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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 06 Apr 2017[PDF]
• Statement by President Trump on Syria The White House 06 Apr 2017
• Press Briefing by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and National Security Advisor General H.R. McMaster, 4/6/2017 The White House 06 Apr 2017
• Trump Orders Missile Attack in Retaliation for Syrian Chemical Strikes AFPS 06 Apr 2017 -- The United States fired Tomahawk missiles into Syria today in retaliation for the regime of Bashar Assad using nerve agents to attack his own people.
• Statement from Pentagon Spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis on U.S. strike in Syria DOD 06 Apr 2017 -- At the direction of the president, U.S. forces conducted a cruise missile strike against a Syrian Air Force airfield today at about 8:40 p.m. EDT (4:40 a.m., April 7, in Syria). The strike targeted Shayrat Airfield in Homs governorate, and was in response to the Syrian government's chemical weapons attack April 4 in Khan Sheikhoun, which killed or injured hundreds of innocent Syrian people, including women and children.
• McCAIN ON THE NEED FOR ACTION IN SYRIA Office of Senator McCain 06 Apr 2017 -- U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today on the need for action in Syria
• US Attacks Syrian Airbase in Retaliation for Chemical Weapons Attack VOA 06 Apr 2017 -- The U.S. military fired a barrage of missiles into Syria Friday morning in retaliation for a gruesome chemical weapons attack blamed on President Bashar al-Assad's forces that killed about 100 civilians. It is the first direct U.S. assault on Syrian government forces.
• US Launches Dozen of Cruise Missiles at Syrian Airbase VOA 06 Apr 2017 -- U.S. media are reporting that the United States has launched airstrikes on Syria in the wake of a chemical weapons attack blamed on President Bashar al-Assad's forces killed about 100 civilians.
• Officials Provide Details of Latest Counter-ISIS Strikes AFPS 06 Apr 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 29 strikes consisting of 85 engagements against ISIS targets, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• MQ-1, MQ-9 aircrews help liberate Manbij AFNS 06 Apr 2017 -- In 2016, U.S. Air Force MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper aircrews assisted coalition partners in the reclamation of Manbij, Syria, from Islamic State of Iraq and Syria forces.
• US, Afghan Forces Promise to Finish IS and Contain Taliban in 2017 VOA 06 Apr 2017 -- The United States military, in partnership with Afghan forces, has promised to eliminate Islamic State terrorists in Afghanistan this year and contain a resurgent Taliban, citing recent battlefield successes against the two groups.
• Air Force C-130 Aircraft Deploy to Peru for Flood-Relief Mission AFPS 06 Apr 2017 -- At the request of the Peruvian government, two U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft from Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, flew to Lima, Peru, April 4 to support ongoing U.S. disaster assistance to communities devastated by floods resulting from torrential rainfall in the country's northern region.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Proof of concept: First hot load of GBU-32 on F-35B USMC News 06 Apr 2017 -- Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 with Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1, conducted hot loads with the F-35B Lightning II during the semiannual Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course 2-17 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, April 4, 2017.
• VMFA-121 conducts hot reloads USMC News 06 Apr 2017 -- Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 conducted hot-reload exercises at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 6, 2017.
• AMC, industry partner to enhance virtual training AFNS 06 Apr 2017 -- Canadian Aviation Electronics USA, the primary contractor for the KC-135 Stratotanker aircrew training system, recently received authorization to operate on the Air Force's Distributed Training Center Network.
• Air Force Develops New, Deployable, Energy Systems AFPS 06 Apr 2017 -- Today's expeditionary military forces require steady, reliable energy sources to power worldwide missions.
• 100 years ago, WWI buildup paved way for today's modern Army Army News 06 Apr 2017 -- When people think about the great Army generals of World War II, Lt. Gen. George S. Patton, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Army Chief of Staff Gen. George C. Marshall come to mind.
• Navy to Christen Guided-Missile Destroyer Paul Ignatius DoD 06 Apr 2017-- The Navy will christen the newest guided-missile destroyer, the future USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), Saturday, April 8 during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony at Huntington Ingalls Industries Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
• Joint Statement by Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and Singapore Minister for Defence Dr. Ng Eng Hen DoD 06 Apr 2017 -- Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and Minister for Defence Dr. Ng Eng Hen met April 5 in the Pentagon.
