03 February 2017 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 03 Feb 2017[PDF]

Counter-ISIL Strikes Continue in Syria, Iraq AFPS 03 Feb 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.

US Missile Destroyer Sails Off Coast of Yemen Amid Rising Tensions With Iran Sputnik 03 Feb 2017 -- Amid strained relations between Iran and the US, Washington has deployed a Navy destroyer off the Yemeni coast to protect waterways from the Iran-supported Houthi militia. The USS Cole was deployed to escort vessels and carry out other patrols off southwestern Yemen, near the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
US military sends guided-missile destroyer near Yemen: Officials Press TV 03 Feb 2017 -- The United States has deployed the Navy warship USS Cole to off the coast of Yemen amid heightened tensions with Iran, according to two American officials.
U.S. Navy Places Destroyer Off Yemen Coast RFE/RL 03 Feb 2017 -- Two U.S. officials say the Navy has placed a destroyer off the coast of Yemen to protect shipping from fighters with the Iran-backed Houthi militia.
US Sends Navy Destroyer to Patrol Off Yemen Amid Iran Tensions VOA 03 Feb 2017 -- A U.S. Navy destroyer is patrolling off the coast of Yemen to protect international waterways from Houthi militia aligned with Iran, a U.S. defense official told VOA on Friday.

Afghan Forces Repel Taliban Attack in Helmand Province VOA 03 Feb 2017 -- Afghan forces claim to have repulsed a Taliban attack on a district in Helmand province. The attack on Garmsir district Thursday night lasted until early Friday morning.
Report: Suspected Taliban Loyalist Kills 8 Afghan Policemen VOA 03 Feb 2017 -- Officials in northwestern Afghanistan say a suspected Taliban insurgent has killed at least eight police personnel just days after surrendering and joining the force.

Defense Policy / Programs

Navy Decommissions "The Big E" NNS 03 Feb 2017 -- The aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise (CVN 65), was decommissioned during a ceremony held in the ship's hangar bay, Feb. 3.
U-2 breaks 30,000-hour barrier in fight against ISIL AFNS 03 Feb 2017 -- A U-2 Dragon Lady, serving in the U.S. Air Force Central Command, reached 30,000 hours of flight time, Feb. 2, while supporting theater operations in an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.
USAG Ansbach to sustain first brigade-size rotational aviation unit Army News 03 Feb 2017 -- For the past year, U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach has been running in high gear, planning and preparing to provide essential base support and sustainment for the next rotational unit, scheduled to arrive here within the next two months.
Coronado Completes Underway Focused on Training, Operations at Sea NNS 03 Feb 2017 -- Following a four-day underway in the South China Sea, littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4) pulled into Sembawang Wharves in Singapore for a scheduled maintenance period, beginning Feb. 3.
USS Porter Enters Black Sea NNS 03 Feb 2017 -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) entered the Black Sea, Feb. 2, in order to conduct maritime security operations and enhance capability and interoperability with allies and partners in the region.
Mid-Cycle Inspection Takes Center Stage for USS America NNS 03 Feb 2017 -- Sailors assigned to amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA6) began revving up for its first Mid-Cycle Inspection (MCI) March 14-17 in preparation for deployment later this year.
America Completes CSSQT NNS 03 Feb 2017 -- Sailors and Marines aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) completed the final phase of combat systems ship qualifications trials (CSSQT) and follow-on operation testing of the ship's weapons systems Feb. 2.

