southfront--2020-08-12--US Air Force One To Go Hypersonic

US Air Force One To Go Hypersonic

The US Air Force and the Presidential and Executive Airlift Directorate have announced that they have partnered with an Atlanta-based company called Hermeus to develop a hypersonic Air Force One .
Zero Hedge reports that the partnership will allow for the development of a hypersonic aircraft for the presidential fleet that can travel as fast as Mach 5 .
Hermeus successfully tested a Mach 5 engine prototype earlier this year .
A demonstrator vehicle using the Mach 5 engines could be developed within the next five years .
Mach 5 is approximately 3,300 miles per hour , about 2.5 times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hermeus press release describing the new contract to build a hypersonic Air Force One declares : “ Hermeus Corporation , the aerospace company developing Mach 5 commercial aircraft , has partnered with the U.S. Air Force and the Presidential and Executive Airlift Directorate to work toward hypersonic travel for the Department of Defense .
This award comes under an Other Transaction For Prototype Agreement Direct to Phase II contract through AFWERX after Hermeus successfully tested a Mach 5 engine prototype in February 2020 .
The effort is focused on rapidly assessing modifications to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Presidential and Executive Airlift fleet .
Early integration of unique Air Force requirements for high-speed mobility and evaluation of interfaces between high-speed aircraft and existing communications , airport , and air traffic control infrastructure lays the groundwork for a seamless transition to service .
Additionally , Hermeus will prepare test plans to reduce technical risk associated with these modifications to support Air Force requirements.
” Brigadier General Ryan Britton , Program Executive Officer for Presidential and Executive Airlift , commented on the project : “ Leaps in capability are vital as we work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
By leveraging commercial investment to drive new technologies into the Air Force , we are able to maximize our payback on the Department of Defense investments .
The Presidential and Executive Airlift Directorate is proud to support Hermeus in making this game-changing capability a reality as we look to recapitalize the fleet in the future.
” If their efforts prove to be successful , Hermeus ’ cofounders Blue Origin , SpaceX , and Generation Orbit are set to be the team that develops the first hypersonic aircraft for the president .
MORE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
US still scrambling and surging to develop new high tech weapons systems

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The US Air Force and the Presidential and Executive Airlift Directorate have announced that they have partnered with an Atlanta-based company called Hermeus to develop a hypersonic Air Force One.
Zero Hedge reports that the partnership will allow for the development of a hypersonic aircraft for the presidential fleet that can travel as fast as Mach 5. Hermeus successfully tested a Mach 5 engine prototype earlier this year. A demonstrator vehicle using the Mach 5 engines could be developed within the next five years.
Mach 5 is approximately 3,300 miles per hour, about 2.5 times faster than the Aérospatiale/BAC Concorde.
The Hermeus press release describing the new contract to build a hypersonic Air Force One declares:
“Hermeus Corporation, the aerospace company developing Mach 5 commercial aircraft, has partnered with the U.S. Air Force and the Presidential and Executive Airlift Directorate to work toward hypersonic travel for the Department of Defense. This award comes under an Other Transaction For Prototype Agreement Direct to Phase II contract through AFWERX after Hermeus successfully tested a Mach 5 engine prototype in February 2020. The effort is focused on rapidly assessing modifications to Hermeus Mach 5 aircraft to support the Presidential and Executive Airlift fleet. Early integration of unique Air Force requirements for high-speed mobility and evaluation of interfaces between high-speed aircraft and existing communications, airport, and air traffic control infrastructure lays the groundwork for a seamless transition to service. Additionally, Hermeus will prepare test plans to reduce technical risk associated with these modifications to support Air Force requirements.”
Brigadier General Ryan Britton, Program Executive Officer for Presidential and Executive Airlift, commented on the project:
“Leaps in capability are vital as we work to complicate the calculus of our adversaries. By leveraging commercial investment to drive new technologies into the Air Force, we are able to maximize our payback on the Department of Defense investments. The Presidential and Executive Airlift Directorate is proud to support Hermeus in making this game-changing capability a reality as we look to recapitalize the fleet in the future.”
If their efforts prove to be successful, Hermeus’ cofounders Blue Origin, SpaceX, and Generation Orbit are set to be the team that develops the first hypersonic aircraft for the president.
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southfront--2020-08-12--German Frigate To Join EU Mission Monitoring UN Arms Embargo On Libya

A German frigate carrying 250 soldiers has departed Germany to start a five-month mission as part of the European Union efforts to enforce a United Nations embargo on the flow of weapons into Libya .
Germany ’ s ‘ Sachsen ’ class air-defence frigate ‘ Hamburg ’ set sail for the Mediterranean from the port city of Wilhelmshaven on Tuesday .
The German frigate will participate in the EU ’ s ‘ Irini ’ mission , launched in May , which is tasked with preventing the flow of weapons into Libya as well as gathering information on illegal oil exports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the region .
Satellites and planes are also being used to monitor the arms embargo .
The Hamburg ’ s crew members are set to return on December 20 .
“ We are facing a mission that will present the ship and crew with previously unknown challenges in several respects , ” Commander Jan Fitschen said at the start of the mission .
It is taking place on “ difficult political and operational terrain ” , he said .
This is indeed the case , as there is no shortage of arms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking place in Libya , and some of them are accompanied by powerful military escorts .
Countries accused of violating the embargo include Turkey , Russia and the United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) .
Turkey supports the Government of National Accord and Prime Minister Fayez Serraj based in Tripoli , which is vying for power with the House of Representatives and its military commander Khalifa Haftar .
Egypt , Russia and the UAE support the House of Representatives .
Turkey has repeatedly claimed that the EU ’ s Operation Irini disproportionately targets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government of National Accord .
Recently , Germany , France and Italy for the first time threatened sanctions to enforce the UN arms embargo , which has been in place for nine years .
LINK In June , the EU asked NATO for help with its naval mission enforcing an arms embargo on Libya , after Turkey prevented one of the warships participating in the mission from inspecting a suspect vessel .
The freighter involved was accompanied by a military escort .
A senior EU official said the bloc had contacted NATO to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” with the military alliance ’ s Operation Sea Guardian in the eastern Mediterranean .
At the time NATO ’ s Operation Sea Guardian had two ships patrolling the Mediterranean to monitor shipping , deter terrorism and ‘ project stability ’ .
It gave information and logistical support to Irini ’ s predecessor , Operation Sophia , for a number of years .
However , several months later no progress has been made and it is very unlikely that either the ‘ EU ’ or ‘ NATO ’ will be able to enforce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Turkish navy , which has repeatedly demonstrated that it has no intention of ending the flow of weapons to its allies in Libya .
Moreover , changing the parameters of NATO ’ s Operation Sea Guardian to include assisting the Irini mission would need approval from all 30 NATO members – meaning Turkey can veto the move .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Ripple effects Greece and Turkey open new northern front on Libyan conflict • Al Sisi says Egypt has right to intervene in Libya vows to protect Sirte al @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to achieving a peaceful settlement in Libya

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A German frigate carrying 250 soldiers has departed Germany to start a five-month mission as part of the European Union efforts to enforce a United Nations embargo on the flow of weapons into Libya.
Germany’s ‘Sachsen’ class air-defence frigate ‘Hamburg’ set sail for the Mediterranean from the port city of Wilhelmshaven on Tuesday. The German frigate will participate in the EU’s ‘Irini’ mission, launched in May, which is tasked with preventing the flow of weapons into Libya as well as gathering information on illegal oil exports from the country and disrupting people smuggling in the region.
Satellites and planes are also being used to monitor the arms embargo. The Hamburg’s crew members are set to return on December 20.
“We are facing a mission that will present the ship and crew with previously unknown challenges in several respects,” Commander Jan Fitschen said at the start of the mission. It is taking place on “difficult political and operational terrain”, he said.
This is indeed the case, as there is no shortage of arms smugglers introducing new weapons into the conflict taking place in Libya, and some of them are accompanied by powerful military escorts.
Countries accused of violating the embargo include Turkey, Russia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Turkey supports the Government of National Accord and Prime Minister Fayez Serraj based in Tripoli, which is vying for power with the House of Representatives and its military commander Khalifa Haftar. Egypt, Russia and the UAE support the House of Representatives.
Turkey has repeatedly claimed that the EU’s Operation Irini disproportionately targets Turkey’s weapons shipments to the Government of National Accord.
Recently, Germany, France and Italy for the first time threatened sanctions to enforce the UN arms embargo, which has been in place for nine years. LINK
In June, the EU asked NATO for help with its naval mission enforcing an arms embargo on Libya, after Turkey prevented one of the warships participating in the mission from inspecting a suspect vessel. The freighter involved was accompanied by a military escort.
A senior EU official said the bloc had contacted NATO to see “how we can have arrangements” with the military alliance’s Operation Sea Guardian in the eastern Mediterranean. At the time NATO’s Operation Sea Guardian had two ships patrolling the Mediterranean to monitor shipping, deter terrorism and ‘project stability’.
It gave information and logistical support to Irini’s predecessor, Operation Sophia, for a number of years.
“Allies are currently discussing how NATO could support the EU’s new maritime mission Irini,” a NATO official said. “It is important that the UN arms embargo is fully implemented.”
However, several months later no progress has been made and it is very unlikely that either the ‘EU’ or ‘NATO’ will be able to enforce the UN embargo against freighters escorted by the Turkish navy, which has repeatedly demonstrated that it has no intention of ending the flow of weapons to its allies in Libya.
Moreover, changing the parameters of NATO’s Operation Sea Guardian to include assisting the Irini mission would need approval from all 30 NATO members – meaning Turkey can veto the move.
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southfront--2020-08-12--Project 22600 Icebreaker (Infographics)

