19 January 2016 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Casualty Update 19 Jan 2016 [PDF]

Strikes Hit ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 19 Jan 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

Department of Defense Press Briefing by Gen. Shoffner via Teleconference from Afghanistan DoD 19 Jan 2016 -- Presenter: Brigadier General Wilson Shoffner, deputy chief of staff for communications, Resolute Support Mission, Afghanistan
US Special Forces in Afghanistan Poised to Assume More Active Role VOA 19 Jan 2016 -- U.S. military officials insist Afghan forces are carrying the burden when it comes to securing and stabilizing the country, but there are questions as to whether U.S. special forces could soon be playing an increasingly active role.

Defense Policy / Programs

U.S. Central Command Statement on Events Surrounding Iranian Detainment of 10 U.S. Navy Sailors NNS 19 Jan 2016 -- The following preliminary timeline of the events surrounding the Iranian detainment of 10 U.S. Navy Sailors from January 12-13, is based upon multiple operational reports received by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) in the first 24-48 hours after the incident.

Media Availability With Secretary Carter en route to Paris, France DoD 19 Jan 2016 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus Names Virginia-Class Submarine DoD 19 Jan 2016-- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus hosted a ship-naming ceremony today in Salt Lake City, Utah, to announce that SSN 801, a Virginia-class attack submarine, will bear the name USS Utah.

Canada frozen out of anti-Daesh coalition talks Press TV 19 Jan 2016 -- Canada has not been invited to a ministerial meeting in the French capital this week to discuss the battle against the Daesh Takfiri terror group.
Not on the Guest List? Canada Snubbed by Anti-Daesh Coalition Sputnik 19 Jan 2016 -- Canada has reportedly not been invited to a meeting of the US-led anti-Daesh coalition, which is due to be held in Paris later this week.

Russia Scraps Plans of Additional Project 677 Submarines Construction Sputnik 19 Jan 2016 -- The Russian Navy decided not to build Lada-class diesel-electric submarines (Project 677) since the funding will be spent on Kalina-class ships, a senior Russian Navy's official said Tuesday.
Russia's East Siberia District Receives New Electronic Warfare Systems Sputnik 19 Jan 2016 -- Col. Alexander Gordeev said that Russian troops in the Eastern Military District (EMD) have received over 10 cutting-edge electronic warfare systems.

Germany hints at possible troop deployment to Libya Press TV 19 Jan 2016 -- Germany's defense minister says she does not rule out dispatching military forces to violence-wracked Libya, without clarifying the nature of the potential deployment.
The War Jets With a Fear of the Dark: German Tornados Grounded at Night Sputnik 19 Jan 2016 -- Germany's Tornado multirole aircraft are not capable of reconnaissance missions at night because their cockpit lighting is too bright after an update, a military source told German newspaper Das Bild.

Iran's response to US to come where it matters: General Press TV 19 Jan 2016 -- A senior Iranian commander says the Islamic Republic will resolutely and relentlessly continue to upgrade its defense and missile capabilities despite hostilities, adding that Iran's response to the US will come where it matters.

Pakistan test-fires air-launched cruise missile Press TV 19 Jan 2016 -- Pakistan successfully test-fires a locally developed "state-of-the-art" air-launched cruise missile.

Turkish army establishing military base in Somalia: Report Press TV 19 Jan 2016 -- Ankara has started to build a military base in Somalia to train soldiers from African countries to fight against al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabab militants, a report says.
Turkey to Build Second Foreign Military Base in Somalia Sputnik 19 Jan 2016 -- Turkey will build the military center in the Somalian capital of Mogadishu that will be capable of training more than 1,500 local troops to boost security in Horn of Africa.

Afghan Soldiers Demonstrate Improvement, U.S. General Says AFPS 19 Jan 2016 -- Last year was the first year the Afghan national army was on its own in the fight against the Taliban, and the results were mixed -- but the soldiers have improved in several areas, a spokesman for the Resolute Support mission said today.

