Russia Begins Operations in Syria: End Game for the US Empire?

[angelburst29]

Xi Jinping: Role of developing countries growing, BRICS is locomotive of this process
http://tass.com/world/897724

Xi Jinping noted that the countries should step up coordination and cooperation for the development of BRICS and the G20 group

HANGZHOU (China), September 4. /TASS/. The role of the developing countries in the global governance system is growing, and the BRICS member-countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) are the driving force of this process, Chinese President Xi Jinping said at an informal meeting of the BRICS leaders on Sunday ahead of the G20 summit in China’s Hangzhou.

"The joint economic growth of the emerging markets and developing countries is perhaps one of the most significant changes in the modern world, and the BRICS member-countries are the driving force of this process as well as important G20 participants," he said. Xi Jinping also noted that the countries should step up coordination and cooperation for the development of BRICS and the G20 group and pointed to the need "to help strengthen the role of the emerging economies and developing countries" to consolidate their position in the global governance structure.

Obama receives diplomatic snub in China
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/09/04/483070/US-China-Obama-Xi

US President Barack Obama has been delivered a calculated diplomatic snub in Hangzhou, China, where global leaders are convening for the G20 summit.

The problems began as soon as Obama's plane landed in Hangzhou on Saturday.

Unlike Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, South Korean President Park Geun-hye, Brazilian President Michel Temer and British Prime Minister Theresa May, Obama did not have the red carpet to walk on when he stepped off the plane.

I don't know, if anyone has taken notice but it's very evident, in recent photos at the G20 Summit in China, taken of President Putin, that stress and heavy responsibility seems to be taking it's toll? His facial features denote the seriousness of his intents and the weight on his shoulders? To his credit and that of his highly efficient and dedicated Staff, we have been saved from suffering the effects of a full blown War in the Middle East, which would have brought devastating consequences to our own Soil. In that regard, Putin has my utmost Respect.

Recent developments, also suggest, that China's President Xi Jinping has been - very much involved in this Peace process, starting from the time Putin and the Russian Military entered Syria via President Assad's request. It's only now - that we're hearing - more of China's involvement. I realize, a lot of this support is due to BRICS, but Jinping has worked very closely with Putin, on many of the Peace initiatives, along with cooperation and coordination with other Countries. BRICS and the new Silk Road is part of our new World Government. Closely behind China, is the Iranian and Iraqi Government's coordination in Peace efforts, although less involved in the deeper politics.

Just some simmering thoughts ....... awhile back - there was a "Putin Letter" circulating. With these recent developments towards Peaceand the infusion of China (with Russia) in bringing about reform and solidifying a working relationship - towards ALL Countries and Sovereign States, I wonder if a revised version could be developed honoring and supporting Putin and Jinping?

President Obama's experience at the airport is not surprising, although deeply symbolic. America's arrogant demeanor in isolating the World, is now coming back - full circle. (Rome has fallen.)

Some photo's of Putin at the G20: Last link with video.
http://sputniknews.com/russia/20160904/1044949600/putin-russia-economy.html

http://sputniknews.com/russia/20160904/1044941562/putin-american-foreign-intervention-terrorism.html

http://sputniknews.com/asia/20160903/1044923026/putin-detente-korea.html

http://tass.com/politics/897460

http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160903/1044923470/russia-north-south-korea.html

http://sputniknews.com/russia/20160904/1044939789/putin-erdogan-g20-syria-normalization.html

http://sputniknews.com/asia/20160904/1044956735/putin-xi-jinping-gift.html

http://tass.com/world/897734

http://tass.com/world/897727

http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160904/1044952702/russia-us-syria-deal.html

http://tass.com/world/897727

http://tass.com/politics/897738

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/09/04/483053/russia-turkey-putin-erdogan (Video)

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Latvia reports Russian warship, submarine close to border

http://tass.com/world/897759

Latvia’s National Armed Forces claimed Russian Navy’s submarines of the Kilo and Finik classes and a Parchim class corvette were identified near the country's border

RIGA, September 4. /TASS/. A Russian military ships and submarines were seen again near the Latvian border, the country’s National Armed Forces (NAF) said on Sunday.

"In the Latvian exclusive economic zone 1o miles off the NAF territory waters, today (on September 3), were identified Russian Navy’s submarines of the Kilo and Finik classes," NAF twitted.

Later in the day, NAF also claimed near the Latvian border - 22 miles off it, was seen a Parchim class corvette and in 23 miles - a submarine.

In the Latvian exclusive economic zone 20 marine miles off the territory waters, NAF identified a Russian vessel for submarine technical support SS-750 of the Kashtan class.

The Latvian Defense Ministry said Russian military aircraft and vessels approached the republic’s borders in 2015 more than 270 times, in 2014 - more than 250 times.

Russia’s Ambassador to Latvia Alexander Veshnyakov earlier said all flights of the Russian military aircraft and movement of the vessels are made in strict compliance with the international legal norms.

Rasmussen: NATO to re-arm Ukraine, ''Lethal Weapons''

http://www.fort-russ.com/2016/09/rasmussen-nato-to-re-arm-ukraine-lethal.html

September 4th, 2016 - Fort Russ News -
- DNR News - translated by J. Flores -

http://dnr-news.com/dnr/35247-eks-gensek-nato-schitaet-chto-zapad-predostavit-kievu-letalnoe-oruzhie.html

Former NATO Secretary General, Advisor to the President of Ukraine, Mr. Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that the West will give Ukraine lethal weapons in the event that Russia "destabilizes eastern Ukraine."

"Ukraine is not a member of NATO and, therefore, the Alliance has no obligations to Ukraine's security. However, if Russia will not fulfill the Minsk agreement, if it continues to destabilize eastern Ukraine, I think it's time for the West and for NATO to provide Ukraine with lethal defensive weapons. And then the Ukrainian military will be able to better defend against Russian aggression", Rasmussen said, in an interview with "Apostrof", released on Sunday.

He also noted that the Armed Forces of Ukraine has done much to strengthen its defenses.

Russia Proposes NATO to Hold Meeting on European Security in September

http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160904/1044959131/russia-nato-europe.html

Russia proposed NATO countries to continue their discussion on the political and military situation in Europe in September, the deputy defense minister said Sunday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russia expects that NATO-proposed consultations would emphasize the need to avoid an arms race in Europe, Anatoly Antonov told Russian newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta.

"The [desirable] result of such consultations should be a consensus on what needs to be done to avoid further confrontations and an arms race in Europe."

"We suggested that NATO countries should continue opinion exchange with Moscow, say, in September of this year on the military and political situation in Europe taking into account decisions of the Warsaw Summit," Anatoly Antonov said.

Speaking on July’s NATO Summit in Warsaw, Poland, Antonov said that Moscow had reaffirmed its readiness to hold a constructive dialog with the 28-nation bloc.

"It is vital that, despite the outstanding differences, we expressed willingness to hold a constructive dialogue on issues of mutual interest," he noted.

Since 2014, NATO has been building up its military presence in eastern European countries bordering Russia, using Moscow's alleged interference in Ukraine's internal conflict as a pretext for the move. Moscow has repeatedly denied the claims and warned the alliance that its military buildup along Russia’s borders is provocative and could threaten regional and global stability.

Putin, Obama on sidelines of G20 summit agree to have separate talk — Kremlin

http://tass.com/politics/897774

The Kremlin said earlier it does not rule out that the Russian president’s working contacts with other world leaders, including US President Obama, will take place on the sidelines of the summit

HANGZHOU /China/, September 4. /TASS/. Russian and the US presidents Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama have not spoken yet on sidelines of the G20 summit in China, though agreed to have a separate meeting, press secretary of the Russian president, Dmitry Peskov, told TASS on Sunday.

"As yet, the leaders have only greeted each other," he said in response to a question from TASS, whether Putin and Obama had a chance to talk.

"They have agreed to talk separately," the press secretary said.

The Kremlin said earlier it does not rule out that the Russian president’s working contacts with other world leaders, including US President Barack Obama, will take place on the sidelines of the summit, even though this meeting has not been agreed officially. Putin and Obama met personally last time at the Climate Conference in Paris last year and during the G20 summit in Turkey’s Antalya. The two presidents spoke over the phone several times earlier this year.

IS expansion was realistic challenge for security, including for Russia — Putin

http://tass.com/politics/897779

He said the "provoked from outside civil wars, the disintegration of state authorities" had turned the Middle East region "into the space of chaos and a platform for international terrorism"

HANGZHOU /China/, September 4. /TASS/. Stirring up of instability in the Middle East has turned the region into a platform for the international terrorism, which threatens all countries, including Russia, President Vladimir Putin said during an informal meeting of BRICS leaders on sidelines of the G20 summit in Chinese Hangzhou on Sunday.

The president said the "provoked from outside civil wars, the disintegration of state authorities" in Iraq, Libya and Yemen had turned the Middle East region "into the space of chaos and a platform for international terrorism, which worries us all," and also provoked the uncontrolled flow of migration.

"The expansion of IS (terrorist organization outlawed in Russia - TASS) and the extremists of all kind, who have united under its flags, has become a realistic challenge for security, including for our countries, and for Russia, for its southern borders," Putin said. The conflict potential has been growing in the world, he continued, including due to the growing contradictions between countries and their different levels of development.

"We can see how across the world are aggravating the contradictions, continue different levels of development among the rich and the poor countries, becomes more severe the fight for resources, for access to markets, control over transport lines - on this background also grows the conflict potential, and tension areas are growing in numbers," the Russian leader said.

Security Forces Kill 3 ISIL Terrorists in Western Iran

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950614001006

"This (Iranian) year (started on March 20) we had 5 cases of confrontation against the outlaws, hostage-takers and terrorists in Samirom region of (Central) Isfahan province, Fasa region (in Fars province) and the latest operations in Kermanshah province," General Karami told reporters in Tehran on Sunday.

Elaborating on his forces' operations in Kermanshah, he said, "A team of ISIL terrorists, armed and equipped with suicide vests, were identified and traced and a team of special police forces started operations against them and killed all the three terrorists in the shortest time possible."

The Iranian intelligence ministry announced in a statement last month that the country's security forces have traced and captured the remaining members of a recently busted Takfiri terrorist group in Western Iran.

"Other members of the recently busted Takfiri terrorist cell in western Iran who were at large, have been arrested in Kermanshah province in Western Iran," the intelligence ministry said.

The ministry's statement read that following the first blow to the Takfiri team on August 15-16, the rest of the Takfiri terrorists were arrested August 18. The ministry noted that a significant amount of arms, bomb making equipment, suicide vests and explosive belts were discovered from the terrorists' hide-out.

