21 October 2016 Military News

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OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 21 Oct 2016 [PDF]

Military Strikes Target ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 21 Oct 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.
Update: air strikes against Daesh UK MOD 21 Oct 2016 -- British forces have continued to conduct air operations in the fight against Daesh

U.S. Strikes Kill 8 Al-Qaida Terrorists in Yemen AFPS 21 Oct 2016 -- The U.S. military successfully struck two targets in central Yemen, killing eight terrorists associated with the group known as Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, according to a U.S. Central Command news release issued today.

Department of Defense Press Briefing by Brig. Gen. Cleveland via teleconference from Kabul, Afghanistan DoD 21 Oct 2016 -- Presenter: Brigadier General Charles H. Cleveland, deputy chief of staff for communications, Resolute Support Mission Defense Press Office
Afghan Forces Make Progress, Yet Challenges Remain, Official Says AFPS 21 Oct 2016 -- The Afghan national defense and security forces have made progress this year in the fight against the Taliban, but challenges remain, the Resolute Support mission's deputy chief of staff for communications said today.
Pakistan: Many Afghan Taliban Factions Seem Interested in Peace Talks with Kabul VOA 21 Oct 2016 -- Pakistan has called on warring sides in Afghanistan to resume talks, promising it will follow "the priorities the elected Afghan government determines" for pursuing peace and reconciliation with the Taliban.

Defense Policy / Programs

Osan fighter wing enhances "fight tonight' readiness at Red Flag-Alaska AFNS 21 Oct 2016 -- The 25th and 36th Fighter Squadrons have been training during Red Flag-Alaska 17-1 at the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, Eielson Air Force Base and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, from Oct. 6-21.
Navy to Commission Littoral Combat Ship Detroit DoD 21 Oct 2016 -- The Navy will commission its newest Freedom-variant littoral combat ship, Detroit (LCS 7), during an11 a.m. EDT ceremony Saturday, Oct. 22 on Detroit's waterfront.
Media Availability with Secretary Carter enroute to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates DoD 21 Oct 2016 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
Bonhomme Richard Departs Singapore NNS 21 Oct 2016 -- Amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) and the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) departed Singapore after a scheduled four-day port visit, Oct. 20.
USS Nimitz Welcomes VAW-121's New Advanced Hawkeye NNS 21 Oct 2016 -- Aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and the "Blue Tails" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121 completed the first west coast aircraft carrier underway period with the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, Oct. 21.
USS Nimitz Seamlessly Integrates with Carrier Strike Group 11 NNS 21 Oct 2016 -- An influx of new faces can be seen moving around the deckplates of aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68).
Nimitz Completes Flight Deck Certification NNS 21 Oct 2016 -- Aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) earned her flight deck certification while underway in the Pacific Ocean, Oct. 20.

Readout of Secretary Carter's Meetings with Turkish Leaders in Ankara DoD 21 Oct 2016
US, Turkey to deliver 'lasting defeat' to Daesh: Pentagon Press TV 21 Oct 2016 -- The United States and Turkey have agreed to increase joint efforts to deliver a "lasting defeat" to Daesh (ISIL) terrorists in Syria and Iraq, the Pentagon has claimed.
Media Availability with Secretary Carter enroute to Ankara, Turkey DoD 21 Oct 2016 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
US, Turkey Discuss Increasing Cooperation in Fight Against IS VOA 21 Oct 2016 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Friday discussed the need to increase military cooperation between the two countries in the campaign to defeat Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.

US warship sails close to China's islands in South China Sea Press TV 21 Oct 2016 -- A US Navy warship has allegedly conducted a "navigation freedom operation" near an island claimed by China in the South China Sea, in a move that could heighten tensions between Washington and Beijing.
US Warship Warned by Chinese Vessels After South China Sea Patrol Sputnik 21 Oct 2016 -- Resuming its provocations in the South China Sea, the Pentagon conducted a new "freedom of navigation" patrol near Beijing's land reclamation projects, receiving a warning from Chinese vessels.

US wants to keep alliance with Philippines: Pentagon chief Press TV 21 Oct 2016 -- US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter says his country intends to keep its alliance commitments to the Philippines, despite remarks by the Southeast Asian country's president regarding a shift from the Washington policies.

