source Ingrid VANHEE, Responsable du Comité Energies de l’ANAJ-IHEDN

Le Comité Énergies a le plaisir de vous présenter son atelier sur le thème:

Sécurité énergétique et pacification des conflits : le rôle géostratégique de la Turquie

Noémie REBIERE*, Doctorante à l’Institut Français de Géopolitique

Lundi 23 mars - 19h30 à 21h00

Salle Athéna - Ecole militaire
 

Aujourd’hui doctorante à l’Institut Français de Géopolitique, ​Noémie Rebière travaille sur l​a​ sécurité énergétique​ et​ le rôle géostratégique de la Turquie. Ses principaux axes de recherche concernent l’évolution de​s​ politique​s​ énergétique​s européenne et​​ turque dans un contexte ​de ​crises géopolitiques régionales sous-tendues par des enjeux énergétiques​, notamment en Russie et au Moyen Orient. La Turquie, au carrefour des pays importateurs et producteurs d’hydrocarbures, constitue la principale route de transit pour diversifier les importations de l’Union européenne. Noémie nous présentera les différents projets d’infrastructures énergétiques qui passent par le territoire turc et les enjeux géostratégiques qu’ils représentent.

* Titulaire d’un master en Histoire des relations internationales et des mondes étrangers à l’Université Paris 1 Sorbonne, Noémie Rebière s’est spécialisée sur la Turquie en produisant un mémoire de recherche sur l’évolution de la vision de la diplomatie et de la presse française depuis la Révolution Jeune turque de 1908 sous l’Empire Ottoman jusqu’à la naissance de la Turquie moderne. Elle a ensuite intégré l’Institut Français de Géopolitique à l’Université Paris 8, où elle a écrit son mémoire sur la géopolitique de l’énergie en Turquie et son repositionnement sur l’échiquier mondial : les gazoducs TANAP et TAP comme cas d’étude.

energies@anaj-ihedn.org

15 March 2015 BBC MidEast

Fighting has been raging in Libya between Islamic State (IS) fighters and a militia alliance from the west of the country, near the city of Sirte.

A spokesman for militia brigades told the BBC that two of their men had been killed in the clashes.

Jihadists affiliated to Islamic State seized government buildings and a state radio station in Sirte last month.

Their main base is in eastern Libya where the elected government and army have battled extremists for months.

In February, a video was released appearing to show the beheadings of 21 Egyptian Christians kidnapped by IS militants in Sirte.

The country has been beset by chaos since the overthrow and death of Col Muammar Gaddafi, with powerful militia alliances in the east and west fighting for control of territory and resources.

Militia forces and the self-proclaimed government ruling western Libya deny IS has a significant presence in Libya, saying the fighters are former Gaddafi loyalists.

16/03/2015 lorientlejour.com

Le ministre français de la Défense, Jean-Yves Le Drian, est attendu le 22 avril à Beyrouth pour une visite officielle qui s'inscrit dans le cadre de la concrétisation du plan des trois milliards de dollars conclu entre la France, le Liban et l'Arabie saoudite et visant à moderniser les forces armées, selon des sources citées par l'agence al-Markaziya.

Ce plan devra démarrer au début du mois d'avril, avec au menu de la première livraison « des armes sophistiquées, dont certaines disponibles dans les entrepôts des entreprises françaises, et réhabilitées de manière à satisfaire les besoins de l'armée, conformément à une liste établie par le commandement et remise aux responsables français ». D'autres armes ont été spécialement fabriquées pour le Liban.

La première livraison comportera ainsi des hélicoptères de combat, des roquettes, des batteries d'artillerie lourde, des vedettes de surveillance maritime et des équipements de communication sophistiqués « susceptibles de renforcer la capacité de l'armée à lutter contre les terroristes, principalement dans les régions montagneuses à la frontière est du pays ».

La livraison des armements et du matériel se poursuivra progressivement sur une durée de trois ans, du fait de l'absence de stocks dans les entrepôts des entreprises qui vont les fournir.

Selon ces sources, une délégation militaire française est également attendue au Liban pour entraîner l'armée libanaise. Parallèlement, des officiers et des militaires libanais recevront une formation en France.

15.03.2015 Romandie.com (ats)

Les Etats-Unis devront "au final" négocier avec Bachar al-Assad pour une transition politique en Syrie, a annoncé dimanche le secrétaire d'Etat américain John Kerry. Le conflit est entré dimanche dans sa cinquième année.

L'administration américaine soutient de longue date que M. Assad doit quitter le pouvoir au terme d'une transition politique négociée. Mais l'émergence d'un ennemi commun, l'Etat islamique (EI), semble atténuer l'attitude de Washington vis-à-vis du maître de Damas.

