28 December 2016 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 28 Dec 2016 [PDF]

Inherent Resolve Strikes Target ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 28 Dec 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 28 Dec 2016 -- British forces have continued to conduct air operations in the fight against Daesh
US Troops to Deploy Near Mosul Frontline, Trying to Revive Stalled Offensive Sputnik 28 Dec 2016 -- US military officials have announced that Iraqi forces will soon resume their offensive against Daesh in the jihadists' Mosul stronghold, as part of new US troop deployments to the area.

Kabul Protests Being Left Out Of Moscow Meeting On Peace In Afghanistan RFE/RL 28 Dec 2016 -- The Afghan government has expressed concern over a third high-level meeting about the country held in Moscow on December 27 between Russia, China, and Pakistan that did not include any Afghan representatives.

Defense Policy / Programs

Big Challenges Await New US Defense Team in 2017 VOA 28 Dec 2016 -- On the cusp of 2017, the United States is still involved in wars against Islamic extremists in Afghanistan and Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group Returns Home NNS 28 Dec 2016 -- More than 6,000 Sailors from Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10 are scheduled to arrive at their homeports Dec. 30 after completing a highly successful seven-month deployment.
Future USS Rafael Peralta Completes Acceptance Trials NNS 28 Dec 2016 -- The future USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) successfully completed acceptance trials Dec. 16 after spending two days underway off the coast of Maine.

Russia Seeks Joint Use Of Tajik Air Base Amid Growing Islamic Militancy RFE/RL 28 Dec 2016 -- Russia wants to expand its air force deployment to Tajikistan and is in talks with Dushanbe for joint use of an air base in the former Soviet republic, the Russian ambassador to Dushanbe said on December 27.
First Ka-226T Ship-Based Helicopter Produced in Russia - Russian Helicopters CEO Sputnik 28 Dec 2016 -- CEO of the Russian helicopters holding said that Russia's Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise produced the first Ka-226T ship-based helicopter that may be in demand both in Russia and abroad, Alexander Mikheev.

Indonesia Rethinks Ukrainian-Built Combat Vehicle After Unsuccessful Trial Sputnik 28 Dec 2016 -- Indonesia is reconsidering plans to acquire more Ukraine-built BTR-4 8x8 amphibious armored personnel carriers (APC) after issues cropped up during training activities.

Photos of China's aircraft carrier urge better protection of confidential information People's Daily 28 Dec 2016 -- Some high-resolution photos of China's newest aircraft carrier, still under construction, have gained widespread attention online. The photos, which clearly show details of the carrier's structure, first appeared on the site of Japan's Kyodo News Service. They were taken by employees of Kyodo News Service, according to a report in China National Defense News.
China to promote military relations with Bolivia People's Daily 28 Dec 2016 -- Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan Tuesday said that China is willing to take military relations with Bolivia to a new level.
Pictures revealed of China's improved stealth fighter J-31 People's Daily 28 Dec 2016 -- Recently, pictures of the improved edition of China's stealth fighter J-31 were posted online, indicating a new stage of development for the aircraft. However, Chinese military expert Yin Zhuo told CCTV that it would still be some time before the design is finalized.

India on Track to Unveil Most Advanced Version of Tejas LCA Sputnik 28 Dec 2016 -- The Indian Air Force was forced to accept diluted parameters of Tejas due to the delay in the upgraded MK2. There is now optimism about rolling out the prototype by 2019.
Russia Left Out From Major Indian Tender for EW Suites Sputnik 28 Dec 2016 -- India has asked a Russian vendor to quote for AESA radars but overlooked it while asking for participation in the tender for EW self-protection jammer pods.
Indian Air Force Pushes For 200-250 More Medium Weight Combat Jets Sputnik 28 Dec 2016 -- India is staring at a startling shortage of combat jets to fight two front wars with Pakistan and China. The current strength of the Indian Air Force is 34 squadrons (18-20 aircraft per squadron) as against the estimated requirement of 42 squadrons for a two-front war.
China Takes Media Reports at Face Value, Questions Indias Nuke Capable ICBM Test Sputnik 28 Dec 2016 -- China has flagged the UN Security Council Resolution 1172 which calls upon both India and Pakistan to cease development of ballistic missile capable of delivering nuclear warheads.

