29 January 2016 Military News

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Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
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Current Operations

Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Casualty Update 29 Jan 2016 [PDF]

Department of Defense Press Briefing by Col. Warren via Teleconference from Baghdad, Iraq DoD 29 Jan 2016 -- Presenter: Colonel Steve Warren, Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman
OIR Spokesman: Coalition Applies Consistent Pressure on ISIL AFPS 29 Jan 2016 -- Over the past week the coalition has kept pressure on the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant across the depth and breadth of the battlefield, Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren said today.
Islamic State Caliphate Crunched by US-Backed Forces VOA 29 Jan 2016 -- The borders of the Islamic State's self-declared caliphate in Iraq and Syria are steadily eroding, but it will likely be months before U.S. and coalition-backed forces are ready to take on the terror group's strongholds in Mosul or Raqqa.
Obama Ramps Up Strategy in Fight Against Islamic State VOA 29 Jan 2016 -- President Barack Obama met with his defense chief at the White House on Friday as the White House ramps up its strategy to defeat Islamic State and the group's attempts to expand beyond Iraq and Syria into Libya.
Military Strikes Hit ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 29 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.
Update: air strikes against Daesh UK MOD 29 Jan 2016 -- British aircraft have continued intensive armed reconnaissance patrols over Syria and Iraq, striking a number of Daesh terrorist positions.

Statement by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter on the Netherlands Expansion of Air Campaign Against ISIL in Syria DoD 29 Jan 2016 -- "I want to commend the government of the Netherlands for its announcement today that Dutch pilots will expand their current mission over Iraq to participate in coalition air strikes against ISIL in eastern Syria."
Netherlands to carry out anti-Daesh air raids in Syria Press TV 29 Jan 2016 -- The Netherlands is set to join the so-called US-led coalition in Syria against the purported positions of the Daesh terror group, extending its anti-Daesh mission in neighboring Iraq.
Dutch Warplanes To Begin Strikes On IS Targets In Syria RFE/RL 29 Jan 2016 -- The Netherlands has agreed to extend its role in the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State (IS) militants to include the bombing of targets in Syria.

US-Coalition to Train at Least 10 Iraqi Brigades to Retake Mosul from Daesh Sputnik 29 Jan 2016 -- The US-led coalition will train at least 10 Iraqi brigades to retake the city of Mosul.

Taliban strongest since US invasion of Afghanistan Press TV 29 Jan 2016 -- More than 14 years into the US invasion of Afghanistan, the Taliban terrorist group is stronger than ever, says a US government watchdog.
Obama's next Afghanistan cmdr. to review troop number Press TV 29 Jan 2016 -- America's next choice for the leadership of US forces in Afghanistan has pledged to review a planned drawdown of troops over 'security' concerns.
US Will Not Target Haqqanis in Afghanistan VOA 29 Jan 2016 -- The United States military for the first time has categorically stated its counterterrorism operations in Afghanistan are not targeting the Haqqani network of militants, which is fighting alongside the Taliban.
US: Afghanistan's Economic Prospects 'Bleak' VOA 29 Jan 2016 -- A U.S. government auditor says despite more than a decade of reconstruction and development efforts, Afghanistan's economy remains in fragile and worsening condition.