Ghost Ships: Two Stealth Subs to Strengthen Russian Black Sea Fleet by December Sputnik 21 Oct 2016 -- The submarines feature advanced stealth technology, extended combat range and the ability to strike land, surface and underwater targets.
Russia Welcomes US Offer to Hold Special INF Treaty Commission in November Sputnik 21 Oct 2016 -- Russia welcomes the United States' offer to to convene a Special Verification Commission (SVC) of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty next month, the Russian Foreign Ministry's head of Non-Proliferation and Arms Control Department said Friday.
Russia Army to Receive Submarine, 8 Air Defense Systems Sputnik 21 Oct 2016 -- The Russian Armed Forces will receive the Veliky Novgorod diesel-electric submarine, two Buk and six Pantsir-S air defense systems in November, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Friday.
Russian Troops Receive Three Advanced Buk Missile Systems Sputnik 21 Oct 2016 -- The Russian Armed Forces have obtained two Buk-M2 missile systems batteries and one Buk-M3 missile system in July-September, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said Friday.
Russia to Put Into Operation 560 Military Facilities, Including in Arctic Sputnik 21 Oct 2016 -- The Russian Defense Ministry plans to put into operation more than 560 military infrastructure sites, including in the Arctic and Crimea, Defense Ministry Sergei Shoigu said Friday.
Russian Armed Forces Receive 17 Aircraft, 21 Radars in July-September Sputnik 21 Oct 2016 -- The Russian defense minister highlighted the deliveries into the Armed Forces over the period of September and October.
Russia's Navy Deployed to Syria in Show of Force VOA 21 Oct 2016 -- Russia's largest naval deployment in years raised eyebrows as the flotilla sailed past Norway through the English Channel on the way to the eastern Mediterranean Sea to support Moscow's air campaign in Syria.

Russia Revived Crimean Shipyards, Defense Companies in 2.5 Years - Deputy PM Sputnik 21 Oct 2016 -- Moscow has brought shipyards and defense companies in Crimea back to life during the last two years and a half, as contrasted to Kiev's activities in regard to them, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said Friday.

Russia Rejects Polish Claim That Egypt Will Sell Mistral Warships RFE/RL 21 Oct 2016 -- Russia says a report that Egypt has agreed to sell two French-made Mistral warships to Russia for $1 is "utter nonsense."
Claims of Egypt Selling Mistral Ships to Russia 'Nonsense' - Russian MoD Sputnik 21 Oct 2016 -- The Russian Defense Ministry denied on Friday claims by the Polish defense minister alleging the sale of two Mistral-class helicopter carriers by Egypt to Russia for $1, calling them 'nonsense.'

Fear and 'Dreadnought': UK's New Nuclear Submarine Will 'Deter' Extreme Threats Sputnik 21 Oct 2016 -- Britain's Ministry of Defense (MoD) has revealed the name for its new submarine - and it's exactly the same, in fact "resonates", with a Royal Navy ship that was christened over a hundred years ago.

U.S. defense chief vows "overwhelming" response once DPRK launches nuclear weapon successfully People's Daily 21 Oct 2016 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said on Thursday that the United States would make an "overwhelming" military response if Pyongyang was to ever successfully launch a nuclear weapon.

India to Buy Israeli Combat Radio, Promises to Procure Local Product in Future Sputnik 21 Oct 2016 -- India's Ministry of Defense wanted the Army to use locally developed tactical combat radio sets but the Army refused to do so arguing they were incompatible with the existing inventory of Israeli equipment.

Armed Forces ready to give harsh response to any aggression: Cmdr. IRNA 21 Oct 2016 -- A senior commander with the General Staff of the Armed Forces said on Friday that Iran's Armed Forces are keeping a close watch on the borders and will render a harsh response to enemies in case of any possible aggression.

Tajikistan Starts Joint Antiterror Drills With China Near Afghan Border RFE/RL 21 Oct 2016 -- Tajikistan began joint antiterror drills with China on October 20 near the border with Afghanistan as part of Beijing's drive to boost security in the region.

Lithuania to Receive Norwegian Mid-Range Missile Equipment by 2020 Sputnik 21 Oct 2016 -- Lithuania signed an agreement with Norway, stipulating procurement of missiles and launchers of mid-range advanced surface-to-air missile system, which is expected to be delivered by 2020, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Friday.

