital, Tripoli, is known to be hosting Turkish troops that support GNA operations.
“Haftar’s [LNA Commander in Chief] terrorist militia continue to repeatedly shell the airport and the residential neighborhoods around it with Grad rockets,” the GNA’s operations room, Volcano of Anger, said in a statment.
The Libyan Cloud News Agency released a video showing thick smoke rising from the airport after the LNA’s shelling. No human losses were reported.

Earlier this year, the Turkish military deployed air-defense systems in the Mitiga International Airport. Turkish combat drones are also known to be operating from the airport.
Several months ago, Turkey stepped up its support for GNA forces. Thousands of Turkish-backed Syrian militants were deployed there, which allowed GNA forces to conduct more offensive operations. As a result, the LNA sustained notable losses, mainly on the frontlines east and southeast of Tripoli.
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southfront--2020-04-26--Syrian Snipers Train With Homegrown Rifles In Idlib (Photos)

On April 26 , pro-government activists shared photos of Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) snipers training in the northwestern region of Greater Idlib .
The photos show the snipers , reportedly from the army ’ s elite 4th Division , were training with Syrian-made GOLAN S-01 single-shot anti-materiel sniper rifle .
First revealed in 2019 , the GOLAN S-01 is a copy of the Austrian Steyr HS .50 .
Unlike the HS .50 , which uses the NATO ’ s .50 BMG bullets , the GOLAN S-01 fires Soviet 12.7×108mm anti-materiel rifle cartridges .
The Syrian sniper have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and its also equipped with a domestic scope .
Both the rifle and the scope are made by the state-owned Defense Industries Corporation ( DIC ) .
The SAA has been training and reinforcing its troops in Greater Idlib since the start of the ceasefire regime in the area on March 5 .
The army and its allies appear to be preparing for a new confrontation with the Turkish military and its proxies in the region .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • For First Time Ever Turkish Armed Forces Strike Hayat Tahrir @ @ @ @ @

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On April 26, pro-government activists shared photos of Syrian Arab Army (SAA) snipers training in the northwestern region of Greater Idlib.
The photos show the snipers, reportedly from the army’s elite 4th Division, were training with Syrian-made GOLAN S-01 single-shot anti-materiel sniper rifle.
First revealed in 2019, the GOLAN S-01 is a copy of the Austrian Steyr HS .50. Unlike the HS .50, which uses the NATO’s .50 BMG bullets, the GOLAN S-01 fires Soviet 12.7×108mm anti-materiel rifle cartridges.
The Syrian sniper have a maximum effective range of up to 1,600m and its also equipped with a domestic scope. Both the rifle and the scope are made by the state-owned Defense Industries Corporation (DIC).
The SAA has been training and reinforcing its troops in Greater Idlib since the start of the ceasefire regime in the area on March 5. The army and its allies appear to be preparing for a new confrontation with the Turkish military and its proxies in the region.
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southfront--2020-04-26--The Seven-Step Path from Pandemic to Totalitarianism

