15 January 2017 Military News

Strikes Hit ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 15 Jan 2017 -- 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.

Pakistan Warns Afghanistan 'Blame Game' Hurting Peace Efforts VOA 15 Jan 2017 -- Pakistan's military chief told Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Sunday that his troops have eliminated "all safe havens" of terrorists on Pakistani soil, and he emphasized the need for security cooperation between the two countries to deter cross-border terrorist infiltration.

Russia to upgrade its naval, air bases in Syria: Report Press TV 15 Jan 2017 -- Russia intends to improve and expand its naval and air bases in Syria to further contain terrorist groups operating in the war-torn country.

UAE, Britain launch joint naval exercises in Persian Gulf Press TV 15 Jan 2017 -- Naval forces of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Britain have started joint military exercises in the Persian Gulf within the framework of cooperation, coordination and exchange of experiences and military information between the two countries.

Indonesia, Japan vow to deepen military ties Press TV 15 Jan 2017 -- Leaders of Japan and Indonesia have vowed to beef up their military cooperation, especially in the sea, in an apparent bid to counter China's increasing claims over disputed territories.

Yemeni forces kill Saudi soldier in cross border attack Press TV 15 Jan 2017 -- Yemeni forces have killed a Saudi soldier in a cross border shelling attack in the kingdom's southern province of Najran, in retaliation for Riyadh's aggression against its impoverished southern neighbor.

249 civilians killed in Turkish assaults against northern Syria: Observatory Press TV 15 Jan 2017 -- A so-called monitoring group says nearly 250 civilians have lost their lives and more than a thousand others sustained injuries ever since the Turkish military launched an operation in northern Syria against purported positions of Daesh Takfiri terrorists and Kurdish fighters.
Shelling Near Syrian Capital Hits Civilian Crisis Shelter, 30 Casualties Reported VOA 15 Jan 2017 -- Monitors say artillery fire from Syrian government forces hit a crisis shelter Sunday near Damascus, killing or wounding at least 30 civilians who had fled to the site to avoid nearby fighting between rebels and the Syrian army.

Middle East Conference Ends With Warning Against Unilateral Steps RFE/RL 15 Jan 2017 -- More than 70 countries have called on Israel and the Palestinians to restate their commitment to a peace settlement and to refrain from unilateral actions.
Two-state Solution Only Option to Middle East peace, World Powers Say VOA 15 Jan 2017 -- With fears that President-elect Donald Trump may dramatically shift U.S. policy on the Middle East, representatives of more than 70 countries and international organizations on Sunday affirmed that a two-state solution is the only viable option for peace.,

Serbia accuses Kosovo of seeking war after train incident Press TV 15 Jan 2017 -- Serbia's President Tomislav Nikolic has said that Kosovo showed it wanted war after it deployed forces to prevent the entry of a train from Serbia.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang's Remarks PRC MofA 15 Jan 2017 -- There is but one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. The government of the People's Republic of China is the only legitimate government representing China. That is the fact acknowledged by the international community and no one can change.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Says One-China Policy 'Non-Negotiable' Sputnik 15 Jan 2017 -- Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and one-China policy is non-negotiable basis of the China-US relations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Saturday in response to the comments of US President-elect Donald Trump.

Trump Aides Deny Plans For Putin Summit In Iceland RFE/RL 15 Jan 2017 -- Top aides to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump have denied a published report he plans to hold a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Iceland as his first foreign trip in office.

CIA chief warns Trump to watch his words Press TV 15 Jan 2017 -- The outgoing Director of the Central Intelligence Agency John Brennan has warned Donald Trump to choose his words wisely, blasting the US president-elect for likening the intelligence community to Nazi Germany.
CIA Chief Warns Trump Against 'Talking, Tweeting' RFE/RL 15 Jan 2017 -- Outgoing CIA Director John Brennan has called on U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to watch what he says and posts on social media, saying spontaneity is not in the interests of national security.

Russian 'Kompromat' Remains Alive and Well VOA 15 Jan 2017 -- Amid the political maelstrom surrounding the leaked, and wholly unverified, accusations of the Kremlin's possession of compromising information on U.S. President Elect Donald Trump, a new Russian word entered the global lexicon, "kompromat."

Trump Wants Nuclear Deal With Russia; Criticizes Moscow's Actions In Syria RFE/RL 15 Jan 2017 -- U.S. President-elect Donald Trump suggested he may offer to end some economic sanctions against Russia in return for a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to reduce nuclear arms, The Times of London newspaper reported.

Turkish lawmakers pass first reading of constitutional amendments Press TV 15 Jan 2017 -- The first reading of controversial legislation aimed at boosting Turkey's president has been passed by the country's parliament.

Gambia's Barrow: Presidential Inauguration to Proceed as Planned VOA 15 Jan 2017 -- Gambian president-elect Adama Barrow spokesman confirmed Sunday the upcoming inauguration will take place on January 19, despite President Yahya Jammeh's refusal to step down from office.
Adama Barrow lands in Senegal amid political crisis in Gambia Press TV 15 Jan 2017 -- Gambia's opposition leader Adama Barrow, who was declared the winner of the December presidential election, has landed in neighboring Senegal, where he will remain until his planned inauguration this week.

Araqchi outlines JCPOA achievements for Iran IRNA 15 Jan 2017 -- Foreign Ministry deputy for Legal and International Affairs Abbas Araqchi outlined the achievements of Iran's nuclear deal with six world powers and said it turned Iran from being "a menace to peace" into a country with a decisive role in world arena.
FM official stresses JCPOA role in enhancing Iran's foreign policy worldwide IRNA 15 Jan 2017 -- Foreign Ministry Deputy for Legal and International affairs Abbas Araqchi said the impact of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran' foreign policy is quite evident.
Iran Says Nuclear Deal Will Not Be Renegotiated RFE/RL 15 Jan 2017 -- The landmark nuclear deal between Iran and world powers "will not be renegotiated," Iran's deputy foreign minister said on January 15, ahead of the first anniversary of the agreement's implementation.

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