Dans une interview diffusée dimanche par CBS, John Kerry n'a pas repris la formule habituelle de l'administration Obama sur le fait que M. Assad a perdu toute légitimité et qu'il doit partir. "Nous devons négocier à la fin", a-t-il dit. "Nous avons toujours voulu négocier dans le contexte du processus de Genève I."

Les discussions de Genève I et Genève II, l'an dernier, entre une délégation du gouvernement syrien et des représentants de l'opposition ont échoué. Depuis, la diplomatie patine et aucune rencontre de type Genève III n'a été programmée.

Marie Harf, une porte-parole du département d'Etat, s'est toutefois empressée de préciser sur Twitter que John Kerry avait "réitéré la ligne que nous suivons depuis longtemps. Nous avons besoin d'un processus de négociations avec la participation du régime. Il n'a pas parlé de négociations directes avec Assad".

Nouveaux raids

Sur le terrain, l'armée syrienne a mené dimanche des raids aériens sur Douma, bastion rebelle à quelques kilomètres au nord-est de Damas. Ces attaques ont fait 26 morts, dont sept enfants, et une centaine de blessés, rapporte l'Observatoire syrien des droits de l'homme (OSDH), une ONG proche de l'opposition.

Selon les médias officiels syriens, les forces gouvernementales ont également tué dans la nuit de samedi à dimanche des dizaines de combattants affiliés au groupe djihadiste Al Nosra, dont trois commandants de haut rang, dans le sud du pays.

Dans un communiqué, l'armée syrienne a également fait allusion à des opérations en cours dans la province de Kouneïtra, sans fournir de précisions sur d'éventuelles victimes.

L'OSDH rapporte pour sa part que les hélicoptères des forces gouvernementales ont largué des barils d'explosifs dans le centre de la région. L'attaque a visé une zone où les brigades islamiques et le Front Al Nosra combattent le Hezbollah et les milices progouvernementales depuis des semaines.

March 13, 2015: Strategy Page

The UAE (United Arab Emirates) recently confirmed a 2013 order for half a billion dollars’ worth of Al Tariq smart bombs from a UAE company (Tawazun Dynamics). There is more to this than meets the eye. The UAE has been working for over a decade on creating weapons manufacturers in Arabia. While the Tawazun Dynamics Al Tariq GPS guided bombs (similar to the U.S. JDAM) deal sounds like a success, it is something quite different. The Al Tariq smart bombs are actually the Umbani series of smart bombs developed and produced by South African firm Denel. The Al Tariq include wings that allow a dumb bomb to glide up to 100 kilometers. It’s got a good reputation, but costs more than JDAM. But for some customers the fact that is “Made In Arabia” makes it more attractive than the cheaper brands.

Tawazun Dynamics is the invention of a UAE investment company (UAE) which is seeking to create an industrial capability for the UAE. While Tawazun has plenty of cash and skilled UAE investment managers, there are few UAE engineers and skilled production workers to actually run such companies in the UAE. Instead, Tawazun hires foreigners and makes deals with foreign firms to handle the actual development and manufacturing of weapons and military equipment. When possible, actual production is given to companies in the region, usually in countries that have no oil. This is because few UAE citizens want to work as engineers or production workers. The UAE has foreigners occupying 99 percent of the non-government jobs. The unemployment rate is over 20 percent but only a tenth of those are actually looking for a job. Surveys indicate that most of the unemployed are idle by choice. Kuwait is more entrepreneurial, with only 80 percent of the non-government jobs taken by foreigners. The other Gulf Arab states (which have less oil) have a similar situation.

The UAE employment situation is not unique. In Saudi Arabia the official government attitude is that most (over 80 percent) of the jobs done by the eight million foreign workers in the country are not suitable for Saudis. This includes many sanitation and personal service jobs. But that’s six million jobs and expatriates, especially those from the West, commented (among themselves, not to Saudis) that most of these jobs were done, in the West, by Westerners. Some of the expats noted that Westerners doing their own dirty work were usually well paid for it but in some countries legal or illegal migrants were let in to do the unpleasant jobs for lower wages. This is what the oil rich Gulf Arabs do, and they then take some of the money saved to pay for the generous unemployment benefits for citizens who cannot find suitable work. The resulting high unemployment rate worries government officials, especially in the case of the foreigners doing highly technical jobs in the oil industry, defense, or handling finances.

For the last 30 years this has led to programs aimed at getting rid of many foreigners and making jobs available for locals. This effort has had little success for several reasons. First, businesses are allowed to pay foreigners less than what Saudis will work for and don’t want the hassle of paying more for difficult to handle Saudi employees. Second, there are a lot of “dirty” jobs that Saudis will not or cannot (because they are women) take. Third, not a lot of Saudis are qualified for the high-skill jobs where the government is particularly anxious to have locals replace foreigners.