Project 22600 Icebreaker (Infographics)

Click to see the full-size image The Viktor Chernomyrdin is the Russian Project 22600 diesel-electric icebreaker currently under construction at @ @ @ @ @ .
The icebreaker was launched in 2016 and is set to enter service in 2020 @ @ @ @ @ :

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The Viktor Chernomyrdin is the Russian Project 22600 diesel-electric icebreaker currently under construction at Admiralty Shipyard in Saint Petersburg. The icebreaker was launched in 2016 and is set to enter service in 2020.
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southfront--2020-08-12--Taiwan Sends 200 Marines To Contested Island In The South China Sea

Taiwan is reported to have sent around 200 marines to the Pratas Islands , located in the South China Sea in an area claimed by both Taiwan and China .
The move appears to be related to concerns that China is planning a major maritime military exercise later this month , which would include a simulated takeover of Taiwanese-controlled islets .
It is anticipated that the scheduled military exercises , to be carried out by the PLA ’ s Southern Theatre Command , would be on an unprecedented scale and would involve large numbers of marines , landing ships , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a possibility that they will be joined by China ’ s aircraft carriers during an extended deployment on a course that would send them close to Taiwan ’ s shores , first revealed by a report by Kyodo news agency in Japan on 12 May , and subsequently confirmed by Chinese officials .
In the same week the US Navy posted pictures of one of its warships sailing through the sensitive Taiwan Strait for the sixth time this year .
picked up the reports that China is planning on deploying two aircraft carriers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its war games scheduled for August to rehearse for a future assault on the Taiwan-controlled Dongsha Islands .
News.com.au had reported that for the first time , both of China ’ s aircraft carriers , the Liaoning and Shandong , are being deployed together in Bohai Bay in the Yellow Sea to conduct combat readiness drills .
The People ’ s Liberation Army Navy ( PLAN ) carriers were said to be engaged in the second week of an 11-week simulated military confrontation that would later extend into the South China Sea .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a military source as saying that an aircraft carrier strike group will pass through the Pratas Islands ( Dongsha Islands ) on its way to the exercise site to the southeast of Taiwan in the Philippine Sea .
The Pratas Islands , consisting of one island , two coral reefs , and two banks , is located about 445km ( 275 miles ) from Taiwan ’ s southern port city of Kaohsiung and just over 300km from the Chinese mainland .
The area has been designated a national park because of its coral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no permanent civilian residents , only a coastguard garrison of roughly the same size as the detachment of marines sent to reinforce them .
The island does not appear to have significant defensive positions , so the deployment is little more than a symbolic gesture .
Taiwan ’ s defence ministry declined to confirm the Kyodo report , but Chief of Joint Operations Lin Wen-huang emphasised in May that the military would continue to strengthen combat readiness and ensure proper preparations on Taiwan ’ s outlying islands , including the Pratas Islands and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Spratly chain , where mainland China , the Philippines , Malaysia , Vietnam and Brunei all have competing claims .
On Tuesday Wang Ting-yu , a legislator from the governing Democratic Progressive Party in Taiwan , said some marines had already arrived on the Pratas Islands in June .
Wang , who sits on the foreign and defence committee , did not specify the size of this detachment but stressed they had all “ received special training from the US and are capable of carrying out anti-landing and anti-parachute operations against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normally only stationed coastguards instead of regular troops there to ease tensions in the South China Sea .
He added that , “ The US used to condemn Taiwan if we posted the military on the Pratas and Taiping , ” and that Vietnam and other claimants would also complain .
“ But this time there has been no objection over our posting marines there because they all want to contain China ’ s military expansion in the region.
” LINK China has suspended official exchanges with Taiwan since Tsai Ing-wen of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and refused to accept the one-China principle .
Meanwhile , in a move calculated to offend the Chinese government , earlier this week the US sent the highest official to visit Taiwan since Washington severed diplomatic relations with Taipei in 1979 .
The Financial Times said on Sunday that while US Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar ’ s visit to Taiwan is a sign of Washington ’ s strategic shift , it could also put the island nation at greater risk given intensified pressure from China .
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Taiwan is reported to have sent around 200 marines to the Pratas Islands, located in the South China Sea in an area claimed by both Taiwan and China. The move appears to be related to concerns that China is planning a major maritime military exercise later this month, which would include a simulated takeover of Taiwanese-controlled islets.
It is anticipated that the scheduled military exercises, to be carried out by the PLA’s Southern Theatre Command, would be on an unprecedented scale and would involve large numbers of marines, landing ships, hovercraft, and helicopters. There is a possibility that they will be joined by China’s aircraft carriers during an extended deployment on a course that would send them close to Taiwan’s shores, first revealed by a report by Kyodo news agency in Japan on 12 May, and subsequently confirmed by Chinese officials. In the same week the US Navy posted pictures of one of its warships sailing through the sensitive Taiwan Strait for the sixth time this year.
Taiwan News picked up the reports that China is planning on deploying two aircraft carriers in waters near Taiwan as part of its war games scheduled for August to rehearse for a future assault on the Taiwan-controlled Dongsha Islands.
News.com.au had reported that for the first time, both of China’s aircraft carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong, are being deployed together in Bohai Bay in the Yellow Sea to conduct combat readiness drills. The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) carriers were said to be engaged in the second week of an 11-week simulated military confrontation that would later extend into the South China Sea.
The South China Morning Post subsequently cited a military source as saying that an aircraft carrier strike group will pass through the Pratas Islands (Dongsha Islands) on its way to the exercise site to the southeast of Taiwan in the Philippine Sea.
The Pratas Islands, consisting of one island, two coral reefs, and two banks, is located about 445km (275 miles) from Taiwan’s southern port city of Kaohsiung and just over 300km from the Chinese mainland.
The area has been designated a national park because of its coral reefs and seagrass bed ecosystem and has no permanent civilian residents, only a coastguard garrison of roughly the same size as the detachment of marines sent to reinforce them. The island does not appear to have significant defensive positions, so the deployment is little more than a symbolic gesture.
Taiwan’s defence ministry declined to confirm the Kyodo report, but Chief of Joint Operations Lin Wen-huang emphasised in May that the military would continue to strengthen combat readiness and ensure proper preparations on Taiwan’s outlying islands, including the Pratas Islands and Taiping Island.
Taiping is the largest of the Spratly chain, where mainland China, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei all have competing claims.
On Tuesday Wang Ting-yu, a legislator from the governing Democratic Progressive Party in Taiwan, said some marines had already arrived on the Pratas Islands in June.
Wang, who sits on the foreign and defence committee, did not specify the size of this detachment but stressed they had all “received special training from the US and are capable of carrying out anti-landing and anti-parachute operations against the enemy”. Wang said Taiwan normally only stationed coastguards instead of regular troops there to ease tensions in the South China Sea. He added that, “The US used to condemn Taiwan if we posted the military on the Pratas and Taiping,” and that Vietnam and other claimants would also complain. “But this time there has been no objection over our posting marines there because they all want to contain China’s military expansion in the region.” LINK
China has suspended official exchanges with Taiwan since Tsai Ing-wen of the independence-leaning DPP was elected president in 2016 and refused to accept the one-China principle. Meanwhile, in a move calculated to offend the Chinese government, earlier this week the US sent the highest official to visit Taiwan since Washington severed diplomatic relations with Taipei in 1979. The Financial Times said on Sunday that while US Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar’s visit to Taiwan is a sign of Washington’s strategic shift, it could also put the island nation at greater risk given intensified pressure from China. LINK
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southfront--2020-08-12--Military Situation In Iraq On August 11, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Iraq : • Ashab al-Kahf group @ @ @ @ @ the attack on an US military vehicle on the Kuwaiti-Iraqi border at the Jarishan crossing @ @ @ @ @ denied any attack ; • The US military convoy was attacked by an IED near @ @ @ @ @ stormed and set fire to administrative building in Diwaniyah province ; • The PJAK armed @ @ @ @ @ its fighters were killed in recent Turkish airstrikes .
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A brief overview of the recent developments in Iraq:
Ashab al-Kahf group released a short video announcing the attack on an US military vehicle on the Kuwaiti-Iraqi border at the Jarishan crossing. Iraq and Kuwait separately denied any attack;
The US military convoy was attacked by an IED near Taji base;
Protesters stormed and set fire to administrative building in Diwaniyah province;
The PJAK armed group stated that 7 of its fighters were killed in recent Turkish airstrikes.
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southfront--2020-08-12--Military Situation In Afghanistan On August 11, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Afghanistan : • President Ashraf Ghani @ @ @ @ @ 400 Taliban prisoners as it was agreed by the Loya Jirga on Sunday ; • @ @ @ @ @ killed and two others were wounded in a magnetic mine blast targeting a vehicle in @ @ @ @ @ THE TOPIC :

