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Today: 88 articles and 429 comments as of 1:15.
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Area: WoT Background    Non-WoT    Opinion        Politix   
Trump says he's ordered Navy to destroy
Iranian boats should they harass U.S. ships
Today's Headlines
Headline Comments [Views]
Page 1: WoT Operations
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Page 2: WoT Background
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Page 3: Non-WoT
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Page 4: Opinion
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Page 6: Politix
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Good Morning
Michigan Governor Whitmer Asks Why
State Protests Didn’t Happen During World War II
Wednesday April 22nd, 2020

AurioleCraven
Daraa: Tension between Russian-backed formation and regime forces on the rise
And good luck to both sides
Somali Elite Forces Recapture Fresh Areas From Al-Shabaab
They don't tell you when they lose the areas, but they do tell you when they recapture them
Taliban Attacks Surge, 30 Security Force Members Killed
Peace Processor is working like Peace Processors usually work
Iranian proxy: "We will crush the USA under our feet."
Perhaps. But there may be a few who're ready to bomb them into paste rather than let it happen
Iran's IRGC announced that it has successfully launched its first military satellite
On their way to building a Death Star now, thanks to Ayatollah Vader!
Spanish Police arrests Egyptian man who is one of the most wanted ISIS members in Europe
International Man of Mystery tossed into Spanish calaboose
Man from Northern Ireland is charged with manslaughter in connection with deaths of 39 migrants found in a refrigerated lorry in Essex

Posted by: Fred || 04/22/2020 12:16 || Comments || Link || [8 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Stage name?
s/b Areola?
Posted by: Lex || 04/22/2020 13:47 Comments || Top||

#2  Fiddle around? She has a last name of Craven. Does she know Weinstein?
Posted by: JohnQC || 04/22/2020 13:48 Comments || Top||

#3  Good thing she's on carpet. You'd never get off the tile floor
Posted by: Frank G || 04/22/2020 14:06 Comments || Top||

#4  It hurts just looking at someone doing the splits.
Posted by: Clem || 04/22/2020 14:39 Comments || Top||

#5  Its a straddlevarious.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 04/22/2020 14:41 Comments || Top||

#6  HA!
Posted by: Clem || 04/22/2020 14:42 Comments || Top||

#7  "Rock me gently Boris"
Posted by: Thaith Elmeresing6163 || 04/22/2020 20:57 Comments || Top||

#8  ^ Boris Bad-Enough?
Posted by: Lex || 04/22/2020 21:09 Comments || Top||


Afghanistan
6 Taliban militants killed, 4 wounded in Warak operations: Thunder Corps
[KhaamaPress] The Afghan forces killed six Talibs during an operation in central Wardak province of Afghanistan, the Afghan military said.

According to a statement released by 203rd Thunder Corps, the Talibs launched an attack on security posts in Nerkh district of Wardak province on Saturday.

The statement further added that the security forces effectively responded to the attack, killing at least 6 bandidos faceless myrmidons and wounding 4 others.

The Afghan forces also arrested 3 suspected bandidos faceless myrmidons during the operation, the 203rd Thunder Corps added in its statement.

Wardak is among the relatively volatile provinces in the center of Afghanistan where Talibs have active presence in some of its remote districts and often attempt to carry out terrorist related activities.
Posted by: trailing wife || 04/22/2020 03:06 || Comments || Link || [10 views] Top|| File under: Taliban


Five Police Killed in Attack in Uruzgan
[ToloNews] At least five coppers were killed and three other police were maimed in a Taliban
...Arabic for students...
attack in Uruzgan province on Sunday night, local officials said.

The Taliban attacked a police checkpoint in Trinkot, said Zalgai Ebadi, a front man for the provincial governor.

The Taliban have not yet commented on the attack.
Posted by: trailing wife || 04/22/2020 02:58 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Taliban


Taliban militants kill 1 civilian, wound 3 others in Kapisa province
[KhaamaPress] The Talibs fired mortars in North-eastern Kapisa province which killed a civilian and maimed 3 others, the Afghan military said.

The 201st Silab Corps in a statement said the Talibs fired mortar rounds in Tagab district on Saturday which landed on civilian homes.