• US military leaders warn Congress on budget Press TV 06 Apr 2017 -- Senior US military commanders have expressed frustration over the uncertainty that surrounds the Pentagon's budget, warning that the current situation would impair readiness of the troops.
• Northcom, Southcom Work with Partners to Defend the Homeland AFPS 06 Apr 2017 -- The men and women of U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Southern Command are ready to defend the United States against adversaries and work with a range of partners to safeguard the homeland, the commands' commanders told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee here today.
• Southcom Chief: Command Focuses on Countering Threat Networks AFPS 06 Apr 2017 -- The commander of U.S. Southern Command today discussed issues from countering international threat networks to providing better barracks for service members assigned at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, during a Pentagon news conference.
• U.S. Wants to Remain 'Partner of Choice' in Latin America AFPS 06 Apr 2017 -- The United States wants to remain the "partner of choice" in Latin America by providing better options than other entities in the region, the commander of U.S. Southern Command said here today.
• Department of Defense Briefing by Admiral Tidd in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 06 Apr 2017 -- Admiral Kurt Tidd, Commander, U.S. Southern Command
• DoD Enhances Space Capabilities, Work Tells Symposium Audience AFPS 06 Apr 2017 -- The Defense Department is enhancing its space-based capabilities, Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work told an audience of about 200 military and industry representatives yesterday at the 33rd Annual Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
• Project 949A Nuclear Submarine Handed to Russian Navy - Ship Repair Center Sputnik 06 Apr 2017 -- Russia's Zvyozdochka ship repair center said Thursday it had finished work on the Oscar II-class nuclear-powered attack submarine Orel and sent it to the Russian Navy.
• Defence Secretary boosts Welsh jobs on visit to Aston Martin and GDUK UK MOD 06 Apr 2017 -- The Defence Secretary today announced a £330 million contract to design the next-generation of battlefield communications on a visit to Wales.
• Armed Forces Minister underlines UK commitment to Africa UK MOD 06 Apr 2017 -- Armed Forces Minister Mike Penning has reaffirmed the UK's commitment to Africa following a multi-country visit.
• Russia's Provision of Battle Tanks to Nicaragua 'Disquieting' - US Commander Sputnik 06 Apr 2017 -- The Russians are engaging in some disquieting behavior in Central America in one instance providing battle tanks to Nicaragua, US Southern Command chief Admiral Kurt Tidd stated in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday.
• Brazil Interested in Extra Batch of Russian Mi-35 Helicopters - FSMTC Sputnik 06 Apr 2017 -- Brazil is interested in buying a Russian Mi-35 helicopters batch, Deputy Director of Russia's FSMTC Anatoliy Punchuk said on Thursday.
• Beijing Quietly Builds Another Amphibious Warship for PLA Navy Sputnik 06 Apr 2017 -- Two days after the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) announced plans to commission the first aircraft carrier built domestically in China, a new report suggests PLAN is building another ship designed for amphibious assault missions.
• India Signs Almost $2 Bln Air Defense Missile Contract With Israeli Company Sputnik 06 Apr 2017 -- Months before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Israel visit, the Indian government has signed an almost $2 billion contract with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for supplying advanced medium range surface-to-air missile and missile defense system to the Indian Army.
• Government of Kuwait – Facilities and Infrastructure Construction Support Service DSCA 06 Apr 2017 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Kuwait for facilities and infrastructure construction support service. The estimated cost is $319 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Venezuela Interested in New Deliveries of Russian Su-30 Fighter Jets Sputnik 06 Apr 2017 -- Venezuela is interested in purchasing a new batch of Russia's Su-30 fighter aircraft, Deputy Director of Russia's FSMTC Anatoliy Punchuk said Thursday.
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Sean Spicer en route Palm Beach, FL, 4/6/2017 The White House 06 Apr 2017

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 06, 2017

Other Conflicts

• 6 April 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 06 Apr 2017
• Adapting UN peace operations to changing world a 'shared responsibility,' Guterres tells Security Council UN News 06 Apr 2017 -- United Nations peacekeepers face a raft of challenges – terrorism, hostile host governments, floods of illicit weapons, and sometimes being deployed to places where peace itself is at stake – Secretary-General António Guterres said today, underscoring that all parts of the UN have a role to play in making sure 'blue helmets' can deliver on the mandates assigned to them.