As if it was planned in advance , billions of people around the globe are being forced step by rapid step into a radically different way of life , one that involves far less personal , physical and financial freedom and agency .
Here is the template for rolling this out .
A new virus starts to spread around the world .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) declares a pandemic .
International agencies , public-health officials , politicians , media and other influential voices fan fear by focusing almost exclusively on the contagiousness of the virus and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ characterizing the virus as extremely dangerous .
Within a few days governments at national and local levels also declare states of emergency .
At lightning speed they impose lock-down measures that confine most people to their homes – starting with closing schools – and shut down much of the global economy .
World markets implode .
The stunned , fearful and credulous public – convinced over the previous few years that their bodies do not have the natural ability to react to pathogens by producing antibodies that confer long-lasting immunity – largely complies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on local emergency and crisis responses to COVID19 is held for mayors and other city officials around the world .
Coordinated by a handful of American organizations in the academic , medical , financial , political and transportation spheres , the classes feature guests ranging from Barack Obama to Bill Gates .
National , state/provincial and municipal leaders , as well as public-health officials , start daily press briefings .
They use them to pump out frightening statistics and modelling asserting the virus has the potential to kill many millions .
Most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sheds little real light on the natural course of the virus ’ s spread through each geographic area .
Officials and media downplay or distort inconveniently low death tolls from the virus and instead focus on alarming statistics produced by compliant academics , social-media influencers and high-profile organizations .
The main message is that this is a war and many lives are at stake unless virtually everybody stays at home .
Mainstream media amplify the trope that the world is at the mercy of the virus .
Simultaneously , central banks and governments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to benefit the big banks .
And they bring in giant private-sector financial firms to manage the process despite these global companies ’ very poor track record in the 2008-2009 crash .
Governments also rapidly start to create trillions of pounds ’ worth of programs that include compensating businesses and workers for their shutdown-related losses .
There is a concerted effort by all levels of government and public health to very rapidly ramp up testing for viral RNA , along with production of personal protective equipment .
They push aside the need for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ verification of tests ’ rates of accuracy , by insisting that fast approval and roll-out are imperative for saving lives .
Models are released that predict snowballing of numbers of cases , hospitalizations and deaths even under best-case scenarios .
At about the same time , public-health officials significantly loosen the criteria for viral infections , outbreaks and deaths , particularly in the oldest members of society .
That increases the numbers of cases and deaths ascribed to the new pathogen .
The media continue to clamour for more testing and for severe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completely compliant with the lock-down measures .
As a result , there ’ s little backlash as police and military with sweeping new powers enforce these measures and give stiff penalties or even jail terms to those who disobey orders .
States also monitor with impunity massive numbers of people ’ s movements via their cellphones .
Vast human resources are focused on tracking down people who have had contact with a virus-positive individual and confining them to their homes .
Thus the portion of the public exposed to the virus remains relatively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isolation .
Among many effects , this enables those in control to even further erase individual and collective choices , voices and power .
When the numbers of cases and deaths start to plateau , local officials claim it ’ s too early to tell whether the virus has finished passing through their population and therefore , restrictive measures must continue .
An alternative narrative is that if such measures aren ’ t kept in place there will be a resurgence of cases and deaths .
Yet another is that the continuing climb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bets are off for the time being .
They admit that initial models incorrectly predicted there would be a tsunami of cases , ICU admissions and deaths .
However , they assert more time is needed before it can be determined whether it ’ s safe to loosen some of the restrictions and let children return to school or adults go back to work .
Officials do not try to calculate the overall skyrocketing cost to their populations and economies of the shut-downs and other measures against , nor do they discuss what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They and powerful media organizations also push for the massive virus-testing over-capacity to be used to surveil the general population for viral DNA in their bodies .
At the same time , the roll-out begins of widespread blood testing for antibodies to the virus .
Meanwhile , new data are published showing the virus has a high capacity to mutate .
Scientists and officials interpret this as meaning a larger medical arsenal will be needed to combat it .
About two or three weeks later , the dramatic increase in testing for viral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant upsurge in the number of people found positive for the virus .
Public-health officials add jet fuel to the surge by adding to their case and death tallies the large number of people who are only suspected – and not lab-test-confirmed – to have had an infection .
Politicians and public-health officials tell the populace this means they can not return to their jobs or other activities outside the home for the time being .
Governments work with public-health agencies , academics , industry , the WHO and other organizations to start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using the results of the widespread antibody testing to determine who can be released from the lock-downs .
This is one of many goals of the seven steps .
Meanwhile , government leaders continue to highlight the importance of vaccines for besting the virus .
Large-scale human testing of many different types of antivirals and vaccines begins , thanks to a concerted push from the WHO , Bill Gates and his collaborators , pharmaceutical and biotech companies , governments and universities .
Large swaths of the population don ’ t have the antibodies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been kept from being exposed to it ; they eagerly accept these medications even though they ’ ve been rushed to market with inadequate safety testing .
They believe these medical products offer the only hope for escaping the virus ’ s clutches .
Soon the new virus starts another cycle around the globe – just as influenza and other viruses have every year for millennia .
Officials again fan the flames of fear by positing the potential for millions of deaths among people not yet protected from the virus .
They rapidly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while companies sell billions more doses of antivirals and booster vaccines .
Governments simultaneously cede control of all remaining public assets to global companies .
This is because local and national governments ’ tax bases were decimated during Step 1 and they ’ re virtually bankrupt from their unprecedented spending in the war against the virus in the other steps .
The overall result is complete medicalization of the response to the virus , which on a population level is no more harmful than influenza .
This is coupled with the creation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a 24/7 invasive-surveillance police state supported by widespread blossoming of ‘ smart ’ technology .
The key players repeat the cycle of hysteria and massive administration of antivirals and booster shots every few months .
And they implement a variation of steps 1 to 7 when another new pathogen appears on the planet .
With the arrival of COVID19 many countries quickly completed Steps 1 , 2 and 3 .
Step 4 is well under way in a large number of jurisdictions .
Step 5 is on track to start in early @ @