The statement further added that the attack killed a civilian and maimed 3 others.

The Taliban
...Arabic for students...
group has not commented regarding the incident so far.
Posted by: trailing wife || 04/22/2020 02:58 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under: Taliban


Taliban Attacks Surge, 30 Security Force Members Killed
[ToloNews] More than 30 members of Afghan cops bit the dust in Taliban
...Arabic for students...
festivities in three provinces on Sunday evening, amid a surge in attacks by the group with the arrival of the new fighting season, which continues despite the signing of the US-Taliban deal in late February and international calls for peace.

The attacks were carried out in the northeastern province of Takhar, Uruzgan in the south, and Balkh in the north of the country.

In Takhar, the group attacked an outpost of public uprising forces in Khwaja Ghar district, killing 19 of them, Takhar governor’s front man Mohammad Jawad Hijri confirmed.

In Balkh, the Taliban attacked a government forces check post in Sholgara district, and nine security force members were killed, said multiple sources, including officials.

Another attack was carried out in Uruzgan province, and five coppers were killed.

The Taliban ramped up their attacks following a week of reduced violence in late February that led to the signing of a peace deal between the group and the United States. However,
a clean conscience makes a soft pillow...
following the peace deal, attacks have greatly increased.

TOLOnews findings show that the group carried out over 2,160 attacks against government forces from March 6 to April 10.

However,
a clean conscience makes a soft pillow...
the Taliban also claimed in a document that the Afghan and foreign forces conducted 50 attacks on the group following the signing of the deal.

"This is a result of the inattention of the leaders, which has resulted in people’s sons being killed," said Mohamad Azam Afzali, member of the Takhar provincial council.

Sources said those killed in Takhar were members of the local army but the Takhar governor’s front man said they were public uprising forces.

"Nineteen members of the public uprising forces were martyred, and five others were maimed," the front man said.

"In the mentioned attack, the Afghan forces pushed back the Taliban and two Taliban fighters were killed and two others were maimed," said Zelgai Ebadi, a front man for the Uruzgan governor.

Badakhshan, Kunduz, Faryab, Takhar, Baghlan, Badghis, Uruzgan, Ghazni, Balkh and Pashtun-infested Logar provinces have witnessed heavy festivities in recent days.

"The Taliban has intensified their conflicts in Yaftal-e-Payeen district, and the roadways to Raghistan district are closed," said Ahmad Bashir Samim, head of the Badakhshan provincial council.

The acting Interior Affairs Minister, Gen. Massoud Andarabi, said the Taliban is undermining the grinding of the peace processor with such attacks.

"If they respect the people of Afghanistan and humanitarian values, they should agree on a ceasefire," he said. "But if they continue their attacks, the Afghan forces will defend the country with full power."

"The special forces unit has given a tit-for-tat response to the Taliban in each area, but we call on the Taliban to quit the enmity with the people of Afghanistan," said Gen. Farid Ahmadi, commander of the Afghan Army’s special operations corps.

Violence in the country was expected to lessen following the signing of the peace deal between the US and the Taliban, but, so far, the Taliban attacks have not stopped.
Posted by: trailing wife || 04/22/2020 02:58 || Comments || Link || [16 views] Top|| File under: Taliban


Explosion close to Khost governor’s convoy of vehicles leaves 5 wounded
[KhaamaPress] An explosion took place close to the convoy of the vehicles of Khost governor Mohammad Halim Fidai in South-eastern Khost province
... across the border from Miranshah, within commuting distance of Haqqani hangouts such as Datta Khel and probably within sight of Mordor. Khost is populated by six different tribes of Pashtuns, the largest probably being the Khostwal, from which it takes its name...
earlier today.

A government source privy of the development said the incident took place earlier today as Mr. Fidai was on his way to his office.

The source further added that the earth-shattering kaboom left at least five people maimed including two security personnel of Mr. Fidai.

According to the source, the explosives, Improvised Explosive Device (IED), was planted on the roadside which went off soon after the vehicle of Mr. Fidai passed the area.

The source also added that the earth-shattering kaboom also maimed two children and a woman but the governor survived the earth-shattering kaboom unhurt.

