Reader’s Links for October 9, 2019

Daily Links Post graphic

Each day at just after midnight Eastern, a post like this one is created for contributors and readers of this site to upload news links and video links on the issues that concern this site. Most notably, Islam and its effects on Classical Civilization, and various forms of leftism from Soviet era communism, to postmodernism and all the flavours of galloping statism and totalitarianism such as Nazism and Fascism which are increasingly snuffing out the classical liberalism which created our near, miraculous civilization the West has been building since the time of Socrates.

This document was written around the time this site was created, for those who wish to understand what this site is about. And while our understanding of the world and events has grown since then, the basic ideas remain sound and true to the purpose.

So please post all links, thoughts and ideas that you feel will benefit the readers of this site to the comments under this post each day. And thank you all for your contributions.

This is the new Samizdat. We must use it while we can.

About Eeyore

Canadian artist and counter-jihad and freedom of speech activist as well as devout Schrödinger's catholic

114 Replies to “Reader’s Links for October 9, 2019”

  1. Suspects Who Plotted Soleimani Assassination to Face Hirabah Charges (aawsat, Oct 9, 2019)
    https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1937931/suspects-who-plotted-soleimani-assassination-face-hirabah-charges

    “An Iranian prosecutor revealed that individuals arrested for the attempted assassination of IRGC Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani will be tried on the charges of acting against national security, Hirabah (fighting God) and helping foreign secret services.

    The charge of Hirabah can entail the death sentence for the suspects.

    The prosecutor of Kerman in southeastern Iran also uncovered new details on the case a few days after Hossein Taeb, the head of the IRGC’s Intelligence Organization, was cited for making new allegations about the thwarting of the assassination plot which targeted Soleimani’s life last September.

    According to Taeb, the suspects had planted 350 kg to 500 kg of ammunition in a canal dug under a mosque and were planning to detonate it and assassinate Soleimani when he came to visit the place.

    As reported by IRNA, Kerman Prosecutor Dadkhoda Salari told reporters that three agents will be tried soon…”

  2. Report Says Houthis Committed 30,000 Violations in Education Sector (aawsat, Oct 9, 2019)
    https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1938041/report-says-houthis-committed-30000-violations-education-sector

    “A human rights report confirmed that Houthi militias committed, in Sanaa and other coup-run governorates, about 30,000 violations in educational institutions within a single year.
    These violations include killings, sexual assaults, kidnappings, and forced recruitment of children.

    The Sanaa-based Mwatana for Human Rights issued a report covering the period from October 2018 to October 2019.

    Entitled “towards oblivion,” the report said that education in Houthi-run areas is being dealt a travesty as violence, weapons, and a culture of death spreads among young students. This is also aggravated by the Houthis indiscriminate firing of staffers at schools.

    Yemeni Human Rights Minister Mohamad Askar, in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, confirmed that extents to which Houthi human rights violations have reached unimaginable heights. He noted that he relayed that message to Human Rights Watch’s (HRW) Andrea Prasow at a meeting in Washington.

    The acting HRW Washington Director was informed on violations committed by the Iran-backed militia. They included extrajudicial killings, the recruitment of children, physical, and verbal assault as well as the modification of the national education curriculum to suit a sectarian agenda.

    Minister Askar also filled in Prasow on Houthis bombing opposition houses, destroying public and private institutions, violating women’s rights and kidnapping activists.

    “During the meeting, I talked about the breach of all international conventions and treaties on human rights, from the right to life to the most basic social and economic rights such as the right to freedom of expression, movement, and livelihood,” Askar said.

    Askar called on the international community and international human rights organizations to play their role regarding human rights in Yemen.

    He affirmed the readiness of the Yemeni government to work with international organizations in order to protect human rights and prosecute violators.”

  3. WAR WITH CHINA: The Fed & bank bailout, China investment, Trump preparing for trade war?

  4. Arab League Calls for Emergency Meeting over Turkey’s Syria Offensive as Criticism Mounts (aawsat, Oct 9, 2019)
    https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1938546/arab-league-calls-emergency-meeting-over-turkey%E2%80%99s-syria-offensive-criticism

    “Egypt called for an emergency meeting of the Arab League over Turkey’s offensive into Syria, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

    “Egypt condemned in the strongest terms the Turkish aggression on Syrian territory,” the ministry said in a statement, adding the offensive “represents a blatant and unacceptable attack on the sovereignty of a brotherly Arab state.”