Also last month, a police commander said that four Takfiri terrorists were killed in armed clashes with the Law Enforcement Police in Western Iran

Commander of Kermanshah province's Law Enforcement Police Brigadier General Manouchehr Amanollahi said that an explosive vest and other military equipment were seized during the operations.

Meantime, Deputy Interior Minister Hossein Zolfaqari told reporters that ten Takfiri terrorists were chased by the Iranian security forces after entering Kermanshah city and "four of them were killed and 6 others were captured in clashes in one of Kermanshah's neighborhoods".

He said one of those killed in the clashes was a top commander of the Takfiri terrorists in Iraq.

Stressing that the militants had entered Iran with the aim of conducting sabotage acts, he said, "A Kalashnikov rifle, two magazines and an explosive vest were discovered and seized from the Takfiri elements."

Attempt to smuggle 75 gas cylinders bound for terrorists in eastern Sweida foiled

http://sana.sy/en/?p=87229

Sweida, SANA – The authorities thwarted an attempt to smuggle a truck loaded with 75 gas cylinders and deliver it to the eastern countryside of Sweida province where ISIS-linked terrorist groups are operating.

The operation, in which the truck was ambushed, was carried out in cooperation with the locals of the area and the Governorate, Director of the Fuel Department in Sweida Khaled Tayfour told SANA reporter.

He noted that the truck was seized and the driver was arrested, adding that investigations have been started to find out those involved in the smuggling operation.

ISIL Explosives Cause Civilian Casualties in Liberated Syrian Town

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950614001411

“An ISIL landmine exploded in the town of Tal Hamis, causing three casualties from one family. A father died immediately and his two children were taken to the hospital after suffering from serious injuries,” Daham Ibrahim, an eyewitness on the incident, ARA News reported.

According to activists, unexploded devices are a daily threat to civilians in the areas liberated from ISIL terrorists.

“The unexploded devices and booby traps pose a daily threat to the people who are now trying to return home. This explosive pollution will make it impossible for people to reconstruct their lives, and blocks access to several areas. It also prevents humanitarian organizations from operating safely and providing the necessary support to this vulnerable population,” Frédéric Maio, Handicap International’s Mine Action Program Development Manager, said in an earlier statement.

In cooperation with allied SDF forces and with the support of the US-led coalition, Kurdish forces of the People’s Protection Units (YPG) have expelled ISIL from the Tal Hamis town in Hasaka in early 2015.

Heavy Infighting Rages among Terrorists in Southern Aleppo

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950614001310

According to the sources, differences have increased among the terrorist groups affiliated to Jeish al-Fatah, Jeish al-Mojahedeen and Jeish al-Hor in Southern Aleppo while they accuse each other of betrayal.

"The reason behind their intensified differences is that certain groups affiliated to Jeish al-Hor left their comrades in Jeish al-Fatah during the clashes with the Syrian army and popular forces and fled the battleground," they added.

Infighting has increased among rival terrorist groups after they came under the Syrian army siege and lost vast parts of Southern Aleppo to government forces. The infightings started last month after the ISIL terrorist group engaged in heavy fighting with its rivals from al-Shamiyeh Front and Jeish al-Tahrir in the Northern territories of Aleppo province.

The ISIL stormed the defense lines of Jeish al-Tahrir and al-Shamiyeh Front near al-Rai and recaptured the town.

Both sides suffered a heavy death toll in the clashes.

Also in August, the terrorists of Nouralddeen al-Zinki Movement were forced to retreat from a strategic region in Northern Aleppo city after they had fierce clashes with other rival terrorists groups

The Nouralddeen al-Zinki terrorists withdrew from al-Malaah-Castillo road in the Northern part of Aleppo city.

The terrorists' retreat came after they sustained heavy losses and casualties in clashes with rival terrorist groups, including Fatah al-Sham (the newly-formed al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group previously known as al-Nusra Front) and their heavy defeats by the Syrian army.

Rifts Widening among Terrorist Groups Due to Syrian Army Advances in Northern Dara’a

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950614001122

The terrorist groups that were forced by the government forces to retreat from their positions in al-Mahjoureh and their attacks to recapture the garrison were repelled by the strong defense of the Syrian soldiers and their allies, resorted to engagement in serious arguments and blaming each other for their failures.

Liwa Soqour Hourn threatened Liwa Shohada Houran terrorist rivals of being behind the killing of its force while army’s operation in al-Mahjoureh.

Liwa Soqour Hourn terrorist in Ibtta arrested their rivals from Shohada Yarmouk on charge of leaning them alone in battlefields.

On Saturday, Syrian Army troops carried out cleansing operations in the farms near the newly-freed al-Mahjoureh garrison along the old road of Dara'a to Damascus, killing and wounding the remaining pockets of terrorists in the region.

The Syrian government forces restore security to the Northern and Southern farms of al-Mahjoureh.

The army men's mop-up operation not only boosted security of the garrison but cut off terrorists' supply line of Dael to Ibtta.

Terrorist attacks to take back al-Mahjoureh repelled by the Syrian soldiers.

Syrian commanders in Dara'a refuted Saudi media's claimed over the recapture of al-Mahjoureh garrison and underlined that the garrison is under full control of the army.

 

[bjorb]

[quote author= Angelburst29]Just some simmering thoughts ....... awhile back - there was a "Putin Letter" circulating. With these recent developments towards Peaceand the infusion of China (with Russia) in bringing about reform and solidifying a working relationship - towards ALL Countries and Sovereign States, I wonder if a revised version could be developed honoring and supporting Putin and Jinping? [/quote]

China's leadership mastered excellent forbearance and timing while dealing with imperial powers. But it is through Putin and team that they have taken on this struggle globally. It is Russia that is uniting countries against the Empire.

China's leadership lacks this quality from what I understand. But they are reliable and good team players. They will play there part best they can.

While China's leadership is rather not out spoken on geopolitical affairs. Putin is exactly that, and in such a manner that he speaks to and informs the global population.

He is providing lessons for all. I don't see that in XI Jinping.


Although his recent speech on the 95th anniversary of the communist party was clearly aimed against Imperial powers, China's leadership only lashes out in such a way when provoked.

I hope we will see a more outspoken China in the future, here are a few quotes :

http://thesaker.is/chinas-president-xi-jinping-speech-on-the-95th-anniversary-of-the-communist-party-of-china/

“The world is on the brink of radical changes. We see how the EU is gradually crumbling and the US economy is collapsing. This will end in a new world order. So, in 10 years we will have a new world order unlike anything before in which the key will be the Union of Russia and China,”

“We are now witnessing the aggressive actions by the United States against Russia and China. I believe that Russia and China may form an alliance before which NATO will be powerless and it will put the end to the imperialist aspirations of the West,”

“The creation of an army that conforms to the international status of our country, is a strategic task. We must combine economic development with the development of defense to modernize the army, to make it modern and standardized… We should comprehensively promote reform in the military sphere, to create an army that is disciplined and can win,”

 

[Ca.]

Twin blasts rock entrance to Syrian port city of Tartus housing Russian naval base - reports (Map and Tweets)
Published time: 5 Sep, 2016 06:17
https://www.rt.com/news/358262-syria-tartus-two-blast/

“We received information about a double explosion at the entrance to the city of Tartus, on the government highway under Arzuna bridge,”

RIA Novosti reports, citing local militia.

There have also been reports of explosions at a checkpoint in the capital, Damascus, and in the western city of Homs. There is so far no official information on casualties from the explosions.

Tartus is the second-largest port city in Syria. It has been used, first by the Soviet and now the Russian Navy, for years as a feeder base. The facilities have been used during Moscow's Syria campaign too - they enable provision of military supplies to the Russian contingent fighting Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL).

READ MORE: Over 100 killed as blasts hit near Russian military bases in Syria’s Latakia province (VIDEO)-Link

After Russia withdrew most of its troops from Syria in mid-March this year, it was decided to maintain Russia’s military presence at the Tartus base, as well as at the Khmeimim Airbase, in order to observe the ceasefire arrangements in the Arab country.

https://twitter.com/sayed_ridha/status/772679670877782017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Israeli forces open fire at Syrian government positions in Golan Heights
Sun, 04 Sep 2016
https://www.sott.net/article/327404-Israeli-forces-open-fire-at-Syrian-government-positions-in-Golan-Heights


PressTV News Videos
Published on Sep 4, 2016
Israel hits Syrian army in Golan Heights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0B5sb272xk

Israel pounds Syrian govt positions in Golan Heights with retaliatory fire
Published time: 5 Sep, 2016 00:24
https://www.rt.com/news/358251-israel-syria-retaliation-strikes/
Snip:

The Israel Defense Force has targeted Syrian army positions in the government-controlled area of the northern Golan Heights, it confirmed Sunday. The retaliatory fire caused “material damage,” according to Damascus.


The mortars which landed onto an open area in the Israeli-held area of the Golan Heights, did not lead to any apparent damage, Israel said, without specifying the number of the shells it encountered. It did not immediately recognize the incident as stray fire.

“In response to mortar fire earlier today, the Israel Defense Force (IDF) targeted cannons of the Syrian regime in the northern Syrian Golan Heights,” the military statement read.

© Baz Ratner / Reuters

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Two militants killed in Dagestan’s counter-terrorism operation zone

http://tass.com/society/897815

The operation has been suspended until early Monday

MAKHACHKALA, September 4. /TASS/. Two militants have been killed in the zone of counter-terrorism operation declared in Russia’s North Caucasus republic of Dagestan, a local law enforcement source told TASS on Sunday.

The gunmen were killed in a forest in south Dagestan’s Magaramkentsky district near the Samur village during the clash. "One of the injured security officers died," the source said, adding that the operation has been suspended until early Monday.

The counter-terrorism operation was declared in the district at 5.00 a.m. on Sunday (0200GMT). The security officers were conducting a search effort in the forest and located unknown men who opened fire and attempted to flee the scene.

Two gunmen involved in terror attacks killed in Russia's Dagestan

http://tass.com/world/897852

MOSCOW, September 5. /TASS/. Two members of an armed group involved in carrying out terrorist attacks have been eliminated in Russia’s North Caucasus Republic of Dagestan, the information center of Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee (NAC) has informed TASS.

"The place in a forested area in the vicinity of Samur village where the gunmen were hiding was spotted. After the appearance of commandos, the militants opened fire with automatic firearms. The gunfight that followed left two gunmen dead, their identifies have been established. Both of them were members of an armed group that committed crimes of a terrorist nature," the NAC said. "Unfortunately, there were casualties among law enforcers. Two members of the Federal National Guard Service were wounded and another one killed," it added.

