09 September 2016 Military News

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OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 09 Sep 2016 [PDF]

Coalition Strikes Continue Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 09 Sep 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Iraq and Syria yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

Over 400 new US soldiers in Iraq ahead of Mosul offensive Press TV 09 Sep 2016 -- More than 400 additional US troops have been deployed to Iraq in recent days as government forces together with volunteer fighters from allied Popular Mobilization Units are gearing up for a major offensive to retake the strategic northern city of Mosul from Takfiri Daesh militants.

Afghan forces push Taliban out of most of Tarin Kot Press TV 09 Sep 2016 -- Afghan government forces have pushed Taliban militants out of most of the southern city of Tarin Kot, the capital of Uruzgan province.
US military admits to failure in saving hostages in Afghanistan Press TV 09 Sep 2016-- The United States military has admitted to its failure in rescuing two university professors held hostage in Afghanistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

Carter Salutes Norway as Strong, Indispensable Security Partner AFPS 09 Sep 2016 -- Norway is a strong, indispensable U.S. security partner bilaterally, within NATO, in the North Atlantic and Arctic, in Afghanistan and as part of the campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said today during a press conference in Norway.
Joint Media Availability with Secretary Carter and Minister Eriksen Søreide in Oslo, Norway DoD 09 Sep 2016 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter; Norwegian Defense Minister Ine Marie Eriksen Søreide
"Black Sheep" Marines participate in Spartan Fury exercise USMC News 09 Sep 2016 -- Marines from Bravo Company, "Black Sheep," 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, participated in exercise Spartan Fury 16.4 at Marine corps Base Hawaii, Sept. 6, 2016.
Pacific Partnership 2016 Concludes NNS 09 Sep 2016 -- The 11th annual Pacific Partnership mission recently departed the Western Pacific after completing mission stops throughout Southeast Asia.
COMLOG WESTPAC, USS Shiloh Crew Expand Expeditionary Maintenance with Availability in Singapore NNS 09 Sep 2016 -- Ship maintainers and crew from Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67) completed a successful continuous maintenance availability (CMAV) period in Singapore, Sept. 9.
US Navy Transfers New Decontamination Technology to Small Business for Distribution to Warfighters, First Responders NNS 09 Sep 2016 -- The U.S. Navy signed an exclusive license agreement with a Virginia-based small business Sept. 7 to permit the manufacture of a life-saving decontamination technology for warfighters and first responders nationwide.
45th SW supports NASA's successful launch AFNS 09 Sep 2016 -- The 45th Space Wing supported NASA's successful launch of the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-Ex) spacecraft aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 here Sept. 8.

NATO Builds Up Air Forces, Missile Defense, Naval Presence in Turkey Sputnik 09 Sep 2016 -- NATO has build up its air forces, missile defense and naval presence in Turkey, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday.
Secretary General: Turkey is a strong and valued member of our Alliance NATO 09 Sep 2016 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg commended Turkey for its contributions to the Alliance and to the international fight against terrorism in a visit to Ankara on Friday (9 September 2016).