The lack of skills has to do with the education system, which is largely controlled by Islamic conservatives, especially in Saudi Arabia where technical subjects are downplayed and religious studies emphasized. Young Saudis are encouraged to concentrate in religious studies in college. Many students go along with this, in part because it’s a lot easier than majoring in science or engineering. While the wealthy oil states produce a lot of doctors, scientists, and highly trained professionals, they don’t do so at the rate of Western countries and, more importantly, produce even fewer skilled workers to actually produce things and support the high-end professionals.

Then there’s the work ethic, which is not nearly as good as seen in the foreign workers. This is in part a self-inflicted problem. Since all of the oil states in Arabia are monarchies, the rulers quickly found that the most effective way to remain in power was to keep their subjects pampered and happy. In other words, spread the oil money around and pay attention to public opinion. Most of the public backs the use of foreigners and the continued use of oil money to make life easy for the locals.

For example, foreign workers are brought in to handle most jobs (like training pilots and maintaining weapons) that require high skill levels, a lot of effort, and lots of experience. This importation of foreign experts for piloting warplanes and maintaining them is very common in the Arab oil nations because the locals tend to avoid heavy physical or mental labor. While many Arab men see being a fighter pilot as glamorous and worthy of some effort, the training required discourages most who attempt it. Some Gulf Arab states insist that Arabs occupy those fighter plane cockpits no matter what so the foreign trainers and maintainers are ordered to do what has to be done to keep the pilots alive and the planes in one piece. Pilot skill and capability has a lower priority.

It’s not just the Gulf Arab states that are having these problems. In late 2011, in the wake of the rebellion that overthrew the Kaddafi dictatorship, a lot of Libyans found themselves out of work. The unemployment rate was believed to be about 30 percent. Yet there are over a million foreign workers in Libya at the start of the fighting and a million government employees. The foreigners comprise 20 percent of the population and nearly half the workforce. Most of the foreigners fled during the fighting and, despite the high unemployment caused by the fighting, the government was unable to find qualified locals to replace most of the foreign workers (who were invited to return). There were plenty of jobs for Libyans but most of the jobs require work most Libyans will not do. As a result, most of the jobs are held by foreigners, often illegal immigrants from Egypt and other African nations to the south. The revolution is unlikely to change this.

This is not an unusual situation in the Arab oil states. In Saudi Arabia the unemployment rate is 12 percent but many of those men are unemployed by choice. Arabs tend to have a very high opinion of themselves and most jobs available to poorly educated young men do not satisfy. Thus most Saudis, and Libyans, prefer a government job where the work is easy, the pay is good, the title is flattering, and life is boring. In the non-government sector of the economy 90 percent of the Saudi jobs are taken by foreigners. These foreigners comprise 27 percent of the Saudi population, mostly to staff all the non-government jobs. This means most young Saudi men have few challenges. One might say that many of them are desperate for some test of their worth and a job in the competitive civilian economy does not do it. Thus al Qaeda and ISIL appealed to this by urging Saudi men to come to Iraq or Syria and fight for Islam. Since few of the volunteers have any fighting skills, most arrived and were talked into being suicide bombers.

This problem is recognized by Arabian leaders, who realize that the oil will eventually run out and if there are no other economic activities providing jobs, it will be a social and political disaster. The governments are trying to change attitudes and change education policy but are running into a lot of resistance from Islamic conservatives and indolent young people who do not want to give up the good life for hard work and responsibility. Many women would like to take some of those job opportunities but most Arab states abide by relatively recent customs that prohibit women from working outside the home. Before the oil wealth became a factor 60 years ago, women were very active in the economy. Even the early growth of Islam was financed by a wealthy female merchant, who was also the wife of the prophet Mohammed. Despite all that, the conservative clergy insist that the women stay home. It’s a mess that is proving very resistant to a cure.

13-03-2015 par Jérôme Bastion correspondant à Istanbul - RFI

L'émir du Qatar aurait rendu une visite inopinée, ce jeudi, au président Erdogan en Turquie, mais cette information n'a pas été confirmée - une telle visite n'était d'ailleurs pas inscrite sur le programme officiel de la présidence turque. A la veille de la visite à Ankara du chef du Centcom américain, John Allen, qui supervise les opérations de la coalition internationale contre le groupe Etat islamique, les deux hommes auraient évoqué un renforcement de la coopération militaire entre les deux pays, mais sans lien direct avec la situation actuelle en Syrie et en Irak.