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Written by Rosemary Frei; Originally appeared on off-Guardian.org
As if it was planned in advance, billions of people around the globe are being forced step by rapid step into a radically different way of life, one that involves far less personal, physical and financial freedom and agency.
Here is the template for rolling this out.
STEP 1
A new virus starts to spread around the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) declares a pandemic.
International agencies, public-health officials, politicians, media and other influential voices fan fear by focusing almost exclusively on the contagiousness of the virus and the rising numbers of cases, and by characterizing the virus as extremely dangerous.
Within a few days governments at national and local levels also declare states of emergency. At lightning speed they impose lock-down measures that confine most people to their homes – starting with closing schools – and shut down much of the global economy. World markets implode.
The stunned, fearful and credulous public – convinced over the previous few years that their bodies do not have the natural ability to react to pathogens by producing antibodies that confer long-lasting immunity – largely complies willingly.
The first weekly virtual class on local emergency and crisis responses to COVID19 is held for mayors and other city officials around the world. Coordinated by a handful of American organizations in the academic, medical, financial, political and transportation spheres, the classes feature guests ranging from Barack Obama to Bill Gates.
STEP 2
National, state/provincial and municipal leaders, as well as public-health officials, start daily press briefings. They use them to pump out frightening statistics and modelling asserting the virus has the potential to kill many millions.
Most of this information is hard to decipher and sheds little real light on the natural course of the virus’s spread through each geographic area.
Officials and media downplay or distort inconveniently low death tolls from the virus and instead focus on alarming statistics produced by compliant academics, social-media influencers and high-profile organizations.
The main message is that this is a war and many lives are at stake unless virtually everybody stays at home. Mainstream media amplify the trope that the world is at the mercy of the virus.
Simultaneously, central banks and governments hand out massive amounts of cash largely to benefit the big banks. And they bring in giant private-sector financial firms to manage the process despite these global companies’ very poor track record in the 2008-2009 crash. Governments also rapidly start to create trillions of pounds’ worth of programs that include compensating businesses and workers for their shutdown-related losses.
STEP 3
There is a concerted effort by all levels of government and public health to very rapidly ramp up testing for viral RNA, along with production of personal protective equipment.
They push aside the need for regulation, including quality standards and independent verification of tests’ rates of accuracy, by insisting that fast approval and roll-out are imperative for saving lives.
Models are released that predict snowballing of numbers of cases, hospitalizations and deaths even under best-case scenarios.
At about the same time, public-health officials significantly loosen the criteria for viral infections, outbreaks and deaths, particularly in the oldest members of society. That increases the numbers of cases and deaths ascribed to the new pathogen.
The media continue to clamour for more testing and for severe punishment of people who aren’t completely compliant with the lock-down measures.
As a result, there’s little backlash as police and military with sweeping new powers enforce these measures and give stiff penalties or even jail terms to those who disobey orders. States also monitor with impunity massive numbers of people’s movements via their cellphones.
Vast human resources are focused on tracking down people who have had contact with a virus-positive individual and confining them to their homes. Thus the portion of the public exposed to the virus remains relatively small.
It also contributes to social isolation. Among many effects, this enables those in control to even further erase individual and collective choices, voices and power.
STEP 4
When the numbers of cases and deaths start to plateau, local officials claim it’s too early to tell whether the virus has finished passing through their population and therefore, restrictive measures must continue.
An alternative narrative is that if such measures aren’t kept in place there will be a resurgence of cases and deaths. Yet another is that the continuing climb in elderly persons’ deaths means all bets are off for the time being.
They admit that initial models incorrectly predicted there would be a tsunami of cases, ICU admissions and deaths. However, they assert more time is needed before it can be determined whether it’s safe to loosen some of the restrictions and let children return to school or adults go back to work.
Officials do not try to calculate the overall skyrocketing cost to their populations and economies of the shut-downs and other measures against, nor do they discuss what cost level may be too high.
They and powerful media organizations also push for the massive virus-testing over-capacity to be used to surveil the general population for viral DNA in their bodies. At the same time, the roll-out begins of widespread blood testing for antibodies to the virus.
Meanwhile, new data are published showing the virus has a high capacity to mutate. Scientists and officials interpret this as meaning a larger medical arsenal will be needed to combat it.
STEP 5
About two or three weeks later, the dramatic increase in testing for viral DNA produces the desired goal of a significant upsurge in the number of people found positive for the virus.
Public-health officials add jet fuel to the surge by adding to their case and death tallies the large number of people who are only suspected – and not lab-test-confirmed – to have had an infection. Politicians and public-health officials tell the populace this means they cannot return to their jobs or other activities outside the home for the time being.
Governments work with public-health agencies, academics, industry, the WHO and other organizations to start to design and implement immunity-passport systems for using the results of the widespread antibody testing to determine who can be released from the lock-downs. This is one of many goals of the seven steps.
Meanwhile, government leaders continue to highlight the importance of vaccines for besting the virus.
STEP 6
Large-scale human testing of many different types of antivirals and vaccines begins, thanks to a concerted push from the WHO, Bill Gates and his collaborators, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, governments and universities.
Large swaths of the population don’t have the antibodies to the virus because they’ve been kept from being exposed to it; they eagerly accept these medications even though they’ve been rushed to market with inadequate safety testing. They believe these medical products offer the only hope for escaping the virus’s clutches.
STEP 7
Soon the new virus starts another cycle around the globe – just as influenza and other viruses have every year for millennia. Officials again fan the flames of fear by positing the potential for millions of deaths among people not yet protected from the virus.
They rapidly roll out virus and antibody testing again, while companies sell billions more doses of antivirals and booster vaccines.
Governments simultaneously cede control of all remaining public assets to global companies. This is because local and national governments’ tax bases were decimated during Step 1 and they’re virtually bankrupt from their unprecedented spending in the war against the virus in the other steps.
The overall result is complete medicalization of the response to the virus, which on a population level is no more harmful than influenza.
This is coupled with the creation of permanent totalitarianism controlled by global companies and a 24/7 invasive-surveillance police state supported by widespread blossoming of ‘smart’ technology.
The key players repeat the cycle of hysteria and massive administration of antivirals and booster shots every few months.
And they implement a variation of steps 1 to 7 when another new pathogen appears on the planet.
Sounds far-fetched? Unfortunately, it’s not.
With the arrival of COVID19 many countries quickly completed Steps 1, 2 and 3.
Step 4 is well under way in a large number of jurisdictions.
Step 5 is on track to start in early May.
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southfront--2020-04-26--For First Time Ever Turkish Armed Forces Strike Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Positions In Greater Idlib