    Turkey launched a military operation against Kurdish fighters in northeast Syria on Wednesday just days after US troops pulled back from the area.

    Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the aim was to eliminate what he called a “terror corridor” on Turkey’s southern border, but European countries called on Ankara to halt the operation.

    Turkey had been poised to enter northeast Syria since US troops, who have been fighting with Kurdish-led forces against ISIS, started to leave in an abrupt policy shift by US President Donald Trump.

    The Egyptian foreign ministry, in its statement, “warned of the repercussions of the Turkish move on the unity and territorial integrity of Syria”.

    Germany slammed the offensive, calling on Ankara to end military action, saying it threatened “a further humanitarian catastrophe and further displacement of persons.”

    Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in a statement that “we condemn the Turkish offensive in the northeast of Syria in the strongest possible terms. ”

    He said Turkey was running the risk that it would “further destabilize the region and strengthen ISIS.”

    France’s European affairs minister Amelie de Montchalin said France and Britain would call a UN Security Council meeting over the Turkish offensive.

    NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg urged Turkey not to “further destabilize the region” through its offensive.

    Stoltenberg told a news conference in Rome that Turkey, a NATO ally, “has legitimate security concerns,” having suffered “horrendous terrorist attacks” and hosting thousands of refugees.

    He said Turkey should act with “restraint” and any action should be “proportionate.”

    Stoltenberg will discuss the military action with Erdogan on Friday in Istanbul.

    European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker called on Turkey to halt its military operation, warning that the EU will not be paying to help Ankara set up any safe zone there.

    Speaking to EU lawmakers, he said: “I call on Turkey as well as on the other actors to act with restraint and to stop operations already, as we are speaking, underway.”

    While acknowledging that Turkey has security concerns on its border with Syria, Juncker said that “if the Turkish plan involves the creation of a so-called safe zone, don’t expect the European Union to pay for any of it.”

    The EU is paying Turkey 6 billion euros ($6.6 billion) to help the country cope with almost 4 million Syrian refugees on its territory in exchange for stopping migrants leaving for Europe. But Ankara is seeking more money amid concerns that thousands of Syrians could soon cross its border.”

  5. Saudi Arabia Slams Turkey’s Syria Offensive, Says it Undermines Fight against ISIS (aawsat, Oct 9, 2019)
    https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1938581/saudi-arabia-slams-turkey%E2%80%99s-syria-offensive-says-it-undermines-fight-against

    “Saudi Arabia condemned on Wednesday the Turkish military’s offensive in northeastern Syria, deeming it a “flagrant” attack against the country’s unity, independence and sovereignty.

    An official source at the Foreign Ministry expressed the Kingdom’s concern over the offensive, saying it undermines international efforts to combat the ISIS terrorist group in Syria, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

    The source stressed the need to secure the safety of the brotherly Syrian people and safeguard the stability and territorial integrity of Syria.

    Dismissing the excuses declared by Turkey to justify its attack, the source warned that the offensive will negatively impact the security and stability of the region.”

  6. Turkish fighter jets fly 30 km deep in N Syria (memo, Oct 9, 2019)
    https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191009-turkish-fighter-jets-fly-30-km-deep-in-n-syria/

    “Turkish jets destroyed YPG/PKK targets 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) deep east of the Euphrates River in northern Syria as part of Operation Peace Spring, Anadolu reports.

    YPG/PKK targets at the Rami Airbase and its ammunition depot near Ayn Isa district, as well as five villages, including Aluk and Tal Fender, were hit by Turkish F-16 jets.

    The airstrikes also hit the terrorist elements in the city of Ras al-ayn, as well as those in the rural areas of Derik and Qamasli districts.

    Meanwhile, an Anadolu Agency footage showed YPG/PKK terrorists burning tires in Ras al-ayn to block the recording of Turkish drones and the view of fighter jets.

