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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 28 Feb 2017[PDF]
• U.S., Coalition Strikes Continue Against ISIS in Syria, Iraq AFPS 28 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.
• Update: air strikes against Daesh UK MOD 28 Feb 2017 -- The RAF are continuing to take the fight to Daesh in Iraq and Syria.
• Deadly US raid on Yemen produced no major intelligence: Officials Press TV 28 Feb 2017 -- A recent US ground and aerial attack on the Yemeni province of Bayda, which left dozens of Yemeni civilians and a US serviceman dead, has not produced any significant intelligence, officials say in contradiction to earlier claims boasting of the raid's success.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Readout of Secretary Mattis' Call with ROK Minister of National Defense Han Min-Koo DoD 28 Feb 2017
• Continuing Promise Mission Provides Aid in Honduras AFPS 28 Feb 2017 -- An opening ceremony in Trujillo, Honduras, Feb. 21 marked the start of the second mission stop for Continuing Promise 2017.
• Arizona National Guard's Kazakh State Partnership visit enhances military police capabilities Army News 28 Feb 2017 -- The Arizona National Guard hosted a delegation of Kazakhstan military officers and enlisted personnel during a State Partnership Program-sponsored visit to the Papago Park Military Reservation Feb. 6 - 10.
• Bonhomme Richard Departs Sasebo for Patrol NNS 28 Feb 2017 -- Forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) departed Sasebo, Japan, for a regularly-scheduled patrol in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility, Feb. 27.
• USS Hue City Completes Port Visit in Tallinn, Estonia NNS 28 Feb 2017 -- Guided-missile cruiser USS Hue City (CG 66) completed a scheduled port visit in Tallinn, Estonia, Feb. 22, to enhance U.S.-Estonia relations as the two nations work together for a stable, secure and prosperous Baltic region and Europe.
• PHIBRON 11 Ships Out to Sea for Regional Patrol NNS 28 Feb 2017 -- Amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), flagship of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group (BHR ESG), departed its forward-deployed base of Sasebo, Japan, Feb. 27.
• U.S. President to raise defense spending by 54 billion dollars: White House People's Daily 28 Feb 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump is seeking to increase U.S. defense spending by 10 percent, or 54 billion U.S. dollars, White House revealed Monday.
• Russia, US Should Uphold Existing Nuke-Cutting Treaty - Deputy Defense Minister Sputnik 28 Feb 2017 -- Moscow will discuss proposals on revising the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty if Washington sends any, Russia's deputy defense minister said.
• Putin unveils deal with Tajikistan to bolster Tajik-Afghan border security Press TV 28 Feb 2017 -- Russia's President Vladimir Putin has unveiled a deal with neighboring Tajikistan under which the two countries will intensify measures to jointly protect the Tajik-Afghan border using a Russian military base.
• Putin Says Russian Base In Kyrgyzstan Key To Regional Stability RFE/RL 28 Feb 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has wrapped up a three-nation tour of Central Asia with a visit to Kyrgyzstan, where he touted a Russian air base as a key to stability in the region.
• Putin: Russia, Kyrgyzstan to Strengthen Military Ties, Moscow May Close Its Base Sputnik 28 Feb 2017 -- The Russian leader said Moscow and Bishkek agreed to step up military and technical cooperation and added that Russia is ready to close its military base in Kyrgyzstan should Biskek ask for it.
• China's navy budget based on security needs: experts People's Daily 28 Feb 2017 -- The increase in China's military expenditure, especially for the navy, is aimed at safeguarding the country's fast expanding overseas interests and is a response to the unstable security situation in the Asia-Pacific region, Chinese experts said.
• China Successfully Tests Wing Loong II Drone Sputnik 28 Feb 2017 -- China has successfully tested a Wing Loong II multitask unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), local media reported Tuesday.
• IRGC Navy assumes responsibility for seizing intruding vessels in Persian Gulf: Commander Press TV 28 Feb 2017 -- The responsibility for seizing vessels trespassing on Iran's territorial waters in the Persian Gulf has been officially given to the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)'s Navy, a senior commander says.
• Iran Navy test-fires Valfajr Torpedo on final day of drills Press TV 28 Feb 2017 -- The newest torpedo to join the Iranian Navy's arsenal has been successfully test-fired as the force wraps up large-scale drills spanning over territorial and international waters.