U.S., Russia meeting on Syria ends without a deal

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-usa-idUSKCN11B0CE?il=0

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov were unable to strike a deal for a ceasefire in Syria and differences remain, a senior State Department official said after their meeting in China on Monday.

Kerry and Lavrov met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in the eastern city of Hangzhou. Details of their talks were not immediately available.

This is the second time in two weeks that Kerry and Lavrov have failed to reach a deal on a ceasefire deal. The previous time they met was in Geneva on Aug. 26. Kerry has said the United States won't accept just any deal just to have it collapse again.

A cessation of hostilities agreement brokered by Lavrov and Kerry in February unraveled within weeks, with Washington accusing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces of violating the agreement.

The next time they are likely to meet is on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meetings in New York from Sept. 18.

State Department officials have refused to elaborate on what the sticking points are preventing a deal.

Russia has insisted that it cannot agree to a deal unless opposition fighters, backed by the United States and Middle East allies, are separated from al-Qaeda linked militants they overlap with in some areas.

Multiple blasts rock government-held Syria cities, causing casualties - reports

https://www.rt.com/news/358262-syria-tartus-two-blast/

A series of deadly explosions have rocked at least four government-held cities in Syria, including the capital, Damascus. Local media reports up to 21 people have been killed and some 50 injured in the blasts.

Two explosions have rocked the highway well short of the entrance to the Syrian port-city of Tartus, northwestern Syria, which houses a Russian naval base.

“We received information about a double explosion at the entrance to the city of Tartus, on the government highway under Arzuna bridge,” RIA Novosti reports, citing local militia.

Citing a source in the Tartus police command, Syria 24 reported that 11 people have been killed in the blasts and some 45 injured.

The first explosion was a car bomb. The second took place when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive belt as people gathered to help the injured from the first incident, AFP reported citing Syrian state TV.

Tartus is the second-largest port city in Syria. It has been used, first by the Soviet and now the Russian Navy, for years as a feeder base. The facilities have been used during Moscow's Syria campaign too - they enable provision of military supplies to the Russian contingent fighting Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL).

After Russia withdrew most of its troops from Syria in mid-March this year, it was decided to maintain Russia’s military presence at the Tartus base, as well as at the Khmeimim Airbase, in order to observe the ceasefire arrangements in the Arab country.

Earlier, there have also been reports of explosions at a checkpoint on the outskirts of the capital, Damascus, in the northeastern city of Hasakah and in the western city of Homs.

Five people have been reported dead after a motorbike exploded at Mersho turning in Hasakah city. Three more were reportedly killed in the blast in Damascus.

Citing the governor of Homs province, AP reports that a car bomb struck a military checkpoint in Homs, killing two soldiers and injuring four others, one critically.

http://<iframe width="560" height="...Fo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The casualty figures come from Syrian media, although there is currently no official information on the death and injury tolls, or who was responsible for the explosions.

2 Syrian soldiers killed, more wounded in car explosion in Homs

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/2-syrian-soldiers-wounded-car-explosion-homs/

Reports have emerged that a car bomb has exploded at the Bab Tadmor checkpoint at the entrance of al-Zahraa neighbourhood of Homs.

This has resulted in at least 2 Syrian army soldiers being killed and a further 7 being wounded.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for this terrorist attack, but it was perpetrated in a Shi’ite stronghold neighbourhood suggesting it was done by a radical Islamist terrorist group.

Xi Expresses Opposition Over US Missile System Deployment in S.Korea

http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160905/1044965295/us-missile-deployment-korea.html

Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting with his South Korean counterpart Park Geun-hye on Monday said that he opposes the deployment of US missile defense systems in South Korea in response to perceived North Korea's growing missile and nuclear threat.

HANGZHOU (China), (Sputnik) — The bilateral meeting Xi Jinping and the South Korean leader took place on the sidelines of the Group of Twenty (G20) summit in eastern China's Hangzhou.

"Improper resolution of this issue will not help ensure strategic stability in the region and may exacerbate existing conflicts," Xi stated, as quoted by the Xinhua news agency.

Earlier, Chinese leader met with the US President Barack Obama and discussed the North Korea's missile program. They agreed that Pyongyang's pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles presented a threat to the region. Xi and Obama stated they would cooperate on achieving the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in line with UN resolutions.

N. Korea fires 3 rockets hours after Seoul justifies US anti-missiles as ‘inevitable self-defense’

https://www.rt.com/news/358256-pyongyang-ballistic-missiles-launch/

North Korea has launched three ballistic missiles off its east coast into the sea, South Korean news agency Yonhap reports. The latest test comes just hours after the issue of potential threat from Pyongyang was discussed among regional powers at the G20 summit in China.

The launch on Monday is the latest in a series of more than 10 ballistic tests the North has conducted so far this year. In late August, the Pyongyang military fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile off North Korea’s east coast, a day after US and South Korea started their annual Ulchi Freedom Guardian military drills.

The North test-fired the three ballistic missiles from Hwangju in North Hwanghae Province at around 12:14 p.m. local time, South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a text message, Yonhap reports. The type of missiles fired and how far they flew was not immediately available.

The latest test comes just hours after the issue of potential North Korean threat was discussed among regional powers at the G20 summit in China.

South Korean President Park Geun-hye told her Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, that North Korea’s behavior this year has “seriously undermined peace in this region and posed a challenge to the development of the South Korea-China relations.”

The Chinese President told Park that China opposes the US deployment of the THAAD anti-missile system in South Korea.

“Mishandling the issue is not conducive to strategic stability in the region and could intensify disputes,” Xinhua quoted Xi as saying.

Park Geun-hye however defended the decision to station the US THAAD anti-missile system as an "inevitable, self-defense" measure to counter threats stemming from Pyongyang.

Beijing, like Russia, continues to worry that the system's radar will be able to track its military capabilities and pose a threat to its national security.

North Korea has also spoken out against its deployment, threatening to nuke its neighbor and the US base in Guam, in protest at the South’s decision to deploy THAAD anti-missile systems.

In response, North Korea has continued to conduct new military technology tests, including a fourth nuclear test in January, in defiance of UN Security Council sanctions that were tightened in March.

North Korea missiles were medium-range, flew 1,000 km into Japan's air defense zone

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-range-idUSKCN11B0FR?il=0

All three ballistic missiles launched by North Korea on Monday were medium-range Rodong-class and flew about 1,000 km (600 miles), South Korea's military said.

At least one of the missiles fell into Japan's Air Defence Identification Zone, a South Korean military official said by telephone.

The launches were likely a show of force by the North's military timed to coincide with the Group of 20 leaders' summit taking place in China, the South's Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said separate in a statement.

 

[Ca.]

I don't agree with there assessment of what the body language says or does not say. But Bloomberg (IMHO), will always be biased towards Russia.

Guess Bloomberg didn't like the way the recent interviews went (tis tis). Putin showing once again who's the Boss to the manipulative agenda of the supposed free press.

Body language can speak volumes about the tensions and problems facing the world's most powerful leaders.
September 5, 2016
_http://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2016-09-05/one-big-happy-ish-family

Leaders of the world's biggest economies gathered for a "family photo" during the G-20 summit in Hangzhou, China. The photograph offers a rare snapshot of the world's most powerful leaders gathered in one place at the same time. It can also be an opportunity to assess the body language of those present. Standouts in this year's image include a smirking (confident ) Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Barack Obama's awkward foot shuffle.

As host, China's President Xi Jinping took center stage flanked by Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who hosted last year's summit, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who will convene the G-20 in 2017. Guests invited to the Sept. 4-5 event and officials such as the International Monetary Fund's Managing Director Christine Lagarde are also in the photo.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=54841#.V81nFDV26sg

http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160904/1044943375/g20-summit-hangzhou.html

Edit: Links with origin of Photos

 

[angelburst29]

At least four explosions hit government-held parts of Syria on Monday, in the cities of Tartus and Homs and along a road in Damascus Province outside the capital, state media and local sources said.

Four Explosions Hit Government-Held Parts of Syria
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950615000475

Two simultaneous, violent explosions hit the Arzouna bridge area at the entrance to the Northwestern coastal city of Tartus, which is under the Syrian government control, SANA reported.

SANA and local sources also reported that a car bomb struck the city of Homs, further adding that it hit an army checkpoint and two officers were killed.

Syria's state television also said there was an explosion along the al-Sobura - al-Bija road outside Damascus.

The al-Mouk Operations Room (which operates under the Saudi, Qatari, the US and Jordanian spy agencies) has paid Ahrar al-Sham and Fatah al-Sham Front $40mln to launch a massive attack on al-Ba'ath city in the center of Quneitra province but internal disputes on how to distribute the money have blocked the operations.

Syria: Terrorists Refrain from Taking Order from Al-Mouk Operations Room, Ready to Surrender to Army
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950615000231

This is while the al-Mouk Operations Room has threatened to cut its financial aid if the terrorists fail to work out a coordinated approach for operations in Southern Syria. The Al-Mouk Operations Room is strongly willing to hit a blow at the Syrian government in the Southwestern front so that security will be maintained in the bordering areas between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan heights.

Sources said that at present clashes between the ISIL and Jeish al-Khaild Ibn Walid terrorists in Southern Syria have set a top priority for Ahrar al-Sham and al-Nusra Front terrorists in the battlefield and despite the fact that these attacks are launched under the coordinations done by al-Mouk Operations Room, the latter still wants the militants to focus attacks on the Syrian army and opening new fronts to decrease pressure on the terrorists operating in Northern Syria (Aleppo).

This is while the al-Mouk Operations Room has been accused of corruption, similar reports in a number of other Arab media outlets have cited that the militants have decided to surrender to the Syrian army after documents came out to prove the financial corruption of the Operations Room members.

The armed opposition groups in Syria declared on Saturday that thousands of militants in the Southern parts of the country are willing to reconcile with the Damascus government.

A provincial council affiliated to the militant groups in a statement admitted that 25,000 militants are looking for reconciliation with the Syrian government forces in Southern Syria, al-Mayadeen TV channel reported.

The statement by the 'Council for Men of Knowledge in the Levant' has accused the terrorist commanders willing to compromise with the Syrian army of treason.

It has given the militant commanders in Southern Syria three days to withdraw from al-Mouk Operations Room, the television added.

Syrian army soldiers and the Lebanese Hezbollah Resistance Movement are coordinating the final steps for launching a large-scale joint anti-terrorism operations in Quneitra province in Southern Syria, military sources said Monday.