    The footage recorded black fumes covering the city sky after tires were burned…”

  7. Kurdish SDF: Turkish air strike hit Syria prison holding IS detainees (reuters, Oct 9, 2019)
    https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-turkey-islamicstate/kurdish-sdf-turkish-air-strike-hit-syria-prison-holding-is-detainees-idUSKBN1WO2QZ

    “The Kurdish-led force that controls northeast Syria said a Turkish air strike on Wednesday hit a prison which holds detained Islamic State militants.

    “One of the prisons that ISIS detainees (are) held in was struck by Turkish airstrike,” the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said in a tweet without giving any further details.”

  8. Turkey opens ground assault on Syria’s Kurds; U.S. Republicans turn on Trump (reuters, Oct 9, 2019)
    https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-turkey-usa/turkey-opens-ground-assault-on-syrias-kurds-u-s-republicans-turn-on-trump-idUSKBN1WO05Z

    “Turkish troops and their Syrian rebel allies attacked Kurdish militia in northeast Syria on Wednesday, pounding them with air strikes and artillery before starting a cross-border ground operation that could transform an eight-year-old war.

    The assault began days after U.S. President Donald Trump pulled American troops out of the way, prompting denunciations from senior members of his own Republican Party who say he abandoned the Syrian Kurds, loyal allies of Washington.

    “The Turkish Armed Forces and the Syrian National Army have launched the land operation into the east of the Euphrates river as part of the Operation Peace Spring,” the Turkish defense ministry tweeted after nightfall, following a day of pounding the area from the air.

    Turkish media reported troops entering Syria at four points, two of them close to the Syrian town of Tel Abyad and two close to Ras al Ain further east.

    Turkey told the United Nations Security Council in a letter seen by Reuters that its military operation would be “proportionate, measured and responsible.” The 15-member body will meet on Thursday to discuss Syria at the request of the five European members, Britain, France, Germany, Belgium and Poland.

    Thousands of people fled Ras al Ain toward Hasaka province, held by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The Turkish air strikes killed at least five civilians and three fighters from the SDF and wounded dozens of civilians, the SDF said.

    Reuters journalists at Akcakale on the Turkish side of the frontier watched as explosions struck Tel Abyad. After dark, the red flare of rockets could be seen fired across the border into Tel Abyad, and flames burned near the town. Explosions from Tel Abyad could be heard eight hours into the bombardment. A witness reached by telephone said civilians were fleeing en masse.

    SDF fighters repelled a ground attack by Turkish troops in Tel Abyad, SDF spokesman Mustafa Bali said on Twitter.

    The assault on the Kurds – for years Washington’s main allies on the ground in Syria – is potentially one of the biggest shifts in years in the Syrian war that has drawn in global and regional powers. The Kurds played a leading role in capturing territory from Islamic State, and now hold the largest swathe of Syria outside of the hands of President Bashar al-Assad.

    Russia, Assad’s strongest foreign ally, urged dialogue between Damascus and Syria’s Kurds…”

  9. Breaking with Trump, U.S. Republicans press for response to Turkey over Syria (reuters, Oct 9, 2019)
    https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-turkey-usa-graham/breaking-with-trump-u-s-republicans-press-for-response-to-turkey-over-syria-idUSKBN1WO1ZK

    “U.S. Republicans condemned President Donald Trump’s Syria policy on Wednesday after Turkey launched a military operation against Kurdish fighters, a rare break from the White House that had some calling for “devastating” sanctions against the NATO ally.

    Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, usually a vocal Trump ally, has repeatedly criticized Trump’s decision to withdraw U.S. troops from northeastern Syria and unveiled a framework for sanctions on Turkey with Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen.

    Their proposed sanctions would target the assets of senior officials including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, mandate sanctions over Turkey’s purchase of a Russian S-400 missile defense system and impose visa restrictions.

    They also would sanction anyone who conducted military transactions with Turkey or supported energy production for use by its armed forces, bar U.S. military assistance to Turkey and require a report on Erdogan’s net worth and assets.

    “I am pleased to have reached a bipartisan agreement with Senator Van Hollen on severe sanctions against Turkey for their invasion of Syria,” Graham said in a statement.

