Day: June 12, 2021

Strikes, demonstrations, and protests for the environment continued across the globe in the fifth month of 2021, with protesters demanding more decisive action to tackle climate change.

Activists and citizens continued online campaigns and street protests while keeping socially distant due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Events included Fridays for Future protests launched in 2018 by Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg and various campaigns worldwide against anti-environmental practices and attitudes, including campaigns against fossil fuel companies and several virtual climate strikes.

Below is a timeline of protests and demonstrations compiled by Anadolu Agency:

May 1:

– Climate activists and environmental protesters around the world hold “StandWithWorkers” social media campaign to show solidarity with workers for International Workers Day, “as they’re on the frontlines of climate change.”

May 4:

– Reminding that at least 20 journalists died as a result of reporting on environmental destruction over the past decade, Fridays For Future shares solidarity with journalists who are being persecuted for their work on World Press Freedom Day.

May 7:

– On the first Fridays for Future strike of the month, climate activists and environmental protesters continue to raise awareness about climate change which is also supported and retweeted by nonprofits’ Twitter account.

May 11:

– Environmental organizations, including Greenpeace, 350 and Fridays For Future share their pleasure through social media about announcement by Standard Chartered, a British multinational banking and financial services company, to stop funding fossil fuels this year.

– Extinction Rebellion co-founder Gail Bradbrook is arrested by officers from Metropolitan Police at her home in Stroud, south central England.

May 12:

– Campaigners from “Paid to pollute” takes UK government to court to pull plug on public payments for “big polluters.” “The government has wasted billions of pounds of public money propping up the oil and gas industry,” they say.

– A day after her arrest, Bradbrook is released.

May 13:

– Climate protesters hold online campaign criticizing Poland’s energy company, Polska Grupa Energetyczna’s new plan to open a new coal unit in Turow, Poland by saying “Poland, not coalland.”

May 14:

– On the second Fridays for Future strike of May, climate activists and environmental protesters continue to raise awareness about climate change and environmental issues.

– 14-year-old Turkish climate and environmental activist Yagmur Ocak completes 95th week of climate strike in Istanbul.

May 17:

– 16-year-old Ugandan environmental activist Laura Muwanguzi calls for saving Bugoma forest because it “is still under danger because of the selfish desires of people,” she says on Twitter by holding sign regarding issue.

May 18:

– On the day of Shell’s Annual General Meeting, Fridays for Future movement call for dismantling the company and fair reparations for those affected by its activities.

May 19:

– Climate activist groups and environmental organizations share solidarity with Palestinians against settler-colonization by mentioning that they stand against all forms of colonialism and systematic repression.

May 21:

– Fridays for Future holds third strike of the month with climate activists and environmental protesters raising awareness about climate change and environmental issues.

– Workers and students, led by Strike for Future movement, hold streets in Switzerland, demanding social and climate justice.

May 22:

– Thousands of protesters in Denmark march toward Christiansborg Palace demanding new climate policy.

May 28:

– On his 46th week of school strike, 12-year-old Indian climate activist Aarav Seth says on Twitter that he stands for the cause so our future generations have better place to stand.

– Fridays for Future Amazon calls on environmental activists around the world “to stand against (Brazil’s President Jair) Bolsonaro and to support Amazonia.

Source: Anadolu Agency

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) on Saturday called for urgent measures to end child labor which has increased due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stergomena Lawrence-Tax, executive secretary of the 16-country regional bloc, said it was sad that as other parts of the world were making progress against child labor, Sub-Saharan Africa was lagging behind.

“The situation in our region requires greater resolve and action as a matter of urgency given that situation of children, especially those already in child labor, is now even more precarious due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said in a statement on World Day Against Child Labor.

Lawrence-Tax called on SADC member states to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on children by continuing to implement appropriate relief measures and interventions targeting the poor and vulnerable people, particularly children who are more disproportionately affected.

She urged member states to provide adequate social security including cash transfers and food handouts as these remain critical interventions for many families.

“At the same time, education policies need to be sufficiently responsive to the plight of children, especially those from poor families whose capacity to meet basic schooling requirements such as school fees has been undermined,” she said.

The SADC executive noted that as a result of COVID-19, many people have lost incomes forcing their children to seek labor to supplement family incomes.

The latest International Labor Organization/UNICEF global report shows that progress to end child labor has stalled, with Sub Saharan Africa recording an additional 16.6 million children in child labor in the last four years, while the estimated global figures increased from 152 million to 160 million.

“This year’s World Day Against Child Labor should remind all of us, from governments to individual community actors at grassroots level, of our collective responsibility to safeguard the wellbeing of children by taking decisive and practical actions to end child labor,” she said.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Turkish forces “neutralized” three more PKK terrorists in northern Iraq, the National Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

The terrorists were “neutralized” as part of the Operation Pence-Simsek, the ministry said on Twitter.

