2020-02-18: News Headlines

RT (2020-02-18). Ukraine witch-hunter Mirotvorets blacklists retired NATO generals, Munich Security Conference head as 'PRO-RUSSIA' propagandists. rt.com A notorious witch-hunt website says the chairman of one the most reputed pro-NATO gatherings and some top US military retirees are now enemies of Ukraine, as they dared to sign a non-binding roadmap for peace in Donbass. | The controversial 'Mirotvorets' (Peacekeeper) website took aim at German Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger, blacklisting him for what it said was "attempting to disrupt the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine" and for "taking part in Russia's propaganda events aimed against Ukraine." | | © Screenshot from myrotvorets.center | Ischinger chairs the Munich Security Conference (M…

RT (2020-02-18). US 'shamelessly & impudently' PILLAGES Syrian oilfields but forbids supply of hydrocarbons to Damascus, says Russian defense chief. rt.com Russia's Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu slammed the US for occupying Syrian oilfields, calling it a major obstacle to the reconstruction of the country after the conflict. | "The oil fields… are controlled by the US. There's shameless, impudent pillage of the wealth that belongs to Syria and the Syrian people taking place," Shoigu said during a visit to the Italian capital Rome. | At the same time, the sanctions imposed by Washington against Damascus ban any oil shipments to Syria, putting the country in a tight spot. | "Most of the people, who are now suffering in Syria, are in need of heat, hot water and e…

RT (2020-02-18). 5 civilians injured in explosive device blast in Bab Musalla, Damascus. rt.com Five civilians were injured in a car bomb blast in the Bab Musalla area in Damascus, SANA said on Tuesday. One of the victims sustained serious injuries, according to the report. | A source at Damascus Police Command said that the terrorists placed an explosive device in a car. | The automobile exploded while it was passing by the departures bus stop in Bab Musalla area in the Syrian capital, injuring five civilians, one of whom is in critical condition.

Philip Giraldi (2020-02-18). Explaining Syria: It's Everyone's Fault Except the U.S. and Israel. globalresearch.ca The first week in February was memorable for the failed impeachment of President Donald Trump, the "re-elect me" State of the Union address and the

South Front (2020-02-18). Video: Turkish "Armed Groups" Don't Help. Syrian Army Liberates Entire Western Aleppo. globalresearch.ca Syrian government forces have cleared the entire western countryside of Aleppo city of members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and other Turkish-backed armed groups. | During the past week, the Syrian Army and its allies cleared up to 300km2 delivering a devastating …

Mireille Court, Chris Den Hond (2020-02-18). Is This the End of Rojava? thenation.com Is This the End of Rojava?

teleSUR (2020-02-18). Aleppo Victories to 'Prelude' Defeat of Rebels in Syria: Assad. telesurenglish.net Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Monday that the recent victory of the Syrian army in the Aleppo province is a prelude to the major defeat of the rebels elsewhere. | RELATED: | In a televised speech following the major victory of the Syrian army in the western and northwestern countryside of Aleppo, Assad said it doesn't mean the end of the war, nor does it mean the elimination of terrorism. | "But this victory i…

sputniknews (2020-02-18). Turkey Deploys 300 Military Vehicles to Idlib Amid Conflict With Syria – Reports. sputniknews.com The situation in northern Syria remains tense since Damascus clashed with Ankara-backed militants, and later with the Turkish Army, as both sides accuse each other of breaking a ceasefire agreement.

sputniknews (2020-02-18). One Killed, Two Injured in Blast in Syrian Capital of Damascus – Reports. sputniknews.com Earlier this month, Sham FM reported that a car bomb detonated in central Damascus, near the city's largest food markets and injured one civilian.

sputniknews (2020-02-18). Russian FM Lavrov, Defence Minister Shoigu Hold Joint Presser With Italian Counterparts – Video. sputniknews.com Speaking to the Italian newspaper La Stampa on Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that he regarded the upcoming meeting in the 2+2 format as a good opportunity to assess the issues of arms control and strategic stability as well as the situation in Libya and Syria in order to take coordinated measures.

sputniknews (2020-02-18). Israeli Satellite Firm Releases Images Allegedly Showing Aftermath of Airstrike on Damascus. sputniknews.com Three Syrian soldiers were killed during the strike, which occured on 13 February. The Syrian government blamed the attack on Israel with PM Netanyahu refusing to comment on the incident. "Maybe it was the Belgian Air Force", he said during an interview with Radio Haifa.