    “While the Administration refuses to act against Turkey, I expect strong bipartisan support,” he said.

    The Turkish military and Syrian rebel allies launched an operation in Syria on Wednesday with air strikes. Erdogan said the operation aimed to eliminate a “terror corridor” along the Turkish border.

    Ankara has branded the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia as terrorists because of their ties to militants who have waged an insurgency in Turkey. But many members of Congress, and U.S. officials, credit the Kurds with fighting alongside American troops to defeat Islamic State militants.

    Some House Republicans joined in the condemnation.

    Representative Liz Cheney, who chairs the House Republican Conference, said Trump’s decision “is having sickening and predictable consequences.” Saying his action aided U.S. adversaries “Russia, Iran and Turkey,” she said lawmakers would respond.

    “Congress must and will act to limit the catastrophic impact of this decision,” Cheney said in a statement.

    Other Republicans issued statements questioning what they described as Trump’s decision to “abandon” the Kurds.

    The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

    FIRST VETO OVERRIDE?
    Senator Susan Collins called it “terribly unwise,” and added, “Today we are seeing the consequences of that terrible decision. If the reports of Turkish strikes in Syria are accurate, I fear our allies the Kurds could be slaughtered.”

    In an interview with the media outlet Axios, Graham predicted that enough Senate Republicans would back sanctions legislation to override a possible Trump veto.

    If so, it would be the first veto override of Trump’s presidency after too few Republicans joined Democrats to muster the two-thirds majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives to override his first five.

    “The president’s doing this completely against everybody else’s advice,” Graham said. “He will get 100% of the credit if he knows something the rest of us don’t. And he’s going to get 100% of the blame. There’ll be no middle ground.”

    In a statement on Twitter on Tuesday, Graham warned Ankara of “sanctions from hell” if it moved into northern Syria. “Wide, deep, and devastating sanctions,” he said.

    Senator Jim Risch, the Republican chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, said Turkey’s “aggressive actions” raised concerns and risked a precipitous decline in relations with Washington.”

  10. Iran dispatches 7,500 fighters to Iraq to protect Shia pilgrims (memo, Oct 9, 2019)
    https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191009-iran-dispatches-7500-fighters-to-iraq-to-protect-shia-pilgrims/

    “A senior Iranian military official revealed on Monday that his country would dispatch 7,500 troops to Iraq to protect Shia pilgrims, Iranian news agency Mehr reported.

    Commander of Special Unit of Iran’s Law Enforcement Police Brigadier General Hassan Karami told Mehr that the Iranian troops will protect the celebration of the Arba’een of Imam Hussein – the anniversary of 40 days after the murder of the Shia Imam Al-Hussein.

    “More than 10,000 special forces are directly responsible for securing the Arba’een anniversary celebrations,” he said.

    He stated that 7,500 of which would be deployed in streets, while the remaining 4,000 would be on standby.

    Iranian Special Forces were responsible for the cracking down on popular protests which erupted in more than 100 Iranian cities between December 2017 and January 2018.

    “We did not use violence,” he said.

    “We used only soft power, electronic surveillance, water cannons and dialogue with the protesters,” he explained. “This way, we could end the protests within two months.””

  11. Saudi authorities launch another crackdown on princes and businessmen (memo, Oct 9, 2019)
    https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191009-saudi-authorities-launch-another-crackdown-on-princes-and-businessmen/

    “A Twitter account, named An Old Diplomat, published documents showing that the Saudi authorities have frozen property assets of several princes and business people. This appears to be a second crackdown on Saudi businessmen and princes similar to the Ritz-Carlton 2017 campaign.

    The Twitter account stated that the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman seized vast lands owned by Sheikh Ajlan Al-Ajlan north of Riyadh after preventing the sale or disposal of the lands.

    An Old Diplomat revealed in another tweet that the management and sale of the company assets owned by Hamad bin Saedan, north of Riyadh, have also been frozen.

    The account predicted a sudden and rapid collapse of the Saudi real estate market, i.e. prices are expected to fall by 50 per cent and more, as what happened with the stock market in 2006.

