Russia blocks landing attempt in Kherson, Israel surrounds Jabaliya

Ukrainian President worries about 'new Maidan', Russian State Duma Chairman visits China, Nicaragua withdraws from OAS... are some notable international news in the past 24 hours.

European Commission President Charles Michel arrives in Kiev on November 21. (Source: Twitter)

The World & Vietnam Newspaper highlights some of the day's international news highlights.

* Russia blocks landing attempts in Kherson : On November 21, speaking at a meeting, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stated: "All attempts by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (VSU) to land in the Kherson region have failed." According to him, Russian marines, air force and artillery have hindered Ukraine's relentless efforts to gain positions on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River and the river mouth in southern Ukraine. (AFP/Reuters)

* Ukrainian President fears a “ new Maidan ” before the end of 2023 : On November 21, in response to The Sun (UK), Mr. Volodymyr Zelensky said: “The name of this campaign is Maidan 3, aimed at changing the Ukrainian president. This change may not be by military means, but people will use any tools they have and this is the idea for the time from now until the end of the year.”

This is the second time in less than a week that the leader has told Western media about a “Maidan 3” plot against him. Previously, on November 17, when meeting foreign reporters, he mentioned this name, saying that this information was provided by Ukrainian intelligence and Western allies.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the State Duma (lower house) of Russia Vyacheslav Volodin said that President Zelensky is trying to cling to power due to fear of the future, so creating another "Maidan" is completely inevitable. (TTXVN)

* Ukraine promotes integration of F-16 into defense system : On November 20, writing on social networks, First Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Oleksandr Pavliuk emphasized “attending a conference with the participation of Western partners in Copenhagen (Denmark), where I presented the concept of a special structure established under the direction of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. The main purpose is to organize comprehensive support for the continuous integration of F-16 multi-role fighters into the overall system of Ukrainian forces”.

He stressed that the main direction of this structure will be the maintenance and development of air bases, comprehensive protection of airport infrastructure, selection and training of flight crews and other aviation personnel, as well as international communications and other legal, financial, security and administrative functions.

On the same day, after meeting with his US counterpart Lloyd Austin in Kiev, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed that the country has chosen to join NATO. Therefore, the country's "NATO balancing" is one of the main priorities of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. (Sputnik/TASS)

* Many European officials visit Ukraine : On November 21, President of the European Council Charles Michel made a surprise visit to the Ukrainian capital Kiev, to mark the 10th anniversary of the outbreak of the pro-European Maidan protest movement. Posting on social media a photo of him getting off the train, the official emphasized: "It's nice to be back in Kiev with friends."

On the same day, Moldovan President Maia Sandu also arrived in Kiev. According to the announcement on the X social network of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Ms. Sandu and her counterpart from the host country, Zelensky, attended a memorial service for those killed in the Revolution of Dignity (Euromaidan) that overthrew the Ukrainian government in 2014.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius also traveled by train to Kiev on November 21. He is expected to hold talks with his Ukrainian counterpart as well as President Volodymyr Zelensky. Berlin, Kiev's second-largest military aid provider after Washington, is seeking to reassure Ukraine after the conflict in the Middle East raised concerns about a possible reduction in support for Ukraine. (AFP/Reuters)

* Israeli army tightly surrounds Jabaliya city : On November 21, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that their 162nd Division had completed the siege of Jabaliya city in the northern Gaza Strip and was ready to launch a strong attack on this urban area. At the same time, the 215th Artillery Regiment and the Air Force heavily bombarded Jabaliya in preparation for the landing of ground forces.

In the suburbs, the IDF discovered three tunnel entrances with Hamas fighters inside and attacked these positions. The 401st Armored Brigade and the Nahal Infantry Brigade also clashed fiercely with Hamas in the area.

With air support, the IDF detected and destroyed several rocket launchers. From the north, the 551st Reserve Brigade and other special forces moved into the area to clear the way for the divisions to enter. The soldiers killed several Hamas militants, seized weapons, and destroyed several tunnels.

In related news, on November 20, Adnan Abu Hasna, Communications Advisor for the United Nations (UN) Palestinian Refugee Agency (UNWRA), said: “Israel shelled a school where thousands of displaced people have sought refuge. At least 12 Palestinians were killed, including women and children.”