Saudi Official Won't Rule Out Seeking Nuclear Bomb to Meet Iranian Threat VOA 19 Jan 2016 -- Saudi Arabia's foreign minister has refused to rule out that it will seek a nuclear weapon if archrival Iran becomes a threat.

January 19, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 19 Jan 2016
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 1/19/2016 The White House 19 Jan 2016

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for January 19, 2016

Other Conflicts

19 January 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 19 Jan 2016
Fate of civilians in armed conflict 'grim' with thousands killed, hospitals under attack, Security Council told UN News 19 Jan 2016 -- With scores of civilians being killed in conflicts worldwide, tens of thousands facing starvation in besieged cities, and hospitals under attack, the United Nations Security Council held a day-long session today amid calls for greater accountability and expanded use of the International Criminal Court.

Saudi airstrikes kill 14 Yemeni civilians Press TV 19 Jan 2016 -- New airstrikes by Saudi Arabia against Yemen have killed at least 14 civilians, mostly women and children, local media report.
Yemeni Army Claims Hundreds of Saudi Vehicles, Numerous Aircraft Destroyed Sputnik 19 Jan 2016 -- Army spokesman Brig. Gen. Sharaf Ghalib Luqman said that Yemen's armed forces have destroyed dozens of tanks, hundreds of armored vehicles, as well as numerous military aircraft belonging to the Saudi-led coalition since the beginning of its military intervention.

In Jordan, UN refugee agency chief urges greater efforts to end Syria conflict UN News 19 Jan 2016 -- The international community must make greater efforts to end the conflict in Syria or risk prolonging the world's biggest humanitarian crisis for many years to come, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has said during a trip to the region.
Russian aircraft parachute aid to besieged locations in Syria Press TV 19 Jan 2016 -- Russian fighter jets have airdropped a large scale of humanitarian aid in areas besieged by the Daesh Takfiri terrorists in Syria's east.
Russia Says 40 Tonnes of Humanitarian Aid Delivered to Areas in Syria Sputnik 19 Jan 2016 -- The Russian air group deployed in Syria is continuing a humanitarian operation aimed at delivering food and emergency supplies to areas besieged by terrorists, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
Overnight aid deliveries reach four Syrian towns while situation in east 'extremely grave' - UN UN News 19 Jan 2016 -- Overnight aid deliveries reached the Syrian towns of Madaya, Zabadani, Kefraya and Foah, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which today announced it is planning on delivering more assistance.
US, UN Concerned About Besieged Syrians VOA 19 Jan 2016 -- The United States expressed deep concern Monday about the humanitarian situation in Syria where the U.N. says 13.5 million people are in need of aid nationwide.
UN Envoy: Start of Syria Peace Talks in Doubt VOA 19 Jan 2016 -- The United Nations wants to convene a new round of Syrian peace talks on Monday, but with only days remaining and no agreement on who should participate there are doubts about whether the negotiations will begin as scheduled.

UN says Daesh killed 19k Iraqi civilians in about 2 years Press TV 19 Jan 2016 -- The Daesh Takfiri terrorists have killed nearly 19,000 civilians and wounded more than 36,000 others in Iraq in about two years, a report says.
Daesh Holds Nearly 3,500 People in Slavery in Iraq Sputnik 19 Jan 2016 -- Daesh militant group held approximately 3,500 individuals, predominantly women and children, in slavery, according to the joint report of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
'Staggering' civilian death toll in Iraq - UN report UN News 19 Jan 2016 -- A United Nations report released today details the severe and extensive impact on civilians of the ongoing conflict in Iraq, with at least 18,802 civilians killed and another 36,245 wounded between January 2014 and October 2015, while another 3.2 million people have been internally displaced due to violence.
Staggering civilian death toll in Iraq - UN report UNOHCHR 19 Jan 2016 -- A UN report released today details the severe and extensive impact on civilians of the ongoing conflict in Iraq, with at least 18,802 civilians killed and another 36,245 wounded between 1 January 2014 and 31 October 2015. Another 3.2 million people have been internally displaced since January 2014, including more than a million children of school age.
UN: Nearly 19,000 Iraqi Civilians Killed Since January 2014 VOA 19 Jan 2016 -- The United Nations says in a new report that Iraq's war with Islamic State militants led to more than 18,800 civilian deaths and more than 36,000 wounded between January 2014 and October 2015.