No individual or group including Taliban
...Arabic for students...
has so far grabbed credit for the incident.
Posted by: trailing wife || 04/22/2020 02:58 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Africa Horn
Al-Shabaab Claims Credit For Mortar Attack On AU Base In Mogadishu
[RADIOSHABELLE] Several mortar shells landed at the heavily fortified Halane base camp which houses AU forces headquarters in Mogadishu on Sunday evening.

A source within the facility told Radio Shabelle the shelling hit the facility and that there were a number of casualties.

The bad boy group al-Shabaab
...... the Islamic version of the old Somali warlord...
grabbed credit noting it fired 9 mortar shells.

The attack comes barely two weeks after a similar one in March.

A foreign national was reportedly injured in the shelling.

Posted by: Fred || 04/22/2020 00:00 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under: al-Shabaab (AQ)


Somali Elite Forces Recapture Fresh Areas From Al-Shabaab
[RADIOSHABELLE] Somali elite forces have liberated two villages in Southern Somalia following operations against al-Shabaab
...... the personification of Somali state failure...
According to a statement issued by SNA on Monday, Somalia’s DANAB forces have engaged al-Shabaab fighters in Abdi-Dhore and Berhani villages which lies 50km west of Kismayo
...a port city in the southern Lower Juba province of Somalia, at the extreme southern end of the country (always assuming Somalia can be called a country). It is the commercial capital of the autonomous Jubaland region....
town in Lower Jubba region.

The forces managed to dislodge the group’s fighters from the villages.

The locals in the villages have welcomed Danab soldiers. The villages are now secure and are in the hands of the forces," the statement reads in part.

The military said in its statement that the forces killed a number of al-Shabaab fighters during the festivities.

The liberation of the two villages came hours after the Somali national army recaptured Bandhub and Bilane villages near Dinsor district of Bay region.

The Somali government has intensified aerial and land operations against al-Shabaab in southern Somalia.

Posted by: Fred || 04/22/2020 00:00 || Comments || Link || [11 views] Top|| File under: al-Shabaab (AQ)


Al-Shabaab Targets Military Convoy With Roadside Bomb In Somalia
[RADIOSHABELLE] A convoy of vehicles carrying Somali soldiers triggered a bomb planted alongside the road near Muri village in Lower Shabelle Region, southern Somalia.

Muri residents said the earth-shattering kaboom hit one of the vehicles, and then soldiers opened fire in all directions, but there were no casualties as a result.

The al-Shabaab
...... the personification of Somali state failure...
murderous Moslem group has grabbed credit for the attack.

According to reports published on the group’s websites, seven soldiers from a US-trained Somali special force were killed in the attack.

The murderous Moslem group has shrugged off intensified military operations against it in the Shabelle Region to continue with its deadly attacks against government forces and AU peacekeepers.

Posted by: Fred || 04/22/2020 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: al-Shabaab (AQ)


Africa North
A number of Syrian mercenaries have been transported from Tripoli to Benghazi after being captured in Abu-Sleem
[PUBLISH.TWITTER]
Posted by: Fred || 04/22/2020 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Sublime Porte


GNA weapons depots targeted by LNA artillery in Krimia Tripoli
[PUBLISH.TWITTER]
Posted by: Fred || 04/22/2020 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Arab Spring


Turkey sends elements of the Islamic State (ISIS) to Libya to fight
[PUBLISH.TWITTER]
Posted by: Fred || 04/22/2020 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Sublime Porte


Europe
Spanish Police arrests Egyptian man who is one of the most wanted ISIS members in Europe
[PUBLISH.TWITTER]
From Skidmark’s Daily Mail link in the comments:
  • Spanish police said they had arrested one of Europe's most wanted terrorists along with two other men

  • Police sources said today that it was British-Egyptian “ISIS rapper” Abdel-Majed Abdel Bary

  • Abdel Bary was once thought to be Jihadi John, but he was actually Mohammed Emwazi
Posted by: Fred || 04/22/2020 00:00 || Comments || Link || [13 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State

#1  Who?
Posted by: newc || 04/22/2020 1:06 Comments || Top||

#2  No names given.
Posted by: b || 04/22/2020 8:28 Comments || Top||


#4  Good find, Skidmark. I’ve added the key info to the article so it will be searchable. I also did a name link search on our boy, only to discover another jihadi family: his pops, Adel Abdel Bary, is serving 25 years here for causing trouble as a bigshot in Al-Qaeda/Egyptian Islamic Jihad’s London organization, the latter back when it was Ayman al-Zawahiri‘s outfit. From the 2015 article:

[Pops’] alleged co-conspirator -- Saudi exile Khalid al-Fawwaz, the purported chief of the London Al-Qaeda cell -- is currently on trial in New York.

