28 January 2016 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Casualty Update 28 Jan 2016 [PDF]

Military Strikes Hit ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 28 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.
Statement by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook on US-Russia Video Conference Discussing the Flight Safety Memorandum of Understanding DoD 28 Jan 2016

US Requests NATO's AWACS Surveillance Planes for Anti-Daseh Fight Sputnik 28 Jan 2016 -- NATO is considering a US request for use of the bloc's AWACS system, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday.

Nicholson Praises Afghan Forces, Outlines Capabilities They Need AFPS 28 Jan 2016 -- President Barack Obama's choice to take command of coalition and U.S. forces in Afghanistan told senators today that Afghan forces need improvement in some capabilities, but have performed well in battle.
Afghan Engineering Brigade Incapacitated Despite US Training Efforts Sputnik 28 Jan 2016 -- Afghan National Engineer Brigade (NEB) is incapable of operating independently, according to the report of Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR).
US General Sees Afghanistan 'Deteriorating' VOA 28 Jan 2016 -- The U.S. Army general picked to lead U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan warns the security situation there is deteriorating despite a valiant effort by Afghan forces.

Defense Policy / Programs

Ground-based Midcourse Defense System Conducts Successful Flight Test MDA 28 Jan 2016-- The U.S. Missile Defense Agency, in cooperation with the U.S. Air Force 30th Space Wing, the Joint Functional Component Command for Integrated Missile Defense, and U.S. Northern Command, today conducted a non-intercept flight test of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) element of the nation's Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS).
Sen. McCain vows to ban use of Russian rocket engines Press TV 28 Jan 2016 -- US Senator John McCain has said he plans to introduce legislation to reinstate restrictions on the use of Russian rocket engines for US military space launch.
Top U.S. Lawmaker Vows To Ban Military Use Of Russian Engines RFE/RL 28 Jan 2016 -- John McCain, the powerful chairman of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, is vowing to reinstate a ban on U.S. military use of Russian rocket engines.
Furious McCain: Pentagon Can't Overcome Its Russian Engines Addiction Sputnik 28 Jan 2016 -- Despite John McCain's profound displeasure, US defense officials are not inclined to abandon the RD-180 Russian rocket engines until 2021 or 2022 earliest.
Navy to Christen Littoral Combat Ship Sioux City DoD 28 Jan 2016 -- The Navy will christen its newest Freedom variant littoral combat ship, USS Sioux City (LCS 11), during a 10 a.m. CST ceremony Saturday, Jan. 30 in Marinette, Wisconsin.
Department of Defense Press Briefing by Secretary Carter on Force of the Future Reforms in the Pentagon Press Briefing Room DoD 28 Jan 2016 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
Camp Lemonnier Undergoes First ROWPU Filter Upgrade NNS 28 Jan 2016 -- Most Americans don't think twice about turning the faucet on for a cold drink of water. In the Horn of Africa, at Camp Lemonnier, water is always on the mind of the 4,000 U.S. service members forward deployed to Djibouti, Africa.

NATO Secretary General Describes State of the Alliance AFPS 28 Jan 2016 -- The NATO alliance has been challenged in the past year, but the alliance's 28 member nations are responding, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in Brussels today.
Secretary General's Annual Report shows cuts in defence spending have almost stopped NATO 28 Jan 2016 -- The year 2015 showed how insecurity abroad directly affects our security at home, but it also showed that the Alliance is responding, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said during the presentation of his Annual Report today (28 January, 2016). Mr. Stoltenberg welcomed Allies' progress on defence spending, noting that "after many years of substantial reductions in defence spending, the cuts have now practically stopped among European Allies and Canada. And in 2015, defence cuts were close to zero." He emphasised that more needs to be done to increase defence investments in the face of major security challenges.
NATO weighing first talks with Russia in 2 years: Stoltenberg Press TV 28 Jan 2016 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says the western military alliance is discussing whether to hold first formal negotiations with Russia after ties between the two sides strained in 2014.

Russia, India Begin Work on 200 Ka-226T Helicopter Production Agreement Sputnik 28 Jan 2016 -- According to Russian Helicopters company, Russia and India have commenced a joint project to produce 200 Ka-226T helicopters.

Tokyo Calls on Pyongyang to Scrap Plans of Alleged Ballistic Missile Launch Sputnik 28 Jan 2016 -- The Japanese government calls on North Korea not to conduct a test fire of indigenous ballistic missiles, Japan's Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Koichi Hagiuda said Thursday.
S.Korea closely watching possible DPRK long-range missile launch People's Daily 28 Jan 2016 -- South Korea's defense ministry said Thursday that it is closely watching a possible test-launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) of its long-range ballistic missile after its nuclear test earlier this month.
North Korea readying for new missile test: Report Press TV 28 Jan 2016 -- North Korea may be preparing for a long-range missile launch within a week, a Japanese news agency says.
Japan Reports North Korea Readying Long-Range Missile Launch 'Next Week' Sputnik 28 Jan 2016 -- According to an anonymous Japanese government official, North Korea may be preparing to launch a long-range missile in the coming days.
Plans for N. Korea Missile Test Reported; China, US Disagree on Sanctions VOA 28 Jan 2016 -- U.S. and South Korean officials are privately saying they believe North Korea is preparing a missile launch within the next week.

