southfront--2020-05-28--Safety First: Historical NASA And SpaceX Dragon Launch Scrubbed Due To Poor Weather

On May 27th , SpaceX and NASA ’ s historical space launch was scrubbed due to poor weather conditions .
With approximately 20 minutes until liftoff , the launch was called off for the day due to inclement weather .
There were three weather constraints that prevented liftoff today , including natural lightning , NASA officials said in a broadcast .
Unfortunately , they expected all the inclement weather conditions to clear up just 10 minutes after the scheduled launch time .
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said that there was “ too much electricity in the air.
” “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disappointment today , the weather got us , ” Jim Bridenstine said .
Still , he called it “ a great day ” for NASA and SpaceX , lauding how the teams “ worked together in a really impressive way.
” “ There wasn ’ t really a lightning storm or anything like that , but there was a concern that if we did launch it could trigger lightning , ” he said .
“ In the end the right decision was made.
” He still said that the stopped launch was important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wet dress rehearsal.
” Bridenstine said he is proud of the teams and that on “ Saturday afternoon , we are going to do it again.
” US President Donald Trump , First Lady Melania Trump and US Vice President Mike Pence were present for the launch .
President Donald Trump tweeted his thanks to NASA and SpaceX for their “ hard work and leadership.
” Elon Musk said that the launch was a “ dream come true ” and shared what he told the astronauts .
The launch was notable since it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent to space from American soil since 2011 .
Even the astronauts ’ suits were special , being specifically designed for the Dragon system .
The launch is to take place on May 30th , with US President Donald Trump vowing to go back to observe it , and others being positive that it would be successful .
If that fails , the other chance is May 31st , and then the dates extend somewhere into the future .
The Dragon capsule resembles the cone-shaped spacecraft of earlier generations , with some updates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on the inside , touchscreen control panels .
It will be launched by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket — the company ’ s workhorse launch vehicle that has successfully flown 83 times since 2010 .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • California Denies SpaceX Subsidy Request – Is Musk ’ s Government Gravy Train Coming To An End ?
• SpaceX : Camel ’ s Nose under the Tent of Space Militarization

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On May 27th, SpaceX and NASA’s historical space launch was scrubbed due to poor weather conditions.
With approximately 20 minutes until liftoff, the launch was called off for the day due to inclement weather.
There were three weather constraints that prevented liftoff today, including natural lightning, NASA officials said in a broadcast. Unfortunately, they expected all the inclement weather conditions to clear up just 10 minutes after the scheduled launch time.
Tune in for remarks on today's scrubbed launch after @AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug have exited the @SpaceX Crew Dragon. No earlier than 5:20pm ET. Watch live: https://t.co/Djy13o0Bty — Jim Bridenstine (@JimBridenstine) May 27, 2020
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said that there was “too much electricity in the air.”
“I know there’s a lot of disappointment today, the weather got us,” Jim Bridenstine said. Still, he called it “a great day” for NASA and SpaceX, lauding how the teams “worked together in a really impressive way.” “There wasn’t really a lightning storm or anything like that, but there was a concern that if we did launch it could trigger lightning,” he said. “In the end the right decision was made.”
He still said that the stopped launch was important, because it was like a “wet dress rehearsal.”
Bridenstine said he is proud of the teams and that on “Saturday afternoon, we are going to do it again.”
“Here’s what we know, we are going to launch American astronauts on American rockets from American soil,” he said. “We’re very close.”
US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and US Vice President Mike Pence were present for the launch.
President Donald Trump tweeted his thanks to NASA and SpaceX for their “hard work and leadership.”
Air Force 1 arrives at @NASAKennedy with special guest @POTUS on board to watch us #LaunchAmerica with American astronauts from American soil for the first time since 2011. pic.twitter.com/xWNIsS5nfM — NASA (@NASA) May 27, 2020
Elon Musk said that the launch was a “dream come true” and shared what he told the astronauts.
"This is a dream come true, I think for me, and everyone at @SpaceX." @ElonMusk is ready to #LaunchAmerica: pic.twitter.com/xgScFca9eY — NASA (@NASA) May 27, 2020
What's on board the Crew Dragon? @AstroBehnken, @Astro_Doug and a mosaic @SpaceX assembled from 100,000 graduate portraits. Congratulations to all of our 2020 graduates! #LaunchAmerica pic.twitter.com/9Pa0uAyvhd — NASA (@NASA) May 27, 2020
The launch was notable since it would be the first time astronauts are sent to space from American soil since 2011.
Even the astronauts’ suits were special, being specifically designed for the Dragon system.
“The suit is really one part of the bigger Dragon system, it’s really part of the vehicle,” Chris Trigg, SpaceX’s space suits and crew equipment manager said. “The suit and the seat are working together.”
Time to suit up! ?@AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug suit up to #LaunchAmerica in the same room as the first crewed Apollo mission, Apollo 7: https://t.co/U1COQzFy4v pic.twitter.com/fJJTA9Nnz5 — NASA (@NASA) May 27, 2020
SpaceX spacesuits are designed for optimum functionality with Dragon pic.twitter.com/QW4DirDirx — SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 27, 2020
The launch is to take place on May 30th, with US President Donald Trump vowing to go back to observe it, and others being positive that it would be successful.
If that fails, the other chance is May 31st, and then the dates extend somewhere into the future.
The Dragon capsule resembles the cone-shaped spacecraft of earlier generations, with some updates, such as a white exterior and, on the inside, touchscreen control panels. It will be launched by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket — the company’s workhorse launch vehicle that has successfully flown 83 times since 2010.
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southfront--2020-05-28--A-91 Assault Rifle Grenade Launcher System (Infographics)

Looks like a handy weapon .
It has a striking similarity to the French FAMAS 5.56 mm .
and Chinese @ @ @ @ @ designs .
Should be effective in urban and close combat situations but I would prefer @ @ @ @ @ like the Russian 7.62 mm .
x 54R or 7.62 mm .
x 51 rounds @ @ @ @ @ mountains , desert , thick jungle ) for their penetrating power .

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The A-91 is an assault rifle grenade launcher system developed by KBP Instrument Design Bureau in Tula as an offspring of the 9A-91 firearm family.
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southfront--2020-05-28--Turkish Service Member Killed In Attack On Patrol In Syria’s Greater Idlib

The Turkish Ministry of National Defense announced on May 27 that a service member of the Armed Forces was killed in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib .
In an official statement , the ministry said the service member was killed when a mysterious explosion struck a Turkish patrol on the M4 highway , which links the cities of Lattakia and Aleppo .
The slain service member was identified as infantry lieutenant Canbert Tatar , reportedlly from the central Turkish city of Elazığ .
Some opposition sources claimed that Tatar was killed as a result of an explosion that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turkistan Islamic Part ( TIP ) near the town of al-Gassaneyah .
Debris from the mysterious explosion struck the Turkish patrol on the nearby M4 .
Six TIP terrorists were killed in the explosion .
Other sources , however , claimed that an improvised explosive device ( IED ) targeted the Turkish patrol as it was passing on the M4 highway .
Last March , a Turkish service member was killed in an IED attack on the M4 .
The highway is still blocked .
The militants are holding onto key positions on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is yet to take action to end this dangerous situation and implement the March 5 agreement with Russia .
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The Turkish Ministry of National Defense announced on May 27 that a service member of the Armed Forces was killed in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib.
In an official statement, the ministry said the service member was killed when a mysterious explosion struck a Turkish patrol on the M4 highway, which links the cities of Lattakia and Aleppo.
The slain service member was identified as infantry lieutenant Canbert Tatar, reportedlly from the central Turkish city of Elazığ.
Some opposition sources claimed that Tatar was killed as a result of an explosion that wiped out a headquarters of the al-Qaeda Turkistan Islamic Part (TIP) near the town of al-Gassaneyah. Debris from the mysterious explosion struck the Turkish patrol on the nearby M4. Six TIP terrorists were killed in the explosion.
Other sources, however, claimed that an improvised explosive device (IED) targeted the Turkish patrol as it was passing on the M4 highway.
Last March, a Turkish service member was killed in an IED attack on the M4. The highway is still blocked. The militants are holding onto key positions on both side of the highway. Ankara is yet to take action to end this dangerous situation and implement the March 5 agreement with Russia.
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southfront--2020-05-28--Israel Joins US Propaganda Campaign Over ‘Russian Invasion Of Libya’

