23 August 2016 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
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Current Operations

OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 23 Aug 2016 [PDF]

Military Strikes Target ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 23 Aug 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Operation Inherent Resolve - Targeted Operations Against ISIL Terrorists
US Forces 'Not Really Involved' in Hasakah, Syria Airstrike Area Sputnik 23 Aug 2016 -- US Department of State spokesman Mark Toner stated that the United States was not necessarily involved in Hasakah, Syria, an area where US military personnel were reportedly endangered by Syrian government airstrikes last week.

Statement by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter on U.S. Casualties in Afghanistan DoD 23 Aug 2016
US State Department 'Sells' $60 Million in Guns to Afghanistan Sputnik 23 Aug 2016 -- Citing an "urgent" need for the Afghanistan National Army to launch additional campaigns against insurgent forces, the US State Department announced a transfer of some 6,000 rifles, chiefly M-16s, to the ANA. Worth roughly $60 million, the State Department says this transfer is evidence of their "commitment to Afghanistan's security."

Defense Policy / Programs

Guantanamo Prisoner Zubaydah Appears for Hearing, Seeks Release VOA 23 Aug 2016 -- A suspected al-Qaida leader held in Guantanamo Bay was seen by the public Tuesday for the first time since 2002.

Dunford Details Implications of Today's Threats on Tomorrow's Strategy AFPS 23 Aug 2016 -- National security leaders must be able to confront today's threats, and they must develop and maintain the personnel, strategies and equipment needed for an ever more uncertain world, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told the new class at the National Defense University today.
Marines with I MEF strengthen cyber defensive capabilities USMC News 23 Aug 2016 -- The Corps' ability to win on the battlefield remains strong; however, its post-9/11 enemies in operational environments like in Iraq and Afghanistan have been, by and large, a technologically inferior force. And while the Corps may need to only refine its maneuver warfare skills, there is a new battle space that is sure to dominate the next major armed conflict: cyberspace.
VMFA-122 completes Pitch Black qualified, ready USMC News 23 Aug 2016 -- Trained, qualified and ready, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 wrapped up their last flights of Exercise Pitch Black 2016 at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, Aug. 18, 2016.
Southeast Asian Navies Come Together for Maritime Operations Training in Singapore NNS 23 Aug 2016 -- The Naval War College and Naval Postgraduate School partnered with Task Force 73 to host a maritime operations training symposium in Singapore Aug. 15-21.
NWDC Supports Bold Alligator 2016 NNS 23 Aug 2016 -- Navy Warfare Development Command (NWDC) is supporting execution of the U.S. Fleet Forces (USFF) Command and U.S. Marine Forces Command (MARFORCOM) co-sponsored exercise Bold Alligator 2016 (BA16).
St. Juliens Annex Celebrates Significant Environmental Milestone NNS 23 Aug 2016 -- A near-perfect summer day marked the celebration of a significant milestone regarding the Navy's Environmental Restoration Program during a ceremony held at St. Juliens Creek Annex in Chesapeake, Virginia, Aug. 23, at 11 a.m.

Joint Declaration on Increased Security and Defense Cooperation between the United States, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania The White House 23 Aug 2016
FACT SHEET: The United States and Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania – NATO Allies and Global Partners The White House 23 Aug 2016

U.S., S. Korean Puppet Warmongers Kick off Ulji Freedom Guardian KCNA 23 Aug 2016 -- The U.S. imperialists and the south Korean puppet warmongers on Monday kicked off Ulji Freedom Guardian joint military exercises aimed to mount a preemptive nuclear attack on the DPRK, according to Yonhap News of south Korea.

Biden Says Washington Committed To Security Of Baltic States RFE/RL 23 Aug 2016 -- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has assured Baltic countries that Washington would respect NATO's pledge to protect them.

Soviet Army Surplus: Russian Defense Ministry Announces Massive Vehicle Sell-Off Sputnik 23 Aug 2016 -- Russia plans to auction off a wide variety of military equipment and clothing, in a move aimed at liquidating mothballed army goods in a push to modernize, according to RIA Novosti.
Russian Defense Ministry to Discuss Missile Attack Warning System Development Sputnik 23 Aug 2016 -- The Russian Ministry of Defense collegium will discuss on Tuesday the progress on the missile attack warning system.

