Battle for Mosul Gains Ground as Iraqi Forces Enter the City

On Monday, Iraqi troops broke through ISIS lines of defense in the eastern suburb of Mosul. For the first time, the advancing Iraqi forces entered the city, taking the battle to the terrorists’ doorstep.

The breakthrough is considered the largest military operation since Saddam Hussein’s capture in 2003. The Iraqi forces supported by Washington entered the city of Mosul. Iraqi commanders said the battle to retake the city could take months.

Iraqi’s Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) troops advanced on Gogjali, an industrial zone on the eastern part of Mosul.

CTS commander Lieutenant-General Abdul Ghani al-Assadi said in an interview conducted by a state television that his forces had reached the Karama district inside the insurgent’s occupied city.

Kurdish Peshmerga Intelligence said they have received reports saying 7 ISIS militants were killed in the district of Aden, 2 of their vehicles were also destroyed.

An Iraqi state television also reported that residents of the city were rising up against the Islamic state fighters. Some of these mutineers allegedly opened fired on an Islamic State Police unit in Intisaar district, in Karama.

No one has confirmed the “uprising reports” but the Iraqi forces and its U.S. allies are hoping this insurrection could help them retake the city. ISIS seized Mosul in 2014 declaring it as a “Caliphate” to rule over all Muslims.

Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said the Iraqi forces are now closing off all routes going out Mosul, to avoid thousands of ISIS fighters escaping from the city.
“God willing, we will chop off the snake’s head,” he added.

“They have no escape, they either die or surrender.”

Last October 17, the Iraqi Forces joined by Kurdish Peshmerga Fighters started their offensive against the Islamic State fighters. They were provided with ground and air support from a U.S. led anti-ISIS coalition.

U.S. anti-ISIS coalition deputy commander, British Major General Rupert Jones told Reuters, “They are making deliberate progress, they’re on their timeline.”

Anti-Islamic state fighters ranging about 50,000 troops are now storming the city’s outskirts as they strategically enter Mosul.

The Islamic State forces have been avoiding a direct fight with any militants advancing into the city. Instead, they are sending suicide cars, deploying snipers and mortars.

On Monday, the Islamic State said they have carried out “suicide operations” against the advancing forces. However, they failed to mention any casualty.

U.N. officials and some villagers said the terrorist group brought thousands of displaced civilians toward Mosul. The militants were using them as “human shields” to cover their retreat.

They also have set some properties on fire to create a ‘smokescreen,’ setting the whole region on smoke.

U.N.’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said, “the scorched earth tactics employed by retreating ISIL members are having an immediate health impact on civilians, and risk long-term environmental and health consequences.”

No one from both forces has given any number of casualty, but both claim they have killed thousands of their opponents.

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Russia Out of UN Human Rights Council

On Friday, the General Assembly voted Russia off the U.N. Human Rights Council. It was a stunning reproach to the country that is increasingly being blamed of war crimes over its actions in Syria.

The Human Rights Council is the UN’s foremost body charged with protecting and promoting human rights. The 193-member General Assembly voted 14 members to the 47-nation council.

Russia received 112 votes. Hence, the country lost its regional seat to Hungary, which had 144 votes, and Croatia, which received 114 votes.

Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin made light of the significance of the loss.

“It was a very close vote and very good countries competing, Croatia, Hungary. They are fortunate because of their size, they are not exposed to the winds of international diplomacy. Russia is very exposed. We’ve been on council a number of years, I’m sure next time we’ll get in,” he said.

The U.S, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt, China, Japan, Brazil, Rwanda, Hungary, Cuba, South Africa, Tunisia,. and U.K. also won seats on the council. Beside Russia, Guatemala was the only country contending for a seat to not be elected.

Strong opposition against Saudi Arabia and Russia

Human rights groups had cried out for countries to refuse the candidacies of Saudi Arabia and Russia. Saudi Arabia has been faulted of arbitrary attacks against civilians in Yemen. But Saudi Arabia’s election was an inevitable conclusion since it was running unchallenged for its regional seat.