    He added that the real estate assets of Riyad Al-Mustaqbal Real Estate, Abdulrahman Al-Sheikh and Mohammed Al-Eidan were frozen.

    According to An Old Diplomat, the decisions to freeze real estate assets included Olaya Real Estate Company, Younis Mohammed Al-Awad, Ibrahim bin Saedan and Ibrahim Al-Harabi, in addition to Prince Badr bin Abdulaziz, brother of King Salman.

    The list also included Moussa and Adil Al Mousa and Saleh Shuqair.

    In November 2017, Bin Salman launched a sweeping campaign of arrests against princes of the ruling family, former officials and ministers, under the banner of an “Anti-Corruption Campaign”. Consequently, the targeted personalities were held inside the famous Ritz Carlton hotel.

    Later, Saudi Attorney General Saoud bin Abdullah Al-Moajab indicated that the government had succeeded in raising more than $100 billion through financial settlements with businesspeople and officials summoned as part of anti-corruption investigations.”

  12. Hamas launches ‘secret war’ against Daesh in Gaza (memo, Oct 9, 2019)
    https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191009-hamas-launches-secret-war-against-daesh-in-gaza/

    “Hamas is undertaking a “secret war” against Daesh and other terror groups in the Gaza Strip, Lebanese daily Al Akhbar has reported.

    Hamas told the newspaper that it is confiscating weapons, including long-range rockets capable of hitting major cities in Israel.

    The “secret war” has been launched in response to the explosions that occurred in August at two Hamas police checkpoints in Gaza City, which left three policemen dead and three others injured.

    The first attack resulted in the death of two police officers when a motorcycle exploded as it approached the Dahdouh checkpoint, west of Gaza City.

    The second attack took place in the Sheikh Ajlin area, less than an hour later and killed another police officer.

    No group claimed responsibility for the attacks and the Hamas Interior Ministry declared a state of emergency throughout Gaza and put security forces on alert.

    Security officials later learnt that the attack was set by Daesh suicide bombers.

    Since then, more than 30 individuals have been arrested with security services saying at least 12 were involved directly in the suicide attacks.

    They claim to have also captured four cells in Gaza that were planning to carry out attacks on the group’s security forces and senior officials.

    Daesh and other small hardline factions say there should be a stricter implementation of Islam and have been blamed by Hamas for a number of rocket attacks on Israel in recent months.”

  13. ‘Egypt has the power and determination to protect its rights to Nile water,’ foreign minister tells parliament (ahram, Oct 9, 2019)
    http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/352542/Egypt/Politics-/Egypt-has-the-power-and-determination-to-protect-i.aspx

    “In a statement before parliament on Wednesday, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry accused Ethiopia of building its Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in violation of international agreements.

    “Ethiopia has an obligation in line with 1997’s international agreement on river waters not to build dams that could negatively impact the water rights of other Nile countries – mainly Egypt and Sudan,” said Shoukry.

    Shoukry said that all negotiations that have been held with Ethiopia since 2015 have gone nowhere.

    “Ethiopia has even shown hardline positions and was highly unresponsive to any proposals during the latest round of negotiations between 30 September and 5 October,” said Shoukry, adding that “Ethiopia no longer has any serious wish to discuss the rules for filling the dam and this goes in violation of the declaration of principles reached in March 2015.”

    “Ethiopia’s new hardline positions, which come after a long period of negotiations, will lead to destabilising consequences in the region, and so we call upon the international community to exercise its responsibilities in this respect,” said Shoukry, adding that “Egypt proposes that the World Bank act a mediator that can intervene in a scientific way to solve the differences.”

    Shoukry said that “in any case, I want to assure all that Egypt will never accept Ethiopia imposing the status quo and that it has the power and determination to protect its rights to the Nile water and to assure respect for international law on this issue, because this is a matter of life and death for Egypt.”

    Shoukry also said that Ethiopia has an abundance of water.

    “[Ethiopia] has 630 billion cubic metres of rain water, not to mention that it has water from 10 river basins,” said Shoukry, “but Egypt is suffering from a scarcity of water, and it will never accept the status quo.”

    Shoukry urged Sudan to show more cooperation with Egypt on the issue of the GERD.