US Seeking Clarity on Turkey Offering Russia Use of Incirlik Air Base Sputnik 23 Aug 2016 -- US Department of State spokesman Mark Toner said that the United States is seeking clarification on recent comments made by the Turkish Prime Minister suggesting Russia could use the Incirlik air base.

Wish List: Afghanistan Turns to India for Supplies and Equipment Sputnik 23 Aug 2016 -- Afghanistan has prepared a list of lethal military equipment it wishes to acquire from India as military assistance but there are plenty of reasons why India will not be able to grant the wish without Russia's support.

Djibouti base not for power People's Daily 23 Aug 2016 -- China has no intention of following the US pattern of establishing military bases around the world to project its power over other countries, and China's facilities in Djibouti are meant to support Chinese peace-keeping and anti-piracy missions near Somalia and the Gulf of Aden, analysts said.
Chinese military jets enter overlapping ADIZ areas People's Daily 23 Aug 2016 -- South Korean media may have misinterpreted the recent entry of Chinese military planes into the overlapping areas of the two countries' air defense identification zones (ADIZ) as part of China's drills in the Sea of Japan, experts said.

North Korea fires submarine-launched ballistic missile off its east coast Press TV 23 Aug 2016 -- North Korea has fired a submarine–launched ballistic missile, just two days after threatening a nuclear attack in retaliation to large-scale US and South Korean joint military exercises.
North Korea Test-fires Sub-launched Missile VOA 23 Aug 2016 -- After North Korea launched a ballistic missile from a submarine off its east coast early Wednesday, regional leaders and the U.S. condemned the test, with Japan's prime minister calling it "unforgivable."

S Korean Defense Ministry to Consider Alternative Location for US THAAD System Sputnik 22 Aug 2016 -- The South Korean Defense Ministry said Monday it would consider the suitability of an alternative site for the deployment of the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system.

Sharing Of Military Bases Between India and US to Soon Become Reality Sputnik 23 Aug 2016 -- As India is all set to conclude a security deal with the US, experts warn it could prove dangerous to the existing regional security alliance.

Russia Helicopters in talks with Iran over sales of 60 choppers Press TV 23 Aug 2016 -- One of Russia's biggest aviation companies says it has entered talks with Iran over the sales of 60 light multirole helicopters.
Russian Helicopters in Talks to Deliver 60 Ka-226T, Ansat to Iran Sputnik 23 Aug 2016 -- According to the company's press service, Russian Helicopters holding is in talks with Iran on the deliveries of Ansat and Ka-226T light multirole helicopters for the Islamic republic's health ministry.

Japanese defense chief visits controversial helicopter-carrier, U.S. aircraft carrier People's Daily 23 Aug 2016 -- Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada on Tuesday inspected some controversial Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) hardware and urged troops to continue to carry out their duties before boarding a U.S. aircraft carrier, in the new minister's first such visit to naval bases here.

UK dismisses concerns about arms sale to S Arabia Press TV 23 Aug 2016 -- The British government has dismissed concerns about selling arms to Saudi Arabia amid accusations that it misled the parliament over the case.

Anti-landing drill held in Taichung as part of Han Kuang exercises CNA 23 Aug 2016 -- The military held an anti-landing drill in Taichung Tuesday, as part of this year's Han Kuang series of military exercises to test Taiwan's ability to counter various types of simulated attacks by China.
Military retirees' pensions to receive new funding: official CNA 23 Aug 2016 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) has instructed the Cabinet to deal with the reform of the pension program for military retirees separately from those for civil servants and public school teachers and make a special budget for that purpose when necessary, according to the veterans affairs minister Tuesday.

At Security Council, Ban calls for eradicating weapons of mass destruction 'once and for all' UN News 23 Aug 2016 -- Recalling that eliminating weapons of mass destruction was one of the founding principles of the United Nations and was in fact the subject of the first resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today stressed the need to seriously refocus attention on nuclear disarmament.
UN Chief Warns World Not Prepared to Deal With Biological Attack VOA 23 Aug 2016 -- There are no global treaties to prevent a biological weapons attack, and the world is not adequately prepared to deal with one, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned Tuesday.

Qatar - Mk-V Fast Patrol Boat DSCA 23 Aug 2016 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Qatar for Mk-V Fast Patrol Boats, equipment, training, and support. The estimated cost is $124.02 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on August 19, 2016.