For the first time ever , Turkish combat drones targeted two positions of al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay ’ at Tahrir al-Sham ( HTS ) in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib .
“ A Turkish drone targeted [ on April 26 afternoon ] a fortified position and a mortar post of HTS near [ the town of ] San in the eastern Idlib countryside , as a result , two personnel [ of the group ] were killed and others were injured , ” the Step News Agency said in a short report .
Opposition activists said the strike was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Turkish “ observation ” post near the town of al-Nerab south of Idlib city .
Earlier , Turkish forces clashed with radical militants blocking the M4 highway near al-Nerab .
According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights ( SOHR ) , at least four militants of HTS and employees of the group ’ s government were killed in the clashes .
Turkish forces managed to push the radicals away , thus securing the highway that links the coastal city of Lattakia with Aleppo city in the northern region .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ al-Nerab is now witnessing clashes between the Turkish military and HTS .
These claims are yet to be confirmed .
The tensions between HTS-led forces and the Turkish Army are growing .
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For the first time ever, Turkish combat drones targeted two positions of al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib.
“A Turkish drone targeted [on April 26 afternoon] a fortified position and a mortar post of HTS near [the town of] San in the eastern Idlib countryside, as a result, two personnel [of the group] were killed and others were injured,” the Step News Agency said in a short report.
Opposition activists said the strike was a response to a mortar attack which targeted a Turkish “observation” post near the town of al-Nerab south of Idlib city.
Earlier, Turkish forces clashed with radical militants blocking the M4 highway near al-Nerab. According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), at least four militants of HTS and employees of the group’s government were killed in the clashes.
Turkish forces managed to push the radicals away, thus securing the highway that links the coastal city of Lattakia with Aleppo city in the northern region.
According to opposition activists, the vicinity of al-Nerab is now witnessing clashes between the Turkish military and HTS. These claims are yet to be confirmed.
The tensions between HTS-led forces and the Turkish Army are growing.
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southfront--2020-04-26--Military Situation In Libya On April 26, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Libya : • Clashes between the @ @ @ @ @ ) and the Government of National Accord ( GNA ) continue in the Ain Zara @ @ @ @ @ Army Spokesman , Colonel Mohammed Ganunu , said on April 24 that the Libyan Air @ @ @ @ @ air strikes on the Al-Wattiya Military Base ; MORE ON THE TOPIC :

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Libya:
Clashes between the Libyan National Army (LNA) and the Government of National Accord (GNA) continue in the Ain Zara area;
A Libyan Army Spokesman, Colonel Mohammed Ganunu, said on April 24 that the Libyan Air Force carried out four major air strikes on the Al-Wattiya Military Base;
LNA artillery units targeted the Mitiga airport on April 26.
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southfront--2020-04-26--Arrow 3 Exoatmospheric Hypersonic Anti-Ballistic Missile (Infographics)

The Arriw 3 is anexoatmospheric hypersonic anti-ballistic missile jointly developed and produced by Israel and the United States .
The @ @ @ @ @ Aerospace Industries and Boeing under control of the Israeli Ministry of Defense ’ s “ @ @ @ @ @ US Missile Defense Agency .
The missile is designed for exoatmospheric interception of ballistic missiles @ @ @ @ @ an anti-satellite weapon .
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The Arriw 3 is anexoatmospheric hypersonic anti-ballistic missile jointly developed and produced by Israel and the United States. The project is run by Israel Aerospace Industries and Boeing under control of the Israeli Ministry of Defense’s “Homa” administration and the US Missile Defense Agency.
The missile is designed for exoatmospheric interception of ballistic missiles and reportedly could serve as an anti-satellite weapon.
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southfront--2020-04-26--Syrian Intelligence Service Member Abducted, Executed In Northern Daraa (18+ Photo)

Early on April 26 , another service member of the Syrian intelligence was assassinated in the southern governorate of Daraa .
The service member , Adeeb Abdul Rahim al-Damad , was abducted from his house in the town of Ibtta in the northern Daraa countryside by unknown gunmen .
Later , al-Damad ’ s dead body was found near the town of al-Yadudah .
A photo of the corpse shows that he was killed with an execution-style shot .
According to local sources , al-Damad fought in the ranks of the Free Syrian Army ( FSA ) in the early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he joined the reconciliation process and enlisted in the ranks of the Air Force Intelligence Directorate ( AFID ) .
Earlier this week , an officer of the AFID was injured and a local informant was killed when their vehicle was struck with an explosive device in northern Daraa .
Prior to that , a service member of the Military Intelligence Directorate ( MID ) was murdered in his house in eastern Daraa .
ISIS , whose cells are active in northern and eastern Daraa , is yet to claim responsibility for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intelligence personnel .
This may indicate that other sides , such as the Israeli intelligence , may have been involved in these attacks .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Turkish Forces Clash With Supporters Of Idlib Radicals On M4 Highway .
Casualties Reported ( Videos )

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Early on April 26, another service member of the Syrian intelligence was assassinated in the southern governorate of Daraa.
The service member, Adeeb Abdul Rahim al-Damad, was abducted from his house in the town of Ibtta in the northern Daraa countryside by unknown gunmen. Later, al-Damad’s dead body was found near the town of al-Yadudah. A photo of the corpse shows that he was killed with an execution-style shot.
According to local sources, al-Damad fought in the ranks of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) in the early years of the war. In 2018, he joined the reconciliation process and enlisted in the ranks of the Air Force Intelligence Directorate (AFID).
Earlier this week, an officer of the AFID was injured and a local informant was killed when their vehicle was struck with an explosive device in northern Daraa. Prior to that, a service member of the Military Intelligence Directorate (MID) was murdered in his house in eastern Daraa.
ISIS, whose cells are active in northern and eastern Daraa, is yet to claim responsibility for any of the recent attacks on Syrian intelligence personnel. This may indicate that other sides, such as the Israeli intelligence, may have been involved in these attacks.
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southfront--2020-04-27--Russian Combat Engineers Started Removing IEDs, Ammunition In Ramoon Area At Aleppo City (Video)

Russian combat engineers have started removing improvised explosive devices and inact ammunition in the Ramoon area at Aleppo city , @ @ @ @ @ The Russian specialists have been deployed in the area to assist Syrian sappers to secure @ @ @ @ @ THE TOPIC : • In Video : Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Members Clash With Turkish Army @ @ @