Defense Policy / Programs

NAVSUP FLC Sigonella Supports Exercise Cutlass Express 2016 NNS 29 Jan 2016 -- Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Sigonella's Expeditionary Contracting Support (ECS) Branch is providing contract support for Exercise Cutlass Express 2016, Jan. 30 to Feb. 6.
US, Japan participate in Keen Edge 16 AFNS 29 Jan 2016 -- Members from the Japan Self-Defense Forces and United States Forces Japan came together to conduct a joint-bilateral command post exercise Keen Edge 16 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, from Jan. 23-29; this was the 14th command post exercise since 1986.
Leaders From 18 Nations, Southcom Meet To Discuss Caribbean Security AFPS 29 Jan 2016 -- Drawn by an interest in addressing regional threats of mutual concern, delegations from 18 nations including the United States met in Kingston, Jamaica, Jan. 26-29, for talks on security cooperation capacity building in the Caribbean.
USS Chung-Hoon Departs for Western Pacific Deployment NNS 29 Jan 2016 -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) departed Jan. 27 for a regularly scheduled strike group deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean with the John C. Stennis Strike Group.
Pentagon Says Russian Jet Buzzed U.S. Plane Over Black Sea RFE/RL 29 Jan 2016 -- A Russian fighter jet flew close to a U.S. Air Force spy plane 'in an unsafe and unprofessional manner' over the Black Sea on January 25, a U.S. Defense Department spokeswoman said.
Buddy Wing showcases South Korea, US alliance AFNS 29 Jan 2016 -- U.S. Airmen from the 36th Fighter Squadron and Aircraft Maintenance Unit traveled to Seosan Air Base, South Korea, to participate in exercise Buddy Wing with South Korean air force personnel from the 121st Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Wing, from Jan. 25-29.
1st LAR trains for real-world combat USMC News 29 Jan 2016 -- The LAV-25, or light armored vehicle, is a versatile, amphibious vehicle in the Marine Corps. Its mission is to provide combined arms reconnaissance and security in support of a ground combat element. From its M242 25mm chain-driven auto cannon, to its top speed of approximately 62 mph, the LAV-25 is a useful addition to the combat capabilities of Marines serving around the globe.

NATO weighs US call for AWACS planes in Syria Press TV 29 Jan 2016 -- NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says the United States has asked the military alliance to assist the US with AWACS surveillance aircraft in the Syria war.

Invincible Shield: Russia Puts S-400 Systems on Combat Duty Near Moscow Sputnik 29 Jan 2016 -- The Russian Armed Forces have put an air defense regiment, equipped with advanced S-400 Triumf air defense systems, on combat duty in the Moscow Region, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Friday.

Japan, U.S. FMs hold talks over possible DPRK rocket launch People's Daily 29 Jan 2016 -- Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday discussed the possibility that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) may be gearing up to test a long-range rocket.
Japan orders military to destroy N Korean missile Press TV 29 Jan 2016 -- Japan has put its military on alert and ordered it to destroy any missile fired by North Korea that may threaten the country amid reports of an imminent launch by Pyongyang.

Japan unveils its first stealth plane People's Daily 29 Jan 2016 -- Japan has unveiled its first homemade stealth plane.

S.Korea sees THAAD deployment as helpful to security People's Daily 29 Jan 2016 -- South Korea's defense ministry said Friday that deploying a U.S. mobile missile defense system, dubbed Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) in the country, would be helpful to its security and defense.
Deployment of US Defense System to Increase South Korea's Security Sputnik 29 Jan 2016 -- According to the South Korean Defense Ministry, the US anti-missile system can help South Korea boost the country's security.
S. Korea Eyes US Missile Defense System as North Continues Tests VOA 29 Jan 2016 -- To counter growing North Korean missile and nuclear threats, South Korea appears poised to consider importing a controversial U.S. missile defense system, according to officials in Seoul.

India to Equip Submarines With Russian-Indian BrahMos Missiles Sputnik 29 Jan 2016 -- India plans to equip new submarines with BrahMos cruise missiles, made jointly by India and Russia, the head of the Russian missile manufacturer NPO Mashinostroyenia said Friday.

Iranian Drone Films Alleged Flight Over US Aircraft Carrier in Persian Gulf Sputnik 29 Jan 2016 -- An Iranian drone flew over the US aircraft carrier in the Gulf and made a video of its flight, the Iranian media reported on Friday.
Iran Navy successfully test-fires Nour cruise missile Press TV 29 Jan 2016 -- The Iranian Navy has successfully test-fired surface-to-surface cruise missiles with a range of 150 km during large-scale naval exercises in Makran coastal zone, east of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran Navy drone flies over US aircraft carrier in Persian Gulf: Video Press TV 29 Jan 2016 -- The Iranian Navy has reportedly flown an unmanned surveillance drone over an American aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf amid ongoing military drills in the waters south of the country.