Argentine Air Force Looks Near and Far in Replacement of Military Planes Sputnik 23 Aug 2016 -- The US Department of Defense announced the beginning of negotiations to sell American military aircraft to Argentina, in what has already provoked an outcry in the media.

Remarks on Community Building and Countering Violent Extremism US Dept. of State 23 Aug 2016
August 23, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 23 Aug 2016
Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Josh Earnest en route Baton Rouge, LA, 8/23/2016 The White House 23 Aug 2016

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for August 23, 2016

Other Conflicts

23 August 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 23 Aug 2016

Japan, China, S Korea begin meeting on disputes Press TV 23 Aug 2016 -- Foreign ministers of Japan, China and South Korea have kicked off a meeting in the Japanese capital to discuss their commonalities and differences amid boiling territorial disputes and problems with North Korea.

Houthi Negotiator Welcomes Iran's Support for Yemeni Supreme Political Council Sputnik 23 Aug 2016 -- Mohammad Abdul-Salam, a spokesman for Yemen's Shia Houthi rebel movement Ansar Allah, held a meeting with Iran's ambassador to Yemen and thanked Tehran for endorsing the establishment of the Council, which had been agreed by Ansar Allah movement and former President Ali Abdullah Saleh's General People's Congress party in late July.

Ankara's Fear of Kurdish State Drives Turkey to Compromise Over Assad Sputnik 23 Aug 2016 -- The Turkish leadership "has given a green light" to Bashar al-Assad playing a role in Syria's interim government, Turkish journalists note, assuming that at the core of a potential thaw lies Ankara and Damascus' intent to preserve Syria's territorial integrity.
UN: Aleppo aid delivery pending on all parties' commitment ISNA 23 Aug 2016 -- The United Nations hailed a proposal by Russia to implement a humanitarian ceasefire in the divided Syrian city of Aleppo while calling on all sides to commit to the truce.
Turkey says will support operation to free Syria's Jarabulus Press TV 23 Aug 2016 -- Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says Ankara will support an operation aimed at liberating a Syrian border town from the Tafkiri Daesh terrorists.
Syrian army, Kurdish forces reach deal on Hasakah truce Press TV 23 Aug 2016 -- Syrian government troops and Kurdish forces, who recently engaged in clashes in Hasakah, have reached an agreement to stop fighting in the contested northeastern Syrian city.
Syrian army advances at aviation college in S Aleppo Press TV 23 Aug 2016 -- Syrian armed forces have made fresh gains at an aviation technical college in southern Aleppo City, targeting foreign-backed terrorists' position with rocket and artillery attacks.
Projectiles from Syria hit Turkey, Ankara fires back Press TV 23 Aug 2016 -- Projectiles have reportedly been fired from inside Syrian territory onto Turkey, prompting Turkish troops to respond in kind.
Let's set aside differences over Syria: Turkey Press TV 23 Aug 2016 -- Turkey has invited various parties to join in the adoption of a new shared attitude toward the crisis in Syria by setting aside conflicting interests.
Conflict in Syria: Alliances Tested as Turkey Steps Up Kurdish Bombing Sputnik 23 Aug 2016 -- Turkish government forces have stepped up airstrikes on militant groups in northern Syria as part of Ankara's fight against terror. Along with hitting Daesh, the strikes have also reportedly targeted US-backed Kurdish forces, further highlighting the complicated nature of the Syrian conflict.
US not sure whether Russia 'stopped' using Iran airbase Press TV 23 Aug 2016 -- The United States has reacted to Russia's announcement that its fighter jets stopped using an airbase in western Iran to target terrorists in Syria.
Iran's Parliament Speaker Says Russia Continues To Use Iranian Base RFE/RL 23 Aug 2016 -- Iran's parliament speaker Ali Larijani says Russian warplanes are still using an Iranian military base to strike targets in Syria.