U.N. director at Human Rights Watch Louis Charbonneau said that in rebuffing Russia’s bid for re-election to the Human Rights Council, U.N. member nations have sent a strong message to the Kremlin concerning its support for a regime that has committed so much atrocity in Syria.

Baroness Anelay, Britain’s Human Rights Minister, said she was pleased with her country’s re-election to the council.

Anelay said in a statement that the UK has been a keen advocate of the crucial work of the Council since its inception and that her country is honored to continue to serve as a member.

 

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President Duterte Displays What Trump Foreign Policy Might Look Like

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been dubbed as the Donald Trump of Asia, as both politicians irked traditional allies and move closer to rivals.

Republican candidate Donald Trump has brought fear to some Americans as he showed his plans to build a wall between Mexico and United States, restricting immigrants entering the United States, and to force its allies to pay for American defense assistance.

World leaders slammed President Duterte because of his war against illegal drugs that caused the deaths of more than 3,600 suspected addicts and dealers. Further, he is revising the country’s foreign policies.

The two politicians may be different in so many ways, but have similarities in authoritarian leadership style. Duterte is a three-decade politician serving as mayor, prosecutor, congressman; while Trump is a billionaire who never held public office.

Duterte’s actions in the past few months showed the Americans an insight on what Trump presidency might look like.

Bridget Welsh, an international relations expert at National Taiwan University said, “Trump and Duterte are similar in their vulgarity, misogyny and in-your-face politics”. She added, “they also capitalize on similar sentiment—shake the system up, challenge the status quo and basically move beyond the norms of rule of law.”

Duterte also showed more favor to Chinese’s President Xi Jinping, convinced that the country’s future depends on Beijing. He stated, “only China can help us.” Trump on the other hand aggressively challenged the Asian superpower, which he considers a threat to U.S. economy’s growth.

But the two leaders show common characteristics in their willingness to reform the relationships with longstanding allies.

The United States is a long-time ally of the Philippines and viewed by most Filipinos as a friend. Yet, Duterte has been denouncing the American government, even calling Barack Obama “son of a whore.”

Trump denounced Angela Merkel for “ruining Germany” about her stand on refugees. He also suggested that he would support NATO allies only if they pay the United States for military assistance.

Both leaders have a tendency to react sharply to criticism. Duterte even threatened to withdraw its alliance with U.S. and U.N. after they chastised him over his drug war. And Trump, as Hillary Clinton emphasized in the three presidential debates, has a famously thin skin.

Both Trump and Duterte displays the same characteristics on foreign policy.

American officials criticized Duterte’s recent move to split with the U.S. in favor of China.   Even his own mentor former President Fidel Ramos had things to say about it.

“Are we throwing away decades of military partnership, tactical proficiency, compatible weaponry, predictable logistics and soldier-to-soldier camaraderie, just like that?” asked Ramos in a recent editorial.

While Trump shows a strong stance over foreign policy, he proposed establishing safe zones in Syria. He also suggested meeting Russian “provocative” moves with military forces if necessary. “He and I haven’t spoken, and he and I disagree,” Trump said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin, in the second presidential debate.

“I expect there would be mass resignations from the State Department, from government if there’s a Trump presidency”. Welsh added, “He doesn’t have a foreign policy and he doesn’t have a foreign policy community with him. I think America would face a very significant crisis.”

Last, the biggest similarity between Trump and Duterte is their shoot-from-the-hip communication style. Both seems to say whatever comes to mind, and have a tendency to contradict their statements in the next.

Duterte’s recent contradicting statement leaves China, Japan, even the U.S. confused about where exactly he stands. If this happens to the President of the United States, every word he says would have a global significance especially on military and foreign affairs.

Uncertainty has its costs.

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Protecting the Ross Sea, Antarctica’s ‘Last Ocean’

An International Commission plans to safeguard the massive section of the Ross Sea, home to marine animals such as petrels and killer whales.