• Duterte Orders Philippine Troops, Military Construction on S China Sea Islands Sputnik 06 Apr 2017 -- On Thursday, President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte ordered the country's military to occupy all Philippine-claimed islands in the South China Sea.
• US: No Role for Assad to Govern Syrian People VOA 06 Apr 2017 -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called for the ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday in the aftermath of the chemical-weapons attack this week that killed nearly 100 people in a rebel-held town and sickened another 350.
• Utter Disregard for Rights Seen in Cruelty of Syrian War VOA 06 Apr 2017 -- Tuesday's alleged chemical attack in Khan Sheikhoun, Syria, which has left dozens dead, was the latest outrage in a conflict marked by human rights violations carried out on an industrial scale, rights activists say.
• 'Dirty War' Must End, Says Special Adviser for Syria VOA 06 Apr 2017 -- In the wake of the toxic chemical attack on civilians, a special adviser for Syria is urging the U.S., Russia and other countries of influence to bring "this dirty war" to an end.
• Syrian Foreign Minister Denies Assad Government Used Chemical Weapons VOA 06 Apr 2017 -- Syria's foreign minister, Walid Moallem, says the government was not responsible for the alleged chemical weapons attack in the northern Idlib town of Khan Sheikhoun.
• Syrian FM dismisses any use of chemical weapons by Damascus IRNA 06 Apr 2017 -- Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem said on Thursday that Damascus condemns use of chemical weapons adding Syria 'did not and will not use this kind of weapons'.
• Syria FM confirms airstrike on rebel depot containing chemical weapons People's Daily 06 Apr 2017 -- Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said on Thursday that the Syrian airstrike on the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhoun struck a rebel depot containing chemical materials, denying that the air force fired toxic gas during the attack.
• China supports comprehensive, fair probe into use of chemicals as weapons in Syria: envoy People's Daily 06 Apr 2017 -- China supports the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and related UN entities in carrying out comprehensive, objective and fair investigations into uses of chemicals as weapons in Syria, said a Chinese envoy here on Wednesday.
• Putin slams 'unacceptable' accusations over alleged chemical attack in Idlib Press TV 06 Apr 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned as unacceptable the "unfounded accusations" about a purported chemical attack in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib earlier this week, calling for an international probe.
• Trump administration considering military action against Syria Press TV 06 Apr 2017 -- The administration of US President Donald Trump is considering military action against Syria over this week's alleged chemical attack in the Arab country and declared that President Bashar al-Assad has no future in leading Syria.
• Tillerson calls on Russia to rethink support for Syrian government Press TV 06 Apr 2017 -- US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has called on Russia to rethink its alliance with the government of Bashar al-Assad following an alleged chemical attack in northwestern Syria.
• Russia pledges to stand by Syria in anti-terror battles Press TV 06 Apr 2017 -- Russia has vowed to keep up support for the Syrian military in its fight against terrorism, calling for the establishment of a fact-finding mission to probe a reported chemical attack in the Arab country's northwestern Idlib Province.
• U.S. Reportedly Mulling Military Response In Syria RFE/RL 06 Apr 2017 -- The United States is reportedly weighing possible military responses to the apparent use of chemical weapons by the military of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
• US: No Doubt Assad is Behind Chemical Attack, Considering 'Serious Response' Sputnik 06 Apr 2017 -- On the eve of a meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told reporters that the US is convinced Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will be held responsible for the recent chemical attack in the Idlib province of Syria.
• Turkey Will Support US Military Op in Syria if Launched - Erdogan Sputnik 06 Apr 2017 -- If Washington decides to launch a military operation in Syria, Turkey will support the move, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan saoid Thursday.
• Reports of Chemical Attack Appeared Before Syrian Airstrike in Idlib - Syrian FM Sputnik 06 Apr 2017 -- The accusations against the Syrian government army allegedly using chemical weapons in the incident in the Syrian province of Idlib make no sense since Damascus has been succeeding in fighting terrorism on all fronts, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said Thursday.
• Iraqi Special Forces Liberate Western Yarmuk District of Mosul From Daesh Sputnik 06 Apr 2017 -- Iraqi special counterterrorism forces have completely recaptured the Yarmuk district of western part of Mosul city from Daesh, Lt. Gen. Abdul-Amir Yarallah, chief of the Joint Operations Command operations, said Thursday.