Israel has joined the US propaganda campaign over the alleged ‘ Russian invasion ’ of Libya .
On May 27 , Israel ’ s Imagesat Intl .
released satellite images speculating on the alleged deployment of Russian combat aircraft in Libya .
Reports of repainted Russian fighter jets being sent to bomb Libya have nothing to do with reality , Moscow said in response to the latest sensational claims by US Africa Command about alleged Russian involvement in the region .
The AFRICOM press release claimed that they “ assessed ” the planes were recently deployed to Libya in support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and are “ likely ” to provide close air support .
Likewise , “ it is assessed ” that the planes came from Russia via Syria , where they were “ repainted to camouflage their Russian origin.
” The press release also claims that : “ Russia is clearly trying to tip the scales in its favor in Libya .
Just like I saw them doing in Syria , they are expanding their military footprint in Africa using government-supported mercenary groups like Wagner , ” said U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend , commander @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too long , Russia has denied the full extent of its involvement in the ongoing Libyan conflict .
Well , there is no denying it now .
We watched as Russia flew fourth generation jet fighters to Libya — every step of the way .
Neither the LNA nor private military companies can arm , operate and sustain these fighters without state support — support they are getting from Russia.
” Russia has employed state-sponsored Wagner in Libya to conceal its direct role and to afford Moscow plausible deniability of its malign actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s military actions have prolonged the Libyan conflict and exacerbated casualties and human suffering on both sides .
The world heard Mr. Haftar declare he was about to unleash a new air campaign .
That will be Russian mercenary pilots flying Russian-supplied aircraft to bomb Libyans , ” Townsend said… ” ( LINK ) Fathi Bashagha , a minister in the Tripoli-based government of national accord ( GNA ) – which is fighting the LNA for control of Libya – claimed last week in an interview with Bloomberg that “ at least six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrived in Libya from the Khmeimim air base in Syria , where the Russian expeditionary force is based .
The US insistence that Russia is destabilizing Libya is baffling , noting that it was the NATO regime-change operation in 2011 that overthrew the government of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and turned the most prosperous African country into a chaotic wasteland fought over by warlords ever since .
Marshal Khalifa Haftar , who leads the LNA and is allegedly propped up by Wagner and Russia , famously defected to the US in the 1980s and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before returning to Libya after 2011 .
Russia and Turkey – a NATO member which has openly backed the GNA and sent regular troops to Tripoli earlier this year – organized a series of negotiations between Haftar and the Tripoli government earlier this year , but the GNA refused to meet with the LNA leader directly .
The US claims were picked up by major media outlets in the region , including Haaretz , the Jerusalem Post and Al Jazeera .
In addition to repeating the latest US claims , the report by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confidential UN report ’ to which a Reuters correspondent had access : The article also noted that the GNA has deployed Syrian fighters allied to Turkey , while Haftar is also using fighters recruited from Sudan .
On 18 May United Nations Secretary General ’ s Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen said at an online UN Security Council meeting that militants from Syria are sent to Libya to fight on both sides of the conflict : Russia has denied the allegations , and claimed that the military contractors in Libya are there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect their property and employees and are not contracted or supported by the government .
Al Jazeera noted that Russia ’ s foreign ministry said in a statement that Lavrov conveyed a message to Aguila Saleh Issa , speaker of the Libyan House of Representatives who is an ally of Haftar , that he wanted an immediate ceasefire and political negotiations in Libya .
It then declared that analysts questioned the motive behind the Russian call for a truce and negotiations , to the effect that with Haftar retreating following the recent military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is advantageous for Russia to call for talks .
This interpretation , however , ignores similar calls made by Lavrov almost a month ago , before Haftar ’ s forces suffered their setbacks , as quoted in a report by TASS : “ Lavrov pointed to the statement , made by Aguila Saleh , the president of the Libyan House of Representatives , in which the politician called for national dialogue , aimed at creation of power entities , accepted by everyone , which would equally represent the three key regions of Libya @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
“ I think , this is exactly what we were talking about all these years — that the Libyans themselves must find mutually acceptable approaches to building a dialogue , and then to building their state , whereas foreign actors should encourage these exact approaches , ” Lavrov commented .
The Russian foreign minister also recalled that the position of the UN special envoy for Libya has been vacant for two months already .
“ I believe that it is absolutely necessary for the UN Secretary-General Mr. [ Antonio ] Guterres @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon as possible .
By common agreement , this must be a representative of the African region , and there are such candidates , we know them well , they are experienced people who enjoy credibility , ” he noted.
” ( LINK ) The US claims were subsequently repeated by Chief Pentagon Spokesperson for the Department of Defense Jonathan Hoffman , who told reporters at least 14 Russian-made military planes could be in Libya .
“ With regard to the number and types of aircraft … it was approximately 14 military fighters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Right now , that ’ s all the information on that that I can share with you , ” he said , answering to a question about the number of Russian-made aircraft that could possibly be in Libya .
He added that the US urges all parties to the Libyan conflict to stop military actions in the region and give the Libyan people “ the defense and security they deserve.
” Earlier , the United States claimed that Russia assisted in redeploying militants from Syria to Libya .
Russia has repeatedly rejected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US claims of Russia ’ s military interference into the Libyan civil conflict as false .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also rejected claims that ‘ mercenaries ’ linked to Russia were fighting in Libya .
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Israel has joined the US propaganda campaign over the alleged ‘Russian invasion’ of Libya. On May 27, Israel’s Imagesat Intl. released satellite images speculating on the alleged deployment of Russian combat aircraft in Libya.
Reports of repainted Russian fighter jets being sent to bomb Libya have nothing to do with reality, Moscow said in response to the latest sensational claims by US Africa Command about alleged Russian involvement in the region.
The AFRICOM press release claimed that they “assessed” the planes were recently deployed to Libya in support of Wagner Group private military contractors, and are “likely” to provide close air support. Likewise, “it is assessed” that the planes came from Russia via Syria, where they were “repainted to camouflage their Russian origin.” The press release also claims that:
“Russia is clearly trying to tip the scales in its favor in Libya. Just like I saw them doing in Syria, they are expanding their military footprint in Africa using government-supported mercenary groups like Wagner,” said U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command. “For too long, Russia has denied the full extent of its involvement in the ongoing Libyan conflict. Well, there is no denying it now. We watched as Russia flew fourth generation jet fighters to Libya — every step of the way. Neither the LNA nor private military companies can arm, operate and sustain these fighters without state support — support they are getting from Russia.” Russia has employed state-sponsored Wagner in Libya to conceal its direct role and to afford Moscow plausible deniability of its malign actions. U.S. Africa Command assesses Moscow’s military actions have prolonged the Libyan conflict and exacerbated casualties and human suffering on both sides. The world heard Mr. Haftar declare he was about to unleash a new air campaign. That will be Russian mercenary pilots flying Russian-supplied aircraft to bomb Libyans,” Townsend said…” (LINK)
Fathi Bashagha, a minister in the Tripoli-based government of national accord (GNA) – which is fighting the LNA for control of Libya – claimed last week in an interview with Bloomberg that “at least six MiG 29s and two Sukhoi Su-24s” arrived in Libya from the Khmeimim air base in Syria, where the Russian expeditionary force is based.
The US insistence that Russia is destabilizing Libya is baffling, noting that it was the NATO regime-change operation in 2011 that overthrew the government of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and turned the most prosperous African country into a chaotic wasteland fought over by warlords ever since. Marshal Khalifa Haftar, who leads the LNA and is allegedly propped up by Wagner and Russia, famously defected to the US in the 1980s and lived near the CIA headquarters for decades before returning to Libya after 2011.
Russia and Turkey – a NATO member which has openly backed the GNA and sent regular troops to Tripoli earlier this year – organized a series of negotiations between Haftar and the Tripoli government earlier this year, but the GNA refused to meet with the LNA leader directly.
The US claims were picked up by major media outlets in the region, including Haaretz, the Jerusalem Post and Al Jazeera. In addition to repeating the latest US claims, the report by Haaretz also made reference to a ‘confidential UN report’ to which a Reuters correspondent had access:
“Russian private military contractor Wagner Group has up to 1,200 people deployed in Libya, strengthening Libya National Army (LNA) of eastern Libyan military leader Khalifa Haftar’s forces, according to a confidential United Nations report seen by Reuters in early May.”
The article also noted that the GNA has deployed Syrian fighters allied to Turkey, while Haftar is also using fighters recruited from Sudan. On 18 May United Nations Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen said at an online UN Security Council meeting that militants from Syria are sent to Libya to fight on both sides of the conflict:
“Let us also remember that Syria’s instability reverberates elsewhere too — including as far as Libya, given reports of fighters being recruited in Syria in large numbers and sent to fight on both sides of that conflict.”
Russia has denied the allegations, and claimed that the military contractors in Libya are there on behalf of private sector interests to protect their property and employees and are not contracted or supported by the government.
Al Jazeera noted that Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement that Lavrov conveyed a message to Aguila Saleh Issa, speaker of the Libyan House of Representatives who is an ally of Haftar, that he wanted an immediate ceasefire and political negotiations in Libya. It then declared that analysts questioned the motive behind the Russian call for a truce and negotiations, to the effect that with Haftar retreating following the recent military victories by the western-backed government, it is advantageous for Russia to call for talks. This interpretation, however, ignores similar calls made by Lavrov almost a month ago, before Haftar’s forces suffered their setbacks, as quoted in a report by TASS:
“Lavrov pointed to the statement, made by Aguila Saleh, the president of the Libyan House of Representatives, in which the politician called for national dialogue, aimed at creation of power entities, accepted by everyone, which would equally represent the three key regions of Libya (Tripolitania, Cyrenaica, and Fezzan). “I think, this is exactly what we were talking about all these years — that the Libyans themselves must find mutually acceptable approaches to building a dialogue, and then to building their state, whereas foreign actors should encourage these exact approaches,” Lavrov commented. The Russian foreign minister also recalled that the position of the UN special envoy for Libya has been vacant for two months already. “I believe that it is absolutely necessary for the UN Secretary-General Mr. [Antonio] Guterres to appoint the new special envoy as soon as possible. By common agreement, this must be a representative of the African region, and there are such candidates, we know them well, they are experienced people who enjoy credibility,” he noted.” (LINK)
The US claims were subsequently repeated by Chief Pentagon Spokesperson for the Department of Defense Jonathan Hoffman, who told reporters at least 14 Russian-made military planes could be in Libya.
“With regard to the number and types of aircraft … it was approximately 14 military fighters, a mix of Su-24s and MiG-29s. Right now, that’s all the information on that that I can share with you,” he said, answering to a question about the number of Russian-made aircraft that could possibly be in Libya. He added that the US urges all parties to the Libyan conflict to stop military actions in the region and give the Libyan people “the defense and security they deserve.”
Earlier, the United States claimed that Russia assisted in redeploying militants from Syria to Libya. Russia has repeatedly rejected those claims. Earlier, Kremlin dismissed US claims of Russia’s military interference into the Libyan civil conflict as false. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also rejected claims that ‘mercenaries’ linked to Russia were fighting in Libya.
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southfront--2020-05-28--Taiwan Becomes New Focal Point in the Escalating US-China Standoff