Lire l’article

10.03.2015 Vered Talala & Eilon Tohar – Israel Air Force

Aircrew members from various combat squadrons participated in a first-of-its-kind training exercise, during which they faced Surface-to-Air missile batteries launched from unknown locations

Combat Squadrons took part this week in a unique workshop during which they simulating sudden ambushes of Surface-to-Air missiles (SAM). The aircrew members dealt with SAM's launched from unknown locations and practiced intense combat against other squadrons standing in as the "red enemy". "One of the goals of the workshop is to create a new instructional platform for training squadrons in dangerous zones", said Major Shai from the "First Combat" squadron who led the workshop. "We created a special platform which we want to use in the future".

"This is a type of training never experienced before in the IAF", added Major Shai. "We gave the aircrew members a free reign, from flying low altitudes to ascending to 50,000 feet. The aircrew members were instructed to do whatever they think is right in order to deal with SAM's. That was never done before".

Among the participating squadrons was the "Red Dragon" squadron which simulated the enemy force for the duration of the drill. "The advantage of the high number of squadrons is the variety of platforms available, each with its own advantage", he said. "When we have F-16Is, F-15Is and F-16C/Ds it gives us different ways of dealing with the threats".

Uncertainties Resolved

Uncertainty is a challenge for the aircrew members from the different platforms of the IAF. "Unlike normal training, we didn't know where the SAM's are exactly", explained Major Shai. "For example yesterday, as part of the exercise, I flew in a relatively safe area and out of nowhere a missile was fired toward me. This is how you learn to deal with such situations and find solutions".

Flying in a dangerous zone also requires the aircrew members to deal with severs mental pressure. "It demands a high mental readiness", said Major Shai. "The workshop approached both aircrew members and other soldiers in the squadron. "We can safely say that our air crews are significantly more prepared for a case of warfare in the Northern region".

12 March 2015 by Oscar Nkala - defenceWeb

A new United Nations Panel of Experts report on the Libyan arms embargo has singled out the Sudanese and Egyptian governments as being among the top foreign arms suppliers accused of fuelling the Libyan civil war through the transfer and sale of small arms, ammunition and aircraft to the government and rebel militias.

In a comprehensive report released on February 23, experts said companies from the Ukraine, Belarus, Bulgaria, Hungary, Greece, Jordan, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Qatar and Turkey are arming different factions in Libyan in violation of a United Nations arms embargo imposed in 2011.

It says although the UN allows the sale of weapons to Libya subject to approval by the Security Council, an analysis of transfers done between 2011 and August 2014 shows that most deals violated the arms embargo as the parties never sought UN permission for sales.

"Analysis of all such notifications shows that large quantities of materiel were subject to the notification process, including more than 60 000 handguns, 65 000 assault rifles, 15 000 sub-machine guns and 4 000 machine guns of various calibres, as well as more than 60 million rounds of ammunition for small arms and machine guns (9x19 mm to 14.5 mm).

"However, in the absence of any post-delivery notification system until recently, it is difficult to assess how much notified materiel has actually been transferred to Libya," the report says.

The report notes that neighbours Sudan and Egypt have escalated the supply of military equipment to opposing sides since the outbreak of full-scale civil war in May last year: "Interviews with Libyan officials, representatives of intelligence services and diplomats indicate that Egypt has been supporting the House of Representatives in Tobruk, including through the transfer of military materiel to Karama (militias) and/or the Libyan army. In addition, the Panel noted a statement by a Pentagon spokesperson and media reports regarding the involvement of Egypt in airstrikes operated in Libya in August 2014," reads part of the report.

The panel said confidential sources in Libya also confirmed the offloading of a large quantities of Egyptian-sourced small arms, ammunition and light weapons by an Egyptian vessel which docked in the military section of the port of Tobruk sometime in October last year.

Another convoy of Egyptian military supplies is reported to have entered Libya by road in the third week of September 2014. The panel said despite denials from the government in Cairo, it has evidence which proves that the Egyptian Air Force has transferred at least two Mi-8 helicopters and some refurbished MiG-21 fighter jets to the Tobruk-based Libyan government faction.

"A number of new aircraft are in use in the Libyan air force, including some whose features appear to be consistent with aircraft used by the Egyptian air force, such as some MiG-21MF aeroplanes and a Mi-8 helicopter. For example, the identity features of the Mi-8 helicopter were obviously concealed on purpose and painted over, but the locations of these exactly match those of Egyptian aircraft.

"The Panel wrote to Egypt asking whether Egypt had ever transferred the Mi-8 helicopter to Libya. In its response, Egypt stated that it had not provided Libya with any Mi-8 helicopters nor any MiG-21MF aeroplanes. However, the Panel concludes from the analysis above that this Mi-8 helicopter is originally from the Egyptian fleet," the report says.