Trump Defense Chief Assures Japan, S. Korea of US Commitment to Asia VOA 03 Feb 2017 -- U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis said in Tokyo Friday the U.S. stands "firmly, 100 percent, shoulder to shoulder" with Japan.
Mattis Emphasizes U.S. Commitment in Meetings With South Korean Leaders AFPS 03 Feb 2017 -- Defense Secretary Jim Mattis emphasized the U.S. commitment to the Asia-Pacific region and its alliance with South Korea in separate meetings with South Korean leaders today, Pentagon spokesman Navy Cmdr. Gary Ross said.
Readout of Secretary Mattis' Meetings with ROK Minister of Foreign Affairs Yun Byung-Se and Minister of National Defense Han Min-Koo DoD 03 Feb 2017
Remarks by Secretary Mattis and Defense Minister Han in Seoul, Republic of Korea DoD 03 Feb 2017 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis; South Korean Defense Minister Han Min Koo
US, South Korea agree to deploy THAAD this year: Seoul Press TV 03 Feb 2017 -- The US and South Korea have agreed to deploy an advanced American missile system on Korean territory this year, South Korea's Defense Ministry says.
Strength of Alliance Highlights Meeting Between Mattis, Japan's Prime Minister AFPS 03 Feb 2017 -- In a Tokyo meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe today, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis reaffirmed the strength of the U.S.- Japanese alliance, Pentagon spokesman Navy Cmdr. Gary Ross said.
Readout of Secretary Mattis' Meetings with Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe DoD 03 Feb 2017
Remarks by Secretary Mattis and Prime Minister Abe in Tokyo, Japan DoD 03 Feb 2017 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis; Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan
Japan hopes for 'unwavering alliance' with US under Trump Press TV 03 Feb 2017 -- Japan's prime minister says Tokyo is committed to boosting ties with Washington, highlighting hopes of the creation of an "unwavering alliance" with the United States under the administration of President Donald Trump.

NATO Secretary General: KFOR helping make Kosovo a safer place NATO 03 Feb 2017 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reaffirmed NATO's commitment to the security and stability of Kosovo during a visit to Pristina on Friday (3 February 2017).

China mass-produces amphibious landing craft: report CNA 03 Feb 2017 -- China has begun the mass production of a domestically-developed amphibious landing craft which will enhance the country's amphibious capabilities and enable it to transport heavy military vehicles in the event of war with Taiwan, Chinese media reported recently.

Iranian Official Says Tehran Has Sovereign Right to Boost Its Defense Capability Sputnik 03 Feb 2017 -- Iran has a soverign right to work on strengthening its defense capability, ballistic misile tests are part of the country's defense strategy, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, assistant to Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani, said Friday.

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Sean Spicer, 2/3/2017, #8 The White House 03 Feb 2017

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for February 03, 2017

Other Conflicts

3 February 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 03 Feb 2017
Refugees fleeing danger are 'not dangerous themselves' - UN agency chief UN News 03 Feb 2017 -- The head of the United Nations refugee agency today warned developed countries against politicizing the issue of refugees, stressing that the move risked undermining the principle of international solidarity with those fleeing war and persecution.
Adhere to safeguards, avoid pushing back refugees, UNICEF, UN rights experts urge Europe UN News 03 Feb 2017 -- As Europe Union leaders gather today in Malta to discuss new measures on migration, including increased cooperation with Libya, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and UN rights experts underlined the need to ensure that children are protected and that migrants should not be pushed back to places where their safety is at risk.

Al-Qaeda overruns 3 Yemeni towns after US raid Press TV 03 Feb 2017 -- Al-Qaeda in Yemen has overrun three southern towns just days after a US raid which killed at least 16 civilians, officials have said.

Around 30,000 Syrians Flee Al Bab Amid Massive Anti-Daesh Operation - UN Sputnik 03 Feb 2017 -- Amid anti-Daesh military operation in Aleppo province, the United Nations has registered a mass exodus of civilians from the town of al Bab, who fled to other districts of the province.
SDF Hopeful to Receive More US Weapons as 'Promised by Trump' Sputnik 03 Feb 2017 -- Lately, the press has been actively discussing the new US administration's will to possibly increase the military aid to Kurdish forces in order to accelerate the fight against Daesh in Syria. A spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which forms the backbone of the Kurdish self-defense units, Talal Sulo spoke with Sputnik about this.
Russian Long-Range Bombers Strike Terrorist Targets in Syria's Deir ez-Zor Sputnik 03 Feb 2017 -- Russian long-range Tu-22M3 bombers have continued striking terrorist targets in Syria's province of Deir ez-Zor.
Lebanon's president urges 'safe zones' for refugees in coordination with Syria Press TV 03 Feb 2017 -- Lebanon's President Michel Aoun has urged the international community to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland by setting up a series of "safe zones" in coordination with the government in Damascus.
Syrian army forces make advances in Dayr al-Zawr Press TV 03 Feb 2017 -- Syrian army soldiers and allied popular defense groups have gained more grounds in Dayr al-Zawr as they are trying to flush Daesh Takfiri terrorists and other foreign-sponsored militants out of the strategic eastern city.