    “I say this not only because we have brotherly relations with Sudan, but because Sudan will also be negatively affected by the GERD,” said Shoukry.

    Shoukry said Ethiopia’s decision to fill and operate GERD without a prior agreement is totally rejected by Egypt.

    “This is a flagrant violation of the declaration of principles and I want to say that these Ethiopian moves will have serious destabilising effects on the region,” said Shoukry.

    Shoukry urged Ethiopia to accept “a fourth mediator” that can bring the issue to an acceptable solution.

    Shoukry said that upon directives from President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, Egypt will intensify communications with international partners to help resolve the differences in accordance with international law.”

  14. Moroccans Make Up Nearly 20% of France’s Immigrant Population (mwn, Oct 9, 2019)
    https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2019/10/284246/moroccans-make-up-nearly-20-of-frances-immigrant-population/

    “The Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) published on Monday, October 7, statistics on non-EU immigrants currently residing in France. These statistics exclude immigrants who have obtained French nationality or citizenship.

    According to the INSEE statistics, of France’s 67 million inhabitants, 4.1 million are immigrants.

    Maghrebi nationalities make up almost half of this figure with 1.83 million people.

    Algerians constitute France’s largest immigrant community. With 807,500 people, this group is 20% of the total number of non-EU nationals in France.

    Moroccans are the second largest non-EU nationality present in France, with 755,400 people, or 18.4% of the total immigrant population.

    Tunisians add another 275,900 people to the Maghrebi immigrant community.

    France is also home to 622,000 Portuguese nationals, along with 286,400 Italians and 248,000 Spaniards. However, citizens of the EU who live in France are not considered migrants.

    Moroccans in France

    The French Ministry of Interior and the Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian confirmed that between 300,000 and 400,000 Moroccans received visas for France in 2018.

    Moroccans are also the largest foreign student community in France. 39,855 Moroccan students were enrolled in French higher education institutions during the 2017/2018 academic year.

    Additionally, Moroccans are the second-largest community of foreign-born doctors practicing in France. 7,000 Moroccans are enrolled in the French order of doctors as of 2018.

    France deported more than 1,000 undocumented Moroccan migrants in 2018, making Moroccans the 4th most commonly deported nationality in France.

    France remains a popular destination for Moroccans who are pursuing economic and educational opportunities, traveling for leisure, or living abroad.”

  15. Turkey has legitimate security concerns about Syria: NATO Secretary General (hdn, Oct 9, 2019)
    http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-has-legitimate-security-concerns-about-syria-nato-secretary-general-147324

    “The U.S ally Turkey is at forefront of crisis and has legitimate security concerns about Syria, said NATO secretary general on Oct. 9.

    “Turkey has suffered horrendous terrorist attacks, and it hosts millions of Syrian refugees,” said Jens Stoltenberg after his meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.

    Stoltenberg said Turkish authorities informed NATO about the ongoing operation in northern Syria.

    “It is important to avoid actions that may further destabilize the region, escalate tensions and cause more human suffering,” said Stoltenberg.

    “#NATO has been informed by Turkish authorities about their ongoing operation in Northern Syria. I count on Turkey to act with restraint & ensure that the gains we have made in the fight against ISIS are not jeopardised. I will discuss this issue with President Erdo?an Friday,” Stoltenberg said over Twitter.

    Turkey informed members of the U.N. Security Council members about the Operation Peace Spring, Defense Ministry said on Oct. 9

    Envoys of the UNSC member countries in Ankara, including the United States, were invited to the foreign ministry and briefed on the operation, a Foreign Ministry official said.

    Turkey’s Operation Peace Spring in northern Syria is being carried out under the international law, the country’s top diplomat said on Oct. 9.

    “This operation is being carried out in accordance with international law, Article 51 of the UN Charter and UN Security Council Resolutions on fight against terrorism,” said Mevlüt Çavu?o?lu on Twitter.

    With the Operation Peace Spring, “the region will be cleared of terrorists, Syria’s border security and territorial integrity will be guaranteed, displaced people will be able to return safely to their homes and peace and safety will prevail in the region,” he added.