Taiwan has joined Hong Kong as a focal point in the escalating US-China standoff , with both sides ratcheting up their belligerent rhetoric and military activities .
Taiwan ’ s current president , Tsai Ing-wen , was elected in January , becoming the first woman to win the office .
Voters gave her Democratic Progressive Party control of Taiwan ’ s legislature for the first time , giving her broad authority to enact her policies in office .
Ms. Tsai obtained 56 percent of the vote while her main opponent , Eric Chu of the party that had been in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Although her Democratic Progressive Party is reported as being more sceptical of closer ties with China , the new president adopted a cautious tone during the inauguration ceremony last week .
It appears however that broader geopolitical events are pushing the Chinese neighbours to renewed military tensions .
On 20 May the US approved the potential sale of heavyweight torpedoes to Taiwan , the latest in a long series of weapons contracts which in recent times have included the sale of 250 portable surface to air Stinger missiles mid-March , for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and a contract granted to Raytheon in April 2019 to upgrade for Taiwan ’ s Patriot missile batteries .
Role of US weapons in Taiwan ’ s force modernization programs : LINK ; Taiwan ’ s Overall Missile Capabilities : LINK The U.S. State Department ’ s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs issued a press release on 21 May stating that the State Department has approved a foreign military sale of 18 MK-48 Mod6 Advanced Technology heavyweight torpedoes and related equipment at a cost of US $ 180 million , according to CNA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News outlet , National Chung Cheng University ’ s Institute of Strategy and International Affairs assistant professor Lin Ying-yu pointed out that underwater military strength is the biggest threat to Chinese Navy ships , as it would restrict their movement — something the U.S. would like to see .
He also noted that the torpedoes must be launched by submarines .
Therefore , although the sale of torpedoes benefits Taiwan ’ s defence , without effective coordination with the island nation ’ s existing submarines , these new weapons would be of little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the ulterior motive of this sale is to demonstrate that the U.S. can still help Taiwan through arms deals .
Su Tzu-yun , a scholar at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research , said the torpedo ’ s low propulsion noise , long-range attack capability , and other characteristics can contribute to Taiwan ’ s strategy of asymmetric warfare and maintain a balance of underwater combat power in the Taiwan Strait .
Su observed that the most important feature of the MK-48 is its large warhead charge , weighing about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surface vessels such as aircraft carriers .
According to Su , the range of an MK-48 torpedo is about 50 kilometres and the maximum speed is approximately 102 kilometres per hour , 2.5 times the speed of large surface ships .
At present , Taiwan ’ s Dutch-built Sea Dragon-class submarines have been in service for more than 30 years and with a life extension have about 15 years left , the scholar said .
In other developments , in response to Japanese media reports that China ’ s People ’ s Liberation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holding war games in August to prepare for a future assault on the Taiwan-controlled Dongsha Islands ( Pratas Islands ) , on 13 May China threatened that it could turn the military exercises into an invasion of the island and even Taiwan proper itself .
On 12 May 12 , Kyodo News reported that the PLA ’ s Southern Theatre Command is allegedly planning a simulated invasion of the Dongsha islands with Hainan island as its practice field .
The mock invasion will reportedly take place in August and include a large number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and helicopters .
In response to the report , the Global Times cited experts as saying that the Dongsha Islands are in a ‘ strategically important location ’ and that the PLA has the capability of turning “ any exercise into action if Taiwan secessionists insist on secession ” .
In response to the news of the exercises , Taiwanese Ministry of Defense ( MND ) Chief of Joint Operations Major General Lin Wen-huang on May 12 tried to reassure the public that the military has contingency plans in place in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will strengthen combat readiness on its outer islands , including the Dongsha Islands .
The earlier reports have since been confirmed , and that one or even both of China ’ s aircraft carriers may take part in the military exercises .
Earlier today Taiwan News stated that China is reportedly planning on deploying two aircraft carriers in waters near Taiwan as part of its war games in August to rehearse for a future assault on the Taiwan-controlled Dongsha Islands .
On Monday of this week News.com.au reported that for the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 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 are engaged in the second week of an 11-week simulated military confrontation that will 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sea.
” Since the PLA announced it would hold the military exercise , the American military has stepped up warship and fighter patrols in the South China Sea .
On Tuesday ( 26 May ) the U.S. Airforce dispatched two B-1B bombers and a refueling aircraft to fly toward the South China Sea after passing over the Bashi Channel to the south of Taiwan and near Hong Kong .
The two bombers and the KC-135R tanker aircraft left Andersen Air Force Base in Guam on their way to the South China Sea , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speculation in the region that the aircraft having flown near Hong Kong might also be a signal to China over the proposed national security law which sparked a resumption of protests within Hong Kong itself .
Developments in Hong Kong are probably not a major factor of themselves however , as the US regularly conducts naval and maritime drills and manoeuvres throughout the region .
On 14 May the U.S. Navy posted pictures of one of its warships sailing through the sensitive Taiwan Strait for the sixth time this year .
The passage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell ( DDG 85 ) steamed through the 180-kilometre-wide strait separating Taiwan and China as “ part of ongoing operations in the Indo-Pacific , ” according to the post on the U.S Pacific Fleet Facebook page .
The vessel was sailing southward off Taiwan ’ s west coast but did not make known its destination .
Taiwan ’ s Ministry of National Defence later issued a statement , noting that it was fully aware of the transit , which it characterized as routine .
It was the sixth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American warship so far this year .
U.S. naval vessels passed through the area a total of nine times last year , according to CNA .
While the announcement of the operation followed reports on 12 May of a Chinese military exercise scheduled for August in the South China Sea to simulate an invasion of the Taiwan-controlled Dongsha Islands ( Pratas Islands ) , it must have been planned and put into effect much earlier .
Also , on 13 May a US littoral combat ship was operating in the southern reaches of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fleet said it was the second time in a week this type of vessel had patrolled those waters in support of “ freedom of navigation and overflight.
” MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Can China Confront and Defeat the U.S. Navy ?

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Taiwan has joined Hong Kong as a focal point in the escalating US-China standoff, with both sides ratcheting up their belligerent rhetoric and military activities.
Taiwan’s current president, Tsai Ing-wen, was elected in January, becoming the first woman to win the office. Voters gave her Democratic Progressive Party control of Taiwan’s legislature for the first time, giving her broad authority to enact her policies in office.
Ms. Tsai obtained 56 percent of the vote while her main opponent, Eric Chu of the party that had been in power, Kuomintang, obtained 31 percent. Although her Democratic Progressive Party is reported as being more sceptical of closer ties with China, the new president adopted a cautious tone during the inauguration ceremony last week. It appears however that broader geopolitical events are pushing the Chinese neighbours to renewed military tensions.
On 20 May the US approved the potential sale of heavyweight torpedoes to Taiwan, the latest in a long series of weapons contracts which in recent times have included the sale of 250 portable surface to air Stinger missiles mid-March, for a total value of over $440 million, and a contract granted to Raytheon in April 2019 to upgrade for Taiwan’s Patriot missile batteries. Role of US weapons in Taiwan’s force modernization programs: LINK; Taiwan’s Overall Missile Capabilities: LINK
The U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs issued a press release on 21 May stating that the State Department has approved a foreign military sale of 18 MK-48 Mod6 Advanced Technology heavyweight torpedoes and related equipment at a cost of US$180 million, according to CNA.
In an article by the Taiwan News outlet, National Chung Cheng University’s Institute of Strategy and International Affairs assistant professor Lin Ying-yu pointed out that underwater military strength is the biggest threat to Chinese Navy ships, as it would restrict their movement — something the U.S. would like to see. He also noted that the torpedoes must be launched by submarines.
Therefore, although the sale of torpedoes benefits Taiwan’s defence, without effective coordination with the island nation’s existing submarines, these new weapons would be of little help, Lin concluded. He stated that the ulterior motive of this sale is to demonstrate that the U.S. can still help Taiwan through arms deals.
Su Tzu-yun, a scholar at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, said the torpedo’s low propulsion noise, long-range attack capability, and other characteristics can contribute to Taiwan’s strategy of asymmetric warfare and maintain a balance of underwater combat power in the Taiwan Strait.
Su observed that the most important feature of the MK-48 is its large warhead charge, weighing about 1,000 kg, which can destroy large surface vessels such as aircraft carriers. According to Su, the range of an MK-48 torpedo is about 50 kilometres and the maximum speed is approximately 102 kilometres per hour, 2.5 times the speed of large surface ships.
At present, Taiwan’s Dutch-built Sea Dragon-class submarines have been in service for more than 30 years and with a life extension have about 15 years left, the scholar said.
In other developments, in response to Japanese media reports that China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is planning on holding war games in August to prepare for a future assault on the Taiwan-controlled Dongsha Islands (Pratas Islands), on 13 May China threatened that it could turn the military exercises into an invasion of the island and even Taiwan proper itself.
On 12 May 12, Kyodo News reported that the PLA’s Southern Theatre Command is allegedly planning a simulated invasion of the Dongsha islands with Hainan island as its practice field. The mock invasion will reportedly take place in August and include a large number of marines, landing ships, hovercraft, and helicopters.
In response to the report, the Global Times cited experts as saying that the Dongsha Islands are in a ‘strategically important location’ and that the PLA has the capability of turning “any exercise into action if Taiwan secessionists insist on secession”.
In response to the news of the exercises, Taiwanese Ministry of Defense (MND) Chief of Joint Operations Major General Lin Wen-huang on May 12 tried to reassure the public that the military has contingency plans in place in the event of a Chinese attack and that it will strengthen combat readiness on its outer islands, including the Dongsha Islands.
The earlier reports have since been confirmed, and that one or even both of China’s aircraft carriers may take part in the military exercises. Earlier today Taiwan News stated that China is reportedly planning on deploying two aircraft carriers in waters near Taiwan as part of its war games in August to rehearse for a future assault on the Taiwan-controlled Dongsha Islands.
On Monday of this week News.com.au reported that for the first time, both of Chinas 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 are engaged in the second week of an 11-week simulated military confrontation that will 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.”
Since the PLA announced it would hold the military exercise, the American military has stepped up warship and fighter patrols in the South China Sea. On Tuesday (26 May) the U.S. Airforce dispatched two B-1B bombers and a refueling aircraft to fly toward the South China Sea after passing over the Bashi Channel to the south of Taiwan and near Hong Kong. The two bombers and the KC-135R tanker aircraft left Andersen Air Force Base in Guam on their way to the South China Sea, according to Aircraft Spots.
There is speculation in the region that the aircraft having flown near Hong Kong might also be a signal to China over the proposed national security law which sparked a resumption of protests within Hong Kong itself.
Developments in Hong Kong are probably not a major factor of themselves however, as the US regularly conducts naval and maritime drills and manoeuvres throughout the region. On 14 May the U.S. Navy posted pictures of one of its warships sailing through the sensitive Taiwan Strait for the sixth time this year. The passage had taken place the previous day, when the guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85) steamed through the 180-kilometre-wide strait separating Taiwan and China as “part of ongoing operations in the Indo-Pacific,” according to the post on the U.S Pacific Fleet Facebook page.
The vessel was sailing southward off Taiwan’s west coast but did not make known its destination. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence later issued a statement, noting that it was fully aware of the transit, which it characterized as routine.
It was the sixth such transit of the strait by an American warship so far this year. U.S. naval vessels passed through the area a total of nine times last year, according to CNA.
While the announcement of the operation followed reports on 12 May of a Chinese military exercise scheduled for August in the South China Sea to simulate an invasion of the Taiwan-controlled Dongsha Islands (Pratas Islands), it must have been planned and put into effect much earlier. Also, on 13 May a US littoral combat ship was operating in the southern reaches of the South China Sea. The Pacific Fleet said it was the second time in a week this type of vessel had patrolled those waters in support of “freedom of navigation and overflight.”
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southfront--2020-05-28--Syrian Army Uncovers Remains Of Turkish Combat Drone In Greater Idlib (Photos)

The Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) uncovered the remains of a Turkish drone during search operations in in the @ @ @ @ @ , the Syrian Arab News Agency ( SANA ) reported on May 27 .
Photos @ @ @ @ @ the right wing and engine parts of a Turkish-made TAI Anka unmanned combat aerial vehicle @ @ @ @ @ wreckage likely belongs to an ANKA-S UCAV that was shot down by the Syrian Arab @ @ @ @ @ ) last February .
During the last escalation in Greater Idlib , the SyAADF shot @ @ @ @ @ Turkish drones , according to pro-government sources .
During the recent search operations in Greater @ @ @ @ @ found large quantities of ammunition which were left behind by militants .
The ammunition included @ @ @ @ @ The SAA is still working to clear the newly-liberated parts of Greater Idlib from war @ @ @ @ @ time , the army is training for a possible future operation in the region .
@ @ @ @ @

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The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) uncovered the remains of a Turkish drone during search operations in in the northwestern region of Greater Idlib, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported on May 27.
Photos shared by the SANA show the right wing and engine parts of a Turkish-made TAI Anka unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV).
The wreckage likely belongs to an ANKA-S UCAV that was shot down by the Syrian Arab Air Defense Forces (SyAADF) last February. During the last escalation in Greater Idlib, the SyAADF shot down between 13 to 20 Turkish drones, according to pro-government sources.
During the recent search operations in Greater Idlib, the SAA also found large quantities of ammunition which were left behind by militants. The ammunition included dozens of mortar shells.
The SAA is still working to clear the newly-liberated parts of Greater Idlib from war debris. At the same time, the army is training for a possible future operation in the region.
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southfront--2020-05-28--China Successfully Completes Maiden Test Flight Of New Helicopter Drone

China ’ s armed forces modernization program has taken another step forward .
China ’ s new AR500C unmanned helicopter prototype made its maiden flight in Poyang in East China ’ s Jiangxi Province on 20 May .
The helicopter is developed by the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China ( AVIC ) and the maiden flight took place at an AVIC base .
During the 20 minute test flight , the UAV conducted several manoeuvres including hovering , horizontal , and vertical flights .
AVIC completed assembly of the first AR500C prototype in March and finished ground testing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar in appearance to Austria ’ s Schiebel Camcopter S-100 and Sweden/Switzerland ’ s UMS Skeldar V-200 unmanned helicopters .
As China ’ s first unmanned helicopter designed to fly in plateau areas , the AR500C can take off at an elevation of 5,000 metres and has a ceiling of 6,700 meters .
It has a flight endurance of five hours , a maximum speed of 170 kilometres an hour , and a maximum take-off weight of 500 kilograms .
According to an AVIC statement , the AR500C ’ s main missions include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equipped with additional devices , it can also run electronic disruption , target indication , fire strike , cargo delivery and nuclear radiation and chemical contamination reconnaissance , as well as assisting disaster relief efforts .
AVIC is also developing other types of unmanned helicopters including other AV500 variants such an armed reconnaissance variant .
( LINK ) Chinese state media suggests the AR500C could be deployed at the China-India border , amid rising tensions between both countries .
They note that the border between the two country runs at very high elevations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disputes .
Chinese media outlet CGTN has released a video of the test flight : MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Joint US-Singapore Drills in the South China Sea as Regional Tensions Flare

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China’s armed forces modernization program has taken another step forward. China’s new AR500C unmanned helicopter prototype made its maiden flight in Poyang in East China’s Jiangxi Province on 20 May.
The helicopter is developed by the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and the maiden flight took place at an AVIC base. During the 20 minute test flight, the UAV conducted several manoeuvres including hovering, horizontal, and vertical flights.
AVIC completed assembly of the first AR500C prototype in March and finished ground testing in early May.
An AR500C helicopter drone has been tested by China and might be deployed along the border with India. https://t.co/APnVEgQzLL pic.twitter.com/CVuyiywy47 — Activist Post (@ActivistPost) May 26, 2020
The UAV is visually similar in appearance to Austria’s Schiebel Camcopter S-100 and Sweden/Switzerland’s UMS Skeldar V-200 unmanned helicopters. As China’s first unmanned helicopter designed to fly in plateau areas, the AR500C can take off at an elevation of 5,000 metres and has a ceiling of 6,700 meters. It has a flight endurance of five hours, a maximum speed of 170 kilometres an hour, and a maximum take-off weight of 500 kilograms.
According to an AVIC statement, the AR500C’s main missions include reconnaissance and communication relay, but when equipped with additional devices, it can also run electronic disruption, target indication, fire strike, cargo delivery and nuclear radiation and chemical contamination reconnaissance, as well as assisting disaster relief efforts.
china's first high-prototype unmanned helicopter AR500C successfully flew for the first time at UAV base of the aviation industry helicopter.. pic.twitter.com/L9fzoLxw3R — Geo_monitor (@colonelhomsi) May 23, 2020
AVIC is also developing other types of unmanned helicopters including other AV500 variants such an armed reconnaissance variant. (LINK)
Chinese state media suggests the AR500C could be deployed at the China-India border, amid rising tensions between both countries. They note that the border between the two country runs at very high elevations, with several areas subject to border disputes.
Chinese media outlet CGTN has released a video of the test flight:
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southfront--2020-05-28--After Failed Mercenary Incursion, US To Deploy Special Force Assistance Brigade On Border With Venez

After Failed Mercenary Incursion, US To Deploy Special Force Assistance Brigade On Border With Venezuela

