13 October 2005 Military News

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Other Conflicts
Defense Policy / Programs
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Current Operations

OIF/OEF Casualty Update 13 Oct 2005 [PDF]
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
TASK FORCE LIBERTY SOLDIER KILLED BY IED
Report to Congress: Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq US Department of Defense 13 Oct 2005 -- "This is the second report in the series; the previous report was issued on July 22, 2005." [PDF 382 KB]
Transcript: Special DoD News Briefing 13 Oct 2005 -- Presenter: Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Mr. Peter Rodman and Director, Strategic Plans and Policy, The Joint Staff, Lt. Gen. Gene Renuart
10th Mountain Division unit snares seven more terrorists MNF-I 13 Oct 2005 -- Task Force Baghdad Soldiers captured seven more suspected terrorists in Ameriyah Oct. 9.
Iraqi and Task Force Freedom Soldiers seize major weapons cache MNF-I 13 Oct 2005 -- Iraqi and Task Force Freedom seized a large weapons cache in Rawah Oct. 11.
US, Iraqi Forces Step Up Security Ahead of Referendum VOA 13 Oct 2005 -- Iraqi and U.S. forces are stepping up security throughout the country ahead of Saturday's national referendum on a new constitution.
Soldier Killed by IED; Iraqis Thwart Car Bomb Attack AFPS 13 Oct 2005 -- A Task Force Liberty soldier died of injuries suffered when a combat patrol struck an improvised explosive device near Dujayl, Iraq, at about 1 p.m. today, military officials reported.
Security Efforts Stepped Up for Iraqi Referendum AFPS 13 Oct 2005 -- With the Iraq constitutional referendum just days away, Iraqi security and coalition forces are taking steps to establish safe and secure conditions so all citizens can participate in the democratic process, a senior military official told reporters in Baghdad Oct. 12.
Security forces capture more suspected terrorists MNF-I 13 Oct 2005 -- Multi-National Forces from Task Force Freedom detained 58 suspected terrorists and seized munitions during operations in northern Iraq Oct.10-13.
Operation River Gate secures cities in election preparation MNF-I 13 Oct 2005 -- Iraqi security forces and Marines, Soldiers and Sailors from Regimental Combat Team – 2 continue Operation Bawwabatu Annaher (River Gate) in the cities of Haditha, Haqlaniyah and Barwana.
U.S., Iraqi Forces Disrupting Terrorist Operations, General Says AFPS 13 Oct 2005 -- U.S., coalition and Iraqi forces are disrupting terrorist operations in Iraq, including al Qaeda efforts in that country, a senior U.S. military officer said today.
Report on Iraq Cites Progress on Security and Other Fronts AFPS 13 Oct 2005 -- new Defense Department report sent to Congress today cites strong forward momentum in developing Iraq's security forces, noting a 50 percent increase in the number of troops capable of taking the lead in combat operations.
Soldiers securing Iraq's elections Army News 13 Oct 2005 -- As Iraqi citizens vote in the Oct. 15 Constitutional Referendum, they’ll do so with a better sense of security, thanks to Iraqi and Coalition Soldiers.
Eglin Airmen train Iraqi police AFPN 13 Oct 2005 -- The introduction of democracy and the reconstruction of Iraq hinges on its police force’s ability to handle those fighting against the transition.
Rice Assures Afghanistan, Pakistan of U.S. Support AFPS 13 Oct 2005 -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice praised Afghanistan for "inspiring the world with its march toward democracy," then assured the people of Pakistan that the United States will support it not just in its immediate hour of need, but for the long term.
Air Force continues aid to Pakistan AFPN 13 Oct 2005 -- Oct. 12 marked the fourth straight day the Air Force airlifted aid into the devastated region of Pakistan.
Army Reserve sending helicopters to support earthquake relief in Pakistan Army News 13 Oct 2005 -- The U.S. Army Reserve has been called to send helicopters to Pakistan to support relief operations following the recent earthquake.
U.S. Military Efforts Continue in Pakistan Earthquake Relief AFPS 13 Oct 2005 -- U.S. military units continue to support relief operations in Pakistan following the devastating earthquake that struck South Asia Oct. 8.