Syrian Army, Hezbollah Readying to Launch Large-Scale Operation at Border with Israel
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950615000505

"The Syrian army and Hezbollah fighters have been working on a joint plan to end militancy in Southern Syria, particularly near the Golan Heights," the sources said.

"Hezbollah has deployed a large number of its forces at Quneitra passage which has connected the Syrian territories to the occupied Golan," they added.

A command center of the Takfiri terrorists in the town of Tafas was completely destroyed in a Syrian Army attack.

Terrorists' Command Center in Northwestern Dara'a Destroyed in Syrian Army Offensive
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950615001004

Syrian army men, tipped off by the intelligence agents, targeted the command center of terrorists who had gathered in a secret meeting in Tafas. A Number of terrorist commanders were killed in the attack.

Media sources in Idlib disclosed intense infighting among two terrorist groups stationed in the province's Ariha region.

Heavy Infighting Rages among Terrorists in Idlib Province
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950615001231

"The differences have increased among the Jund al-Aqsa and Ahrar al-Sham terrorist groups in Ariha region in Idlib province in the Northwestern part of Syria," the Arabic-language media quoted an informed source as saying on Monday.

"The differences intensified between the two terrorist groups after a Jund al-Aqsa terrorist attacked the brother of the commander of Ahrar al-Sham's Ariha Battalion," the sources said.

Infighting has increased among rival terrorist groups in Idlib province after they have come under the Syrian army siege and lost vast parts of lands across Syria, specially in neighboring Aleppo, to the government forces.

Syrian Army soldiers launched a heavy attack on a large site of the militants in Zur al-Nahr al-Asi region, inflicting tens of casualties on the terrorists, including non-Syrian commanders.

Syria: Terrorists Continue to Lose Top Commanders in Army Attacks in Hama
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950615001294

Senior Commander of al-Turkistani group Abu Mohammad Uzbeki, Commander of Terrorist Group's Suicide Attackers Abu Omar Anatol, Senior Commander of Jund al-Aqsa Omran Jabayereh nom de guerre Abu al-Qasam Ordoni, Commander of Abu Tafesh Battalion Karmo Abu Khalid and Commander of Thowar Kafr Zita Monir Afifi were among the terrorists killed in the Syrian army offensive in Zur al-Nahr al-Asi.

In the meantime, a long convoy of the terrorists came under the Syrian army raid on a road near Tayab al-Imam, which ended in the destruction of at least 15 vehicles.

Reports said earlier today that Syrian army soldiers continued attacks on the terrorist groups in Northern Hama, inflicting major losses on them and pushing them back from more villages and hills in the region.

The Syrian Army troops targeted ISIL's fuel convoy in the Eastern territories of Sweida province, and destroyed most of the tankers.

ISIL's Fuel Tankers Destroyed in Syrian Army Attacks in Sweida Province
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950615000652

Syrian army unit destroyed 10 fuel tankers of ISIL in Mashbak al-Wedian region in the Eastern side the village of Shaaf.

Several ISIL fighters accompanying the convoy also were killed or wounded in the attacks.

The Syrian military forces discovered a long tunnel of the ISIL terrorists dug under the neighborhoods of the Eastern city of Deir Ezzur and exploded it, leaving dozens of terrorists dead or wounded.

Syrian Army Destroys Terrorists' Key Tunnel in Deir Ezzur
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950615000446

Syrian army unit destroyed a tunnel of ISIL Takfiri terrorists in al-Urfi neighborhood used by militants as a protection from the army’s strikes, to store arms and ammunition and to attack the nearby neighborhoods.

Turkey is to blame for no outcome in the US-Russia talks over the situation in Syria, an analyst says.

Turkey to blame for US, Russia failure to effect ceasefire in Syria: Analyst
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/09/05/483206/Turkey-to-blame-for-US-Russia-failure

"Grave differences" remained between Moscow and Washington to finalize a ceasefire in the war-ravaged Muslim country, according to US President Barack Obama.

"We're not there yet," Obama said on the sidelines of the G20 economic summit in Hangzhou, China, on Sunday. "It's premature for us to say that there is a clear path forward, but there is the possibility at least for us to make some progress on that front."

Reporters had been invited by the US for a planned announcement of ceasefire by US Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov but the department later cancelled it as the two failed to reach a deal.

According to Washington-based author and investigative journalist Wayne Madsen, the reason for such a failure is “because the US is giving a green light to Turkey to invade northern Syria, where the Turkish military, including Turkish armored divisions, are successfully seizing ground from both the Syrian army and the Syrian Kurdish groups.”

Madsen anticipated that “as long as the Turkish army has its military forces in Syria and [they] are acting as proxies for the Pentagon, the US sees no need to come to a ceasefire.”

On the other hand, it is “difficult” for Russians to clinch a deal with the Obama administration, which will not stay in power for long as the November presidential election approaches.

Meanwhile, “the perceived successor to Obama, [Democratic nominee] Hillary Clinton has made no secret of the fact that she intends to wage war against the Russian forces in Syria and any other country that refuses to follow her orders.”

 

[Ca.]

RT EXCLUSIVE: Crew dodges ISIS suicide car bomb attack on Libyan battlefield (DRAMATIC VIDEO)
Published time: 6 Sep, 2016
https://www.rt.com/news/358368-libya-sirte-car-bomb-attack/

New intense battle footage from Libya shows an RT crew caught in the midst of heavy fighting between government forces and Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) militants as the journalists venture to report, risking their lives from the frontline in Sirte.

After a vehicle with RT’s William Whiteman drove past an intersection in one of Sirte’s contested neighborhoods where sounds of gunfire are heard erupting every few seconds, the journalists managed to cheat death in an attempted suicide attack. An armored car rigged with explosives rapidly approaching their positions was spotted by the government fighters.

Before the terrorist was able to trigger a powerful blast, he was annihilated by a RPG fired by one of the government fighters. The remnants of the car engulfed by flames could be seen through a smashed shutter.

READ MORE: US ‘not sufficiently attentive’ to Libya aftermath, Obama says amid new airstrike campaign

“So here you can see the car bomb. This is the car bomb that went off outside. That’s what all the shooting was for. They were trying to stop it,” Whiteman said from a shelter, where he took cover when the shooting started.

The fighting, however, resumed immediately, as a mortar round hit the spot where the journalists were standing earlier. With constant blasts continuing to shake the surroundings, a window frame fell to the ground, hitting several soldiers.

“Here, we are Islam. These people [IS] are terrorists. They are killing people,” one of the fighters told Whiteman as the fierce fighting raged on.

Libya’s UN-backed government in Tripoli aided by US airstrikes has been attempting to drive the jihadists out of their former stronghold in the country since May. The US launched its air campaign in and around Sirte at the request of the Libyan government on August 1 and have since made over 100 sorties. Initially, the operation was set to end on August 30, but it was subsequently prolonged further into September.

Islamic State took control of Sirte in June 2015 amidst the instability that has plagued the country in the years following the brutal overthrow of the former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in October 2011.

The government-backed brigades, who mostly hail from the city of Misrata, some 230 km from Sirte, where one of the command centers is located, are bracing themselves for the latest efforts to retake the coastal city.

Last week, the Pentagon claimed that the jihadists retain control over only three neighborhoods in Sirte, with the number of militants now estimated to be no more than 200.

“They’re literally with their backs against the ocean at this point,” Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said last Thursday.

21+: Военные училища Алеппо. Промежуточные итоги "матери всех битв" (Graphic Images Графические изображения)
Published on Sep 5, 2016
ANNA
_https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6Li7n22kwQ

Утром 5 сентября съемочная группа Anna News проехала на территорию военных училищ на юго-западе Алеппо. К тому моменту сопротивление боевиков окончательно подавили и можно было подвести итоги контрнаступления САА.

Three Big Lies That Pervade America's 'News' Media
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-09-05/three-big-lies-pervade-americas-news-media
Authored by Eric Zuesse via Strategic-Culture.org,
Snip:
(This news-report is being submitted to virtually all U.S. national ‘news’ media, almost all of which are the very same ‘news’ media that hide these historical truths, which facts thus remain as «news» in America, since they still haven’t yet been reported as «news», even though they’ve now become history — history that’s suppressed in America.)

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Russia to develop new attack aircraft based on Su-34 bomber — source

http://tass.com/defense/898142

Research and development work is expected to begin in 2018

KUBINKA/MOSCOW REGION, September 6. /TASS/. Research and development work on creating a new attack aircraft based on the Russian Sukhoi Su-34 bomber are expected to start in 2018, a defense industry source has told TASS.

According to the source, a task has been set to develop an attack aircraft version of the bomber.

Russia developing aircraft armed with new generation laser weapon — source

http://tass.com/defense/898157

This refers to a plane mentioned in open sources as the A-60 project

KUBINKA/ Moscow Region/, September 6. /TASS/. Russia is working on a plane armed with a new generation laser weapon, a source in the defense-industrial complex has told TASS.

"Research is underway into a new generation airborne laser weapon," the source said, adding that he was referring to a plane mentioned in open sources as the A-60 project.

Attempts at creating an airborne laser were made back in the Soviet era. The first sample of the A-60 plane based on the Ilyushin-76MD jet performed its maiden flight in 1981.

Several years ago the media said the mothballed project had been re-activated.

The United States, too, worked on an airborne laser for some time. The program produced an experimental combat plane Boeing YAL-1 only to be curtailed.

US to Continue Presence in S China Sea Region

http://sputniknews.com/asia/20160906/1045005831/us-china-sea-obama.html

The United States will continue its presence in the East China and South China seas.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The United States will continue its presence in the East China and South China seas to the extent allowed by the international law allows, President Barack Obama said Tuesday.

"America's treaty allies must know, our commitment to your defense is a solemn obligation that will never waiver. And across the region, including in the East and South China seas, United States will continue to fly and sail and operate wherever international law allows and support the right of all countries to do the same," Obama said at a press conference upon his official visit to Laos.

China has territorial claims over Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, which are believed to be rich in oil and gas reserves. These claims run counter to those of the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam.

Japan Plans to Continue Talks With Russia on Sovereignty Over Kuril Islands

http://sputniknews.com/asia/20160906/1045004753/japan-russia-kuril-island.html

Japan will continue to discuss with Russia the issue of four southern Kuril Islands, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Tuesday.

TOKYO (Sputnik) — Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe discussed the territorial dispute at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on September 2-3.

"The government, based on the discussion held by the leaders, intends to continue the negotiations to resolve the ownership issue over four islands and sign the peace treaty," Suga told journalists.

