One-fifth of the Russian Spies Operating in Europe Live In Switzerland

Switzerland’s Thriving Russian Spy Hub Draws Scrutiny - is the title of the report in the Swiss Neue Zürcher Zeitung.

Anna Magdalena W.

International relations journalism/analysis; LSE alumnusSun

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Anna Magdalena W.

 

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One-fifth of the Russian Spies Operating in Europe Live In Switzerland

Switzerland’s Thriving Russian Spy Hub Draws Scrutiny - is the title of the report in the Swiss Neue Zürcher Zeitung.

• Switzerland only expels diplomats for internal security
• Politicians warn of threats from Russian spies in Switzerland

European governments have kicked out hundreds of Russian diplomats alleged to be working as spies since Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Yet Switzerland is now home to some 80 Russian agents, a senior official with the Swiss Federal Intelligence Service (NDB) told members of the National Council’s Foreign Policy Commission in September, NZZ reported.

While Swiss cities such as Geneva and Bern have always attracted intelligence activities, the issue of Russian diplomats operating as spies in Switzerland has now become a more heightened topic of debate among Swiss politicians.

“These foreign agents represent a threat to the internal and external security of Switzerland,” National Councilor and member of the Social Democratic Party Fabian Molina, told NZZ.

Asset Freeze

Long known for its stance of neutrality, Switzerland has broken with tradition by mirroring most European Union sanctions against Russia and some related individuals since the beginning of the war. It said last year it had frozen about 7.5 billion Swiss francs ($8.2 billion) worth of Russian assets.

That crackdown hasn’t extended to diplomats, who continue to enjoy immunity.

“The Federal Council does not impose any sanctions in the form of expelling diplomats,” a spokesperson for the Swiss Foreign Affairs Department told NZZ, adding that communication channels with Russia must be maintained.

“When Switzerland expels diplomats, it does so for reasons of internal security and these cases are not communicated publicly,” the spokesperson told the newspaper.

Lac Leman in Geneva.Photographer: Jose Cendon/Bloomberg

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Gary Whitelock

 · Sun

Money talks morals walk.

James A. Metcalfe

 · Sun

National Councilor Molina seems to be on the right track if indeed the spies are committing problems for Switzerland. Historically Bern was home to spies from all over the world. That had both advantages & disadvantages. One must be careful in throwing “spies” out. I presume all nations involved in…

(more)

Alan Gonz

 · Sun

Now we know the “Why” behind that Hardcore Neutrality

Eamonn Colfer

 · 18h

Swiss moral-neutrality continues as in WW2.

About the Author

Anna Magdalena W.

20Ys Journalism/Analysis/ LSE Alumnus/PL-Born/US-Developed

Journalist /Analyst/Business Intell. Analyst at Media / Research ThinkTanks1999–present

Ph.D. from London School of Economics and Political ScienceGraduated 2013

Lives in Nowadays Munich Germany2012–present

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Two killed by avalanches on Tibet’s Shishapangma mountain; 50 were climbing

ByMallika Soni

Oct 08, 2023 

Tibet Avalanches: Shishapangma is the 14th-highest mountain in the world, at over 8,027 meters (26,335 ft) above sea level.

American mountaineer Anna Gutu and a Nepalese guide Mingmar Sherpa were confirmed dead after avalanches struck the slopes of Tibetan mountain Shishapangma. Two others remained missing, it was reported after avalanches struck Shishapangma on Saturday at 7,600 (about 25,000 ft) and 8,000 meters (about 26,000 ft) in altitude, according to Xinhua news agency.

Tibet Avalanches: The avalanches struck Tibet’s Mount Shishapangma.

American climber Gina Marie Rzucidlo and a Nepalese mountain guide Tenjen Sherpa went missing, the news agency said. Tenjen Sherpa shattered the record for the fastest climb of the 14 mountains more than 8,000 meters (about 26,000 feet) high in July this year. He aimed to become the youngest climber to scale all 14 peaks twice.

The avalanches seriously injured Nepalese mountain guide Karma Geljen Sherpa, who was escorted down the mountain by rescuers. He is currently in stable condition.

A total of 52 climbers from countries including the US, Britain, Japan, and Italy were attempting to summit the mountain when the avalanches hit. Climbing activities on Shishapangma have since been suspended.

Shishapangma is the 14th-highest mountain in the world, at over 8,027 meters (26,335 ft) above sea level.

Ancient Greek Heroes’ Busts Adorn Village in Turkey

ByDimosthenis Vasiloudis
October 8, 2023

Village in Turkey adorned with Busts of Ancient Greek, Trojan war Heroes. 

Credit: Antoaneta Capsa / Google Maps

Homer’s Ancient Greek Poem Iliad has inspired the citizens of a small village in Turkey to install busts of the Trojan war heroes on their main square. Tevfikiye, is located 1 km away from the archaeological site of ancient Troy and they have named the location as “Troy Observation Terrace” (Truva Seyir Terasi).

The scope of action of the legendary Greek campaign that Homer refers to is located on the opposite side of the Aegean. It is where the northwest coasts of present-day Turkey are today. Near todays archaeological site of Troy, which was excavated for the first time by Frank Calvert and later by Heinrich Schliemann, lies the small village of Tevfikiye, where busts of the Achaean (Mycenaean Greek) and Trojan heroes stand at the specially designed central village square.

The so-called “Troy Observation Terrace” (Turkish: Truva Seyir Terası) offers an ideal view of the mythical plain of the Scamander River (Greek: Skamandros, Turkish: Karamenderes). The city of Troy itself is located on a hill of this particular plain, where the Homeric battles of the Trojan War took place.