A third co-conspirator, Libyan defendant Abu Anas al-Libi, died in jug last month from natural causes.
Posted by: trailing wife || 04/22/2020 18:40 Comments || Top||

#5  The real beaut is his father, Adel Abdel. His wiki page makes for interesting reading. I'm sure he even graces the Rantburg archives. It shows that immigration and asylum policies of the UK have been seriously screwed for quite a while.
Posted by: Dron66046 || 04/22/2020 19:01 Comments || Top||

#6  Pops does indeed show up in our archives, Dron66046, for the first time in a Dan Darling article from 2005. See the search here.

We’re very proud of Mr. Darling, who started here when he was in high school, as I recall, and after his university training discovered he could turn his hobby into lucrative employment.
Posted by: trailing wife || 04/22/2020 20:09 Comments || Top||


Iraq
ISIS kills five Iraqi security members in Kirkuk, Diyala: government
[Rudaw] The Iraqi government announced Monday the deaths of five security members and wounding of three others by remnants of the Islamic State
...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that they were al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're really very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear western pols talk they're not really Moslems....
(ISIS) in three separate incidents in Diyala and Kirkuk provinces.

"As a result of festivities with ISIS turbans in Mahbubiya village, Khan Bani Saad district [in Diyala province], a soldier from the army's 19th Infantry Division was martyred," announced the Iraqi Security Cell, using the Arabic acronym for the terrorist group.

"A backup security force immediately arrived at the scene of the fight. When arriving, a landmine was triggered, killing another three soldiers and wounding an officer and a soldier," the statement added.

In a separate incident, a policeman from the Fifth Division of the Iraqi Federal Police, was killed by ISIS remnants in Mariam Bag village, Rashad sub-district in Kirkuk province, added the security cell statement.

A third attack took place near the town of Dibis, also in Kirkuk after "ISIS remnants opened fire on Iraqi forces, wounding a policeman from the Police Commando Division - Brigade 4 ."

These latest attacks mark the continuation of a wave of deadly assaults on Iraqi and Kurdish security forces in the disputed territories in recent weeks.

Concerns have been raised that turban groups might exploit the upheaval created by the coronavirus (aka COVID19 or Chinese Plague)
...the twenty first century equivalent of bubonic plague, only instead of killing off a third of the population of Europe it kills 3.4 percent of those who notice they have it. It seems to be fond of the elderly, especially Iranian politicians and holy men...
pandemic to win over more supporters and strike harder than before.

While searching for four Iraqi intelligence personnel kidnapped by the group's murderous Moslems, two Iraqi soldiers were killed and 10 others maimed on April 13.

ISIS turbans also killed an Iraqi federal police officer at a checkpoint in Hawija, western Kirkuk on April 12, according to defense officials.

Defense Minister Najah al-Shammari vowed last week to 'ramp up' the government’s anti-ISIS efforts, and stop the group's attacks amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Posted by: trailing wife || 04/22/2020 07:49 || Comments || Link || [8 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State


Military intelligence directorate in Anbar announces arrest of coordinator between ISIS elements and their families
[PUBLISH.TWITTER]
Posted by: Fred || 04/22/2020 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State


Iraq|i Federal Police forces conducted an operation in Kirkuk province against IS militants
[PUBLISH.TWITTER]
Posted by: Fred || 04/22/2020 00:00 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State


Iraq|i protester was killed, 30 others injured in attacks by armed militias
[PUBLISH.TWITTER]
Posted by: Fred || 04/22/2020 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran Proxies


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Trump says he's ordered Navy to destroy Iranian boats should they harass U.S. ships
[10 News] President Donald Trump tweeted Wednesday morning that he's instructed the Navy to "shoot down and destroy" Iranian gunboats should they harass U.S. ships.