Russia successfully test-launches intercontinental ballistic missile Press TV 09 Sep 2016 -- Russia has announced it has successfully test-fired the RS-12M Topol intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.
Russia Successfully Test Launches Topol Ballistic Missile Sputnik 09 Sep 2016 -- The Russian Strategic Missile Forces have conducted a successful test launch of a RS-12M Topol intercontinental ballistic missile, the Defense Ministry said Friday.
Intercepted US Spy Planes Were 'Interested' in Russia's Top Submarines Sputnik 09 Sep 2016 -- The US Navy's P-8 Poseidon surveillance planes that were intercepted by the Sukhoi Su-27s were apparently trying to get a closer look at the ongoing Kavkaz (Caucasus) 2016 military drills that are being held in the Black Sea, particularly Russia's newest submarines that are so quiet that NATO nicknamed them the "black hole."
BMD-5: Russia Creating New Airborne Infantry Fighting Vehicle Sputnik 09 Sep 2016 -- Russia' military industry has begun drafting technical specifications for a proposed new airborne infantry fighting vehicle design, the so-called BMD-5, a representative from the Volgograd Tractor Plant said on Friday.
Russian Missile System, Submarine Engage Simulated Targets at Kavkaz-2016 Drills Sputnik 09 Sep 2016 -- Russia's advanced S-400 Triumf missile system destroyed practice targets and the Novorossiysk submarine carried out a cruise missile training launch at the Kavkaz-2016 exercises, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported Friday.
Over 120,000 Russian Troops Take Part in Kavkaz-2016 Drills Sputnik 09 Sep 2016 -- More than 120,000 of servicemen are mastering their skills during the Kavkaz-2016 drills in Russia.
Russia's T-14 Armata Battle Tank Tests to Conclude in 2017 Sputnik 09 Sep 2016 -- State tests of Russia's T-14 Armata main battle tanks will wrap up next year, the Russian Defense Ministry said Friday.
Russia launches final stage of massive drills in Crimea Press TV 09 Sep 2016 -- Russia has launched the final stage of its massive military drills in the strategic Black Sea peninsula of Crimea.

Obama: North Korea Nuclear Test ' A Grave Threat' VOA 09 Sep 2016 -- President Barack Obama condemned North Korea's nuclear test Friday, calling it "a grave threat to regional security and to international peace and stability."
Latest North Korea Nuclear Test Largest But Not Unprecedented VOA 09 Sep 2016 -- North Korea's missile test Friday was its fifth and most powerful to date - causing a 5.3-magnitude earthquake and concern that Kim Jong Un continues to display what one regional leader calls "maniacal recklessness."
North Korea Draws International Ire With Largest Ever Nuclear Test Sputnik 09 Sep 2016 -- The UN Security Council is expected to hold a crisis meeting soon to address North Korea's nuclear ambition after it tested a nuclear technology on Friday in violation of UN resolutions.
North Korea's Nuclear Test US Dept. of State 09 Sep 2016 -- Press Statement by John Kerry, US Secretary of State
Latest DPRK nuclear test 'yet another brazen breach' of Security Council resolutions - UN chief UN News 09 Sep 2016 -- Strongly condemning another underground nuclear test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon reiterated his call on the leadership of the country to reverse its course and commit to a path of denuclearization.
Taiwan condemns North Korea's nuclear test CNA 09 Sep 2016 -- Taiwan condemned a nuclear test conducted by North Korea on Friday, calling it a provocative move and criticizing the Communist regime for disregarding the United Nations Security Council resolutions and ignoring the international society's call for it not to do so.
NATO Secretary General Statement on North Korea NATO 09 Sep 2016
DPRK announces success of nuclear warhead explosion test People's Daily 09 Sep 2016 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said Friday that it successfully conducted a nuclear warhead explosion test at the northern nuclear test ground, the fifth by the country since 2006.
Backgrounder: Timeline of DPRK nuclear development People's Daily 09 Sep 2016 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Friday announced a successful nuclear warhead explosion test, the fifth nuclear detonation and the second this year. Following is a chronology of the country's nuclear development.
China firmly opposes DPRK nuclear test People's Daily 09 Sep 2016 -- China's Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Friday expressing firm opposition to the nuclear test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
Japan's PM calls DPRK nuke test "intolerable," will lodge protest with Pyongyang People's Daily 09 Sep 2016 -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abesaid Friday that Japan had confirmed the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) had conducted a nuclear test earlier in the day and described the latest move following a series of ballistic missile launches and fourth nuclear test in January as "intolerable."
S. Korea strongly blasts DPRK's 5th nuke test as "fanatic recklessness" People's Daily 09 Sep 2016 -- South Korean President Park Geun-hye denounced the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s fifth nuclear test during her trip to Laos, calling it as "fanatic recklessness," her office said Friday.
S.Korea sees DPRK's nuke miniaturization advance faster than expected People's Daily 09 Sep 2016 -- South Korea's spy agency on Friday expressed worries about the faster-than-expected progress in the technology of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s nuclear weapons miniaturization.
Obama condemns North Korea nuclear test Press TV 09 Sep 2016 -- US President Barack Obama has condemned North Korea for its latest nuclear test, promising to impose a new round of sanctions on Pyongyang.
Beijing disapproves of North Korea's latest nuclear test Press TV 09 Sep 2016 -- China has criticized North Korea for its latest nuclear test, urging Pyongyang to resolve issues in the region through dialog.
North Korea confirms conducting nuclear test Press TV 09 Sep 2016 -- North Korea confirms that it has conducted a successful "nuclear warhead explosion" test, saying it was meant to counter US hostility.
North Korea Claims Nuke Test Proves It Can Miniaturize Warheads VOA 09 Sep 2016 -- North Korea Friday carried out its fifth nuclear test near its Punggye-ri test site, triggering a blast that seismic monitors indicated was its largest such detonation yet.
Obama: North Korea Nuclear Test ' A Grave Threat' VOA 09 Sep 2016 -- U.S. President Barack Obama condemned North Korea's nuclear test Friday, calling it "a grave threat to regional security and to international peace and stability."
Statement by the President on North Korea's Nuclear Test The White House 09 Sep 2016
DPRK Succeeds in Nuclear Warhead Explosion Test KCNA 09 Sep 2016 -- The Nuclear Weapons Institute of the DPRK made public the following statement Friday:
North Korea Conducts Second Nuclear Test This Year VOA 09 Sep 2016 -- North Korea has confirmed that a 5.3-magnitude artificial earthquake that occurred Friday morning near its Punggye-ri nuclear test site was caused by a nuclear test.
5.3 Magnitude Quake Reported Near North Korea Nuclear Test Site Sputnik 09 Sep 2016 -- A 5.3 magnitude earthquake has been reported in North Korea, according to the United States Geological Survey. The incident occurred near nuclear test sites, raising speculation that Pyongyang has conducted new tests.
Tremor Detected from N. Korean Nuclear Test Site KBS World Radio 09 Sep 2016 -- An earthquake of a magnitude of around five on the Richter scale has been detected from the North Korean nuclear test site.

