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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 08 Feb 2017[PDF]
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Col. Dorrian via teleconference from Baghdad, Iraq DoD 08 Feb 2017 -- Presenter: Colonel John Dorrian, Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman
• Inherent Resolve Strikes Target ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 08 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.
• ISIL in West Mosul Faces Choice: Surrender or Die, OIR Spokesman Says AFPS 08 Feb 2017 -- Terrorists with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in the western part of Iraq's second-largest city face two options: surrender or die, the spokesman for Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve told Pentagon reporters today.
• Statement by Pentagon Spokesman Captain Jeff Davis on U.S.-Russia Video Conference DoD 08 Feb 2017 -- The Department of Defense today held a video conference co-chaired by Ken Handelman, performing the duties of assistant secretary of defense for International Security Affairs and Rear Adm. Michael J. Dumont, deputy director for strategic initiatives, Joint Staff J5, with Russian Ministry of Defense counterparts.
• Statement by Pentagon Spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis on Airstrikes Against al-Qaida near Idlib, Syria DoD 08 Feb 2017 -- On Feb. 3, one U.S. strike killed 10 terrorists in a building being used as an al-Qaida meeting place.
• US to Continue Working With Yemen Against Al-Qaeda, Daesh - State Department Sputnik 08 Feb 2017 -- The United States will continue to work with Yemen's President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi in the fight against al-Qaeda and Daesh, US Department of State spokesman Mark Toner told Sputnik on Wednesday.
• US Forces Not Ordered to Cease Operations in Yemen - CENTCOM Sputnik 08 Feb 2017 -- US forces have not been ordered to cease operations or planning in Yemen and will continue to conduct operations against al-Qaeda, Central Command spokesman Maj. Josh Jacques told Sputnik on Wednesday.
• Saudi-backed Yemeni officials deny they banned US commando raids Press TV 08 Feb 2017 -- Saudi-backed Yemeni officials have denied reports that they suspended permission for US special operations forces to run missions in the country, despite a US raid last month that killed up to 30 civilians.
• Six Red Cross Workers Killed In Afghan Attack RFE/RL 08 Feb 2017 -- Six Afghan employees of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have been killed in an attack in the northern Afghan province of Jowzjan, officials say.
• Security Council, UNAMA condemn attack near Afghanistan's Supreme Court UN News 08 Feb 2017 -- The Security Council and the United Nations political mission in Afghanistan have joined Secretary-General António Guterres in condemning the deadly attack outside of the Supreme Court in Kabul.
• 'Weak' Taliban Leadership May Present Opportunity for Peace VOA 08 Feb 2017 -- Civilian casualties in Afghanistan rose to a new high in 2016 amid the ongoing Taliban insurgency, with 3,500 killed and close to 8,000 wounded, the United Nations reported Monday. But a new analysis suggests the Taliban is deeply divided, presenting an opportunity for "insurgent peace-making."

Defense Policy / Programs

• US tanks arrive in Latvia amid NATO expands towards Russia Press TV 08 Feb 2017 -- The United States has deployed a number of tanks and other weaponry in the Baltic state of Latvia, part of the NATO military alliance's expansion towards Russia's border.
• Texas-Based B-1s Assume Pacom's Continuous Bomber Presence Mission AFPS 08 Feb 2017 -- B-1B Lancer bombers and airmen with the 7th Bomb Wing from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, deployed here Feb. 6 in support of U.S. Pacific Command's continuous bomber presence mission.
• Readout of Secretary Mattis' Call with Indian Minister of Defense Manohar Parrikar DoD 08 Feb 2017
• US Ships Complete Live-Fire Exercise NNS 08 Feb 2017 -- In conjunction with the Missile Defense Agency, guided-missile cruisers USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) and USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), along with guided-missile destroyers USS James E. Williams (DDG 95) and USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79), successfully executed a live-fire missile exercise off the coast of North Carolina Feb. 4.
• North Korea missile tests have Army leaders focused on deterrence, response Army News 08 Feb 2017 -- With North Korea testing more missiles than ever before, Army leaders say the U.S. must be prepared to deter the rogue nation and ready to launch a counterattack should events escalate.
• USAG Ansbach command team greets first 10th CAB contingent Army News 08 Feb 2017 -- The U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach command team greeted the first contingent of Soldiers from 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), from Fort Drum, New York, to their new rotational home today at Storck Barracks here.