Japan and Russia have never signed a permanent peace treaty after World War II due to a disagreement over four islands, which Russia calls the Southern Kurils and Japan the Northern Territories. The disputed islands, located in the Sea of Okhotsk, were claimed by Soviet forces at the end of the war.

 

[angelburst29]

US Littoral Combat Ship Heads Back to Pearl Harbor After ‘Engineering Casualty’
http://sputniknews.com/military/20160830/1044793356/uss-coronado-failure.html

Last night's problem is the fourth issue in the last year, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson noted in the release, due to personnel, design and engineering issues.

Richardson was referring to three previous engine failures that took place on the LCS Freedom, Fort Worth and Milwaukee in the past eight months.

The Coronado is currently operating under its own power at a speed of 10 knots or 11.5 miles per hour. LCS combatants primary mission sets are Surface Warfare, Mine Countermeasures and Anti-Submarine Warfare.

The most expensive aircraft carrier in the arsenal of the United States, the USS Gerald R. Ford, is coming under review due to concerns about the vessel’s effectiveness.

Could the Pentagon’s $12.9 Billion Warship Be Obsolete Before its Maiden Voyage?
http://sputniknews.com/military/20160831/1044796051/uss-ford-problems.html

A review of the $12.9 billion warship conducted earlier this month found that the USS Ford may be obsolete before it enters into service.

Top U.S. Navy Admiral John Richardson may want to re-evaluate his position? Even Iran is ahead of us?

Recent naval advances by China and Russia have been heralded by defense experts who contest that America’s reign of dominance over the high seas may be coming to an end, but America’s Chief of Naval Operations thinks the US Navy remains unstoppable.

Top US Navy Admiral Says Russia, China Defenseless Against US Aircraft Carriers
http://sputniknews.com/military/20160906/1045001218/russia-china-pacific-fleet-navy.html

In an interview with National Interest, Admiral John Richardson claimed that US aircraft carriers could operate unscathed within China and Russia’s anti-access area denial (A2/AD) zones boasting about the long standing naval superiority of America’s Pacific Fleet.

"This A2/AD, well, it’s certainly a goal for some of our competitor, but achieving that goal is much different and much more complicated," said Admiral Richardson. "I think there is this long-range precision-strike capability, but A2/AD is sort of an aspiration. In actual execution it’s much more difficult."

The statements come as military analysts increasingly believe that the advancements of China and Russia’s naval fleet provide America never before seen competition and challenge previous notions that the United States reigns supreme on the high seas. The Admiral refused to get into specifics on how the Navy would protect its aircraft carriers cautioning that he didn’t want to give away any secrets to potential adversary nations.

"It’s really a suite of capability, but I actually think we’re talking too much in the open about some of the things we’re doing, so I want to be thoughtful about how we talk about things so we don’t give any of our competitors an advantage," said Admiral Richardson.

The chief naval officer’s discretion stands in stark contrast to China’s increasingly aggressive rhetoric about its maritime military power boasting about its indigenous "carrier killer" destroyer equipped with precision-guided missiles said to be capable of sinking a US aircraft carrier in a single show and boasting a range of 810 nautical miles compared to America’s longest-range missiles which have a strike radius of only 550 miles. China has also revolutionized its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities (ISR) in recent years and installed high-tech radar systems on the disputed islands of the South China Sea in a bid to extend their naval reach several hundred miles further than ever which poses a major challenge for the United States Navy’s Pacific Fleet in the event that a conflict should break out.

"The combination of ubiquitous ISR, long-range precision-strike weapons takes things to another level and demands a response," said Admiral Richardson calling China’s growing "suite of capabilities" a "pressing concern."

Despite the growing challenge that both China and Russia face to the United States on the high seas at a time of nearly unprecedented regional tension, the Admiral remains confident that the US Navy can “inject a lot of friction into [their] system at every step of the way” in order to undermine competitors strike capabilities.

US has warned Russia about the possible consequences of supporting Syrian President Bashar Assad.

US Threatens to Isolate Moscow Alongside Damascus Over Russian Support for Assad
https://sputniknews.com/world/20160906/1045016148/assad-russia-syria-us.html

The White House warned Russia that supporting Syrian President Bashar Assad will lead to the isolation of both Moscow and Damascus, US National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications Ben Rhodes said Tuesday.

"With respect to Russia, the principle point that we always made to the Russians is…they are not going to be able to achieve their own objectives unless they engage in a type of process that we're negotiating, there is not a military solution to pacify that entire country. There is not a circumstance in which they continue to support a regime that is bombarding its own people that doesn't lead to greater international isolation of not just the Assad regime but ultimately Russia," Rhodes told a briefing.

An Italian military delegation has traveled to Iran to discuss the enhancement of bilateral military ties, and has invited Iranian naval groups to visit Italy’s territorial waters.

Italian military invites Iran Navy to Italy waters
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/09/06/483392/Iran-Italy-military-delegation-Sayyari

The five-member delegation, headed by Rear-Admiral Roberto Chia Marcella, is in Iran on a five-day visit. On Monday, the delegates met with Iran’s Navy Commander Rear-Admiral Habibollah Sayyari to discuss the development of ties.

Extending the invitation to Iran, Chia Marcella said, “In the future, we will witness Italian vessels berthing at [Iran’s] southern harbors falling within the Iranian Navy’s sphere of operation.”

“It is certain that these talks and meetings will lead to the development of interaction and cooperation in different military areas between the two countries of Iran and Italy,” he added.

Sayyari also underlined the importance of Italy’s geopolitical position in the Mediterranean Sea and said, “Italy enjoys around 8,000 kilometers (4970 miles) of maritime border and the Mediterranean is [also] strategically very significant given the fact that it connects the important Suez Canal and the Strait of Gibraltar.”

In recent years, Iran’s Navy has increased its presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for merchant vessels and tankers.

Iran’s Navy chief says its forces have in the past few years escorted 3,200 commercial ships to ensure their safe passage in the Gulf of Aden, where pirates are active.

Iran escorted 3,200 vessels in Gulf of Aden: Navy commander
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/09/01/482715/Iran-Habibollah-Sayyari

Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari made the remarks at the second national forum of new naval technologies in the northern Iranian city of Nowshahr on Wednesday.

The Iranian Navy head hailed the country’s glorious history of sailing industry and said that certain states have orchestrated numerous plots on the Iranian shores over the past decades with the aim of stealing Iran’s resources.

“In order to gain access to our resources and [advance] their illegitimate interests in Iran, these countries tried to station in the Persian Gulf, destroy Iranian ports and relocate their inhabitants,” he said.

Iran has almost 5,000 kilometers of maritime boundary directly linking it to the high seas, a strategic geographical position which has turned the country into a center of attention for hegemonic powers, Sayyari said.

In recent years, Iran’s Navy has increased its presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for merchant vessels and tankers.

In line with international efforts against piracy, the Iranian Navy has been conducting patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008, safeguarding merchant containers and oil tankers owned or leased by Iran or other countries.

Iran’s Navy has managed to foil several attacks on both Iranian and foreign tankers during its missions in international waters.

No spy aircraft dare enter the Iranian airspace as the country’s Air Defense Force constantly monitors the skies nationwide, particularly over southern waters, a senior commander says.

Spy planes dare not enter Iran airspace: Commander
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/09/02/482823/Iran-Air-Defense-Force

Speaking on Friday, Brigadier General Abdollah Reshadi said, “[Our] radar coverage of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman detects aerial traverse by [reconnaissance] aircraft.”

“They [the aircraft], however, do not enter our country‘s [airspace]. The planes are on spying missions, but do not dare overfly our country,” he added. “We detect any flying activity in time and deliver tactical response in less than two minutes.”

The number of the points serving air defense purposes throughout the country has reached 3,700, Reshadi further said.

Recounting some of the contributions of the Air Defense Force, he referred to its role in the 2010 capture of terrorist ringleader Abdulmalek Rigi, when it forced the aircraft belonging to NATO’s International Security Assistance Force to land in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas before potentially overflying the country.

During another service in January, Reshadi said, the Air Force warned away three F-16 warplanes, which sought to enable through diversionary operation the escape of a group of American sailors who had illegally entered Iranian territorial waters and were subsequently arrested by Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).

Late last month, it was reported that the Iranian Army’s Air Defense Base had warned off a US radar-evading unmanned aerial vehicle seeking to violate the Iranian airspace.

The US spy drone had sought to cross into Iran through the eastern border from neighboring Afghanistan, Tasnim News Agency reported on August 29.

However, it was immediately detected and forced to leave the area after a “timely and stern” warning by the Air Defense Base.

 

[angelburst29]

Eight special corridors were kept open in the Syrian city of Aleppo where the Russian military, supported by the Syrian authorities, are conducting a humanitarian operation, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said.

Russia, Syrian Authorities Keep 7 Aid Corridors Open, One for Militants to Exit Aleppo
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950616000702

“Each day water, food and essentials are delivered to local residents through seven special corridors,” he told reporters, Al Masdar reported.

“The eighth one is open near Castillo Road for armed militants to leave the city,” Antonov said.

The Russian military have been conducting the humanitarian operation in Aleppo for a month now, he said.

“The question of providing humanitarian aid to all Aleppo residents, despite the ongoing talks between all parties concerned, has not lost its relevance,” Antonov said.

ISIL terrorist group was forced out from territory along 98 kilometers (some 61 miles) of the Turkish-Syrian border, Turkish government confirmed.

Over 60 Miles of Turkish-Syrian Border Retaken From ISIL
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950616000766

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim confirmed that the ISIL terrorist group had been forced out from territory along 98 kilometers (some 61 miles) of the Turkish-Syrian border between the Northern towns of Jarabulus and A'zaz, Sputnik reported.

Thousands of residents of Kobani canton in northern Syria are protesting against Turkey’s construction of a wall along their joint border, which has sparked clashes with the Turkish police; in an interview with Sputnik Turkiye the canton’s Defense Minister has called the move invasive while other experts say it is aimed at separating the Kurds.

Turkey's Wall on Syrian Border 'Invasive, Aimed at Separating the Kurds'
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160906/1045005012/turkey-syria-border-wall.html

At the end of August, the Turkish authorities started building a new segment of a barrier wall along its southern border with Kobani (also spelled as Kobane) canton in northern Syria.

The announced purpose behind the move is security protection as the Turkish government looks at the region with unease because of its control by the Syrian Kurdish militia known as the People's Protection Units (YPG).

