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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 19 Feb 2016 [PDF]
• Military Strikes Continue Against ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 19 Feb 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 19 Feb 2016 -- Typhoon and Tornado aircraft of the Royal Air Force, operating alongside other nations in the coalition against Daesh, have delivered further precision strikes on terrorists in both Syria and Iraq.
• KC-135 crew saves F-16 pilot from ejecting over enemy lines AFNS 19 Feb 2016 -- A KC-135 Stratotanker crew from McConnell Air Force Base saved an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot from ejecting over Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant-held territory in 2015, which could have resulted in the Airman's captivity or death.
• UK smart missiles killed zero Daesh militants in Syria: Report Press TV 19 Feb 2016 -- Britain's smart Brimstone missiles have not yet killed or wounded any Takfiri Daesh militants in Syria since London began its aerial campaign on the Arab country last year, a report reveals.
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 19 Feb 2016 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook
• Strike on ISIL Camp Protected National Security, Pentagon Press Secretary Says AFPS 19 Feb 2016 -- The U.S. military's airstrike on an Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant training camp early today near rural Sabratha, Libya -- a strike that also targeted a senior ISIL facilitator -- was conducted after surveillance showed both were threats to U.S. national security, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said in a news conference today.
• Statement from Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook on Libya Airstrike DoD 19 Feb 2016 -- "Early this morning the U.S. military conducted an airstrike in Libya targeting an ISIL training camp near Sabratha and Noureddine Chouchane, a.k.a. 'Sabir,' a Tunisian national who was an ISIL senior facilitator in Libya associated with the training camp. "
• U.S. Airstrike in Libya Targets ISIL Training Camp, Senior Facilitator AFPS 19 Feb 2016 -- The U.S. military conducted an airstrike in Libya early today targeting an Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant training camp near Sabratha, and Noureddine Chouchane, also known as 'Sabir,' a Tunisian national who was an ISIL senior facilitator in Libya associated with the training camp, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said.
• US Carries Out Strikes in Libya After Uncovering Daesh Attack Plans Sputnik 19 Feb 2016 -- US Defense Department spokesperson Peter Cook said that Washington conducted airstrikes in Libya against terrorists' training camp and Daesh leader Noureddine Chouchane after US Defense Department received information that Daesh 'were planning external attacks on US and other Western interests in the region.'
• US Jets Hit IS Camp in Libya, Target 'Likely Killed' VOA 19 Feb 2016 -- U.S. warplanes attacked an Islamic State training camp in western Libya Friday, near the border with Tunisia, hitting their main target and killing dozens of terrorist recruits.
• US airstrikes kill 40 people in Libyan city: Mayor Press TV 19 Feb 2016 -- US aircraft carried out airstrikes early Friday on the city of Sabratha, northwestern Libya, killing over 40 people, the city's mayor said.
• Afghanistan recommits to ending recruitment of children in security forces - UN envoy UN News 19 Feb 2016 -- Following a mission to Afghanistan, the United Nations envoy dealing with children and armed conflict issues, has welcomed the Government's recommitment to fully implementing its plan to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children in the national security forces.
• Battle for Achin Rages On; Afghan Govt. Reports Dozens of Militants Killed VOA 19 Feb 2016 -- A military offensive against Islamic State in the Achin district of Afghanistan's Nangarhar province continued Friday for a fourth day, clearing areas once under IS control.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 2/19/2016 The White House 19 Feb 2016