Joint Statement of the First Kuwait-U.S. Strategic Dialogue US Dept. of State 21 Oct 2016 -- U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry and Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Khaled al-Sabah co-chaired the first-ever U.S.-Kuwait Strategic Dialogue on October 21, 2016, in Washington, DC.
Remarks With Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 21 Oct 2016 -- Remarks by John Kerry, US Secretary of State

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for October 21, 2016

Other Conflicts

21 October 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 21 Oct 2016

Saudi Arabia violates Yemen ceasefire again Press TV 21 Oct 2016 -- The Saudi regime has once again violated the ceasefire in Yemen, carrying out airstrikes on the impoverished Arab country.
Saudi airstrikes violate Yemen's UN-brokered brief truce Press TV 21 Oct 2016 -- Two separate deadly Saudi airstrikes against civilian sites in Yemen's northwestern provinces of Amran and Sa'ada have broken the United Nations-brokered ceasefire in the war-ravaged Arabian Peninsula state.
With ceasefire 'largely holding' in Yemen, UN refugee agency rushes in aid to embattled Taiz city UN News 21 Oct 2016 -- The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, has welcomed the start of the cessation of hostilities that began at midnight, 19 October, while the UN refugee agency took advantage of the pause in fighting to rush desperately needed aid to the embattled south-central city of Taiz.

UN: Security Concerns Prevent Aleppo Evacuations VOA 21 Oct 2016 -- The United Nations was forced to postpone planned medical evacuations in the eastern part of the ancient city of Aleppo Friday because security assurances were not given by groups fighting in the city.
UN: Violations in Syria Constitute Crimes of Historic Proportions VOA 21 Oct 2016 -- U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein says the siege and bombardment of Syria's northern city of eastern Aleppo constitute crimes of historic proportions. He is calling on the 47-member U.N. Human Rights Council to refer the situation to the International Criminal Court.
Syrian Army Thwarts Militants' Attack in Outskirts of Damascus Sputnik 22 Oct 2016 -- The Syrian army foiled on Friday a militants' attack on its positions in the Jobar neighborhood on the eastern outskirts of the country's capital of Damascus, local media reported.
Lavrov: West trying to protect Nusra Front Press TV 21 Oct 2016 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says he thinks the West is trying to protect al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front terrorists and use them to topple President Bashar al-Assad.
Syria to strike intruding Turkish warplanes in its airspace Press TV 21 Oct 2016 -- The Syrian military has warned to intercept and bring down any Turkish fighter jets entering the country's airspace, nearly a day after Turkish warplanes bombarded 18 positions of the People's Protection Units (YPG) in northern Syria, and killed up to 200 Kurdish fighters.
EU Softens Sanctions Threat Against Russia Over Syria Bombings RFE/RL 21 Oct 2016 -- European Union leaders have pledged to keep all options open to respond to atrocities committed in Syria by Russia and President Bashar al-Assad's regime, but stopped short of explicitly threatening Moscow with sanctions.
'Crimes of historic proportions' being committed in Aleppo, UN rights chief warns UN News 21 Oct 2016 -- Describing the bombardment and crippling siege of Syria's war-ravaged eastern Aleppo as "crimes of historic proportions" the top United Nations rights official today urged the members of the UN Human Rights Council to "speak with one voice" in an effort to end the bloodshed.
Syria: UN agency condemns killing of four Palestinian refugees at Khan Eshieh camp UN News 21 Oct 2016 -- The United Nations agency tasked with the well-being of Palestine refugees today condemned the killing of four Palestinians in a camp south of the Syrian capital, Damascus, and expressed deep concern that the site faces the real risk of being turned into another camp in the area that has been devastated by years of fighting.
EU refuses to issue explicit threat of sanctions against Russia Press TV 21 Oct 2016 -- The European Union has refrained from issuing an explicit threat of sanctions against Russia for supporting the Syrian government, amid divisions within the 28-member bloc over any such measure.