Lithuania Aims to Spend More on Defense Sputnik 28 Dec 2016 -- The country's Defense Minister Raimundas Karoblis said that Lithuania's aim is to spend more than 2 percent of gross domestic product on defense in accordance with NATO demands.

US Intel Images Suggest Another N. Korean Missile Launch Site VOA 28 Dec 2016 -- New reviews of satellite images suggest North Korea may possess another missile launching site at a village once suspected of having nuclear facilities.

Iran drills: Missile defense systems deployed against mock hostile aircraft Press TV 28 Dec 2016 -- Iran has successfully test-fired its long-range surface-to-air S-200 missile as its air defense drills enter the final phase in the country's southern belt.
Iran Plans Aircraft Carrier Build, Major Naval Upgrade Sputnik 28 Dec 2016 -- Iran is looking to add an aircraft carrier and possibly heavy submarines to bolster its navy.

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for December 28, 2016

Other Conflicts

US rejects Russian accusations it's arming militants in Syria Press TV 28 Dec 2016 -- The United States has rejected Russia's accusations that Washington provides sophisticated military equipment to militants fighting against the Syrian government.
U.S. Dismisses Russian Claims About Rocket Launchers RFE/RL 28 Dec 2016 -- The United States said it has no plans to provide portable rocket launchers to Syrian rebels, dismissing rhetoric from Russia after Moscow warned that such weapons might fall into the hands of Islamic militants.
Turkey Seeks To Include Saudis In Syrian Peace Talks; Iran Says No RFE/RL 28 Dec 2016 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saudi Arabia and Qatar should join Russian-sponsored peace talks on Syria even as a top Iranian official said the Saudis should be excluded.
US Intensifies Weapons Supply to Syrian Kurds - Reports Sputnik 28 Dec 2016 -- The United States delivered weapons to the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), despite the claims of the US ambassador to Turkey, according to Turkish media.
After promising start, 2016 has been worst for civilians in Syria - UN expert UN News 28 Dec 2016 -- After a promising start, the year 2016 has been the worst for civilian casualties so far in the war in Syria, according to the head of a United Nations-mandated human rights inquiry into the Middle Eastern country.
Turkish Media: Syrian Cease-fire Agreement Reached with Russia VOA 28 Dec 2016 -- News reports out of Turkey say Ankara and Russia have prepared a cease-fire agreement for all of Syria, but Russia is refusing to comment on the reports and rebel groups say no such official truce has been agreed on.