• Robots to Join India's Counter Operations against Maoist Rebels Sputnik 28 Feb 2017 -- There were 1,089 incidents of violence by left wing rebels (Maoists) reported in 2015 – 16. Out of the 508 people killed in the violence, 384 were civilians and 124 were security forces personnel. 89 Maoist rebels were killed by security forces in 2015 and 222 Maoists were killed in 2016, according to official figures.
• Official Investigation Launched Into German-Israeli Submarine Deal Sputnik 28 Feb 2017 -- Israel's Justice Ministry has launched an investigation into the potentially corrupt purchase of German submarines involving individuals close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following months of examination by law enforcement agencies.
• S.Korean government signs land swap deal with Lotte for THAAD despite oppositions People's Daily 28 Feb 2017 -- South Korea's Defense Ministry on Tuesday signed a land swap deal with Lotte Group for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) despite strong oppositions at home and abroad.
• S.Korea's Lotte decides to offer golf course for THAAD deployment People's Daily 28 Feb 2017 -- Lotte Group, South Korea's fifth-largest conglomerate, decided Monday to offer its golf course to be used as a site for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD).
• Lotte's land offer for THAAD may become nightmare for business People's Daily 28 Feb 2017 -- Lotte Group, South Korea's biggest operator of department stores and duty free shops, decided Monday to offer land for the US missile shield deployment, endangering its operation both in China and South Korea.
• South Koreans sue Defense Ministry over THAAD Press TV 28 Feb 2017 -- The South Korean people residing near a golf course turned over to the country's military by a major retail company to host a controversial US missile system have sued the Defense Ministry.
• S-400 Deal to Be 'Priority' in Upcoming Talks Between Putin, Erdogan in Moscow Sputnik 28 Feb 2017 -- Russian President Putin and Turkish President Erdogan will discuss the purchase of S-400 air defense missile systems during their upcoming meeting in Moscow, Turkish chief presidential adviser Ilnur Cevik said Tuesday.
• Turkish General Staff Confutes Reports on Forces Discontent With Government Sputnik 28 Feb 2017 -- The Turkish General Staff called media reports on disagreements between the servicemen and government "unjustified criticism," according to official statement.
• Smerch Designer Explains Why Kiev Can't Produce Its Own Shells for the System Sputnik 28 Feb 2017 -- Kiev recently announced that it had created a domestically-produced shell for the Smerch multiple launch rocket system (MLRS). But according to Nikolai Makarovets, director of the Splav State Research and Production Enterprise, which produces Smerch, the Ukrainian defense industry simply doesn't have the production capacity to do so.
• Sweden Trying to Reclaim Former Submarine Port Amid Russian 'Threat' Sputnik 28 Feb 2017 -- Amid the perennial Russian 'threat', the Swedish state seems to have had second thoughts about having sold off a submarine port on the strategic island of Gotland back in the 2000s. Needless to say, negotiations with the Armed Forces quickly sped up after a "Russian oligarch" emerged among prospective buyers.
• Press Gaggle by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Sander, 2/28/2017 The White House 28 Feb 2017

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 28, 2017

Other Conflicts

• 28 February 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 28 Feb 2017
• People fleeing war more likely to find shelter in poorer countries, UN refugee agency UN News 28 Feb 2017 -- Most of the 3.2 million people driven forcibly from their homes in early 2016 found shelter in low- and middle-income countries, according to a new study by the United Nations refugee agency.
• Yemen: UN verifies nearly 1,500 boys recruited for use in armed conflict UN News 28 Feb 2017 -- The United Nations human rights office today urged all warring parties in Yemen to immediately release child soldiers, noting that the UN has verified the recruitment of 1,476 children, all boys, between 26 March 2015 and 31 January 2017.
• Amnesty: Yemeni Rebels Recruiting Child Soldiers VOA 28 Feb 2017 -- Yemeni Houthi rebels are recruiting child soldiers, some as young as 15, to fight on the front-lines in Yemen, according to human rights group Amnesty International.