300 Military Vehicles 'Missing' From Ukrainian Army Warehouses Sputnik 29 Jan 2016 -- While Kiev's allies keep sending military vehicles to the Ukrainian Army, things continue to get lost in Ukraine. According to Russia's OSCE envoy Alexander Lukashevich, 300 military vehicles have "vanished" from Ukrainian Army warehouses over the past two months.

No Secret: Russia Supplies Small Arms to Fiji at Government's Request Sputnik 29 Jan 2016 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry denied on Friday media reports on alleged 'secret' supplies of firearms and ammunition to the Pacific nation of Fiji, saying the deliveries were carried out on request by the Fiji government.

Syrian defense chief in Moscow to discuss military ties Press TV 29 Jan 2016 -- Syrian Defense Minister Fahd Jassem al-Freij has paid an official visit to Moscow to discuss the results of a Russian aerial campaign against Takfiri terror groups in the Arab country.

January 29, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 29 Jan 2016

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for January 29, 2016
U.S. Navy Awards Boeing $2.5 Billion Contract for 20 More P-8A Poseidon Aircraft Boeing 29 Jan 2016 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] will further equip the U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) with maritime patrol capabilities, building 20 more P-8A Poseidon aircraft following a $2.5 billion U.S. Navy order announced yesterday.
Indian Company Mulls Joint Construction of Warships With Russia, UK Sputnik 29 Jan 2016 -- India's shipbuilding company Bharatu Shipyard, which has a license to build warships in India, has been discussing with Russian and British companies the joint construction of naval vessels, the Mumbai-based newspaper The Economic Times reported on Friday.

Other Conflicts

29 January 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 29 Jan 2016
At African Union Peace and Security Council, Ban discusses Burundi, South Sudan and counter-terrorism UN News 29 Jan 2016 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today, in an address to the African Union Peace and Security Council, spotlighted three topics high on the regional body's agenda – counter-terrorism, and the ongoing crises in both South Sudan and Burundi – all of which require urgent attention at the continental-level and from the wider international community.
UN allocates $100 million in emergency funds to assist vulnerable people in nine neglected crises UN News 29 Jan 2016 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today released $100 million from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for severely underfunded aid operations in nine neglected emergencies.

Tsai Ing-wen backs ROC sovereignty over Taiping Island CNA 29 Jan 2016 -- President-elect Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Friday that she has consistently insisted on the Republic of China's (Taiwan's) sovereignty over Taiping Island, and she asked all parties involved in the dispute to maintain peace and stability in the region.
U.S. acknowledges President Ma's road map for peace initiative CNA 29 Jan 2016 -- The United States said Thursday that it appreciates the road map President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) has devised for his South China Sea peace initiative, which urges all parties concerned to be included in a mechanism for talks regarding South China Sea affairs and to cooperate on a variety of issues.

UN Food Agency: Yemen Enduring 'Humanitarian Catastrophe' VOA 29 Jan 2016 -- Yemen is facing chronic mass starvation, a United Nations report warns, calling it a 'forgotten crisis.'