The UN said Sudan remains the principal supplier of military materials and weapons to the Fajr Libya militant group, a pro-government militia which has controlled Mitiga airport since the revolution.

"Since the outbreak of the conflict in 2014, the Sudan has been transferring military materiel to Libya in violation of the arms embargo. Interviews with knowledgeable Libyan and foreign sources indicate that the Sudan has been supporting armed groups aligned with Fajr Libya, including through the transfer of military materiel by air to Mitiga airport. The arrival of a Sudanese Air Force C-130 aircraft was reported on several occasions on social media platforms during the past six months (June to December 2014)," the report said.

Libyan air force aircraft are alleged to have made numerous trips to from Sudan to the Mitiga airport carrying military supplies. In addition, Sudan is also accused of transferring an unknown number of Mi-24 helicopters to the Libyan Air Force. The report also accused the Qatari government of heavy involvement in the Libyan civil war through the provision of weapons, financial and logistical support to anti-government militias.

The panel said it is presently investigating allegations that a military aircraft from the Middle Eastern nation delivered an unknown consignment of goods in late 2014 but the lack of government co-operation is stalling investigations. The report also accuses Turkey of supplying arms, ammunition and financing to anti-government armed groups.

Other shady weapons transfers to Libya include the sale of 3 000 tonnes of ammunition to the Ministry of Defence by Belarus. The order included 10 million rounds of 7.62x39 mm ammunition, 15 million rounds of 7.62x54 mm ammunition, 7.2 million rounds of 12.7x108 mm ammunition, 4.25 million rounds of 14.5x114 mm ammunition and 3 million rounds of 23 mm ammunition.

The panel noted that most of the material was seized on arrival at Tripoli International Airport by militia brigades while some of the deliveries appear to have been made directly to autonomous armed groups. Belarus is also accused of delivering part of the consignment directly to the Zintan brigades militia on February 6, 2014.

The report also notes the November 2014 seizure of a Ukrainian cargo vessel in Greece after it was found to be loaded with more than 32 million rounds of ammunition for assault rifles and machine guns for delivery to the government forces in Tripoli.

According to the report, EU Border Assistance Mission to Libya (EUBAM) lost 70 handguns, 23 assault rifles and more than 42 000 rounds of ammunition when militias ransacked its headquarters at Tripoli International Airport in April last year.

The report said most of the weapons which were delivered to Libya have made their way to Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria and parts of the Maghreb where they have considerably increased the military capabilities of militant groups.

Among other recommendations, the panel said the UN Security Council should consider setting up a special maritime taskforce to operate on Libyan waters if the implementation of the arms embargo is to succeed.  

Mar 13, 2015 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: Daily Sabah; published Mar 11, 2015)

Turkish Air Forces Announce Halt of RF-4E Warplanes

ISTANBUL --- The RF-4E, a type of F-4 fighter jet, will be taken out of service starting on Thursday, weeks after three F-4 class aircraft crashed in central and southeastern Turkey, killing six officers.

Gen. Abidin Ünal, commander of the Turkish Air Force's Combatant Air Force Command, announced on Wednesday that the aircraft, which are mainly used in reconnaissance and training flights, will be decommissioned after "one last flight" by himself and Air Force Commander Gen. Akın Öztürk on Thursday.

Speaking at the command base in western Turkey's Eskişehir, where an F-4E took off before crashing in Konya province on March 5 killing two officers aboard, Ünal said that two RF-4E aircraft had killed four military officers when they crashed in Malatya on Feb. 24.

"We mourn the victims in these subsequent crashes. These crashes brought the aircraft into the spotlight. Everyone interpreted the crashes differently and we have seen comments misleading the public and ignoring the grief of the victims' families and colleagues," he said, noting that the investigation into the crashes was still underway and it would not be concluded in a short time.

Mentioning comments that defined the aircraft as "junk" and "old" and pilots as insufficiently trained, Ünal said the jets were eligible for flight until the end of 2015. He said that RF-4E aircraft were designed for reconnaissance missions exclusively and elaborated on their modernization. He said they were planning to "retire" them and replace them with F-16 jets gradually, but as F-16s completed the test flights successfully as of Tuesday, they decided to speed up the process. "We will have a decommissioning ceremony yesterday and I will fly an RF-4E [on Thursday] with our Air Force Commander," he said.

Ünal also spoke about the initial findings in the Malatya crashes and said a "human and communications error" might have caused them, noting that the pilots were flying below the altitude required to be kept steady in the area when they crashed into a hill.

In the Konya crash, Ünal said the pilots pressed the button that would eject them to safety "one second late" and denied media reports that the pilots were inexperienced.

