14 February 2017 Military News

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OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 14 Feb 2017[PDF]

Inherent Resolve Strikes Target ISIS in Syria, Iraq AFPS 14 Feb 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

Synthetic drugs are making headway in Afghanistan, UN agency reports UN News 14 Feb 2017 -- Methamphetamine is increasingly being seized by law enforcement in Afghanistan, and there is also evidence that it is being produced in the country, according to the first of its kind assessment on synthetic drugs released today by the United Nations drug and crime agency.
Pakistan Reacts Sharply to US's Anti-Terror Criticism VOA 14 Feb 2017 -- Pakistan has sharply reacted to recent criticism and assertions by U.S. congressmen, the U.S. military and Washington-based, influential think tanks blaming the country for the worsening security situation in Afghanistan and calling for President Donald Trump to toughen his approach toward Islamabad for harboring the Taliban and its ally, the terrorist Haqqani network.

Russian MoD Denies Incidents With Russian Planes Near US Destroyer in Black Sea Sputnik 14 Feb 2017 -- There were no incidents involving Russian military planes flying near a US destroyer in the Black Sea on February 10, a spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.
Pentagon Accuses Russia of 'Unsafe, Unprofessional' Actions Near US Destroyer Sputnik 14 Feb 2017 -- The United States is concerned about the incidents with Russian aircraft flying near the US destroyer in the Black Sea earlier in February, and considers them unprofessional, Defense Department spokesperson Michelle Baldanza told Sputnik on Tuesday.

Defense Policy / Programs

Annual 'Cobra Gold' Exercise Commences In Thailand AFPS 14 Feb 2017 -- Kicking off the annual, multinational Cobra Gold military training exercise in Thailand, the commander of U.S. Pacific Command hailed the event as a way to strengthen regional partnerships and improve readiness and responsiveness among exercise participants.
Reserve Force Plays Integral Role in Exercise Solid Curtain-Citadel Shield NNS 14 Feb 2017 -- More than 120 members of Reserve units throughout the Navy Installations Enterprise participated in Solid Curtain-Citadel Shield 2017, an anti-terrorism/force protection exercise conducted across Navy installations within the continental U.S.
VP-45 'Pelicans' Respond to Clyde Challenger Search and Rescue Efforts NNS 14 Feb 2017 -- Her Majesty's coastguard received an emergency beacon from Clyde Challenger, a 60-foot sailboat transiting from the Azores back to the UK, Feb. 10.
Hue City Conducts PASSEX with Swedish Navy NNS 14 Feb 2017 -- Guided-missile cruiser USS Hue City (CG 66) and Swedish corvette HSwMS Harnsand (K33) conducted a passing exercise (PASSEX), Feb. 10.

London Refutes IISS Report on UK Spending Not Meeting NATO Requirements Sputnik 14 Feb 2017 -- The UK Defense Ministry refuted a report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) which said the United Kingdom failed to meet the NATO requirements concerning defense spending.

U.S. Helicopters Arrive in Europe for Atlantic Resolve Duty AFPS 14 Feb 2017 -- Forty-nine U.S. Army helicopters, as well as trucks and other support equipment from the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, arrived in Europe this week to begin a nine-month rotation in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
NATO Secretary General Previews Alliance Defense Ministerial AFPS 14 Feb 2017 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg today previewed the meeting of defense ministers that starts tomorrow, saying the leaders will sharpen the alliance's response to a more challenging security environment.
Mattis: U.S. Remains Committed to NATO as Alliance Transforms AFPS 14 Feb 2017 -- The United States remains committed to NATO, history's most successful military alliance, as it transforms to match the changing character of war, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told reporters traveling with him to this week's NATO defense ministers conference in Brussels.
Media Availability with Secretary Mattis en route to Brussels, Belgium DoD 14 Feb 2017 -- Presenter: Defense Secretary Jim Mattis
Joint press point with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania, Saulius Skvernelis NATO 14 Feb 2017 -- Prime Minister Skvernelis, welcome to NATO headquarters. It has been a great pleasure to receive you here today and to address all the different ways that Lithuania is contributing to our shared security, so I really appreciate this meeting and also this opportunity to congratulate you on your appointment as Prime Minister.
Pre-ministerial press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg NATO 14 Feb 2017
NATO Chief Urges Allies To 'Keep Up The Momentum' On Defense Spending RFE/RL 14 Feb 2017 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has urged member-states to step up defense spending, speaking on the eve of U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis's first meeting with his 27 counterparts in Brussels.
Hundreds of US Troops, Tanks Arrive in Romania Sputnik 14 Feb 2017 -- Romania's Black Sea port has begun receiving 500 US soldiers and tanks as part of a move to help beef up defense for NATO's eastern flank. The "Fighting Eagles," 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment will be rotating through eastern Romania's Mihail Kogalniceanu air base, according to the US embassy.
NATO Defense Ministers Focus on Spending Boost VOA 14 Feb 2017 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday a meeting of the alliance's defense ministers will focus on the need for members to increase the amount of money they spend on defense.