Global Research News (2020-02-18). Selected Articles: America "Down the Rabbit Hole" globalresearch.ca By Just last month, if you remember, U.S. President Donald Trump had threatened Iran in a barrage of tweets that his regime "have targeted 52 Iranian sites …

yenisafak (2020-02-18). Syrian dad helps little girl avoid trauma by teaching her to laugh as bombs fall. yenisafak.com Italian screenwriter and director Roberto Benigni's 1999 Academy Award-winning movie "Life is Beautiful" centers around a father and son who were imprisoned at a Nazi concentration camp during World War II.In an effort to protect his son from the unbearable conditions, the father, Guido, turns the Nazi death camps into an imaginary playing field.However, the nine-year conflict in Syria that the world has been watching live on TV and the internet is nothing like a blockbuster.A Syrian father, who fled toward the Turkish border due to recent shelling by the Assad regime in Idlib's de-escalation zone, turned the hor…

yenisafak (2020-02-18). Close to 150,000 Syrian civilians displaced in six days across Idlib. yenisafak.com As Assad regime forces and its allies continue to target Idlib, northwestern Syria, an area covered by a nominal cease-fire, 148,000 more civilians have been displaced in the past six days, according to Syria's Response Coordination Group. | With this latest figure, the number of displaced people in Idlib and neighboring areas since January 2019 has reached nearly two million, most of them taking shelter in areas close to the bordering Turkey, which already hosts over 3.6 million Syrian refugees. | Tens of thousands of people, including women and children, are in need of humanitarian assistance as the camps they…

yenisafak (2020-02-18). Turkey informs Russia of its 'clear' policy in NW Syria. yenisafak.com Turkey has made the necessary military preparations in northwestern Syria and told Russian counterparts it was determined to push Bashar al-Assad regime to previous boundaries, spokesman of ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party said on Tuesday.Omer Celik said Turkey completed necessary military preparations in Syria and it would take necessary steps if the Syrian regime did not withdraw to the previous borderline set by de-escalation deal.Celik underlined that Russia, an ally of the Syrian regime, was "clearly" informed about Turkey's stance in the region.With 148,000 people displaced in Idlib city in the pas…

yenisafak (2020-02-18). Turkey deports 229 foreign terrorist fighters. yenisafak.com Turkey has deported 229 foreign terrorists, 75 of whom are EU citizens, since its anti-terror operation in Syria, an official from the country's Interior Ministry said on Tuesday.Abdullah Ayaz, head of Turkey's migration department, told Anadolu Agency that the struggle against the foreign terrorists was ongoing, adding that since 2011, the country has deported 7,898 terrorists of 102 different nationalities.He noted that entry bans had been issued for 94,000 foreigners considered to be affiliated with terrorist organizations.The foreign terrorists will continue to be returned whether their home countries wanted…

Staff (2020-02-17). Assad Predicts Victory After Gains in Northern Syria. truthdig.com DAMASCUS, Syria — Syrian President Bashar Assad congratulated his forces Monday for recent gains in northwestern Syria that led to his troops consolidating control over Aleppo province, pledging to press ahead with a military campaign to achieve complete victory "sooner or later." | Assad, who rarely appears in public, said in a televised address that the onetime economic hub of Aleppo, the provincial capital, will "return stronger than it was before." | "This liberation does not mean the end of the war, and does not mean the end of the schemes nor the end of terrorism or the surrender of enemies," Assad sa…

news.un (2020-02-17). As north-west Syria violence reaches 'horrifying' new level, UN relief chief says ceasefire is only option. news.un.org The crisis in north-west Syria has reached a "horrifying new level", the UN Humanitarian Affairs chief warned on Monday.