• Yemeni forces kill 2 Saudi soldiers, score multiple victories over Saudi-led coalition Press TV 28 Feb 2017 -- Yemeni forces, backed by fighters from the Houthi Ansarullah movement, have killed two Saudi soldiers in the kingdom's southern regions of Najran and Jizan, while scoring great victories against Saudi forces and their mercenaries.
• 19 million Yemenis in need of relief aid: UN official Press TV 28 Feb 2017 -- The UN relief aid chief says 19 million out of Yemen's 26-million population are in pressing need of humanitarian assistance, warning that the impoverished country faces a "serious risk of famine."
• Red Cross Says Food Reserves in Yemen to Run Out Soon Sputnik 28 Feb 2017 -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Middle East regional director Robert Mardini said that "day will come very soon" when Yemen's food reserved would run out, while thousands of people "silently" died as a result of malnutrition.
• Why No Geneva Breakthrough in Syrian Peace Talks VOA 28 Feb 2017 -- Suicide bombings by militants in the town of Homs and airstrikes by government warplanes in recent days in northwest Syria have rattled United Nations-led peace talks aimed at finding a resolution to the six-year-long conflict in Syria.
• Russia Vetoes UN Syria Resolution for 7th Time VOA 28 Feb 2017 -- Russia and China exercised a double veto Tuesday to block action in the United Nations Security Council aimed at sanctioning the Syrian regime for using chemical weapons against its own population.
• Russia, China Veto UN Sanctions Resolution on Syria VOA 28 Feb 2017 -- Russia and China have vetoed a United Nations resolution that would have placed sanctions on Syria in response to alleged chemical weapons attacks.
• Russia, China block Security Council action on use of chemical weapons in Syria UN News 28 Feb 2017 -- With 'no' votes from permanent members Russia and China, the United Nations Security Council today failed to adopt a resolution that would, according to press reports, have imposed sanctions against parties using chemical weapons in war-torn Syria.
• Russia, China block anti-Syria UNSC resolution Press TV 28 Feb 2017 -- Russia and China have vetoed a Western-proposed draft United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution against the Syrian government over its alleged use of chemical weapons.
• Russia, China Veto Draft UN Security Council Resolution on Syria Sanctions Sputnik 28 Feb 2017 -- Moscow and Beijing saved Syria from new sanctions on the pretext of the alleged use of chemical weapons by Damascus.
• Syria opposition likely to meet Russian officials as Geneva talks continue Press TV 28 Feb 2017 -- As talks on a political resolution of the conflict in Syria continue in Geneva, the Syrian opposition seeks to meet with Russian officials in an attempt to affect Moscow's pro-Damascus stance.
• Too Early to Reach Conclusions on Chemical Weapons Use in Syria - Beijing Sputnik 28 Feb 2017 -- The investigation into the use of chemical weapons in Syria should be completed to enable a discussion about possible imposition of sanction on Damascus, Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations Liu Jieyi said in explanation of the veto vote on Tuesday.
• Turkey Establishes Temporary Base in Freshly Captured Syrian Al Bab Sputnik 28 Feb 2017 -- The Turkish army established a temporary military base in the Syrian town of Al Bab, the base is used as depot to repair armored vehicles taking part in the Euphrates Shield operation, according to local media.
• Erdogan: Kurdish PYD/YPG Militia Forces Must Leave Syrian Manbij Sputnik 28 Feb 2017 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that Syria's city of Manbij is not a place for Syria's Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), city belongs to Arabs.
• Road to Nowhere: Syrian Army Blocks Turkey's Assault on Raqqa Sputnik 28 Feb 2017 -- The Syrian army, which continues its advance on the northern city of al-Bab, approached Manbij, another city in northern Syria where the Syrian Democratic Forces have positions in a move designed to block Turkey's offensive on Raqqa, unnamed sources told Sputnik Turkey.
• Turkey's Move Against Kurds in Manbij to Impact Coalition Campaign - Commander Sputnik 28 Feb 2017 -- Turkish military move against the Kurdish forces in the Syrian city of Manbij could interfere with the US-led coalition campaign against the Daesh terror group (banned in Russia), US Central Command head Gen. Joseph Votel said on Tuesday.
• Turkey Opposes Creation of Safe Zones in Kurdish Areas of Syria Because of PKK Sputnik 28 Feb 2017 -- Turkey is against the creation of a safe zone in Syria's Kurdish areas because it may help PKK fighters, the country's chief presidential adviser said.