Defense Policy / Programs

• New Era of US, ROK Navy Alliance Begins in Busan NNS 19 Feb 2016 -- Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea (CNFK) conducted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Feb. 19, officially opening its headquarters in Busan and ushering in a new era of U.S. and Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) alliance.
• Menu Planning Board outcomes produce changes USMC News 19 Feb 2016
• Nimitz Upgrades Network to CANES NNS 19 Feb 2016 -- USS Nimitz (CVN 68) became the latest aircraft carrier to receive a massive upgrade to its network infrastructure Feb. 16 that increases operational efficiency, security, and communication capabilities for the ship.
• USNS Lummus crew conducts zero-visibility drill, shows importance of preparation NNS 19 Feb 2016 -- Civilian mariners aboard Military Sealift Command (MSC) Maritime Prepositioning Force ship USNS 1st LT Jack Lummus (T-AK 3011) participated in a zero-visibility drill in the Gulf of Thailand, Feb. 17.
• USNS Spearhead Arrives in Douala for Port Visit NNS 19 Feb 2016 -- The Military Sealift Command's expeditionary fast transport vessel USNS Spearhead (T-EPF 1) arrived in Douala, Cameroon, for a routine port visit Feb 19.
• New Sea Drone Set for Ocean Trials VOA 19 Feb 2016 -- It's almost 40 meters long and can prowl the world's ocean for months at a time--all by itself without a human on board.
• Obama's Asia Pivot Increases US Influence But Fails to Stop China VOA 19 Feb 2016 -- Five years after U.S. President Barack Obama committed to a strategic rebalance to Asia, shifting diplomatic and military resources to the globe's economic engine, critics say the move was oversold and, so far, it has under delivered.
• NATO-Morocco Cooperation in the 21st Century - Remarks by NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow at the NATO-Morocco Public Diplomacy Seminar in Rabat NATO 19 Feb 2016 -- Ladies and gentlemen,
• Ukraine, NATO Sign Document on Plans to Cooperate in Special Operations Sputnik 19 Feb 2016 -- The head of Ukraine's General Staff, Viktor Muzhenko, said that a letter of intent was signed regarding cooperation in special operations between NATO Special Operations Forces and the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
• Estonia Accuses Russia of Airspace Violation, Russia Denies Infraction Sputnik 19 Feb 2016 -- The Estonian Defense Forces' General Staff claimed on Friday that a Russian helicopter trespassed into its airspace on Thursday, an allegation immediately denied by the Russian Defense Ministry.
• Russian Paratroopers Plan 'Intense Use' of Western Border Training Areas Sputnik 19 Feb 2016 -- Russian paratroopers will extensively use training areas located along its western borders for combat training missions, Airborne Forces Commander Col. Gen. Vladimir Shamanov said Friday.
• Russian Ships With Kalibr Cruise Missiles to Be on Permanent Med Sea Duty Sputnik 19 Feb 2016 -- Black Sea Fleet Commander Adm. Alexander Vitko said that New Russian Navy cruisers from the Black Sea Fleet armed with Kalibr cruise missile systems will br on battle duty in the Mediterranean Sea.
• Russia to Cut 2016 Military Spending By 5% Sputnik 19 Feb 2016 -- The Russian military budget will be reduced in 2016 by 5 percent due to the economic situation in the country, the local Vedomosti newspaper reported citing a source close to the Defense Ministry.
• Official Source: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Stops Aid to Arm Lebanese Army and Internal Security Forces SPA 19 Feb 2016 -- An official source said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has consistently provided, throughout its history, the support to Arab and Islamic countries and that the Lebanese Republic has always had the large share of this support and assistance.
• Bahrain fully Supports Saudi Decision over Lebanon SPA 19 Feb 2016 -- The Kingdom of Bahrain expressed on Friday full support for the decision made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to carry out a comprehensive review of its relations with the Republic of Lebanon and stop Saudi scheduled aid to arm Lebanese army as well as security forces, stressing that this move is a result of Lebanon's recurrent official positions, that are totally against the Arab interests, in violation of the Arab consensus and non recognition of the great support offered to Lebanon by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states.
• UAE fully Supports Saudi Decision on Lebanon SPA 19 Feb 2016 -- United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, announced the UAE's full support for Saudi Arabia's decision to conduct a comprehensive review of its relations with Lebanon, and halt its arms deals for the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces due to Lebanon's recent official positions, including its failure to condemn Iran's aggression against the Saudi Embassy and Consulate in Iran.
• Saudi Arabia ceases $3 billion military aid to Lebanon Press TV 19 Feb 2016 -- Saudi Arabia has suspended a $3 billion package to the Lebanese army and the remainder of a $1 billion in aid to its internal security forces.
• Northern Region Commander: 'Raad Al-Shamal' Maneuvers Represent Quantum Leap in Using all Forces in Field SPA 19 Feb 2016 -- Commander of the Northern region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Maj. Gen. Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Mutair has inspected the forces participating in 'Raad Al-Shamal' maneuvers and ensured the stages of their preparation and readiness in the largest military exercise in the history of the Middle East region.
• Brazil, South Africa Begin Military Drills off Indian Coast Sputnik 19 Feb 2016 -- Indian Navy said that IBSAMAR military exercises involving India, Brazil and South Africa began, for the first time off the west coast of India.
• February 19, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 19 Feb 2016

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 19, 2016
• Germany Records Lowest Small Arms Exports in Over 15 Years Sputnik 19 Feb 2016 -- The export of small arms from Germany in 2015 amounted to $37.5 million in comparison to $52.2 million in 2014, according to German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel.