Greek Goddess Athena Wall Painting, Tevfikiye,Turkey. During the Trojan war Goddess Athena favored the Greek hero of trojan war Odysseus. Credit: Anil Ozcan / Google Maps
The historic background of Homeric Troy and Scamander’s plain

Troy is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. In scientific terms, its extensive remains are the most significant demonstration of the contacts between the civilizations of the Mediterranean world.

Throughout the centuries, Troy has acted as a cultural bridge between the Troas region and the Balkans, Anatolia, the Aegean and Black Sea regions through migration, occupation, trade and the transmission of knowledge. Moreover, the siege of Troy by Achaean warriors from Mycenaean Greece in the 13th or 12th century BC, immortalized by Homer in the Iliad, has inspired great people of art throughout the world ever since.

According to legend, the Achaean Greeks set up their camp near the mouth of the river, where they ran aground their ships. The site of the ancient city today is about 15 kilometers from the coast. However, the ancient estuary of Scamander 3,000 years ago was about 5 kilometers further inland, opening into a bay since been silted up.
Troy VI

Archaeological evidence shows that Troy VI is almost certainly the Homeric Troy. Troy VI and VII existed from 1700 to 1200 century BC and cover the Middle
and Late Bronze periods. It was a city with robust fortifications, architecturally sophisticated palace complex and common houses. For that reason, it became the capital of an extensive and prosperous almost independent state between the Hittite empire and Mycenaean Greece. The city controlled the Straits of Hellespont (modern Dardanelles) and the regions of the Thracian Peninsula and Troas (and a few more districts and islands).

In general Troy VI fully meets the descriptions of the Homeric epics and other epics of the Trojan Cycle considering the richness and power of Troy. In Hittite sources, the name’s city is Wilusa, the name that Homer also uses: (Ϝ)ίλιος, Wilios. Later, names like Ilios and Ilion (Iliad) were derived when the Greeks no longer pronounced the “w” (=F). The name Τροίη, Troy was also popular and resembles another word known from Hittite texts: T(a)ruwisa.

There’s nothing strange about these double names. They may originally have referred to the citadel and the lower city, and Homer may have kept them because it offered him some metric freedom

.

Ancient Walls of Troy in Todays Turkey. During the Trojan war, Greeks were unable to penetrate the famous walls till the came up with the “Trojan Horse” idea. credit: Jorge Láscar/Flickr CC BY 2.0

Troy VI survived for six centuries of prosperity and security behind her sturdy walls. The towers of the citadel walls were built around 1300 BC several decades before her destruction. The reconstruction was possibly due to increased danger because of Hittite, Achaean, Thracian, Phrygian and other aggressors.
Village in Turkey Depicting Greek Trojan War Heroes turned into a Troy-era theme park

Tevfikiye is located in the northwestern province of Çanakkale and is adjacent to the Troy ruins and the modern Troy Museum. It has been gradually turned into an archeology theme-village due to its buildings and structures reminiscent of the Troy era. In addition, there is as well its rich history and mythological values, as part of a protocol signed by the Çanakkale Governor’s Office in 2017. The goal was to make people visit the village during their tour to the ancient city of Troy and buy organic products and souvenirs from locals.

Greek Mythical Hero Achilles bust in Tevfikiye, Turkey. 

Credit: QuduruQ Yokuz biz/ Google Maps

According to the recent history of the village, Bulgarian immigrants from Sevlievo settled here. They did so in order to save their lives from the 1877-1878 Ottoman-Russian War. During that time, the famous Schliemann also made excavations. Those who came therefore often made their living by working with him on the on-going excavations.

The settlers built their houses with reeds and stones they brought from the excavation site. In fact, a Greek craftsman from İntepe/Erenköy built the village mosque from the ancient city’s natural stones in 1895.

When the population increased, they decided to create a resident settlement-village in 1891. The “Square of Troy” created at a spot that overlooks the wide Troy plain and served as an observation area. The residents placed the busts of the Troy-era heroes such as Ajax, Odysseus, Achilles, Agamemnon, Patroclus, Sarpedon, Priam, Paris, Hector, Helen, Homer, and others there overlooking the famous Trojan plain.
The city today

The small village is nowadays full of ancient-looking houses. Every corner is decorated with symbols, inscriptions and graffiti about the history of Troy and the Homeric epic poem. The health center and village coffeehouse were recently renewed with the concept of the Trojan VI period buildings. The main building of the observatory also resembles the prehistoric architecture of the Trojan palatial structures. Their characteristic columns and wall ends were typical of the era. That beauty is well-reflected in the contemporary graphic representations of the city.

Inside this “House of Troy” you can feel the antiquity just looking out of the windows. When one stands at the door or wanders through the rooms, one actually feel the history of it.

A miniature waterfall was created in a field between the Troy Square and the mosque. The wedding hall in the village square is also now a museum and a culture center.

ISTANBUL BLOG: Regime press reports Turkey’s top diplomat lambasted US counterpart for supporting PKK

The US and Turkey are again at odds about who and what the YPG is. / news clip, Sabah

By Akin Nazli in Belgrade October 8, 2023

Turkey’s foreign minister Hakan Fidan has told his US counterpart Antony Blinken in a phone call that Washington must stop working with terrorists of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and People’s Defence Units (YPG) in northern Syria, Turkish regime mouthpiece Daily Sabah reported on October 6, quoting unnamed Turkish diplomatic sources.

Sabah is part of the Turkuaz media group directed by Serhat Albayrak, the brother of Berat Albayrak, the older son-in-law of Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The ownership is complicated. Erdogan seized the newspaper in 2007 via Turkey’s deposit insurance fund TMSF and acquired the title via Ahmet Calik, who was then Erdogan’s favourite affiliate in business operations. Erdogan and Calik subsequently fell out, with Calik moving to sell Turkuaz. Erdogan set up a financing pool with affiliated businessmen (a group dubbed by main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu the “Gang of five”) to reacquire the publication.

