02 February 2014 Military News

Afghanistan: UN envoy condemns killing of the two electoral campaign workers UN News Centre 02 Feb 2014 -- Strongly condemning the killing of two campaign aides who were shot dead in the western city of Herat, the top United Nations official in Afghanistan has stressed that such cowardly attempts to disrupt the country's election process "cannot be tolerated", and called on the national authorities to take all measures to bring the perpetrators to justice.

U.S., French Navies Conclude Combined Operations NNS 02 Feb 2014 -- Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HST CSG) and French Navy Task Force 473 concluded five weeks of combined carrier strike group operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) Feb 2.
More US Marines could be based in Africa Iran Press TV 02 Feb 2014 -- Thousands of US Marines could be based in Africa in coming years as part of America's so-called global realignment, according to a top army general in the region.

Russia may quit START III after US deploys destroyer in Europe Voice of Russia 02 Feb 2014 -- If the US continues to boost its anti-missile capabilities through developing missile defense system in Europe, Russia may have no other option but to withdraw from the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), warns the Russian Foreign Ministry's top disarmament official, Mikhail Ulyanov.

China dismisses ADIZ reports, optimistic about South China Sea situation Xinhua 02 Feb 2014 -- China on Saturday dismissed allegations by some Japanese reports that it is to set up an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) over the South China Sea and expressed optimism over regional situation.
China denies any plans for South China Sea air defence zone Voice of Russia 02 Feb 2014 -- China has denied it has any plans to set up an air defence zone over the South China Sea. 'Right-wing forces of Japan have repeatedly clamoured about the alleged plan,' Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei was quoted as saying by the Xinhua news agency on Saturday.
China says Japan's 'hype' on air defence zone spreads tension Voice of Russia 02 Feb 2014 -- China does not feel threatened by countries in Southeast Asia and is optimistic about the situation in the disputed South China Sea, the Foreign Ministry said, warning Japan not to 'spread rumors' it plans a new air defense identification zone.

Iran fully prepared to protect itself, minister IRNA 02 Feb 2014 -- Minister of Defense Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan said Sunday that the Islamic Republic of Iran is fully prepared to protect itself.
Iran struggling to receive £400m claims from UK ISNA 02 Feb 2014 -- Iran is to sue a UK firm over $1 billion of weapons that were purchased more than 30 years ago but never delivered. The deal was discontinued following the Iranian Revolution in 1979, and now Iran is calling for compensation.
Iran sues UK's MoD for non-delivery of tanks: Report Iran Press TV 02 Feb 2014 -- Iran is taking legal action against a British Ministry of Defence company for the non-delivery of military vehicles purchased more than three decades ago, a British paper reports.

Iraqi forces kill 50 ISIL militants in Anbar: Reports Iran Press TV 02 Feb 2014 -- Iraqi armed forces have killed 50 militants from the al-Qaeda-linked group of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in the western province of Anbar, reports say.
21 people die as carnage in Iraq continues Iran Press TV 02 Feb 2014 -- At least 21 more people have been killed and several others injured in violent attacks in and around Baghdad and north of the Iraqi capital, according to security and hospital sources.
Iraqi army bombards Falluja in preparation for ground assault Voice of Russia 02 Feb 2014 -- The Iraqi army intensified its shelling of Falluja on Sunday in preparation for a ground assault to regain control over the city, which has been under the control of militants for a month.

Surrounded CAR fighters flee over 'security concern' Iran Press TV 02 Feb 2014 -- Around 200 Seleka fighters who were surrounded by African Union (AU) troops deployed to the Central African Republic (CAR) have fled from the town of Sibut, in the north of the capital, Bangui, a military source says.

East African bloc sends truce monitors to S Sudan Iran Press TV 02 Feb 2014 -- The East African bloc's Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has deployed envoys to South Sudan to monitor a shaky ceasefire implemented between the government and the rebels.

Kerry's Boycott Remarks Anger Israel VOA 02 Feb 2014 -- As U.S. mediated Middle East peace talks enter their seventh month, mounting tensions have emerged between Israel and Washington.
Israel PM rejects Kerry's boycott warning Voice of Russia 02 Feb 2014 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday rejected remarks by US Secretary of State John Kerry warning of a growing boycott threat against the Jewish state if peace talks fail. The PM said that attempts to impose a boycott on the State of Israel are immoral and unjust and will not achieve their goal.

Ukrainian opposition calls for Western aid Iran Press TV 02 Feb 2014 -- The Ukrainian opposition has called for Western aid and mediation to end the crisis in the Eastern European country.
Injured Ukrainian Activist 'Has Left' The Country RFE/RL 02 Feb 2014 -- Reports from Ukraine say Dmytro Bulatov, an activist who says he was abducted and tortured for his alleged involvement in Kyiv riots, has left the country for medical treatment in Lithuania.
Ukrainian President to End Sick Leave RIA Novosti 02 Feb 2014 -- Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych is to return to work Monday after a short sick leave, his official web site reported Sunday as the anti-government protests continued in the capital.
Ukranian opposition pledges to cancel amnesty law at next parliamentary session Voice of Russia 02 Feb 2014 -- The parliamentary opposition plans to ensure the cancellation next week of the law on amnesty of the participants of the mass rallies, adopted by the Ukrainian MPs on January 29th.

Iran, US foreign ministers meet over nuclear talks Iran Press TV 02 Feb 2014 -- The Iranian foreign minister and US secretary of state have held a meeting to discuss Iran's nuclear energy program and the next round of talks between Tehran and six major world powers.
Iran's Foreign Minister Vows Continued Nuclear Engagement RFE/RL 02 Feb 2014 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Iran will continue to cooperate with world powers to negotiate an end to the nuclear crisis.

Eight Mossad spies to stand trial in Egypt Iran Press TV 02 Feb 2014 -- Five Israelis and three Egyptian nationals are to stand trial in absentia on charges of spying for Israeli's Mossad secret service, Egypt judicial sources say.

NSA suspected of hacking into Belgian cryptographer's computer Voice of Russia 02 Feb 2014 -- The Belgian authorities have launched an inquiry into a fresh instance of computer hacking.

Controversial Saudi counterterrorism law goes into effect Iran Press TV 02 Feb 2014 -- Saudi Arabia has put into effect a controversial counterterrorism law that allows Riyadh to prosecute as a terrorist anyone who demands reform, exposes corruption or protests against the kingdom's policies.

Thai Elections End, Expose Bitter Divide VOA 02 Feb 2014 -- Polls have closed in Thailand's tense national elections in which anti-government protesters forced the closure of hundreds of polling stations in the capital, Bangkok.

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