US Urges Syrian Opposition to Attend Peace Talks Without Preconditions Sputnik 29 Jan 2016 -- US State Department spokesman said that the United States is calling on both the Syrian government and the opposition to participate in the Geneva peace talks without preconditions.
Hasty Retreat: Terrorists on the Run as Syrian Army Advances in Aleppo Sputnik 29 Jan 2016 -- Syrian troops and popular defense forces (NDF), on Thursday, regained control over the town of Bluzah in the country's northwestern Aleppo province, Iran's Fars news agency reported on Thursday.
Syrian Peace Talks Start Without Opposition Representatives VOA 29 Jan 2016 -- U.N. officials in Geneva went ahead with peace talks Friday on ending the war in Syria, despite a boycott by the main Syrian opposition group.
Explaining Syria's Crisis: Simple Protest Sparked Prolonged Chaos VOA 29 Jan 2016 -- Negotiators meeting for Syrian peace talks that began Friday in Geneva are focusing on urgent goals: establishing a cease-fire, delivering humanitarian aid, and setting a course for long-term resolution of the nearly five-year conflict.
Iran Sending Afghan Refugees to Fight in Syria VOA 29 Jan 2016 -- Iran has sent thousands of undocumented Shi'ite Afghan refugees to Syria to fight alongside forces of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard forces in support of the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, sources in Iran and Afghanistan told VOA.
Syria: UN-sponsored talks get under way; relief agencies amplify calls for access to besieged civilians UN News 29 Jan 2016 -- With United Nations-mediated talks on ending the five-year crisis in Syria set to get under way today as scheduled, UN relief agencies and their partners are reiterating their appeal for unhindered access by relief workers to more than four million desperate people spread across 18 besieged areas in the war-torn country.
Syrian Peace Talks Start Amid Confusion VOA 29 Jan 2016 -- United Nations talks aimed at ending the five-year-old Syrian civil war started Friday in Geneva, even though groups fighting the regime of President Bashar al-Assad boycotted the gathering.

Iraqi forces inflict more losses on Daesh Takfiri militants Press TV 29 Jan 2016 -- Iraqi government forces, backed by military aircraft, have launched successful clean-up operations against the Daesh terrorist group in some parts of the Arab country, dealing heavy blows to the Takfiri militants.

Russia to Deploy More Su-30 Interceptor Jets in Crimea Sputnik 29 Jan 2016 -- A number of new planes will be added to the squadron of Sukhoi Su-30SM multirole interceptors deployed in Crimea, the Black Sea Fleet Commander, Admiral Alexander Vitko, said on Friday.

UN officials name countries whose troops are accused of sexually abusing minors in Central African Republic UN News 29 Jan 2016 -- Two senior United Nations officials today disclosed the names of some of the countries whose troops are accused of sexually exploiting and abusing minors in the Central African Republic (CAR), including both non-UN and UN forces tasked with maintaining peace and security in the conflict-torn nation.
Foreign Troops in CAR Accused of Sex Abuse VOA 29 Jan 2016 -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said Friday he is 'extremely alarmed' about the allegations that continue to surface in the Central African Republic about the sexual exploitation and abuse of minors by members of foreign military forces.
UN rights chief 'alarmed' at more sexual abuse allegations against troops in Central African Republic UN News 29 Jan 2016 -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights today said he is extremely alarmed at continuing allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse of minors in the Central African Republic (CAR) by members of foreign military forces.

10 dead in northeast Nigeria bombing Press TV 29 Jan 2016 -- Ten people were killed Friday in a bomb attack at a market in the town of Gombi, Nigeria's restive northeastern region.

'Waves of violence' by rebels in eastern DR Congo forces thousands to flee - UN UN News 29 Jan 2016 -- The "cycle of misery" is continuing in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) three years after a major rebel offensive was defeated by United Nations and Government forces in North Kivu, as now, armed militia and rebel groups are again targeting the region for violence and putting thousands of civilians on the run, the UN refugee agency reported today.

Child malnutrition on rise in Myanmar's Rakhine: EU agency Press TV 29 Jan 2016 -- A EU agency says the number of severely-malnourished children has risen in Myanmar's northern Rakhine State, which is home to the persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority.

News Reports

Khomeini's Grandson Vows To Challenge Decision to Bar Him From Election RFE/RL 29 Jan 2016 -- A grandson of the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the cleric who led Iran's 1979 revolution and founded the Islamic republic, says he will challenge a decision to bar him from running in the February election for the Assembly of Experts even though it could be fruitless.

On Eve of Summit, Burundi Reiterates Objection to AU Troops VOA 29 Jan 2016 -- On the eve of the African Union summit in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, Burundi has again said it will not accept AU peacekeepers in the country.
Burundi - nobody to the rescue? IRIN 29 Jan 2016 -- It's almost a given that African leaders meeting today in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, will not override Burundi's objections and endorse the deployment of a 5,000-strong intervention force to help end the violence in the troubled country.