Iraqi troops geared for fresh east Mosul offensive Press TV 28 Dec 2016 -- Iraqi forces are gearing up for a three-pronged attacked against Daesh terrorists in the city of Mosul following a two-week lull in their anti-terror operations, says a high-ranking Iraqi commander.
Iraqi Premier Says Will Run Islamic State Out Of Iraq In Three More Months RFE/RL 28 Dec 2016 -- Iraq's Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi predicted on December 27 that it will take only three more months to remove the Islamic State extremist group from Mosul and the rest of Iraq.
Daesh Will Be Cast Out of Iraq in 3 Months - Iraqi PM Sputnik 28 Dec 2016 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has claimed that it will take just three more months to push the jihadist group Daesh out of Iraq. It comes as al-Abadi has accepted he has failed to meet an earlier set deadline, while also calling the US "pessimistic" about the fight against terror in Iraq.
Iraq: Nearly 115,000 people displaced, 50,000 children affected by Mosul military operation - UN UN News 28 Dec 2016 -- Since operations began to retake the Iraqi city of Mosul from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) two months ago, some 114,042 people have been displaced and as many as one million are out of reach of humanitarian assistance.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Statement in Response to US Secretary of State John Kerry's Speech Israel - Prime Minister's Office 28 Dec 2016 -- "But now I must express my deep disappointment with the speech today of John Kerry – a speech that was almost as unbalanced as the anti-Israel resolution passed at the UN last week. In a speech ostensibly about peace between Israelis and Palestinians, Secretary Kerry paid lip service to the unremitting campaign of terrorism that has been waged by the Palestinians against the Jewish state for nearly a century."
Remarks on Middle East Peace US Dept. of State 28 Dec 2016 -- Remarks by John Kerry, Secretary of State
Israeli settlements 'destroy hopes for peace': Kerry Press TV 28 Dec 2016 -- Secretary of State John Kerry defended the United States' decision to abstain - and not veto - a UN resolution condemning Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories, saying Israel's policies put the so-called two-state solution "in serious jeopardy."
US denies discussing UN Israeli settlement measure with Palestine Press TV 28 Dec 2016 -- The White House has vehemently denied accusations that Secretary of State John Kerry and National Security Adviser Susan Rice had discussed the recent UN resolution against illegal Israeli settlements with Palestinian officials.
Israel calls off vote on new illegal settler homes in East al-Quds Press TV 28 Dec 2016 -- Israeli officials have reportedly scrapped plans to build hundreds more illegal settler units on the occupied Palestinian territory, which would amount to a clear violation of the recent UN Security Council resolution demanding a halt to the regime's land grab policy.
Kerry Defends Controversial UN Vote On Israeli Settlements RFE/RL 28 Dec 2016 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has said a two-state solution is essential for peace between the Palestinians and Israel, as the U.S. administration defended a controversial United Nations vote.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Slams Obama's Middle East Policy Sputnik 28 Dec 2016 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blasted US President Barack Obama over his administration's Middle East policies after Secretary of State John Kerry delivered a major speech on a two-state solution.
Kerry Slams Netanyahu, Defends US Abstention in UN on Israeli Settlements Sputnik 28 Dec 2016 -- On Wednesday, Secretary of State John Kerry energetically defended the Obama administration's decision not to veto a UN Security Council bill condemning Israeli settlement construction on Palestinian land. Observers described Kerry's remarks as the toughest criticism in years by a US official of Washington's Israeli ally.
Future of Two-State Solution for Israelis, Palestinians 'In Jeopardy' - Kerry Sputnik 28 Dec 2016 -- Outgoing US Secretary of State John Kerry said that the two-state solution is the only way to achieve a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
Kerry: Israeli-Palestinian Two-state Solution in 'Serious Jeopardy VOA 28 Dec 2016 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry unveiled broad guidelines Wednesday for an eventual peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians, warning that a two-state solution to the conflict is in "serious jeopardy."
Israel Delays Vote on New Settlements VOA 28 Dec 2016 -- A Jerusalem official said Wednesday a committee had postponed a planned vote on permits to construct hundreds of new settler homes in occupied East Jerusalem.

Over 3,000 return home in northeast Nigeria after internal displacement Press TV 28 Dec 2016 -- Over 3,000 people displaced in Nigeria's northeast as a result of a seven-year terrorist campaign by the Boko Haram militant group have returned home after the reopening of key roads in the region.

News Reports

Graham: 'Enough is Enough;' Predicts Sanctions on Russia VOA 28 Dec 2016 -- Prominent Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham says Russia did interfere in the recent U.S. presidential election and can expect hard-hitting sanctions. But a former U.S. official is downplaying the controversy over Russian hacking.
US Senate believes Russia meddled in election: Graham Press TV 28 Dec 2016 -- US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham says nearly the entire Senate believes that Russia interfered in the November presidential election.
U.S. Senator: Tough Sanctions To Hit Russia, Putin For Cyberattacks RFE/RL 28 Dec 2016 -- A U.S. senator says that Russia and President Vladimir Putin will be hit with tough sanctions as a result of suspected Russian cyberattacks during last month's U.S. presidential election.

OSCE Says It Suffered Major Cyberattack RFE/RL 28 Dec 2016 -- The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has suffered a "major" cyberattack, a spokeswoman has confirmed.
OSCE Suffered Cyberattack in Fall Sputnik 28 Dec 2016 -- The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) was hit by a cyberattack in the fall, media reported Wednesday, citing an OSCE official.

Amendment to the Terrorist Designations of Lashkar e-Tayyiba US Dept. of State 28 Dec 2016-- Through its authorities under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, the State Department announces the amendment of the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity designations of Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT) to include the alias Al-Muhammadia Students (AMS).