Given the financing technique, media tools such as Sabah that are indirectly owned by Erdogan, and which make up more than half of Turkey’s media, are known as “the pool media” to Turks. During the week of December 17-25, 2013, the Gulenist camp in Turkey released leaked phone calls made among the ‘Gang of five’ as they arranged the financing pool.

Apologies to diligent Turkey watchers for serving up unnecessary reminders of some of the realities at hand, but for those not familiar with the media situation in Turkey, note that the pool media are not media institutions or dailies that are simply pro-Erdogan, they are essentially propaganda tools owned by Erdogan.

The source of the Fidan-Blinken story was Turkey’s government-run Anadolu Agency news service. Unnamed Turkish officials made statements to Anadolu about the phone call between Fidan and Blinken.

Turkey’s foreign ministry did not release an official statement on the call.

In the phone call, Fidan also underlined how Turkey intended to continue to resolutely pursue anti-terror operations in Iraq and Syria, according to the Sabah story.

Fidan and Blinken also discussed a deconfliction mechanism that would operate to avoid clashes between Turkish and US forces in Iraq and Syria within the framework of Turkey's ongoing operations in the region.

Following the downing of an armed Turkish drone in Syria on October 5 by a US F-16 fighter, they agreed that the mechanism must operate effectively while not hindering the fight against terrorism, the cited sources added.

The issue of Nato expansion was also discussed during the call. Turkey’s parliament on October 1 returned from its summer break. The clock is ticking on the Turkish ratification of Sweden’s accession to the defence bloc.

Also on October 6, the US Department of State said that during the call Blinken highlighted the need to coordinate and deconflict US-Turkey activities.

Blinken (@SecBlinken) also tweeted to stress that the matters of coordinating and deconflicting of activities were discussed.

The escalation of the series of events that led to the call began with the PKK’s terror attack in Ankara on October 1. It came with the Erdogan regime and the PKK already engaged in their latest fighting in northern Iraq.

As a response to the Ankara attack, Fidan warned the US soldiers stationed in the Syria region where the YPG is found that the Erdogan regime was set to hit the YPG. Subsequently, the US downed the drone.

With the phone call, the escalation between the US and Turkey was apparently replaced by coordination and deconfliction.

Despite this, tensions in the wider Middle East have been greatly exacerbated by the weekend’s bloody Hamas attacks in Israel. So far, the bloodshed has not much spread beyond that theatre.

The PKK has been designated a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US and EU. The US and EU, meanwhile, support the YPG in Syria. The PKK and the YPG do not hide their affiliation under the leadership of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, long imprisoned in Turkey, while the official US line is that they are separate organisations.

The US partnered with the YPG in northeastern Syria to fight against Islamic State. It has provided military training and truckloads of military equipment to the group.

The Erdogan regime also supported the YPG during its attempt at pursuing a peace process with the PKK. It then changed its mind, declaring war against all Ocalan-led organisations under the umbrella organisation of the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK). There are dozens of combinations of three letters that represent some of these organisations. They can all be called PKK.

Riseup4Rojava calls on everyone to protest Turkish war crimes in Northern and Eastern Syria


ANF
NEWS DESK
Saturday, 7 Oct 2023, 11:4

Riseup4Rojava issued a statement to condemn the latest waves of bombing in Northern and Eastern Syria and called on everyone to stand up to protest those crimes.

The call said: "Turkey has launched probably the most widespread bombing campaign North-Eastern Syria has faced so far. Since October 5th, Turkey has conducted more than 30 airstrikes, primarily in the Cizîre region and Kobanê. These airstrikes have targeted vehicles, villages, and especially critical civilian infrastructure, including oil and power plants and gas stations, resulting in civilian casualties and casualties among internal security forces. Large areas experienced a total power blackout, with many hospitals, bread-factories and other critical public institutions completely without electricity. The attacks continued this morning when a CoronaHospital & a power station were targeted. Despite the obvious war crimes, no reaction has been heard from the international community so far. These attacks followed threats by Turkey's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hakan Fidan, directed at the selfadministered region. The pretext for these threats was a self-sacrificial action that took place on October 1st in Ankara, claimed by the People’s Defence Forces (HPG). The Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs declared that the attackers came from North-Eastern Syria, justifying these attacks on "all infrastructure, superstructure, and energy facilities," especially in Syria and Iraq."

The statement added: "Understanding these attacks requires avoiding over simplifications such as framing them as mere "revenge for Ankara," as promoted by the Turkish State, or normalizing them, as some media and institutions close to imperial states have done. Instead, it's meaningful to view them as part of a broader military campaign orchestrated by Turkish authorities, in pursuit of what appears to be the creation of a new Ottoman Empire. These attacks are not to be seen as disconnected from the war in the mountains of Southern Kurdistan, the torture in Turkish prisons or the attacks on journalists, politicians and youth in Northern Kurdistan.

What remains unmistakable is the remarkable resistance against this plan of occupation and genocide. This resistance includes not only the recent action in Ankara but also the steadfastness of guerrilla forces in the mountains of Kurdistan and the democratic initiatives undertaken by people in South and North Kurdistan, Iraq, and Armenia. At its core, this resistance is led by the people of North-Eastern Syria, who are constructing democratic structures amidst challenging wartime conditions. All democratic and anti-war forces have a vital role in this resistance and should unite against these attacks. However, merely reacting to them is insufficient. What's needed is to actively confront Turkish fascism, its collaborators, and supporters wherever they may be found."

The statement continued: "We call on all solidarity groups, people and initiatives to become active and to oppose together the attacks by Turkey and international complicity and to act decisvely to stop the warcrimes committed by Turkey. Take the war back to the responsible, profiteers, companies and governments! Together we rise up against the attacks on Rojava and North- Eastern Syria. United we will defend the Revolution!"