UN envoy congratulates Libyans and Presidency Council on formation of unity government UN News 19 Jan 2016 -- The most senior United Nations official in Libya today strongly welcomed the formation of the Government of National Accord by the Presidency Council as a significant step forward in the quest to end the political divisions and the armed conflict.
Libya's Warring Factions To Create Unity Government VOA 19 Jan 2016 -- Libya's warring factions have agreed to create a unity government, hoping to end the fighting and chaos that has engulfed the country since the overthrow of strongman Moammar Gadhafi in 2011.

Turkey's Crackdown on Kurdish Rebels Includes Local Mayors VOA 19 Jan 2016 -- Eighteen mayors and nearly 50 locally elected representatives of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party are being prosecuted in Turkey.
Turkey operations against PKK end in one Kurdish-dominated area in southeast Press TV 19 Jan 2016 -- Turkey's large-scale military operations against the militants of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) have ended in one of the areas in the mainly Kurdish-dominated southeast, the prime minister says.
Anti-Terror Operation in Turkish City of Silopi Nears Completion Sputnik 19 Jan 2016 -- Ahmet Davutoglu, Turkish prime minister, said that operation in Silopi in the Sirnal province is almost completed, but a curfew will be still in the place in town.

Cameroon's Muslims and Christians Unite Against Boko Haram VOA 19 Jan 2016 -- Cameroon Christians have started guarding mosques during prayer sessions and Muslims are also guarding churches after five attacks on mosques by suspected Boko Haram fighters.
Niger: UN and partners struggling to assist thousands newly displaced by Boko Haram violence UN News 19 Jan 2016 -- Citing a "very serious situation with acute shortages of shelter" in south-east Niger where some 100,000 people have fled to escape Boko Haram violence, the United Nations refugee agency today appealed for urgent humanitarian assistance and funding to help those that have been uprooted.
UN: Thousands of Newly Displaced in Niger in Need of Shelter, Water VOA 19 Jan 2016 -- The U.N. refugee agency reports tens of thousands of newly displaced people in Niger are in desperate need of international assistance. The UNHCR says about 100,000 people have fled in recent weeks from attacks launched by Nigerian Boko Haram insurgents.

Kenya President: Al-Shabab Will Pay 'Heavy Price' VOA 19 Jan 2016 -- Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has vowed al-Shabab militants will pay "a heavy price" for the attack Friday that reportedly killed dozens of Kenyan soldiers in southern Somalia.