Daesh to be routed in Iraq in near future: UN envoy Press TV 03 Feb 2017 -- The UN envoy for Iraq has expressed optimism over full liberation of Iraq from the Daesh terrorists in the near future, saying the Takfiri group is using civilians as human shields in the embattled city of Mosul to slow down army advances.
Baghdad angered by Trump's words on Iran role in neighboring Iraq Press TV 03 Feb 2017 -- Iraq has roundly rejected US President Donald Trump's recent remarks that Iran is "taking over" the neighboring Arab country.
Iraq: UN fears new wave of displacement as fighting escalates in Mosul and Hawiga UN News 03 Feb 2017 -- The United Nations refugee agency and its partners are coordinating plans to respond to a potential mass displacement of Iraqis from western Mosul, the latest battleground the Iraqi forces are seeking to retake from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) terrorists.

UN rights chief urges end to rights violations against Rohingya Muslims Press TV 03 Feb 2017 -- A report by the UN human rights office says Myanmar's months-long crackdown on its Rohingya Muslims has likely killed hundreds of people, in a campaign that could amount to crimes against humanity and "ethnic cleansing."
UN report details 'devastating cruelty' against Rohingya population in Myanmar's Rakhine province UN News 03 Feb 2017 -- In a report issued today, the United Nations human rights arm said that the widespread human rights violations against the Rohingya population by Myanmar's security forces in the country's northern Rakhine state indicate the very likely commission of crimes against humanity.
New UN Report Highlights Harsh Abuses Against Myanmar Rohingya VOA 03 Feb 2017 -- Thousands of Rohingya children, women, and men are victims of mass gang rapes, killings, beatings, disappearances and other acts of cruelty at the hands of Myanmar's police and security forces, says a new U.N. report.

White House Unaware if Trump Plans to Arm Ukrainian Forces - Spokesman Sputnik 03 Feb 2017 -- White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Friday he was not aware if President Donald Trump intended to follow Senator John McCain's recommendation to send lethal weapons to Ukrainian forces.
Kremlin Comments on Accusations of New US Envoy to UN Over Crimea Sputnik 03 Feb 2017 -- Russia disagrees with new US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley's comments on Crimea's status, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday, noting that Moscow has never been too optimistic about the prospect of sanctions relief under the new US administration.
DPR Military Says Kiev Forces 'Deliberately' Shelling Civilians in Donetsk Sputnik 03 Feb 2017 -- Deputy Defense Minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) Eduard Basurin has claimed that Kiev armed forces deliberately shelled residential areas of Donetsk, the region's largest city, with the use of multiple rocket launchers.
Civilians face 'dire' situation amid ongoing hostilities in eastern Ukraine, UN warns UN News 03 Feb 2017 -- An immediate pause in fighting is needed in Ukraine to prevent more people dying and repair essential services, the United Nations human rights office said today following another night of shelling in the east of the country.
Latest clashes claim seven lives in eastern Ukraine Press TV 03 Feb 2017 -- The latest clashes in eastern Ukraine have claimed the lives of more civilians and soldiers amid an escalation of fighting in the region.
Russia rejects US envoy's remarks on Crimea Press TV 03 Feb 2017 -- Russia has dismissed accusations by the newly-appointed US envoy to the United Nations about the Crimean Peninsula, saying people in the territory made a conscious decision to join Russia in a referendum more than two years ago.
US ambassador to UN condemns Russia's 'aggressive actions' in Ukraine Press TV 03 Feb 2017 -- The new US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, has strongly condemned Russia's "aggressive actions" in Ukraine even as the administration of US President Donald Trump seeks to improve ties with Moscow.
Monitors Sound Warning As Eastern Ukraine Fighting Continues To Surge RFE/RL 03 Feb 2017 -- International monitors in Ukraine have warned of "an incredible amount of cease-fire violations" by both sides six days into an uptick of hostilities between pro-Kyiv forces and Russia-backed separatists.
U.S. Ambassador To UN Says No Lifting Of Russia Sanctions Until Crimea Returned RFE/RL 03 Feb 2017 -- The new U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, has expressed "strong condemnation of Russia's actions" in eastern Ukraine and warned that Ukraine-related sanctions against Russia will not be lifted until Crimea is returned to Kyiv.