YPJ Spokesperson: Turkey’s attacks constitute a war crime and will be responded to

"No power or no attack can make us take a step back, nor can it break our will and strength. The severity of the attacks doesn't matter. The attacks will definitely be responded to," said the spokesperson of the YPJ.

As the Turkish state continues to escalate its attacks against North-East Syria since 5 October, violent bombardments on civilian infrastructure, hospitals, petrol stations, factories, shops and houses have claimed the lives of 15 people, among them 8 civilians.

Ruksen Mihemed, Spokesperson of the Women’s Defense Units (YPJ), spoke to ANF about Turkey’s increasingly ongoing attacks, which she defined as “an open violation of international law”.

Mihemed stated: “Attacks on North-East Syria have been going on unabated since Thursday amidst intense activity by over 30 reconnaissance aircraft and fighter jets. Bombardments are directly targeting civilian settlements and infrastructure, power stations, water and oil stations, and hospitals. Vital supply facilities used by the population as well as institutions and establishments have been bombed. With these attacks, a crime against humanity is being committed. The current aggression by the Turkish state is a war against international law. Laws are being violated. It is a crime to violate the borders of a country, to launch terror attacks, to target civilians and civilian infrastructure. Violent attacks are being carried out in North-East Syria. The aggression launched by the Turkish state by using the Ankara attack as a pretext is an unrealistic justification. Turkey’s attacks are terror attacks. The Turkish state has a history marked by massacres and genocides. It is a continuation of the bloody Ottoman history. A repetition of the Gêliyê Zilan, Armenian, Circassian and Arab massacres is directed against North-East Syria today. This is a genocidal aggression based on a large-scale concept. The fascist AKP-MHP alliance has never stopped its attacks against the Kurdish people because their main goal is to complete the Kurdish genocide and to eradicate the Kurdish people. They are currently carrying out an aggression to massacre the peoples living in North-East Syria. The ongoing Turkish attacks do not only amount to a genocide, but also aim to cover up the political, economic and social crisis in Turkey.”

The Turkish state is desperate and weak

Remarking that the Turkish state intends to continue its dictatorship by means of these attacks, Ruksen Mihemed continued: “The Turkish state also wants to give the message that it remains strong and standing. Yet, the situation it currently finds itself in shows its desperateness and weakness. It wants to mislead the people of Turkey. These attacks do not only target the civilian infrastructure and energy resources, but also the social structure, the democratic model implemented in the region, and the co-existence, common will and fraternity and the Autonomous Administration of peoples. The Turkish state pursues the path of war, massacre and genocide rather than democracy. Therefore, it attacks those who stand for democracy, equality, justice, peace and fraternity.”

International powers are becoming a party to war crimes

Pointing to the silence of international powers in the face of the attacks against the peoples of North-East Syria, Ruksen Mihemed stated that: “The Turkish state’s attacks, which constitute war crimes, are taking place in front of the very eyes of the world. The United Nations, international powers and the institutions advocating human rights are remaining silent and shutting their eyes, which means being a party to war crimes. International powers should clarify their position and stand. The forces of the International Coalition and Russia are also stationed in the region. Despite witnessing war crimes on the ground, they have remained quite timid. It is understood that the airspace was opened to the Turkish state and attacks against civilians have been approved. Opening the airspace to the Turkish state and turning a blind eye to attacks mean being a party to this aggression. The International Coalition and Russia should take a tough line. The people of the region have been fighting ISIS terror for years and tens of thousands have been martyred in this struggle. A struggle for all humanity was fought in North-East Syria, where moral values of humanity were protected and defended. It was the population of this very region that stood up for laws, but not those claiming to do so. That’s why it is the peoples of North-East Syria that must be defended and protected.”

Resistance will be enhanced

Ruksen Mihemed pointed out that the YPJ will fulfill its duties and responsibilities and confront the attacks shoulder to shoulder with the people on the basis of the Revolutionary People’s War. “The safety of our people and the stability of our region is our main duty and responsibility. We will not remain without a stand against these attacks. We will take a firm stand against the intended massacre of our people and enhance the resistance, which is weaved with the philosophy of a free life, equality and democracy under the motto “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” (Woman, Life, Freedom). Our strength, will, self-confidence and assertion are derived from our philosophy of life. No power or no attack can make us take a step back, nor can it break our will and strength, because our strength takes its source from the resistance and will of the people. We will shoulder the legacy of our martyred comrades. Our will, determination and struggle will make the enemy regret what it has been doing. The severity of the attacks doesn't matter. The attacks will definitely be responded to.”

Popular resistance should be expanded to all areas

The YPJ Spokesperson concluded: “By taking to the streets on the first day of the attacks, our people have once again proven their loyalty to this cause, to these lands and to their martyrs. The resistance and struggle of the peoples of North-East Syria should be expanded to all areas. Women and youth should stand up for the revolution of peoples. Democratic circles and the friends of peoples should be more active and embrace the revolution stronger. We should stand up for the Rejova Revolution all together.”

SDF announces the outcome of the Turkish aggressions on North and East Syria

The Turkish state has been carrying out genocidal attacks against the regions of North and East Syria since 5 October using the guerrilla action in Ankara on 1 October as a pretext.

ANF
NEWS DESK
Saturday, 7 Oct 2023, 15:59

For the second day in a row, the Turkish occupation continued its large-scale attacks on northern and eastern Syria. And using warplanes, UAVs, and heavy artillery, the Turkish occupation escalated its attacks on power stations and oil fields, hospitals, and populated villages.