• UNSC Draft Resolution on Syria Sanctions Based on Biased Data - Russian Diplomat Sputnik 28 Feb 2017 -- A UN Security Council draft resolution on Syria sanctions was centered on insufficient and biased evidence provided by the Joint Investigation Mechanism that cannot serve as basis for accusations, Russian Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Vladimir Safronkov said on Tuesday.
• Putin Says Moscow Will Not Support New Sanctions Against Syria RFE/RL 28 Feb 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow will not support new sanctions against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government, warning that imposing new punishments would hurt efforts to end Syria's six-year-old civil war.
• Russia won't support Western-backed UN motion on Syria: Putin Press TV 28 Feb 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has denounced a draft United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution that would impose sanctions on the Syrian government over its alleged use of chemical weapons, stressing that Moscow will not support fresh restrictive measures against Damascus.
• Iraqi troops make headway against Daesh in western Mosul Press TV 28 Feb 2017 -- Iraqi government soldiers and their allied forces have made more achievements in their push to take back the western flank of the strategic northern city of Mosul from Takfiri Daesh militants.
• Thousands of Iraqis Displaced, Suffer Amid Escalating Fighting in Mosul - IOM Sputnik 28 Feb 2017 -- According to reports, International Organization for Migration expressed on Tuesday concern over thousands of Iraqis suffering from displacement and shortage of living essentials as clashes in the western part of the city of Mosul have intensified.
• Iraqi Army Announces Operation to Liberate Northwestern Tal Afar Town From Daesh Sputnik 28 Feb 2017 -- The Iraqi Armed Forces announced on Tuesday plans to launch an operation aimed at the liberation of the northwestern town of Tal Afar from the Daesh terror group, outlawed in Russia.
• Iraqi Army Liberating Terrorist-Held Mosul One Block at a Time Sputnik 28 Feb 2017 -- The Iraqi army is continuing its advance in the city of Mosul, progressively capturing more and more residential areas from the terrorist group Daesh (ISIS/ISIL); a representative of the country's Nineveh Plain Protection Units told Sputnik Arabic about recent operations to liberate the western part of the city.
• UN migration agency reports surge in displacement from Mosul as fighting intensifies UN News 28 Feb 2017 -- The United Nations migration agency today reported thousands of new arrivals at Iraqi sites for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) fleeing Mosul's western sector where fighting is taking place between the Government forces and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) terrorists.
• NATO Calls on Russia to Recognize Georgian Borders VOA 28 Feb 2017 -- A top NATO official on Tuesday called on authorities in Georgia's Russian-occupied region of Abkhazia to rethink plans to close two crossing points into Tbilisi-controlled territory.
• Statement by the NATO Spokesperson Oana Lungescu on developments along administrative boundary lines in Georgia NATO 28 Feb 2017
• 160 have died in clashes between Myanmar military, ethnic armed groups Press TV 28 Feb 2017 -- At least 160 people have died in about three months of clashes between Myanmar's military and ethnic armed groups near the border with China.
• South Sudanese Survive on Water Lilies and Wild Fruits in Famine VOA 28 Feb 2017 -- Civilians trapped by conflict in South Sudan's Leer County of former Unity State, one of the areas hit by famine, say they have survived on water lilies and other wild fruits for the last three years. Aid agencies say they have not had access to the area for several months. Villagers say they cannot farm the land due to sporadic military attacks.
• South Sudan: UN official calls for unfettered relief access to avert further catastrophe UN News 28 Feb 2017 -- With hundreds of thousands in need of assistance in famine-struck parts of South Sudan and rising insecurity hampering relief work, a senior United Nations relief official in the country has called on all parties to ensure that humanitarians have immediate, safe and unhindered access across the nation.
• Somalia President Declares Drought a National Disaster VOA 28 Feb 2017 -- Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has declared a state of disaster as the Horn of Africa nation struggles with a severe drought and food crisis.
• Somalia's president declares 'national disaster' amid drought Press TV 28 Feb 2017 -- Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has declared a "national disaster" due to severe drought in the country.