Montenegrin PM Warns Russia To 'Keep Hands Off' NATO Bid RFE/RL 14 Feb 2017 -- Montenegro's prime minister, Dusko Markovic, has told Russia and its allies within Montenegro to stop destabilizing the country as part of their opposition to Podgorica's NATO membership bid.

Moldovan President: Planned NATO Office In Chisinau 'Provocation' RFE/RL 14 Feb 2017 -- Moldova's pro-Russian President Igor Dodon has told RFE/RL he thinks the planned opening of a permanent NATO liaison office in Moldova would amount to a provocation.

US spots Russian intelligence-gathering ship off East Coast: Officials Press TV 14 Feb 2017 -- American officials say a Russian intelligence-gathering ship has been spotted patrolling off the East Coast of the United States, the first such operation since President Donald Trump took office, according to a report.
Russian Aerospace Forces to Receive First MiG-35 Multirole Jets in 2017-18 Sputnik 14 Feb 2017 -- The Russian Aerospace Forces will start receiving advanced MiG-35 fighter jets in 2017 and 2018.
Russia, India Agree on Joint Works on 5th Generation Fighter Sputnik 14 Feb 2017 -- Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation Deputy Director said that Russia and India have agreed a draft contract for the joint development of the fifth-generation fighter aircraft, the Russian side is ready for its signing.

UNSC urges strict implementation of bans on Pyongyang after missile test Press TV 14 Feb 2017 -- The UN Security Council (UNSC) has denounced North Korea's recent missile launch, calling on its 15 members to "redouble efforts" to implement the sanctions already slapped on Pyongyang over its missile work.
U.S. President Trump vows to deal with DPRK "very strongly" after Pyongyang's missile launch People's Daily 14 Feb 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday vowed to deal with Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) "very strongly", calling the Asian country a "big, big problem."
UN strongly condemns DPR Korea's ballistic missile launch UN News 13 Feb 2017 -- Secretary-General António Guterres and the United Nations Security Council today voiced strong opposition to the latest ballistic missile launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, calling on Pyongyang to fully comply with its international obligations to denuclearize.

North Korea's Missile Prep Time 'Effectively Nullifies' South's Defenses Sputnik 14 Feb 2017 -- North Korea's missile technology tested over the weekend has rendered South Korea's domestic missile defense systems nearly obsolete, South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) said as cited by local media Tuesday.

India Becomes Fourth Country to Have Home Made Eye in The Sky Sputnik 14 Feb 2017 -- However, Indian system is inferior in comparison to Israeli system as it can monitor only 270 degrees while IL-76 heavy-lift aircraft-mounted AWACS system can carry out 360 degree surveillance at a time.
Russia Extends India's T-90S Tank Production License, Ready for New Orders Sputnik 14 Feb 2017 -- Russia is ready to supply more T-90S battle tanks to India at New Delhi's request.

Basij forces start military, civil defense drills in southeast Iran Press TV 14 Feb 2017 -- Iran's Basij volunteer forces have kicked off a major military, security and cultural drill in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan.
Iran launches 1st oceanographic research vessel IRNA 14 Feb 2017 -- The first Iranian oceanographic research vessel (RV) was commissioned here Tuesday in the presence of Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mahmoud Vaezi.
Iranian Defense Minister Calls for Developing Nuclear Naval Propulsion Systems Sputnik 14 Feb 2017 -- Iran's defense minister said Tehran needed to keep pace in maritime industries with other countries.

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Sean Spicer, 2/14/2017, #12 The White House 14 Feb 2017

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for February 14, 2017

Other Conflicts

14 February 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 14 Feb 2017

China slams US support for Japan's territorial claims Press TV 14 Feb 2017 -- Beijing has once again emphasized its sovereignty over a group of disputed islands in the South and East China Seas, blasting US President Donald Trump over his recent pledge of support for Japan's overlapping territorial claims with China.

Three, including child, killed in car bombing in Yemen's Bayda Press TV 14 Feb 2017 -- Three people, including a child, have been killed in a bomb attack in Yemen's central province of Bayda.