Philippines President asks China to patrol piracy-plagued waters People's Daily 03 Feb 2017 -- Philippine President RodrigoDuterte on Tuesday asks China to patrol southern international waters leading to the Malacca Strait and the Sulu Sea, with the aim of stopping the expansion of extremism and piracy in the area.

Duterte Announces End of Ceasefire With Communist Rebels Sputnik 03 Feb 2017 -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday announced the end of the government ceasefire with the communist militants from the New People's Army (NPA).

Cameroon President: Boko Haram Weakened But Not Beaten VOA 03 Feb 2017 -- In a rare public appearance, Cameroon's president, Paul Biya, paid homage to four top military officers killed in a helicopter crash last month and urged the country to persevere in its fight against Boko Haram militants.

Rights expert urges UN Member States to halt Israel's illegal settlements in West Bank UN News 03 Feb 2017 -- A United Nations human rights expert has called on the Security Council and the General Assembly to explore effective diplomatic and political measures to ensure Israeli compliance with Security Council resolution 2334 (2016), which affirms that all Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory constitute a flagrant violation of international law.
Palestinian urges UN action against Israel's settlement projects Press TV 03 Feb 2017 -- The Palestinian envoy to the UN has lashed out at Israel for an "extreme barrage of illegal behavior" over the last 10 days, urging the Security Council to take action against the regime's settlement expansion.
Trump admin. says new Israeli settlements 'not helpful' Press TV 03 Feb 2017 -- US President Donald Trump has struck a tougher line with Israel, warning that building new settlements or expanding existing ones "may not be helpful" to efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

'Violation of Int'l Law': Turkey Warns Greece Over Military Drills on Kos Island Sputnik 03 Feb 2017 -- Greek military drills held on the Kos island contradict the international law, namely the 1947 Paris peace agreement which confirms the demilitarized status of the Eastern Aegean Islands, a Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in a statement obtained by Sputnik on Friday.

Fresh violence in Central African Republic western town displaces thousands, UN office says UN News 03 Feb 2017 -- Condemning attacks on civilians and non-governmental organizations in a town in Central African Republic (CAR)'s Ouham-Pendé province, a senior United Nations humanitarian official has called for protecting civilians as well as for unhindered relief access to the affected areas.

News Reports

Trump attitude matter of worry for EU leaders Press TV 03 Feb 2017 -- The US administration's attitude under President Donald Trump has seriously worried leaders from the European Union as they now express concern that campaign rhetoric used by the new US president will become policy.

New CIA deputy director once ran 'black site' prison Press TV 03 Feb 2017 -- US President Donald Trump has named Gina Haspel, a veteran CIA clandestine service officer who once ran a "black site" prison, deputy director of the spy agency.

Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, February 3, 2017 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 03 Feb 2017
Navalny Denounces 'Putin's Band' As Retrial Draws To Close RFE/RL 03 Feb 2017 -- Prosecutors have asked a Russian judge to convict Kremlin opponent Aleksei Navalny and hand him a suspended five-year sentence in a retrial he says is aimed at barring him from running for president in 2018.