• Readout of Secretary Mattis' Call with Iraqi Minister of Defense Arfan al-Hayali DoD 08 Feb 2017
• 1/25 Improves Cold Weather Operations, Integrates with Canadian Armed Forces USMC News 08 Feb 2017 -- Marines with Company C, 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, joined the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, Wentworth Regiment, Canadian Armed Forces, for exercise Riley Xanten II in Burwash, Ontario, Feb 3-5, 2017.
• USS Porter Commences At-Sea Portion of Exercise Sea Shield 2017 NNS 08 Feb 2017 -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG
  78) began the at-sea portion of exercise Sea Shield 2017, Feb. 8, in the Black Sea.
• McCampbell Visits Otaru, Japan NNS 08 Feb 2017 -- The forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85) completed its port visit to Otaru, Japan, Feb. 7.
• USS Porter Departs Constanta, Romania NNS 08 Feb 2017 -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) departed Constanta, Romania, after completing a port visit Feb. 8.
• Irreplaceable? Pentagon to Keep Cold War-Era A-10 Until at Least 2021 Sputnik 08 Feb 2017 -- The US Air Force has decided to not retire the A-10 Warthog jet, until at least 2021, pushing back the original cutoff date by three years. The platform's future is uncertain, as officials grapple with questions such as whether the aircraft should be replaced to begin with.
• Japan-based F-35 stealth fighters begin 1st training drills near Okinawa, stiring public fears People's Daily 08 Feb 2017 -- Training maneuvers began this week near Japan's southernmost prefecture of Okinawa of the U.S. Marine Corps' F-35 fighter jets, local media said here Wednesday.
• Lithuania hails arrival of German NATO battalion Press TV 08 Feb 2017 -- NATO has deployed hundreds of German troops to Lithuania as part of its multinational battalion aimed at bolstering its eastern flank against Russia.
• Moldovan President Warns Against 'Rush' To Closer Ties With NATO RFE/RL 08 Feb 2017 -- Moldova's pro-Russia President Igor Dodon has warned NATO against moving too quickly to seek closer ties with Moldova and opening a planned liaison office in Chisinau.
• Russia's Putin orders snap Air Force drills Press TV 08 Feb 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered snap drills by the country's Air Force to evaluate its preparedness against potential aggression, according to the Russian defense minister.
• Only Russia Could Threaten Our Independence - Estonian Foreign Intel Chief Sputnik 08 Feb 2017 -- Russia is the only country that could potentially pose a threat to the independence and sovereignty of Estonia, General Director of the Estonian Information Board, the country's foreign intelligence service, Mikk Marran said Wednesday.
• Armies in Beijing stop providing paid services for civilians People's Daily 08 Feb 2017 -- Military forces in Beijing will no longer provide paid services including medical treatment, education, scientific research, warehousing, publishing, and literature and art related services and products to civilians.
• Iran's missile test not violating UNSC resolution: Russian envoy to UN IRNA 08 Feb 2017 -- Technically or legally, one cannot argue that Iranians are violating any kind of prohibition imposed by the UN Security Council Resolution 2231, Russia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin said.
• Iran missile work not violating UN bans: Russia's Churkin Press TV 08 Feb 2017 -- A senior Russian diplomat has expressed surprise at an outcry provoked by the new US administration over Iranian missile work, saying Tehran's missile tests are not violating any UN bans, legally speaking.
• Philippines coast guard seeks US, China help over piracy Press TV 08 Feb 2017 -- The Philippines' coast guard and Defense Ministry plan to seek assistance from China and the US in securing a major regional waterway amid concerns that pirates are expanding their activities there.
• Halting weapons sales to Saudi risks political issues: UK Press TV 08 Feb 2017 -- The UK government says it can't halt its weapons sales to Saudi Arabia because of "serious political ramifications."
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Sean Spicer, 2/8/2017, #10 The White House 08 Feb 2017

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 08, 2017
• India Provides Dedicated Technology Development Fund For Private Defense Firms Sputnik 08 Feb 2017 -- Indian government has decided to provide state funding to private sector companies to curb dependency on foreign countries for cutting edge defense technologies.