Iraq launches operation to retake Qayyarah near Mosul Press TV 23 Aug 2016 -- Iraqi special forces have launched an operation to liberate the town of Qayyarah, used by terrorists as a key base to attack the nearby northern city of Mosul.
Iraqi City of Al Qayyarah Fully Liberated From Daesh Terrorists Sputnik 23 Aug 2016 -- The Iraqi army fully liberated the northern city of Al Qayyarah from the Daesh terror group, according to official statement.
UN rights chief 'deeply dismayed' at execution of 36 people in Iraq UN News 23 Aug 2016 -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, has expressed deep dismay at the execution of 36 people in Iraq in relation to a 2014 massacre during which hundreds of military cadets were killed.
Iraq: UN refugee agency readies for massive displacement amid military offensive in Mosul UN News 23 Aug 2016 -- With military action turning towards retaking Mosul, Iraq's second largest city, the United Nations refugee agency warns that displacement may worsen "dramatically," and announced preparations to ramp up operations and set up additional camps.
Military Offensive on IS-Held Mosul Could Uproot More Than 1 Million Iraqis VOA 23 Aug 2016 -- The U.N. refugee agency warns more than one million people could be uprooted from the Iraqi city of Mosul during an expected government offensive to wrest control of the city from Islamic State militants.

Turkish president, Iraqi Kurdish leader discuss battling Daesh, PKK Press TV 23 Aug 2016 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iraqi Kurdistan Region's leader Masoud Barzani have discussed closing down schools in Iraqi Kurdistan affiliated with Fethullah Gulen, who Turkey blames for masterminding the failed coup, said Erdogan's office.

US Airstrikes Reduce Daesh Threat to Libyan Government Troops in Sirte Sputnik 23 Aug 2016 -- US airstrikes significantly reduced Daesh ability to utilize heavy weapons and enemy fighting positions, as well as reduced the number of vehicle-born improvised explosive devices intended for attacks on Libyan forces, according to Department of Defense spokesperson Michelle Baldanza.
Libya's Political Crisis Continues as Tobruk Rejects UN-Backed Unity Gov't Sputnik 23 Aug 2016 -- The political crisis in Libya looks set to continue after the country's internationally recognized government rejected the fragile UN-backed unity government, extending Libya's uncertainty.

17 injured as Indian troops fire bullets at Kashmir protesters Press TV 23 Aug 2016 -- At least 17 people have been injured when Indian forces fired bullets and shotgun pellets to break up a massive protest in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir.

Nigeria warplanes kill Boko Haram militants, fatally injure leader Press TV 23 Aug 2016 -- Nigeria says its warplanes have launched an airstrike against positions of Boko Haram militants in the northeast, killing several senior terrorists and fatally injuring the Daesh-affiliated group's disputed leader.
UN sounds alarm as 4.5 million people need food aid in Boko Haram-hit north-east Nigeria UN News 23 Aug 2016 -- The number of people in need of food assistance in north-eastern Nigeria has nearly doubled to 4.5 million from March, according to a mid-August analysis by various agencies including the World Food Programme (WFP).

Ban names retired Dutch general to lead probe into South Sudan violence UN News 23 Aug 2016 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Major General (retired) Patrick Cammaert of the Netherlands to lead an independent special investigation into the violence in South Sudan's capital, Juba, in July 2016, and the response of the UN mission in the country (UNMISS).

Regional Troops Clash with Al-Shabab in Southwest Somalia VOA 23 Aug 2016 -- Two days of clashes between al-Shabab and regional forces in southwestern Somalia have killed at least 15 people, officials said.

US Imposes Economic Sanctions Against Sons of African Rebel Leader VOA 23 Aug 2016 -- The U.S. Treasury has imposed financial sanctions against two sons of Joseph Kony, the leader of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), a rebel group fighting a bloody war in Central Africa.

South Sudan's Machar in Khartoum for Medical Treatment, Sudan Says VOA 23 Aug 2016 -- South Sudan opposition leader Riek Machar is in Khartoum for medical treatment, a Sudanese minister told VOA on Tuesday.

News Reports

Nearly 90 Turkish Foreign Ministry Staff Fired, 332 Suspended in Post-Coup Purge Sputnik 23 Aug 2016 -- Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed 89 employees, suspended or recalled 332 from abroad in a large-scale purge following the July 15 failed coup, according to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.
Nearly 600 Officers Sent to Retirement in Turkey Coup Purge Sputnik 23 Aug 2016 -- 586 colonels of Turkish armed froces were sent into retirement as part of a post-coup purge.
Security Council condemns recent terrorist attack in Turkey UN News 23 Aug 2016 -- The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned the "heinous and cowardly" terrorist attack at a wedding ceremony in the city of Gaziantep in Turkey on 20 August, during which at least 54 people were killed and over 200 injured.
Turkish, US justice officials discuss extradition of Gulen Press TV 23 Aug 2016 -- Justice officials from Turkey and the United States have opened discussions on a demand by Ankara for the extradition of US-based cleric, Fethullah Gulen, blamed by the Turkish government for the failed mid-July coup.
Biden Likely to Face Pressure During Turkey Visit VOA 23 Aug 2016 -- Vice President Joe Biden is President Barack Obama's highest-ranking and closest surrogate, often representing the White House in difficult diplomatic situations. Biden is known for his effusive warmth and for cultivating personal relationships with world leaders. He calls Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan an "old friend."