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Russian combat engineers have started removing improvised explosive devices and inact ammunition in the Ramoon area at Aleppo city, according to Russian media.
The Russian specialists have been deployed in the area to assist Syrian sappers to secure the area.
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southfront--2020-04-27--Military Situation In Syria On April 27, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria : • At least one @ @ @ @ @ clashes with Idlib radicals near Nayrab .
He was evacuated by a helicopter ; • @ @ @ @ @ position of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham near the village of San ; • Israeli warplanes struck @ @ @ @ @ in the Damascus countryside .
3 civilians were killed , 4 others were injured ; @ @ @ @ @ set up a new position near Tell Tamir ; • A senior commander of the @ @ @ @ @ , survived an assassination attempt near Jadeed Bakkarah ; • A Syrian intellignece service member @ @ @ @ @ al-Yadudah .
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A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria:
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
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southfront--2020-04-27--In Video: Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Members Clash With Turkish Army In Southern Idlib

Pro-militant sources released a video showing the April 26 clashes between the Turkish Army and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham members near @ @ @ @ @ Syria ’ s southern Idlib .
The video claims that Turkish forces opened fire at @ @ @ @ @ in fact shows an armed confrontation between Turkish troops and Turkish proxies .
On April @ @ @ @ @ tried to remove the camp of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham-led forces blocking the M4 highway near @ @ @ @ @ Turkish troops faced an armed resistance from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and its allies .
As @ @ @ @ @ at least one Turkish soldier was injured and 4 Hayat Tahrir al-Sham members were killed @ @ @ @ @ also injured .
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham still uses its old flag , when the group @ @ @ @ @ the official Syrian branch of al-Qaeda ) MORE ON THE TOPIC :

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Pro-militant sources released a video showing the April 26 clashes between the Turkish Army and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham members near the town of Nayrab in Syria’s southern Idlib. The video claims that Turkish forces opened fire at ‘civilians’, but in fact shows an armed confrontation between Turkish troops and Turkish proxies.
On April 26, the Turkish Army tried to remove the camp of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham-led forces blocking the M4 highway near the town. Nonetheless, Turkish troops faced an armed resistance from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and its allies.
As a result of the clashes at least one Turkish soldier was injured and 4 Hayat Tahrir al-Sham members were killed. Several more miltiants were also injured.
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southfront--2020-04-27--Military Situation In Yemen On April 27, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Yemen : • Clashes between Ansar @ @ @ @ @ in the northwestern part of Marib province • UAE warplanes struck the area near the @ @ @ @ @ Azzan district • The Yemeni oil company confirmed releasing the Fali ship by the Saudi @ @ @ @ @ more than 12,000 tons of gasoline and arrived to its destination , Al Hudaydah , @ @ @ @ @ in the Jizan port .
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A brief overview of the recent developments in Yemen:
Ceasefire violations were reported in al-Hudaydah
Saudi-led coalition warplanes struck the Sirwah area 13 times
Saudi-led coalition warplanes struck the Majzar area 4 times
Clashes between Ansar Allah and Saudi-led forces continue in the northwestern part of Marib province
UAE warplanes struck the area near the pro-Hadi forces base in the Azzan district
The Yemeni oil company confirmed releasing the Fali ship by the Saudi coalition. This ship carries more than 12,000 tons of gasoline and arrived to its destination, Al Hudaydah, after 42 days of detention in the Jizan port.
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southfront--2020-04-27--Haftar’s Forces Appear To Have Upper Hand As EU’s Operation IRINI Begins

On April 26th , Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar ’ s forces carried out heavy shelling on Mitiga International Airport .
The airport is being used as a Turkish base of operations , out of which a large number of Bayraktar TB2 UAVs are being operated to carry out strikes on various targets .
The same photographs that claim Mitiga International Airport was shelled were used by the GNA to show that civilian locations were being hit by Haftar ’ s forces , according to the Libya Observer , citing the Government of National Accord ’ s operation headquarters .
Just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filmed landing at Mitiga .
Meanwhile , the Government of National Accord ’ s ( GNA ) attack on al-Watiya airbase is entirely stalled , with no reports of clashes or any sort of push or siege .
Haftar ’ s forces appear to have entirely pushed back the enemy offensive .
All of the GNA ’ s forces appear to be focused either on defending Tripoli or shelling Tarhuna , which is deemed as a key position of the LNA .
Tarhuna is located just south of Tripoli .
The GNA ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on LNA positions in and around the city on April 26th .
The stalling in the GNA ’ s operations might also be due to the beginning of the EU ’ s Operation IRINI , aimed at enforcing the UN embargo on weapons deliveries to Libya in the Mediterranean .
The GNA condemned the operation , similarly to Turkey , because it impedes deliveries of equipment and fighters .
This is essentially unacceptable , because in their view the LNA can still receive support from Russia , Egypt and the UAE , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplies , until Haftar ’ s forces manage to purge Tripoli and the entire country from terrorist elements .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Updated : Libyan Army Shoots Down ( In Fact No ) Turkish Combat Drone Near Bani Waled ( Video )