Turkish authorities use the word “neutralize” to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

Several weapons were also seized during the operation, the ministry said.

Turkey launched the Pence-Simsek and Pence-Yildirim operations on April 23 in northern Iraq’s Metina and Avasin-Basyan regions.

The PKK terror group often hides out in northern Iraq, just across Turkey’s southern border, to plot terror attacks in Turkey.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and the EU – has been responsible for the deaths of at least 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.

Source: Anadolu Agency

The writer is a specialist in Israeli-Palestine issues and a senior lecturer at the National Defense University of Malaysia.

ANKARA (AA) – The recently concluded Israel-Hamas war in the Middle East was a perfect example of asymmetric warfare in a strategic concept. Asymmetrical warfare refers to irregular warfare conducted by irregular forces to achieve political objectives, and it involves a disproportionate distribution of power between a state actor and an irregular force. The primary objective of most asymmetrical warfare is psychological, followed by military success.

Israel is ranked 20th in the list of 140 countries considering the annual GFP (Global Fire Power) review in 2019. It holds a nation’s Power Index (PwrIndx) score of 0.3464 (a score at 0.0000 is considered perfect).

Hamas is a Palestinian Islamic Brotherhood group that was established in Gaza in 1987. In 2006, Hamas won the Palestinian Legislative Council election and strengthened its position through the first and second Intifada.

As a strategy, Hamas has used tunnel warfare to gain operational and tactical advantages over its adversary. In 2014, The Washington Post reported that Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) forces discovered a 1.5-mile-long tunnel (2.4-kilometer-long), 66-feet-deep tunnel equipped with electricity and provisions which can last for several months. It was estimated to have been built at the cost of $10 million using 800 tons of concrete.

Throughout time, Hamas has improved its expertise in digging different types of tunnels. An Israeli defense analyst has talked about smuggling tunnels between Gaza and Egypt, defensive tunnels inside Gaza, and offensive tunnels. The offensive tunnels are used to launch cross-border attacks on Israel. These tunnels have been dug by hand fearing that the use of machinery may detect their presence.

In the recent war in May 2021, Israel targeted a vast network of tunnels. The IDF says 160 Israeli aircraft struck more than 150 underground targets in northern Gaza around Beit Lahiya. It is difficult to specify the attacks targeting the offensive tunnel systems which are storing rockets and weapons. Israel has set up an underground warfare section in the military-technological unit to detect tunnels using sophisticated techniques. Its details are still secretive.

The second aspect of Hamas’ strategy is the rocket division. Experts are saying that most of Hamas’ rockets are built by shops in Gaza, with technical assistance and millions of dollars coming from Iran. Experts also believe that Hamas possesses some Soviet and Chinese-built Grad and WS-1E rockets with a range of 25 mi (40 km) and large Iranian-designed Fajr series rockets with range 28-47 mil (45-75 km). Iran is suspected to have smuggled large Syrian-made M-302 302-millimeter rockets into Gaza.

– Metal tube Qassam rockets

The major component of Hamas’ Qassam series rockets made of metal traffic post-tubes for $300-$800 each, threatened Israelis in the southern cities of Ashkelon and Sderot. Hamas also can build a multitude of larger rocket types costing a few thousand dollars each like the R-160 and Sejil series that can strike Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, 30 mi (48 km) away from Gaza. In the recent war, Hamas attacked Israel’s port at Eilat, which is 120 mi (193 km) away from Gaza with a new 155 mi (249 km) range Ayyash-250 rocket.

However, Hamas had many shortcomings in the recent war. Its rockets still lack a guidance system and are only useful to bombard an area. Many firings ended as misfires and fell short of their targets with a fatality. The IDF claims only a third of Hamas rockets hit the actual target. Around 500 rockets fell within Gaza.

In the war, Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group (PIJ) also showed a change of strategy. They did not target the Israeli civilians. Hamas targeted six Israeli airbases and airports and offshore oil platforms.

Rocket strikes caused a fire in a petroleum depot in Ashkelon and Ashdod-Eilat pipeline. Israel was forced to shut down air travel from several airports. Rocket attacks directed at Israel’s Tamar offshore oilfield, however, blasted without causing any damage.

Asymmetry of power between Israel and Hamas stands out open in the May 2021 war. Israel used advanced military technology to deter rockets launched from Gaza. After 2006, Israel developed the Iron Dome Defense System (IDDS) aided by US funding to the tune of $1.6 billion. After the war, Israel has requested the US for another $1 billion to upgrade the IDDS.