Islamic State Fighters Give Ground Around Mosul But Are Likely to Dig in VOA 21 Oct 2016 -- Less than a week into the offensive to retake the Islamic State's Iraqi stronghold of Mosul, the list of towns and villages freed from the terror group's grip continues to grow while Iraqi and Kurdish commanders praise the faster-than-expected pace.
IS Fighters Push Back on Mosul Offensive VOA 21 Oct 2016 -- Islamic State militants launched an assault Friday on the northern oil city of Kirkuk, drawing troops and resources away from the battle toward Mosul as Iraqi and Kurdish peshmerga forces continue to move in on the country's second-largest city.
Iraq's top Shia cleric demands protection for civilians in Mosul Press TV 21 Oct 2016 -- Iraq's most prominent Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani has called on army soldiers, fighters from pro-government Popular Mobilization Units and Kurdish Peshmerga forces battling to retake the city of Mosul from Daesh State militants to protect civilians trapped there.
Iraq to continue anti-Daesh fight until final victory: Abadi Press TV 21 Oct 2016 -- Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi says Iraq is poised to press ahead with its anti-terror war until its liberation from the Takfiri Daesh terror group.
'Thousands of Peshmerga Fighters Involved in Battling Daesh' in Iraq's Mosul Sputnik 21 Oct 2016 -- Helgurt Hikmet, the Press Secretary of the Ministry of Peshmerga in the Iraqi Kurdistan region, spoke to Sputnik about the situation in Mosul and involvement of thousands of Peshmerga soldiers in the fight against Daesh.
Daesh Using New Tactic of Trying to Divide Iraqis, Kurds by Attacking Kirkuk Sputnik 21 Oct 2016 -- Daesh militants are employing a new tactic of trying to divide the Iraqi and the Kurdish forces by attacking other cities in the country while the offensive to liberate Mosul is underway to complicate the situation, the representative of the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government in Russia told Sputnik.
UN agencies provide shelter, clean water to families displaced amid Iraq's Mosul offensive UN News 21 Oct 2016 -- With the military offensive still unfolding in Mosul, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) are rushing to provide shelter, drinking water, and sanitation services for displaced families and children.

33 PKK militants killed in Turkish army airstrike, clashes with police Press TV 21 Oct 2016 -- Nearly three dozen members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group have been killed after Turkish military aircraft and security forces conducted separate counter-terrorism operations against the militants in the country's southeastern provinces of Hakkari and Diyarbakir.

Pakistan rejects India's claim about killing seven soldiers Press TV 21 Oct 2016 -- Pakistan has strongly rejected a claim by India that its forces have killed seven Pakistani soldiers along the so-called Line of Control (LoC).

Israeli, Eastern European weapons suppliers fueling South Sudan war: UN Press TV 21 Oct 2016 -- A United Nations (UN) panel has found evidence of "well-established networks" of arms suppliers in Israel and Eastern Europe that are fueling the ongoing civil war in South Sudan.

Myanmar urged to allow passage of aid to Muslim-majority areas Press TV 21 Oct 2016 -- Humanitarian agencies and rights groups have urged Myanmar to allow the passage of much-needed aid to the restricted Muslim-majority areas that they have no access to.

South Africa announces decision to quit International Criminal Court Press TV 21 Oct 2016 -- South Africa has joined Burundi in officially announcing its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), saying its laws are incompatible with obligations under the ICC.
South Africa to Leave International Criminal Court VOA 21 Oct 2016 -- South Africa says it plans to withdraw from the International Criminal Court.

News Reports

Xi, Duterte hail 'springtime' of ties People's Daily 21 Oct 2016 -- China and the Philippines agreed on Thursday to properly handle their maritime disputes and restore the bilateral ties soured by the South China Sea dispute.
Full Text: Joint Statement of China and the Philippines People's Daily 21 Oct 2016 -- The following is a joint statement released by China and the Philippines on Friday
Duterte's Remark on S China Sea 'Changes Balance of Power' in Favor of Beijing Sputnik 21 Oct 2016 -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said that the South China Sea arbitration case will "take a back seat" during his talks with China, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said in Beijing on Wednesday.
Filipinos Favor US Aid, Leery of China VOA 21 Oct 2016 -- Filipinos largely continue to support U.S. military aid despite a string of anti-America comments from their new president, polls and interviews show, and some worry about his proposal for an alliance with China in light of a territorial dispute.

Yevgeniy Nikulin Indicted for Hacking LinkedIn, Dropbox and Formspring US Dept. of Justice 21 Oct 2016 -- A federal grand jury in Oakland, California, indicted Yevgeniy Aleksandrovich Nikulin 29, of Moscow, Russia, yesterday for obtaining information from computers, causing damage to computers, trafficking in access devices, aggravated identity theft and conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Brian J. Stretch for the Northern District of California and Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett of the FBI.