Other Conflicts

• 8 February 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 08 Feb 2017
• UN commemorates 20 years of protecting children in armed conflicts UN News 08 Feb 2017 -- Top officials from the United Nations and the international community today applauded two decades of efforts to protect children from the scourge of war by marking the 20th anniversary of General Assembly resolution 51/77 (1997) on promotion and protection of the rights of children.
• 2 Saudi servicemen killed in Yemeni retaliatory attack Press TV 08 Feb 2017 -- Fighters of Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement and allied army units have carried out an attack on military positions in the south of Saudi Arabia, killing two high-ranking Saudi officers.
• Yemeni rocket kills many Saudi mercenaries in Mokha: Report Press TV 08 Feb 2017 -- Scores of Saudi-backed militiamen loyal to the former Yemeni government have reportedly been killed when Yemeni armed forces targeted their gathering in the country's southwestern province of Ta'izz.
• UN Launches $2.1B Emergency Appeal for Millions in War-Torn Yemen VOA 08 Feb 2017 -- The United Nations has appealed for $2.1 billion to provide life-saving assistance this year to 12 million people in desperate need of help in conflict-ridden Yemen.
• Yemen: UN, partners seek $2.1 billion to stave off famine in 2017 UN News 08 Feb 2017 -- The United Nations and humanitarian partners today launched an international appeal for $2.1 billion to provide life-saving assistance to 12 million people in Yemen in 2017 – the largest-ever humanitarian response plan for the war-torn country.
• Turkey 'Has Own Specific Tasks in Syria' - Russian Diplomat Sputnik 08 Feb 2017 -- Moscow believes that it would be wrong to say that Turkey does not have its own specific tasks in Syria, a senior Russian diplomat told Sputnik Wednesday.
• Turkey Coordinates Al-Bab Campaign With Russia to Avoid Clashes With Damascus Sputnik 08 Feb 2017 -- Turkey coordinates its military campaign in the northeastern Syrian city of al-Bab with Russia to prevent clashes with the government forces, Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said Wednesday.
• Israel hits Syrian government position in Golan Heights Press TV 08 Feb 2017 -- Israel says that it has struck a Syrian military position after a tank shell landed in an open area in the occupied Golan Heights.
• Tide of Syria conflict turning in favor of Damascus, Moscow: Assad Press TV 08 Feb 2017 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says the tide of events in the Arab country is changing in favor of Damascus and Moscow, which are both engaged in a battle against foreign-backed terrorists.
• Syria rejects Amnesty 'false' report of mass jail hangings Press TV 08 Feb 2017 -- Damascus has slammed as "inaccurate and politically-motivated" an Amnesty International report claiming that Syrian military police hanged as many as 13,000 people over the course of five years.
• Moscow Believes Turkey Not Creating Buffer Zone in North Syria Amid Al-Bab Op Sputnik 08 Feb 2017 -- Moscow believes Turkey is not currently creating a buffer zone in northern Syria, a senior Russian diplomat told Sputnik.
• Syrian Army Annihilates Senior Daesh Commanders in Deir ez-Zor Sputnik 08 Feb 2017 -- In an interview with Sputnik Arabic, field commander of the Syrian Arab Army in Deir ez-Zor Brigade General Issam Zaheralden confirmed that two senior Daesh commanders, including Abu Muhammed al-Adnani who was in charge of the group's drone attacks, were killed in an airstrike near the city of Deir ez-Zor.
• Syrian Army's Strike in Deir ez-Zor Reportedly Kills Daesh Commanders Sputnik 08 Feb 2017 -- At least 15 Daesh terrorists, including two field commanders, were killed during a Syrian airstrike in Deir ez-Zor on Wednesday, Fars news agency reported, citing Syrian Brig. Gen. Osam Zahralddeen.
• War on Daesh Rages On: Syrian Army, Turkish Troops Enter Outskirts of al-Bab Sputnik 08 Feb 2017 -- According to information from sources in the Syrian Arab Army, Turkish troops together with the Syrian army have launched an offensive on the outskirts of the Syrian town of al-Bab. Sputnik Turkey spoke with Syrian commander Ahmed Osman about this operation.
• Assad Voices Support for Syria Talks Brokered by Russia, Iran, Turkey Sputnik 08 Feb 2017 -- Syrian President Bashar Assad supports the format of Syrian talks in Astana and considers them to be effective, Russian lawmaker Dmitry Sablin said Wednesday.
