Moves and Countermoves in Syria, Violence in West Bank, Chinese Carrier Construction…

Threat Information Office Headlines 10-5-15

Russian countermoves in Syria taking shape

With Russian TV forecasting today’s weather as ‘sunny with a chance of airstrikes,’ the Kremlin is clearly unapologetic regarding its aggressive strategy of anti-Assad forces in Syria. Parliament Defense Committee chairman Admiral Vladimir Komoyedov said that the Russian Navy is studying the possibility of initiating a blockade on Syria’s Mediterranean coast, in order to shorten its logistical supply times from Crimea, as well as carrying out artillery strikes on rebel positions. He also raised the possibility of Russian volunteers from Ukraine heading to Syria to fight the Islamic State, with Russia reusing the “Little Green Men” strategy of deniable volunteers it used in the invasion of Ukraine.

The US has announced that strikes against IS targets will continue, raising the possibility of a proxy war reminiscent of Afghanistan in the 80’s. In the event of a full-blown conflict, the Pentagon is revising its contingency war plans, which have not been updated since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Violence intensifies in Jerusalem and the West Bank

Violence between Israel and Palestine has intensified over the past few days, killing Israeli citizens and wounding many Palestinian protestors. Israeli military reported that at a rally organized by Hamas, Palestinians “threw firebombs, rolled burning tires and threw rocks at soldiers who eventually opened fire after using tear gas and stun grenades.” The Israeli government has reportedly been forced to increase security measures. As of Sunday, Palestinians who do not live, work, or study in Jerusalem have been barred from entering the Old City. Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group claimed responsibility for deadly stabbing attacks against Jewish citizens.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced Sunday that more Israeli troops would be deployed to Jerusalem and the West Bank, in response to the violence. Netanyahu also announced that Israel was “waging a fight to the death against Palestinian terror” and that steps would be taken to “include speeded up demolition of terrorists’ homes.” Later on Sunday, two rockets were fired from Gaza Strip towards Israel, leaving no casualties.

China is full speed ahead on aircraft carrier construction

Beijing is also busy implementing its power projection strategy in Asia: closely following its South China Sea island reclamation project is the news that it is constructing its first aircraft carrier. While China currently possesses just one carrier, which was retrofitted from a Ukrainian model, plans call for an additional three ships. A limiting factor is that unlike the US and France’s steam catapult launch systems, which give their aircraft a much longer range of flight, the Chinese carriers will employ the so-called ‘ski jump’ design, which means the aircraft will launch with their own power, restricting their range of operations.

Curfew imposed in Guinean city Nzerekore after political clashes

Rival political groups are clashing in Guinea as October 11 Presidential elections approach. Violence erupted in the city of Nzerekore during a visit by President Alpha Conde, who is running for re-election. Arrests and the imposition of a curfew followed. The medical charity, Alliance for International Medical Action announced that dozens were admitted to the local hospital suffering gunshot, stone, and baton injuries.

The main rivalry is between Conde’s Rally of the Guinean People (RPG) party and the Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG) led by Cellou Dalein Dialo. Similar clashes took place in the northern town of Koundara late last month. With Conde favored to win in the upcoming election, opposition parties request that voting be “postponed to address alleged irregularities in the process.”

Other stories we’re following:

Baghdad’s ‘Green Zone’ open to public

2 Egyptian policeman shot by IS in Sinai Peninsula

British detainee on hunger strike in Guantanamo

Turkish jets intercept Russian warplane violating airspace

70 anti-IS Sunni Arab tribesman killed by IS in Iraq

Syrian man and Filipino accomplice arrested in Saudi Arabia for plotting attack

Ukrainian president insists on Russian withdrawal by year’s end

Russia Defense Ministry: 10 IS targets hit in airstrikes since Saturday

52 Saudi academics, clerics call on public in Syria to fight Russia

Somalian president sets one year deadline for defeating al-Shabaab

18 killed outside Nigerian capital in series of explosions; suspect Boko Haram