Basij stages massive drills in Hormuz, Qeshm islands IRNA 28 Jan 2016 -- The Iranian Basiji (Voluntary) forces started massive exercises codenamed 'Towards Beit al-Moqaddas' in Hormuz Island in the Persian Gulf, Southern Iran on Thursday.
Iran Navy successfully tests L-band radar at drills Press TV 28 Jan 2016 -- Iran's Navy says it has successfully tested a new radar system during large-scale military drills south of the country.

January 28, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 28 Jan 2016
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 1/28/2016 The White House 28 Jan 2016

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for January 28, 2016
Raytheon kill vehicle succeeds in developmental flight test Raytheon 28 Jan 2016 -- A Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV) successfully completed a data-gathering mission during a Missile Defense Agency flight test. The mission's objective was to observe in-flight performance of redesigned components and gain valuable information on evolving threat classes.

Other Conflicts

28 January 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 28 Jan 2016

China Coast Guard Vessels Patrol near Diaoyu Islands, Refuting Japan's Warning People's Daily 28 Jan 2016 -- Four China Coast Guard vessels sailed within a 12-nautical-mile range of the Diaoyu Islands and patrolled there for about 2 hours in the morning of January 27, 2016, reported the Janpanese news agency Jiji Press.

Taiwan President Visits Disputed South China Sea Island VOA 28 Jan 2016 -- The president of Taiwan, a staunch but overlooked claimant in Asia's biggest maritime territorial dispute, flew to a contested island Thursday to send a signal that has reached as far as Washington.
Ma reiterates Taiping Island is an 'island,' not a 'rock' CNA 28 Jan 2016 -- President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) on Thursday reiterated that Taiping Island in the disputed South China Sea is an 'island,' not a 'rock', as he sought to solidify Taiwan's sovereignty claim over the island, after he visited it earlier in the day.
Ma reaches Taiping Island, proposes map for peace initiative CNA 28 Jan 2016 -- President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) landed on the Taiwan-administered Taiping Island in the South China Sea at around 11 a.m. Thursday and shortly after his arrival, made a speech in which he proposed a road map for his South China Sea peace initiative.
U.S. 'disappointed' over Ma's Taiping Island visit CNA 28 Jan 2016 -- The United States government on Wednesday expressed its disappointment over a visit by President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) to Taiping Island in the South China Sea, saying that such action is 'unhelpful' to resolving the dispute in the region.
Taiwan, China had no communication on Ma's Taiping trip: MAC CNA 28 Jan 2016 -- Taiwan did not contact China ahead of President Ma Ying-jeou's (馬英九) visit to Taiping Island in the South China Sea, as there was no need to do so, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said Thursday.
Cross-Strait Chinese share responsibility to protect Nansha Islands: FM People's Daily 28 Jan 2016 -- Chinese people from the mainland and Taiwan have a shared responsibility to protect the Nansha Islands, a spokesperson said on Thursday following Taiwanese leader Ma Ying-jeou's trip to the Taiping Island in the South China Sea.

Marine Biologists: Artificial Islands Devastating South China Sea Ecosystems VOA 28 Jan 2016 -- For years, overfishing in the territorially contested South China Sea has depleted local fish stocks.

Yemeni army, allies capture 3 bases in southwestern Saudi Arabia Press TV 28 Jan 2016 -- Yemeni army forces backed by fighters from allied Popular Committees have wrested control of three military bases in Saudi Arabia's southwestern region of Jizan as Riyadh presses ahead with its military campaign against its southern neighbor.
Yemenis down Saudi jet, destroy warships Press TV 28 Jan 2016 -- Yemen's army forces, backed by Houthi Ansarullah fighters, have downed a Saudi fighter jet and destroyed a number of its gunboats in retaliation for Riyadh's incessant airstrikes against its impoverished neighbor.
More than half Yemen's population face hunger amid ongoing strife, UN agency warns UN News 28 Jan 2016 -- Some 14.4 million Yemenis, more than half of the population of Yemen, are food insecure, an increase of 12 per cent in just the last eight months, as ongoing conflict and import restrictions reduce availability and send prices soaring, the United Nations agricultural agency warned today.