• Turkish, Rebel Fighters Seize Area Around Key Syrian Town VOA 08 Feb 2017 -- Turkey's military said Wednesday that Syrian rebel forces with Turkish support have taken control of strategic hills surrounding the Islamic State-held town of al-Bab.
• Ukrainian Officials Say Sheremet's Death Contract Killing RFE/RL 08 Feb 2017 -- Ukrainian officials say Belarusian journalist Pavel Sheremet was killed because of his professional activities in a contract killing.
• Separatist Commander 'Givi' Killed In Eastern Ukraine RFE/RL 08 Feb 2017 -- A separatist commander in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk has been assassinated, the Russia-backed separatists say.
• Senior Donbass Militia Commander Killed in Terror Attack - DPR Leader Sputnik 08 Feb 2017 -- The commander of the "Somali" battalion of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), Mikhail Tolstykh, was killed in a terrorist attack, DPR leader Alexander Zakharchenko confirmed Wednesday.
• Kiev Passes Up, OSCE 'Ignores' DPR's Phased Donbass Conflict Settlement Plan Sputnik 08 Feb 2017 -- The Ukrainian government has passed up and European security monitors ignored the phased Donbass conflict settlement plan offered by the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), DPR Deputy Defense Minister Eduard Basurin said Wednesday.
• Myanmar crackdown has allegedly killed 1,000 Rohingya: UN officials Press TV 08 Feb 2017 -- More than 1,000 Rohingya Muslims have allegedly been killed in Myanmar amid the army's intensified crackdown on members of the minority group, two senior United Nations officials have disclosed the horrifying fact.
• Libyans must make 2017 the 'year of decisions,' UN envoy tells Security Council UN News 08 Feb 2017 -- Still seeking to implement a political accord signed more than a year ago, Libyans must make 2017 "the year of decisions" and political breakthrough, the United Nations envoy for the North African country urged today.
• Colombia: UN chief Guterres welcomes start of peace talks with ELN UN News 08 Feb 2017 -- United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed yesterday's launch of formal peace talks between the Government of Colombia and the National Liberation Army (ELN) in Ecuador's capital, Quito, his spokesperson said today in a statement.
• Colombia's government, second major rebel group begin formal peace talks Press TV 08 Feb 2017 -- The government of Colombia and the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group have entered formal peace talks in an effort to end their long-time armed hostilities.
• Cameroon Ups Support for Vigilantes Against Boko Haram VOA 08 Feb 2017 -- Officials in northern Cameroon say Boko Haram is hitting back against regional military pressure with suicide attacks. Rarely a week goes by without reports of a bombing. To protect border communities, Cameroon is reinforcing the capabilities of local self-defense groups who help the military.
• Côte d'Ivoire could be 'success story' if peacekeeping gains fully backed, Security Council told UN News 08 Feb 2017 -- Côte d'Ivoire is on the path to durable stability, the United Nations envoy for the country today told the Security Council, but warned that authorities need to invest more in national reconciliation and transitional justice, and to improve the economic, social and cultural rights of Ivoirians.

News Reports

• US senators seek veto power over Trump on Russia sanctions Press TV 08 Feb 2017 -- A growing number of US senators from both major political parties plan to increase sanctions against Russia and give Congress the authority to prevent President Donald Trump from lifting sanctions on Moscow unilaterally.
• McCain slams Trump for US-Russia comparison Press TV 08 Feb 2017 -- US Republican Senator John McCain has harshly criticized a recent argument by President Donald Trump that Washington and Moscow are morally equivalent.
• Russia-US Thaw at Risk if Senate Gets Veto Power on Lifting Sanctions on Russia Sputnik 08 Feb 2017 -- The US Senate's veto power on lifting anti-Russia sanctions by the US presidential administration would impede normalization of relations between the two countries, Konstantin Kosachev, the chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Russian upper house of parliament, told Sputnik Wednesday.
• U.S. Senators Submit Bill Seeking Veto Power Over Trump On Russia Sanctions RFE/RL 08 Feb 2017 -- A group of U.S. senators has introduced legislation that would hamstring any effort by President Donald Trump's administration to lift sanctions imposed on Russia for its actions in Ukraine.