• E. Africa Struggles with Resolving Crises VOA 28 Feb 2017 -- Few spots on the globe are as troubled as East Africa, where South Sudan is struggling with conflict and famine, Burundi remains stuck in political crisis and Somalia and Kenya are trying to deal with a resurgent al-Shabab. Analysts say ethnic mistrust and weak governments are undermining the regional response to crises.

News Reports

• Remarks by President Trump in Joint Address to Congress The White House 28 Feb 2017
• Retired US military officers warn against Trump's proposed foreign aid cuts Press TV 28 Feb 2017 -- More than 120 retired US military officers have warned Congress about President Donald Trump's proposed budget cuts for diplomacy and foreign aid in order to increase the military budget.
• Retired US Military Leaders Urge Preservation of Diplomatic, Foreign Aid Programs VOA 28 Feb 2017 -- More than 120 retired U.S. military generals and admirals are urging Congress not to cut spending on diplomacy and foreign aid, two government functions that may be targeted in President Donald Trump's first budget proposal.
• U.S. House Republicans, Democrats Spar Over Probe Of Russia-Trump Ties RFE/RL 28 Feb 2017 -- The Republican chairman of the Intelligence Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives says he has seen no evidence of inappropriate contacts between Russian officials and President Donald Trump's election campaign, prompting an outcry from Democrats in the lower legislative chamber.
• House Speaker Ryan Says Answers Needed About Alleged Trump-Russia Ties VOA 28 Feb 2017 -- U.S. House speaker Paul Ryan says "answers" are needed on reports of improper contacts between President Donald Trump's campaign officials and Russia during the presidential campaign.
• Islamic State on Brink of Financial Collapse, Report Finds VOA 28 Feb 2017 -- The business model of Islamic State is failing, and the terror group will soon likely collapse financially, according to a detailed analysis of IS finances by the London-based International Center for the Study of Radicalization, and accounting group Ernst & Young.
• No Zarif correspondence with US state secretary: Foreign Ministry Press TV 28 Feb 2017 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry has vehemently dismissed as "baseless" the claim that Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has written a letter to US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
• 'No Mercy': Russia 'Should Prepare to Live Under Sanctions Indefinitely' - PM Sputnik 28 Feb 2017 -- Russia should not expect any mercy, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said.
• Turkey opens largest trial over failed putsch in Ankara Press TV 28 Feb 2017 -- Turkey has opened the biggest trial of those suspected of involvement in last July's attempted coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
• Lithuania Jails Russian, Ex-Officer For Spying For Russia RFE/RL 28 Feb 2017 -- A court in Lithuania has sentenced a Russian citizen and a former Lithuanian military officer to prison on charges of spying for Russia.
• Time running out for UK to stop Scotland independence bid: Sturgeon Press TV 28 Feb 2017 -- The government of British Prime Minister Theresa May is pushing Scotland towards another independence bid, says Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, warning London that "time is running out" for making amends.
• Philippine President Duterte to recall police to drug war Press TV 28 Feb 2017 -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says he has to recall police to the country's war on drugs amid reports that sidelining the 160,000-strong force has allowed drug trade to emerge out of shadows.
• Philippine President Duterte Orders Police to Resume Anti-Drug War Sputnik 28 Feb 2017 -- Philippines' President has ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to resume the anti-drug war a month after police operations were suspended, local media reported Tuesday.
• Omurbek Tekebaev, Political Pugilist At Center Of Kyrgyzstan's Storm RFE/RL 28 Feb 2017 -- The detention on arrival in Bishkek of Omurbek Tekebaev, a veteran politician and leader of the Ata-Meken party, immediately set off political friction in Kyrgyzstan.
• Pamfilova Takes Daghestan's Leaders To Task Over Vote-Rigging RFE/RL 28 Feb 2017 -- Reporting to Russian President Vladimir Putin last September on the conduct of the State Duma elections, Ella Pamfilova, chair of Russia's Central Election Commission, singled out Daghestan as one of the federation subjects where irregularities were most blatant and prevalent. Pamfilova elaborated on that assessment during meetings in Makhachkala two weeks ago with the republic's leaders, journalists, and representatives of various political parties, publicly warning republic head Ramazan Abdulatipov that "we do not need inflated statistics" that undermine voters' trust in the electoral process.