Trump's tweet came hours after multiple media outlets reported that Iran had launched its first military satellite.

Posted by: Frank G || 04/22/2020 09:10 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran

#1  Good.
Posted by: DarthVader || 04/22/2020 9:12 Comments || Top||

#2  Let's be smart about it and NOT pick up any survivors.
Posted by: Besoeker || 04/22/2020 9:14 Comments || Top||

#3  This shoot them policy is to protect sailors from the virus.
Posted by: lord garth || 04/22/2020 9:19 Comments || Top||

#4  We begin shooting in five minutes.
Posted by: Raj || 04/22/2020 9:22 Comments || Top||

#5  If the boats are hosed by CIWS there will be no survivors.
Posted by: M. Murcek || 04/22/2020 9:29 Comments || Top||

#6  Lots of Chinese designed, Iranian operated anti-ship missiles on the northern shore. All ships will be vulnerable once the shooting starts.
Posted by: Gromolet Craiting5425 || 04/22/2020 9:40 Comments || Top||

#7  ^ #6: yah. Silkworm et al. Soon to be smoking rubble after the first batch lights off.
Posted by: Mercutio || 04/22/2020 10:54 Comments || Top||

#8  Is harassing ships an act of war?
Posted by: Clem || 04/22/2020 11:10 Comments || Top||


#10  They don't have to shoot to sink the boats. A simple "Hard right rudder" at the right time would do it. That would turn the situation into a simple collision. A 9200 ton destroyer would barely feel a collision with an Iranian patrol boat.

Just as JFK and PT109
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia || 04/22/2020 11:32 Comments || Top||

#11  True but we don't want another USS Cole. Don't let em get within 100 yds
Posted by: Frank G || 04/22/2020 11:36 Comments || Top||

#12  So, we should also shoot down Russian fighter jets that come close to our planes patrolling the Med?
Posted by: Clem || 04/22/2020 11:43 Comments || Top||

#13  I don't recall Russian Officials leading "Death to America" chants?
Posted by: Frank G || 04/22/2020 11:49 Comments || Top||

#14  Russians haven't killed a single American in, well, forever.
IRGC otoh...
Posted by: Lex || 04/22/2020 11:52 Comments || Top||

#15  So?
Posted by: Clem || 04/22/2020 11:52 Comments || Top||

#16  I can remember Major Nicholson getting murdered in Potsdam in the 1980's. O.k., that's one.

Yes, I get #13 & #14's point, though. But why is harassment from one military foe different from another? China, too.
Posted by: Clem || 04/22/2020 11:54 Comments || Top||

#17  Fair enough. I see your point, Clem
Posted by: Lex || 04/22/2020 11:57 Comments || Top||

#18  . But why is harassment from one military foe different from another? China, too

You know why. It's swatting a fly with Iran. War with China and/or Russia, not so much. Should we treat Cuba the same as Russia? They're both Commies antagonistic to us? The answer is no.

We have the ability to make judgements. This isn't a teacher relying on zero tolerance to expel a kid who makes a paper gun cutout to color the same as a kid who kills another student
Posted by: Frank G || 04/22/2020 12:06 Comments || Top||

#19  And 99.9% of it is just Trump talking tough. I don't think Iran is dumb enough to poke any hornet's nest, at least via 'traditional' military methods.
Posted by: Clem || 04/22/2020 12:08 Comments || Top||

#20  They just did this week, closing to within 10's of yards. Now that he's laid it out, they'll have to edge up to show they aren't cowards who can be intimidated. Some will have to die for the Ayatollah's PR
Posted by: Frank G || 04/22/2020 12:15 Comments || Top||

#21  The Iranian boats could contain high explosives. IIRC the speed boat that attacked the USS Cole may have had the explosives arranged in an equivalent of a shape charge.
Posted by: Alaska Paul || 04/22/2020 12:25 Comments || Top||

#22  Frank G's comment at #11 is the key point here. These people are nuts enough to send suicide boats into a US Navy ship and we can't take a chance on that. Russians and Chinese aren't that crazy.