The IDDS comes with a high-resolution radar, control center, and three or four rocket launchers. Each launcher is loaded with 20 Tamir interceptor missiles, each costing around $40,000 each. The radar can detect rockets up to 43 miles away and launches Tamir missiles when it is calculated would land in the populated area. Hamas also cannot compete with Israel’s IDDS in the navy. Israeli Navy has deployed one to two Iron Dome launchers on the decks of its Saar five-class corvettes.

Hamas was determined to achieve a tactical advantage over the IDDS. They launched 50 rockets simultaneously to overwhelm the IDDS. According to the Jerusalem Post (May 15, 2021), Hamas had fired some 135 rockets in five minutes in the recent war. It also implemented “low trajectory launches” to escape the interceptors. The IDF claimed that they shot down around 1,500 of 4,360 rockets fired by Hamas.

-Hamas mortars

The third aspect of the Hamas strategy is linked with mortars. Hamas uses Soviet 82-mm and more powerful 120-mm HM-16 mortars built by Iran. Mortars are more accurate to hit the target than rockets. But Hamas’ mortars have just a 3-5 mi (4-8 km) range. In the recent war Hamas’ A-50 round mortar killed two Thai workers in Eshkol.

A fourth aspect of strategy in this war was that the Hamas had equipped the military wing of Al-Qassam forces with drones. They deployed an unmanned combat system. Labeled as Shihab kamikaze drones, they are made in Gaza on the pattern of the Iranian HESA Adabil-drone. On May 13 Hamas launched the Shihab drones targeting offshore oil platforms. But they were shot down by an Israeli F-16 jets using a Python-5-heat-seeking missile and the IDDS. Between May 10-18, IDF reported it had shot down more than four Hamas’ drones.

The fifth aspect in Hamas’ strategy is the deployment of remote control unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) or drone submarine, targeting Israeli ships or oil platforms. Israeli airstrikes destroyed the system and killed the operating forces.

In this regard, Hamas lacks an advanced surveillance system compared to the IDF forces. Moreover, Hamas’ weapon system is also inferior to Israel’s latest Merkava tanks and Namer APCs. Israel’s APCs carry Trophy active protection system which can detect incoming missiles, identify the position, and destroy missiles.

-Hamas objectives met

Despite heavy losses, Hamas achieved limited aims in this war. It succeeded to build public opinion, garnered mass support, competed to project itself as a legitimate leader of Palestinians, and showed itself as the protector of Jerusalem and Palestinians. It also emphasized the position of Hamas as an important stakeholder in the Palestinian peace process.

Undeniably Hamas’ asymmetric warfare increased Israel’s security dilemma and threat factors. As a response, Israel would now maximize its national security measures by enhancing its defensive and offensive capabilities in the Middle East. In asymmetric warfare, Hamas cannot be found reluctant to master its strategy further against the powerful adversary.

*Opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of the Anadolu Agency.

Source: Anadolu Agency

India recorded more than 4,000 new coronavirus deaths on Saturday, according to the Health Ministry.

It said 4,002 deaths were registered, taking the total to 367,081.

The country also saw 84,332 new cases in the last 24 hours, it lowest in 70 days. Infections now stand at 29.3 million.

India announced on June 10 a total of 6,148 deaths — the highest number of fatalities in a single day since the start of the pandemic. Health officials, however, said the spike was because of northern Bihar state revising its death toll.

A statement late Friday said the number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered reached 249,316,572.

India has the second-highest number of infections in the world after the US.

It is third behind only the US and Brazil in fatalities.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Countries across Latin America reported new COVID-19 infections and fatalities on late Friday, according to official data.

– Brazil

A total of 2,216 people lost their lives to the coronavirus in Brazil over the past 24 hours, bringing the tally to 484,235, according to figures from the country’s Health Ministry.

With 85,149 new cases registered nationwide, the number of infections rose to over 17.29 million, the third-highest in the world after the US and India.

Sao Paulo stands as the region most affected by the outbreak, with a total of 3.4 million cases and 117,344 deaths.

There have been over 15.7 million recoveries in Brazil, the most populous South American nation.

– Mexico

Mexican Health Ministry data showed that 243 people died of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 229,823. A total of 3,282 new cases pushed the total number of infections to over 2.44 million.

Over 1.9 million people have recovered so far, according to the data.

– Argentina

In Argentina, 689 more people lost their lives over the past day to the virus, bringing the death toll to 84,628, according to the Health Ministry.

Some 26,934 more people tested positive for the virus, bringing the country’s tally to over 4.9 million. Argentina, with a population of some 45 million, has reported over 3.6 million recoveries to date.

– Colombia

Colombia’s Health Ministry reported a total of 569 new fatalities over the past day, taking the country’s virus death toll to 94,615.