The Media Center of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced the outcomes of the Turkish crimes in the region as follows:

Number of warplane strikes: 7

Number of UAV strikes: 14

Number of heavy weapons attacks: 74

Number of attacks using DShK weapons: 1

Number of attacks using sniping rounds: 1

Number of outposts belonging to Damascus government forces: 4

Number of hospitals targeted: 2

Number of water stations targeted: 1

Number of oil facilities targeted: 7

Number of power stations targeted: 2

DETAILS

Qamishlo and its countryside:

The al-Swaydia power generating facility, adjacent to the Rmeilan field and the gas plant, was struck by a Turkish UAV, causing significant damage to the turbines within the facility. This marks the fifth time the Turkish occupation has targeted this facility, resulting in severe structural impairment.

The major power station in the Terpe Spi district, positioned on the eastern side of the district, was targeted by a UAV, resulting in its shutdown.

The Turkish UAV bombed the power station located on the belt north of Qamishlo.

The heavy artillery shelled the vicinity of the village of Tel Jehan in the northwestern countryside of the Tepre Spi district.

Manbij and its countryside:

The Turkish occupation targeted with heavy artillery the following villages: “Hammam, Tokhar, Al-Hawshriya, Aoun Al-Dadat, Al-Dandaniya, Al-Sayada, and the northern and western countryside of the city of Manbij.”

Turkish heavy artillery shelled the villages in the northern and northwestern countryside of Manbij along the front line with the occupied areas of Jarablus.

Southern Countryside of Afrin and Shahba:

Turkish warplanes shelled the village of al-Malikia in Sherra/Shirran district, southern countryside of Afrin.

A position of the Damascus government forces situated between the villages of Aqbiya and Soganka in the Shirawa district was hit by a UAV, resulting in an injury to a member of the Damascus government forces.

Turkish UAV targeted the village of Shawargha in the occupied Sharra district of Afrin.

Turkish heavy weapons shelled the villages of Maranaz, Malikiya, Shawargha, Tel Meraash, Kafr Antun, in the Sharra district in Afrin.

Turkish heavy weapons shelled the villages of Binah, Sogankah, Aqbiya, Miyasa, Kalota, Deir Jameel in the Sharra district, Afrin.

Turkish heavy weapons shelled the vicinity of the Tel Rifa’at district, Ming Military Airport, and the villages of Beyloniya and Ain Daqna in the Shahba region.

Kobane and its countryside:

The Turkish occupation shelled with heavy artillery the following villages in the countryside of Kobane, “Jarkhali, Kultba, Tal Shair, Zor Maghar and Shaikhler / Al-Shuyoukh”, and also targeted a point of the Damascus government forces in the village of “Ahmed Mounir”.

Turkish warplanes bombed the Covid Hospital, Kobani Forest, Kaniya Kurdan Neighborhood, and the Cement Factory in the city of Kobane.

A Turkish UAV targeted the Ahmed Munir Farm and a position of the Damascus government forces in the village of Zor Magar in the western countryside of the city of Kobane.

Turkish heavy weapons shelled the village of Tel Sha’ir in the western countryside of Kobane.

Turkish heavy weapons shelled the villages of Kuran and Jeshan in the countryside of the city of Kobane.

Ain Issa and its countryside and Tal Abyad's southern countryside:

The Turkish occupation bombarded with heavy artillery the following villages in the countryside of the town of Ain Issa “Al-Mushairfa, Abu Nituna, Al-Fatasa, Sakiro and Al-Tarwaziyah”, in addition to a point for the Damascus government forces next to the quarry “Al-Kallah” west of Ain Issa.

The Saqr resthouse and the water pump in the village of Al-Fatsa, located in the eastern countryside of Ain Issa, were shelled with medium and heavy weaponry.

Several sniper shots were fired at the school adjacent to the Fatsa pump, east of Ain Issa.

The heavy weapons shelled the villages of Beir Kino – Hurya – Qaz Ali silos – Zenobia Sawloki – Lava Company – Dabs – Hoshan – City Entrance. With heavy weapons in the western and eastern countryside of Ain Issa.

The heavy weapons shelled the villages of Mashirfa, Al Saramda, and Al-Fatsah.

Ain Issa and its eastern and western outskirts, as well as the villages of Khalidiya, Jdeidah, Ma’aleq, the International Road, and Saida, were shelled with heavy weaponry.

The village of Al-Mukhalat, east of Ain Issa district, was targeted with DShK weaponry.

Tal Tamir & Zarkan countryside:

The Turkish occupation bombarded with heavy weapons the villages of “Taweelah and Al-Kozliya” along the international road (M4) in the western countryside of the Tal Tamir district, and the village of “Sheikh Ali” in the north of the district.

Turkish heavy artillery and explosive shells targeted the villages of Rabi’at, Tel Al Ward, Bobi, Asdiyah, Al Rabita, Kharbat Sha’ir, and Dada Abdul in the southern countryside of the Zarkan district.

Turkish heavy artillery shelled the villages of Kozliya, Tel Al Laban, and Um Al Khair in the southwestern countryside of the Tal Tamir district.

The village of Um al-Kayf, situated west of the Tal Tamir district, was shelled by artillery.

The heavy weapons shelled the village of Sheikh Ali, situated between the Tal Tamir and Zarkan districts.

The heavy artillery shelled the village of Um al-Khair in the western countryside of the Tal Tamir district in Al-Hasakah.

Derik and its countryside:

A Covid hospital in the village of Gri Vra, located in the city of Derik, was bombed and completely demolished by a Turkish UAV.

An oil refinery near the al-Swaydia facility in the Karaki district was struck by a warplane.

A Turkish warplane bombed the Khanaseri Water Station, located in the city of Derik in the Qamishlo province.

A Turkish UAV targeted the village of Mirka Mira in the countryside of the Derik district.