• Kremlin Critic Kara-Murza Emerges From Coma, Condition Improving RFE/RL 08 Feb 2017 -- Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza Jr. who has been hospitalized in critical condition for the second time in two years in what his family and friends suspect was a deliberate poisoning, has awoken from a coma and improved noticeably, his lawyer and wife told RFE/RL.
• Russian Oppositionist Navalny Calls Latest Conviction 'Telegram From Kremlin' RFE/RL 08 Feb 2017 -- A court in the Russian city of Kirov has found opposition political activist and anticorruption campaigner Aleksei Navalny guilty of embezzlement.
• Navalny Gets 5-Yr Suspended Sentence for Embezzlement VOA 08 Feb 2017 -- A Russian judge has given prominent opposition leader Alexei Navalny a five year suspended sentence after he was convicted of embezzlement, a decision that may prevent him from running in next year's presidential election.
• 'Poisoned' Kremlin Critic Vladimir Kara-Murza: What You Need To Know RFE/RL 08 Feb 2017 -- Russian opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza, Jr., has fallen gravely ill in Moscow for the second time in two years, and his wife has said doctors' preliminary diagnosis this week was the same as the first: "poisoning" by an unidentified substance.
• Rights Group Warns Russia Moving Toward 'Martial Law' On The Internet RFE/RL 08 Feb 2017 -- Russia is increasingly cracking down on Internet users as courts impose harsh jail sentences for posts expressing political views, a rights advocacy group warned.
• US-China tensions to have no winner: Chinese FM Press TV 07 Feb 2017 -- The Chinese foreign minister has warned that the escalating tensions between Beijing and Washington under US President Donald Trump will have no winner.
• Abductees Remain Casualties of Nuclear Stand-off with North Korea VOA 08 Feb 2017 -- Human rights and abductee advocacy groups say time is running out for many desperate and frustrated South Korean families seeking to resolve the fate of loved ones abducted by North Korea.
• Iran, Russia convergence in implementation of JCPOA outcomes of talks IRNA 08 Feb 2017 -- Deputy Foreign Ministers of Iran and Russia Abbas Araqchi and Sergei Ryabkov in their Wednesday meeting underlined continuation of convergence between the two countries in implementation of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to the final point.
• Iran urges Europe's active role in execution of JCPOA IRNA 08 Feb 2017 -- Visiting Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for European and American Affairs Majid Takht-e Ravanchi called for Europe's active cooperation for successful execution of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action particularly in banking field.
• Iran committed to implementing nuclear deal - Iranian deputy FM ISNA 08 Feb 2017 -- Iran is committed to implementing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iranian deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said in Moscow, Sputnik reported.
• U.S' consensus-building power waned more than ever: Rouhani ISNA 08 Feb 2017 -- United States' consensus-building power has shrunk more than ever, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani insisted on Wednesday in a meeting with foreign minister and the minister of petroleum of Venezuela in Tehran.
• Erdogan urges nation to vote for stronger presidency as purge continues Press TV 08 Feb 2017 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on the nation to vote in favor of bolstering his presidential powers, stressing that failure to do so will strengthen militants trying to divide the country.
• Turkey President Mute About US Travel Ban in Hope of Concessions VOA 08 Feb 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump spoke by telephone Tuesday with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the White House described the 45-minute conversation as productive.
• Somalia: UN mission pledges support as new President will face 'daunting challenges' UN News 08 Feb 2017 -- Congratulating former Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi 'Farmajo' on his election as Somalia's new President, the United Nations Assistance Mission in the country (UNSOM) said the UN and the wider international community are ready to assist him in addressing the myriad challenges that await his Government.
• Terrorist attack on Somali hotel on election day Press TV 08 Feb 2017 -- A terrorist attack by the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab militants on a hotel in Somalia's port city of Bosasso has left four guards and two assailants dead.
• Dual US-Somali Citizen is Somalia's New President-elect VOA 08 Feb 2017 -- Somali lawmakers elected a new president Wednesday, choosing a former prime minister who is a dual U.S.-Somali citizen.
• UK Commons pass law for May to trigger Article 50 Press TV 08 Feb 2017 -- British MPs pass a bill that allows Prime Minister Theresa May to start negotiations on Brexit.