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Afghanistan:
President Ashraf Ghani signed a decree to release 400 Taliban prisoners as it was agreed by the Loya Jirga on Sunday;
At least one person was killed and two others were wounded in a magnetic mine blast targeting a vehicle in Kabul city.
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southfront--2020-08-12--Colombian Electoral Council Opens Formal Investigation Of President Duque For Illegal Campaign Finan

Colombian Electoral Council Opens Formal Investigation Of President Duque For Illegal Campaign Financing

The National Electoral Council ( CNE ) of Colombia announced today that it has opened a preliminary investigation against President Iván Duque and his political party Centro Democrático ( CD ) .
The party allegedly failed to comply with electoral regulations on electoral financing during the campaign of 2018 in which Duque was elected president .
The CNE explained that the investigation is related to alleged contributions from the Venezuelan businessman Oswaldo Cisneros for a total value of US $ 300,000 .
According to the Colombian Constitution , national electoral campaigns are prohibited from receiving donations from abroad .
Cisneros @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry and his family is among the richest in Venezuela .
The starting point for the investigation was wiretapping requested by the Colombian Public Ministry .
The people involved in the conversations were : Nubia Stella Martínez , director of CD ; María Claudia Daza , who was an advisor to former president Alvaro Uribe and is now out of the country ; and José “ Ñeñe ” Hernández , a cattle rancher who was murdered last year in Brazil during a robbery .
María Daza spoke with both about the alleged contributions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the conversation between Martínez and Daza , published by the newspaper , Uribe ’ s former adviser asked , “ What happened with the Venezuelan ?
” , to which the director of the president ’ s political party replied , “ Yes .
Do you know how much he gave us ?
$ 300,000.
” However , the CD director herself tried to justify her words by arguing that she suffered a ‘ lapse ’ when speaking with Daza .
“ It was not ‘ gave ’ , but ‘ offered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I said that sum because it was the one the businessman used .
But one thing is what people offer in the campaigns and another is what they actually end up giving , ” Martinez explained to the Colombian newspaper .
The CNE summoned both to testify , as well as Luis Guillermo Echeverri , campaign manager of current president Ivan Duque .
In addition , the electoral council sent a letter in which the “ CD is asked to send a copy of the accounting supports of the electoral campaign of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to determine the origin and amount of the contributions consigned in the income report and expenses of the campaign to the Presidency.
” For his part , the businessman Oswaldo Cisneros is linked to several related developments .
According to Forbes magazine , his family has a fortune that exceeds US $ 1,100 million , and is figured as one of the richest families in Venezuela .
Cisneros ventured into different business areas : Pepsi Cola Venezuela , Ditel ( telecommunications ) and the oil sector .
In Colombia , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canacol Energy ’ s Colombian subsidiary , the company CNE Oil and Gas SAS .
In Venezuela , Cisneros does not sell crude abroad since its wells have been closed down for a long time .
Last March the Prosecutor ’ s Office began investigations of the people who could be involved in the wiretapping .
In one of them , “ Ñeñe ” Hernández refers to the purchase of votes in favour of Duque in the La Guajira area .
He also mentions former President Uribe ( 2002-2010 ) .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leftist candidate Gustavo Petro , who currently leads the opposition to the government in the Senate .
Hernández was being investigated as an alleged front man for a drug trafficking organization .
It operated in the provinces of Cesar and La Guajira ( in the far northeast of Colombia ) .
‘ Ñeñe ’ was also being investigated by the Prosecutor ’ s Office for the murder of Oscar Rodríguez , which occurred in 2011 .
The CNE has also summoned former congresswoman Aída Merlano , currently imprisoned in Venezuela , to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an interview with Magazine .
Merlano affirmed that businessman Julio Gerlein and the Char family , a powerful political clan from the Colombian Caribbean , also bought votes to favour the election of Duque in the second round of the 2018 election .
The former parliamentarian was sentenced in Colombia to 15 years in prison for electoral corruption .
She fled the country last October while she was under investigation taking advantage of an appointment at a dental office in Bogotá .
She was recaptured on January 27 in Venezuela by agents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) of the Bolivarian National Police ( PNB ) in Maracaibo .
The CNE reported that Merlano ’ s summons will be made through the corresponding diplomatic channels .
The investigation was announced at a difficult time for the right-wing CD party and its political figureheads , several of whom have been cited for allegations of corruption .
Last Tuesday , August 4 , the Supreme Court of Justice ( CSJ ) ordered that former president and currently senator Alvaro Uribe be placed under preventive detention .
He is being investigated for alleged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LINK The case is potentially a political and economic development of momentous import for another reason .
Oswaldo Cisneros is from a family that has extensive ties to many of the deepest of the Deep State/ Economy/ Finance/ Religion networks embedded throughout the continent that have dominated politics , the media and the economy for many decades and left Latin America with the greatest levels of inequality , poverty and violence in the world .
The extensive portions of these networks deriving from Spain are meticulously documented in the investigation ‘ El Régimen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ en el saqueo de América Latina ’ ( The Transition Regime and Spanish capital in the plundering of Latin America ) : “ The undoubted political connection that marks the onset as well as the consolidation of the penetration of ‘ the new Spanish conquerors ’ in Latin America is located in a specific organization , the PSOE and , above all , the organization ’ s powerbroker Felipe González .
His years at the helm of the government of Spain , with an absolute majority in Parliament between 1982 and 1993 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group CiU , clearly demonstrate this driving role .
The associated embedded political-business relations are inherent to capitalism , as is the corruption that stems from them… The power of the PSOE lobby in Latin America went – and remains – far beyond its presence in government , far exceeding the influence of the PP… On 1 December 2014 , Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos granted Felipe González Colombian nationality .
Thus culminated a very long relationship between the former president of the Spanish government with a country that , along with Venezuela @ @ @ @ @ @ @ González ’ s initial Latin American contacts was Gustavo Cisneros , also through Carlos Andrés Pérez .
In 1983 , after the expropriation of the RUMASA holding , the Council of Ministers approved the sale of Galerías Preciados to the business group ‘ Organización Cisneros ’ for 1,500 million pesetas .
Only half of the amount was paid .
The State did not collect the other half .
In addition , Cisneros also received from the Administration loans for the cleaning of his new property worth 11,500 million pesetas .
Five years later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This businessman developed his fortune under the umbrella of Carlos Andrés Pérez in Venezuela and the Bush family in the US .
Today he is one of the richest men in Latin America , his businesses include more than 50 firms and include ownership of the powerful complex Venevisión media , advertising companies , real estate , tourism , cosmetics , etc .
He has been repeatedly linked to money laundering from drug trafficking .
In 1985 , the North American economist Lyndon La Rouche , specialist in the investigation of drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Review magazine for that purpose , attempted to distribute his book in Venezuela , ‘ Narcotráfico S.A. , The new Opium War ’ .
One of its chapters is entirely dedicated to the Cisneros family , considered a key figure in Latin America for this type of business .
Venezuelan intelligence services requisitioned the book and a court prohibited its sale in the country .
Felipe González ’ s relationship with Cisneros , which began so early and so strikingly , is decisive in assessing the relations of successive Spanish governments with Venezuela @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sinister and criminal face with the participation of the PP government , PSOE leaders and Spanish multinationals in the failed coup d ’ état against Chávez in 2002 .
It was carried out in close alliance with the US – and served as the spearhead of the EU ’ s involvement .
It is worth remembering because the interests that move the ubiquitous machinery of power behind the scenes are the same as those that act now in Venezuela , and even some of the protagonists.
” LINK While the preliminary investigation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Office of the Prosecutor General remain considerably removed from these underlying networks of power and control that spread across the continent , it is nonetheless exceptional that someone from one of their central figures ( the Cisnero dynasty ) should be investigated in such a high profile case at all .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Colombia ’ s Supreme Court opens another criminal investigation against former president Alvaro Uribe • Lawfare Colombian-style legal political and quasi-judicial harassment persecution and counterinsurgency operations in Colombia