The Marine Protected Area (MPA) will ban fishing and drilling in the said region.

The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) established in 1980, consists of 24 countries and the European Union, Its mission is to protect the common resources of the Southern Ocean.

UK made its first attempt to limit activities in the Ross Sea. It proposed the creation of the South Orkney Marine Protected Area at CCAMLR in 2009.

So far the commission is successful on limiting fishing activities around the South Orkneys. It now attempts to give protection to much larger bodies of water surrounding the Antarctica continent.

Last year, Russia was seen as the one country holding out against a consensus on the Ross Sea, just right after the negotiations.

The commission proposed expanding the MPA into East Antarctica and the Weddell Sea. However, there is a belief that Russia would support the Ross Sea option this time around.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has designated 2017 as the year of ecology and has expanded the MPA around Franz Josef Land in the Arctic.

“People have come into it feeling very positive that this could be the year,” said Cassandra Brookes, a Ph.D. student at Stanford University.

“Despite the US and Russian tensions in other parts of the world, historically countries have worked wonders in the Antarctic and I hope this will be a case where we see science and diplomacy working,” she added.

The Ross Sea which makes 2% of the Southern Ocean which homes to 38% of the world’s Adelie penguins, 30% of the world’s Antarctic Petrels and 6% world’s population of the Antarctic minke whales.

Concerns are rising as overfishing and climate change have significantly impacted the numbers of Krill. The small crustaceans are a staple food for species like whales and seals.

New Zealand and the United States proposed a “no-take” protection zone. This is an area  where no one can remove marine life and minerals in the area.

They also proposed a special zone where fishing from krill and toothfish would be allowed for “research purposes”

Mike Walker, from the Antarctic Ocean Alliance, said, “Right now, 24 countries and the EU are negotiating what could be the first-ever large-scale marine sanctuary in international waters.”

“An agreement would be a historic move to protect the ocean.”
One question remains – how long would the MPA last?

20 years may not be enough

China believes 20 years is long enough, but many conservationists said this is far too short. Especially, if one takes the lifespan of the animals that lives in the Ross Sea into consideration.

“We’ll see what it is,” said Cassandra Brooks.

“It will have value for the times it’s in place. But can it meet its objectives in such a short duration? That’s something that a lot of people are worried about.”

As concerns rise over the Artic, the UN attempted to develop a New Marine Biodiversity Treaty. One that could probably halt the Ross Sea proposal.

“For some states, it comes down to economics, for others, it is about setting a precedent,” added Brooks.

“For others, it might be cultural. A lot of people might say that MPAs are a very western thing so there could be some breakdown there.

“I am optimistic, sometimes it just takes time and the political window of opportunity – are we in that? It remains to be seen.”

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Afghanistan; Drastic Increase of Opium Production Worries UN

The United Nation Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported an increase of 43% in opium production in Afghanistan on 2015. The poppy plant produces opium and other powerful medicinal painkillers like morphine.

According to UNODC, there was an increase in the farm area used for opium by 10% to 201,000 hectares of land. Improve farming condition generating greater harvest in the farm increasing the overall production. Yury Fedotov, the Executive Director of UNODC said that the data shows “a worrying reversal in efforts”.

Largest producer of opium

Afghanistan is the foremost producer of opium in the world. Opium is the main ingredient needed to produce heroin. Several nations grow their own supply and closely monitors production of the plant. They use it strictly for medicinal purposes.

In Afghanistan, cultivating the plant is also illegal; nevertheless, it attracts farming communities in the impoverished region in the country. Since the mass production of opium in the country is used mainly for the  illegal drug trade.

Taliban uses the tax money it collects from the poppy production in areas it controls to fund its military needs.

The Afghanistan government created a state policy to destroy poppy crops. However, allegations of corruption often surround government officials since the crop is so widespread in many government-controlled regions.

A local farmer told Justin Rowlatt of BBC’s South Asia that the local government knew about his crop in the north-east. He said, “They also know it is the only way anyone can make decent money.”