The total number of cases reached over 3.6 million, with 29,570 new infections in the country, while the number of recoveries stood at over 3.4 million.

– Peru

Peru’s Health Ministry registered 168 new COVID-19 fatalities, and 1,573 new infections over the past 24 hours.

The total number of cases rose to 1.9 million, while the death toll hit 118,100 and recoveries over 1.9 million.

– Chile

Over the past day, Chile reported 133 deaths from COVID-19, bringing the death toll to 30,472, according to the country’s Health Ministry.
The number of infections rose by 7,972, exceeding 1.4 million, with total recoveries just shy of this figure.

– Ecuador

Ecuador reported 1,098 more infections over the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases to 437,121.
The death toll in the country has reached 20,997, with 48 additions over the past day, the Health Ministry said, adding that the total number of recoveries has risen to 398,645.

– Paraguay

According to data from Paraguay’s Health Ministry, a total of 149 people died due to the coronavirus in the last 24 hours, taking the death toll to 10,561.

The country reported 2,698 new coronavirus cases, raising total infections to 387,687, while recoveries reached 319,572.

– Uruguay

Uruguay’s Health Ministry registered a total of 45 deaths due to the virus over the past day, raising the death toll to 4,906.

The country reported 3,484 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number to 333,484, according to the official data.

– Guatemala

According to local media in Guatemala, the country reported 28 coronavirus deaths over the last 24 hours, bringing the tally to 8,416.

The number of coronavirus cases in the country increased by 1,861 to reache269,808.

A total of 244,416 people have recovered from the virus.

– Honduras

Local media in Honduras reported 32 coronavirus-related deaths in the country, bringing the death toll to 6,599.

A total of 1,400 new coronavirus cases were reported in the country, taking the tally to 245,695. A total of 87,864 people have recovered from the virus.

Source: Anadolu Agency

A Syrian civilian was killed and 10 others were injured in attacks by Assad regime forces and Iranian-backed terrorist groups in northwestern Syria, according to the Syria Civil Defense (White Helmets) on Saturday.

Regime forces and allied terrorist groups launched missile attacks on Kafr Latah, Kafar Aweed, Deir Sunbul, Al-Magarah, Mareian, Fleifel, Sufuhon, Benin villages south of the Idlib province, a White Helmets member told Anadolu Agency.

He said the attacks killed one civilian and injured 10 others in Kafr Latah.

“Among the injured are two children, and one civilian, who is in critical condition,” he said, adding that the injured civilians were rushed to hospital for treatment.

On Thursday, regime forces and allied terrorist groups killed six civilians and injured 13 others in attacks in northwestern Syria.

Syria has been mired in a vicious civil war since early 2011, when the Bashar al-Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests with unexpected ferocity.

Over the past decade, around half a million people have been killed and more than 12 million had to flee their homes.

Idlib falls within a de-escalation zone forged under an agreement between Turkey and Russia in March 2020. The Syrian regime, however, has consistently violated the terms of the cease-fire, launching frequent attacks inside the de-escalation zone.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Over 2.33 billion doses of coronavirus vaccines have been given worldwide so far, figures compiled by Our World in Data, a tracking website, showed on Saturday.

China leads the global count with over 863.51 million jabs, followed by the US with 306.51 million.

India has administered 249.60 million shots, Brazil 76.76 million, the UK 70.25 million, Germany 59.04 million, France 43.20 million, Italy 41.31 million, Mexico 36.43 million.

Turkey ranks 10th on the list with over 33.05 million doses given, followed by, Spain, Russia, Indonesia, and Canada.

The country with the most doses administered by population is the East African island nation of Seychelles, with 139.51 doses per 100 people.

Most COVID-19 vaccines are administered in two doses, so the number of shots given is not the same as the number of individuals fully vaccinated.

Since December 2019, the pandemic has claimed over 3.78 million lives in 192 countries and regions, with more than 175.31 million cases reported worldwide, according to the US Johns Hopkins University.

The US, India, and Brazil remain the worst-hit countries.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Italy clinched an easy 3-0 victory against Turkey on Friday in the opening match of the EURO 2020.

Italy had a strong start to the match as Napoli winger Lorenzo Insigne missed a goal-scoring opportunity in the 17th minute.

Five minutes later, Turkish goalie Ugurcan Cakir pulled off an incredible reflex save on a header from Giorgio Chiellini.

Cakir made another save to deny Ciro Immobile in the 43rd minute.

Neither team was able to break the deadlock in the first half at Rome Olympic Stadium.

But in minute 53, scoring was opened with an own goal from Turkish defender Merih Demiral.

Italy doubled the gap when Immobile netted from close-range in the 66th minute.

In the 79th minute, Insigne fired a close-range missile to clinch the shutout.

Source: Anadolu Agency