Turkey: Explosion Reported Near Military Facility in Istanbul

May 12, 2016 By administrator

A vehicle exploded near a military facility in Istanbul, at least five people were wounded.

An explosion occurred close to military barracks in the Turkish city of Istanbul. At least five people including one woman were injured.

First photos coming from explosion area show that blast is related to a car bombpic.twitter.com/mxSE5LU40B #Turkey #Sancaktepe

7:07 AM – 12 May 2016

Turkey has recently become the target of several terrorist attacks that targeted or killed foreigners. In January, more than ten foreign tourists were killed in a suicide attack in Istanbul.

In March, some 37 people were killed and more than 125 were wounded in an attack on a bus stop near a central square in Ankara. Less than a week later, five people, including the assailant, were killed and at least 36 were injured in a blast on a major tourist street in Istanbul.

On April 9, a blast hit a bus station in central Istanbul’s district.

On May 2, one servicemen were killed and 23 people were injured by blast near the gendarmerie in Ankara.

On May 10, at least three people were killed and 45 sustained injuries in car bomb explosion in the Turkish city of Diyarbakir. A number of police officers and fighters of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), as well as civilians were injured in the explosion.

United Nations: ‘Alarming’ Reports of Military Violations in Turkey

May 11, 2016 By administrator

Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, High Commissioner of Human Rights at the United Nations

(Big News Network)—The United Nations chief said in a press release a succession of alarming reports about violations allegedly committed by the Turkish military and security forces in south-east Turkey over the past few months, and urged the Turkish authorities to give independent investigators, including UN staff, unimpeded access to the area to verify the veracity of such reports.

“More and more information has been emerging from a variety of credible sources about the actions of security forces in the town of Cizre during the extended curfew there from mid-December until early March,” the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra”ad Al Hussein, said in a press release.

He added that the picture that is emerging, although still sketchy, is “extremely alarming,” and strongly condemned violence and other unlawful acts committed by the youth groups and other non-state agents, allegedly affiliated with the PKK, in Cizre and other areas.

“I regret any loss of life as a result of terrorist acts wherever they have occurred,” Mr. Zeid said. “However, while Turkey has a duty to protect its population from acts of violence, it is essential that the authorities respect human rights at all times while undertaking security or counter-terrorism operations ” and international law prohibiting torture, extrajudicial killings, disproportionate use of lethal force and arbitrary detention must be observed.”

The High Commissioner said he had received reports of unarmed civilians “including women and children” being deliberately shot by snipers, or by gunfire from tanks and other military vehicles.

“There also appears to have been massive, and seemingly highly disproportionate, destruction of property and key communal infrastructure ” including buildings hit by mortar or shellfire, and damage inflicted on the contents of individual apartments and houses taken over by security forces,” he said. “There are also allegations of arbitrary arrests, and of torture and other forms of ill-treatment, as well as reports that in some situations ambulances and medical staff were prevented from reaching the wounded.”

On top of all this, he noted that there has been huge displacement triggered by the curfews and by subsequent fighting, shelling, killings and arrests in many places in the south-east.

“Most disturbing of all,” the High Commissioner said, “are the reports quoting witnesses and relatives in Cizre which suggest that more than 100 people were burned to death as they sheltered in three different basements that had been surrounded by security forces.”

“All these allegations, including those leveled at the groups fighting against the security forces, are extremely serious and should be thoroughly investigated, but do not appear to have been so far,” Zeid said. “The Turkish Government has not responded positively to requests by my Office and other parts of the United Nations to visit the region to collect information first-hand.”

The UN Human Rights Chief noted that more information has emerged from Cizre compared to other districts, towns and villages in the south-east “including Silopi, Nusaybin and the Sur district of Diyarbakir, the main city in the region” which were sealed off for weeks on end, and are still next to impossible to access, because of the heavy security presence.

“In 2016, to have such a lack of information about what is happening in such a large and geographically accessible area is both extraordinary and deeply worrying,” Mr. Zeid said. “This black-out simply fuels suspicions about what has been going on. I therefore renew my call for access for UN staff and other impartial observers and investigators, including civil society organizations and journalists.”

Noting alarm bells rung by other international human rights entities in recent weeks, Mr. Zeid called for a prompt investigation and prosecution of all those suspected of being involved in violations of the right to life, including extrajudicial killings and disproportional use of lethal force, and stressed that the judiciary should act independently from all other branches of the State, including the military and the Executive.