Kobani canton is the central of four cantons of de facto autonomous Federation of North Syria – Rojava. Although officially remaining part of Aleppo Governorate, Kobanî Canton was declared autonomous in January 2014, and since then has been administered by the interim government of the Kurdish Supreme Committee. In his interview with Sputnik Turkiye the canton’s Defense Minister İsmet Şeyh Hesen said that the residents of the canton have been protesting against the construction of the barrier for more than a week.

They have been living in tents on the border territory in order to block the construction works.

Last weekend there have been severe clashes between the protesters and the Turkish police. The Defense Minister said that Turkish security forces used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesters killing at least one person and injuring 42 others. “We are protesting against invasive actions of Turkey which has started the construction of a wall on our territory,” he told Sputnik. “Kobani residents have been protesting for over a week by putting up tents to the west of Mursitpinar border crossing on the Turkish-Syrian border,” he added.

“The Turkish police are trying to disperse the protesters by using tear gas and water cannons, injuring dozens of people, who are now undergoing treatment in a hospital,” the politician added.

İsmet Şeyh Hesen said that Turkey has drawn armored vehicles to its border with Syria intending to construct a four-meter wall on Syria’s territory.

Earlier they have already put a 150-meter barrier segment on the border with Kobani. The Defense Minister said that the residents of the canton are protesting against this move because it is a clear violation of the border. “The Kobani residents won’t allow any encroachment on the territories which belong to them,” he said.

At the end of August, ARA News agency, which reports on local developments across Rojava, Kurdistan Region, Syria, Iraq and Turkey said that the Rojava Self-Administration issued a statement condemning the Turkish barrier wall project, and called on the international community to take action and stop the Turkish violations on the border with Syria.

“The Self-Administration in the Kobane canton condemns this aggression by the Turkish state against the people of our region. We appeal to the international community to break its silence and put pressure on the Turkish government to stop those violations,” it quoted the statement as saying. Some activists then told the agency that the Turkish move comes in a bid to cut off communication between Kurds on both sides of the border.

The agency says that the Turkish barrier wall project is being implemented from the Mursitpinar crossing with a depth of 20m inside the Rojava territory in northern Syria.

“Our protest is aimed to deliver a message of condemnation to the Turkish government for this clear violation. This racist barrier wall is meant to hit the Kurdish people and separate them from each other in northern and western Kurdistan,” protester Muhammad Ahmed told ARA News. “Turkey has been training and funding ISIS (Daesh) terrorists for years, and after its agenda has failed it started to invade our region with tanks and warplanes,” it quotes Director of the Kobani Health Commission, Hikmat Ahmed, as saying. “Building this barrier wall shows the Turkish attempt to separate our people,” he added.

Meanwhile Turkey claims that the construction of a concrete wall along the borderline with Syria comes in a bid to maintain security across the Turkish border.

Media source in Idlib disclosed that a senior commander of Jund al-Aqsa terrorists group has been killed in intense fighting with the rival Ahrar al-Sham militant group in Idlib province.

Idlib: Jund Al-Aqsa's Emir Killed in Infighting with Rival Terrorists
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950616001055

Ra'ad Eid, nom de guerre Abu Satif, who was the emir of Jund al-Aqsa was killed when the rival terrorists from the rival Ahrar al-Sham terrorist group attacked Jund al-Aqsa positions in Ariha region in Idlib province.

Two other terrorists of Jund al-Aqsa, including Abu Satif's brother Abu Ebrahim, were also killed along with Abu Satif.

Abu Satif was the commander of Jund al-Aqsa's military operations in the countryside of the city of Hama.

Eight other terrorists from both sides were also injured in the heavy infighting.

The clashes between Jund al-Aqsa and Ahrar al-Sham terrorists also spread to Jabal al-Zawiya region.

The fighting between the two terrorist groups intensified on Monday in Ariha region.

"The differences have increased among the Jund al-Aqsa and Ahrar al-Sham terrorist groups in Ariha region in Idlib province in the Northwestern part of Syria," the Arabic-language media quoted an informed source as saying.

"The differences intensified between the two terrorist groups after a Jund al-Aqsa terrorist attacked the brother of the commander of Ahrar al-Sham's Ariha Battalion," the sources said.

Infighting has increased among rival terrorist groups in Idlib province after they have come under the Syrian army siege and lost vast parts of lands across Syria, specially in neighboring Aleppo, to the government forces.

ISIL terrorist group announced the death in Syria of an Australian ‘militant’ convicted over a 2005 plot to bomb the Melbourne Cricket Ground, in the group's new English-language magazine.

ISIL Announces Death of Australian Militant in Syria
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950616001198

Ezzit Raad, who travelled to the Middle East after serving time in jail, died fighting with ISIL in Manbij near the battleground city of Aleppo in Northern Syria, according to the ISIL's online propaganda magazine Rumiyah, Al Manar reported.

The first edition also featured calls for lone-wolf attacks in the West, singling out targets in Australia in a biography of the Australian ‘militant’ of Lebanese origin, also known as Abu Mansur al-Muhajir.

The 38-page magazine was released simultaneously in seven languages, including English, French, German, Russian and Turkish.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said last week that more than 60 Australians have so far been killed in Iraq and Syria, while around 200 people back home had been investigated for supporting militant groups.

French Ambassador to Russia Jean-Maurice Ripert said that France and Russia have the same goals regarding Syria: to destroy the Daesh terrorist group and reserve a united, secular and democratic Syria.

Moscow, Paris Share Same Goals in Settlement of Syrian Conflict
https://sputniknews.com/world/20160906/1045013194/russia-france-syria.html

Moscow and Paris have the same goals in the settlement of the Syrian conflict, namely to destroy the Islamic State (ISIL or Daesh) terrorist group and preserve a united, secular and democratic Syria, French Ambassador to Russia Jean-Maurice Ripert said Tuesday.

"We have the same goals regarding Syria: to destroy IS and to ensure that the country is united, sovereign, secular and democratic," Ripert said in an address to the Russian upper house of parliament.

He added that Paris was thankful to Moscow for its support in overcoming the recent terrorist attacks in France.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

About 1,000 servicemen take part in drills in Russia’s westernmost exclave

http://tass.com/defense/898218

The exercise will also involve BMP-2 infantry combat vehicles, T-72 tanks, Akatsiya and Gvozdika self-propelled artillery howitzers, Tunguska air defense artillery systems, and Grad multiple launchers

KALININGRAD, September 6. /TASS/. About 1,000 servicemen are taking part in tactical drills of the Russian Baltic Fleet’s coastal troops in the Kaliningrad Region, Russia’s westernmost exclave on the Baltic Sea, the fleet’s spokesman Roman Martov said Tuesday.

"About 1,000 servicemen, over 70 items of military and special hardware, including BMP-2 infantry combat vehicles, T-72 tanks, Akatsiya and Gvozdika self-propelled artillery howitzers, Tunguska air defense artillery systems, Grad multiple launch rocket systems, as well as fifth-generation communications equipment are used in the exercise," Martov said.

The drills will last a few days and will involve both offensive and defensive actions.

The troops will be supported by Su-24 attack aircraft and Mi-24 naval helicopter gunships.

International Army-2016 forum kicks off in Russia

http://tass.com/defense/898172

This year’s forum will be held for a second time and last till September 11

MOSCOW, September 6. /TASS/. More than once thousand companies will display more than 11,000 samples of weapons and military equipment at the international military-technical forum Army-2016, opening in the Patriot theme park near Moscow on Tuesday, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

This year’s forum will be held for a second time and last till September 11. The demonstration program will be held at three clusters. The latest models of planes and helicopters will be displayed at the Kubinka airdrome, while the ground and water clusters will be located in Alabino.

Army-2016 participants

By tradition the first day of the exhibition is reserved for personal contacts between military specialists and representatives of the military-industrial complex. Participating in the forum, alongside Russian manufacturers, will be companies from Germany, India, Israel, Ireland, China, Malaysia, Thailand, France and Switzerland. As the Defense Ministry has said, a total of 107 countries had been invited to participate. Eighty six of them confirmed participation and 45 plan to send official delegations.

The Kalashnikov concern will for the first time display the newest light machinegun, the automated combat complex Soratnik and a number of other latest products. Russia’s largest manufacturer of armored wheeled vehicles Military-Industrial Company will present a robotized vehicle Tigr with a 30-mm combat module. TsNIITochMash, the designer of the soldier’s combat gear of the future, will display its model that in due time will replace the kit called Ratnik.

Navy, aviation and virtual battlefield

The naval part of the exposition will be larger than last year’s. The design bureau Rubin will present real size samples of two projects: a simulator compartment for practicing fire-fighting operations and a mockup of the mobile autonomous remote-controlled underwater craft Yunona.

Both specialists and guests will be able to see mock-ups of submarines of project 955 Borei, and project 885 Yasen, and multi-purpose submarines of project 971 Bars.

Among the mockups of surface ships there will be the frigate Gepard-3.9, corvette 20382 Tigr, missile carrying ship 22800 of the Karakurt family, patrol ship 22160 and fiberglass minesweeper Aleksandrit.

The Kronshtadt Group company will present a concept of an integral virtual battlefield - a combination of various simulators integrated into a common virtual space. In part, it incorporates simulators for Mi-8, Mi-17, Mi-35 and Mi-26 helicopters, the comprehensive simulator Laguna for training the crews of surface ships, the modular simulator KAMAZ-5350 and the simulator for the BTR-82A armored personnel carrier.

The newest planes and helicopters, including Sukhoi Su-30SM and Su-35S fighters, multi-functional bomber Sukhoi-34, combat training plane Yak-130 and helicopters Mi-28N and Ka-52 will be shown at the Kubinka airdrome. On the ground the visitors will see the newest transport plane Ilyushin-76MD-90A, and strategic missile carriers Tupolev-160 White Swan and Tupolev-95MS Bear.

The aerobatics show will feature the Russian Knights, Strizhi, Falcons of Russia, and Berkuts teams flying Sukhoi-27, MiG-29 and Sukhoi-30SM planes and Mi-28N Night Hunter helicopters respectively.

Russia and Qatar sign military cooperation agreement

http://tass.com/defense/898186

The Russian minister also noted the positive dynamics of bilateral military and military-technical cooperation

KUBINKA /Moscow region/, September 6 /TASS/. Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu and Qatar’s State Minister for Defense Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah signed a military cooperation agreement on Tuesday.

"The signing of this document will contribute to strengthening the Russia-Qatar military cooperation," Shoigu said at the signing ceremony, which took place on the sidelines of the Army-2016 International Military-Technical Forum in Kubinka near Moscow and will be open until September 11.

