Dr. Patrick Slattery’s News Roundup
A service of DavidDuke.com
From PressTV
Turkey needs Israel, Erdogan says
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey and Israel must improve their relations, stressing that his country needs the Tel Aviv regime.
“Israel is in need of a country like Turkey in the region. And we too must accept that we need Israel. This is a reality in the region,” the Turkish president said on Saturday.
Erdogan added that normalization of ties between Turkey and Israel would take place “if mutual steps are implemented based on sincerity.”
The Turkish president made the remarks as he was speaking to reporters during his flight back from Saudi Arabia, where he met with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud.
Relations between the two sides took a nose dive in May 2010 after Israeli forces stormed the Turkish aid ship Mavi Marmara, as it was on its way to deliver aid to Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip, killing several activists.
Following the incident, ambassadors were withdrawn and Erdogan said Israel had to formally apologize over the killings, pay compensation for the victims, and lift the Gaza blockade in order for ties to be normalized.
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From PressTV
Israeli forces clash with Palestinian mourners in West Bank
At least a dozen Palestinians have sustained injuries when Israeli forces attacked a group of Palestinians attending the funeral of a teenage boy in the southern part of the occupied West Bank.
On Saturday, violence broke out in the town of Beit Ummar, located eleven kilometers (6.8 miles) northwest of al-Khalil (Hebron) as hundreds of Palestinian youths hurled rocks at Israeli soldiers following the funeral for 19-year-old Omar Zaaqiq, who was fatally shot in an alleged car-ramming attack on November 27.
Muhammad Ayyad, a local activist, said at least 12 people were struck by rubber-coated steel bullets. Two of those injured suffered wounds to the head.
Palestinian ambulances transported the wounded to a nearby hospital to receive medical treatment.
Also on Saturday, mourners marched in the funeral of Fadi Hassan al-Faroukh in the southern occupied West Bank town of Sa’ir, located 8 kilometers (five miles) northeast of al-Khalil.
The marchers chanted national slogans, demanding unity and calling on the Palestinian Authority to give an adequate response to Israeli atrocities.
Faroukh was killed by Israeli soldiers during clashes at the Beit Einun crossroads in eastern al-Khalil on November 1.
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From PressTV
Iraqi forces deal heavy blows to Daesh militants
Iraqi government forces, backed by military aircraft, have carried out successful clean-up operations against the Daesh terrorist group in some parts of the Arab country, inflicting heavy losses on the Takfiri militants.
On Saturday, at least 27 Daesh terrorists were killed when Iraqi army troopers and fighters from allied Popular Mobilization Units thwarted an offensive by the extremists on Samarra Barrage, which is built on the Tigris River and adjacent to the city of Samarra, on Saturday evening, Arabic-language Sky News Arabia satellite news network reported.
Separately, Iraqi security forces foiled a Daesh assault on al-Maziq region, which lies east of Anbar’s provincial city of Ramadi, killing 13 of the Takfiri militants in the process.
Meanwhile, nine Daesh terrorists, including a bomb-making expert identified as Darwish Quddus, were killed and eight others wounded when Iraqi fighter jets pounded their position in the city of Shirqat, located some 300 kilometers (190 miles) north of the capital, Baghdad.
Moreover, Iraqi security personnel stormed a militant hideout in the western city of al-Haditha, situated about 240 kilometers (150 miles) northwest of Baghdad, killing scores of terrorists clad in Iraqi army uniforms. Iraqi government forces also destroyed a number of car bombs after the firefight.
In another Saturday development, fighters from Popular Mobilization Units broke the siege of 50 Iraqi army soldiers by Daesh militants in Tharthar area, situated 120 kilometers (74 miles) northwest of the capital.
Violence has plagued the northern and western parts of Iraq ever since Daesh terrorists launched an offensive in June 2014, and took control of parts of the Iraqi territory.
The militants have been committing crimes against all ethnic and religious communities in Iraq, including Shias, Sunnis, Kurds, Christians and others.
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From PressTV
Russia’s sanctions seriously affecting Turkey economy
Moscow’s sanctions against Ankara over the downing of a Russian jet by Turkey are now affecting various sectors of the Turkish economy, including tourism, construction companies and food exports, a new report says.