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In the aftermath of last month ’ s failed mercenary incursion against Venezuela and the failure to prevent the Iranian fuel shipments after another barrage of ‘ maximum pressure ’ and threats , the US has announced that it will send troops of the Special Force Assistance Brigade to Colombia ‘ to combat drug trafficking ’ and ‘ ensure peace ’ .
One of the main focal points of their efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Venezuela .
According to the statement issued on Wednesday by the US Embassy in Colombia , a specialized brigade of the United States Army will deploy to Colombia in June to ‘ support peace and the fight against drug trafficking ’ in areas hit by violence , crime and poverty .
The deployment involves troops of the Security Force Assistance Brigade ( SFAB ) , which already has forces deployed to the Caribbean as part of a force to ‘ counter narco-trafficking ’ ( and attempt to enforce a maritime blockade against Venezuela @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of military personnel , as well as possibly at least as many contractors , in Colombia .
It is the first time that the brigade has been deployed to a Latin American country , a fact that according to the US Embassy “ reaffirms once again the commitment of the United States to Colombia , its best ally and friend in the region.
” “ SFAB ’ s mission in Colombia is an opportunity to show our mutual commitment against drug trafficking and support for regional peace , respect for sovereignty and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ values , ” the commander in chief of the United States Southern Command ( Southcom ) , Admiral Craig Faller , was quoted as saying .
SFAB is a specialized unit of the United States Army formed to advise and assist operations in allied nations .
The mission in Colombia will begin in early June and last for several months , during which the focus will mainly be on the ‘ Future Zones ’ ( Zonas Futuro ) defined by the Colombian Government .
The Future Zones strategy is a plan of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which allows the State to intervene comprehensively , with security , justice and social investment programs , in the regions most affected by violence , crime and poverty .
The initiative will be developed in five regions of the country : the Pacific of Nariño ( southwest ) ; the Catatumbo region , bordering Venezuela ; Bajo Cauca and southern Córdoba ( northwest ) , Arauca ( also located on the eastern border ) and Chiribiquete and nearby National Natural Parks , in the Amazon , which are the areas with the largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colombian Defence Minister , Carlos Holmes Trujillo , and the commander of the Military Forces , General Luis Fernando Navarro , have said that for the Colombian Government , the fight against drug trafficking is a priority shared with the United States , as it is one of the main engines of violence that affects communities and social leaders .
According to the report “ Dynamics of the armed confrontation and its humanitarian and environmental impact ” presented on Tuesday by the Ideas for Peace Foundation ( Fundación Ideas para la Paz – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders in Colombia grew by 53 % in the first four months of 2020 , and forced displacement also increased by 5 % .
The study details that 16 leaders were killed in January , 11 in February , 13 in March and 9 in April for a total of 49 , while in the first four months of 2019 there were 32 .
( LINK ) Apart from the proximity of many of the ‘ Future Zones ’ to the Venezuelan border , the zones have been problematic for the residents and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their situation up to now .
They were originally established as ‘ Strategic Zones for Comprehensive Intervention ’ , which was subsequently changed to a more benign sounding ‘ Consolidation and Rehabilitation Zones ’ ; such designation granted exorbitant powers to the central government and the military to limit democracy and fundamental freedoms in the areas affected , for which reason they were declared unenforceable by the Constitutional Court in 2003 .
Faced with this , the Presidency decided to simply rename them ‘ Future Zones ’ .
The announcement occurs against a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rural and other community leaders , as well as of demobilized FARC members who have abided by all terms of the peace accord only to be hunted down once they demobilized , surrendered their weapons and registered in the transition zones .
The frequency and systematic nature of the assassinations was confirmed by a report released last month by Coordinación Colombia , Europa , Estados Unidos , an umbrella group for NGOs and other civil society organizations from Colombia , Europe and the US .
( The report is available here ) The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the declaration of the State of Economic , Social and Ecological Emergency throughout the national territory ( Presidential Decree 417 of 17 March 2020 ) and the imposition of severe measures on the population such as mandatory isolation in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic has not prevented the persistence of serious violations of human rights and the oppression of manifestations of citizen dissatisfaction with the government .
Since the 6th of March , the date the first Covid-19 case in the country was confirmed , at least 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed in Sucre , Putumayo , Chocó , Tolima and Meta .
During the same period ( 6 March to mid-April ) , 21 social leaders were assassinated , generally while they were in their homes in compliance with the quarantine measures .
In some cases they were taken from their homes by armed men to later appear assassinated in other places by the usual ‘ unknown ’ or ‘ indeterminate ’ hitmen , who have been able to move freely around the heavily militarized zones amid the mobility restrictions that have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In these cases the Public Security Forces have been completely ineffective in counteracting the activities of illegal armed groups , even in zones that have been declared a high priority where the forces have a heavy presence , a point emphasized in the report which states : It is evident that , being located in the regions where the links where the Public Force and the narco-paramilitary structures appear to be most consolidated , the Future Zones have not stopped human rights abuses or the persecution and extermination of social and community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s objectives .
In these circumstances , the report by Coordinación Colombia , Europa , Estados Unidos emphasizes the urgency of implementing the Collective Protection Program for community leaders , organizations and social movements as agreed in the Final Peace Agreement with the FARC-EP in 2016 .
Rural communities and social movements have been demanding the implementation of the Peace Accord , and most importantly the provisions of the Accord designed to directly address the factors that are generating violence against the social leaders ( such as dismantling of paramilitary structures , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , revision of military doctrines based on the notion of an internal enemy , guarantees for the exercise of political opposition and guarantees for the free exercise of social protest and the participation of communities ) .
Nothing in the latest announcement acknowledges and confronts the evident collusion and delegated role of controlling and disciplining communities by violence and terror through paramilitary groups .
Following on from his predecessors , the Duque Government is stubbornly resisting the dismantling of the paramilitary groups and the investigation of their patrons , collaborators and benefactors .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ its creation the government is still preventing the National Commission for Security Guarantees from agreeing on the necessary actions to be taken and following up on the plan to dismantle the paramilitary structures .
MORE ON THE TOPIC :

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In the aftermath of last month’s failed mercenary incursion against Venezuela and the failure to prevent the Iranian fuel shipments after another barrage of ‘maximum pressure’ and threats, the US has announced that it will send troops of the Special Force Assistance Brigade to Colombia ‘to combat drug trafficking’ and ‘ensure peace’. One of the main focal points of their efforts will be areas along the border with Venezuela.
According to the statement issued on Wednesday by the US Embassy in Colombia, a specialized brigade of the United States Army will deploy to Colombia in June to ‘support peace and the fight against drug trafficking’ in areas hit by violence, crime and poverty. The deployment involves troops of the Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB), which already has forces deployed to the Caribbean as part of a force to ‘counter narco-trafficking’ (and attempt to enforce a maritime blockade against Venezuela). The US already has hundreds of military personnel, as well as possibly at least as many contractors, in Colombia.
It is the first time that the brigade has been deployed to a Latin American country, a fact that according to the US Embassy “reaffirms once again the commitment of the United States to Colombia, its best ally and friend in the region.” “SFAB’s mission in Colombia is an opportunity to show our mutual commitment against drug trafficking and support for regional peace, respect for sovereignty and the lasting promise to defend shared ideals and values,” the commander in chief of the United States Southern Command (Southcom), Admiral Craig Faller, was quoted as saying.
SFAB is a specialized unit of the United States Army formed to advise and assist operations in allied nations. The mission in Colombia will begin in early June and last for several months, during which the focus will mainly be on the ‘Future Zones’ (Zonas Futuro) defined by the Colombian Government. The Future Zones strategy is a plan of the Government of Colombian President Iván Duque, which allows the State to intervene comprehensively, with security, justice and social investment programs, in the regions most affected by violence, crime and poverty.
The initiative will be developed in five regions of the country: the Pacific of Nariño (southwest); the Catatumbo region, bordering Venezuela; Bajo Cauca and southern Córdoba (northwest), Arauca (also located on the eastern border) and Chiribiquete and nearby National Natural Parks, in the Amazon, which are the areas with the largest coca crops in the country.
The Colombian Defence Minister, Carlos Holmes Trujillo, and the commander of the Military Forces, General Luis Fernando Navarro, have said that for the Colombian Government, the fight against drug trafficking is a priority shared with the United States, as it is one of the main engines of violence that affects communities and social leaders.
According to the report “Dynamics of the armed confrontation and its humanitarian and environmental impact” presented on Tuesday by the Ideas for Peace Foundation (Fundación Ideas para la Paz – FIP), the murders of social leaders in Colombia grew by 53% in the first four months of 2020, and forced displacement also increased by 5%. The study details that 16 leaders were killed in January, 11 in February, 13 in March and 9 in April for a total of 49, while in the first four months of 2019 there were 32. (LINK)
Apart from the proximity of many of the ‘Future Zones’ to the Venezuelan border, the zones have been problematic for the residents and their militarization has done nothing to improve their situation up to now. They were originally established as ‘Strategic Zones for Comprehensive Intervention’, which was subsequently changed to a more benign sounding ‘Consolidation and Rehabilitation Zones’; such designation granted exorbitant powers to the central government and the military to limit democracy and fundamental freedoms in the areas affected, for which reason they were declared unenforceable by the Constitutional Court in 2003. Faced with this, the Presidency decided to simply rename them ‘Future Zones’.
The announcement occurs against a backdrop of ongoing assassinations of Indigenous, rural and other community leaders, as well as of demobilized FARC members who have abided by all terms of the peace accord only to be hunted down once they demobilized, surrendered their weapons and registered in the transition zones.
The frequency and systematic nature of the assassinations was confirmed by a report released last month by Coordinación Colombia, Europa, Estados Unidos, an umbrella group for NGOs and other civil society organizations from Colombia, Europe and the US. (The report is available here)
The report also notes that the conditions generated by the declaration of the State of Economic, Social and Ecological Emergency throughout the national territory (Presidential Decree 417 of 17 March 2020) and the imposition of severe measures on the population such as mandatory isolation in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic has not prevented the persistence of serious violations of human rights and the oppression of manifestations of citizen dissatisfaction with the government.
Since the 6th of March, the date the first Covid-19 case in the country was confirmed, at least 10 ex-combatants who signed the peace have been killed in Sucre, Putumayo, Chocó, Tolima and Meta. During the same period (6 March to mid-April), 21 social leaders were assassinated, generally while they were in their homes in compliance with the quarantine measures. In some cases they were taken from their homes by armed men to later appear assassinated in other places by the usual ‘unknown’ or ‘indeterminate’ hitmen, who have been able to move freely around the heavily militarized zones amid the mobility restrictions that have been imposed on the rest of the community.
In these cases the Public Security Forces have been completely ineffective in counteracting the activities of illegal armed groups, even in zones that have been declared a high priority where the forces have a heavy presence, a point emphasized in the report which states:
“It is of great concern for this platform, that despite the early warning alerts issued by the United Nations, as well as by Church organizations, about continued human rights violations, and the reports of confinements, restrictions on the mobility of the communities and displacements, in Carmen del Darién, Alto Baudas, Southern Córdoba, Bajo Cauca, Roberto Payán and Tumaco, due to confrontations between illegal armed groups and their terror campaigns against local communities, it is surprising that: ‘the authorities always seem to be the last to know, in spite of the gigantic apparatus and budget destined for military intelligence, and they limit their response to a declaration that they will visit the area to verify the complaints.’”
It is evident that, being located in the regions where the links where the Public Force and the narco-paramilitary structures appear to be most consolidated, the Future Zones have not stopped human rights abuses or the persecution and extermination of social and community leaders and organizations that oppose the government’s objectives.
In these circumstances, the report by Coordinación Colombia, Europa, Estados Unidos emphasizes the urgency of implementing the Collective Protection Program for community leaders, organizations and social movements as agreed in the Final Peace Agreement with the FARC-EP in 2016. Rural communities and social movements have been demanding the implementation of the Peace Accord, and most importantly the provisions of the Accord designed to directly address the factors that are generating violence against the social leaders (such as dismantling of paramilitary structures, a major overhaul of State security agencies, revision of military doctrines based on the notion of an internal enemy, guarantees for the exercise of political opposition and guarantees for the free exercise of social protest and the participation of communities).
Nothing in the latest announcement acknowledges and confronts the evident collusion and delegated role of controlling and disciplining communities by violence and terror through paramilitary groups. Following on from his predecessors, the Duque Government is stubbornly resisting the dismantling of the paramilitary groups and the investigation of their patrons, collaborators and benefactors. Among other actions, three years after its creation the government is still preventing the National Commission for Security Guarantees from agreeing on the necessary actions to be taken and following up on the plan to dismantle the paramilitary structures.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
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southfront--2020-05-28--Joint US-Singapore Drills in the South China Sea as Regional Tensions Flare