U.S. Treasury Department Announces New Sanctions Against Iran RFE/RL 03 Feb 2017 -- The United States on February 3 imposed new sanctions against Iran, a move that comes days after Tehran conducted a ballistic-missile test and amid an escalating war of words between the two governments.
Trump Administration Issues New Sanctions on Iran VOA 03 Feb 2017 -- The U.S. Treasury Department has announced new sanctions on Iran in response to the country's recent missile test launch. Thirteen individuals and 12 entities were sanctioned. Some are based in China, the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon.
US announces new sanctions on Iran IRNA 03 Feb 2017 -- The US Department of the Treasury in a statement on Friday declared that it has added 25 legal and real entities to the list of its sanctions under the pretext of Iran's missile tests.
FM: Iran 'unmoved' by threats from abroad IRNA 03 Feb 2017 -- Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad-Javad Zarif, said in reaction to US President, Donald Trump, that Iran is unmoved by threats from abroad because it derives security from its own people.
US Treasury Imposes Iran-Related Sanctions on Entities in China, Lebanon, UAE Sputnik 03 Feb 2017 -- US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on 12 entities, as well as 13 individuals under US Iran sanctions Authority, according to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) statement released on Friday. Some of the sanctioned entities are based in UAE, Lebanon and China.
JCPOA helps Iran sell much oil: MP IRNA 03 Feb 2017 -- The Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action (JCPOA) helped Iran sell much more oil, Chairman of Majlis (parliament) Foreign Policy and National Security Commission, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, said on Friday.
US Treasury imposes new sanctions against Iran Press TV 03 Feb 2017 -- The administration of US President Donald Trump has imposed new sanctions on multiple Iranian individuals and entities to ratchet up pressure on Iran over its missile defense program.
Iran unmoved by US threats, relies on own defense means: Zarif Press TV 03 Feb 2017 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Tehran is "unmoved" by the United States' threats and only relies on its own defense means amid hostile rhetoric against the Islamic Republic, including hints of military aggression, emanating from Washington.
Several US senators seek additional sanctions against Iran Press TV 03 Feb 2017 -- A number of US senators have backed additional sanctions against Iran over the country's missile program, arguing that Tehran "must feel sufficient pressure."

A 'Purge' or 'Care'? Top North Korean General Dismissed and Demoted Sputnik 03 Feb 2017 -- The chief of North Korea's top state security body has been demoted and sacked for alleged corruption and abuse of power, the South Korean government said Friday. Sputnik discussed the matter with two South Korean scholars and political scientists.
Kim Won-hong, head of North Korean spy agency, sacked last month Arirang 03 Feb 2017 -- The head of North Korea's spy agency, Kim Won-hong, has been sacked on charges of power abuse and corruption.
Kim Jong-un Dismisses State Security Minister for Power Abuse - S Korean Gov't Sputnik 03 Feb 2017 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un fired Minister of State Security Kim Won-hong for abuse of power, the South Korean government said Friday.

French Soldier Shoots Machete-Wielding Man At The Louvre RFE/RL 03 Feb 2017 -- A French soldier shot and wounded a man armed with a machete who was trying to enter the Louvre museum in Paris in what the government said appeared to have been a terrorist attack.

Norway Suspects Russian Intelligence Involved In Hacking Attempts RFE/RL 03 Feb 2017 -- Norway's security service says civil-servant e-mail accounts have been targeted by hackers believed to be associated with Russian intelligence.

EU Leaders Agree Plan To Curb Mass Migration From Libya RFE/RL 03 Feb 2017 -- European Union leaders meeting in Malta have agreed on new steps to curb the flow of migrants across the Mediterranean Sea.

Cabinet announces partial reshuffle CNA 03 Feb 2017 -- Taiwan's government will undergo its first significant reshuffle since taking office in May 2016 as four major Cabinet-level agencies will have new leaders next week, Cabinet spokesman Hsu Kuo-yung (徐國勇) announced Friday.

Lukashenka Accuses Russia Of 'Grabbing Belarus By The Throat' RFE/RL 03 Feb 2017 -- Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has lashed out at Russia, accusing his powerful neighbor of violating treaties and using its role as an energy supplier to "grab us by the throat."

Angolan President to Step Down VOA 03 Feb 2017 -- Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos said Friday that he will not seek re-election, signaling the end of his nearly four decades in power.

NEWSLETTER

Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list