Russia’s relations with Turkey soured after the Turkish military shot down a Russian Sukhoi bomber plane on November 24, 2015. Ankara claimed that the warplane violated the Turkish airspace near the Syrian border, though Moscow denied the accusation.
In reaction to the incident, Moscow has imposed a series of sanctions against Ankara.
Russia has banned the import of Turkish fruits and vegetables, poultry and salt. It has also forbidden the sale of charter holidays to Turkey for Russians.
The sanctions also impose restrictions on Turkish firms willing to work on construction projects in Russia. Moreover, Turkish citizens working for companies registered in Russia are facing restrictions.
Russia has also stopped working on a new Black Sea pipeline that was to increase its gas exports to Turkey.
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From PressTV
Iraq cleansing northern Ramadi of Daesh terrorists
Iraq’s military is engaged in a clean-up operation in northern Ramadi, Anbar Province, to rid the city of the remaining terrorists of the Daesh Takfiri group.
Ahmad Abdel Madjid, an Iraqi army officer, said Saturday that militants trapped in the area “are afraid of clashes with the security forces” because they now have learned of their experience with previous battles with Iraqi forces.
Ramadi became a flash point after the Iraqi military started the campaign to liberate the strategic city a few months ago.
In the opinion of another Iraqi soldier, the army is making good progress against Daesh and the Iraqi forces morale is high.
The Iraqi army announced they were in full control of Ramadi on December 28. Portions of the city, however, remain to be cleansed of terrorists. Iraqi Defense Ministry officials have said it will take more time for the clean-up to be accomplished.
The city is located about 90 kilometers (55 miles) from the capital, Baghdad.
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From Russia Today
‘I did not shoot down that plane’: Turkish PM says order to attack Russian Su-24 wasn’t his
Published time: 3 Jan, 2016 07:20
Turkey’s Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu © Marko Djurica / Reuters
The only Turkish official who appeared to have been bold enough to take responsibility for the downing of the Russian Su-24 bomber, PM Ahmet Davutoglu, has seemingly backtracked on his words. He now says he did not give a direct order to shoot down the jet.
In the days after November 24, when the Turkish F-16 fighter jet launched an unprovoked missile attack on the Russian Su-24 jet bombing terrorist positions in northern Syria, the Turkish prime minister publicly spoke out to justify the attack.
“It was decided that in the event of our airspace being violated, all necessarily measures would be taken, all relevant orders to the armed forces were given by me, personally,” Davutoglu said.
Now, however, in a newly published interview with channel NTV, the Turkish PM appears to be backtracking on his statement, downplaying his personal role in the fatal decision-making that spilled over into a serious rift between Moscow and Ankara.
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From Russia Today
Syrian army leads offensive in key southern Daraa province – RT’s Murad Gazdiev reports
Published time: 2 Jan, 2016 14:29
RT’s Murat Gazdiev follows the Syrian Army’s mop-up group / RT The Syrian army has been storming the southern Daraa province in an effort recapture Al Sheikh Maskin, the town they call the “crossroads of the south” from the terrorists, wiping those out toward the Jordanian border. RT’s Murad Gazdiev is on the spot.
Al Sheikh Maskin is strategically located near several important highways, making its capture the key to operational success in the region. There is not much left of the town, which lays in ruins, and there are hardly any civilians left there.
“We launched our assault from the North [of Al Sheikh Maskin]. We do not control the North and the East… By taking this town, we split the rebels in two,”Syrian Army General Hassan told Gazdiev.
General Hassan / RT
The main road through the town, the highway leading to the city of Daraa in the south and the main roundabout, is currently held by Syrian forces. The fighters of the Free Syrian Army, moderate opposition, are said to have abandoned the town and the people remaining in the area are mostly armed Islamists opposing the government troops.
“Airstrikes spread panic among the militants, and many fled. Now, some of them are entrenched inside the town. We are looking for them,” General Hassan said.
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From Russia Today
ISIS oil trucks cross into Turkey every day, captured terrorist admits
Published time: 2 Jan, 2016 10:55
A captured Islamic State militant who spoke to Sputnik news agency has bolstered claims that Turkey is involved in illegal oil deals with the jihadist group up to the hilt.
24-year-old Mahmud Ghazi Tatar says he joined Islamic State (IS, previously ISIS/ISIL) from the Turkish city of Adiyaman. Together with other recruits, he was transported over the border into Syria where he received terrorist training.