Paltry amount of poppies destroyed by authorities

The provincial authorities destroyed 255 hectares or 877 acres of poppy farms. It was a measly feat compared to the 4,000 hectares and down more than 90% of the poppies eradicated since 2015. During the eradication effort, seven insurgents and one officer died in the operations. Another seven people were also injured.

54% of the total opium production is located in the southern region of Afghanistan. It is also the most productive area in the country. Along with the Taliban forces’ presence, Helmand province is the single largest producer. The area claims more than 80,000 hectares of poppy farming.

Helmand province often serves as an area for conflicts between the Taliban fighters and Nato-led coalition forces. In 2014, the Nato-supported forces withdrew from the region. The Taliban fighters assaulted the capital Lashkar Gah in early October.

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Kurds Begin Large-Scale Assault in Mosul

As an assault to drive out so-called Islami State militants from Mosul continues, Kurdish fighters say they have started a large-scale operation north and east of the Iraqi city.

The Kurds say the plan is to tighten the noose around the militant’s last key stronghold in Iraq.

The Special Forces have now joined the offensive as the Iraqi army has been moving from the south.

The US military says there are indications that IS leaders have fled Mosul.

Nevertheless, there are an estimated 5,000 IS fighters still in the city.

The Kurdish Peshmerga forces said their campaign was on three fronts. They also followed recent advances by both the Kurds and the Iraqi security forces in the area.

The statement said that the intentions are to clear some of the nearby villages. This action will give them control of strategic sites to further constrain ISIL’s (IS) movements.

Meanwhile, Iraqi special forces joined the assault on Thursday, Iraqi Major General Maan al-Saadi said. They made a pre-dawn advance on the nearby town of Bartalla.

The special forces were backed by air strikes performed by a US-led coalition.

General Gary Volesky said earlier that they’ve seen movement out of Mosul and that they got signs that leaders have left. The American general, however, did not specify who had fled, nor did he state where they had gone.

The whereabouts of ISIL leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi are not known. Some accounts say he is in Mosul while others say he has escaped the northern Iraqi city.

BBC Middle East analyst Alan Johnston says it is likely that any fighters leaving the city had simply been heading to the front line areas, which still lie beyond the outskirts.

Nobody has any reservations that a die-hard IS militant would stay in the city and fight for it, the correspondent adds.

General Volesky said that foreign fighters are expected to form the bulk of the force who will hold out. The general heads the land component of the US-led coalition battling IS.

Save the Children charity asserts that 5,000 people from the conflict zone have fled to a refugee camp over the Syrian border in the last 10 days. There are 1,000 more waiting at the border.

UN camps ready to receive in excess of 200,000 Mosul refugees

Refugee camps are being set up in the south, north and east of Mosul in provision for an inflow of people fleeing the city. The UN says it anticipates more than 200,000 in the coming days and weeks.

An estimated 1.5 million civilians are believed to still be in Mosul. Those inside reported that IS was stopping them from departing the city and that they were running out of basic necessities.

Mosul has been under IS control since 2014. It is the militant group’s last major Iraqi stronghold.

The attack to retake the city started on Monday as the advancing forces seized several villages on the city’s borders ahead of a final push.

However, with IS fighters seeming to be putting up unyielding resistance in places, progress is expected to be slow.

There are also threats that the group could use chemical weapons or human shields.

With these challenges, it could be months before the city is liberated.

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Cessation of Hostilities in Yemen to Begin Wednesday

A UN envoy for Yemen finally received commitments from all of the country’s opposing groups. He then said that a 72-hour ceasefire in Yemen is scheduled on Wednesday night.

Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, UN Special Envoy for Yemen, said that the termination of hostilities would begin at 2359 local time (2059 GMT) on Wednesday, the United Nations said in a statement. The ceasefire agreement could be renewed after the initial three –day period.