He also called on the Turkish authorities to allow the return of all those who have been forcibly displaced, and urged them to ensure that, in future, curfews are limited to the minimum duration necessary and with due concern for human rights obligations and humanitarian considerations.

The High Commissioner noted Turkey’s continued engagement with UN human rights bodies, including the recent visit of UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances; the recent review of the country”s record by the UN Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families; and the ongoing review by the UN Committee against Torture which will issue its concluding observations on 13 May.

Azerbaijan devised large-scale military plan – Artsrun Hovhannisyan

April 15, 2016 By administrator

The documents of the crew of the downed Azerbaijani helicopter gunship were presented to the military attachés of foreign embassies in Armenia.

Specifically, the military documents provide corroborative evidence that the above-mentioned helicopter with its crew had been moved from Baku district to the front-line a few days before and had had clear targets to strike during military fights. In fact, this is the final proof that Azerbaijan had devised a large-scale military plan.

Karabakh Update: Azerbaijani military aggression against Karabakh

April 7, 2016 By administrator

Karabakh 100 Numerous incidents of breach of agreement on ceasing fire were recorded at night, at the zone of contact between the Karabakh-Azerbaijani opposing forces. The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Defense Army reported that aside from using rifle weaponry and mortars, the adversary also launched two reconnaissance-sabotage attempts.

Vanguard units of the NKR Defense Army, however, detected, in timely fashion, this attempt at advance by the Azerbaijani special units, and they pushed them back to their original positions.

The photographs below are of the corpses of the Azerbaijani military gang that had committed crimes against Armenian civilians.

Karabakh army serviceman Armen Gasparyan (born in 1974) was killed on Wednesday in ceasefire violation by the Azerbaijani side.

The contract serviceman was killed from a mine thrower in north-eastern direction, Karabakh Defense Army army said in a statement.

As a result of the close battle, the adversary was pushed back leaving behind the corpse of Azerbaijani Armed Forces captain, Naftalan town resident Vaqif Bayramov, who was born in 1979.

Before that a Karabakh army serviceman Armen Gasparyan (born in 1974) was killed on Wednesday in ceasefire violation by the Azerbaijani side. The serviceman was killed from a mine thrower in north-eastern direction, Karabakh Defense Army army said in a statement.

On Wednesday between 10:35am and around 11pm, the Azerbaijani army divisions intensively fired shots toward the Armenian armed forces’ divisions and the settlements located nearby Vardenis town in Gegharkunik Province of Armenia.

In particular, aside from a variety of rifle weaponry, the adversary fired several hundred bullets also from large-caliber machine guns, and from mortars.

The Armenian armed forces, however, did everything not to breach the agreement on ceasing fire and advance of troops.

News-NEWS.am reporter visited Talish village, in Martakert Region of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, which was hit the hardest by the Azerbaijani bombardment. There are destroyed houses and dead animals everywhere in Talish. The villagers have left their homes for the time being, but they plan to return. Close to 30 percent of the houses in Talish village have sustained damages while the administrative buildings—even more.

75% of U.S. foreign military financing goes to two countries Israel

April 6, 2016 By administrator

151111110337-us-foreign-military-aid-2014-exlarge-169 By Nick Thompson, CNN

CNN)American taxpayers doled out $5.9 billion in foreign military financing in 2014, according to the government’s Foreign Assistance report — that’s roughly the GDP of Somalia. But where did the money go?

To the usual suspects, mostly — Israel ($3.1B) and Egypt ($1.3B) received roughly 75% of all foreign military aid money handed out by the U.S. last year.

This map from the cost-information website howmuch.net shows the relative size of countries based on how much U.S. military aid they receive.

The top five recipients of foreign military financing in 2014, according to the report:

1. Israel: $3.1 billion

2. Egypt: $1.3 billion

3. Iraq: $300 million

3. Jordan: $300 million

5. Pakistan: $280 million

What also stands out from the report is the regional distribution — the Middle East (64%) and Africa (23%) account for 86% of all U.S. foreign military financing last year.

U.S. spent $35 billion on foreign economic aid last year

The $5.9 billion for military funding represents 17% of the roughly $35 billion the U.S. spent on foreign aid in 2014, according to the report.