Mahmud Ghazi Tatar / RT
Having taken part in the civil war in Syria, he was captured by Kurdish forces last June and is now imprisoned.
RT obtained interview footage with the captive from Sputnik news agency. In it, the former IS fighter reveals details about Turkey’s alleged oil links to the terror group.
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From PressTV
Turkish military announces killing of 267 Kurdish fighters
Turkish military forces have killed over 260 Kurdish fighters allegedly affiliated with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) during two days of operations in the country’s three southeastern districts.
In a Saturday statement, the Turkish chief of general staff announced the killing of a total of 267 PKK elements in what it described as “ongoing operations” in the predominantly Kurdish-populated areas, already under a military curfew.
According to the military statement, 179 of the Kurdish fighters were killed in the Cizre district of the Sirnak province while 55 more were killed in operations in the Sur district and 24 others in the Silopi district of the Diyarbakir province.
The three heavily Kurdish-populated districts have remained under Ankara-imposed military curfew since early December, when the so-called anti-terrorism operations by Turkish armed forces began.
The statement further added that three more PKK members were killed in Cizre on Friday while three others were taken into custody by Turkish security officers.
It added that five other Kurdish militants were also killed in Silopi on Friday as 15 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were destroyed, along with two trenches and the removal of seven barricades.
It further pointed to the killing of another PKK fighter in Diyarbakır’s historical Sur district in an operation that also demolished three barricades.
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From PressTV
Mass funeral held for 14 Palestinians in al-Khalil
Thousands of mourners have participated in a mass funeral procession in the occupied West Bank city of al-Khalil (Hebron) to lay to rest 14 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces.
The funeral was held on Saturday after the Israeli regime handed over the bodies of 23 Palestinians, including the 14, on Friday night.
The bodies, which were wrapped in Palestinian flags and covered with flowers, were carried to the al-Hussein Ibn Ali mosque in city center. Prayers were also held for the deceased in the adjacent al-Hussein football stadium and across city streets, Palestinian Ma’an news agency reported.
The mourners then marched through Ein Sarah Street before reaching the al-Shuhahda (Martyrs) Cemetery, where the 14 were laid to rest.
Tensions have dramatically escalated since the Israeli regime’s imposition of restrictions in August on the entry of Palestinian worshipers into the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East al-Quds.
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From Russia Today
Uproar in Middle East after Saudi Arabia executes top Shiite cleric Live updates
Published time: 2 Jan, 2016 16:00
Members of the Shi’ite ulema council pray as they hold a sign for Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr who was executed along with others in Saudi Arabia, during a protest demonstration in Karachi, Pakistan, January 2, 2016. © Akhtar Soomro / Reuters
Shiite Muslims across the Gulf region have reacted with disgust and condemnation after Saudi Arabia executed a leading Shiite cleric, Sheikh Al-Nimr, on terror charges Saturday. He was one of the 47 people who were put to death.
03 January 2016
07:59 GMT
Iranian police have arrested 40 people in connection with the attack on the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Tehran, local authorities reported.
07:25 GMT
Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Beirut has increased security in the wake of the attack on the country’s embassy in Tehran, the Kuwaiti daily al-Jarida reported. The staff of the Beirut embassy were told to stay inside the compound as angry demonstrations protesting Saudi Arabia’s execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr started in the Lebanese capital.
06:44 GMT
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has repeated his condemnation of Saudi Arabia for executing Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr, saying Saudi politicians will face “divine vengeance.”
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From Russia Today
Crazy, but it just might work: Mediterranean bridge proposed to save refugee lives
Published time: 2 Jan, 2016 20:55
© Political Beauty / YouTube
A group of ‘art activists’ are hoping to put an end to the needless deaths of refugees by building a bridge across the Mediterranean Sea.
More than 3,770 men, women, and children died last year trying to cross the open waters in search of a better life; free from violence, poverty and persecution.
The death toll is a tragic increase on 2014, when 500 less people perished in the attempt.
In a monumental display of humanity, the Center of Political Beauty is proposing to build a stone bridge from Africa to Europe in a bid to “stop the futile dying in the Mediterranean.”
According to the political performance artists, who claim to use “humanity as a weapon,” the 230 kilometer overpass would stretch from the Tunisian coastal town of al-Huwariyah to Agrigento in Sicily.
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