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The National Electoral Council (CNE) of Colombia announced today that it has opened a preliminary investigation against President Iván Duque and his political party Centro Democrático (CD). The party allegedly failed to comply with electoral regulations on electoral financing during the campaign of 2018 in which Duque was elected president.
The CNE explained that the investigation is related to alleged contributions from the Venezuelan businessman Oswaldo Cisneros for a total value of US$300,000.
According to the Colombian Constitution, national electoral campaigns are prohibited from receiving donations from abroad. Cisneros is a businessman linked to the oil industry and his family is among the richest in Venezuela.
#ComunicadoDePrensa| Comisión instructora abrió indagación preliminar contra campaña de Iván Duque. pic.twitter.com/RVOzAzgxLf — CNE Colombia (@CNE_COLOMBIA) August 11, 2020
The starting point for the investigation was wiretapping requested by the Colombian Public Ministry. The people involved in the conversations were: Nubia Stella Martínez, director of CD; María Claudia Daza, who was an advisor to former president Alvaro Uribe and is now out of the country; and José “Ñeñe” Hernández, a cattle rancher who was murdered last year in Brazil during a robbery.
María Daza spoke with both about the alleged contributions of the Venezuelan businessman Oswaldo Cisneros. In the conversation between Martínez and Daza, published by the newspaper El Tiempo, Uribe’s former adviser asked, “What happened with the Venezuelan?”, to which the director of the president’s political party replied, “Yes. Do you know how much he gave us? $300,000.” However, the CD director herself tried to justify her words by arguing that she suffered a ‘lapse’ when speaking with Daza. “It was not ‘gave’, but ‘offered to give’ (…). I said that sum because it was the one the businessman used. But one thing is what people offer in the campaigns and another is what they actually end up giving,” Martinez explained to the Colombian newspaper. The CNE summoned both to testify, as well as Luis Guillermo Echeverri, campaign manager of current president Ivan Duque. In addition, the electoral council sent a letter in which the “CD is asked to send a copy of the accounting supports of the electoral campaign of the then candidate Dr Iván Duque Márquez, in order to determine the origin and amount of the contributions consigned in the income report and expenses of the campaign to the Presidency.”
For his part, the businessman Oswaldo Cisneros is linked to several related developments. According to Forbes magazine, his family has a fortune that exceeds US$1,100 million, and is figured as one of the richest families in Venezuela. Cisneros ventured into different business areas: Pepsi Cola Venezuela, Ditel (telecommunications) and the oil sector. In Colombia, it owns 19.9 percent of the shares of Canacol Energy’s Colombian subsidiary, the company CNE Oil and Gas SAS. In Venezuela, Cisneros does not sell crude abroad since its wells have been closed down for a long time.
Last March the Prosecutor’s Office began investigations of the people who could be involved in the wiretapping. In one of them, “Ñeñe” Hernández refers to the purchase of votes in favour of Duque in the La Guajira area. He also mentions former President Uribe (2002-2010). In the 2018 election, Duque prevailed over the leftist candidate Gustavo Petro, who currently leads the opposition to the government in the Senate. Hernández was being investigated as an alleged front man for a drug trafficking organization. It operated in the provinces of Cesar and La Guajira (in the far northeast of Colombia). ‘Ñeñe’ was also being investigated by the Prosecutor’s Office for the murder of Oscar Rodríguez, which occurred in 2011.
The CNE has also summoned former congresswoman Aída Merlano, currently imprisoned in Venezuela, to provide more information regarding the statements she made in an interview with Semana Magazine. Merlano affirmed that businessman Julio Gerlein and the Char family, a powerful political clan from the Colombian Caribbean, also bought votes to favour the election of Duque in the second round of the 2018 election. The former parliamentarian was sentenced in Colombia to 15 years in prison for electoral corruption. She fled the country last October while she was under investigation taking advantage of an appointment at a dental office in Bogotá. She was recaptured on January 27 in Venezuela by agents of the Special Actions Force (FAES) of the Bolivarian National Police (PNB) in Maracaibo. The CNE reported that Merlano’s summons will be made through the corresponding diplomatic channels.
The investigation was announced at a difficult time for the right-wing CD party and its political figureheads, several of whom have been cited for allegations of corruption. Last Tuesday, August 4, the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) ordered that former president and currently senator Alvaro Uribe be placed under preventive detention. He is being investigated for alleged procedural fraud and bribery of witnesses. LINK
The case is potentially a political and economic development of momentous import for another reason. Oswaldo Cisneros is from a family that has extensive ties to many of the deepest of the Deep State/ Economy/ Finance/ Religion networks embedded throughout the continent that have dominated politics, the media and the economy for many decades and left Latin America with the greatest levels of inequality, poverty and violence in the world.
The extensive portions of these networks deriving from Spain are meticulously documented in the investigation ‘El Régimen de la Transición y el capital español en el saqueo de América Latina’ (The Transition Regime and Spanish capital in the plundering of Latin America):
“The undoubted political connection that marks the onset as well as the consolidation of the penetration of ‘the new Spanish conquerors’ in Latin America is located in a specific organization, the PSOE and, above all, the organization’s powerbroker Felipe González. His years at the helm of the government of Spain, with an absolute majority in Parliament between 1982 and 1993, and until 1996 supported by the Catalan group CiU, clearly demonstrate this driving role. The associated embedded political-business relations are inherent to capitalism, as is the corruption that stems from them… The power of the PSOE lobby in Latin America went – and remains – far beyond its presence in government, far exceeding the influence of the PP… On 1 December 2014, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos granted Felipe González Colombian nationality. Thus culminated a very long relationship between the former president of the Spanish government with a country that, along with Venezuela, marked his biography… Another of Felipe González’s initial Latin American contacts was Gustavo Cisneros, also through Carlos Andrés Pérez. In 1983, after the expropriation of the RUMASA holding, the Council of Ministers approved the sale of Galerías Preciados to the business group ‘Organización Cisneros’ for 1,500 million pesetas. Only half of the amount was paid. The State did not collect the other half. In addition, Cisneros also received from the Administration loans for the cleaning of his new property worth 11,500 million pesetas. Five years later the company was sold for 30,600 million. This businessman developed his fortune under the umbrella of Carlos Andrés Pérez in Venezuela and the Bush family in the US. Today he is one of the richest men in Latin America, his businesses include more than 50 firms and include ownership of the powerful complex Venevisión media, advertising companies, real estate, tourism, cosmetics, etc. He has been repeatedly linked to money laundering from drug trafficking. In 1985, the North American economist Lyndon La Rouche, specialist in the investigation of drug trafficking and founder of the Executive Intelligence Review magazine for that purpose, attempted to distribute his book in Venezuela, ‘Narcotráfico S.A., The new Opium War’. One of its chapters is entirely dedicated to the Cisneros family, considered a key figure in Latin America for this type of business. Venezuelan intelligence services requisitioned the book and a court prohibited its sale in the country. Felipe González’s relationship with Cisneros, which began so early and so strikingly, is decisive in assessing the relations of successive Spanish governments with Venezuela. This political-business machine showed its most sinister and criminal face with the participation of the PP government, PSOE leaders and Spanish multinationals in the failed coup d’état against Chávez in 2002. It was carried out in close alliance with the US – and served as the spearhead of the EU’s involvement. It is worth remembering because the interests that move the ubiquitous machinery of power behind the scenes are the same as those that act now in Venezuela, and even some of the protagonists.” LINK
While the preliminary investigation of the Centro Democrático and related investigations by the Office of the Prosecutor General remain considerably removed from these underlying networks of power and control that spread across the continent, it is nonetheless exceptional that someone from one of their central figures (the Cisnero dynasty) should be investigated in such a high profile case at all.
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southfront--2020-08-12--Ukraine Is Hovering Between New War And Economic Collapse