A Turkish UAV targeted the village of Karziro in the countryside of the Dirk district.

Amuda and its countryside:

A Turkish UAV targeted the grain silos in the eastern countryside of the Amuda district.

SDF releases balance sheet of attacks carried out by Turkey

The SDF said that 15 people, including 8 civilians, were killed in the latest Turkish attacks.

ANF
NEWS DESK
Saturday, 7 Oct 2023

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) released the balance sheet of the attacks carried out by the Turkish state against Northern and Eastern Syria and said that 15 people, including 8 civilians, were killed in the attacks.

The statement said: “the Turkish occupation on Friday launched a broad-scale assault on northern and eastern Syria, using the recent attack in Ankara as a pretext. They claimed the attack originated from our areas, despite a lack of evidence to support their accusations. This cowardly and treacherous Turkish assault targeted civic services, economic hubs, energy facilities (oil and electricity), water resources, military installations, civilian structures, and inhabited villages. The Turkish occupation state is trying to divert attention from its internal social, economic, and political crises. They aim to export these issues abroad by aggressing neighbouring countries. Additionally, they persistently attempt to legitimize their occupation of northern and eastern Syrian territories.”

The statement added: “The Turkish occupation state launched a fierce attack in the evening and night, utilizing over 30 UAVs. They targeted densely populated areas, civic service facilities, and civilian structures using both warplanes and heavy weaponry. This onslaught affected the following areas and their surroundings: “Southern Afrin countryside, Shehba areas, Manbij, Kobane, Ain Issa, Tal Tamir, Zarkan, Al-Hasakah, Qamishlo, Amuda, Terbe Sipi, Jal Agha, Derik.” This resulted in a tragic loss of both civilian and military lives, with dozens more suffering injuries. Additionally, it inflicted extensive damage on crucial infrastructures.”

The statement added: “These treacherous attacks by the Turkish occupation state targeted the entirety of Syrian territory and all the various ethnic groups residing in the region, including Kurds, Arabs, and Assyrians. Simultaneously, the Turkish state is reinvigorating the terrorist organization “ISIS” and providing it with the resources to carry out further acts of terrorism. This poses a significant threat not only to the region but also to the global community.

We want to emphasize that our forces, the Syrian Democratic Forces, are diligently carrying out their responsibilities. We are dedicated to defending our people, protecting our land, and ensuring the security and stability of the region. We salute all the people in the region who stood against the brutal attacks of the Turkish occupation state. This demonstrates their steadfast dedication to their homeland, even in the face of relentless assaults.

It is crucial to reiterate that we will respond vigorously to any attack that threatens the security and stability of our areas. The operations conducted by our forces yesterday are a direct retaliation to the Turkish occupation’s assaults on our regions.

The international coalition forces targeted a Turkish occupation UAV yesterday as it approached one of their bases. However, it is imperative for them and Russia to adopt the same stance when it comes to countering the Turkish occupation’s attacks on civilians, service institutions, and public facilities.”

The following are the outcomes of the Turkish attacks on the regions of north and eastern Syria:

“The toll of martyrs: 15 martyrs including 8 civilians, six members of the internal security forces who were safeguarding the targeted civic facilities, one SDF fighter, and several wounded.

Tal Tamir and its countryside:At 11:30 AM, a Turkish occupation UAV targeted the village of Al-Tawila, resulting in material damage. Simultaneously, another Turkish UAV targeted the village of Al-Rugouba, causing material damage.
At 4:40 PM, a Turkish occupation UAV targeted the village of Al-Dardara, resulting in material damage.

Amuda and its countryside:At 11:00 AM, the village of Tal Habash was subjected to a Turkish UAV strike, resulting in the martyrdom of six members of the internal security forces, and two others were wounded.
At 3:30 PM, Turkish UAVs targeted the power station.
At 4:00 PM, the villages of Bubi, Dabat Abdullah, and Mushairfa were shelled with mortar.

Qamishlo city and its countryside:At 2:30 PM, the power station was also targeted by a Turkish UAV.
At 3:30 PM, a Turkish UAV targeted an industrial warehouse, causing material losses.
At 9:00 PM, a construction factory was bombed by a Turkish UAV.
At 10:00 PM, an ice factory was also bombed by a Turkish UAV.
The Turkish UAVs targeted the following: the village of Tal Khatun at 12:30 PM, the town of Trebesibi at 1:33 PM, and the village of Mezgaft at 4:30 PM. Oil wells were also targeted, resulting in material losses.
At 4:25 PM, an economic company in the town of Trebesibe was targeted by Turkish UAV, causing material losses.
During the night, warplanes bombed four oil infrastructures in the town of Tripe Sibi. These explosions led to the martyrdom of one civilian, the injury of one child, and five other civilians were injured.

Derik and its countryside:At 10:30 AM, a Turkish UAV targeted the vicinity of Chel Aga Dam.
At 1:00 PM, a Turkish UAV targeted the oil pump in the village of Al-Qaws, resulting in material damage.

Later in the evening, the villages of Khana Seri and Sikerka, along with the power station in the town of Chel Aga, were bombed seven times by warplanes. Additionally, the COVID-19 hospital in the village of Gire Vira was also targeted, resulting in two workers being injured.

Al-Hasakah city and its countryside:At 8:00 AM, near Mujsheirfa neighborhood, a sand quarry was targeted by a Turkish UAV. This tragic incident resulted in the martyrdom of one worker, and three others were injured.
At 9:30 AM, a vehicle was targeted by a Turkish UAV, resulting in two of our SDF fighters being injured.
At 11:00 AM, a Turkish UAV bombed the Washokani camp that hosted the forcibly displaced people of Ras al-Ain/Seri Kane, resulting in the martyrdom of one civilian and two others injured.