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On April 26th, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s forces carried out heavy shelling on Mitiga International Airport.
The airport is being used as a Turkish base of operations, out of which a large number of Bayraktar TB2 UAVs are being operated to carry out strikes on various targets.
#عملية_بركان_الغضب : ميليشيات حفتر الارهابية تواصل القصف المتكرر بصواريخ غراد على مطار معيتيقة و الاحياء السكنية في محيطه pic.twitter.com/tOCf1YYezk — AbdulGhani AlHamrouni ?? (@AbdulGhaniLibya) April 26, 2020
The same photographs that claim Mitiga International Airport was shelled were used by the GNA to show that civilian locations were being hit by Haftar’s forces, according to the Libya Observer, citing the Government of National Accord’s operation headquarters.
Just days earlier, a Turkish UAV was filmed landing at Mitiga.
Turkish UAV drone “Bayraktar TB2” can be seen landing at Maetiga International airport in Libyan capital Tripoli. #Libya #LIbyaReview pic.twitter.com/YAhVCoPAiC — Libya Review (@LibyaReview) April 24, 2020
Meanwhile, the Government of National Accord’s (GNA) attack on al-Watiya airbase is entirely stalled, with no reports of clashes or any sort of push or siege. Haftar’s forces appear to have entirely pushed back the enemy offensive.
All of the GNA’s forces appear to be focused either on defending Tripoli or shelling Tarhuna, which is deemed as a key position of the LNA.
Tarhuna is located just south of Tripoli. The GNA’s Turkish-backed forces carried out heavy bombing on LNA positions in and around the city on April 26th.
#عااااااجل | قصف لطيران مسير تابع للجيش الليبي على مواقع لمليشيات حفتر الارهابية في ترهونة.#عاصفة_السلام — عماد فتحي E.Fathi (@emad_badish) April 26, 2020
The stalling in the GNA’s operations might also be due to the beginning of the EU’s Operation IRINI, aimed at enforcing the UN embargo on weapons deliveries to Libya in the Mediterranean.
The GNA condemned the operation, similarly to Turkey, because it impedes deliveries of equipment and fighters.
And if you now say, but they will enforce “the implementation of the UN arms embargo through the use of #aerial, #satellite and #maritime assets”, I say, yep. This is what the mandate says in theory.
Practically, stopping (Turkish) arms (to GNA) via sea is their “top priority”. pic.twitter.com/yh9q2NMvfk — Julian Röpcke (@JulianRoepcke) April 24, 2020
This is essentially unacceptable, because in their view the LNA can still receive support from Russia, Egypt and the UAE, while the GNA is being strangled from military supplies, until Haftar’s forces manage to purge Tripoli and the entire country from terrorist elements.
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southfront--2020-04-27--Locations Of US Carrier Strike Groups – April 27, 2020

This is the newst update of the ‘ U.S .
Carrier Strike Groups Locations Map ’ exclusive series showing the @ @ @ @ @ Strike Groups .
SouthFront : Analysis & Intelligence tracks locations of U.S. aircraft carriers using @ @ @ @ @ No classified information was used in production of the map .
Carrier strike group ( @ @ @ @ @ formation of the United States Navy .
It is centered on an aircraft carrier and @ @ @ @ @ CVW ) of 65 to 70 aircrafts .
It ’ s composed of roughly 7,500 @ @ @ @ @ , at least one cruiser , a destroyer squadron of at least two destroyers and/or @ @ @ @ @ group also , on occasion , includes submarines , attached logistics ships and a supply @ @ @ @ @ comprise a principal element of U.S. power projection over the world ’ s oceans .
@ @ @ @ @

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This is the newst update of the ‘U.S. Carrier Strike Groups Locations Map’ exclusive series showing the approximate locations of U.S. Carrier Strike Groups. SouthFront: Analysis & Intelligence tracks locations of U.S. aircraft carriers using the available open-source information. No classified information was used in production of the map.
Carrier strike group (CSG) is an operational formation of the United States Navy. It is centered on an aircraft carrier and a carrier air wing (CVW) of 65 to 70 aircrafts. It’s composed of roughly 7,500 personnel, an aircraft carrier, at least one cruiser, a destroyer squadron of at least two destroyers and/or frigates. A carrier strike group also, on occasion, includes submarines, attached logistics ships and a supply ship. Carrier strike groups comprise a principal element of U.S. power projection over the world’s oceans.
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southfront--2020-04-27--“Brilliant, Boris”: Britain’s Bots On Guard Of Democracy