This map from howmuch.net shows the relative size of countries based on how much total economic aid they received from the U.S. last year:

Again, the Middle East dominates the top five, thanks mostly to Israel. Here’s the total amount of aid the top countries received:

1. Israel: $3.1 billion

2. Egypt: $1.5 billion

3. Afghanistan: $1.1 billion

4. Jordan: $1 billion

5. Pakistan: $933 million

Russian-Azerbaijani military cooperation must be suspended – Andrey Areshev

April 5, 2016 By administrator

In an interview with Tert.am, Russia-based expert Andrey Areshev commented on the situation on the line of contact, possible outcomes, the side’s potential and motivations.

“I think the conflict is going through a critical phase and, regrettably, may escalate into a large-scale war unless the hostilities end in the near future. I regard the situation as most complicated and unpredictable,” Mr Areshev said.

Asked about the reasons for Azerbaijan’s attacks in early April, the expert said:

“We can give only a partial answer to this question. I think official Baku believes that early April is the best moment for external and internal factors facilitating such actions. I cannot fully understand the grounds for such conclusions in Baku. I think the Nagorno-Karabakh army will soon show official Baku the actions taken by Baku and the forces behind it are wrong.”

Russian military experts, namely, Mr Tsyganov, told Haqqin.az that Azerbaijan’s military equipment is much more powerful than that at the Armenian side’s disposal because Azerbaijan was able to re-enforce its reserves during the ceasefire. Do you share the opinion given the fact that Russia is supplier of the weapons and last night Azerbaijan used a Smerch multiple rocket launcher it had purchased from Russia?

I find it difficult to comment on Mr Tsyganok’s statement. I would say that it is not only the formal power, but also a number of other factors that ensure a military potential – it is common knowledge. I think Armenia and Karabakh on the one hand, and Azerbaijan on the other hand, have equal military potential, which rules out a Blitzkrieg. The defense army’s successful actions are evidence thereof. And the best evidence is the lack of success reports by Azerbaijan and its disseminating disinformation on alleged success. As to the use of offensive weapons, we can see Azerbaijan is not quite effective. According to confirmed information, the Armenian forces destroyed one of the TOS-1A “Solntsepyok” systems even before it was used. Let us wait for further developments, which will show the effectiveness of the weapons at Azerbaijan’s disposal. I would like to say that Azerbaijan is using not only Russian weapons, but also Israeli drones, probably Turkish weapons, during different attacks. We are well aware of Armenia’s reaction to Russian-Azerbaijani military cooperation. My personal opinion is that any cooperation with a side that resorts to shelling settlements using such destructive weapons must be suspended if not smashed at all.

WASHINGTON: Representative Schiff Condemns Azerbaijan’s Military Assault Against Nagorno Karabakh

April 2, 2016 By administrator

Representative Adam Schiff, a California

WASHINGTON–Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA), the Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, on Saturday released the following statement:

“I am deeply disturbed by and condemn this terrible new escalation in Azerbaijan’s aggression against Nagorno Karabakh in the form of a significant military assault which killed 18 Armenian soldiers and at least one civilian — a young boy. That this attack comes just hours after Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev returned from meetings in Washington, D.C. with Vice President Biden and Secretary Kerry demonstrates that the policy of the United States and the Minsk Group is simply not working.

“Until Azerbaijan faces strong and meaningful consequences over their policy of escalation and violence and its self-serving refusal to agree to international monitoring of the Line of Contact, there is little chance of resolving the conflict and avoiding further bloodshed. The true victims of this policy are the people of Artsakh who simply want to live free of sniper fire and mortar barrages and to exercise their right of self determination.”

U.S. orders military families to leave parts of Turkey

March 29, 2016 By administrator

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II fighter jet lands at Incirlik airbase in the southern city of Adana, Turkey, December 10, 2015. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

(Reuters) The U.S. military said on Tuesday it has ordered the families of its personnel to leave parts of southern Turkey over “continued security concerns in the region.”

Families of personnel stationed in Adana – including at Incirlik air base, used heavily in the fight against Islamic State militants – Izmir, and Mugla have been ordered to leave, the statement from U.S. European Command said. The decision was authorized by U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter.

