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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 27 Dec 2013 [PDF]

Defense Policy / Programs

• Officials Praise Decision on Futenma Facility AFPS 27 Dec 2013 -- Senior defense officials praised the governor of Okinawa, Japan, today for his approval of construction of a long-postponed air base to replace Marine Corps Air Station Futenma-Camp Schwab in Henoko Bay.
• Statement by Secretary Hagel on the Futenma Replacement Facility Landfill Permit Approval DoD 27 Dec 2013 -- "I welcome the governor of Okinawa's decision to approve the landfill permit request to build the Futenma Replacement Facility at Camp Schwab-Henoko Bay, which is a critical part of the realignment of U.S. forces on Okinawa."
• US base on Okinawa will be relocated after 17 years of deadlock Iran Press TV 27 Dec 2013 -- A Japanese governor has approved the relocation of a controversial US military base on Okinawa which would allow Washington to consolidate its troops on the southern Japanese islands and move some to Guam.
• Landing support Marines support ground units during Exercise Steel Knight USMC News 27 Dec 2013 -- Helicopter Support Team Marines with Landing Support Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group inspected the heavy equipment transport lines of an inbound CH-53E Super Stallion Helicopter during recent supply operations at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif.
• US Fighter Jets to Patrol Baltic Airspace RIA Novosti 27 Dec 2013 -- The US Air Force will patrol the airspace over the Baltic states for four months starting from January, Lithuanian media reported Friday, citing the country's military.
• Russia Test-Fires ICBM to Target in Kazakhstan RIA Novosti 27 Dec 2013 -- The Russian Space Forces test-launched a Topol RS-12M intercontinental ballistic missile on Friday, a Russian Defense Ministry spokesman said.
• Russia Buries Famed AK-47 Inventor Kalashnikov RIA Novosti 27 Dec 2013 -- Russia's most famous gun designer, Mikhail Kalashnikov, was buried Friday at a new military cemetery outside Moscow.
• Defense Ministry: China effectively monitors ADIZ in East China Sea People's Daily 27 Dec 2013 -- China has closely monitored aircraft in the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) since it was established in November, a Chinese defense ministry spokesman said on Thursday.
• China's nuclear bomber can hit US military bases: Report Iran Press TV 27 Dec 2013 -- China's new nuclear bomber can launch strategic missile attacks against US military facilities and those of its allies in the Western Pacific, according to Chinese state media.
• US sending Hellfire missiles and drones to Iraq to fight al-Qaeda Iran Press TV 27 Dec 2013 -- The United States is providing Iraq with missiles and surveillance drones to counter attacks by al-Qaeda, according to US and Iraqi officials.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for December 27, 2013

Other Conflicts

• Civilians in strife-torn South Sudan fleeing to UN bases now number 63,000 UN News Centre 27 Dec 2013 -- Some 63,000 civilians have now sought refuge in United Nations bases in South Sudan as the UN peacekeeping mission there moves to reinforce its strength with troops and helicopters in the face of a conflict that has killed thousands and driven at least 122,000 others from their homes in the past 12 days.
• South Sudan's deteriorating humanitarian situation IRIN 27 Dec 2013 -- As fighting continues across South Sudan, the United Nations is reporting that some 1,000 people may have been killed,while aid agencies estimate that in a worst-case scenario, thousands more could be displaced or will require humanitarian assistance.
• South Sudan rebels, Juba claim Malakal control Iran Press TV 27 Dec 2013 -- Rebels loyal to South Sudan's former Vice President Riek Machar say they have captured the major oil town of Malakal after three days of fighting with government forces.
• Violence displaces 120,000 across South Sudan: UN Iran Press TV 27 Dec 2013 -- A new UN report says the violence in South Sudan has displaced more than 120,000 people, as fighting flares across the African country.
• South Sudan Agrees to Ceasefire to End Violence VOA 27 Dec 2013 -- South Sudan's government on Friday has agreed to a ceasefire in a bid to end fighting that swept across Africa's newest nation that has left at least 1,000 people dead and led more than 60,000 civilians to seek refuge at U.N. bases.
• Heavy Fighting in South Sudan Oil State VOA 27 Dec 2013 -- Thousands of people have sought shelter at the United Nations base in Malakal, the capital capital of oil-rich Upper Nile state in South Sudan, and scores have been treated for wounds sustained in four days of heavy fighting in the town, aid agencies and the United Nations said Friday.
• South Sudan Unrest Sees Food, Fuel, Phone Airtime Run Short VOA 27 Dec 2013 -- As clashes continue around South Sudan, even states that have managed to remain peaceful are feeling the effects of 12 days of unrest with food, fuel and even mobile phone airtime starting to run out and prices rising sharply.
• Ban decries escalating violence in Syria, condemns use of 'barrel bombs' UN News Centre 26 Dec 2013 -- As efforts intensify to bring the Syrian sides to a negotiating table in Switzerland, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced his grave concern about the continued and indiscriminate use of heavy weapons and mortar shelling in the ongoing conflict, most recently in hard-hit Aleppo which has been the site of a "barrel bomb" campaign by Government forces.
• Syria forces ambush, kill scores of militants Iran Press TV 27 Dec 2013 -- Syrian army forces have killed scores of militants, including members of the al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front, near a historic Christian village north of the capital, Damascus.
• Iraq: UN calls on Government to ensure safety of Iranian exiles after rockets hit camp UN News Centre 27 Dec 2013 -- The United Nations today called on the Iraqi Government to ensure maximum security for some 3,200 Iranian exiles in a camp near Baghdad airport after a rocket attack on the airport last night reportedly killed a number of residents and seriously wounded others.
• Cameroon takes steps against Boko Haram IRIN 27 Dec 2013 -- The authorities in Yaoundé, the Cameroonian capital, have set up tighter border controls in the Far North region to guard against infiltration by jihadist Boko Haram fighters from neighbouring Nigeria as civilians flee insurgent attacks and a Nigerian military offensive, seeking safety across the border in Cameroon. A rapid response military unit has also been deployed and beefed up in the northern regions and some tourist hotels now have armed guards.

News Reports

• Thai Army Chief Calls for Restraint, Does Not Rule Out Coup VOA 27 Dec 2013 -- Thailand Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocah called Friday for restraint from both sides, and did not explicitly rule out the possibility of a military coup.
• Thai govt. seeks military help to protect polls Iran Press TV 27 Dec 2013 -- Thai government says it will seek military help to protect candidates and voters in the upcoming elections that have sparked anti-government rallies.
• Armenian, Kyrgyz Customs Union Plans Outlined RFE/RL 27 Dec 2013 -- Armenia's prime minister says an agreement on his country's joining a Russia-led Customs Union will be ready by May.
• Iran, Sextet to resume expert-level talks on Monday Iran Press TV 27 Dec 2013 -- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi says Iran and the six world powers will resume a new round of expert-level talks in the Swiss city of Geneva on Monday.
• Beirut Car Bomb Kills Ex-Minister Chatah VOA 27 Dec 2013 -- A car bomb has killed Lebanon's former ambassador to the United States, former finance minister Mohamad Chatah. At least four others were killed in the explosion and dozens wounded.
• Hamas on Defensive as it Loses Regional Support, Allies VOA 27 Dec 2013 -- From Egypt to Tunisia to Turkey, Islamist political movements which seemed on the ascendancy following the 2011 Arab Spring were put on the defensive in 2013. That was also the case for Hamas, the Islamist movement that has ruled the Gaza Strip since it seized power in a violent conflict with the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority in 2007.