“The Special Envoy welcomes the restoration of the Cessation of Hostilities, which will spare the Yemeni people further bloodshed and will allow for the expanded delivery of humanitarian assistance,” the statement said.

Yemeni Foreign Minister Abdel-Malek al-Mekhlafi made an announcement on his official Twitter feed earlier Monday. He said that President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi had consented to a 72-hour ceasefire with the likelihood of it being extended.

He added that the president agreed to the extension of the ceasefire if the other party abides by it. Also, they should lift the siege of Taiz, and activate the DCC (De-escalation and Coordination Committee).

The DCC is the United Nations-supported military commission in-charge for administering ceasefires in Yemen.

Hadi’s displaced government has been calling for humanitarian access for Taiz. The Houthi rebels, who overran Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, in 2014, largely surround the city. Government forces retain control of only one of four entry routes.

The Suadi-backed loyal forces loyal to Hadi hold Yemen’s southern part, which it shares with local tribes. Meanwhile, the Iranian-aligned Houthis and their allies, militants dedicated to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, control most of the country’s northern half.

Saudis doubtful of peace efforts

Saudi Arabia will accept a ceasefire if the Houthis agreed to one, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel-al-Jubeir said on Monday. However, he was doubtful about peace efforts after previous ceasefire attempts failed.

Since March 2015, Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies have executed air strikes and positioned troops in Yemen to support Hadi’s government. According to UN estimates, around 10,000 people, including 3.800 civilians, have died in the conflict.

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Almost 200 Nations Work Out ‘Binding Deal’ on Greenhouse Gas Reduction

On Saturday, a legally binding deal by 197 nations to cut down greenhouse gasses was announced. It aims to lower down gasses used in refrigerators and air conditioners, a major step against climate change.

Two of the biggest economies in the world, the United States and China split countries into three groups. Each group will have to commit to meet different deadlines to reduce the use of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) gasses. The said gas proved to be 10,000 times more fatal than carbon dioxide.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said: “It’s a monumental step forward”. He left the discussion of the deal on Friday in Kigali the capital of Rwandan.

The agreement states that developed nations, including Europe and US, will start to reduce their use of the gasses by 10% cut in 20196. By 2036 the developed nations target as much as 85% reduction. At present, several first world nations already initiated in reducing the use of HFCs. The United Nations estimated that phasing out HFCs will cost billions of dollars.

Two groups of developing countries pledged to halt the use of HFCs by 2024 or 2028. Similarly, India, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and the Gulf countries needed a longer time to reduce their use of the gas. This is due to the hot climate in the Middle East and a steadfast growth of middle classes. However, India feared the reduction of HFCs will impede its growing industries.

United Nations Environment Chief, Erik Solheim said, “Last year in Paris, we promised to keep the world safe from the worst effects of climate change. Today, we are following through on that promise”.

The Kigali deal legally binds 197 nations in an agreement to diligently fight climate change. The agreement is so extensive that it indicates specific timetables. It also contains treaties for the developed countries to help the developing countries in complying with the agreement.

Another reform for the climate change advocacy was passed last week. India, Canada, and the European Parliament ratified the 2015 Paris Agreement which forces other nations to lessen warming emissions sources.

Higher global temperature by year 2100

HFCs are the main factor for global warming, reducing the usage will eventually result in a cooler temperature. Scientists projected that without the Kigali deal there will be an increase in temperature of 0.5 degrees Celsius (0.9 Fahrenheit) by 2100.

In the past years, environmental groups advocate on cutting the usage of hazardous gasses like HFCs. The deal will limit the emission coming from at least 1.6 million air conditioning units to hit the market by 2050. This is due to the high demand in countries from Asia, Latin America, and Africa.

HFC replaced the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which at that time is widely used in refrigeration and aerosols. The use of the HFC gas developed after the talks on the 1987 Montreal Protocol. Both gasses caused the depletion of the ozone layer which protects the earth from ultraviolet rays linked to various skin diseases. The reduction will eventually lead to the discontinued use of hazardous gasses which is detrimental to the planet.

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