U.S. reported to approve torpedo sale to Taiwan CNA 09 Sep 2016 -- The United States will give the green light to a proposal to sell Mk-48 heavyweight torpedoes to Taiwan after many years of delay, the U.S.-based Defense News reported Thursday, citing an official at Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND).
Message to Beijing? US Set to Approve New Torpedo Sales to Taiwan Sputnik 09 Sep 2016 -- Last month, Taiwan approved a service extension for its two Dragon-class submarines. The sub upgrades will allow the craft, launched in the late 1980s, to operate for at least another 15 years. Additionally, the government plans to build eight new attack subs.

Beijing Denies Reports of Stealth Fighter Jet Deployed on India Border Sputnik 09 Sep 2016 -- The People's Liberation Army claims that keeping warplanes in the area makes no tactical or diplomatic sense.
Farewell to Nanchang: first-generation Chinese guided missile destroyer decommissioned People's Daily 09 Sep 2016 -- Type 051 guided missile destroyer Nanchang has been officially decommissioned as of Sept. 8, after serving in the Chinese Navy for almost 34 years. According to some, Nanchang was China's last active Type 051 destroyer.
China's absence from high-level security dialogue due to 'work arrangement': Ministry of Defense People's Daily 09 Sep 2016 -- China opted not to send a delegation to this week's Seoul Defense Dialogue(SDD) because of "reasons of work arrangement," the Global Times wrote on Sept. 8, quoting an unidentified Ministry spokesperson. No further details were offered.