Other Conflicts

Police, Armed Men In Shoot-Out In Southern Russian Republic RFE/RL 13 Oct 2005 -- Security forces and police are engaged in a shoot-out with armed men in Nalchik, the regional capital of Russia's southern republic of Kabardino-Balkaria.
Russian Security Forces Battle Armed Militants In Nalchik RFE/RL 13 Oct 2005 -- Police and security forces today are battling armed militants in the center of the city of Nalchik, capital of Russia's southern republic of Kabardino-Balkaria.
Casualties Reported In Nalchik Violence RFE/RL 13 Oct 2005 -- Police and security forces are continuing to battle armed militants in the center of the city of Nalchik, the capital of Russia's southern republic of Kabardino-Balkaria.
Sporadic Fighting Continuing In Nalchik RFE/RL 13 Oct 2005 -- An RFE/RL correspondent on the scene in Nalchik reports that sporadic fighting is continuing between armed militants and security forces and police in the center of the capital of Russia's southern republic of Kabardino-Balkaria.
Kabardino-Balkaria: Dozens Reported Killed In Nalchik Fighting RFE/RL 13 Oct 2005 -- Officials in the southern Russian republic of Kabardino-Balkaria say heavy fighting between security forces and alleged radical Islamic militants erupted on Thursday in the regional capital Nalchik.
Kabardino-Balkaria: A Deteriorating Situation RFE/RL 13 Oct 2005 -- Chechen resistance fighters launched simultaneous attacks in the morning of 13 October against multiple targets in Nalchik, capital of the Kabardino-Balkaria Republic (KBR), but reportedly sustained heavy losses in fighting with Russian police and security forces.
Gun Battles Erupt in Southern Russia City VOA 13 Oct 2005 -- Police and security forces are battling gunmen in Nalchik, in southern Russia.
More Than 60 Killed in South Russia Clash VOA 13 Oct 2005 -- Fierce fighting raged for hours in a city in southern Russia after gunmen launched attacks against government buildings and police stations.
UN mission chief says security deteriorates in Côte d'Ivoire, AU proposes election delay UN News Centre 13 Oct 2005 -- With the African Union (AU) asking for this month's elections in Côte d'Ivoire to be delayed for a year, the United Nations peacekeeping mission chief today said the way to sustainable peace and security in the divided country is being impeded by such major challenges as "gruesome" human rights violations, obstruction of the work of the UN force and intimidation of political opponents.
Liberia's Elections Conducted Fairly, U.S. Delegation Says Washington File 13 Oct 2005 -- The U.S. delegation that observed the Liberian elections on October 11 "saw well-equipped and well-organized voting operations conducted by Liberian election officials, who implemented voting procedures fairly and accurately," according to a preliminary assessment released October 13 by the Department of State.
COTE D IVOIRE: Killings, torture and rape go unpunished on both sides of the front line IRIN 13 Oct 2005 -- More human rights violations including summary executions, politically motivated arrests, torture and rape are taking place across war-torn Cote d’Ivoire according to a UN report released on Thursday.
Abbas Faces Challenges from Militant Group Hamas VOA 13 Oct 2005 -- Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority, travels to Washington next week for talks with President Bush.
SOMALIA: TFG seeks help to police coastline as pirates strike again IRIN 13 Oct 2005 -- Amid escalating incidents of sea piracy, Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) has urged its neighbours and the international community to help police the Somali coastline.
ETHIOPIA-ERITREA: Asmara imposes more restrictions on peacekeepers IRIN 13 Oct 2005 -- The Eritrean government has imposed more restrictions on the movement of United Nations peacekeepers in the country, days after grounding UN helicopter flights, a spokesperson said.
SUDAN: Insecurity disrupting aid work in Darfur, says UN IRIN 13 Oct 2005 -- Continuing insecurity and tension in Sudan's troubled western region of Darfur has disrupted humanitarian work, forcing operations in several areas to be halted, the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) reported on Wednesday.
Thai Military Official Says Libyan-Trained Insurgents Operating in Southern Thailand VOA 13 Oct 2005 -- A top Thai general says some militants in the country's restive south have received military training in Libya.