Turkey Threatens Military Action Against Syrian Kurds VOA 28 Jan 2016 -- Turkey's Security Council announced Thursday that the PYD Syrian Kurdish group and its YPG militia have no future in Syria. Ankara has warned it could intervene militarily.
Syrian peace talks lost in a fog of war IRIN 28 Jan 2016 -- "Five years of conflict have been too much. The horror is in front of everyone's eyes… You have seen enough conferences, two of them already taken place. This one cannot fail."
Syrian army regains control of 2 villages in Aleppo Press TV 28 Jan 2016 -- Syrian army soldiers, backed by fighters from allied popular defense groups, have liberated two villages from the grips of foreign-backed Takfiri militants in the country's northwestern Aleppo Province.
US urges opposition groups to attend Syria talks Press TV 28 Jan 2016 -- The United States is urging the invited Syrian opposition groups to participate in the upcoming talks in Geneva "without preconditions."
Russia, US Agree Intra-Syrian Talks Have No Chance to Succeed Without Kurds Sputnik 28 Jan 2016 -- Russia and the United States agree that the Kurds must participate in the intra-Syrian talks, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov.
Full Throttle: From Aleppo to Daraa, Syrian Army Advances on Militants Sputnik 28 Jan 2016 -- Scores of Daesh and al-Nusra Front terrorists have reportedly been killed after the Syrian Army launched major offensives in the key provinces of Aleppo, Damascus, Daraa, Deir ez-Zor, Hama, Homs and Idlib.
Syria Talks Off to Difficult Start VOA 28 Jan 2016 -- After being delayed from Monday, talks are set to get underway in Geneva Friday on what promises to be a long road to peace in Syria where the conflict – soon entering its sixth year – has killed a quarter of a million people.
Ahead of Geneva talks, UN envoy addresses all Syrians in video message UN News 28 Jan 2016 -- On the eve of scheduled intra-Syrian talks in Geneva to seek an end to five years of internecine fighting, the top United Nations official for the war-torn country took to the airwaves today to speak directly to the Syrian people, vowing that the world Organization will never abandon them.

US military warns of 'catastrophic' Mosul dam collapse Press TV 28 Jan 2016 -- The US military is gearing up to deal with the catastrophic consequences of a potential collapse of Mosul dam in northern Iraq, the top US general in the Arab country says.

Dire health situation of 2 million Libyans 'cannot wait for political solution' to conflict - UN agency official UN News 28 Jan 2016 -- With a political deal among Libya's numerous factions in flux, some $50 million is urgently needed to meet the life-saving needs of nearly 2 million people in crisis-torn country, as the conflict lingers and the yearlong peace process has again hit stumbling blocks, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned.

Thousands flee southeast Turkey over heavy clashes Press TV 28 Jan 2016 -- Thousands of Kurdish residents of a district in Turkey's embattled southeastern city of Diyarbakir have fled the area amid intense clashes between government forces and militants.

Russia Provides Int'l Court of Justice Materials on South Ossetia Conflict Sputnik 28 Jan 2016 -- Russian Investigative Committee's spokesman Vladimir Markin said that the Russian Investigative Committee has carried out a thorough investigation of crimes committed by Georgian forces in the military conflict in South Ossetia in 2008 and all the evidence and materials have been submitted to the International Court of Justice.

Ivory Coast's Gbagbo Declares Innocence at Start of ICC Trial VOA 28 Jan 2016 -- Former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo entered a not guilty plea Thursday in the opening day of his trial at the International Criminal Court.
Gbagbo Supporters Take Cynical View of ICC VOA 28 Jan 2016 -- Former Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo went on trial Thursday at the International Criminal Court, facing charges of crimes against humanity.

Announcing 'breakthrough' political achievement, UN envoy says Somalia's success will depend on managing threats UN News 28 Jan 2016 -- The Security Council heard today from the top United Nations official in Somalia that success in the country this year will depend upon managing threats, notably those posed by the terrorist groups Al-Shabaab, while announcing a "breakthrough" political achievement.
Somali Leaders Agree on Framework for Elections VOA 28 Jan 2016 -- Political leaders in Somalia have agreed on a framework for holding elections this year, a move the international community hopes will stabilize the long-troubled country.

News Reports

US Senate Panel Approves Tough Sanctions Against N. Korea VOA 28 Jan 2016 -- A U.S. Senate panel unanimously approved tougher sanctions against North Korea, targeting its nuclear program, cyber activities and human rights record.
Sitting on a Mineral Mine: North Korea Hopes Rare Metals Win Over Investors Sputnik 28 Jan 2016 -- A South African expert helping North Korea examine its mineral deposits told The National that he thinks the resource could prove to be a 'dynamo' for the country's economy.

Rouhani: Imposing Sanctions failed policy IRNA 28 Jan 2016 -- President Hassan Rouhani said on Thursday that sanctions are regarded as failed policy as highlighting the privileges of the Iranian economy at global level.
Nuclear fuel exchange with Russia very profitable: Salehi Press TV 28 Jan 2016 -- Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi says the recent exchange of nuclear fuel with Russia was "very profitable."

