(2021-08-16). Headlines for August 16, 2021. democracynow.org Taliban Takes Control of Afghanistan After 2 Decades of U.S. Occupation, Haiti's Earthquake Death Toll Soars to 1,300 as Tropical Storm Barrels Toward Stricken Island, U.S. Hospitalizations Are Younger Than Ever; Dallas Schools Defy High Court Ruling on Mask Mandate, Canada's Trudeau Calls Snap Election, Seeking Mandate and Legislative Majority, Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin Steps Down Amid Criticism of Pandemic Response, Grenade Attack Kills 12 People in Karachi, Pakistan, Fuel Tank Blast in Lebanon Kills at Least 28 People, Nicaraguan Police Raid Offices of La Prensa, Arrest Editor Critical of Presi…
(2021-08-16). Military Situation In Syria On August 16, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On August 16, Russia reported that Idlib militants violated the ceasefire regime in Greater Idlib 23 times: 11 — in Idlib province, 5 — in Latakia province, 4 — in Hama province, 3 — in Aleppo province | On August 15, SAA artillery shelled positions of Turkish-backed forces in Mariyan | On August 15, clashes between SAA and former rebels were reported in Daraa city | On August 15, Turkish-backed forces arrested two civilians in Afrin and took them…
(2021-08-16). Turkish-Backed Militants Seize Relief Organizations' Houses, Impose Illegal Tolls In Syria's Idlib, Aleppo Countrysides. southfront.org 
A family of farmers harvests maize in rural Aleppo in Syria. Source: WFP/Marwa Awad | Written by Khaled Iskef. | Armed groups sponsored by Turkey carry on oppressive practices that exploit citizens by usurping their properties on one pretext or another. | It has come to a point where they have taken over houses built by the Relief Organizations (ROs) to shelter displaced people. At the same time, they imposed tolls on locals in return for allowing them cultivate their own farmland. | Moreover, sources has indi…
(2021-08-15). Dozens Killed In Fuel Tank Explosion In Lebanon (Video). southfront.org 
Illustrative Image | Early on August 15, a fuel tanker exploded in the northern Lebanon's region of Akkar. At least 20 people have been killed and dozens more injured, according to the Lebanese Red Cross. | At least 79 people were injured and were being taken to local hospitals. The bodies were so charred that it was not possible to identify the victims. | The explosion reportedly took place when the Lebanese army was distributing gasoline from a hidden fuel storage tanker it had confiscated. About 200 people were nearby wh…
(2021-08-15). Central Syrian Insurgency: ISIS Shot Down Russian Drone Over Homs Desert. southfront.org 
Illustrative image. | On August 15, ISIS announced that its fighters had shot down a Russian drone over the Homs desert in Syria's central region. | The drone, an Orlan-10, was allegedly shot down with heavy machine guns a day earlier. Amaq, ISIS' main news agency, shared a photo of the drone's wreckage. | Click to see full-size image. | The Orlan-10 has a flight duration of 16 hours and a range of 140 km. The drone can be equi…
(2021-08-15). Military Situation In Syria On August 15, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On August 14, Russia reported that Idlib militants violated the ceasefire regime in Greater Idlib 30 times: 14 — in Idlib province, 9 — in Latakia province, 4 — in Hama province, 3 — in Aleppo province | On August 15, SAA artillery shelled positions of Turkish-backed forces in Fafertin village | On August 14, artillery of Turkish-backed forces shelled SDF positions in Dardarah area in north of Tal Tamar | On August 14, artillery of Turkish-backed…