Breaking
Turkey/Syria/Russia
A lot of departures from Incirlik AFB were noted about an hour ago. Erdogan reported to address the nation shortly (it is after 1 AM local - very unusual). Unconfirmed reports of Russian fighter jets departing Hmeimim heading towards Idlib. Things could be getting hot over N Syria very shortly.
Israel -
More reports of Israeli attack helicopters striking Syrian outposts in the Golan Heights area. Unconfirmed if these sites are also host to Hezbollah operatives as well.
More BREAKING
Turkey/Syria/Russia
Turkey has announced it has placed all known targets of Syrian military under fire with air, ground fire support elements according to the countries communications director. Senior Erdogan aide Ibrahim Kalin is also reported to have had a phone call with US National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien tonight, probably to formally inform the US on what is going to happen.
Wuhan Virus -
Iran has so far refused to block pilgrimages to Qom, the current hot spot of Iranian coronovirus breakout. This has the potential to spread the virus to thousand of visitors and spread it throughout the Near East and Central Asia. Currently BBC is reporting at least 210 deaths from the virus while the official report is 34.
Saudi Arabia has cancelled the Haj to Mecca. Other countries are cancelling large events to prevent contamination. With new infections being reported in Netherlands, Lithuania and Nigeria, the WHO has finally elevated the situation to extreme emergency. The past two days more infections have been reported outside of China than inside China.
Markets around the world are essentially in a tailspin over the growing economic impacts of the pandemic. Countries are realizing that if it reaches infection levels even of the common flu, 40-60% of the population could be self quarantined, threatening food, fuel, municipal services etc for many months.
California has a suspected second community infection as a UC Davis student is showing symptoms of virus after being in contact with the infected person. Remember, Kalifornia has a huge homeless crisis that is already struck with a plethora of other diseases. Should it penetrate into that community spread and death rates could be exceptionally high.
ASSESSMENT - the biggest danger to this country is the economic and societial effects lock-down and controls will create. First responders will be hit hard by infections, reducing response ability; hospitals/ERs will not be able to cope; food delivery will be impacted as drivers are ill and unable to drive, etc. Could reach boil over conditions particularly in Blue cities/states.
Turkey/Syria-
Turkish forces are hitting Assad backed SAA forces all throughout Idlib. Turkey has called for NATO and specifically American support. NATO ministers meeting to discuss Article 5 support. An emergency meeting of the UN security council has also been called. So far Turkey and Russia have avoided direct conflict, but Turkey is targeting area the Russia has troops in.
Turkey has also opened its borders to Greece and Bulgaria to allow Syrian refugees passage into Europe. Military from both Greece and Bulgaria are mobilized to block any entrance.