The Russian minister also noted the positive dynamics of bilateral military and military-technical cooperation.

"Russia and Qatar are united by the common desire to maintain active political dialogue and build up mutually beneficial ties in various spheres," the Russian defense minister said.

According to him, bilateral defense cooperation fully meets the interests of the states and peoples of Russia and Qatar and contributes to the general stability in the Persian Gulf and the Middle East.

Qatar’s state minister for defense said, in turn, that a joint political dialogue with friends in Russia had proven that the leaders of the two states wanted to establish cooperation and consolidate bilateral relations between the two countries.

Russia, Iran to begin construction on Bushehr-2 nuclear plant on September 10

http://tass.com/economy/898173

The power plant will be built under the new project II+, which received the EUR certificate

MOSCOW, September 6. /TASS/. Moscow and Tehran are set to launch the construction of the second stage of Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant on September 10, the ASE company said in a statement on Tuesday.

ASE is an engineering company within Russian state atomic energy corporation, Rosatom.

According to the statement, Rosatom’s head Sergei Kirienko will be attending the groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday.

The plant will be built under the new project "II+", which was awarded an EUR certificate (European operators).

"The Bushehr-2 nuclear power plant will use unique technology and the latest solutions as well as a new safety system concept," ASE declared in a statement.

Earlier it was reported that the contract envisaged the construction of two new units of the nuclear plant at the Bushehr site.

Bushehr’s first power unit was built by Russian organizations in accordance with the 1995 contract with Iran. The power plant was connected to Iranian power network on September 3, 2011. This is the first nuclear power plant in the Middle Eastern region.

In November 2014, Nuclear Power Production and Development Company of Iran (NPPD) and Russia’s Atomstoiexport signed two contracts: for the construction of units 2, 3 of Bushehr-2 under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction terms and on a turnkey basis and for engineering studies and collection of data at the site of Bushehr-2. The total capacity of two units of WWER-1000 (Water-Water Energetic Reactor) should be 2,100 megawatt.

Syrian, Turkish Officials Likely to Meet in Moscow

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950616001326

According to al-Hadath news, any meeting between the Syrian and Turkish heads of state is unlikely to happen under the supervision of Russia, at least, for now despite the fact the Turkey has shown interest in the meeting and is trying to approach Damascus even if it will only be aimed at economic goals.

But a meeting at the level of top security officials or the military brass seems to be increasingly likely since Turkey started positive signals to convince Damascus and its allies that it will soon start a practical shift in policy.

"Yet, no serious development is still perceived in Turkey's current positions on the Syrian war, as Ankara has only paid lip service in many cases and replaced some terrorist groups with their militant comrades in Jarabulus, while they had only informed Moscow, and not Damascus, of their operations inside Syria," the report added.

Meantime, the Russians are trying to improve relations between Turkey and Syria and between the US and Syria.

At present, the US, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar and Turkey are facing dilemmas while doors are open for the Saudis and Qataris to change their policies like Turkey as Ankara foiled all their plots to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad's government.

Arab media outlets reported last month that negotiations under an Iranian mediation were held between officials from the Syrian government and Turkish figures with a possibility to reach reconciliation between Assad and Erdogan.

Asharq al-Awsat newspaper quoted sources as saying last month that they expect that Erdogan soften tone on President Assad's government in exchange for Syrian cooperation to prevent the establishment of any Kurdish entity in Northern Syria.

According to the Arab paper, the source also revealed that Ismail Hakki, one of the most leading Turkish diplomats, is the one conducting the negotiations on Ankara’s behalf. Hakki is a retired general who had supervised an agreement reached between Syria and Turkey in 1998 during the crisis with head of Kurdistan Workers’ Party Abdullah Ocalan, who was imprisoned 17 years ago in the Turkish Imrali Island.

According to Asharq al-Awsat, Hakki has held meetings with a number of Syrian officials in Damascus, including Abdullah Al-Ahmar Arabic, a Syrian politician and prominent member of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party, Mamlouk and Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem and his deputy Feisal Mikdad.

Syrian Army At Gates of Khan Touman in Southern Aleppo

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950616001029

"Syrian government forces have significantly advanced against militants in regions near Khan Touman, including Tal al-Asfar and two strategic villages of Ma'arata and al-Alam," the sources said.

"In the meantime, the Syrian soldiers have intensified their assault on the positions of terrorists in Khan Touman and have cut off all the supply routes to the terrorists. Government forces are now in very good military situation in Khan Touman battlefield and are at the gates of the city," they added.

Earlier reports said today that Syrian and Russian warplanes launched fresh rounds of combat sorties over Jeish al-Fatah's strongholds along the strategic Aleppo-Damascus highway, inflicting major losses on the terrorists.

Syrian and Russian warplanes' bombardments inflicted major casualties on the terrorists of Jeish al-Fatah and did not allow them to advance near Aleppo-Damascus highway.

The Russian and Syrian bombers also struck Takfiri terrorists’ positions at Khan Touman and Saraqib, destroying several military vehicles as well as killing a number of militants.

Syrian air force devastates jihadist fighters in north Hama countryside

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-air-force-devastates-jihadist-fighters-north-hama-countryside/

It has been a devastating Tuesday so far for jihadist forces operating in the north Hama countryside.

So far the Syrian air force have wreaked havoc on them by destroying 3 bases, 4 armored vehicles and 7 technical cars. It has been reported that tens of jihadists have been killed and injured, but no exact figure given thus far.

The Syrian airstrikes have concentrated on positions in Ma’ardes, Souran, Halfaya and Latamnah.

It is yet to be seen if a ground assault against jihadist forces will follow up from the air campaign.

 

[angelburst29]

Top US Navy Admiral Says Russia, China Defenseless Against US Aircraft Carriers
http://sputniknews.com/military/20160906/1045001218/russia-china-pacific-fleet-navy.html

After a series of mechanical breakdowns, all US Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) have been ordered to “stand down” until engineers can review the state-of-the-art vessels and retrain crew members.

Stand Down: All US Navy’s Littoral Combat Ships Ordered Ashore Pending Review
https://sputniknews.com/military/20160906/1045033535/lcs-stand-down.html

Last month, the USS Coronado was forced to return to Pearl Harbor after experiencing an engineering failure while en route to the Western Pacific.

"The extent of repairs and any operational impact is unknown at this time," Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson said in a press release. "An assessment of the casualty will be completed upon return to Pearl Harbor." This was only the latest in a series of embarrassing setbacks for the US Navy’s LCS fleet. In light of the widespread problems, the Navy has quietly ordered all LCS ships to halt operations.

"Due to the ongoing challenges with littoral combat ships, I ordered an engineering stand-down for LCS squadrons and the crews that fall under their command," Vice Adm. Tom Rowden said in a statement, according to Military.Com.

Officials have not revealed what caused the Coronado’s breakdown, but the USS Freedom was forced to return to its homeport in San Diego last month after a seal malfunction caused seawater to seep into the ship’s engine.

Without offering specifics, the US Navy said the Coronado will be repaired soon. "A preliminary investigation will provide an initial assessment and procedural review of the situation, and any shortfalls will be addressed quickly to get the ship fixed and back on deployment," officials said.

Still, the Navy’s main focus seems to be on crew training. In addition to retraining all LCS crew members with any engineering role, the Navy’s Surface Warfare Officer’s School will also spend the next 30 days reviewing the training program.

"From there, more adjustments may be made to the engineering training pipeline," the statement reads. Pentagon officials have been aware of issues with its Littoral Combat Ships throughout development, but insisted on moving forward with the program. A review by a government watchdog group found that the ships were susceptible to corrosion. A separate report by the Director of Operational Test & Evaluation conducted in February found that the LCS vessels were vulnerable to small attack boats.

According to US Defense Department officials, the USS Firebolt was forced to change course by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps in the Persian Gulf.

'If It’s an Invasion, We Confront': Iran Intercepts US Ships in Persian Gulf
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160906/1045031601/iran-uss-firebolt.html

The Navy’s coastal patrol ship was operating in the Gulf on Sunday when it was allegedly approached by an Iranian attack craft that came within 100 yard of the US vessels. The Iranian craft sailed in front of the Firebolt, forcing the ship to divert its course.

One Pentagon official, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the move as "unsafe and unprofessional due to lack of communications and the close-range harassing maneuvering."

Six other Iranian ships “harassed” the Firebolt before it was forced to change course. While crew members reportedly attempted to make radio contact three times, they received no response.

This is at least the fifth reported incident of its kind in less than a month. The USS Nitze was intercepted by four Iranian vessels while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz last month. Following this encounter, similar incidents occurred with the USS Squall, USS Stout, and USS Tempest.

The Pentagon described each encounter as "unsafe."

One US official claimed that since January, there have been 31 such encounters between US and Iranian ships.

"These are incidents that carry a risk of escalation and we don’t desire any kind of escalation," Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook told reporters last month. "Our ships have been operating in that part of the world for years." Earlier this year, two US Navy patrol vessels drifted into Iranian waters in the Persian Gulf. Crewmembers were apprehended by the Revolutionary Guard and nearly sparked an international crisis in the midst of the Iran nuclear negotiations.

Iranian defense minister Gen. Hosein Dehghan has defended Tehran’s actions, maintaining that it would perform similar intercepts as often as necessary.

"If any foreign vessel enters our waters, we warn them," he told Tasnim news agency last month, "and if it’s an invasion, we confront."

German online newspaper Deutsche Wirtschafts Nachrichten has provided its own analysis on the developments in Syria, noting that the severest clashes occur only in places of major pipelines or where new routes are planned to run; hence it says, the conflict is nothing more than a fight for the best positions to start oil and gas supplies to Europe.

Syrian War: 'Nothing to Do With Daesh, It is Energy Battle for Future Pipelines'
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160906/1045022877/syria-war-pipelines-control.html

The newspaper has attentively examined the Syrian war map and noticed that the military actions are going on only in places where major oil and gas routes are either already running or are planned to go.

“Two of the most important oil markets are located in the Syrian cities of Manbij and al-Bab, both cities are located in the Governorate of Aleppo,” the newspaper says.

“Through the territories of the two cities runs a major pipeline which transports oil from Iraq to Syria, up to Idlib Governorate,” it says. The same pipeline runs through the territory of the city of Aleppo. Whoever takes Manbij, takes under control of the oil transportation in Syria, it says.

The same is true for the Syria’s western cities of Aleppo, Idlib and al-Bab. In the east, the same pipeline runs through the cities of Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor.