• Libya's UN-Backed Government Head Meets with US Officials VOA 06 Apr 2017 -- The head of the U.N.-backed Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) has met in Stuttgart, Germany with top U.S. officials, in hopes of finding a way forward for what one analyst is calling "the Obama administration's Iraq."
• Turkey plans military incursion into Iraq: Report Press TV 06 Apr 2017 -- Turkey is reportedly planning to launch a military incursion into northern Iraq in an alleged bid to target the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), viewed by Ankara as a terrorist organization.
• Erdogan Threatens New Military Incursions Targeting PKK VOA 06 Apr 2017 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to launch military operations in Iraq and Syria against the Kurdish rebel group the PKK, which Ankara considers a terrorist organization.
• Myanmar rejects ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims Press TV 06 Apr 2017 -- Myanmar's government has refused to recognize as ethnic-cleansing the ongoing persecution of Rohingya Muslims, who have been subject to a heavy-handed crackdown by the country's military over the past months.
• Pakistani Islamist Leader Calls on Taliban to Join His Political Party VOA 06 Apr 2017 -- A Pakistani lawmaker and deputy leader of a conservative religious party, accused of links with militant groups, has invited the Pakistani Taliban to join his Islamist political party.
• Somali Leader Declares War on al-Shabab Militants VOA 06 Apr 2017 -- Somalia's new president, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, declared war on al-Shabab Thursday, replacing the country's military leadership and giving the insurgents 60 days to surrender ahead of a fresh offensive.
• Somalia new president declares country war zone, announces shakeup Press TV 06 Apr 2017 -- Somalia's new President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed has declared the country a war zone, instructing the military to prepare a new offensive against al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab extremists.
• Trump Extends National Emergency With Respect to Somalia Sputnik 06 Apr 2017 -- President Donald Trump has extended a declaration of national emergency by former President Barack Obama on the continuing Somali threat to US national security and foreign policy, the White House said in a press release on Thursday.
• Philippine government, communist rebels reach interim truce deal Press TV 06 Apr 2017 -- The Philippines' government and communist rebels in the country say they have agreed on an interim truce during ongoing peace negotiations in the Netherlands.
• Moldova Urges Moscow Not To Recognize Transdniester Documents RFE/RL 06 Apr 2017 -- The government of Moldova has condemned a recent appeal by the de facto authorities in the country's breakaway Trandniester region asking Russia to recognize the region's travel documents.
• Moscow Statement Endorses West Jerusalem As Israeli Capital RFE/RL 06 Apr 2017 -- In what is being hailed by Israeli media as an "unexpected, unprecedented, and curious move," Russia has said it envisions West Jerusalem as the future capital of Israel and East Jerusalem to be the capital of a future Palestinian state.
• Bogota, ELN Rebels Conclude 1st Peace Talks Round With Mine Clearing Agreement Sputnik 06 Apr 2017 -- The Colombian government and ELN insurgents have agreed to carry out humanitarian mine clearing operations.
• Troika Statement on the Opening of a Humanitarian Corridor From Sudan to South Sudan US Dept. of State 06 Apr 2017 -- The text of the following statement was issued jointly by the Governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Norway.
• At Security Council, new UN peacekeeping chief urges faster implementation of Mali peace deal UN News 06 Apr 2017 -- The new United Nations peacekeeping chief today stressed the need for the parties to the conflict in Mali to redouble their efforts to accelerate the implementation of their 2015 peace agreement while expressing a concern about the volatile security situation in the landlocked West African country.

News Reports

• Trump, Xi Begin Highly Anticipated Summit in Florida VOA 06 Apr 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump is greeting Chinese President Xi Jinping at his Florida resort Thursday for a two-day summit at which the U.S. leader hopes to pressure Beijing into doing more to rein in North Korea's nuclear weapons development.
• Taiwan maintains close contacts with U.S. on Trump-Xi summit: MAC CNA 06 Apr 2017 -- Taiwan is in close contact with the United States on the upcoming meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, a spokesman for the Council of Mainland Affairs (MAC) said on Thursday.
• Trump-Xi meeting will not involve trade-off on Taiwan: official CNA 06 Apr 2017 -- A White House official on Wednesday gave an assurance that an upcoming meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) will not involve a trade-off on the Taiwan issue.