The aircraft involving two crashes in Malatya were RF-4E planes that were first employed by Turkey in the 1980s while the one that crashed in Konya was an F-4E 2020, which will be in use until its eponymous year. The crash in Konya was attributed to "pilot error," according to Minister of National Defense İsmet Yılmaz. Yılmaz said earlier that F-4 jets will be in use until their expiration date five years later after a joint decision by the army and the government. Yılmaz has said past accidents involving the aircraft were primarily due to pilot error and defended their continued use, citing that Egypt, South Korea and Greece also used the fighter jets.

Currently, Turkey has eight RF-4E jets and 47 F-4E 2020. F-4 jets have been in use by the Turkish Air Force since 1980 for reconnaissance and training missions. Eleven RF4-Es have crashed between 1995 and 2015. A total of 10 officers were killed in those accidents, which were all mid-air collisions and crashes.

The country's F-4 fleet, composed of aircraft donated or bought from Germany and the U.S., underwent a modernization process in 2009. Aviation experts note that the modernization was thorough and the aircraft are as good as new.

Crashes have also fuelled conspiracy theories as it was revealed all crashed aircraft were modernized by Israel with which Turkey has strained relations. According to authorities, four crashed aircraft were indeed modernized by Israel while the ones that crashed in Malatya and Konya were modernized by Turkey.

Abidin Ünal also spoke about concerns related to a shortage of veteran pilots after casualties. He said 374 pilots quit the Air Force between 2010 and 2015 but the number of pilots, which was 1,280 before the resignations, rose to 1,300 in 2015. He said resignations did not impact the training of pilots. Ünal attributed the resignations to better pay in the private sector, frequent reassignment of pilots and obligation to serve 30 years for retirement eligibility.

12 mars 2015 45eNord.ca (AFP)

Des milliers de soldats irakiens renforçaient jeudi le siège de la ville de Tikrit en attendant de mener l’assaut contre les quelques centaines de djihadistes du groupe Etat islamique (EI) qui y sont terrés.

Onze jours après le lancement de leur offensive, les militaires irakiens affirmaient que la reprise prochaine de Tikrit ne faisait guère de doute car le temps jouait contre les jihadistes.

« Nous commençons à appliquer la deuxième phase de notre plan », a expliqué le ministre de la Défense, Khaled al-Obeidi en déplacement dans la province de Salaheddine, dont Tikrit est la capitale. « Le temps est de notre côté, nous avons l’initiative » et « nous voulons limiter au maximum les pertes humaines », a-t-il ajouté.

« Tikrit est bouclée de tous les côtés » mais « nous ne voulons pas nous précipiter », a précisé le général de police Bahaa al-Azzawi, interrogé par l’AFP à Albou Ajil, un village d’où est visible Tikrit de l’autre côté du Tigre.

En attendant, les forces gouvernementales, fortes de plusieurs milliers d’hommes, tiraient sporadiquement à l’artillerie sur Tikrit, ont constaté les journalistes de l’AFP.

Des soldats, des policiers et des membres des Unités de mobilisation populaire, une force para-militaire principalement composée de miliciens chiites, avaient réussi mercredi à entrer dans Tikrit et à reprendre le contrôle du quartier de Qadisiyah, dans le nord de la ville.

Le commandant des Unités, Hadi al-Ameri, a affirmé qu’il n’y avait plus d’issue pour les quelques centaines de jihadistes terrés dans le centre-ville.

Ils « ont deux choix: se rendre ou mourir », a-t-il prévenu.

« Nous n’avons pas besoin d’attaquer, cela pourrait faire des victimes dans les rangs de nos combattants », a ajouté le commandant Ameri, dont l’organisation Badr est l’une des plus importantes milices chiites d’Irak.

L’avancée des forces gouvernementales est en effet délicate car la technique éprouvée des jihadistes est de truffer de bombes et autres engins explosifs les lieux qu’ils s’apprêtent à quitter. « Nous n’avons pas face à nous des combattants au sol mais un terrain piégé et des snipers », a résumé un haut gradé.

Aucun bilan de victimes depuis le début de l’offensive contre Tikrit n’était disponible, mais plusieurs dizaines de corps sont acheminés quasi quotidiennement à Bagdad et dans la ville sainte chiite de Najaf.

L’incertitude demeure en outre sur le nombre de civils qui seraient toujours présents dans Tikrit et sur leur condition humanitaire et sécuritaire.

« L’accès aux zones de combat est soumis à des restrictions et il faudra du temps pour obtenir des informations sur d’éventuels abus », a souligné à l’AFP Donatella Rovera, d’Amnesty International.