Defense Policy / Programs

Statement from Pentagon Spokesman Lawrence Di Rita 13 Oct 2005
Maintainers keep Cope Thunder going AFPN 13 Oct 2005 -- Tucked away in an office on the far corner of the Thunder Dome, two men ensure Airmen and Sailors get Cope Thunder 06-1 missions off the ground -- on time and on target.
Central American Countries, U.S. Need to Cooperate on Security Issues AFPS 13 Oct 2005 -- Challenges facing Central America and other Western Hemisphere countries "cannot be successfully dealt with by any one country alone," Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told a gathering of defense and security ministers here Oct. 12.
Task Force Baghdad rings up 4,000 re-ups for FY05 Army News 13 Oct 2005 -- Soldiers assigned to Task Force Baghdad are answering their nation’s call to “stay Army” by ending Fiscal Year 2005 with more than 4,000 re-enlistments.
Rumsfeld Satisfied Soviet Missiles Safe; Aid to Nicaragua Resumes AFPS 13 Oct 2005 -- Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said here today he is convinced the Nicaraguan military has done all it can to secure roughly 1,000 Soviet-era missiles remaining in Nicaragua.
Salvage Ships Return to Little Creek Navy NewsStand 13 Oct 2005 -- Navy rescue and salvage ships USS Grapple (ARS 53) and USS Grasp (ARS 51) returned to their homeport of Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek Oct. 5 and Oct. 10, respectively, after completing two separate missions.
USS Mount Whitney Sailors Destined for Glory in NATO Exercise Navy NewsStand 13 Oct 2005 -- USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) began NATO maritime exercise Destined Glory (Loyal Midas) 2005 Sept. 29 in the Thyrrenian Sea and on the nearby Italian island of Sardinia.
Indian, Russian Troops Hold Joint Exercises Against Terrorism VOA 13 Oct 2005 -- Indian and Russian troops are taking part in a joint exercise near New Delhi aimed at enhancing the two armies' counter-terrorism capabilities.
Central Asia: Rice Closes Central Asian Tour With Visit To Tajikistan RFE/RL 13 Oct 2005 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice arrived in Tajikistan today for the last stop on her four-country tour of Central and South Asia that included a brief stop in earthquake-stricken Pakistan
U.S.: Rice Continues Central Asia Tour With Stop In Kazakhstan RFE/RL 13 Oct 2005 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice continued her official tour of the Central Asian region today, meeting with officials in Kazakhstan before traveling on to Tajikistan
White House Briefing, October 13 Washington File 13 Oct 2005 -- World leader calls, Harriet Miers nomination, President's videoconference with troops, Iraq constitution referendum, North Korea, New York subway threat
State Department Briefing, October 13 Washington File 13 Oct 2005 -- Pakistan, Central America, Liberia, Macedonia, Russia, Iraq, Thailand, Taiwan, Bulgaria/Libya

Defense Industry

News Reports

Second UN food aid ship hijacked in Somalia UN News Centre 13 Oct 2005 -- A second boatload of United Nations food aid for 78,000 of the most vulnerable people in Somalia has been hijacked, less than two weeks after pirates released a ship with 850 tons of rice that they had seized three months earlier.
Middle East: Syrian Interior Minister's Death Linked To Lebanon RFE/RL 13 Oct 2005 -- The Syrian authorities say they have launched an investigation into the circumstances of the death of Interior Minister Ghazi Kanaan, who is believed to have shot himself yesterday
KASHMIR'S 'BIG QUAKE': 'OLD ENEMIES TACKLE SHARED CRISIS' US Dept. of State IIP, Foreign Media Reaction 13 Oct 2005
Race Against Time in Pakistan's Mountain Villages VOA 13 Oct 2005 -- U.N. Emergency Relief Coordinator Jan Egeland says it might be too late to save thousands of earthquake victims in Pakistan's remote mountain villages.
US Pledges Long-term Aid to Pakistan VOA 13 Oct 2005 -- Relief is arriving in the parts of Pakistan hit hard by the recent earthquake. The United States is also pledging long-term aid.
Pace of Massive Relief Effort in Pakistan Speeds Up VOA 13 Oct 2005 -- The efforts in Pakistan to assist the hundreds of thousands of victims of last Saturday's devastating earthquake are beginning to take hold.