Other Conflicts

• 19 February 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 19 Feb 2016
• Vietnam Protests China's Paracels Missile Deployment VOA 19 Feb 2016 -- Vietnam lodged a formal protest Friday against China's deployment of surface-to-air missiles to the disputed Paracel Islands chain in the South China Sea.
• US accuses China of deploying missiles to S. China Sea island Press TV 19 Feb 2016 -- The United States has accused China of deploying surface-to-air missiles on an island in the South China Sea, claiming the deployment has raised tensions in the Asia-Pacific region.
• UN humanitarian office appeals for $1.8-billion funding for Yemen Press TV 19 Feb 2016 -- The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) appealed Friday for a $1.8-billion funding for Yemen in 2016, amid Saudi Arabia's nonstop aggression against the impoverished country.
• UN: Yemen on Brink of Humanitarian Catastrophe VOA 19 Feb 2016 -- The United Nations warns conflict-ridden Yemen is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe. It is urging donors to give generously to the $1.8 billion appeal it launched Thursday to provide critical and life-saving assistance to 13.6 million people, more than half the country's population.
• Moscow must stop supporting Syrian President Assad: Hollande Press TV 19 Feb 2016 -- French President François Hollande says Moscow must stop supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as the West rejects a Russian-drafted UN resolution aimed at halting Turkey's military actions in northern Syria.
• Syria: humanitarian air drops 'still in the planning stage' - UN agency UN News 19 Feb 2016 -- Following a humanitarian breakthrough in delivering aid to a Syrian town inaccessible for more than 18 months, the United Nations food relief agency is now planning possible air-drops for 200,000 people in the Deir ez-Zor area besieged by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL/Da'esh.
• US, Russia Launch Cease-fire Talks; No UN Action on Turkey VOA 19 Feb 2016 -- The U.S. and Russia have launched talks on brokering a cease-fire in Syria after failing to make Friday's scheduled deadline for a pause in fighting.
• US-Backed Syrian Alliance Reports Gains Against IS VOA 19 Feb 2016 -- A U.S.-backed alliance of Syrian Kurdish and Arab fighters is making headway against Islamic State militants in northeast Syria as a part of a major coalition operation to drive IS out of a strategic town bordering Iraq.
• Saudi FM: Militants in Syria should be armed with surface-to-air missiles Press TV 19 Feb 2016 -- Saudi Arabia's foreign minister says the militants wreaking havoc in Syria should be equipped with surface-to-air missiles.
• US-supplied arms in hands of Daesh, Turkish president says Press TV 19 Feb 2016 -- Turkey's president says weapons supplied by the United States have ended up in the hands of Daesh Takfiri terrorists as well as the Kurdish fighters of the People's Protection Units (YPG) and the Democratic Union Party (PYD) based in Syria.
• Syria no-fly zone, repeat blunder, says Iran diplomat Press TV 19 Feb 2016 -- A senior Iranian official has criticized Germany-backed Turkish initiative for a no-fly zone in Syria, saying such a measure would be the continuation of previous mistakes.
• Syria peace talks on Feb. 25 unrealistic: UN envoy Press TV 19 Feb 2016 -- United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura says the resumption of the new round of peace talks on the conflict in Syria scheduled for next week is not realistic.
• US tells Russia not to bomb American special forces in Syria Press TV 19 Feb 2016 -- The United States has given Russia information on the location of its special forces in Syria so that American troops do not get bombed by mistake.
• Russia urges Saudi explanation on Syria troops plan Press TV 19 Feb 2016 -- Russia has urged Saudi Arabia to provide a detailed explanation of its plans to participate in a potential ground intervention in Syria, saying any such move should be coordinated with relevant authorities.
• UN Chief Warns Military 'Escalation' Threatens Syrian Truce Effort RFE/RL 19 Feb 2016 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has warned that escalating military activity in Syria is threatening to derail efforts to institute a truce and reconvene peace talks.
• Is Russia 'Weaponizing Refugees' To Advance Its Geopolitical Goals? RFE/RL 19 Feb 2016 -- Is Russia trying to 'weaponize' refugees from Syria by using them as a geopolitical tool to undermine Turkey, the European Union, and NATO? That's what some officials in Ankara and Washington claim.
• Syrian Kurds Claim 2,000 Islamists Enter North Syria's Azaz From Turkey Sputnik 19 Feb 2016 -- Rodi Osman, the head of the Syrian Kurds' representative office in Moscow said that out 2,000 fighters belonging to different Islimist militant groups crossed into the Syrian city of Azaz from Turkey in order not to allow Kurdish forces capture the city.
• Riyadh Considering Date to Launch Syria Ground Operation Sputnik 19 Feb 2016 -- Riyadh has not yet decided on the date of the beginning of a ground campaign in Syria, Saudi Defense Ministry adviser Brigadier General Ahmed Asiri told Sputnik on Friday.
• Syrian Democratic Forces Liberate 47 Villages From Daesh Sputnik 19 Feb 2016 -- Russian-backed Syrian Democratic Forces have advanced against Daesh positions in Eastern Syria, and have moved to cut the group off from access to strategically important roads to Deir ez-Zor.
• When the Guns Speak: Terrorists Retreat, Syrian Army Closes in on Idlib Sputnik 19 Feb 2016 -- The Syrian Army and the country's National Defense Force are already several kilometers away from the city of Idlib, the capital of a province that has been held by militant forces in northwestern Syria, media reports said.
• Iraqi tribesmen clash with Daesh terrorists in Fallujah Press TV 19 Feb 2016 -- Local Iraqi tribesmen clashed Friday with the Daesh Takfiri terrorists in Fallujah, a city considered a stronghold of the militants.
• Canada to Assist Kurdish Forces Fighting Daesh in Iraq's North Sputnik 19 Feb 2016 -- Canadian military will be training the Kurdish fighters in the north of Iraq preparing for the battle to retake the city of Mosul, Canada's Armed Forces Chief of the Defense Staff Gen. Jonathan Vance said on Friday.
• Two years on, Ukraine conflict affects over half a million children - UNICEF UNICEF 19 Feb 2016 -- The conflict in Ukraine has deeply affected the lives of 580,000 children living in non-government controlled areas and close to the front line in eastern Ukraine, UNICEF said today. Of these, 200,000 – or one in three – need psychosocial support.
• South Sudan on 'verge of fragmenting', UN officials warn Security Council UN News 19 Feb 2016 -- With senior United Nations officials warning of escalating inter-communal violence and rampant human rights violations in South Sudan, the Security Council today strongly condemned all attacks and provocations against civilians and the UN by armed actors, and called for calm on all sides.
• Death Toll at South Sudan UN Camp Rises to 18 VOA 19 Feb 2016 -- The international aid group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said at least 18 people were killed in armed conflict at a U.N. Protection of Civilians site this week, including two South Sudanese staff members attacked in their own homes.