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As tensions are once again flaring between the US and China , with multiple disputes including each country ’ s relations with Taiwan and protests in Hong Kong , along with the numerous unresolved regional disputes of which the competing territorial claims over the South China Sea remains prominent , the US and Singapore have just concluded a set of joint drills in the South China Sea .
On 24-25 May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Giffords ( LCS 10 ) and the Republic of Singapore Navy Formidable-class multi-role stealth frigate RSS Steadfast ( FFS 70 ) conducted a bilateral exercise in the South China Sea .
According to the military portal Defence Talk , the exercises were an opportunity for Gabrielle Giffords and Steadfast to enhance interoperability between the two navies , with emphasis on the importance of communications and coordination while sailing together .
The drills included a publication exercise , flashing light exercise , maneuvering exercise , large and small caliber gun shoots , and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with an emphasis on COVID-19 social distancing measures , resulting in a successful multi-event exercise , with no in-person planning .
The last time the two countries exercised at sea was during Exercise Pacific Griffin , U.S.-Singapore ’ s most complex naval exercise to date , which occurred near Guam in October 2019 .
During the Pacific Griffin exercise , held from September 24 to October 10 in waters off Guam , the navies of the US and Singapore staged their first ever cooperative anti-surface drill , fired a naval strike missile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manoeuvres .
The U.S. and Republic of Singapore navies work together on a number of initiatives at sea such as ASEAN-US Maritime Exercise ( AUMX ) , Exercise Pacific Griffin , Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training ( SEACAT ) , and Exercise Rim of the Pacific ( RIMPAC ) , as well as combined operations such as multi-national counter-piracy .
Attached to Destroyer Squadron 7 , Gabrielle Giffords is on a rotational deployment to the US 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific .
The US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support of U.S. national interests in the Indo-Pacific area of operations .
As the U.S. Navy ’ s largest numbered fleet , 7th Fleet interacts with 35 other maritime nations to build partnerships that foster maritime security , promote stability , and prevent conflict .
Both the US and China are staging frequent maritime military exercises throughout the region , often involving other countries but also frequently involving direct confrontations , such as shadowing each other ’ s vessels and aircraft while they are on patrol or conducting manoeuvres .
On 12 May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PLA ’ s Southern Theatre Command is allegedly planning a simulated invasion of the Dongsha islands with Hainan island as its practice field .
The mock invasion will reportedly take place in August and include a large number of marines , landing ships , hovercraft , and helicopters .
In response to the report , the Global Times cited experts as saying that the Dongsha Islands are in a ‘ strategically important location ’ and that the PLA has the capability of turning “ any exercise into action if Taiwan secessionists insist on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since been confirmed , and that one or even both of China ’ s aircraft carriers may take part in the military exercises .
Yesterday stated that China is reportedly planning on deploying two aircraft carriers in waters near Taiwan as part of its war games in August to rehearse for a future assault on the Taiwan-controlled Dongsha Islands .
On Monday of this week News.com.au reported that for the first time , both of Chinas aircraft carriers , the Liaoning and Shandong , are being deployed together in Bohai Bay in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The People ’ s Liberation Army Navy ( PLAN ) carriers are engaged in the second week of an 11-week simulated military confrontation that will 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.
” Since the PLA announced it would hold the military exercise , the American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patrols in the South China Sea .
On Tuesday ( 26 May ) the U.S. Airforce dispatched two B-1B bombers and a refueling aircraft to fly toward the South China Sea after passing over the Bashi Channel to the south of Taiwan and near Hong Kong .
The two bombers and the KC-135R tanker aircraft left Andersen Air Force Base in Guam on their way to the South China Sea , according to Aircraft Spots .
There is speculation in the region that the aircraft having flown near Hong Kong might also be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national security law which sparked a resumption of protests within Hong Kong itself .
Developments in Hong Kong are probably not a major factor of themselves however , as the US regularly conducts naval and maritime drills and manoeuvres throughout the region .
On 14 May the U.S. Navy posted pictures of one of its warships sailing through the sensitive Taiwan Strait for the sixth time this year .
The passage had taken place the previous day , when the guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell ( DDG 85 ) steamed through the 180-kilometre-wide strait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of ongoing operations in the Indo-Pacific , ” according to the post on the U.S Pacific Fleet Facebook page .
It was the sixth such transit of the strait by an American warship so far this year .
U.S. naval vessels passed through the area a total of nine times last year , according to CNA .
While the announcement of the operation followed reports on 12 May of a Chinese military exercise scheduled for August in the South China Sea to simulate an invasion of the Taiwan-controlled Dongsha Islands ( Pratas Islands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and put into effect much earlier .
Also , on 13 May a US littoral combat ship was operating in the southern reaches of the South China Sea .
The Pacific Fleet said it was the second time in a week this type of vessel had patrolled those waters in support of “ freedom of navigation and overflight.
” The US Congress added another element to the disputes and reciprocal recriminations with China today ( 27 May ) when it voted to toughen the U.S. response to what it referred to as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The House passed a bipartisan bill that would impose sanctions on Chinese officials involved in the mass surveillance and detention of Uighurs and other ethnic groups in the western Xianjiang region .
The measure already passed the Senate and needs a signature from President Donald Trump , who said this week he ’ ll “ very strongly ” consider it .
The bill passed by a 413-1 vote .
At a press conference last Sunday China ’ s foreign minister Wang Yi told reporters : “ It has come to our attention that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking China-US relations hostage and pushing our two countries to the brink of a new Cold War.
” The resolution by the Congress will no doubt add more weight to this impression .
The United States held at least 85 joint military exercises with its allies in the Indo-Pacific region in 2019 according to the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative , affiliated to Peking University , which completed a report on the topic late last year .
While the drills – carried out between January and November – have varied in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : to extend America ’ s presence in the region and strengthen the defence capabilities of its allies .
“ Through these exercises , the US is enhancing its interoperability with other nations and making a stronger military presence to contain the rise of China as a maritime power , ” it said , adding that America was “ likely to stage more drills on core combat capability … to handle the perceived regional security threat ” .
Of the joint and multinational exercises staged in the period , the Philippines was involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Singapore six , the report said .
Although neither Singapore nor Thailand are involved in territorial disputes with Beijing in the South China Sea – the Philippines , Vietnam , Malaysia , Brunei and Taiwan are – military cooperation between the two Southeast Asian nations and the US is deepening .
The US has also invited other allies , including Japan , India and Australia , to take part in exercises in the South China Sea , in an effort to “ drag more nations into the [ issue ] ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a development that goes against the deluge of belligerent actions and accusations , according to the Philippines news agency the President Duterte and Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc spoke over the phone on Tuesday evening where they “ reiterated their commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes ” in the South China Sea .
The Philippines has been actively pushing for the conclusion of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea .
The Philippines and Vietnam elevated their bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership in 2015 .
The two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wide of areas — political , economic , socio-cultural , and defence and security cooperation , including in the area of maritime security .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Taiwan Becomes New Focal Point in the Escalating US-China Standoff