On July 27 , a next “ complete and all-encompassing ceasefire ” between Kiev troops and self-defense forces of the Donetsk and Lugansk People ’ s Republics ( DPR and LPR ) started in eastern Ukraine .
This is the most recent in a series of attempts to impose a complete ceasefire in the region .
Over two dozen previous ceasefires collapsed due to two main factors : • First , the inability of Kiev to control its own troops , including neo-Nazi armed groups , that are deployed on the frontline with the LPR and the DPR ; • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support a political solution of the conflict with the DPR and LPR because the Ukrainian government uses military tensions in eastern Ukraine to achieve its own political and financial goals , including the justification of selling of the country ’ s sovereignty to the Euro-Atlantic structures , the mass censorship , and the persecution of opposition parties , media and activists .
The ability of the Ukrainian military to participate in ceasefires was recently demonstrated near the village of Zaitsevo .
On July 14 , a sabotage and reconnaissance unit of pro-Kiev forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gray zone ’ preparing an attack on positions of DPR forces .
However , the operation failed .
At least 2 pro-Kiev fighters , including a citizen of Estonia , died and another one received injures .
After this , Ukrainian media outlets launched an aggressive media campaign accusing the DPR of violating the ceasefire and Russia of committing one more ‘ act of aggression ’ .
However , the Ukrainian leadership represented by President comedian Volodymyr Zelenski pretends that this time the situation will be different .
On July 26 , Zelensky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vladimir Putin discussing the prospects of the ceasefire .
The sides also discussed the Law on the Special Procedure for Local Self-Government in Certain Districts of the Donetsk and Lugansk Regions , which is being considered by the TCG political subgroup , and the Law on Decentralization , which provides for amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine .
Russia is the main supporter of the DPR and LPR and the only force directly opposing plans of Kiev and its NATO backers to launch a new large-scale advance in eastern Ukraine , which in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead to the mass killings of civilians there .
An overwhelming majority of the people in eastern Ukraine are ethnic Russians or speak Russian as the main language .
All of them self-identify as Russian-speaking people .
Since the very moment , when the current political regime in Kiev came to power in 2014 , Russian-speaking people and ethnic Russians were declared enemies of the state and ‘ subhumans ’ that must be neutralized or even killed in order to allow Ukraine to go forward on its ‘ European way ’ .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a civil war in the region of Donbass .
Crimea evaded the bloodbath thanks to the involvement of Russian forces and the secession of the region to Russia .
In 2020 , the ideas of ethnic cleansing of Russians and persecutions of the Russian-speaking population in the region of Donbass and Crimea still remained an integral part of the Ukrainian political mainstream and the ideology of various radical groups that receive direct financial , administrative support from the current regime and have access to weapons from the conflict zone .
The political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the situation in the east and grant autonomy to the DPR and LPR face strong resistance on the all levels of the governance system .
Radicals attack independent journalists , bloggers , political activists , politicians and even people that visit the ‘ wrong churches ’ .
On July 23 , the house of Vitaly Shabunin , the head of the non-profit Anti-Corruption Action Centre , was set on fire .
The Centre said it believed the arson was “ an assassination attempt ” targeting Shabunin and his family .
The incident happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kiev .
On July 13 , members of the “ National Corps ” political party ( created on the basis of the “ Azov Battalion ” neo-Nazi armed group ) attacked a house of the head of the opposition Shariy Party in Kharkov .
According to the head of the party , Anatoly Shariy , the attackers were armed with firearms and injured at least 2 people .
Earlier , on June 24 , members of the “ National Corps ” attacked and beat an activist of the Shariy Party in the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack , the man was in critical condition .
On July 26 , Ukrainian radicals and supporters of the government-backed ‘ independent ’ Orthodox Church of Ukraine seized churches of the canonic Ukrainian Orthodox Church ( Moscow Patriarchy ) in the villages of Novojivotove , Zabolotsy in Volyn Region .
Police and local authorities in fact support the seizure violating the people ’ s right to freedom of faith .
The aggressive minority of political and religious radicals , including open supporters of neo-Nazy-styled ideology , with help from the government terrorize the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Kiev and its Western backers .
During the past months , top Ukrainian officials regularly criticized the Minsk agreements , proposed to withdraw from them or revise them to meet the vision of the situation by the current regime .
The core of the contradictions over the Minsk deal is simple .
Kiev seeks to gain control over the border with Russia and the entire territory of the DPR and LPR before the implementation of the political part of Minsk .
In practice , this will mean the surrender of the DPR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ neutralization ’ of DPR and LPR resistance by force ( likely with direct help from NATO ) and mass killings and terrorizing of local populations by pro-Kiev radicals .
The DPR , LPR leadership and population are apparently not interested in this scenario .
Russia , for which the advance of Kiev forces in eastern Ukraine will mean millions of refugees and a humanitarian catastrophe on its own border , also can not allow this .
As to European backers of Kiev , they seem to be also not happy with attempts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to speculate on the escalation scenario to gain additional funding and political support from the European Union .
This is especially clear from actions of leaders of European states like France and Germany .
Meanwhile , the European bureaucracy affiliated with the Washington establishment play into the hands of the Ukrainian ‘ instigators of war ’ .
These forces are not interested in the settlement of the conflict in eastern Europe because they use it as a pressure point in their efforts to suppress the resistance of national states , which increased amid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contradictions , especially taking into account the US dominance over the Ukrainian leadership , raise serious concerns about the real motivation behind the recent political maneuvers of the Zelensky administration .
However , most likely , the explanation is even more complex .
Ukraine is experiencing a deepening crisis that came amid the decreasing direct financial support from its foreign backers .
During the past years , ‘ European partners ’ already decreased their support to Kiev , which was fueling fires of war in the interests of its own corrupt system and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , led by the Trump administration , is also not interested in any large-scale investments in Kiev adventures against Russia or funding the Ukrainian ‘ economic miracle ’ for propaganda purposes .
Taking into account the global economic crisis and the expected second wave of the coronavirus outbreak , it is unlikely that foreign support to Kiev will increase anytime soon .
It will be a gift if the Ukrainian leadership continues receiving foreign support at least at the current level .
Therefore , the Zelensky administration is forced to at least formally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country to reduce its economic needs .
The de-escalation of the conflict in the east is one of such opportunity .
On the other hand , from the political point of view , the ceasefire is needed for Zelensky to at least temporarily stabilize his approval rating which is falling dramatically .
He came to power thanks to peace-making slogans , promises to contain censorship , street violence , and battle corruption .
However , none of these things have happened .
Instead , Zelensky immediately turned into Poroshenko 2.0 and his administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against its opponents .
By supporting the ceasefire initiative , Kiev also tries to please European partners that have been pressuring the regime to finally making at least some actions in the framework of the Minsk format .
At the same time , the Zelensky administration understands that any laws or amendments to the Constitution granting the LPR and the DPR real autonomy and defending rights of the local population will not pass the Parliament .
Therefore , interests of the Washington establishment , not interested in the de-escalation , will be secured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain in a state of a stable instability until the presidential election in the United States .
If President Trump keeps his post , the Ukrainian conflict will likely remain frozen with Kiev forced to make at least some steps to de-escalate conflict , overcome the crisis and guarantee its own survival .
At the same time , if the Democratic establishment once again comes to power in Washington , the frozen conflict in eastern Ukraine will have increasingly high chances of turning into a hot war zone once again .