China's Xi stresses principle of democratic centralism in top leadership People's Daily 28 Dec 2016 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has stressed the importance of adhering to democratic centralism.
Taiwan Mainland Spokesman Urges US to Stick to 'One China' Policy Sputnik 28 Dec 2016 -- An Fengshan, the spokesman for the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, stated that any attempt to disrupt "One China" policy was "doomed to fail."
U.S. says new law not aimed at highlighting cross-strait tensions CNA 28 Dec 2016 -- The United States has a strong security relationship with Taiwan and its recent legislation on military exchanges with Taiwan was not aimed at highlighting tensions across the Taiwan Strait, the U.S. State Department said Tuesday.

Tsai calls on state-run firms to help push New Southbound Policy CNA 28 Dec 2016 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Wednesday that state-run companies should play a greater role in promoting the government's New Southbound Policy and she also urged local governments to join the central government's efforts in that regard.
Taiwan says ties with Central American allies remain solid CNA 28 Dec 2016 -- The Presidential Office said Wednesday that Taiwan's diplomatic relations with four of its Central American allies are solid and the preparations for next week's visit there by President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) are going smoothly.

Selling 70 tons of heavy water barometer of Iran's nuclear capabilities: Senior MP IRNA 28 Dec 2016 -- Iran's selling of 70 tons of heavy water in the global markets sets a reliable benchmark for the country's nuclear capabilities, says the head of the Committee for Foreign Policy and National Security in the Parliament.

Obama, Japanese Prime Minister Pay Respects at Pearl Harbor AFPS 28 Dec 2016 -- President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met yesterday at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to pay their respects to the victims and honor the survivors of the attack 75 years ago that drew the United States into World War II.
Abe offers no apology during Pearl Harbor visit People's Daily 28 Dec 2016 -- Hawkish Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday offered no apology during his visit to Pearl Harbor for a sneak attack in World War II that claimed more than 2,400 American lives.

Pakistan Opens New Nuclear Plant Built With China's Help VOA 28 Dec 2016 -- Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has inaugurated a nuclear power facility built with the assistance of China.

Head of South Korea's pension fund arrested in probe Press TV 28 Dec 2016 -- South Korean authorities have arrested the head of the state-run pension fund as part of an expanding investigation into the alleged involvement of President Park Geun-hye in a fraud scandal.

Russian Anti-Doping Agency Denies Admission Of 'Institutional Conspiracy' RFE/RL 28 Dec 2016 -- Russian authorities have sought to cast doubt on a New York Times report that said the country had conceded the existence of a widespread doping conspiracy among sports officials and athletes, claiming that statements by its anti-doping chief were "distorted and taken out of context."

Nation to send unmanned probes to Mars, Jupiter by 2030 People's Daily 28 Dec 2016 -- China plans to send unmanned probes to explore Mars and Jupiter by 2030, said a senior space official.
China Launches New Weather Satellite Fengyun-4 Sputnik 28 Dec 2016 -- According to media reports, China launched a new-generation meteorological satellite, the country's first quantitative remote-sensing satellite in high orbit.

Uruguay's former dictator Gregorio Alvarez dies at 91 Press TV 28 Dec 2016 -- General Gregorio "El Goyo" Alvarez, the last military dictator in Uruguay who ruled the country from 1981 to 1985, has died at the age of 91.

Lebanese parliament endorses new government led by Hariri Press TV 28 Dec 2016 -- A national unity government headed by Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri has won a vote of confidence in the parliament.

Kenya's Senate Moves Cautiously on Contentious Election Bill VOA 28 Dec 2016 -- In Kenya, a controversial amendment to the electoral law is now before the Senate. The bill would give the electoral commission a workaround if biometric voting equipment fails, but the opposition has rejected the change for fear of voter fraud.

Sudan parliament votes for reinstating post of prime minister Press TV 28 Dec 2016 -- Sudanese lawmakers have voted for a constitutional amendment that will reinstate the post of prime minister after more than two decades.

Israeli Media: Attorney General Approves Criminal Investigation Into Netanyahu Sputnik 28 Dec 2016 -- Israeli media is reporting that Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit has approved a full criminal investigation into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's financial activities.

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