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As tensions are once again flaring between the US and China, with multiple disputes including each country’s relations with Taiwan and protests in Hong Kong, along with the numerous unresolved regional disputes of which the competing territorial claims over the South China Sea remains prominent, the US and Singapore have just concluded a set of joint drills in the South China Sea.
On 24-25 May he Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) and the Republic of Singapore Navy Formidable-class multi-role stealth frigate RSS Steadfast (FFS 70) conducted a bilateral exercise in the South China Sea.
According to the military portal Defence Talk, the exercises were an opportunity for Gabrielle Giffords and Steadfast to enhance interoperability between the two navies, with emphasis on the importance of communications and coordination while sailing together. The drills included a publication exercise, flashing light exercise, maneuvering exercise, large and small caliber gun shoots, and a photo exercise. All events were planned with an emphasis on COVID-19 social distancing measures, resulting in a successful multi-event exercise, with no in-person planning.
The last time the two countries exercised at sea was during Exercise Pacific Griffin, U.S.-Singapore’s most complex naval exercise to date, which occurred near Guam in October 2019. During the Pacific Griffin exercise, held from September 24 to October 10 in waters off Guam, the navies of the US and Singapore staged their first ever cooperative anti-surface drill, fired a naval strike missile, and engaged in anti-submarine and anti-air warfare manoeuvres.
The U.S. and Republic of Singapore navies work together on a number of initiatives at sea such as ASEAN-US Maritime Exercise (AUMX), Exercise Pacific Griffin, Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT), and Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), as well as combined operations such as multi-national counter-piracy.
Attached to Destroyer Squadron 7, Gabrielle Giffords is on a rotational deployment to the US 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific. The US 7th Fleet conducts forward-deployed naval operations in support of U.S. national interests in the Indo-Pacific area of operations. As the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet, 7th Fleet interacts with 35 other maritime nations to build partnerships that foster maritime security, promote stability, and prevent conflict.
Both the US and China are staging frequent maritime military exercises throughout the region, often involving other countries but also frequently involving direct confrontations, such as shadowing each other’s vessels and aircraft while they are on patrol or conducting manoeuvres.
On 12 May 12, Kyodo News reported that the PLA’s Southern Theatre Command is allegedly planning a simulated invasion of the Dongsha islands with Hainan island as its practice field. The mock invasion will reportedly take place in August and include a large number of marines, landing ships, hovercraft, and helicopters.
In response to the report, the Global Times cited experts as saying that the Dongsha Islands are in a ‘strategically important location’ and that the PLA has the capability of turning “any exercise into action if Taiwan secessionists insist on secession”.
The earlier reports have since been confirmed, and that one or even both of China’s aircraft carriers may take part in the military exercises. Yesterday Taiwan News stated that China is reportedly planning on deploying two aircraft carriers in waters near Taiwan as part of its war games in August to rehearse for a future assault on the Taiwan-controlled Dongsha Islands.
On Monday of this week News.com.au reported that for the first time, both of Chinas 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 are engaged in the second week of an 11-week simulated military confrontation that will 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.”
Since the PLA announced it would hold the military exercise, the American military has stepped up warship and fighter patrols in the South China Sea. On Tuesday (26 May) the U.S. Airforce dispatched two B-1B bombers and a refueling aircraft to fly toward the South China Sea after passing over the Bashi Channel to the south of Taiwan and near Hong Kong. The two bombers and the KC-135R tanker aircraft left Andersen Air Force Base in Guam on their way to the South China Sea, according to Aircraft Spots.
There is speculation in the region that the aircraft having flown near Hong Kong might also be a signal to China over the proposed national security law which sparked a resumption of protests within Hong Kong itself.
Developments in Hong Kong are probably not a major factor of themselves however, as the US regularly conducts naval and maritime drills and manoeuvres throughout the region. On 14 May the U.S. Navy posted pictures of one of its warships sailing through the sensitive Taiwan Strait for the sixth time this year. The passage had taken place the previous day, when the guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85) steamed through the 180-kilometre-wide strait separating Taiwan and China as “part of ongoing operations in the Indo-Pacific,” according to the post on the U.S Pacific Fleet Facebook page. It was the sixth such transit of the strait by an American warship so far this year. U.S. naval vessels passed through the area a total of nine times last year, according to CNA.
While the announcement of the operation followed reports on 12 May of a Chinese military exercise scheduled for August in the South China Sea to simulate an invasion of the Taiwan-controlled Dongsha Islands (Pratas Islands), it must have been planned and put into effect much earlier. Also, on 13 May a US littoral combat ship was operating in the southern reaches of the South China Sea. The Pacific Fleet said it was the second time in a week this type of vessel had patrolled those waters in support of “freedom of navigation and overflight.”
The US Congress added another element to the disputes and reciprocal recriminations with China today (27 May) when it voted to toughen the U.S. response to what it referred to as a brutal Chinese crackdown on ethnic minorities. The House passed a bipartisan bill that would impose sanctions on Chinese officials involved in the mass surveillance and detention of Uighurs and other ethnic groups in the western Xianjiang region. The measure already passed the Senate and needs a signature from President Donald Trump, who said this week he’ll “very strongly” consider it. The bill passed by a 413-1 vote.
At a press conference last Sunday China’s foreign minister Wang Yi told reporters: “It has come to our attention that some political forces in the US are taking China-US relations hostage and pushing our two countries to the brink of a new Cold War.” The resolution by the Congress will no doubt add more weight to this impression.
The United States held at least 85 joint military exercises with its allies in the Indo-Pacific region in 2019 according to the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative, affiliated to Peking University, which completed a report on the topic late last year. While the drills – carried out between January and November – have varied in size, their aim has been consistent: to extend America’s presence in the region and strengthen the defence capabilities of its allies.
“Through these exercises, the US is enhancing its interoperability with other nations and making a stronger military presence to contain the rise of China as a maritime power,” it said, adding that America was “likely to stage more drills on core combat capability … to handle the perceived regional security threat”. Of the joint and multinational exercises staged in the period, the Philippines was involved in at least 16, Thailand nine and Singapore six, the report said. Although neither Singapore nor Thailand are involved in territorial disputes with Beijing in the South China Sea – the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan are – military cooperation between the two Southeast Asian nations and the US is deepening. The US has also invited other allies, including Japan, India and Australia, to take part in exercises in the South China Sea, in an effort to “drag more nations into the [issue]”, the report said. (LINK)
In a development that goes against the deluge of belligerent actions and accusations, according to the Philippines news agency the Inquirer President Duterte and Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc spoke over the phone on Tuesday evening where they “reiterated their commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes” in the South China Sea. The Philippines has been actively pushing for the conclusion of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.
The Philippines and Vietnam elevated their bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership in 2015. The two sides committed to enhance cooperation in a wide of areas — political, economic, socio-cultural, and defence and security cooperation, including in the area of maritime security.
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southfront--2020-05-28--Stechkin Automatic Silenced Pistol (Infographics)

Spetsnaz first started carrying silenced Stechkin ’ s way back during their operations in Afghanistan , to great success too @ @ @ @ @ quarters .

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The APB (Russian: Avtomaticheskij Pistolet Besshumnyj) is a version of the Stechkin automatic pistol (APS – Avtomaticheskiy Pistolet Stechkina) optimized for silent operations.
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southfront--2020-05-28--Seven People, Including Children, Killed In New Round Of Infighting In Turkish-Occupied Afrin (Video

Seven People, Including Children, Killed In New Round Of Infighting In Turkish-Occupied Afrin (Videos)

On May 28 , heavy clashes broke out between the Hamza Division and militants from Damascus ’ Eastern Ghouta in the Turkish-occupied city of Afrin in northern Syria .
The clashes erupted , when militants from the Hamza Division attacked a shop owned by a man from Eastern Ghouta with a hand grenade because he refused to loan them some goods .
The man chased after the militants , who opened fire killing him and a child .
In response , Eastern Ghouta militants , mainly from Jays al-Islam , launched an attack on the Hamza Division ’ s positions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clashes lasted for several hours .
Heavy weapons were used .
Many positions of the Hamza Division were looted and burned during the clashes .
Eventually , the group withdrew all of its militants from Afrin city .
According to the London-based Observatory for Human Rights ( SOHR ) , three militants from the Hamza Division and a militant from Eastern Ghouta were killed .
Three civilians , including two children , were also killed .
More than six others were injured .
After the clashes , the Hamza Division released a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The group claimed that an investigation will be launched into the incident , promising that it will hold its members accountable .
Such incidents are quite common in Turkish-occupied areas in north and northeast Syria .
Many militants and civilians were killed as a result of infighting in the last few months .
The Turkish military is yet to take measures to put an end to the reckless behavior of its proxies .
Ankara is most likely ignoring these acts to maintain good relations with Syrian militants .
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On May 28, heavy clashes broke out between the Hamza Division and militants from Damascus’ Eastern Ghouta in the Turkish-occupied city of Afrin in northern Syria.
The clashes erupted, when militants from the Hamza Division attacked a shop owned by a man from Eastern Ghouta with a hand grenade because he refused to loan them some goods. The man chased after the militants, who opened fire killing him and a child.
In response, Eastern Ghouta militants, mainly from Jays al-Islam, launched an attack on the Hamza Division’s positions in Afrin’s city center. Clashes lasted for several hours. Heavy weapons were used.
Many positions of the Hamza Division were looted and burned during the clashes. Eventually, the group withdrew all of its militants from Afrin city.
According to the London-based Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), three militants from the Hamza Division and a militant from Eastern Ghouta were killed. Three civilians, including two children, were also killed. More than six others were injured.
After the clashes, the Hamza Division released a statement condemning the acts of its militants. The group claimed that an investigation will be launched into the incident, promising that it will hold its members accountable.
Such incidents are quite common in Turkish-occupied areas in north and northeast Syria. Many militants and civilians were killed as a result of infighting in the last few months.
The Turkish military is yet to take measures to put an end to the reckless behavior of its proxies. Ankara is most likely ignoring these acts to maintain good relations with Syrian militants.
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southfront--2020-05-28--U.S.-led Coalition, SDF Capture ISIS Terrorists In New Landing Operation

On May 28 , the U.S.-led coalition and the Syrian Democratic Forces ( SDF ) carried out another landing operation in the southeastern Deir Ezzor countryside .
Special forces of the U.S.-led coalition and the SDF landed by helicopters in the town of Jadeed Ekedat in the morning .
According to the SDF ’ s Coordination and Military Operations Center , several ISIS members were apprehended during the operation .
“ An airdrop operation conducted by our forces accompanied with the International Coalition in the town of Jadeed Ekedat east of Deir Ezzor resulted in the arrest of a number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and weapons were seized in the location , ” the center said in a short press release .
The coalition is yet to share any information about Jadeed Ekedat operation .
Usually , such landing operations target high-ranking ISIS commanders .
Earlier this month , two senior ISIS commanders , identified as Ahmad ‘ Isa Ismail al-Zawi and Ahmad ‘ Abd Muhammad Hasan al-Jughayfi , were eliminated in a joint operation by the U.S.-led coalition and the SDF .
The coalition ’ s recent operations dealt a serious blow to ISIS cells in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group is still present and active in the region .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Russia Names Group Responsible For Recent Attack On Turkish Patrol In Syria ’ s Greater Idlib