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On July 27, a next “complete and all-encompassing ceasefire” between Kiev troops and self-defense forces of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR) started in eastern Ukraine. This is the most recent in a series of attempts to impose a complete ceasefire in the region.
Over two dozen previous ceasefires collapsed due to two main factors:
First, the inability of Kiev to control its own troops, including neo-Nazi armed groups, that are deployed on the frontline with the LPR and the DPR;
Second, the unwillingness of Kiev to support a political solution of the conflict with the DPR and LPR because the Ukrainian government uses military tensions in eastern Ukraine to achieve its own political and financial goals, including the justification of selling of the country’s sovereignty to the Euro-Atlantic structures, the mass censorship, and the persecution of opposition parties, media and activists.
The ability of the Ukrainian military to participate in ceasefires was recently demonstrated near the village of Zaitsevo. On July 14, a sabotage and reconnaissance unit of pro-Kiev forces violated the ceasefire regime entering the ‘gray zone’ preparing an attack on positions of DPR forces. However, the operation failed. At least 2 pro-Kiev fighters, including a citizen of Estonia, died and another one received injures. After this, Ukrainian media outlets launched an aggressive media campaign accusing the DPR of violating the ceasefire and Russia of committing one more ‘act of aggression’.
However, the Ukrainian leadership represented by President comedian Volodymyr Zelenski pretends that this time the situation will be different.
On July 26, Zelensky held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin discussing the prospects of the ceasefire. The sides also discussed the Law on the Special Procedure for Local Self-Government in Certain Districts of the Donetsk and Lugansk Regions, which is being considered by the TCG political subgroup, and the Law on Decentralization, which provides for amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine.
Russia is the main supporter of the DPR and LPR and the only force directly opposing plans of Kiev and its NATO backers to launch a new large-scale advance in eastern Ukraine, which in the event of military success will inevitably lead to the mass killings of civilians there.
An overwhelming majority of the people in eastern Ukraine are ethnic Russians or speak Russian as the main language. All of them self-identify as Russian-speaking people.
Since the very moment, when the current political regime in Kiev came to power in 2014, Russian-speaking people and ethnic Russians were declared enemies of the state and ‘subhumans’ that must be neutralized or even killed in order to allow Ukraine to go forward on its ‘European way’. This policy faced an expected armed resistance leading to a civil war in the region of Donbass. Crimea evaded the bloodbath thanks to the involvement of Russian forces and the secession of the region to Russia.
In 2020, the ideas of ethnic cleansing of Russians and persecutions of the Russian-speaking population in the region of Donbass and Crimea still remained an integral part of the Ukrainian political mainstream and the ideology of various radical groups that receive direct financial, administrative support from the current regime and have access to weapons from the conflict zone.
The political process and constitutional reforms needed to de-escalate the situation in the east and grant autonomy to the DPR and LPR face strong resistance on the all levels of the governance system. Radicals attack independent journalists, bloggers, political activists, politicians and even people that visit the ‘wrong churches’.
On July 23, the house of Vitaly Shabunin, the head of the non-profit Anti-Corruption Action Centre, was set on fire. The Centre said it believed the arson was “an assassination attempt” targeting Shabunin and his family. The incident happened in the village of Gnidyn just outside Kiev.
On July 13, members of the “National Corps” political party (created on the basis of the “Azov Battalion” neo-Nazi armed group) attacked a house of the head of the opposition Shariy Party in Kharkov. According to the head of the party, Anatoly Shariy, the attackers were armed with firearms and injured at least 2 people. Earlier, on June 24, members of the “National Corps” attacked and beat an activist of the Shariy Party in the same city – Nikita Rojenko. After the attack, the man was in critical condition.
On July 26, Ukrainian radicals and supporters of the government-backed ‘independent’ Orthodox Church of Ukraine seized churches of the canonic Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchy) in the villages of Novojivotove, Zabolotsy in Volyn Region. Police and local authorities in fact support the seizure violating the people’s right to freedom of faith.
The aggressive minority of political and religious radicals, including open supporters of neo-Nazy-styled ideology, with help from the government terrorize the peaceful population. This situation is encouraged by Kiev and its Western backers.
During the past months, top Ukrainian officials regularly criticized the Minsk agreements, proposed to withdraw from them or revise them to meet the vision of the situation by the current regime. The core of the contradictions over the Minsk deal is simple. Kiev seeks to gain control over the border with Russia and the entire territory of the DPR and LPR before the implementation of the political part of Minsk. In practice, this will mean the surrender of the DPR and LPR to pro-Kiev forces, the ‘neutralization’ of DPR and LPR resistance by force (likely with direct help from NATO) and mass killings and terrorizing of local populations by pro-Kiev radicals. The DPR, LPR leadership and population are apparently not interested in this scenario. Russia, for which the advance of Kiev forces in eastern Ukraine will mean millions of refugees and a humanitarian catastrophe on its own border, also cannot allow this.
As to European backers of Kiev, they seem to be also not happy with attempts of the Poroshenko and then Zelensky administrations to speculate on the escalation scenario to gain additional funding and political support from the European Union. This is especially clear from actions of leaders of European states like France and Germany. Meanwhile, the European bureaucracy affiliated with the Washington establishment play into the hands of the Ukrainian ‘instigators of war’.
These forces are not interested in the settlement of the conflict in eastern Europe because they use it as a pressure point in their efforts to suppress the resistance of national states, which increased amid the crumbling dominance of globalists. These contradictions, especially taking into account the US dominance over the Ukrainian leadership, raise serious concerns about the real motivation behind the recent political maneuvers of the Zelensky administration. However, most likely, the explanation is even more complex.
Ukraine is experiencing a deepening crisis that came amid the decreasing direct financial support from its foreign backers. During the past years, ‘European partners’ already decreased their support to Kiev, which was fueling fires of war in the interests of its own corrupt system and the Washington establishment. The modern US, led by the Trump administration, is also not interested in any large-scale investments in Kiev adventures against Russia or funding the Ukrainian ‘economic miracle’ for propaganda purposes.
Taking into account the global economic crisis and the expected second wave of the coronavirus outbreak, it is unlikely that foreign support to Kiev will increase anytime soon. It will be a gift if the Ukrainian leadership continues receiving foreign support at least at the current level. Therefore, the Zelensky administration is forced to at least formally search for ways that would allow the country to reduce its economic needs. The de-escalation of the conflict in the east is one of such opportunity.
On the other hand, from the political point of view, the ceasefire is needed for Zelensky to at least temporarily stabilize his approval rating which is falling dramatically. He came to power thanks to peace-making slogans, promises to contain censorship, street violence, and battle corruption. However, none of these things have happened. Instead, Zelensky immediately turned into Poroshenko 2.0 and his administration funds Poroshenko-era paramilitary groups to use them against its opponents.
By supporting the ceasefire initiative, Kiev also tries to please European partners that have been pressuring the regime to finally making at least some actions in the framework of the Minsk format. At the same time, the Zelensky administration understands that any laws or amendments to the Constitution granting the LPR and the DPR real autonomy and defending rights of the local population will not pass the Parliament. Therefore, interests of the Washington establishment, not interested in the de-escalation, will be secured.
The situation in Ukraine will likely remain in a state of a stable instability until the presidential election in the United States. If President Trump keeps his post, the Ukrainian conflict will likely remain frozen with Kiev forced to make at least some steps to de-escalate conflict, overcome the crisis and guarantee its own survival. At the same time, if the Democratic establishment once again comes to power in Washington, the frozen conflict in eastern Ukraine will have increasingly high chances of turning into a hot war zone once again.
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southfront--2020-08-12--An-72 Tactical Transport Aircraft (Infographics)

Click to see the full-size image The An-72 is a Soviet tactical transport aircraft , developed by Antonov Design Bureau @ @ @ @ @ produced by Ukraine on the basis of the production capabilities kept from the Soviet times @ @ @ @ @ :

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The An-72 is a Soviet tactical transport aircraft, developed by Antonov Design Bureau. Later, it was produced by Ukraine on the basis of the production capabilities kept from the Soviet times.
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southfront--2020-08-12--Air Force Helicopter Shot At From Ground Over Virginia, Injuring Crew

In an almost unheard of and unprecedented scenario , an Air Force helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing in Manassas , Virginia after someone shot at the helicopter from the ground .
The incident happened Monday , and military sources are now revealing the dangerous incident , which actually injured a member of the crew .
McClatchy details that a UH-1N Huey helicopter which flew out of Joint Base Andrews where Marine helicopters which routinely fly members of Congress as well as the president are based ( in the president ’ s case , Marine One , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ) was on a routine training flight after an unknown individual or individuals fired on it from the ground .
McClatchy describes the following based on airport and security statements : Officials at Manassas Regional Airport said they received a call at about 12:20 p.m. alerting them that “ a military helicopter was inbound and that paramedics were on the way , ” said airport operations officer Richard Allabaugh .
A second airport official said the injured Air Force crew member was taken to a local facility for treatment .
The helicopter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was launched into the shooting incident .
The FBI immediately dispatched special agents to the area to investigate after the Huey landed at Manassas Regional Airport .
“ The FBI Washington Field Office is working jointly with our law enforcement partners , including the Air Force Office of Special Investigations , to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident .
One individual in the helicopter sustained a non-threatening injury , for which he was treated and subsequently released from the hospital , ” the FBI said in a statement .
Federal agents are also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in identifying who shot at the helicopter .
The type of ammunition used has not been revealed , nor the extent of the crew member ’ s injuries , however they were reported as non-life threatening .

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Originally appeared at ZeroHedge
In an almost unheard of and unprecedented scenario, an Air Force helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing in Manassas, Virginia after someone shot at the helicopter from the ground.
The incident happened Monday, and military sources are now revealing the dangerous incident, which actually injured a member of the crew.
McClatchy details that a UH-1N Huey helicopter which flew out of Joint Base Andrews — where Marine helicopters which routinely fly members of Congress as well as the president are based (in the president’s case, Marine One, as well as Air Force One are housed there) — was on a routine training flight after an unknown individual or individuals fired on it from the ground.
Air Force UH-1 Hueys out of Joint Base Andrews, Md. Wikimedia Commons
McClatchy describes the following based on airport and security statements:
Officials at Manassas Regional Airport said they received a call at about 12:20 p.m. alerting them that “a military helicopter was inbound and that paramedics were on the way,” said airport operations officer Richard Allabaugh. A second airport official said the injured Air Force crew member was taken to a local facility for treatment. The helicopter remained at the airport as an investigation was launched into the shooting incident.
The FBI immediately dispatched special agents to the area to investigate after the Huey landed at Manassas Regional Airport.
“The FBI Washington Field Office is working jointly with our law enforcement partners, including the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. One individual in the helicopter sustained a non-threatening injury, for which he was treated and subsequently released from the hospital,” the FBI said in a statement.
Manassas Regional Airport, via Potomac Local
Federal agents are also asking for the public’s help in identifying who shot at the helicopter.
The type of ammunition used has not been revealed, nor the extent of the crew member’s injuries, however they were reported as non-life threatening.
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southfront--2020-08-12--Turkish Forces Clashed With SDF, Syrian Army & Shelled Refugee Camp In Northeastern Region (Video)