Arabi Souri (2020-02-17). Syrian Forces Secure Aleppo City Completely. globalresearch.ca Against all odds, and in the very difficult weather conditions the SAA cleaned all of Jamiyat Zahraa western Aleppo after taking control of the Llayramon and cleaned the two cities of Hreitan and Anadan in Aleppo's northwestern countryside. | Hayyan, Bayanon, …

Resistance News Unfiltered (2020-02-17). IRGC Aerospace Forces Commander's Debriefing about Iran's Strike against Al-Assad US Airbase. dissidentvoice.org The assassination of the martyr Hajj Qassem Soleimani was one of the greatest strategic mistakes in the history of the United States. These strikes were only the beginning of considerable transformations and developments in the region and around the world. The vengeance of the blood of the martyr Soleimani and our other dear martyrs lies …

Staff (2020-02-17). Headlines for February 17, 2020. democracynow.org Americans Aboard Cruise Ship Repatriated as 71,000 Global Cases of Coronavirus Confirmed, 1,100+ Ex-DOJ Staff Call on Attorney General Barr to Resign, Sen. Klobuchar Can't Say Name of Mexican President, Sen. Sanders Calls Out Bloomberg on Campaign Trail, Bloomberg's Company Faced Years of Sexual Discrimination and Harassment Lawsuits, LGBT Activists of Color Call Out Pete Buttigieg for Ties to Big Money, Conservative Positions, Airstrikes Kill 31 People, Including Children, in Yemen, Intensifying Syrian Gov't Offensive Has Displaced 800,000 Civilians Since December, Airstrike Kills 8 Civilians in Afghanistan as U…

news.un (2020-02-14). Vital Idlib aid deliveries resume after 'heavy bombing' – WFP. news.un.org Urgently-needed aid deliveries to embattled civilians in north-west Syria have started again after a day-long break in distributions caused by escalating hostilities, the World Food Programme (WFP) said on Friday.

Susan Price (2020-02-13). European left and green MPs support Kurdish struggle. greenleft.org.au

Whitney Webb (2020-02-12). Scuffle Between Syrian Civilians and US Soldiers Reflects Increasing Hostility to US Troops. mintpressnews.com Though today's incident in Qamishli is a rare occurrence, it is likely a harbinger of the region-wide push that has seen countries like Syria and Iraq take a firmer posture towards the presence of US troops in their countries.

Aaron Maté (2020-02-11). Exclusive: New leaks shatter OPCW's attacks on Douma whistleblowers. thegrayzone.com Facing accusations that it issued a doctored report alleging a chemical attack in Syria, the OPCW has released an inquiry…

Staff (2020-02-11). Headlines for February 11, 2020. democracynow.org New Hampshire Voters Head to Polls for First Primary of 2020, Coronavirus Death Toll Tops 1,000, with Over 42,000 Confirmed Cases, Chuck Schumer Calls for Investigation into Trump's Retaliation-Motivated Firings, DOJ Reviewing Ukraine Info from Giuliani, DOJ Charges 4 Chinese Military Hackers in 2017 Equifax Breach, El Salvador President Bukele and Armed Officers Confront Lawmakers over Military Funding, Fears Mount for 5 Activists Detained in Philippines, Sinn Féin Scores Major Victory in Ireland, Syrian and Turkish Forces Step Up Attacks as 100,000s Face Humanitarian Disaster, Massive Locust Swarms Threaten Cro…

Middle East Eye (2020-02-07). Russia Says Israel Used Civilian Plane as Human Shield During Syria Strikes. theantimedia.com Russia accused Israel of "making a total mockery of the lives of hundreds of innocent civilians."

Middle East Eye (2020-02-06). Turkey Gives Assad Deadline to Pull Back or Face Military Action. theantimedia.com Turkey has given the Syrian government until the end of this month to withdraw from recently seized territory in Idlib province.

Medea Benjamin (2020-02-02). Why aren't Americans rising up like the people of Chile and Lebanon? zcomm.org The tinder for a revolutionary movement is everywhere…