As for the survivors, Iranians might want to discover what it's like for their people to be held hostage.
Posted by: Abu Uluque || 04/22/2020 12:27 Comments || Top||

#23  But I'm all out of popcorn and I can't go shopping !
Posted by: Dron66046 || 04/22/2020 13:04 Comments || Top||

#24  That's on you, Dron. Popcorn is cheap and easy to store for long periods. You should always have a good supply of it on hand.
Posted by: Abu Uluque || 04/22/2020 13:17 Comments || Top||

#25  The same goes for whiskey.
Posted by: Abu Uluque || 04/22/2020 13:18 Comments || Top||

#26  Bevmo has takeout and delivery. Just saying

Mr. Jameson's visited yesterday
Posted by: Frank G || 04/22/2020 13:29 Comments || Top||

#27  Now that you mention it... [runs of to store room]

[rushes back, satisfied]

Two and a half bottles of Absolut, one of JD, and an old fancy thingy half full of absinthe. And rum. Some dregs of local rum too. Naah, I'll be fine. I think.
Posted by: Dron66046 || 04/22/2020 13:48 Comments || Top||

#28  Air combat losses betwen the USSR and USA
Posted by: 3dc || 04/22/2020 13:51 Comments || Top||

#29  IMO the Iranian know Trump is not fooling around like Obama with his red lines that were never enforced.
Posted by: JohnQC || 04/22/2020 13:52 Comments || Top||

#30  and post WW-II air to air combat losses by all
here
Posted by: 3dc || 04/22/2020 13:59 Comments || Top||

#31  Wow, thx 3dc
Posted by: Lex || 04/22/2020 14:01 Comments || Top||

#32  So that's it for combat losses - what about civilian planes shot down by Russia - like the one over Sakalin island with a US Congressman aboard? And the Dutch airliner in the Ukraine - Russia way ahead in that category.
Posted by: Mercutio || 04/22/2020 14:29 Comments || Top||

#33  ^Lets start a war with Russia - make Xi happy.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 04/22/2020 14:33 Comments || Top||

#34  KAL 007 did pop into my mind. I also seem to recall some strange occurrences with the KAL flight being either off course or did not identify itself...can't remember. But, still, kind of hard to not recognize a civilian aircraft. That Congressman, wasn't he on some mission? A member of the John Birch Society?
Posted by: Clem || 04/22/2020 14:36 Comments || Top||

#35  #34 Iran Air Flight 655
USS Vincennes mistaken Airbus A300 for F-14.

List of airliner shootdown incidents

Please note "1973 Libyan Arab Airlines Flight 114" in the ibid
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 04/22/2020 14:52 Comments || Top||

#36  Nonetheless we should dial it back with Russia and find common cause with them against China.
Posted by: Lex || 04/22/2020 15:02 Comments || Top||

#37  /\ I can dig that.

USS Vincennes - Horrible tragedy. I believe the US paid restitution for that (FWIW).
Posted by: Clem || 04/22/2020 15:05 Comments || Top||

#38  ^Just click the second link.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 04/22/2020 15:07 Comments || Top||


Militia rivalry plunges Sari Kani into renewed violence
[Rudaw] Recent festivities between armed militias in Sari Kani (Ras al-Ain), northeast Syria has sparked fear among locals six months after the town was overrun by Ottoman Turkish-backed murderous Moslems.

Two fighters were killed and several maimed in fighting between Ottoman Turkish-backed factions in Sari Kani on Monday night amid disagreements over control of looted property in the town, once home to a diverse population including both Arabs and Kurds.

UK-based war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported "violent festivities" with heavy weaponry between Ahrar al-Sharqiya and the al-Mutasim brigade in several neighbourhoods on Monday evening, resulting in the death of two Ahrar al-Sharqiya fighters.

Ahrar al-Sharqiya is known most notably for its suspected involvement in the murder of prominent Kurdish politician Hevrin Khalaf in October 2019.

Syrian state media outlet SANA also reported the fighting, adding that Ankara has sent military reinforcements to the area in recent weeks in a bid to stop fighting between various factions.