Euphrates region;At 10:45, a Turkish UAV targeted a motorcycle in the al-Chalabia town of Ain Issa. Two civilians were martyred and two others were injured.
At 10:45 in the town of Sarrin, one civilian was martyred and two others were injured due to a Turkish UAV strike.
A Turkish UAV targeted two civilians martyred while they were working in the vegetable fields near Sarrin town.


Manbij:

The Turkish occupation shelled with heavy artillery the villages of Karhuk, Qawkly, Qart Wiran, Muhsinly, Sayada, Aoun Dadat, Jat, Sheik Yahya, Qaraquzaq, resulting in the martyrdom of one fighter of the Manbij Military Council.

Southern Countryside of Afrin and Shehba:
The Turkish occupation conducted a UAV strike on a position held by Damascus government forces in the village of Mayassa in the “Sherawa” district. This resulted in injuries to two soldiers of the Damascus government forces.
The Turkish occupation shelled with heavy weaponry the village of Ziwana in the Shahba area.
The Turkish occupation targeted the vicinity of the Tal Rifa’at district with heavy weapons.
The Turkish occupation shelled with heavy weaponry the village of Maranaz in the Sharra/Sharan district and the area between the villages of Tal Jamal and Al-Ziara in the Shirawa district.
The Turkish occupation shelled with heavy weapons the following villages: Mayassa, Gondi Mazn/Zouk Al-Kabir, Kaluta, Horsh Soganke, and Binh/Ebin in the Shirawa district, as well as the villages of Maranaz, Al-Shawargha, and Kashtaar” in the Shara/Sharan district, Afrin southern countryside.

Kurdish activists from Switzerland take over Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan vigil in Strasbourg

Members of the Kurdish Youth Movement from Switzerland took over the Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan vigil in Strasbourg this week.

ANF
STRASBOURG
Sunday, 8 Oct 2023, 11:09

The Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan vigil was launched on 25 June 2012 in Strasbourg with the aim of ensuring the physical freedom of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan and ending isolation.

The vigil today ends its 589th week. Members of the Kurdish Youth Movement from Switzerland took over the vigil, the longest-running action by the Kurds in Europe, last Monday.

The group included Melik Acar, Ali Taş and Koçer Aslan.

The young activists called for participation in the central action to be held in Strasbourg on the anniversary of the 9 October Conspiracy against Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan.

UK's Labour Party says it will invest for growth, as violence in Israel hangs over its conference

Britain’s main opposition Labour Party says it will focus on economic growth rather than higher taxes to “rebuild” the country after more than a decade of Conservative rule

ByJILL LAWLESS Associated Press
October 9, 2023, 1:15 AM

Britain's shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves makes her keynote speech during the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, England, Monday Oct. 9, 2023. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP)
The Associated Press

LIVERPOOL, England -- Britain’s main opposition Labour Party said Monday that it will focus on economic growth rather than higher taxes to “rebuild” the country after more than a decade of Conservative rule.

Labour economy spokeswoman Rachel Reeves told delegates at the party's annual conference that “Labour will tax fairly and spend wisely.”

“But I must tell you, you cannot tax and spend your way to economic growth,” she said. "The lifeblood of a growing economy is business investment."

Reeves was making her pitch to British voters and businesses at the four-day conference in Liverpool, where Labour is trying to cement its front-runner status in opinion polls before an election due in 2024.

The party is running 15 or more points ahead of the governing Conservatives in multiple opinion polls, as Britain endures a sluggish economy and a cost-of-living crisis driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and economic disruption following the U.K.’s exit from the European Union.

Labour is trying to show it can provide an alternative to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservatives, who have been in power since 2010. But the opposition party is wary of promising big public spending increases that would require tax hikes. The social democratic party also wants to convince corporate Britain that it is on the side of business.

For years, businesses were wary of the party, which has its roots in the trade union movement, and tended to favor the Conservatives. But recent economic and political upheavals have made many think again.

Reeves said a Labour government would get the economy growing faster to fund public services and boost investment through a new national wealth fund. She pledged to build 1.5 million homes to ease Britain’s chronic housing crisis, reform an “antiquated” planning system Labour says is holding back infrastructure improvements, and repair the creaking, overburdened state-funded National Health Service.

Money for health and education will come from abolishing “non-domiciled” tax status, which allows some wealthy individuals to avoid paying U.K. tax, and ending private schools’ tax-free status, she said.

Reeves said Labour also will strengthen workers' rights and abolish “zero hours” contracts that do not guarantee employees a minimum number of hours a week.


The speech was broadly welcomed by both business and workers' groups — no mean feat. Rain Newton-Smith, chief executive of the Confederation of British Industry, said businesses would be “encouraged” to hear Labour “speak so ambitiously about driving up business investment and committing to tackle some of the key blockers.”

Gary Smith, general secretary of the GMB trade union, said Reeves’ speech “gave a far-sighted vision of a better U.K.”

Reeves also said a Labour government would appoint a “COVID corruption commissioner” to try to recoup some of the billions lost to fraud and waste during the pandemic.

Reeves said the commissioner would bring together tax officials, fraud investigators and law enforcement officers to track down an estimated 7.2 billion pounds ($8.8 billion) in lost public money spent on grants and contracts related to COVID-19, and “get back every penny of taxpayers’ money that they can.”

Like many countries, the U.K. was forced to sidestep usual rules as it rushed to procure essential supplies and prop up people’s livelihoods during the coronavirus pandemic.
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A multi-year public inquiry is examining Britain’s handling of the pandemic, which left more than 200,000 people in the country dead.

Leader Keir Starmer has steered Labour back toward the political middle ground after the divisive tenure of predecessor Jeremy Corbyn, a staunch socialist who advocated nationalization of key industries and infrastructure. Corbyn resigned after Labour suffered its worst election defeat in almost a century in 2019.