India-Russia to Step Up Talks on Co-Production of Kamov Helicopters Sputnik 09 Sep 2016 -- India and Russia will soon complete the final negotiation process for the co-production of Kamov choppers.
India Seeks More Than $200 Billion to Expand Its Arsenal Sputnik 09 Sep 2016 -- For India to meet equipment and weapons requirements necessary to expand its military capabilities in the next eleven years the country will need about $233 billion. There is some doubt as to whether the funds can be raised in that time.

September 9, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 09 Sep 2016

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for September 11, 2016

Other Conflicts

Remarks With Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura at a Press Availability US Dept. of State 09 Sep 2016
US, Russia Agree on Deal to Halt Syria Fighting VOA 09 Sep 2016 -- The United States and Russia announced a complex, ambitious plan early Saturday in Geneva to halt five years of war in Syria, and for the two countries to cooperate on the fight against terror groups within Syria.
US-Russia conclusions on Syria could make a major difference, says Special Envoy UN News 09 Sep 2016 -- An agreement between Russia and the United States could make a major difference in ensuring cessation of hostilities and in moving forward the political process – both considered necessary to ease humanitarian suffering and to end the conflict in Syria – according to UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan De Mistura.
Syrian Army's Success in Aleppo Sparks New Round in 'Anti-Assad PR Campaign' Sputnik 09 Sep 2016 -- After long clashes and with massive support from the Russian Aerospace Forces the Syrian Army destroyed militants' positions in southern Aleppo. The military also delivered an ultimatum for terrorists in the eastern part of the city. Rivals of President Bashar Assad responded with a massive media campaign.
Takfiri militants pushed out of six villages in Syria's Latakia Press TV 09 Sep 2016 -- Syrian government soldiers, backed by fighters from allied popular defense groups, have managed to wrest control over six villages in the country's western coastal province of Latakia following heavy clashes with foreign-sponsored Takfiri militants.
Senior militant commander slain in northwestern Syria Press TV 09 Sep 2016 -- A high-ranking commander of the Takfiri Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, al-Qaeda's Syrian branch formerly known as al-Nusra Front, has been killed in an airstrike on the outskirts of Syria's northwestern city of Aleppo.
US, Russia Resume High-level Face-to-Face Diplomacy on Syria War VOA 09 Sep 2016 -- An American official says U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov "are making progress in Geneva Friday towards advancing proposals that would lead to a nationwide cessation of hostilities in Syria."
Air Raid Near Aleppo Kills Syrian Rebel Leader VOA 09 Sep 2016 -- A high-ranking member of the Fatah al-Sham rebel group in Syria is dead, rebel sources say, after fighter jets bombed a meeting of the group's leaders near Aleppo.

Set for a Siege: Battle for Iraq's Mosul to Start Soon, US General Reveals Sputnik 09 Sep 2016 -- Despite the fact that Daesh (also known as ISIS/Islamic state) is losing its grip on territories it seized in Iraq in 2014, the terrorist group still controls the city of Mosul, an extremist stronghold that government forces, backed by American troops, plan to retake by the end of this year.

Lifting Arms Embargo Against Libya Impossible Until Country's Army Unites – UN Sputnik 09 Sep 2016 -- The issue to lift the arms embargo against Libya can be raised when the country gets a single army, the United Nations' envoy told Sputnik.

Moldova Rejects Call For Transdniester To Join Russia RFE/RL 09 Sep 2016 -- Moldova has rejected a decree by Transdniester's leadership that says the breakaway region should join Russia, in line with the results of a referendum 10 years ago.

UN expert calls on Ukraine to step up its efforts to protect the rights of the internally displaced UN News 09 Sep 2016 -- At the conclusion of an official visit to Ukraine, a United Nations human rights expert has called on the Government to step up its response to prevent and address internal displacement and to provide durable solutions to the persons already displaced.