News Reports

Long-term funding crucial to monitoring nuclear agreement with Iran, UN atomic chief warns UN News 19 Jan 2016 -- The head of the United Nations nuclear agency today called for long-term predictable funding to monitor Iran's agreement with the international community to never seek, develop or acquire nuclear weapons.
Iran's Khamenei Welcomes Sanctions Relief, Warns of US 'Deceit' VOA 19 Jan 2016 -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is welcoming the lifting of international economic sanctions against his country, but says it must remain wary of the United States as curbs on Tehran's nuclear program are fully imposed.
Analysts Watch Iran's Post-sanctions Relationship with Neighbors VOA 19 Jan 2016 -- Now that international sanctions against Iran have been lifted, the Islamic Republic's relations with its neighbors, in particular Saudi Arabia, are being closely watched.
Baeedinejad: Iran oped for trade of enriched uranium IRNA 19 Jan 2016 -- Deputy foreign minister for Euro-American Affairs said on Tuesday that Iran opted for trade of enriched uranium with other countries from three options.
Rafsanjani: Dynamic post-JCPOA era begins for economic blossoming IRNA 19 Jan 2016 -- Chairman of the Expediency Council said on Tuesday that a dynamic era has begun in Iran in post-JCPOA era for blossoming economy and Iran is ready for comprehensive cooperation with all world countries.
Amano: Iran discharges obligations to JCPOA, UN resolutions IRNA 19 Jan 2016 -- IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano on Tuesday thanked the Islamic Republic of Iran, G5+1 and IAEA Board of Governors for the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Leader: Achievements in nuclear talks are result of resistance IRNA 19 Jan 2016 -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Tuesday that achievements of nuclear talks are result of resistance.
President: Implementation of JCPOA just a beginning IRNA 19 Jan 2016 -- President said on Tuesday that Implementation of Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action (JCPOA) is just a beginning for Iran's economy and there is a long way to go forward with economic development.
President praises nation's resistance, patience during nuclear talks IRNA 19 Jan 2016 -- President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday praised nation's resistance and patience during nuclear negotiations between Iran and P5+1.
Iran starts moving released assets Press TV 19 Jan 2016 -- Iran said on Tuesday that it has started the procedures to retrieve billions of its dollars that have been released in the wake of the removal of sanctions against the country this past Saturday. Nevertheless, it said it has no plans to bring the released cash into the country, adding that the sum will be spent on imports of essential goods.
JCPOA implementation two-way street: Iran envoy Press TV 19 Jan 2016 -- A senior Iranian diplomat has reaffirmed the country's commitment to its obligations under a nuclear agreement reached with six world powers, saying the deal is a "two way street."
JCPOA must speed up economic development: President Rouhani Press TV 19 Jan 2016 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has called for increased efforts to achieve a flourishing economy after the recent lifting of anti-Iran sanctions as part of a nuclear agreement with the six major world powers.
Iran to receive more than $32bn of unblocked assets: CBI Press TV 19 Jan 2016 -- The governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) has announced that Tehran will access more than $32 billion of unfrozen assets after sanctions removal.
Leader: US remarks 'cause for suspicion' Press TV 19 Jan 2016 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says recent remarks by US leaders after official implementation of a nuclear accord and lifting of sanctions on Iran are "totally a cause for suspicion."
New US bans have no intl. legal ground: Zarif Press TV 19 Jan 2016 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Iran will 'proportionally' respond to new US sanctions on Tehran's missile program.
Iran to Check If US Missile Program Sanctions Contradict Nuclear Deal Sputnik 19 Jan 2016 -- Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for European and American Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi said that any possible mechanism for responding to violations of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action like new sanctions against Iranin entities would be adopted after the supervisory team had submitted its report on the matter.

Poll: Growing Number of S. Koreans See N. Korea as Enemy VOA 19 Jan 2016 -- A new government-sponsored survey found an increasing number of South Koreans view North Korea as an enemy.
Experts Warn of Further Provocations by North Korea VOA 19 Jan 2016 -- North Korea could take further provocative actions after the latest nuclear test that drew strong protests from the international community, experts in Seoul warned.
S. Korea worries about wrong signal to DPRK nuke test People's Daily 19 Jan 2016 -- South Korean President Park Geun-hye on Tuesday expressed worry about sending a wrong signal to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) unless strong UN sanctions are imposed on Pyongyang over its fourth nuclear test.

US Intelligence Chalks Up Declining Influence in Europe to 'Russian Spies' Sputnik 19 Jan 2016 -- American intelligence is set to conduct a "major investigation" into the Kremlin's 'infiltration' of European political parties, The Telegraph reports.