The official stressed that although UNWRA facilities fly the UN flag and maintain contact and coordination with Israel, the IDF continues to attack UNWRA schools in many areas of the Gaza Strip. Since the outbreak of the Hamas-Israel conflict, more than 70 UNWRA facilities and schools have been attacked by the IDF. Currently, 104 UNWRA staff have been killed, the highest number in the organization's history. (Jerusalem Post/Times of Israel)

* Israeli official: Hostage release negotiations are progressing : On November 21, an anonymous senior Israeli official said that negotiations on the hostage release agreement are progressing. According to this person, the parties involved are still in the process of contacting the mediator and are discussing some small details.

Earlier, US National Security Adviser John Kirby said: “We are closer than ever to a deal, but nothing is done until it is done.” US President Joe Biden also said he believed a hostage deal was close. When asked if the hostage deal could succeed, he replied: “I believe so.” (Jerusalem Post)

* Hamas close to ceasefire with Israel : Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said in a statement on November 21 that his group was “close to a ceasefire agreement” with Israel. The group has already given its response to Qatari officials, but there were no details on the terms of the potential deal. Earlier, a Palestinian official said 17 people had been killed in an Israeli attack on the Nuseirat camp overnight. (Reuters)

* Hezbollah attacks IDF positions in northern Israel: On November 20, its fighters launched “three drone attacks” on Israeli soldiers in the town of Kiryat Shmona. Previously, this position was also heavily shelled from Lebanese territory and all targets were said to have been hit.

Earlier in the day, Hezbollah announced that it had fired a series of “Burkan missiles” into the northern part of the Jewish state, claiming that some of them had hit their targets. Later, the IDF said it had “detected three UAVs attacking close to” a military post, but there were no reports of casualties. The statement said: “There were 25 attacks from Lebanon towards several locations near the border.” Israel’s air defense system intercepted some, while the rest fell into open ground. In response, the IDF mobilized tanks, fighter jets and a helicopter to fire at Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, especially suspected anti-tank missile sites in southern Beirut.

That same evening, sirens sounded in many residential areas in northern Israel due to suspected enemy aircraft infiltration. (Times of Israel)

* Houthi : Israeli ships are legitimate targets : On November 20, Al-Massirah (Yemen) broadcast a speech by Major General Alo Al-Moshki, a senior official of the Houthi movement. Accordingly, Israeli ships are "legitimate" targets and Houthi soldiers will not hesitate to act anywhere.

Earlier on the night of November 19, the Houthis seized the Galaxy Leader ship, believed to be linked to Israel, along with 25 sailors, while they were traveling in the Red Sea. The force also admitted to launching ballistic missiles and UAVs at southern Israel, forcing Tel Aviv to activate the Arrow 3 long-range air defense system to intercept.

The seizure of the Galaxy Leader has raised concerns about the possibility of a disruption of shipping in the Red Sea if the Houthis escalate hostilities with Israel. On November 19, Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdul-Salam said the seizure of the ship was “just the beginning,” vowing to continue attacks at sea until Israel halts its military campaign in the Gaza Strip. (Reuters)

Southeast Asia

* Indonesian Parliament approves Army Commander : On November 21, the Indonesian House of Representatives officially approved General Agus Subiyanto as the new Commander of the National Defense Forces (TNI) to replace Admiral Yudo Margono, who will retire on November 26.

Mr. Agus, who was recently promoted to Chief of Staff of the TNI, received the approval of lawmakers in a plenary session attended by more than half of the 575 members of the House of Representatives. After the approval, Mr. Agus announced that he will be officially sworn in as the new TNI Commander on November 22 under the presidency of President Joko Widodo.

Originally from Cimahi, West Java, Agus graduated from the Indonesian Military Academy in 1991. The 56-year-old general has held important roles in the Indonesian armed forces, especially commanding the presidential guard. In late October, he was nominated by the leader to be the TNI Commander, just six days after being appointed TNI Chief of Staff. According to Indonesia's 2004 Military Law, the maximum age for a TNI Commander is 58 years old. (VNA)

Russia-China

* Chairman of the State Duma of Russia arrives in China : On November 21, a flight carrying a delegation of Russian parliamentarians led by Chairman of the State Duma (lower house) of Russia Vyacheslav Volodin landed at an airport in Beijing. Russian Ambassador to China Igor Morgulov and Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (National People's Congress) Peng Qinghua welcomed the Russian delegation at the airport.

