China conducts military exercises to prepare for war; Russia plans for US attack on Syria

1. China conducts military exercises in the East Sea, declaring to prepare for war

Chinese fighter jets. Photo: SCMP.

In a statement, the Chinese air force said H-6K bombers, Su-30 and Su-35 fighters and other aircraft conducted combined patrol exercises over the South China Sea and the Western Pacific after passing through the Miyako Strait between southern Japanese islands.ReutersMarch 25. The announcement did not specify when or where the exercise would take place.

The information was released amid rising tensions across the Taiwan Strait after US President Donald Trump signed the "Taiwan Visit Act" in mid-month, encouraging the US government to send high-ranking officials to Taiwan and vice versa, angering Beijing. On March 20, China also sent the Liaoning aircraft carrier and escort warships into the Taiwan Strait.

2. Russia prepares a plan when the US attacks Syria

Russia prepares for possible US attack on Syria.

In an interview with TRT World, a senior Russian official who spoke on condition of anonymity said Moscow believes the US is likely to intervene militarily in Syria against the government of President Bashar al-Assad. When the war ends, Russia will push for the establishment of a federal system of government in Syria.

According to the official, Russia is seriously assessing the possibility of a US attack on the Syrian government and Moscow is preparing for this situation. The official did not provide specific information about the timing or the possibility of Russia sending more troops. In addition, the official said the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are trying to cross the de-confliction line in Deir Ezzor, leading to many clashes between the SDF and the Russian-backed government army.

3. President Erdogan, Donald Trump discuss the situation in Syria

President Erdogan, Donald Trump discuss the situation in Syria.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had a phone call with his US counterpart Donald Trump to discuss bilateral and regional issues of mutual concern.

This is the third time the leaders of Turkey and the US have held a phone conversation since November 2017. According to Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin, the two leaders focused on discussing Turkey's military campaign in Syria, including the issue of the US-backed Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia in Manbij.

4. France: Nearly 20 casualties, IS terrorists killed

The scene of the terrorist attack in southern France, which left nearly 20 people dead or injured on March 23.

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that three people have been killed and 16 others injured in an attack in the south of the country, calling it an act of “Islamist terrorism”.

Mr. Macron said that investigators will investigate the claim of responsibility for the attack by the terrorist group Islamic State (IS).

French authorities will also investigate how 26-year-old gunman Redouane Lakdim became radicalised and where he bought his guns.

Previously, French police had Lakdim's criminal record including theft and drug trafficking but there was no information that he had any connection with IS.French police are currently closely monitoring the districts surrounding the town of Carcassonne, where Lakdim once lived.

5. Prime Minister Abe bows to apologize for his wife's scandal

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bowed in apology on March 25. Photo: Reuters.

According toReutersPrime Minister Abe apologized at the Liberal Democratic Party's annual convention on March 25 for a scandal involving the transfer of a government plot of land involving his wife.

"This incident has shaken the people's trust in the government. As the head of the government, I sincerely accept responsibility and deeply apologize to the people," Mr. Abe said.

The Japanese Prime Minister pledged to investigate the scandal and take measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again. However, he did not mention the possibility of resigning.

6. Is US President Donald Trump ready to expel Russian diplomats?

US President Donald Trump is ready to expel Russian diplomats

Bloomberg, citing anonymous sources, said that US President Donald Trump is ready to expel Russian diplomats in response to the nerve agent poisoning of former double agent Skripal in the UK.

According to Bloomberg, Mr. Trump has agreed with his advisers and the deportation is likely to be announced on Monday (March 26), although they warn that Mr. Trump's decision may not be final.

According to the source, Mr. Trump's aides said the US president was ready to act, but wanted to ensure that America's European allies would take similar steps against Russia, before Washington did so.

7.North Korea criticizes South Korea's arms procurement plan

F-35 fighter jet. Source: AFP

According to KBS World, on March 25, Rodong Sinmun - the official newspaper of the Workers' Party of Korea - criticized South Korea's weapons procurement plan, calling it an action that goes against the positive atmosphere in current inter-Korean relations.

Refers toSouth Korean ArmyWith plans to purchase 40 F-35A stealth fighters and many TAURUS air-to-ground missiles, the Rodong Sinmun newspaper said that South Korea is frantically looking for ways to militarily confront North Korea.

The newspaper strongly criticized the plan, calling it a clear provocation aimed at a negotiating partner and a dangerous act that goes against the atmosphere of reconciliation and unity between the two Koreas.