"From the accounts I heard, this was the heaviest infighting to take place since Ottoman Turkish-backed groups captured the region from Kurdish forces," said a Rudaw source, who wished to remain anonymous, after speaking to three civilians in the town.

Sari Kani has been controlled by Ottoman Turkish-backed factions since October of last year following Operation Peace Spring, a military offensive launched by Ankara to clear the area of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The town now lies in a ’buffer zone’ under the control of Ottoman Turkish-backed militias, stretching from Sari Kani to the town of Gire Spi (Tel Abyad).

Extensive looting and destruction of civilian property has been widely reported since militias took over the area, particularly against minority groups including Kurds and Yezidis.

SOHR on Monday warned of a "demographic change" against the Yezidi minority in rural areas surrounding Sari Kani following looting by Ottoman Turkish-backed groups.

"Ottoman Turkish-backed factions, supported and facilitated by the Ottoman Turkish government, are resettling families of fighters loyal to them in these villages, as they do in other areas under their control," reads the report, which also claimed that members of the Sultan Murad faction destroyed and looted a Yezidi cemetery in the village of Jan Tamer, east of Ras al-Ain.
Posted by: trailing wife || 04/22/2020 08:07 || Comments || Link || [11 views] Top|| File under: Sublime Porte


Iran's IRGC announced that it has successfully launched its first military satellite
[Twitter]
Posted by: 3dc || 04/22/2020 06:31 || Comments || Link || [10 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran

#1  What's it called, Sputnik III?
Posted by: Raj || 04/22/2020 9:23 Comments || Top||

#2  Will wait for Space Command confirmation. Not the first time Iran claimed success for a failed sat launch.
Posted by: Gromolet Craiting5425 || 04/22/2020 9:28 Comments || Top||

#3  Splatnik III, Raj.
Posted by: AlanC || 04/22/2020 11:51 Comments || Top||

#4  ^ Snark O' The Day!
Posted by: Lex || 04/22/2020 11:52 Comments || Top||

#5  Another reason not to give Iran $5B. Or $150B. Or $1.8B.
Posted by: gorb || 04/22/2020 22:11 Comments || Top||


Unknown assailants blow up oil pipeline in Al_Qahtaniya
[PUBLISH.TWITTER]
Posted by: Fred || 04/22/2020 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria


HTS executes young man in rural Idlib after he was deported from Turkey
[PUBLISH.TWITTER]
Posted by: Fred || 04/22/2020 00:00 || Comments || Link || [13 views] Top|| File under: al-Nusra

#1  Honor among thieves. But terrorists? Not so much.
Posted by: Clem || 04/22/2020 12:10 Comments || Top||


Asayish-NDF escalating tension: fierce clashes erupts between both powers in Al-Qamishly
[SYRIAHR] Syrian Observatory activists have reported that fierce clashes erupted between the Internal Security Forces (Asayish) and regime-backed National Defence Forces (NDF), in Al-Qamishli city. The clashes are concentrated in Halku area where NDF have unleashed an attack on Asayish forces.

Reliable reported suggested there were casualties in the ranks of both sides. Meanwhile, Russian forces and Autonomous Administration interfered attempting to defuse tension between both conflicting parties.

On Sunday, SOHR sources reported that two explosions rocked Al-Qamishli city, as unknown assailants attacked the headquarters of the “National Defense Forces” in Al-Qamishli city near Al-Salam roundabout with grenades.

Meanwhile,
...back at the buffalo wallow, Yellow Wolf clutched at his chest and fell from his horse...
NDF members opened fire on a checkpoint belonging to Asayish Forces. No casualties were reported.

The Internal Security Forces (Asayish) issued a statement a few days earlier accusing the regime-backed “National Defense Forces” (NDF) of attacking Kurdish checkpoint in Al-Qamishli city in Al-Hasakah countryside.

SOHR obtained a copy of the statement which reads “militiamen affiliated to the regime-backed National Defense Forces threw two grenades yesterday, Thursday the 16th of April, on a checkpoint of Asayish Forces in Al-Qamishli.”

The statement illustrated that one grenade exploded, while the other one was defused, while the explosion caused material damage only.