During this visit, the Russian delegation also included First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Ivan Melnikov, Deputy Chairman Alexander Babakov, head of the New People's Party Alexey Nechayev, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) and Chairman of the International Affairs Committee Leonid Slutsky, head of the State Duma Defense Committee Andrey Kartapolov, and other lawmakers.

According to the Russian State Duma, during the visit until November 23, the delegation will hold bilateral meetings with Chinese lawmakers and officials. The two sides will discuss developing parliamentary cooperation, promoting bilateral relations in the fields of economy, security, trade, education, science and other areas. (TASS)

Northeast Asia

* Seoul: North Korean hackers steal emails of many South Koreans : On November 21, the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) announced that in 2023, a North Korean hacker group, identified as "Kimsuky", stole emails of 1,468 South Koreans, including 57 former and current government officials.

That’s up nearly 30-fold from just 49 victims reported to authorities last year. The agency noted that last year’s victims were mostly diplomats and security professionals, but Kimsuky has expanded its targets to the general public, with 1,411 citizens, including corporate employees and self-employed individuals, affected this year. The group was also found to have attempted to steal virtual assets, personal information, IDs, and passwords from victims, although the attempts to steal virtual assets failed due to strict security procedures.

According to the KNPA, Kimsuky sent malicious emails to victims under the fake names of government organizations, reporters and research institutes after changing IP addresses through 576 servers at home and abroad. The hackers then gained access to attached documents, address folders and other data of the victims, although no confidential documents were among the stolen information. (Yonhap)

* Azerbaijan "does not need" the West to mediate peace talks with Armenia : On November 21, in response to Reuters , Azerbaijani Presidential Advisor Hikmet Hajiyev stated: "The peace agreement is not a matter of nuclear physics. If there is good will, the basic principles of the peace agreement can be implemented in a short time." Regarding the West's mediating role, he said: "We need peace in our region, not in Washington, Paris or Brussels." (Reuters)

* Nicaragua officially withdraws from OAS : On November 20, Managua officially announced its withdrawal from the Organization of American States (OAS). Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Denis Moncada emphasized that the country no longer has any ties with the OAS. In an official statement, Nicaragua stated that its decision has closed the “dark chapter” of the OAS, while contributing to the “gradual disappearance of Western unipolar hegemony and the strengthening of multipolarity” in the world.

In response, US Ambassador to the OAS Francisco Mora affirmed that Managua would be isolated from the international community. He said that Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's supporters were "very few and most of them are outside the Western Hemisphere." The US Ambassador admitted that the OAS did not have the tools to put economic pressure on Nicaragua, but the organization would continue to put "political and diplomatic pressure" on the Ortega government over a number of alleged violations of human rights and freedom of expression. (VNA)

* China : Argentina would make a big mistake if it severed ties : On November 21, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning warned that it would be a “serious mistake” if Argentina severed ties with a major country like China or Brazil. According to her, China is an important trading partner of Argentina and the Buenos Aires government attaches great importance to its relationship with Beijing.

Earlier, on November 18, Argentine voters elected Javier Milei as the new president. This right-wing libertarian leader has criticized China and Brazil, and advocated strengthening relations with the US administration. (Reuters)

Middle East-Africa

* US military base in Iraq hit by missile attack : On November 21, Sky News Arabia (UAE) reported that the US Al-Asad airbase in Iraq's al-Anbar province was hit by a missile attack. Specifically, the attack on the US military base took place in the early morning of November 21. There is currently no information on casualties or damage.

Earlier, on the evening of November 20, the Iraqi Islamic Resistance Front group announced that it had attacked this military base with several UAVs and hit the target. (TASS)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tin-the-gioi-2111-nga-chan-no-luc-do-bo-o-kherson-israel-bao-vay-jabaliya-250891.html