La bataille de Tikrit, une ville majoritairement sunnite et ex-fief de l’ancien dictateur Saddam Hussein, représente l’offensive la plus ambitieuse lancée par Bagdad pour reconquérir les villes et territoires occupés depuis l’été 2014 par l’EI, qui a proclamé un « califat » à cheval sur l’Irak et la Syrie.

Les observateurs considèrent cette bataille comme un test de la collaboration entre les nombreuses forces combattantes et de la capacité des groupes chiites à prévenir des actes de revanche contre les sunnites.

M. Obeidi, ministre sunnite, a déclaré avoir été impressionné par la bonne entente sur le terrain, qui « envoie un message très positif au peuple irakien ».

« Avec notre unité, nous pouvons obtenir la victoire », a également lancé le Premier ministre Haider al-Abadi.

Dans cette dernière province, l’EI a mené une attaque spectaculaire mercredi avec au moins douze attentats simultanés à la voiture piégée dans la ville de Ramadi. Parmi les kamikazes, figurerait un adolescent australien de 18 ans qui était sous surveillance, selon le gouvernement australien.

Dans la Syrie voisine, plus de 50 soldats et rebelles ont été tués dans de violents combats près d’une colline stratégique de la province côtière de Lattaquié (ouest), fief du clan de Bachar al-Assad, selon l’Observatoire syrien des droits de l’Homme (OSDH).

Près de quatre ans après le début du conflit dans ce pays, 21 ONG ont dénoncé l’incapacité de la communauté internationale à faire face au désastre humanitaire. « Nous avons trahi nos idéaux », a affirmé Jan Egeland, secrétaire général du Conseil norvégien pour les réfugiés qui a contribué au rapport.

Photos : Marine Nationale

10/03/2015 Charles Collot –MIL.be

Instructeur à l’École de guerre contre les mines à Ostende (Eguermin), l’enseigne de vaisseau Charles Collot renforce, depuis le 26 février,  l’état-major du groupe de guerre contre les mines de la Marine nationale française. Ce groupe est actuellement déployé dans le golfe Arabo-Persique.

Outre le commandement, l’équipe est constituée de deux chasseurs de mines et d’un détachement de plongeurs-démineurs. Depuis l’opération internationale de déminage (Southern Breeze) en 1991 au large du Koweït, un tel déploiement tous les deux ans s’avère crucial. D’une part, les hommes apprennent à mieux connaître les voies d’accès et d’autre part, ils garantissent la sécurité des voies maritimes essentielles à notre approvisionnement énergétique.

En outre, le groupe est intégré dans une escadre internationale qui gère la surveillance du trafic maritime et la lutte contre le terrorisme. Le groupe restera actif dans cette zone durant quatre mois.

12/03/2015 Sources : État-major des armées

Les femmes militaires déployées en Jordanie dans le cadre de l’opération Chammal sont mises à l’honneur. Elles nous racontent leur différents parcours et nous livrent leurs impressions.

Au sein du détachement de protection projeté en Jordanie, le caporal-chef Tania (CLC) est le seul personnel féminin. Ce militaire du rang a rejoint les Commandos Parachutistes de l’Air n°20 (CPA 20) en 1999 et est devenu l’une des premières femmes commandos en CPA. Pour l’opération Chammal, elle est intégrée au sein d’une équipe d’une quinzaine de commandos, et s’occupe avec eux de la protection du personnel, des infrastructures et des aéronefs français. Suivant un cycle opérationnel régulier, elle participe aussi aux groupes de protection et d’intervention (GPI) mis en place pour sécuriser le camp français.

Arrivée sur le théâtre jordanien mi-février 2015, la sergent-chef Laëtitia est responsable des différents travaux de la cellule chancellerie. Ce sous-officier dynamique s’est porté volontaire pour cette première opération extérieure avec le soutien de son époux. « Je suis partie avec quelques appréhensions sur les opérations extérieures mais dès mon arrivée elles ont été totalement effacées ».  Travaillant au sein de l’état-major fonctionnel du détachement air, elle souligne que « les relations y sont très cordiales et respectueuses. L’ambiance entre les collègues est très bonne ». Elle s’est habituée très rapidement à ce rythme de vie et de travail différent de la base aérienne de Cazaux où elle travaille à la cellule relations publiques.

Au sein du personnel navigant, on retrouve l’aspirant surnommé « Sissi », qui fait partie de l’escadron 2/3 Champagne et qui est sous-chef navigateur. Cet officier de 29 ans effectue aujourd’hui sa 2ème opération extérieure. Elle est, sur le théâtre, la seule femme personnel naviguant : « En escadron, nous ne sommes pas beaucoup de femmes, j’ai donc l’habitude d’être entourée d’hommes. En opération comme en France, il n’y a aucun rejet, ou aucun sentiment de protection venant de mes collègues parce que je suis un personnel féminin. » Pour l’opération Chammal, Sissi se retrouve au sein d’une équipe d’une vingtaine de pilotes et navigateurs. « Ce sont tous de très bons collègues et quand je suis avec eux, il n’y a aucune gêne dans les discussions. Je ne me sens absolument pas exclue. Et comme on dit : Dans les armées, il n’y a pas de distinctions il n’y a que des militaires ; c’est tout à fait vrai pour ma part ». 