Islamic State Prepares to Fight a War From the Shadows VOA 23 Aug 2016 -- From the outside, the Islamic State terror group's self-declared caliphate appears to be unraveling, its cities lost and its fighters fleeing.
IS Threat to Russia Growing with Syria Bombing Campaign VOA 23 Aug 2016 -- Islamic State's claim of responsibility for an attack on Russian police in the Moscow region last week raises concerns about the terrorist group's possible plans for targeting the Russian capital.

US Investigates Suspected Russian Hacking of American Journalists VOA 23 Aug 2016 -- U.S. authorities are investigating what they believe is a series of Russian intelligence cyberattacks targeting information collected by journalists at The New York Times and other news organizations.

Yonhap: North Korea Summons Diplomats' Children Home VOA 23 Aug 2016 -- South Korea's Yonhap news agency says it has learned from intelligence sources that North Korea has recently ordered the adult children of its overseas diplomats to return home.
Recent North Korean Defections: Is the End Near for Kim Jong Un? VOA 23 Aug 2016 -- South Korean President Park Geun-hye tried to make the case this week that increasing North Korean defections are signs of growing instability inside the secretive, authoritarian state.
CPRC Spokesman Urges S. Korean Authorities Not to Forget Lesson from Incident in August Last Year KCNA 23 Aug 2016 -- A spokesman for the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Country (CPRC) of the DPRK issued a statement on Tuesday, in which it said that it is the proud history and tradition of the DPRK that it has recorded only legendary stories of victory in the fierce confrontation with the enemies at home and abroad.
Kim Jong Il, Peerless Patriot KCNA 23 Aug 2016 -- Leader Kim Jong Il was an outstanding leader who had guaranteed the victorious advance of the Korean revolution with the might of Songun (military-first) in his lifetime.

Iranian Journalists Alarmed As Media Legislation Resurfaces RFE/RL 23 Aug 2016 -- Journalists in Iran are sounding the alarm over a government-drafted media regulation bill that is expected to be sent to the parliament for approval soon, after a two-year delay.

Russia's Roscosmos to Spend Over $29Mln Upgrading Rocket Engine Reliability Sputnik 23 Aug 2016 -- Russian state space corporation Roscosmos is allocating over 1.9 billion rubles ($29 million) to upgrading carrier rocket engines, rocket boosters and spacecraft, according to materials published on Russia's official public procurement website on Tuesday.

No preconditions for cross-strait exchanges: Presidential Office CNA 23 Aug 2016 -- The two sides of the Taiwan Strait should interact with each other meaningfully without preconditions in order to enhance mutual understanding, Presidential Office spokesman Alex Huang (黃重諺) said Tuesday.

DR Congo: UN chief notes holding of preparatory meeting towards national dialogue UN News 23 Aug 2016 -- Noting today's meeting of the national dialogue preparatory committee in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reiterated a call for an inclusive political dialogue to overcome an impasse in the electoral process.
Few Opposition Parties Join in DRC Election Talks VOA 23 Aug 2016 -- Preliminary talks on elections got underway in the Democratic Republic of Congo amid continued tension over slow preparations for the poll and what the opposition says are attempts by President Joseph Kabila to cling to office.

In Northern Nigeria, Kerry Says Jobs, Ending Graft Key to Stopping Extremism VOA 23 Aug 2016 -- Religiously motivated extremist groups like Boko Haram will only be stopped when governments cut down on corruption and offer opportunities to their young people, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said during a visit with Nigeria's top Muslim leader on Tuesday.

Philippine War on Drugs Triggers Widespread Criticism, Senate Investigation VOA 23 Aug 2016 -- A war on drugs campaign in the Philippines, launched by populist President Rodrigo Duterte in July, has triggered widespread debate over rights abuses as the government grapples with almost four million drug users nationwide.

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