“The area has been swept, just in case there are dangerous or explosive ordnance left by the militiamen” the statement added.
Posted by: Fred || 04/22/2020 00:00 || Comments || Link || [14 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria


Daraa: Tension between Russian-backed formation and regime forces on the rise
[SYRIAHR] SOHR sources have reported seeing regime military build-up arriving in the vicinity of Nahteh and al-Harrak in the eastern countryside of Daraa. The arrival of these reinforcement to Daraa comes after dignitaries and members of the Russian-backed "5th Corps" prevented regime forces from al-Harrak city.

On the other hand, regime forces raided some civilian houses in Um Walad town in the eastern countryside of Daraa where they arrested a civilian. The raids come in the wake of liquidation attempt that targeted a regime soldier in the town.

Recently, liquidations which target regime forces, loyal Death Eaters and "collaborators" with regime, is widespread in Daraa province.
Posted by: Fred || 04/22/2020 00:00 || Comments || Link || [14 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria


Demographic change in NE Syria: dozens of families of Turkish-backed fighters arrive in Tal_Abyad
[PUBLISH.TWITTER]
Posted by: Fred || 04/22/2020 00:00 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under: Sublime Porte


Security chaos in southern Syria: gunmen target commander’s house in local faction with RPG
[SYRIAHR] Security chaos is increasing remarkably in al-Suwayda province, amid heightened tensions with Daraa province particularly the recent festivities between al-Quraya and Bosra al-Sham bully boys.

In the meantime, person or persons unknown targeted the house of a commander in local factions in rural al-Sweida, near al-Kum road, causing material damage.

On April 20, SOHR sources reported that locals in the village of al-Tha’ala in rural al-Sweida found the body of a member of the reconciliation committee between al-Sweida and Daraa in southern Syria. He was found dead with blows on the head by a sharp object, while on his farm.

SOHR sources added that the killers stole his car from the farm, to disguise the murder and make it look like a robbery-homicide.

Dignitaries from Horan (Darra) and Jabal al-Arab (Al-Sweida) had formed a reconciliation committee in order to defuse tensions between the two cities, without the presence of figures close to Syrian regime.

The victim is a Syrian from al-Sweida province and opponent of the regime and he was an active member of the Democratic National Congress.
Posted by: Fred || 04/22/2020 00:00 || Comments || Link || [9 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria


Two gunmen kill civilian who practices magic in rural #Deir_ez_Zorhttp://www.
[PUBLISH.TWITTER]
Posted by: Fred || 04/22/2020 00:00 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under:



Who's in the News
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2Govt of Iran
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A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.

Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.

Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has dominated Mexico for six years.
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Meet the Mods
In no particular order...
Steve White
Seafarious
tu3031
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trailing wife
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Two weeks of WOT
Wed 2020-04-22
  Trump says he's ordered Navy to destroy
Iranian boats should they harass U.S. ships
Tue 2020-04-21
  North Korea's Kim Jong Un in grave danger
after surgery, or so they ay
Mon 2020-04-20
  U.S. crude falls below $15 a barrel, down more than 20%
Sun 2020-04-19
  44 suspected Boko Haram jihadis found dead in Chad prison
Sat 2020-04-18
  Almost $5 billion of Iran government money for imports is missing
Fri 2020-04-17
  CCP reports coup attempt in China!
Thu 2020-04-16
  Iranian Attack Boats Harass U.S. Navy, Coast Guard Vessels in Persian Gulf
Wed 2020-04-15
  China-Flagged Tanker Attacked In Gulf Of Oman By Iranian Navy
Tue 2020-04-14
  GNA carry out mass executions in the cities of Sabratah and Sorman
Mon 2020-04-13
  Libyan National Army captures Abu Grein
Sun 2020-04-12
  Houthi militia has sentenced four journalists to death in Yemen for ‘treason and espionage,’
Sat 2020-04-11
  Krakatoa volcano blows up
Fri 2020-04-10
  Iraq names its third prime minister in 10 weeks
Thu 2020-04-09
  Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Adnan Al-Zurfi withdraws his candidacy
Wed 2020-04-08
  Pakistan Scrambles to Quarantine 100,000 Who Attended Tablighi Jamaat Event


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