Taiwan still trying to contact Beijing through hotline: acting premier CNA 29 Jan 2016 -- The hotline connecting officials in Taiwan and mainland China in charge of bilateral relations is still in place, and efforts continue to be made to reach the head of the Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) in Beijing, Acting Premier Simon Chang (張善政) said Friday.

S. Korea Fails to Pass N. Korean Human Rights Bill VOA 29 Jan 2016 -- South Korean legislators failed to hold a vote this week on a proposed North Korean Human Rights Act, despite an agreement between the two major political parties to consider the measure.

CIA 'Tortured for Sake of Torture': Whistleblower John Kiriakou to Sputnik Sputnik 29 Jan 2016 -- In a special episode of Radio Sputnik's Loud & Clear, whistleblower John Kiriakou, a former CIA analyst, describes his experience of being the only person sent to prison in relation to the Bush administration's torture program, and that simply because he exposed the atrocities to the world.

Jail Bird Set Free: Lebanon Returns Israeli 'Spy Vulture' Sputnik 29 Jan 2016 -- The Lebanese government returned a vulture, which it mistakenly thought to be a Mossad spy, back to Israel, according to the radio station Reshet Bet.

Allies? Snowden Leak Reveals US, UK Intelligence Hacking Israeli Drones Sputnik 29 Jan 2016 -- US and UK intelligence services have been hacking Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) signals to spy on military operations in Gaza, the documents leaked by whistleblower Edward Snowden revealed Friday.
US, UK spies hacked Israeli air force networks: Snowden Press TV 29 Jan 2016 -- New leaks by fugitive former US spy agency contractor Edward Snowden reveal the United States and Britain monitored Israeli air force's secret flights and communications, reports say.

China Charges Canadian with Spying VOA 29 Jan 2016 -- China said Friday it has charged a Canadian national with spying and stealing state secrets.

Turkey Seeks Energy from Azerbaijan VOA 29 Jan 2016 -- With Russian-Turkish relations remaining sour after Turkey downed a Russian bomber, Ankara is looking to Azerbaijan and Central Asia for support in helping to ease its dependency on Russian energy.

In Bid To End Protests, Moldova's Parliament Speaker Offers Referendum On Presidency RFE/RL 29 Jan 2016 -- Moldova's embattled ruling coalition says it will soon call for a referendum on direct presidential elections, a moderate concession to demonstrators who have held several large antigovernment protests over the past week.

Security Council urges Haitian parties to refrain from actions that could further disrupt electoral process UN News 29 Jan 2016 -- Expressing strong concern regarding the indefinite postponement of the final round of elections in Haiti – scheduled for 27 December but postponed, for the second time, to January 24 – the United Nations Security Council today reiterated its condemnation of any attempt to destabilize the electoral process, and urged all parties and political actors to refrain from violence.

At Least 5 Killed in Saudi Mosque Attack VOA 29 Jan 2016 -- Attackers wearing suicide belts and carrying assault rifles targeted a Shi'ite mosque in eastern Saudi Arabia during Friday prayer services, killing five people and wounding 18 others. It was at least the fifth such attack in under a year.

Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova Moscow, January 29, 2016 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 29 Jan 2016
Russia Publicly Embraces Talks With OPEC On Oil Output Cuts RFE/RL 29 Jan 2016 -- Russia for the first time publicly embraced talking to the OPEC oil cartel about jointly cutting global oil production by up to 5 percent to prop up collapsing oil prices.

Amid Economic Woes, Nazarbaev Tells Kazakhs To Take 'Deep Breath Like Yogis' RFE/RL 29 Jan 2016 -- What to do when your cash cow is stumbling and life is giving you outrageously priced lemons? Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev, for one, believes it's time to 'pause, take a deep breath like yogis' and forget about it.

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