On April 25th , Boris Johnson announced that he was ready to return to work , together with a post stating that says the Conservatives are “ the party of the NHS.
” That is all good and well , until one glances at the comment section , filled with replies with a syntax error .
Evidently , the alleged Russian bots are under quarantine , or something of the sort , since the British support bots appear to be taking center stage , and they appear to be malfunctioning .
This isn ’ t the first time something of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explains it with “ real people acting like bots.
” Back in November 2019 , the same thing was observed .
Some of the Boris “ supporters ” might actually be the result of automated activity , although the mainstream version is that there is no indication that anyone inside the prime minister ’ s campaign is behind it .
Even if most of the pro-Boris and anti-Boris messages aren ’ t actually posted by bots , that doesn ’ t mean automated campaigns aren ’ t a problem , says William Dance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actual users pretend to be bots , this can simply be used to hide the activity of actual bot accounts .
And still , this isn ’ t the first time something like this has happened .
Months ago , a tweet by Boris Johnson , before he became prime minister , received thousands of likes and retweets and most of them were very obviously fake accounts – thousands of them had no followers , no tweets and were brand new accounts .
And , most recently , John O ’ Connell , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 128 fake NHS Staff accounts had been discovered , attempting to stoke “ Herd Mentality.
” O ’ Connell contacted the UK ’ s Department of Health and Social Care , to provide the information , but it declined to receive it .
It appears that the UK government ’ s , apparently inept attempts to utilize bots to push forward its narrative are continuous , and not simply isolated cases .
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On April 25th, Boris Johnson announced that he was ready to return to work, together with a post stating that says the Conservatives are “the party of the NHS.”
That is all good and well, until one glances at the comment section, filled with replies with a syntax error.
Evidently, the alleged Russian bots are under quarantine, or something of the sort, since the British support bots appear to be taking center stage, and they appear to be malfunctioning.
This isn’t the first time something of the sort happened, and the BBC explains it with “real people acting like bots.”
Back in November 2019, the same thing was observed.
Some of the Boris “supporters” might actually be the result of automated activity, although the mainstream version is that there is no indication that anyone inside the prime minister’s campaign is behind it.
William Dance, a linguistics and fake news expert at Lancaster University says Johnson’s page shows “signs of inauthentic behaviour, with repetitious and duplicate comments.”
Even if most of the pro-Boris and anti-Boris messages aren’t actually posted by bots, that doesn’t mean automated campaigns aren’t a problem, says William Dance.
“Facebook has a major bot problem” he says. “In the first quarter of 2019 alone, Facebook removed over 2 billion inauthentic accounts. This is was almost as many takedowns as Facebook has daily active users.”
The thing is that if even actual users pretend to be bots, this can simply be used to hide the activity of actual bot accounts.
And still, this isn’t the first time something like this has happened.
Months ago, a tweet by Boris Johnson, before he became prime minister, received thousands of likes and retweets and most of them were very obviously fake accounts – thousands of them had no followers, no tweets and were brand new accounts.
And, most recently, John O’Connell, founder of FRW Anti-Racism Group, reported that 128 fake NHS Staff accounts had been discovered, attempting to stoke “Herd Mentality.”
Regarding those 128 fake #NHS Staff accounts posting for ‘Herd Mentality’ and support of the Govt that were set up by @DHSCgovuk or their marketing agency … Posts were sent using Hootsuite, a mass-posting tool. Account registered to 1 person with 4 assigned contributors. pic.twitter.com/r7fRFQaFwG — John O’Connell (@jdpoc) April 20, 2020
O’Connell contacted the UK’s Department of Health and Social Care, to provide the information, but it declined to receive it.
.@DHSCgovuk are adopting a corporate ‘head in the sand’ ‘fingers in the ears’ approach to this matter, hoping it will be swept aside by ongoing news stories of a more serious nature. After all, who cares about industrial scale misinformation in the face of so many deaths? pic.twitter.com/TBHJQcpDJy — John O’Connell (@jdpoc) April 20, 2020
The one person has been identified. Despite the @DHSCgovuk reply to my queries of ‘no comment’ (and that’s all she wrote), that person is a contracted Government employee temporarily assigned to this department. — John O’Connell (@jdpoc) April 20, 2020
It appears that the UK government’s, apparently inept attempts to utilize bots to push forward its narrative are continuous, and not simply isolated cases.
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southfront--2020-04-27--Project 10510 ‘Lider’ Nuclear-Powered Icebreaker (Infographics)

The Project 10510 Lider is a planned series of Russian nuclear-powered icebreakers .
The Lider supersedes Project 22220 icebreakers as the largest and most powerful icebreakers in the world .
The lead ship the series is expected to be commissioned by 2027 .
A total of 3 Project 10510 icebreakers are planned .
Contract For Constrution Of Project 10510 “ Leader ” Nuclear Icebreaker Signed By Rosatomflot ( 24.04.2020 ) : On April 23rd , in Murmansk and Vladivostok , a remote signing of the contract for the construction of the project 10510 “ Leader ” nuclear icebreaker between FSUE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The state customer for the construction of the icebreaker is Rosatom State Corporation , the developer is Atomflot Federal State Unitary Enterprise , Zvezda SSK is the sole contractor for this contract .
The construction of the project 10510 nuclear icebreaker will be carried out by the Zvezda Far Eastern shipbuilding complex on the basis of an order of the Government of the Russian Federation dated March 27th , 2019 .
According to the terms of the contract , the commissioning of the vessel is planned in 2027 .
“ Today an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history of the nuclear icebreaker fleet , ” commented Mustafa Kashka , director general of the Atomflot FSUE Atomflot .
“ The Leader will be equipped with two RITM-400 type nuclear reactors developed by Rosatom specialists .
The total capacity of the icebreaker will be 120 MW , which will allow the vessel to overcome ice more than 4 meters thick .
The commissioning of this nuclear icebreaker will allow Rosatomflot to guarantee safe and regular operations in the eastern region of the Arctic , provide year-round navigation in the waters of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new opportunities for commercial high-latitude routes .
” The nuclear icebreaker “ Leader ” will be built according to the technical design of the Central Design Bureau “ Iceberg ” .
The ship will have a nuclear power plant RITM-400 installed .
It was developed by the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom enterprise – JSC Afrikantov OKBM .
The main characteristics of the Project 10510 nuclear icebreakers are the following : The composition of the equipment of the power plant : • steam turbine unit with four turbo-generators of 37 MW each ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motors of 30 MW each .
The only nuclear icebreaker fleet in the world is operated by Rosatomflot Separately , The Ministry of Industry and Trade is going to oblige state customers to build ships only in Russia .
According to the draft order of the ministry , companies building ships on budgetary funds , even at the stage of competitive procedures , will be able to choose only those shipyards that are ready to fulfill the order in accordance with the 719th decision on localization .
At the same time , Kommersant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have already encountered a refusal by Russian shipyards to take orders because of the high load .
The Ministry of Industry and Trade did not respond to a request for comment .
The Federal Antimonopoly Service reported that they have not yet received a document for consideration .
In Rosmorrechflot and FSUE Rosmorport , which , as part of a comprehensive infrastructure plan must order and build a significant number of ships , did not respond to requests for comment .
A Kommersant source familiar with the situation says that one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rosmorport competition for the construction of an icebreaker Nadezhda Malysheva from PortNews adds that the shipyards still have a problem with certificates of compliance with the 719th decree : MORE ON THE TOPIC :