Late on August 12 , the Turkish military and its proxies in northeast Syria launched several small-scale attacks in al-Hasakah and Raqqa .
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights , Turkish forces clashed with Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) troops near the towns of al-Qasmiyah and al-Rashidiyah in the northern countryside of al-Hasakah .
Similar clashes broke out between Turkish forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces ( SDF ) near the town of Kur Hasan west of the border town of Tell Abyad in the northern Raqqa countryside .
Turkish forces also shelled the Ain Issa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ erupted in several farmlands bordering the camp .
Nevertheless , no human losses were reported .
In the last few weeks , Turkish forces carried out several similar attacks in northeast Syria .
The SDF and the SAA are yet to respond .
Last year , Turkey signed two separate de-escalation agreements on northeast Syria with Russia and the U.S .
The recent attacks are a blatant violation of these agreements .
Turkey may be attempting to provoke a response from the SDF or the SAA in order to justify a new military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports suggested that Turkish forces are planning an offensive in northeast Aleppo and northern Raqqa .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Turkish-Backed Factions In Syria ’ s Grater Idlib Are Training New Fighters ( Photos , video )

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Late on August 12, the Turkish military and its proxies in northeast Syria launched several small-scale attacks in al-Hasakah and Raqqa.
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Turkish forces clashed with Syrian Arab Army (SAA) troops near the towns of al-Qasmiyah and al-Rashidiyah in the northern countryside of al-Hasakah.
Similar clashes broke out between Turkish forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) near the town of Kur Hasan west of the border town of Tell Abyad in the northern Raqqa countryside.
Turkish forces also shelled the Ain Issa refugee camp in northern al-Hasakah. Fire erupted in several farmlands bordering the camp. Nevertheless, no human losses were reported.
In the last few weeks, Turkish forces carried out several similar attacks in northeast Syria. The SDF and the SAA are yet to respond.
Last year, Turkey signed two separate de-escalation agreements on northeast Syria with Russia and the U.S. The recent attacks are a blatant violation of these agreements.
Turkey may be attempting to provoke a response from the SDF or the SAA in order to justify a new military operation in northeast Syria. Some recent reports suggested that Turkish forces are planning an offensive in northeast Aleppo and northern Raqqa.
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southfront--2020-08-12--Turkish-Backed Factions In Syria’s Grater Idlib Are Training New Fighters (Photos, video)

The Turkish-backed National Front for Liberation ( NFL ) continues to train its militants in Greater Idlib in northwest Syria .
The faction announced on August 12 that two batches of new recruits completed a military training course on “ special missions ” .
One of the batches was named after Lt. Col. Hussein Harmoush , the main founder of the Free Syrian Army , who was captured by Syrian authorities in 2011 .
A video and several photos of the training course show dozens of NFL new recruits training on different military tactics with light weapons .
These were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trained by the NFL on “ special missions ” since March .
The fifth batch completed training with heavy weapons on July 30 .
The NFL is Turkey ’ s main proxy in Greater Idlib .
The faction , which is allied to Hay ’ at Tahrir al-Sham and other al-Qaeda-affiliated group , is reportedly receiving direct military and financial support from Ankara .
Turkey and Russia reached a de-escalation agreement on Greater Idlib on March 5 .
The region ’ s militants are taking advantage of the agreement to re-arm and train @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Syrian Arab Army and its allies may soon launch a new operation in Greater Idlib .
The region ’ s militants are preparing to repel any new offensive with support from Turkey .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Iran Is Establishing New Force To Monitor Separation Line Between Israel , Syria – Report

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The Turkish-backed National Front for Liberation (NFL) continues to train its militants in Greater Idlib in northwest Syria.
The faction announced on August 12 that two batches of new recruits completed a military training course on “special missions”. One of the batches was named after Lt. Col. Hussein Harmoush, the main founder of the Free Syrian Army, who was captured by Syrian authorities in 2011.
A video and several photos of the training course show dozens of NFL new recruits training on different military tactics with light weapons.
These were the sixth and seventh batches to be trained by the NFL on “special missions” since March. The fifth batch completed training with heavy weapons on July 30.
The NFL is Turkey’s main proxy in Greater Idlib. The faction, which is allied to Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and other al-Qaeda-affiliated group, is reportedly receiving direct military and financial support from Ankara.
Turkey and Russia reached a de-escalation agreement on Greater Idlib on March 5. The region’s militants are taking advantage of the agreement to re-arm and train.
According to recent reports, the Syrian Arab Army and its allies may soon launch a new operation in Greater Idlib. The region’s militants are preparing to repel any new offensive with support from Turkey.
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southfront--2020-08-12--Military Situation In Liba On August 12, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Libya : • The Libyan Ational @ @ @ @ @ consisting of 60 military vehicles was spotted en route to Sabha ; • According to @ @ @ @ @ ’ t respect the international demands to stop the transfer of weapons to Libya ; @ @ @ @ @ positions in the Wadi Bay and Abu Najim areas ; • According to LNA Spokesman @ @ @ @ @ respect the international demands to stop the transfer of weapons to Libya .
MORE ON @ @ @ @ @ Negotiating With Egypt , As Haftar ’ s Forces Deploy More Troops To Sirte

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Libya:
The Libyan Ational Army (LNA) convoy consisting of 60 military vehicles was spotted en route to Sabha;
According to LNA Spokesman, Erdogan doesn’t respect the international demands to stop the transfer of weapons to Libya;
LNA warplanes targeted GNA positions in the Wadi Bay and Abu Najim areas;
According to LNA Spokesman, Erdogan doesn’t respect the international demands to stop the transfer of weapons to Libya.
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southfront--2020-08-12--Iran Is Establishing New Force To Monitor Separation Line Between Israel, Syria – Report

Iran is establishing a new force in the southern Syrian governorate of al-Quneitra to monitor the separation line with Israel , Enab Baladi reported on August 12 .
Citing local sources , Enab Baladi claimed that Iran is coordinating its efforts with the 220 Branch of the Syrian Military Intelligence Directorate and Lebanon ’ s Hezbollah .
The new force will be formed from Syrian Arab Army personnel as well as fighters from the Golan Regiment , a local armed group .
Mamoun Jridah and Hazem Kabul , two local figures who are close to Hezbollah , are reportedly recruiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least 175 fighters have signed up , so far .
Iranian forces maintain a presence in Syria ’ s southern region , not so far from the separation line with Israel .
Tel Aviv sees this as a direct threat .
On August 2 , the Israeli Defense Forces ( IDF ) said it had foiled an infiltration attempt by a cell along the separation line with Syria .
Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi , Chief of General Staff of the IDF , revealed later that the cell was linked to Iran .
Israel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ establishing itself militarily in Syria by all means .
If Enab Baladi ’ s report is accurate , southern Syria will likely see more military action by the IDF in the upcoming few months .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • What If Beirut Port Explosion Was Attack ?

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Iran is establishing a new force in the southern Syrian governorate of al-Quneitra to monitor the separation line with Israel, Enab Baladi reported on August 12.
Citing local sources, Enab Baladi claimed that Iran is coordinating its efforts with the 220 Branch of the Syrian Military Intelligence Directorate and Lebanon’s Hezbollah. The new force will be formed from Syrian Arab Army personnel as well as fighters from the Golan Regiment, a local armed group.
Mamoun Jridah and Hazem Kabul, two local figures who are close to Hezbollah, are reportedly recruiting fighters to this new force. At least 175 fighters have signed up, so far.
“As for now, the task of the formation is to monitor all former Syrian opposition commanders as well as the separation line with Israel,” Enab Baladi’s report reads.
Iranian forces maintain a presence in Syria’s southern region, not so far from the separation line with Israel. Tel Aviv sees this as a direct threat.
On August 2, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said it had foiled an infiltration attempt by a cell along the separation line with Syria. Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi, Chief of General Staff of the IDF, revealed later that the cell was linked to Iran.
Israel is currently working to prevent Iran from establishing itself militarily in Syria by all means. If Enab Baladi’s report is accurate, southern Syria will likely see more military action by the IDF in the upcoming few months.
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southfront--2020-08-12--Iranian-backed Forces Challenge US Military In Iraq With Increasing Rocket Attacks