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On May 28, the U.S.-led coalition and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) carried out another landing operation in the southeastern Deir Ezzor countryside.
Special forces of the U.S.-led coalition and the SDF landed by helicopters in the town of Jadeed Ekedat in the morning. According to the SDF’s Coordination and Military Operations Center, several ISIS members were apprehended during the operation.
“An airdrop operation conducted by our forces accompanied with the International Coalition in the town of Jadeed Ekedat east of Deir Ezzor resulted in the arrest of a number of ISIS sleeper cells members, equipment and weapons were seized in the location,” the center said in a short press release.
The coalition is yet to share any information about Jadeed Ekedat operation. Usually, such landing operations target high-ranking ISIS commanders.
Earlier this month, two senior ISIS commanders, identified as Ahmad ‘Isa Ismail al-Zawi and Ahmad ‘Abd Muhammad Hasan al-Jughayfi, were eliminated in a joint operation by the U.S.-led coalition and the SDF.
The coalition’s recent operations dealt a serious blow to ISIS cells in southeastern Deir Ezzor. Nevertheless, the group is still present and active in the region.
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southfront--2020-05-28--Russia Names Group Responsible For Recent Attack On Turkish Patrol In Syria’s Greater Idlib

The al-Qaeda-affiliated Turkistan Islamic Party ( TIP ) was behind the recent attack that targeted a Turkish patrol on the M4 highway in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib , the Russian center for Reconciliation in Syria revealed on May 28 .
The reconciliation center said terrorists of the TIP targeted an armored vehicle of the Turkish patrol with an improvised explosive device ( IED ) after it had approached one of their ammo depots near the highway .
An infantry officer of the Turkish Armed Forces was killed in the attack .
Another Turkish service member and several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reconciliation center ’ s statement is in line with information provided by opposition outlets .
Several outlets reported that a large explosion wiped out an ammo depot of the TIP near the M4 highway when the Turkish patrol was passing by .
A video of the incident was even shared .
In spite of these facts , the Turkish Ministry of National Defense contributed the death of its officer to what it called a “ mysterious explosion.
” The Turkish military is still working to secure the M4 .
Earlier today , Turkish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new joint patrol on the highway .
Nevertheless , Ankara is yet to address the issue of the presence of terrorists in Greater Idlib .
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The al-Qaeda-affiliated Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP) was behind the recent attack that targeted a Turkish patrol on the M4 highway in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib, the Russian center for Reconciliation in Syria revealed on May 28.
The reconciliation center said terrorists of the TIP targeted an armored vehicle of the Turkish patrol with an improvised explosive device (IED) after it had approached one of their ammo depots near the highway.
An infantry officer of the Turkish Armed Forces was killed in the attack. Another Turkish service member and several Syrian militants were reportedly injured.
The reconciliation center’s statement is in line with information provided by opposition outlets. Several outlets reported that a large explosion wiped out an ammo depot of the TIP near the M4 highway when the Turkish patrol was passing by. A video of the incident was even shared.
In spite of these facts, the Turkish Ministry of National Defense contributed the death of its officer to what it called a “mysterious explosion.”
The Turkish military is still working to secure the M4. Earlier today, Turkish forces and the Russian Military Police conducted a new joint patrol on the highway. Nevertheless, Ankara is yet to address the issue of the presence of terrorists in Greater Idlib.
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southfront--2020-05-28--Turkish Army Suffers Casualties In Southern Idlib

One Turkish soldier died and another was injured in an IED attack in Syria ’ s southern Idlib , the Turkish Defense Ministry reported late on May 27 .
The incident happened while units of the Turkish Army and the Turkish-backed militant group Sham Legion were passing near Jisr al-Shughur .
The killed soldier was identified as lieutenant Canbert Tatar .
He become the second Turkish soldier killed in the M4 highway area since the signing of the March 5 de-escalation agreement in Moscow .
Earlier on May 27 , a large explosion erupted near an HQ and a weapon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TIP ) in the town of al-Gassaneyah .
At least 6 members of the terrorist group died .
Some pro-militant sources claimed that the explosion was caused by an airstrike by the Russian Aerospace Forces .
Other sources say that the incident happened due to poor safety measures at the weapon depot .
The attack on the Turkish patrol was likely conducted by the TIP or its allies .
The TIP ’ s main stronghold , Jisr al-Shughur , is located just inside the security zone that should be cleared from radicals under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ al-Qaeda-linked group and its local allies are doing all they can to sabotage the deal .
On May 28 , Idlib militant groups and pro-Turkish sources immediately blamed Russia for the casualties among the Turkish Army .
According to them , the ‘ aggressive actions ’ of Moscow and the ‘ bloody Assad regime ’ are the source of the tensions .
So , Turkey should continue defending al-Qaeda in southern Idlib at any cost .
The Syrian Army , the National Defense Forces , and Liwa al-Quds continue their operation against ISIS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ southern Raqqa .
So far , they have neutralized over 20 militants , seized over a dozen vehicles and destroyed several ISIS hideouts .
On May 27 and May 28 , Russian airstrikes on ISIS positions were also reported .
Syrian government forces are using the Idlib ceasefire to deal with the ISIS threat in the desert .
However , if the situation in Idlib escalates , the army and its allies will be forced to redeploy at least a part of their forces involved in the anti-ISIS operation to the frontline .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ISIS cells still hiding in the desert .

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One Turkish soldier died and another was injured in an IED attack in Syria’s southern Idlib, the Turkish Defense Ministry reported late on May 27. The incident happened while units of the Turkish Army and the Turkish-backed militant group Sham Legion were passing near Jisr al-Shughur. The killed soldier was identified as lieutenant Canbert Tatar. He become the second Turkish soldier killed in the M4 highway area since the signing of the March 5 de-escalation agreement in Moscow.
Earlier on May 27, a large explosion erupted near an HQ and a weapon depot of the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP) in the town of al-Gassaneyah. At least 6 members of the terrorist group died. Some pro-militant sources claimed that the explosion was caused by an airstrike by the Russian Aerospace Forces. Other sources say that the incident happened due to poor safety measures at the weapon depot.
The attack on the Turkish patrol was likely conducted by the TIP or its allies. The TIP’s main stronghold, Jisr al-Shughur, is located just inside the security zone that should be cleared from radicals under the de-escalation agreement. So, the al-Qaeda-linked group and its local allies are doing all they can to sabotage the deal.
On May 28, Idlib militant groups and pro-Turkish sources immediately blamed Russia for the casualties among the Turkish Army. According to them, the ‘aggressive actions’ of Moscow and the ‘bloody Assad regime’ are the source of the tensions. So, Turkey should continue defending al-Qaeda in southern Idlib at any cost.
The Syrian Army, the National Defense Forces, and Liwa al-Quds continue their operation against ISIS along the Palmyra-Deir Ezzor highway and in southern Raqqa. So far, they have neutralized over 20 militants, seized over a dozen vehicles and destroyed several ISIS hideouts. On May 27 and May 28, Russian airstrikes on ISIS positions were also reported.
Syrian government forces are using the Idlib ceasefire to deal with the ISIS threat in the desert. However, if the situation in Idlib escalates, the army and its allies will be forced to redeploy at least a part of their forces involved in the anti-ISIS operation to the frontline. This will give additional opportunities to any ISIS cells still hiding in the desert.
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southfront--2020-05-28--In Video: Egyptian-Supplied Battle Tank Seized By GNA Forces Near Libya’s Tripoli

On May 26 , the Libya al-Ahrar TV released a video showing a T-55 battle tank that was captured from the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) .
The tank was captured by Turkish-backed forces supporting the Government of National Accord ( GNA ) during clashes in the town of Ain Zara south of the Libyan capital , Tripoli .
In the video , the battle tank can be seen equipped with a German AEG infrared searchlight .
This type was not spotted in Libya before .
However , it is installed on several Egyptian variants of the tank , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MK I and T-55E MK II .
The T-55 captured by GNA forces was likely supplied to the LNA by Egypt .
Cairo is known to be one of the key allies of the Libyan military and its leader Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar .
Turkey ’ s ever growing intervention in Libya allowed GNA forces to regain momentum in the battlefield .
In response to this , the LNA is now receiving more support from its backers .
Recent reports even claim that Russia has supplied 14 warplanes to the LNA .
MORE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Resolving Conflict And Stabilizing Political Situation In Libya

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On May 26, the Libya al-Ahrar TV released a video showing a T-55 battle tank that was captured from the Libyan National Army (LNA).
The tank was captured by Turkish-backed forces supporting the Government of National Accord (GNA) during clashes in the town of Ain Zara south of the Libyan capital, Tripoli.
In the video, the battle tank can be seen equipped with a German AEG infrared searchlight. This type was not spotted in Libya before. However, it is installed on several Egyptian variants of the tank, mainly the T-55E Mark 0, T-55E MK I and T-55E MK II.
The T-55 captured by GNA forces was likely supplied to the LNA by Egypt. Cairo is known to be one of the key allies of the Libyan military and its leader Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.
Turkey’s ever growing intervention in Libya allowed GNA forces to regain momentum in the battlefield. In response to this, the LNA is now receiving more support from its backers. Recent reports even claim that Russia has supplied 14 warplanes to the LNA.
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