The oil flowing through the pipeline comes from the Iraqi city of Mosul through Sinjar on to Deir ez-Zor. Its second strand runs from the Iraqi city of al-Qaim to Deir ez-Zor, the outlet says.

So far in the Syria conflict, Turkey has had no access to the oil pipelines, it says. But by taking Manbij, Ankara will get access to the Syrian pipeline system.

“The current battle for Aleppo is viewed as the most decisive in the ongoing conflict: Aleppo is the last major city which the country’s main pipeline runs through,” it says.

Whoever controls Aleppo, controls the ‘keys’ of the pipeline.”

The newspaper points out that the most intensive fighting between the warring parties is taking place at the key points of the pipeline, namely Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor, Aleppo, Idlib, Manbij in Hasakah, al-Bukamal, Ayn Issa and al-Bab.

Fierce fighting is also going on in the cities of Homs and Hama. And previously the war was raging in Palmyra, the outlet notes. All the settlements are located alongside the planned pipeline route which is set to run from Qatar to Turkey.

The newspaper says that in its turn, Russia is supporting the construction of a gas pipeline that is set to run from Iran through Iraq and Syria, through the city of Homs. Therefore Moscow does not want Homs to fall into the hands of Islamist mercenaries.

The Syrian war map also shows that the US particularly concentrates its air strikes on the east of the country while Russian air strikes are mainly focused on its western areas.

The outlet therefore concludes that Russia wants to control western Syria in order to prevent the construction of pro-Western pipelines. For the US, in its turn, it is important to prevent the construction of pro-Russian pipelines — such as the Iran-Iraq-Syria pipeline in the east.

Besides, there is another proposed pipeline which is supposed to connect Israeli Golan Heights with Turkey through Syrian Damascus.

On condition of the toppling of the Syrian government, Israel would have strengthened its positions as a rising gas supplier, however Russia does not want any competitors in this sector, the newspaper says.

It further refers to the reports of the Caucasus Strategic Research Centre (KAFKASSAM) in Ankara which suggest that the true purpose behind the attempt to set up the so-called "Kurdish corridor" was to transport Kurdish oil and gas from northern Iraq over northern Syria to the Mediterranean Sea.

The reports also suggest that the US had plans to build a new pipeline from the Persian Gulf to northern Iraq and further to Turkey through northern Syria.

Thus, it planned to supply Iraqi oil through Turkey and northern Syria further to the West, namely to the European energy market.

However the plan to set up the Kurdish corridor failed because Russia stepped into the Syrian conflict.

Russia is against this corridor because it wants to keep Europe as the major customer of its energy products.

Under no conditions will Russia give up its position on the European market, the newspaper finally states.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Counter-Terrorist Operation Declared in Coastal City of Russia’s Dagestan

https://sputniknews.com/russia/20160907/1045040772/russia-dagestan-operation.html

A counter-terrorist operation regime was declared in a coastal city of Russia’s republic of Dagestan on Wednesday.

MAKHACHKALA (Sputnik) — A counter-terrorist operation regime was declared in a coastal city of Russia’s republic of Dagestan on Wednesday, a spokesperson of the local operational headquarters told RIA Novosti.

"At 6:00 a.m. [03:00 GMT] the head of the operational headquarters decided to declare the legal regime of a counter-terrorist operation within the administrative borders of the of the city of Izberbash" the spokesperson said.

The decision was made after an unidentified number of militants were reportedly involved in firing at police in Izberbash.

Dagestan is a hotbed of Islamist insurgency in the North Caucasus. Multiple violent attacks have plagued the region over the past decade.

Counterterrorist Operation Regime Declared in Russia’s Dagestan Republic

https://sputniknews.com/russia/20160907/1045041471/dagestan-russia-terrorism-police.html

A counterterrorist operation regime was declared in one of the districts of Makhachkala.

MAKHACHKALA (Sputnik) — A counterterrorist operation regime was declared in one of the districts of Makhachkala, the capital of Russia's Dagestan republic, a spokesperson of the local operations headquarters told RIA Novosti on Wednesday.

"At 7:00 a.m. [04:00 GMT] the head of the operations headquarters decided to declare the regime of a counterterrorist operation within the administrative borders of the Kirovsky district of Makhachkala," the spokesperson said.

Earlier in the day, local authorities reported that a residential building was blocked in the Kirovsky district where militants were hiding. Prior to that, the anti-terrorist operation regime was introduced in Dagestan's town Izberbash, where the militants were reportedly involved in the murder of two police officers.

Local law enforcement told RIA Novosti that the militants blocked in Makhachkala were suspected of having ties to the murder of police officers in Izberbash.

Residential Building in Dagestan Republic Freed From Militants

https://sputniknews.com/russia/20160907/1045042512/russia-dagestan-terrorism-building.html

Three militants blocked in a residential building in Makhachkala, a law enforcement source told RIA Novosti on Wednesday.

MAKHACHKALA (Russia) (Sputnik) — Three militants blocked in a residential building in one of the districts of Makhachkala, the capital of Russia's Dagestan republic, were killed, a law enforcement source told RIA Novosti on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, local authorities reported that a residential building was blocked in the Kirovsky district where militants were hiding.

"According to preliminary information, three militants were killed. As for now, the security forces are about to enter the building," the source said.

Prior to this incident, the anti-terrorist operation regime was introduced in Dagestan's town Izberbash, where the militants were reportedly involved in the murder of two police officers.

Russia may buy BrahMos cruise missiles for Su-30SM fighters — source

http://tass.com/defense/898311

Negotiations with the Russian side might begin in 2017 after testing of the Indian Su-30MKI fighters with the BrahMos missile is completed

KUBINKA (Moscow region), September 7. /TASS/. The Russian military are interested in buying the BrahMos cruise missiles, which were developed jointly with India, for equipping its Sukhoi Su-30SM fighters, a military-diplomatic source told TASS on Wednesday.

"The new missile strike system - a plane plus a missile - will be first of all made operational with the Indian Air Force. After that the Russian Air Force, which is very interested, may buy the system," the source said at the Army 2016 forum.

He added that negotiations with the Russian side might begin in 2017 after testing of the Indian Su-30MKI fighters with the BrahMos missile is completed.

Kazakhstan to Receive Su-30 Fighters, Mi-17 , Mi-35 Helicopters From Russia

https://sputniknews.com/military/20160907/1045042770/kazakhstan-russia-equipment-mod.html

Kazakhstan’s armed forces will receive multirole fighters and transport helicopters from Russia this year.

KUBINKA (Moscow Region) (Sputnik) – Kazakhstan’s armed forces will receive two Su-30 multirole fighters and two Mi-17 transport helicopters from Russia this year as part of existing contracts, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Defense Minister Okas Saparov told Sputnik on Wednesday.

"We received four Su-30s from Russia in 2014, two more this year," Saparov said at the Army-2016 military forum, adding that two Mi-17s would enter into service in 2016, followed by more next year.

Moreover, Kazakhstan plans to sign a contract on the purchase of four Russian Mi-35 helicopters by the end of 2016, Kazakh Deputy Defense Minister Okas Saparov told Sputnik on Wednesday.

“This year we will sign another contract on four Mi-35s,” Saparov said at the Army-2016 military forum, adding that four of the attack helicopters with transport capabilities planned to be delivered as part of the 2015 contract.

Army-2016 military forum is holding on at Moscow Region suburb Kubinka.

Poland seeks US approval for $5bn Patriot missile purchase

https://www.rt.com/news/358487-poland-patriot-missiles-deal/

The Polish government says it will seek Washington’s approval to purchase eight Patriot missile defense systems from US defense manufacturer Raytheon in order to carry out a planned upgrade of its national air and missile defense shield.

On Tuesday, Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz said that his government was officially requesting US permission to buy eight Patriot systems, although he failed to provide information on the cost of the deal. Raytheon said in a statement that Poland would become the 6th NATO Patriot country and the 14th Patriot partner nation.

The announcement marks a major step forward in finalizing the deal, which was initiated by Poland’s previous liberal government, but set aside for reconsideration by the new conservative one. After the Law and Justice (PiS) party returned to power after winning an election last November, it questioned many of its predecessors’ initiatives, including the Patriot missiles plan.

Poland is undergoing a massive modernization of its air defense systems, on which it plans to spend an estimated $13 billion by 2022. Some $5.5 of that money would go into the Wisla medium-to-long-range missile defense program.

Poland announced last spring that it had chosen Raytheon’s Patriot missiles for Wisla. Two batteries of the time-tested surface-to-air missiles are to be purchased in their current configuration, while additional systems delivered later would be upgraded with better radar stations and the ability to fire a variety of interceptors, according to Defense news. The two older batteries would then be retrofitted with the next-generation capabilities.

Patriot missiles were selected ahead of Lockheed Martin’s Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS), Israel’s David’s Sling, and French Eurosam SAMP/T, with the latter getting into the final but losing out to the American bid.

Despite hopes to gain better terms for the planned deal, the conservative party’s revision didn’t go as far as to actually change the winner. In June, Polish state-run defense contractor PGZ said it had signed a letter of intent with Raytheon to cooperate on Wisla. Warsaw said that roughly half of the work involved in producing the Patriot missiles would go to Polish companies.

Japan Developing New Alert System Amid N Korea's Missile Launches

https://sputniknews.com/asia/20160907/1045044083/japan-missile-launch-alert.html

The Japanese government is developing a new emergency system to issue faster warnings in case of Pyongyang's missile launches, media reported on Wednesday.

TOKYO (Sputnik) — The move comes after Pyongyang fired three ballistic missiles from Hwangju county in the direction of the Sea of Japan on Monday. On Tuesday, Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada said that North Korea had made advancements in its missile technologies.

According to Japanese NHK broadcaster, the new emergency system will also alert ships and aircraft not only in the country's territorial waters, but in the exclusive economic zone, which the old systems could not do.

The notification system will work in several stages: first, the Cabinet Secretariat will inform the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the Coast Guard, and the Fisheries Agency of missile launches. Then these bodies will imminently contact ships and aircraft by radio and notify them about the threats.

North Korea is currently under pressure from the international community since its January nuclear test and a long-range rocket launch in February, which resulted in tightening sanctions against Pyongyang in the new UN Security Council resolution in March.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

BREAKING:

Russian SU-27 Jet Intercepts US Navy Spy Plane Over Black Sea

https://sputniknews.com/world/20160907/1045068086.html

Russian fighter jet carried out intercept of US spy plane flying over the Black Sea, according to US Defense officials cited by news agency.

The officials said that there were interactions between two aircraft and called the intercept of Russian jet "unsafe and unprofessional".

DETAILS TO FOLLOW