• China ignores Taiwan's requests on detained activist CNA 06 Apr 2017 -- Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) has sent five messages to China requesting China's approval for family members of detained human rights and pro-democracy activist Lee Ming-che (李明哲) to visit him in China, but has received no response from its Chinese counterpart, a senior mainland affairs official said on Thursday.
• Germany investigates 20 suspected of spying for Turkey Press TV 06 Apr 2017 -- German prosecutors have launched an investigation into a case involving 20 people suspected of spying for Turkey on alleged followers of a cleric whom Ankara blames for the last year coup attempt.
• Germany Opens Probe Into Spying by Turkish Nationals on Gulen's Followers Sputnik 06 Apr 2017 -- German authorities have opened an investigation into 20 Turkish nationals who are suspected of conducting espionage activities on followers of Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen in Germany, local media reported Thursday.
• N Korea to deliver 'ruthless blow' to US provocation: Pyongyang Press TV 06 Apr 2017 -- North Korea's ambassador to Moscow says Pyongyang is ready to deliver the "most ruthless blow" to any provocative move by the US during an ongoing joint military drill with South Korea and Japan in waters off the troubled Korean Peninsula.
• Russia Can Be Helpful to Pressure North Korea on Nuclear Program - State Dept. Sputnik 06 Apr 2017 -- According to a senior US Department of State, Russia can help pressure North Korea on its nuclear program with sanctions.
• EU Increases Curbs on Investment, Services to North Korea Over Arms Tests Sputnik 06 Apr 2017 -- The European Union announced on Thursday new curbs on investment and services to North Korea's industries linked to its military after new ballistic missile tests.
• Post latest missile test, Security Council condemns DPRK's 'highly destabilizing behaviour' UN News 06 Apr 2017 -- The United Nations Security Council today strongly condemned the latest ballistic missile launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), calling it "in grave violation" of the country's international obligations under six of the body's resolutions passed between 2006 and 2016.
• UN Condemns North Korean Missile Test VOA 06 Apr 2017 -- The U.N. Security Council on Thursday strongly condemned North Korea for its ballistic missile test this week.
• European Parliament Blasts Russia Over Navalny, Protest Clampdown RFE/RL 06 Apr 2017 -- The European Parliament has overwhelmingly approved a resolution calling for the "immediate release and dropping of all charges" against Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny "and all the peaceful protesters and journalists detained after the recent demonstrations in Russia."
• Hojjatoleslam Raeisi to run for president: Representative Press TV 06 Apr 2017 -- Hojjatoleslam Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi, who is the current custodian of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (PBUH) in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad, has declared his readiness to run for president in the forthcoming presidential election, his representative has said.
• In Iran, Emerging Hard-Liner Stakes Future On Unseating Rohani RFE/RL 06 Apr 2017 -- After weeks of speculation, Ebrahim Raisi, the head of Iran's wealthiest state charity, has officially announced his intention to run in the country's presidential vote next month.
• Fillon Vows to Lift Anti-Russia Sanctions if Wins Elections Sputnik 06 Apr 2017 -- French The Republicans' party presidential nominee Francois Fillon vowed on Thursday to make efforts to lift anti-Russia sanctions if he is elected the country's president, adding that the restrictive measures turned to be rather counterproductive for the French.
• Eight Detained, Apartment Searched In St. Petersburg Subway-Bombing Probe RFE/RL 06 Apr 2017 -- Russian investigators have searched a St. Petersburg apartment where a number of citizens of unspecified Central Asian countries who reportedly had been in contact with subway bombing suspect Akbarjon Jalilov lived.
• State Department Terrorist Designation of Abu Anas al-Ghandour US Dept. of State 06 Apr 2017 -- The Department of State has designated Abu Anas al-Ghandour as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under Section 1(b) of Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which imposes sanctions on foreign persons determined to have committed, or pose a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism that threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States.
• Thai king endorses new junta-backed constitution Press TV 06 Apr 2017 -- Thailand's King Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun has finally signed the country's new constitution despite criticisms that the charter will allow the military and unelected people to keep their grip on power for a long time.
• Venezuela parliament debating removal of government-allied judges at Supreme Court Press TV 06 Apr 2017 -- The opposition-controlled parliament in Venezuela has started debating a motion to dismiss pro-government Supreme Court judges accused of attempting a judicial "coup d'etat" by earlier voting to annul the legislature.