Infighting between two terrorist groups leaves dozens dead in Syria Press TV 14 Feb 2017 -- Nearly 70 foreign-backed militants have been killed during a fresh wave of infighting that erupted between two rival Takfiri terrorist groups over influence in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, says a UK-based monitoring group.
60 Syrian civilians killed in Turkish shelling of Syrian city: Group Press TV 14 Feb 2017 -- A monitoring group says at least 60 civilians been killed in shelling by the Turkish military in Syria's northern border town of al-Bab over the past few days.
Kurds Determined to Fully Liberate Syria's Raqqa From Daesh Sputnik 14 Feb 2017 -- Anwar Muslim, the chairman of the Kobani provincial government, said that a goal of Syrian Kurds is to liberate not only Raqqa, but all territories seized by the Daesh.
Syrian Army, Militias Liberate Gas Field Close to Palmyra Sputnik 14 Feb 2017 -- Syrian government troops and allied militias have liberated a gas field near the Daesh-held city of Palmyra.
Thousands of People in Aleppo Now Have Access to Safe Water VOA 14 Feb 2017 -- The U.N. Children's Fund reports repairs to a vital water source in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo are under way. UNICEF says safe water is slowly returning to the battle-scarred city, where almost two million people have been deprived of water for nearly one month.

Car bomb leaves 18 casualties in Iraqi capital Press TV 14 Feb 2017 -- The explosion of a car bomb has killed four Iraqi civilians and injured 14 others in the southwest of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad.

Malaysian ship carrying aid for Rohingya arrives in Bangladesh Press TV 14 Feb 2017 -- A Malaysian ship has arrived in Bangladesh, carrying humanitarian aid for thousands of Rohingya Muslims who have escaped persecution in neighboring Myanmar.

Trump wants Russia to 'return Crimea,' Spicer says Press TV 14 Feb 2017 -- US President Donald Trump wants Russia to "return Crimea" to Ukraine, after the region's unification with Russia.
White House: Trump Made It Clear Russia Must 'Return Crimea' To Ukraine RFE/RL 14 Feb 2017 -- The White House has said that President Donald Trump fully expects Russia to return control of Crimea to Ukraine.
Trump Expects Russia to 'Return Crimea' to Ukraine - White House Sputnik 14 Feb 2017 -- US President Donald Trump expects Russia to "return Crimea" to Ukraine, the White House spokesman said on Tuesday.
UN warns of civilian casualties in 'face to face' fighting in eastern Ukraine UN News 14 Feb 2017 -- Intensified fighting between Government and non-Government forces near densely populated areas in eastern Ukraine is endangering civilians, the senior United Nations humanitarian representative in the country told reporters in Geneva today.
UN Official Fears Shaky Ukraine Cease-fire Will Not Hold VOA 14 Feb 2017 -- A senior U.N. official said Tuesday that he feared the fragile cease-fire between the Ukrainian government and Russia-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine would not hold.

Gambia announces reversed plan to remain in ICC Press TV 14 Feb 2017 -- The Gambia's new government has asked the United Nations to halt the country's process of withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), reversing the previous administration's plan to pull out of the tribunal.

In Oman, UN chief Guterres seeks ways to help bring peace to Middle East UN News 14 Feb 2017 -- United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today expressed his support for the countries like Oman that are in the forefront of mediation efforts to resolve conflict.

Guinea-Bissau: Sustaining economic growth requires political stability, says UN envoy UN News 14 Feb 2017 -- In the face of continued political crisis in Guinea-Bissau, a more sustained and well-coordinated approach is required to sustain economic gains, said the United Nations envoy for the country, calling for "faithful" implementation of a regionally-brokered road-map.

Reported killings in DR Congo town could amount to serious rights violations - UN rights arm UN News 14 Feb 2017 -- At least 101 people are reported to have been killed by soldiers in clashes between military forces and members of the Kamuina Nsapu militia in central Democratic Republic of the Congo over the last five days, the United Nations human rights wing has said.
More Than 100 People Killed in DRC Army and Militia Clashes VOA 14 Feb 2017 -- The U.N. human rights office says more than 100 people have been killed over the past few days in clashes between the army and a local militia in the Democratic Republic of Congo's Kasai-Central province. The fighting took place between February 9 and 13 in the territory of Dibaya.

General Accuses S. Sudan's Kiir of Using Army for Ethnic Cleansing VOA 14 Feb 2017 -- A top South Sudanese general has resigned, accusing President Salva Kiir of turning the national army into a tribal force for his own Dinka ethnic group.