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The Project 10510 Lider is a planned series of Russian nuclear-powered icebreakers. The Lider supersedes Project 22220 icebreakers as the largest and most powerful icebreakers in the world. The lead ship the series is expected to be commissioned by 2027. A total of 3 Project 10510 icebreakers are planned.
Contract For Constrution Of Project 10510 “Leader” Nuclear Icebreaker Signed By Rosatomflot (24.04.2020):
On April 23rd, in Murmansk and Vladivostok, a remote signing of the contract for the construction of the project 10510 “Leader” nuclear icebreaker between FSUE Atomflot and SKK Zvezda LLC took place.
The state customer for the construction of the icebreaker is Rosatom State Corporation, the developer is Atomflot Federal State Unitary Enterprise, Zvezda SSK is the sole contractor for this contract.
The construction of the project 10510 nuclear icebreaker will be carried out by the Zvezda Far Eastern shipbuilding complex on the basis of an order of the Government of the Russian Federation dated March 27th, 2019. According to the terms of the contract, the commissioning of the vessel is planned in 2027.
“Today an important step has been taken in the history of the nuclear icebreaker fleet,” commented Mustafa Kashka, director general of the Atomflot FSUE Atomflot. “The Leader will be equipped with two RITM-400 type nuclear reactors developed by Rosatom specialists. The total capacity of the icebreaker will be 120 MW, which will allow the vessel to overcome ice more than 4 meters thick. The commissioning of this nuclear icebreaker will allow Rosatomflot to guarantee safe and regular operations in the eastern region of the Arctic, provide year-round navigation in the waters of the Northern Sea Route, and open up new opportunities for commercial high-latitude routes. ”
The nuclear icebreaker “Leader” will be built according to the technical design of the Central Design Bureau “Iceberg”. The ship will have a nuclear power plant RITM-400 installed.
It was developed by the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom enterprise – JSC Afrikantov OKBM.
The main characteristics of the Project 10510 nuclear icebreakers are the following:
Power – 120 MW (on shafts);
– 120 MW (on shafts); Speed – 22 knots (in clear water);
– 22 knots (in clear water); Length – 209 meters;
– 209 meters; Width – 47.7 meters;
– 47.7 meters; Ice penetration (maximum) – 4 meters;
– 4 meters; Displacement: during draft on waterline – approx.. 69,700 tons.
The composition of the equipment of the power plant:
A nuclear power plant with two RITM-400 reactors;
steam turbine unit with four turbo-generators of 37 MW each;
electric propulsion system with four propeller motors of 30 MW each.
The only nuclear icebreaker fleet in the world is operated by Rosatomflot
Separately, The Ministry of Industry and Trade is going to oblige state customers to build ships only in Russia.
According to the draft order of the ministry, companies building ships on budgetary funds, even at the stage of competitive procedures, will be able to choose only those shipyards that are ready to fulfill the order in accordance with the 719th decision on localization.
At the same time, Kommersant sources in the industry note that they have already encountered a refusal by Russian shipyards to take orders because of the high load.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade did not respond to a request for comment.
The Federal Antimonopoly Service reported that they have not yet received a document for consideration.
In Rosmorrechflot and FSUE Rosmorport, which, as part of a comprehensive infrastructure plan must order and build a significant number of ships, did not respond to requests for comment.
A Kommersant source familiar with the situation says that one of the reasons for developing new requirements was the Rosmorport competition for the construction of an icebreaker
Nadezhda Malysheva from PortNews adds that the shipyards still have a problem with certificates of compliance with the 719th decree:
“Theoretically, the plants are ready to issue them, but it is practically unknown how this will work. In addition, certification can increase the deadline for delivery of the vessel by an average of two months, and it is not clear who will pay for it.”
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southfront--2020-04-27--Israel Strikes ‘Iranian Targets’ In Damascus Countryside. 3 Civilians Killed (Videos, Photos)

To some extent Russian intervention in the early phases was crucial , but then Putin started meddling with the military and micro-managing the conflict .
He is literally in Jew hands and very chummy with Nutter Yahoo .
But the real issue is that Syria is a sovereign state and can not remain passive , no matter what the cost , and has to hit back .
Russia will not do anything to protect Syria as it did not even protect its own men from either US or Zionist attack .
Putin has been cutting deals with Turkey as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is really up to Syria , Iran and Hezbollah to decide what the next steps .
I firmly believe that the Zionist cowards will escalate these attacks if there is no retaliation .
I know the nature of Jew cunts , they are evil bastards and very weak .
Jews throughout history have used others to do their bidding .
The Americunts are in no position to fight a regional war at a time their shithole of a failed state is imploding .
The first thing SAA needs to do is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be prepared for any escalation that comes with it .
The Turkeys and Russians will not allow an SAA offensive in Idlib as Putin has cut a deal with the goat fucker Erdogan .
So the best option for Syria is to heat up the Golan front and impose a cost to the Zionists and escalate accordingly .
I am 100 % certain that the Zionist cunts will never escalate , ass they know a wider war will result in their destruction that their cities will be destroyed and a Palestinian uprising is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abbas as the West Bank is about to be annexed .
The Zionist cunts simply do not have the capability to fight a sapping protracted asymmetrical war .

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Early on April 27, the Israeli Air Force carried out airstrikes on supposed ‘Iranian targets’ in the countryside of the Syrian capital, Damascus. Israeli warplanes launched missiles from Lebanese airspace.
According to Syrian sources, the Syrian Air Defense Forces intercepted a number of missiles. However, at least some of them hit their targets.
Syria’s state-run news agency SANA reported that 3 civilians were killed and 4 others were wounded in the towns of Al-Hujaira and Al-Adliya as a result of the Israeli strike.
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