News Reports

• Turkey: US must cut ties with Kurds Press TV 19 Feb 2016 -- Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says the US should break ties with Kurdish fighters, adding "resorting to terrorist groups like the YPG is above all a sign of weakness.'
• Turkey Has Levers to Push US to Recognize Kurdish PYD as Terrorist Group Sputnik 19 Feb 2016 -- Seref Malkoc, an adviser to Turkey's president said that if the Unites States is really Turkey's friend and ally, then they should recognize the PYD, a Syrian branch of the PKK, as a terrorist organization.
• Bomb Attacks in Turkey Fuel Erdogan's Offensive Against Kurds VOA 19 Feb 2016 -- Bombings in Turkey this week are escalating the conflict between Ankara and Kurdish separatists, as well as raising new questions of whom the United States is supporting in the Syrian conflict and the scope of U.S. objectives.
• Tribunal Ends Appeals Hearing for Ex-Khmer Rouge Leaders VOA 19 Feb 2016 -- The U.N.-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal on Friday wrapped up three days of appeals hearings for former regime leaders Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan, who were found guilty of atrocity crimes in the initial part of their two-phase trial.
• Ugandan Capital Tense After Besigye Arrest VOA 19 Feb 2016 -- Tensions escalated in Uganda on Friday outside the headquarters of the Forum for Democratic Change - the political party of opposition candidate Kizza Besigye - following his third arrest this week. Protesters threw stones and blocked roads in the capital, Kampala, and police fired teargas to bring the situation under control. Meanwhile, partial election results show Besigye trailing President Yoweri Museveni.
• KCNA Commentary Snipes at Projected U.S. THAAD Deployment in S. Korea KCNA 19 Feb 2016 -- The Park Geun Hye regime of south Korea announced on Feb. 7 that it would negotiate with the U.S. for the deployment of THAAD in south Korea.
• Ugandan Opposition Leader Re-arrested; Museveni Leading Poll VOA 19 Feb 2016 -- Uganda's main opposition leader, Kizza Besigye, was arrested for the second time in two days Friday as election results showed him running a distant second in the presidential poll to incumbent Yoweri Museveni.
• US Cargo Spacecraft Cygnus Leaves ISS After 72-Day Mission Sputnik 19 Feb 2016 -- The US automated cargo spacecraft Cygnus finished its mission on the International Space Station (ISS), according to the Russian Mission Control Center (MCC).