News Reports

White House: Trump Knew of Flynn's Contact With Top Russian for 'Weeks' VOA 14 Feb 2017 -- The White House says President Donald Trump was advised nearly three weeks ago that national security adviser Michael Flynn had misled his vice president about controversial pre-inauguration contacts with a top Russian diplomat.
Russian Observers See Flynn's Exit as Setback for Trump White House VOA 14 Feb 2017 -- Russian experts weighed in Tuesday on the resignation of Michael Flynn as White House national security adviser and its potential impact on U.S.-Russian relations.
U.S. National Security Adviser Flynn resigns over controversial Russian contacts People's Daily 14 Feb 2017 -- U.S. National Security Adviser Michael Flynn resigned Monday night after days of reports over whether he discussed American sanctions against Russia in phone calls with a Russian diplomat before President Donald Trump's inauguration.
Trump accused of endangering US national security Press TV 14 Feb 2017 -- The administration of US President Donald Trump is being accused of endangering American national security following a series of high-profile controversies over its handling of sensitive information.
White House: Flynn Wasn't Instructed by Trump to Discuss Anti-Russian Sanctions Sputnik 14 Feb 2017 -- President Donald Trump did not direct his National Security Advisor Michael Flynn to discuss sanctions with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said in a briefing on Tuesday.
Trump Did Not Instruct Flynn to Discuss Sanctions With Russian Ambassador Sputnik 14 Feb 2017 -- White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer stated that US President Donald Trump did not instruct his National Security Advisor Michael Flynn to discuss sanctions with Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak.
Flynn's Resignation Internal US Matter, Merits No Further Comment - Kremlin Sputnik 14 Feb 2017 -- The resignation of US national security adviser Michael Flynn is a domestic matter in the United States that merits no further comment, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday.
White House: Trump Forced National Security Adviser Resignation VOA 14 Feb 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump asked for and got the resignation of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn because of an "eroding level of trust" in him and his explanations about his contacts with Russia, the White House said Tuesday.
US Lawmakers: Flynn Had to Go VOA 14 Feb 2017 -- U.S. lawmakers of both political parties said they approved of Michael Flynn's resignation as national security adviser and urged President Donald Trump to bring order to his fledgling White House on national security matters and beyond.
Questions, Answers Regarding Flynn Resignation VOA 14 Feb 2017 -- White House national security adviser Michael Flynn has abruptly resigned, following reports of contacts he had with a Russian diplomat that may have violated federal law. The resignation of the three-star general, an early supporter of President Donald Trump's campaign, amounts to an extraordinary shake-up within the top ranks of the White House, less than a month into Trump's time in office.
White House Aide Flynn Resigns Amid Questions About Talks With Russian Envoy RFE/RL 14 Feb 2017 -- The White House has announced that National Security Adviser Michael Flynn has resigned amid reports he misled top officials from President Donald Trump's team about his contacts with Russia's ambassador to the United States.
US National Security Adviser Flynn resigns over Russia contacts Press TV 14 Feb 2017 -- US President Donald Trump's national security adviser, Michael Flynn, has resigned over allegations that he had contacts with Russia.
Michael Flynn Leaves Post of Trump's National Security Adviser Sputnik 14 Feb 2017 -- Michael Flynn has resigned from the post of US President Donald Trump's National Security adviser, the White House announced on Monday.

In Flynn Saga, Kremlin Allies See Effort To Thwart Improved U.S. Ties RFE/RL 14 Feb 2017 -- Officially, the Kremlin has said the resignation of U.S. national security adviser Michael Flynn over allegations of improper contacts with Russia's ambassador to the United States is an "internal matter" for Washington.

DPRK leader's half-brother killed in Malaysia: media People's Daily 14 Feb 2017 -- The half-brother of top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un has been killed in Malaysia, South Korean cable news channel TV Chosun reported on Tuesday citing multiple government sources.
Half-brother of North Korea's leader reportedly assassinated in Malaysia Press TV 14 Feb 2017 -- The half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has reportedly been assassinated in Malaysia, South Korean media and Malaysian police say.
Kim Jong Un's Half-Brother Assassinated in Malaysia Sputnik 14 Feb 2017 -- Half-brother of North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un was killed by two unidentified women with poisoned needles at an airport in Malaysia, according to media reports.
North Korean Leader Believed to Have Ordered Assassination of Half-brother VOA 14 Feb 2017 -- It's no real mystery. That's the assessment of North Korea watchers and members of the U.S. intelligence community following the apparent assassination of the eldest son of the totalitarian state's former leader, Kim Jong Il.

