06 December 2014 Military News

Rescue Mission 'Quick, But Thorough' Official Says AFPS 06 Dec 2014 -- The operation to rescue a U.S. hostage in Yemen was quickly but thoroughly planned, a senior U.S. military official said here today.
US, South African Hostages Killed in Yemen Rescue Attempt VOA 06 Dec 2014 -- An American photojournalist and a South African teacher were killed during a U.S.-led rescue attempt on Saturday in Yemen.
Senior U.S. Leaders Condemn Murder of Luke Somers AFPS 06 Dec 2014 -- President Barack Obama, Secretary of State John F. Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel condemned yesterday's murder of U.S. photojournalist Luke Somers in Yemen by al Qaeda terrorists as U.S. and Yemeni commandos attempted a rescue.
Statement by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on the Death of Luke Somers DoD 06 Dec 2014 -- Yesterday, by order of the president of the United States, U.S. Special Operations Forces conducted a mission in Yemen to rescue a U.S. citizen, Luke Somers, and any other foreign nationals held hostage with him by Al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) terrorists.

Hagel: 1,000 More US Troops to Stay in Afghanistan in 2015 VOA 06 Dec 2014 -- Outgoing U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says as many as 1,000 more U.S. troops will stay in Afghanistan during the first few months of 2015.
Hagel Meets With Leaders, Troops in Afghanistan AFPS 06 Dec 2014 -- In an unannounced visit to Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel today announced the delayed withdrawal of up to 1,000 U.S. troops from the country during the transition to Operation Resolute Support.
Joint Press Conference by Secretary Hagel and President Ghani in Kabul, Afghanistan DoD 06 Dec 2014 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel; Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani
Afghan troops kill 12 Taliban militants in Ghazni Province Iran Press TV 06 Dec 2014 -- At least a dozen Taliban militants, including a top commander, have been killed in an operation by Afghan security forces in the country's eastern province of Ghazni.

Luke AFB changes refueling truck color, mitigates F-35 shutdowns AFNS 06 Dec 2014 -- The 56th Logistics Readiness Squadron recently added a new fuel truck to its fleet designed to improve mission effectiveness and safety on the flightline.

Britain reopens Bahrain navy base after 40 yrs – to fight ISIS RT 06 Dec 2014 -- The UK is returning to its naval base in Bahrain, a former British protectorate, after more than 40 years. The base will serve as the main British hub for operations in the Persian Gulf.
UK to repopen Bahrain navy base as operational hub Iran Press TV 06 Dec 2014 -- In an agreement with the Bahraini regime, the UK military is to return to its former naval base in the Persian Gulf nation after 40 years in a bid to use it as the Royal Navy's largest operations center outside Britain.
UK to Establish Permanent Military Base in Bahrain: Foreign Secretary Sputnik 06 Dec 2014 -- The United Kingdom will establish a permanent and military base in the Middle Eastern country of Bahrain amid growing instability in the region, UK Foreign Secretary said Saturday.

Mistral Deal Still Afloat? Russia Expects France to Honor Contract Sputnik 06 Dec 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he has not discussed Mistral-class helicopter carriers' delivery to Russia with his French counterpart Francois Hollande during a meeting on Saturday, but Moscow expects that the contract will be implemented.
Estonian Military Says Russian Air Force Planes Flying Over Baltic Sea Sputnik 06 Dec 2014 -- Estonian military has observed a number of Russian military aircraft flying over the Baltic Sea in the international airspace, the general staff of Estonia's defense forces said Saturday.

Boosting Army capabilities in line with Leaders guidelines IRNA 06 Dec 2014 -- Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Army Major General Ataollah Salehi said on Saturday that upgrading Army capabilities is taking place in line with guidelines of the Supreme Leader and is by no means related to diplomatic moves or their outcomes.

US Hesitation to Deliver Arms to Ukraine 'Shame and Dishonor': McCain Sputnik 06 Dec 2014 -- The United States' unwillingness to send weapons to the Ukrainian army is a 'great shame', leading to Ukrainian military casualties, US Republican Senator John McCain told RIA Novosti.

Putin hopes for new deal on Ukraine ceasfire Iran Press TV 06 Dec 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed hope that a new deal would be reached for the implementation of ceasefire in eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine ceasefire talks to begin in Minsk: President Iran Press TV 06 Dec 2014 -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says he is sending an envoy to a crucial round of peace talks with pro-Russian fighters on implementing various steps of a recently-clinched ceasefire deal.
Putin Hopes for New Ceasefire Deal to End Armed Conflict in Eastern Ukraine Sputnik 06 Dec 2014 -- Russia insists the Minsk agreements should be fully implemented, however all Ukrainian warring sides violate the agreement, including Kiev and independence supporters from eastern Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday.

ISIL terrorists execute 16 Sunnis in western Iraq Iran Press TV 06 Dec 2014 -- ISIL Takfiri militants have abducted and killed 16 members of an Iraqi tribe, which has been fighting the terror group in the western province of Anbar.

Collapse of Israeli Government Bodes Ill for Peace Process VOA 06 Dec 2014 -- Israeli politics are famous for their unpredictability, and events in recent days have only underscored that reputation.

French President Meets With Putin In Moscow RFE/RL 06 Dec 2014 -- French President Francois Hollande made a stopover visit to Russia and met briefly with President Vladimir Putin to discuss the crisis in neighboring Ukraine.

Pakistani Military Kills Al-Qaeda Chief of Global Operations: Reports Sputnik 06 Dec 2014 -- The Pakistani army has announced that airstrikes have killed al-Qaeda leader Adnan el Shukrijuma, considered by the FBI to be the chief of al-Qaeda's global operations, in the South Waziristan region on Saturday, the BBC reports.

Biden rejects calls for more sanctions on Iran Iran Press TV 06 Dec 2014 -- The US vice president has rejected calls for more sanctions against Iran over the Islamic Republic's nuclear energy program.
Iran R&D of Uranium Enrichment Still Firmly in Place: Reports Sputnik 06 Dec 2014 -- Iran will not refrain from research and development of uranium enrichment activities, Tasnim news agency reported Saturday.
Biden: Chance of Nuclear Deal With Iran is Less Than 50-50 VOA 06 Dec 2014 -- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden says the chances of completing a nuclear deal with Iran are less than half, but there's still a chance.

Iran to launch satellite into space in two months ISNA 06 Dec 2014 -- Deputy Head of Iran's Space Agency (ISA) Hamid Fazeli expressed the hope that the country would launch a satellite into space by late January.

Gazprom Confirms $378 Million Ukraine Prepayment RFE/RL 06 Dec 2014 -- Russia's Gazprom has confirmed it has received a prepayment of $378 million from Ukrainian state energy firm Naftogaz for gas shipments in December.

Burkina Faso Opposition Leader Rejects Extradition of Compaore VOA 06 Dec 2014 -- A leading opposition member in Burkina Faso has rejected calls for the repatriation of former President Blaise Compaore, who was recently forced to step down and flee the country.

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