Islamic State, Syria, And Western Responsibility RFE/RL 21 Oct 2016 -- An Iraqi-led coalition that includes Kurdish and U.S. Special Forces has now begun its campaign to drive the extremist group Islamic State (IS) from its stronghold of Mosul, the group's second-largest city. Dabiq, the site of what IS suggested would be an apocalyptic battle signaling the end times, and a town central to IS's ideology, fell just a week earlier -- without even a fight. IS is losing territory everywhere; the "dawla," or "state," that IS has brutally carved out over the past two years, is being torn apart.

Cyberattack Slows US Access to Popular Sites VOA 21 Oct 2016 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is investigating "all possible causes" of an internet outage that affected several popular websites Friday, a spokeswoman for the department said.

Four Nations Call for Access to Encrypted Data VOA 21 Oct 2016 -- Anti-terror prosecutors from four nations say they need greater access to encrypted data on smartphones and computers in the fight against terrorism.

German parliament approves espionage law, prompts protest Press TV 21 Oct 2016 -- Germany's parliament has approved a controversial law that Berlin says will tighten oversight of the BND spy agency amid criticism that the legislation violates the right to privacy.
New German Intel Law 'Legalizes Spying on Population' Sputnik 21 Oct 2016 -- The German Bundestag passed new legislation providing for the biggest reform of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) in history. According to the new law, German Intelligence is supposed to be under a greater control but at the same time receive more powers that might enable it to spy on European governments and NGOs.
German Parliament Passes Law Limiting Intel Agency's Spy Powers Sputnik 21 Oct 2016 -- Germany's parliament Friday (October 21) passed new legislation giving it greater scrutiny over the work of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) following the revelations that it had secretly colluded with the US National Security Agency (NSA) in snooping on European politicians and companies.

China determined to push forward fight against corruption: Xi People's Daily 21 Oct 2016 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged unswerving efforts to promote clean governance and fight corruption, as the nation commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Long March with a gathering on Friday.

NSA Contractor Stole 500Mln Pages of US Secrets Over 20 Years Sputnik 21 Oct 2016 -- The US Department of Justice stated in a court filing that Harold Martin III, a former National Security Agency contractor stole half-a-billion pages of US government records over 20 years, including details of secret military activities.
NSA contractor accused of largest data theft in history Press TV 21 Oct 2016 -- US government prosecutors say they would prosecute a former contractor for the National Security Agency (NSA) who is accused of stealing a "breathtaking" amount of classified information, the largest data theft the United States has ever seen.

New company set up to develop space economy People's Daily 21 Oct 2016 -- The commercialization of rocket launches will boost the industry by bringing space tourism income and attracting private investment, experts said.

Mars Probe Crash Site Photographed VOA 21 Oct 2016 -- The European Space Agency says it has found the crash site of its ill-fated Schiaparelli probe on the surface of Mars.

KMT caucus urges sticking to '1992 consensus' at Beijing forum CNA 21 Oct 2016 -- The legislative caucus of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) has urged party members to abide by the principle of the "1992 consensus" when attending a cross-Taiwan Strait forum early next month.

DR Congo security forces used 'excessive force' against protesters, UN probe finds UN News 21 Oct 2016 -- State agents, such as police and armed forces, used excessive – including lethal – force during demonstrations in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), last month, when at least 53 people were killed over two days, 143 injured and more than 299 unlawfully arrested, a United Nations preliminary investigation revealed today.

Security Council welcomes initiative to end political crisis in Guinea-Bissau UN News 21 Oct 2016 -- The United Nations Security Council has welcomed a recent inclusive dialogue, convened in Conakry, by Alpha Condé, the President of Guinea, that involved political leaders, civil society and religious communities of Guinea-Bissau as part of a regional efforts to end the political crisis in the country.

Venezuela suspends opposition's recall drive against Maduro Press TV 21 Oct 2016 -- Venezuela's electoral officials have suspended a recall referendum campaign against President Nicolas Maduro, in a setback for the opposition which has been pushing to prevent the embattled leader from finishing out his term.
Venezuelan Authorities Say 'No' to Referendum Against President VOA 21 Oct 2016 -- Venezuela's electoral officials have suspended a referendum effort that could have led to the ouster of President Nicolas Maduro. The Thursday action followed nearly a year of opposition campaigning for the referendum.

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