Saudi prince: Iran war in nobody's interest Press TV 28 Jan 2016 -- A senior member of the ruling family in Saudi Arabia says he hopes it will not take too long for the kingdom and Iran to restore diplomatic ties.

Southern Africa's food crisis in numbers* IRIN 28 Jan 2016 -- Southern Africa is facing the threat of extensive crop failures this year as a result of record low rainfall in a region in which 29 million people already don't have reliable access to enough affordable and nutritious food.

Russian Oil Execs Agree To Talk With OPEC About Boosting Prices RFE/RL 28 Jan 2016 -- Russian oil executives and energy officials decided this week they should talk to Saudi Arabia and the OPEC oil cartel about cutting output to boost world oil prices, the head of Russia's pipeline monopoly said on January 27.
Oil Production Decrease Possible With Consensus of Crude Producers Sputnik 28 Jan 2016 -- Bahraini Energy Minister Abdul Hussain bin Ali Mirza said that if opinions of OPEC members and countries that are not included in the organization on the necessity to cut oil prices coincide, then decreasing production to raise oil prices is possible.

Analysts: Putin's Man in Chechnya a Potential Liability VOA 28 Jan 2016 -- The bellicose leader of Russia's republic of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, rules with aggressive rhetoric and an iron fist that sparks outcries from liberal politicians but no rebuke from the Kremlin.

In Croatia, A Furor Over Nationalist's Call To Register 'Traitors' RFE/RL 28 Jan 2016 -- When the head of Croatia's Ministry of Veteran Affairs proposed last week to create a 'registry of traitors' naming people who oppose nationalist values, a group of concerned citizens leaped forward to help.

Vietnam Retains Communist Leader, Elects 1st Female Assembly Chair VOA 28 Jan 2016 -- Those hoping for a political showdown in Vietnam were disappointed, as the Communist Party introduced Thursday its preordained quartet of leaders, which included General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, whose term was extended, and the first woman elected to one of the country's top four posts.

Erdogan Hungry for More Power, Urges Turkey to Move to Presidential System Sputnik 28 Jan 2016 -- Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan continued on Thursday to call for a transition to the presidential system in the country.

UK sells 'invasive surveillance equipment' to Saudi Arabia Press TV 28 Jan 2016 -- Britain has approved the sale of invasive surveillance equipment to Saudi Arabia, amid an outcry over the Al Saud's human rights violations, a new report says.
Lifting the Veil: UK Licenses Sale of Snooping Tech to Saudis, Egypt, UAE Sputnik 28 Jan 2016 -- The British government is licensing its overseas trade of surveillance equipment to Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates among other states, The Independent newspaper reported citing new records.

Commentary: There is no 'House of Cards' in China's anti-corruption campaign People's Daily 28 Jan 2016 -- The American television drama series "House of Cards" features U.S. politicians' ruthless pragmatism and manipulation in political struggle. As inappropriate as it is, some people still compare China's anti-corruption campaign to "House of Cards", insinuating anti-corruption is a tool for power struggle to discriminate against dissidents. Is this just alarmism?
Chinese provinces lower GDP growth target for 2016 People's Daily 28 Jan 2016 -- Twenty-four Chinese provinces and municipalities recently set their GDP goals for 2016 during their annual sessions of People's Congress and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference which help set the tone for the year ahead. Unlike in the previous year, 15 regions have adjusted their GDP growth rates downwards while six maintained the same figure as before.

UN health agency convenes emergency meeting to address 'dramatic' spread of Zika virus UN News 28 Jan 2016 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) today called an emergency meeting for Monday on the "dramatic" rise in Zika virus infection – strongly suspected of causing birth malformations – warning that its "explosive" spread could eventually infect up to four million people before it is brought under control.
Zika virus spreading explosively, warns WHO Press TV 28 Jan 2016 -- The head of World Health Organization (WHO) has voiced alarm over the Zika outbreak around the Americans, saying the virus is "spreading explosively."
'Explosive' Spread Of Zika Virus Raises Alarm Worldwide RFE/RL 28 Jan 2016 -- The Zika virus was discovered in a monkey in Uganda in 1947, and the first human case was registered in Nigeria in 1954. Borne by mosquitoes, it has circulated in Africa and Asia for decades, and more recently in the Pacific region, never causing much concern.
WHO: Zika Virus Spreading Explosively in Americas VOA 28 Jan 2016 -- The World Health Organization warns the Zika virus, seen as a possible cause of severe birth defects, is spreading rapidly through the Americas and could affect as many as four million people.

Flu Outbreak Kills 107 People in Russia - Health Ministry Sputnik 28 Jan 2016 -- Russia's Health Minister Veronika Skvortsova said that the death toll of the flu outbreak stood at 107 people, including four pregnant women and eight children.

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