Venezuela's vice president slams Washington's 'miserable, vile attack' Press TV 14 Feb 2017 -- Venezuelan Vice President Tareck El Aissami has slammed Washington for imposing sanctions against him and a close ally over alleged mass shipment of illicit drugs into the United States.
US imposes sanctions on Venezuelan VP in latest move against Caracas Press TV 14 Feb 2017 -- The US has imposed sanctions against Venezuelan Vice-President Tareck El Aissami over his alleged involvement in drug trafficking, in yet another hostile measure that could spark fresh tensions between the two countries.

UN Security Council urges joint measures to protect "critical infrastructure" from terrorist attacks People's Daily 14 Feb 2017 -- The UN Security Council on Monday unanimously adopted resolution 2341 (2017), calling upon member states to consider developing or further improving their strategies for reducing risks to critical infrastructure from terrorist attacks.

President urges all sides' commitment to JCPOA IRNA 14 Feb 2017 -- President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that Iran will remain committed to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as long as the other parties do the same.
AEOI: Trump's anger over JCPOA shows Iran's success IRNA 14 Feb 2017 -- Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi underlined that US President Donald Trump's anxiety about the nuclear agreement signed between Tehran and the world powers is an indication that Iran has received much advantage from the deal.
Economy min: Iran's economy improved remarkably post-JCPOA IRNA 14 Feb 2017 -- Economy Minister Ali Tayyebnia said on Tuesday that Iran's economy has improved significantly since the signing of Iran nuclear deal – known as JCPOA – in July 2015 between Iran and the six world powers.
IAEA says Iran remains committed to JCPOA Press TV 14 Feb 2017 -- The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has once again confirmed that Iran is implementing the landmark nuclear agreement it signed with the P5+1 group of countries in 2015.
Iran's IR-8 centrifuge to raise enrichment capacity 20-fold: AEOI Press TV 14 Feb 2017 -- Iran's new domestically-manufactured IR-8 centrifuge machines will increase the country's capacity to enrich uranium 20 times more than the existing IR-1 machines, the spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) says.

Trump, Netanyahu Align on Tough Iran Stance Before Talks VOA 14 Feb 2017 -- As President Donald Trump prepares for his first meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since entering the White House, analysts say the Israeli leader hopes to forge common ground on Iran and regional issues.

China planning to bar potentially dangerous foreign vessels: report CNA 14 Feb 2017 -- The Chinese government is planning to amend a law to bar foreign vessels that are seen as likely to endanger the country's maritime traffic safety, Beijing's state-owned China News Service (CNS) reported Tuesday.
Xi orders leading officials to fight special privilege People's Daily 14 Feb 2017 -- President Xi Jinping on Monday told leading officials to practice strict self-discipline and eliminate special privileges.

Russia Denies Meddling In French Presidential Candidate's Campaign RFE/RL 14 Feb 2017 -- Russia has denied carrying out media and Internet attacks against French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron.
French Presidential Front-Runner Macron Claims Russia Interfering In Election RFE/RL 14 Feb 2017 -- French presidential front-runner Emmanuel Macron's party chief said Macron is being targeted by Russian media and internet attacks with the goal of helping the election campaigns of his pro-Moscow rivals.

Sadr supporters hold fresh demo in Iraqi capital Press TV 14 Feb 2017 -- Supporters of influential Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr have one again taken to the streets of the capital, Baghdad, a few days after a similar demonstration turned violent and left dozens of casualties.

Saudi deports 40k Pakistani workers amid troubled economy Press TV 14 Feb 2017 -- Saudi Arabia has expelled nearly 40,000 Pakistani migrant workers over the past four months amid widespread international criticism of the Riyadh regime's mistreatment of foreign workers in the kingdom.

President Tsai reiterates Taiwan's goodwill toward China CNA 14 Feb 2017 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) reiterated Tuesday that her administration will promote amicable interaction with China with the highest level of goodwill.

Turkey arrests 600 over alleged PKK links ahead of referendum Press TV 14 Feb 2017 -- Turkey has arrested more than 600 people for alleged links to Kurdish militants ahead of a referendum on constitutional amendments that would give the president sweeping executive powers.
Turkish PM Says Referendum to Amend 'Coup-Produced Constitution' Sputnik 14 Feb 2017 -- Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim stated that Turkish citizens will go to ballot boxes and change "coup-produced constitution" during referendum on April 16.

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