In the recent weeks the US-led coalition in Iraq experienced a turn for the worse .
On the evening of August 10th , a military convoy carrying equipment for US forces near the Iraq-Kuwait border was reportedly targeted by an explosion .
The Iraqi Shiite armed group , Ashab al-Kahf , issued a statement claiming that its forces had destroyed “ equipment and vehicles belonging to the American enemy ” in a bombing , targeting a border crossing south of the Iraqi city of Basra .
The group also released a video purposely showing the attack .
Ashab al-Kahf is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which have surfaced in Iraq since early 2020 after the US assassination of Iran ’ s Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani , the deputy chairman of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and several other prominent Iraqi officers leading the fight against ISIS in Iraq .
All these new groups declare their goal to be forcing US troops to leave Iraq and conduct attacks on US military infrastructure and forces .
This has already become an everyday reality for the US military .
Additionally to the August 10 attack , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blamed by the US and mainstream media on these groups during the past weeks .
Early on August 12 , 3 rockets fell near the US embassy building in the Baghdad Green Zone .
No casualties were reported .
On August 5 , at least one rocket was launched at the US embassy area in Baghdad .
The rocket was reportedly intercepted by the C-RAM [ Counter-Rocket , Artillery , and Mortar ] system which was recently deployed in the area by the U.S. military .
On July 30 , two rockets targeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Airport , where US forces were deployed .
On July 27 , multiple rockets pounded the US-operated military base ‘ Camp Taji ’ north of Baghdad .
The structure and intensity of these attacks demonstrate that they are mostly aimed at pressuring the US military and political leadership into directing a troop withdrawal by creating a hostile environment rather than causing large-scale damage to US forces .
If Washington decides to ignore them and accepts instead an increase in casualties in the region , such a resistance may continue for years without a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rocket strike leading to significant casualties might well lead to an open military response from the United States .
The most likely scenario would then be large-scale airstrikes on what Washington would call ‘ Iranian and Iranian proxy targets ’ in Iraq and eastern Syria .
However , such an isolated even if powerful response would not be enough to change the situation strategically .
Therefore , if the situation develops in the current direction , the low intensity conflict between the US and Iranian-led forces in Iraq would enter a lingering phase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economic and security situation in the country would be seriously in question .

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In the recent weeks the US-led coalition in Iraq experienced a turn for the worse.
On the evening of August 10th, a military convoy carrying equipment for US forces near the Iraq-Kuwait border was reportedly targeted by an explosion. The Iraqi Shiite armed group, Ashab al-Kahf, issued a statement claiming that its forces had destroyed “equipment and vehicles belonging to the American enemy” in a bombing, targeting a border crossing south of the Iraqi city of Basra. The group also released a video purposely showing the attack.
Ashab al-Kahf is one of multiple anti-US resistance groups, which have surfaced in Iraq since early 2020 after the US assassination of Iran’s Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani, the deputy chairman of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and several other prominent Iraqi officers leading the fight against ISIS in Iraq. All these new groups declare their goal to be forcing US troops to leave Iraq and conduct attacks on US military infrastructure and forces. This has already become an everyday reality for the US military.
Additionally to the August 10 attack, there were at least 4 more military incidents blamed by the US and mainstream media on these groups during the past weeks.
Early on August 12, 3 rockets fell near the US embassy building in the Baghdad Green Zone. No casualties were reported. On August 5, at least one rocket was launched at the US embassy area in Baghdad. The rocket was reportedly intercepted by the C-RAM [Counter-Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar] system which was recently deployed in the area by the U.S. military. On July 30, two rockets targeted the military section of the Baghdad International Airport, where US forces were deployed. On July 27, multiple rockets pounded the US-operated military base ‘Camp Taji’ north of Baghdad.
The structure and intensity of these attacks demonstrate that they are mostly aimed at pressuring the US military and political leadership into directing a troop withdrawal by creating a hostile environment rather than causing large-scale damage to US forces. If Washington decides to ignore them and accepts instead an increase in casualties in the region, such a resistance may continue for years without a breakthrough. Nevertheless, an especially successful rocket strike leading to significant casualties might well lead to an open military response from the United States. The most likely scenario would then be large-scale airstrikes on what Washington would call ‘Iranian and Iranian proxy targets’ in Iraq and eastern Syria. However, such an isolated even if powerful response would not be enough to change the situation strategically. Therefore, if the situation develops in the current direction, the low intensity conflict between the US and Iranian-led forces in Iraq would enter a lingering phase. The prospects for the stabilization of the economic and security situation in the country would be seriously in question.
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southfront--2020-08-12--Turkish-Backed Militates Defected To SDF, Government Forces In Northeast Syria: Monitoring Group

A number of Turkish-backed militants in northeast Syria have defected to the Syria Democratic Forces ( SDF ) and government forces , the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights ( SOHR ) reported on August 12 .
According to the London-based monitoring group , three officers of the Styrian Free Military Police , a law enforcement body backed by Turkey , escaped from the Turkish-occupied town of Ras al-Ain in northern al-Hasakah .
The officers surrendered to the SDF .
The SOHR also revealed that up to fifteen militants of the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army escaped from Ras al-Ain over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas held by Syrian government forces in northern al-Hasakah .
A state of lawlessness is prevailing over Turkish-occupied areas in northeast Syria .
In the last few months , a series of bombings and several rounds of infighting claimed the lives of dozens of people , including militants , there .
The Turkish military and its proxies have been taking no measures to secure these areas .
Ankara is turning a blind eye to the situation there .
Therefore , fighters that do not support the current state of the affairs in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces .
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A number of Turkish-backed militants in northeast Syria have defected to the Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) and government forces, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on August 12.
According to the London-based monitoring group, three officers of the Styrian Free Military Police, a law enforcement body backed by Turkey, escaped from the Turkish-occupied town of Ras al-Ain in northern al-Hasakah. The officers surrendered to the SDF.
The SOHR also revealed that up to fifteen militants of the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army escaped from Ras al-Ain over the last week. The militants headed to areas held by Syrian government forces in northern al-Hasakah.
“It is possible that they were working for the Syrian regime intelligence in the ranks of factions loyal to Ankara,” the group said in its report.
A state of lawlessness is prevailing over Turkish-occupied areas in northeast Syria. In the last few months, a series of bombings and several rounds of infighting claimed the lives of dozens of people, including militants, there.
The Turkish military and its proxies have been taking no measures to secure these areas. Ankara is turning a blind eye to the situation there. Therefore, fighters that do not support the current state of the affairs in the region switch their side defecting from Turkish-backed forces.
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southfront--2020-08-12--Syrian Pro-Government Fighters Freed In Prisoner Exchange Deal With Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham (Videos, P

Syrian Pro-Government Fighters Freed In Prisoner Exchange Deal With Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham (Videos, Photos)

On August 12 , three Syrian pro-government fighters were freed in the framework of a prisoner exchange deal between Syrian authorities and al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay ’ at Tahrir al-Sham ( HTS ) .
The two sides exchanged the prisoners in the town of Maaret Elnaasan in the eastern Idlib countryside .
The exchange was supervised by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent .
According opposition sources , Syrian authorities released six women .
The authorities also handed over the daughter of one of the released women .
In return , HTS released Cpt .
Saeed Mohammed Ahmed of the Syrian Arab Army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than four years ago .
Two pro-government fighters , Abbas Kamal Dirani and Muhammad Yahya Sharraq , were also released .
Syrian authorities exchanged prisoners with Hay ’ at Tahrir al-Sham and a number of al-Qaeda-linked factions in Greater Idlib in May .
A prisoner exchange deal with Turkish-backed militants was also arranged in July .
More prisoners exchange deals will likely take place soon .
Both sides apparently see the ceasefire in Greater Idlib as an opportunity to free their captives .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Syrian Government Forces Sustained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Deir Ezzor ( Photos )

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On August 12, three Syrian pro-government fighters were freed in the framework of a prisoner exchange deal between Syrian authorities and al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
The two sides exchanged the prisoners in the town of Maaret Elnaasan in the eastern Idlib countryside. The exchange was supervised by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent.
According opposition sources, Syrian authorities released six women. The authorities also handed over the daughter of one of the released women.
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In return, HTS released Cpt. Saeed Mohammed Ahmed of the Syrian Arab Army, who was captured in action more than four years ago. Two pro-government fighters, Abbas Kamal Dirani and Muhammad Yahya Sharraq, were also released.
Syrian authorities exchanged prisoners with Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and a number of al-Qaeda-linked factions in Greater Idlib in May. A prisoner exchange deal with Turkish-backed militants was also arranged in July.
More prisoners exchange deals will likely take place soon. Both sides apparently see the ceasefire in Greater Idlib as an opportunity to free their captives.
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southfront--2020-08-12--Military Situation In Palestine On August 12, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Israel : • Israeli aircraft targeted @ @ @ @ @ than 6 times ; • Incendiary balloons attacks were reported near Ashkelon and Be ’ @ @ @ @ @ ON THE TOPIC : • What If Beirut Port Explosion Was Attack ?
• Chaos @ @ @ @ @ New Round Of Israeli-Iranian Standoff • Military Situation On Israeli-Lebanese Contact Line And In Golan @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 ( Map Update )

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Israel:
Israeli aircraft targeted areas south of Rafah more than 6 times;
Incendiary balloons attack was reported near Ein Hashlosha;
Incendiary balloons attack was reported near Eshkol area;
Incendiary balloons attack was reported near Al-Bureij area;
Incendiary balloons attack was reported near Nahal Oz area;
Incendiary balloons attacks were reported near Ashkelon and Be’er Sheva areas;
Israeli artillery shelled the eastern Juhr al-Dik area.
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