UN concerned about conditions in former Boko Haram stronghold as hundreds of Nigerians return to ravaged villages UN News 09 Sep 2016 -- Today the UN refugee agency expressed concern over basic services and security in a territory formerly controlled by Boko Haram insurgents, as hundreds of internally displaced people are returning to their devastated villages and towns in the north-eastern state of Borno – only recently liberated by the Nigerian armed forces.

UN emergency fund releases $7 million to strengthen protection for Somalis UN News 09 Sep 2016 -- To strengthen protection services to internally displaced people in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, the Somalia Humanitarian Fund recently released $7 million to scale up life-saving and life sustaining assistance.

News Reports

US Congress votes to allow 9/11 families to sue Saudi Arabia Press TV 09 Sep 2016 -- The US Congress has passed a bill that would allow families of those killed in the September 11, 2001, terror attacks to sue the government of Saudi Arabia, although the White House has threatened to veto the measure.
US House Approves Bill Allowing Lawsuits Over 9/11 Attacks VOA 09 Sep 2016 -- The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation Friday that would allow families of the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to sue the Saudi Arabian government for allegedly supporting terrorism, despite White House threats to veto the bill.

New al-Qaida Video Commemorates 9/11 Attacks, Urges Muslims to Fight US VOA 09 Sep 2016 -- Al-Qaida is calling on Muslims to join the terror group's fight against the United States as it marks the 15th anniversary of the deadly September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Uzbek Interim President Rules Out Military Alliances RFE/RL 09 Sep 2016 -- Uzbekistan's interim president, Shavkat Mirziyaev, has ruled out military alliances, following the same course as late strongman Islam Karimov.
Uzbekistan will not enter into military-political alliances: Mirziyoyev Press TV 09 Sep 2016 -- Uzbekistan says its position remains to be non-membership in alliances of military and political nature.

Paris Prosecutor: Terrorist Cell Dismantled With Arrest of 3 Women VOA 09 Sep 2016 -- French authorities say they have dismantled a female terrorist cell directed by the Islamic State group from Syria that was planning an attack in France.
Main female suspect in foiled Paris attack backs Daesh Press TV 09 Sep 2016 -- The main female suspect in an investigation into the case of a suspicious car filled with gas cylinders abandoned in Paris had pledged allegiance to the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group, French officials said Friday.

A Turning Point': Russia All Set to Build Iran's Bushehr-2 NPP by 2019 Sputnik 09 Sep 2016 -- It could take Russia just three years to build two more reactor units for the Bushehr nuclear power station in southern Iran, Press TV political observer and nuclear energy expert, Hassan Beheshtipour, said in an interview with Sputnik.
Bushehr new units to utilize generation III-plus N-plants IRNA 09 Sep 2016 -- Bushehr new units will be build in keeping with European Utility Requirements and will utilize "unique technology and a new concept of safety," Atomstroyexport said in a statement.

Gabon Opposition Leader Challenges Poll Results VOA 09 Sep 2016 -- Gabonese opposition leader Jean Ping filed his challenge to the results of the August 27 presidential poll at the urging of the international community, according to his representative on Gabon's electoral commission.

Uighurs, Wary of China's Response to Kyrgyzstan Attack, Trying to Stop Militancy VOA 09 Sep 2016 -- A prominent ethnic Uighur rights group says it fears China will exploit a Uighur militant's suicide attack on its embassy in Kyrgyzstan last week to repress minority Uighurs in the neighboring Chinese region of Xinjiang.

Trump Tells RT 'Unlikely' Russia Interfering In U.S. Election RFE/RL 09 Sep 2016 -- U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has told a Russian-funded television network on September 8 that "it's probably unlikely" that Russia is trying to influence the U.S. election.

Bahrain adjourns trial of three Shia clerics Press TV 09 Sep 2016 -- Bahraini judiciary officials have postponed the trial of three Shia clerics amid the Al Khalifah regime's heavy-handed crackdown against prominent figures and followers of the majority religious community in the tiny Persian Gulf kingdom.

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