Russia threatens to retaliate if the US launches missiles into Syria, Trump fires US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson

1. Russia threatens to retaliate if the US launches missiles into Syria

Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Army Valery Gerasimov. Photo: Sputnik.

The Russian military has said it is ready to respond if the lives of Russian servicemen in Syria are threatened, including by attacks on Damascus.

"There are many Russian advisers, representatives of the Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides, as well as Russian military personnel in Damascus and Syrian defense facilities,"RTquoted Chief of the General Staff of the Russian army Valery Gerasimov on March 13.

Mr. Gerasimov warned that in case the lives of Russian soldiers are threatened, the Russian armed forces will respond with certain measures against "missiles" as well as "aircraft carriers" carrying them.

2. Japanese politics shaken by scandal over sale of state-owned land

Finance Minister Aso Taro pledged to report the results of the investigation into the incident to the National Assembly. Photo: Livemint.

At a press conference on the morning of March 13, Finance Minister Aso Taro continued to “deeply apologize” to the Japanese people and pledged to report the results of the investigation related to the incident to the National Assembly. He affirmed that clarifying the incident and preventing a recurrence is the responsibility of the Finance Minister.

Currently, the entire text, which is considered to have been corrected, has been received by the Supreme People's Procuracy of Japan and is in the process of investigating to clarify the individuals involved. Japanese opposition parties have voiced their protests and demanded Finance Minister Aso's resignation, but he has rejected this.

The representative of the Japan Hope Party said that the incident of falsifying real estate documents was unacceptable and also the responsibility of the head of the cabinet.

3. South Korean and US Foreign Ministers set meeting time

South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha will meet with her US counterpart Rex Tillerson. Source: Yonhap News

Top diplomats from South Korea and the United States will meet this weekend to discuss details of planned summits with North Korea, South Korea's Foreign Ministry said on March 13, Yonhap reported.

According to the ministry, South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha will meet with her US counterpart Rex Tillerson in Washington on June 16 (local time).
"Foreign Minister Kang will share the rapidly changing developments surrounding the Korean Peninsula and discuss ways to strengthen coordination and close alliance between the two countries," ministry spokesman Noh Kyu-duk told reporters.

4. Turkish army surrounds Syrian town of Afrin

Turkish army and allied forces attack Afrin, Syria. Photo: Syria Direct.

The Turkish government said on March 13 that its army and some allied forces had surrounded the town of Afrin, northern Syria.

This is considered an advantage in Türkiye's attack in the fight against Kurdish militants in this place.

Not only has the Turkish army surrounded Afrin, it has also taken control of several key areas. The Turkish government has also declared its determination to wipe out the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) from this area.

5. Russia bans the publication of opinion poll results ahead of presidential election

Russian President Putin

A recent survey conducted by VTsIOM shows positive signs about the percentage of Russians who will participate in the presidential election, which proves that people are increasingly interested in this event. On March 13, Russia began to ban the publication of public opinion poll results.

According to data conducted by the All-Russian PublicOpinion Research Center (VTsIOM), more than 90% of Russians have been informed about the presidential election on March 18.

"People's awareness of the presidential election is still at its highest level: 92% of respondents know that the vote will take place in March 2018, the awareness index has increased to 93/100. Up to 75% of the population expressed interest in the election" – VTsIOM said.

6.Terrorists launch chemical attack in Eastern Ghouta

The scene of devastation in Eastern Ghouta (Syria) due to war.

He asserted that the purpose of this attack was to “give other countries the opportunity to unilaterally attack the Syrian government.” This information was revealed by Mr. Nebenzya after US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley spoke out against the Syrian army’s military campaign in Eastern Ghouta and blamed the Damascus government for any chemical weapons attacks so far.

7.President Donald Trump suddenly fired US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (right) and Mr. Mike Pompeo, Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (left).

US President Donald Trump announced on March 13 that he was dismissing US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and replacing him with CIA Director Mike Pompeo.

In a statement posted on his personal Twitter account, Mr. Donald Trump wrote, "Mike Pompeo, director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), will be the new Secretary of State. He will do a great job. Thank you to Rex Tillerson for his time in office. Gina Haspel will be the new Director of the CIA, the first woman to hold this position. Congratulations to all."

ABC News quoted a senior White House official as saying that Donald Trump has asked Secretary of State Tillerson to resign before March 16. President Donald Trump said he had worked very well with Mike Pompeo and that the decision to replace Mr. Tillerson was not based on any problems that arose.