La SGC Anne-Sophie travaille à la cellule renseignement des Mirage 2000D, dans une équipe de six personnes où elle est la seule femme. Interprétateur photos, elle est en charge de préparer, entre autres, les missions pour les équipages en insérant dans leur tablette (UMPC) tous les points intéressants et importants sur la zone qui sera survolée. Au retour de vol et en cas de tir, elle crée le compte rendu de tir reprenant tous les éléments de la mission en y insérant les photos des positions tirées. En poste sur la base aérienne 188 de Djibouti depuis 4 ans, elle travaille au sein de l’escadron 3/11 Corse où elle prépare aussi les briefings et les instructions sur le matériel de reconnaissance. En tant que femme militaire, Anne-Sophie explique : « je n’ai jamais eu aucun soucis à travailler avec des hommes, tant que le travail est fait c’est le principal ». Elle ajoute : « pour l’opération Chammal, nous travaillons dans une très bonne ambiance. Les relations avec les équipages  se passent très bien. Ce qu’il faut avant tout c’est qu’on puisse répondre à leurs attentes, qu’on soit un homme ou une femme. »

Lancée depuis le 19 septembre 214, l’opération Chammal mobilise 3 000 militaires. Elle vise, à la demande du gouvernement irakien et en coordination avec les alliées de la France présents dans la région, à assurer un soutien aérien aux forces irakiennes dans la lutte contre le groupe terroriste autoproclamé Daech. Le dispositif complet est actuellement structuré autour de douze avions de chasse de l’armée de l’Air (six Rafale et six Mirage 2000D), d’un avion ravitailleur C-135 FR, d’un avion de patrouille maritime Atlantique 2, et du groupe aéronaval.

March 11th, 2015 By IsraeliMoD - defencetalk.com

Imagine being in the heat of battle, you are exhausted, fatigued and running on adrenaline. A few seconds before a terrorist opens fire, you are told over the radio to take cover and prepare. This is the development of military-like “Google Glasses”, which will provide real-time information from combat soldiers in battle to their commanders.

The IDF continues to ambitiously develop and harness technology of the twenty first century with the goal of preventing harm to combat soldiers. The IDF’s Development Branch, which is in charge of the development of forthcoming technology in the military, has been at the forefront of technology like the IDF’s “Google Glass” and the use of applications. Recently, this branch has been inspired from previous operations to advance technology that provides real-time information on the battlefield in order to prevent harm to the soldiers.

 “After Operation Protective Edge, there became a greater understanding that mobility is a significant factor in combat,” said Capt. Rotem, Head of Development Branch. “One of the things we’re working on is a change in the perception of mobility within the development branch of the IDF. In the coming year we will learn how to develop and utilize Android apps, and enter the realm of multi-faceted technology”.

Soldier ready for battle

One of the more dynamic projects that the communications branch is developing a “Google Glass” for combat soldiers to wear. Soldiers will be able to provide real time information that will connect to command and control screens, where people manning the stand will able to assess a soldier’s situation on the battlefield. “Of course the goal is not to confuse, but to add information that can help fighters make correct decisions – to prevent firing at our forces for example,” said Capt. Rotem.

The “Google Glass” is being transformed into military technology that will eventually take a step further and be repurposed for many other vital uses such as transport, navigation and identification. These concepts will be introduced through the development of applications, that will connect commanders in the field with the general staff.

 “We have completed our first application that works on a mobile platform – mobile logistics transportation,” explained Capt. Rotem. “It displays a map on the screen, displaying the route they are taking to deliver logistics, trucks with weapons, etc. This enables the commanders to gather updates on the delivery during the fighting, when it will reach the area – and be able to control the means of transport.”

Real time combat

Applications developed, such as the logistics application, will form the basis for many others to be developed for use by the end of 2015. There is a wide range of ideas, both in combat and operational support; applications that can help fighters navigate the battlefield and identify goals, possibly identify and confirm dead soldiers under a biometric element.

The realization of greater mobility and real time interaction between combat soldiers and commanders has become the recent objective through development of technology. The progression of “Google Glass” like technology is the first step to bringing combat and operational units together, while also preventing harm to soldiers on the battlefield with last minute absolute decision making.