Xi arrives in Saudi Arabia on 3-nation Mideast visit People's Daily 19 Jan 2016 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Saudi Arabia Tuesday on the first stop of his three-nation tour of the Middle East, as the world's second-largest economy seeks closer political and economic ties with the region.
Chinese President Xi arrives in Saudi Arabia as part of Mideast tour Press TV 19 Jan 2016 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Saudi Arabia on the first leg of his five-day Middle East tour seeking to bolster relations with major countries in the region.
China's growth slows to 6.9%, but within 'reasonable' range People's Daily 19 Jan 2016 -- Chinese economic growth decelerated to the 25-year low of 6.9 percent in 2015, down from 7.3 percent in 2014, according to data released Tuesday by the National Bureau of Statistics.

Taiwan commits to maintaining cooperation with allies CNA 19 Jan 2016 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affair (MOFA) said Tuesday that Taiwan's existing cooperation projects with its allies and the countries with which it maintains friendly relations in the absence of diplomatic links will not be changed despite the upcoming power transfer.
Taiwan's Premier Quits, Cabinet May Follow, After Election Losses VOA 19 Jan 2016 -- Taiwan's premier has left his post following elections that will bring the chief opposition party into power. That party may put ever tense relations with China on hold. But today's president and the incoming one are negotiating a deal that could stop a mass resignation of the cabinet.

In Izvestia, Kadyrov Says Russian Opposition 'Jackals' Will Be 'Punished' RFE/RL 19 Jan 2016 -- Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov has been engaged in an increasingly chilling confrontation with opponents and critics of Russian President Vladimir Putin - people he now routinely refers to as enemies of the people and puppets of the West.
Ramzan Kadyrov: The Kremlin's Id RFE/RL 19 Jan 2016 -- Ramzan Kadyrov hasn't gone rogue. Ramzan Kadyrov isn't off message. Ramzan Kadyrov hasn't jumped the shark.

UN experts urge France to protect fundamental freedoms while combatting terrorism UN News 19 Jan 2016 -- A group of United Nations human rights experts warned today that the current state of emergency in France and the country's law on surveillance of electronic communications impose excessive and disproportionate restrictions on fundamental freedoms.

Indonesia president seeks terror law review Press TV 19 Jan 2016 -- Indonesia is considering a regulation that would prohibit its citizens from joining the ranks of Takfiri terrorist groups operating in conflict-ridden Iraq and Syria.
Indonesian Police Receive Terrorist Threat Targeting Bali VOA 19 Jan 2016 -- In Indonesia there are growing concerns that more deadly attacks could follow last week' bombings in Jakarta by Islamist militants.

Nigerian Shi'ites Reject State Inquiry Into Deadly Clash VOA 19 Jan 2016 -- A spokesman for a Nigerian Shi'ite group says it will not participate in a state inquiry into a deadly December clash unless their imprisoned leader is released.
Uganda's Lone Female Candidate: Election Won't Be Free or Fair VOA 19 Jan 2016 -- The only female candidate in Uganda's upcoming February presidential election says she is running because she wants to rebuild the foundation of the nation away from its colonial connection.

Uganda's Karamoja faces drought emergency IRIN 19 Jan 2016 -- At least 640,000 people in Uganda's northeastern Karamoja region – more than half its population – are facing food shortages as a result of a drought-affected harvest.

Azerbaijan's Parliament Passes Measures To Support Troubled Currency RFE/RL 19 Jan 2016 -- Azerbaijan's parliament has approved a package of measures aimed at coping with an economic and financial crisis caused by plunging energy prices.

IEA releases Oil Market Report for January IEA 19 Jan 2016 -- As oversupply, mild temperatures and grim economic news check growth demand, non-OPEC output falls year-on-year for first time since 2012
Crude Reckoning: The Far-Reaching, Unexpected Effects Of Falling Oil Prices RFE/RL 19 Jan 2016 -- What do a Kurdish Peshmerga fighter, a Russian villager, and an American miner have in common? They have all been adversely affected by plunging oil prices.

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