The brutal, shocking attack by Hamas militants on Israel, and Israel’s military response, overshadowed the gathering of a party that has spent several years confronting allegations that antisemitism was allowed to fester under Corbyn, a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause.

After being elected leader in 2020, Starmer apologized and vowed to restore relations between Labour and the Jewish community. Corbyn was expelled from the party.

The conference schedule includes several meetings by pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups, including one on Monday organized by Labour Friends of Palestine that opened with 30 seconds of silence to reflect on the “horrors” of recent days.
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In a speech to delegates, party foreign affairs spokesman David Lammy said that Labour “utterly condemns Hamas’s appalling attack on Israel.”

“There is never a justification for terrorism,” he said. “Labour stands firmly in support of Israel’s right to defend itself, rescue hostages and protect its citizens.”

He reiterated Labour’s support for a two-state solution that now seems a distant prospect.

“There will not be a just and lasting peace until Israel is secure, Palestine is a sovereign state and both Israelis and Palestinians enjoy security, dignity and human rights,” Lammy said.

Keir Starmer: Growth is a central mission of a Labour government

Evening Standard

yesterday

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer insisted he was confident he could achieve the economic growth required for his plans to repair public services.He suggested reforms to skills training and the planning system would help boost economic performance.It was the “central mission” of an incoming Labour government to achieve greater growth.He told the BBC: “My confidence comes not from coming on here and simply asserting it this Sunday morning, but because of months and years of careful conversations with those that will be delivering this with us.”

UK

Diane Abbott saga “clouding” how Black voters see Labour – MP


Meanwhile Labour's equalities spokesperson tells their annual conference a Starmer government will "finish the job" of tackling structural racism

Written by: Lester Holloway

8th October 2023

LABOUR ACTIVISTS called on Sir Keir Starmer not to take Black votes for granted today, as they held a rally in support of reinstating Diane Abbott MP.

Around 50 members held a protest outside the annual conference hall as the party faithful gathered in Liverpool this afternoon.

Abbott was suspended from the parliamentary party four months ago after she apologised for writing a letter to The Observer which argued that anti-racism is not the same as “prejudice” experienced by white minorities.

Bell Riberio-Addy, the Labour MP for Streatham, said that the long-running investigation was “clouding” how many Black voters feel about Labour and that it was crucial the party resolved this situation by readmitting Abbott as a general election is approaching.WAKE UP CALL: Bell Riberio-Addy says Labour are not considering how the Diane Abbott investigation is impacting on Black voters

She was joined by Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, who said Labour were treating MPs who had caused offence differently. He said: “It seems to be a matter of who you are rather than what you’ve done.”

Riberio-Addy told the crowd: “Diane is not asking for any special treatment, she is just asking to have the whip restored. All she wants is to be back in the party to represent her constituents. MISSION: Anneliese Dodds said Starmer will “finish the job” of tackling systemic racism following the achievements of the last Labour government

“I don’t think it’s right that she is being treated in this way. I don’t think people have realised how this has clouded how some people see the party. We’re leading up to a general election [and] I think it’s so important that we remain united… and people don’t take kindly to how Diane has been treated.”

Yesterday, The Voice published results of our online poll which found that 80 percent of Black Brits say they would reconsider how they vote if Abbott was prevented from standing for Labour at the election, expected next year.

Labour were also under pressure over plans to scrap the roles of equalities officers for constituency parties, including ‘BAME’ officers. BATTLING: Veteran MP Diane Abbott has a decades-long track record of fighting for equality (Photo by Guy Smallman/Getty Images)

Mish Rahman, a member of the party’s ruling National Executive Committee, said today: “This rule change should be put in the bin where it belongs.”

Local members argue that abolishing the posts sends the signal that sections of society which face discrimination are not important or welcome in the party.

Unite the Union, Labour’s biggest donor, announced their intention to vote against the plan to scrap the officer posts.

Lucie Scott, BAME officer for Abbott’s constituency of Hackney North and Stoke Newington, said: “Labour should not be taking the Black vote for granted.

“We find ourselves in a situation where Black members are being disenfranchised. It’s not just about Diane, it’s about how Black members are treated.

“If we don’t see a fair process with Diane then we can see there is no fair process [for us].”

Last month Abbott slammed the “sham” investigation against her, saying it was no longer being conducted by the whips office in parliament but instead by HQ party officials working for the leader Sir Keir Starmer who had already declared her guilty.

She hit out at the “smears” that she was accused of anti-Semitism, pointing out that she was not being investigated for that. And she pointed out that several MPs had committed far worse offences and were let back into the party.

MP Neil Coyle was readmitted after racially abusing a journalist, and MPs Barry Sheerman and Steve Reed did not face investigations, suspensions or public condemnations after making anti-Semitic comments.

In 2020, Reed called a Jewish donor a “puppet master”, and the same year Sheerman tweeted in reference to two Jewish businessmen – who were in line for appointments to the Lords, that the process was “run on silver shekels.”

Anneliese Dodds, Labour’s shadow minister for equalities, told the party conference today that a Starmer government would “finish the job” of tackling systemic racism in Britain.

She said: “The Tories have stood by as inequality has soared. Only Labour will stand up and do something about it.

“We’ll break down barriers to opportunity by embedding equality at the heart of everything government does, genuinely assessing the impact of new policies on equality, and defending the Equality Act from Conservative attack.

“The last Labour government did more to advance equality than any in history.

“The next will finish the job and break new ground by tackling the inequalities we face today.

“Like structural racism that scars our society, leaving Black, Asian and ethnic minority families worse off, in poorer health and bearing the brunt of the cost of living crisis.”