    Çavu?o?lu also said that Turkey informed Syria about its military operation via a diplomatic note sent to the regime’s consul general in Istanbul.”

  16. Yemen: over 2 mn suspected cases in cholera emergency (ansamed, Oct 9, 2019)
    http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/generalnews/2019/10/09/yemen-over-2-mn-suspected-cases-in-cholera-emergency-oxfam_c8622cb9-f0f0-414a-8613-7b3216090955.html

    “The cholera emergency in Yemen is growing, with more than two million suspected cases registered in less than three years, an average of 80 every hour, according to Oxfam.

    It said since the start of the year one case out of four has been a child under the age of five.

    The epidemic stems from four-and-a-half years of a bloody conflict and lack of access to clean water, it said.

    Oxfam said the emergency has hit 22 out of 23 governorates in the country and has worsened in recent months in some zones hit by the war, such as the port of Hudaydah, where infections have risen 60% compared to previous months.

    It said 18 million Yemenis are now exposed to infection due to the lack of clean water and sanitation, while two out of three people lack basic health care, and 14 million are on the brink of famine. From June to August, the intensification of the conflict, including in the country’s south, caused 54% of the civilian victims and 79% of civilian residences hit.

    Since the beginning of the year, the death toll has reached 700 civilians killed and 1,600 wounded, added to the more than 17,000 officially registered between 2015 and 2018.

    And the conflict remains open also in the port area of Hudaydah, the country’s main port, with serious repercussions on aid flows.

    In fact, 70% of food, medicine, and basic essential goods for the survival of the Yemeni people pass through the port.

    To give voice to the Yemeni people and to ask for immediate aid, on Wednesday Oxfam launched the campaign #SOS YEMEN together with a petition that anyone can sign to call on the Italian government and the international community to change course in order to save the country.”

  17. Turkey Charges 78 People Over ‘Black Propaganda’ Spread Amid Syria Offensive (sputniknews, Oct 10, 2019)
    https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201910101077003974-turkey-charges-78-people-over-black-propaganda-spread-amid-syria-offensive/

    “Turkey’s law enforcement agencies have launched legal proceedings against 78 individuals for spreading “black propaganda” on social media in relation to Ankara’s military offensive in the north of Syria, Turkey’s General Directorate of Security said on Thursday.

    The offensive dubbed ‘Operation Peace Spring’ began on Wednesday. Turkey has been seeking to clear the area in the north of Syria near its border of Kurdish militia and the Daesh terror group. Ankara believes Kurdish-led forces, controlling the area, are affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey.

    “Since the beginning of Operation Peace Spring, required proceedings have been launched in relation to 78 people, for inciting hatred on social media and various websites, using black propaganda, discrediting our Armed Forces and propagandizing for the terrorist organization. We will continue our fight against criminality in all areas, including the virtual domain”, the directorate said in a statement.

    The Turkish offensive in northern Syria has been condemned as aggression by Damascus. Russia has called on Turkey to assess the situation in order not to hamper earlier efforts to settle the Syrian crisis.

    The operation has also been met with criticism from regional countries and blocs, including the Arab League, and western states, including the European Union members.

    *Daesh (ISIS, ISIL, IS, Islamic State) is a terrorist organization banned in Russia and many other countries.”

  18. US Military Takes Custody Of 2 UK ‘Beatles’ Daesh Members – Report (sputniknews, Oct 10, 2019)
    https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201910101077003449-us-military-takes-custody-of-2-uk-beatles-daesh-members—report/

    “The two may be relocated to Iraq over concerns that the Turkish incursion in northern Syria may endanger “high-value” detainees, anonymous US officials say.

    The US military took custody of two Daesh members originating from the UK who were in Kurdish custody in northern Syria, The Washington Post reported Wednesday.

    The US military made the move due to the Turkish military incursion in Syria, the report says.

    It is unclear where the two Daesh members – El Shafee Elsheikh and Alexanda Kotey – will be taken. One senior US official cited by the Post said the two will be taken to Iraq – possibly along with a group of other “high-value” detainees. Other officials confirmed that the pair is now in the US military’s custody, but could not provide their new location…”