“We understand this is disruptive to our military families, but we must keep them safe and ensure the combat effectiveness of our forces to support our strong ally Turkey in the fight against terrorism,” General Philip M. Breedlove, commander of U.S. European Command, said in the statement.

Will Turkey have Military Coup like egypt ? US, Europe Will Show No ‘Sympathy’ to Erdogan

March 25, 2016 By administrator

1030845190 American expert on the Middle East Michael Rubin in his article analyzed the possibility and perspectives of a military coup in Turkey.

According to the author, the current situation in the country is bad and “getting worse.” Particularly, the problem is rooted not only in the weakening system of national defense amid the growing terrorist threat.

Rubin also outlined a number of contributing domestic issues. Turkey’s public debt may be stable but its private debt is getting out control. The tourism industry is almost in ruins. Finally, the weakening national currency is having an impact on citizens’ buying power, the analyst wrote for the American Enterprise Institute.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is “out-of-control,” the article read. He is imprisoning political opponents, cracking down on the freedom of speech and “building palaces at the rate of a mad sultan.”

Earlier this month, Erdogan even threatened to dissolve the Turkish constitutional court.

“His outbursts are raising eyebrows both in Turkey and abroad. Even members of his ruling party whisper about his increasing paranoia, according to some Turkish officials,” Rubin wrote.

The analyst also brought up the Kurdish problem. Originally, Erdogan resumed peace talks with Kurds, but then he started a war against them. At the same time, Ankara has no chance to win this war while chances are high of a “de facto partition.”

Turkey understands that Erdogan is leading the country to nowhere, and the Turkish military understands this too.

“So if the Turkish military moves to oust Erdogan and place his inner circle behind bars, could they get away with it? In the realm of analysis rather than advocacy, the answer is yes,” the author wrote.

Ahead of presidential elections, Barack Obama’s administration is unlikely to do more than castigate possible coup leaders, especially if they laid out a path to restore democracy in Turkey.

Washington will no longer show sympathy for Erdogan as it did for dethroned Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi in 2013, according to the article. When Morsi was ousted his commitment to democracy was a matter of discussion. In the case of Turkey, both Republicans and Democrats will be ready to work with the new regime.

The fact that Turkey is one of the oldest NATO members could not prevent a coup, the analyst added.

He assumed that coup leaders would immediately release all jailed journalists and return seized newspapers and broadcasters to their rightful owners to avoid European and US criticism of human right violations in Turkey.

What is more, if the new government expresses willingness to work with Kurds the US and the EU would support it.

To sum up, Rubin noted that he makes no predictions. However, there are two strong factors that “Turkey’s rocky politics would soon get rockier” – the deepening domestic tensions and the chance that the Turkish military would suffer no significant consequences in the event of a coup.

Source: http://sputniknews.com

Putin lauds Russian military ops in Syria

March 17, 2016 By administrator

Russian President Vladimir Putin has hailed Russia’s military forces returning from Syria, saying their achievements in the militant-riddled Arab country has laid the ground for peace there.

Speaking on the occasion of Russia’s military pullout from Syria, Putin said his country succeeded in strengthening Syrian army through months of aerial campaign against militant groups in Syria.

Putin said despite Russia’s partial withdrawal, which he said was agreed with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, the battle against terrorism in Syria will continue.

The Russian president said his military forces created conditions for a peace process in Syria.

Putin further vowed that Russia will monitor Syria’s situation and will leave its advanced S-400 air defense missile system there as a means of precaution.

He also warned that Russia can ramp up its military presence in Syria within “several hours” if needed.

“If there’s a need, Russia literally within several hours can ramp up its presence in the region to the size required for the unfolding situation,” Putin said in the Kremlin on Thursday.

The comments came as he decorated officers who served in the war-torn country.

On Tuesday, President Putin announced that “the main part” of the Russian forces would start to withdraw from Syria, and that diplomats had been called upon to increase their efforts for a peaceful solution to the five-year-long conflict.

Russia launched its campaign against Daesh and other terrorist groups in Syria last September upon a request from the Damascus government. The air raids have expedited the advances of Syrian forces against militants.

Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since March 2011. According to a February report by the Syrian Center for Policy Research, the conflict has claimed the lives of over 470,000 people, injured 1.9 million others, and displaced nearly half of the country’s pre-war population of about 23 million within or beyond its borders.