15 September 2017 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 15 Sep 2017[PDF]

Military Strikes Continue Against ISIS in Syria, Iraq AFPS 15 Sep 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 19 strikes consisting of 30 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

US drone attack kills 3 in Pakistan's tribal region Press TV 15 Sep 2017 -- A US drone strike has killed three people in the tribal area of Pakistan near the Afghanistan border.
US Drone Strike Kills 3 Suspected Terrorists in Pakistan VOA 15 Sep 2017 -- An American drone attack in a remote northwestern border region of Pakistan has killed at least three suspected militants and injured another, said tribal and local security sources.

Romanian Soldier Killed In Afghan Car-Bomb Attack RFE/RL 15 Sep 2017 -- The Romanian Defense Ministry says one of its soldiers with the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan has been killed and two others injured after they were attacked by a vehicle packed with explosives.
Afghan Officials: Suicide Attack on NATO Convoy Kills 1 Romanian Soldier, Injures 2 More VOA 15 Sep 2017 -- A suicide car bombing of a NATO convoy in southern Afghanistan has killed at least one Romanian soldier and has injured two more.

Troops behind the scenes help send Guard aid to Florida Army News 15 Sep 2017 -- With the help of approximately 45 Wisconsin National Guard Airmen, three C-17 Globemaster and seven C-135 Stratolifter military aircraft, more than 600 members of the Wisconsin Army National Guard's 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and 40 short tons of cargo left Wisconsin Sept. 11 en route to Florida to assist with Hurricane Irma recovery efforts there.

Defense Policy / Programs

DoD: Full Range of Capabilities Available Against North Korean Threat AFPS 15 Sep 2017 -- The U.S. Pacific Command detected and tracked what it assessed as a single North Korean ballistic missile launch yesterday at 5:57 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Rob Manning said here today.
McMaster on N Korea's Latest Missile Launch: Military Option Still Possible Sputnik 15 Sep 2017 -- After Pyongyang conducted its first missile launch since the UN had imposed new sanctions on North Korea, the US president's national security adviser reiterated that a military solution to the problem is still on the table.

CIA Pushes to Expand Drone Strike Authority Despite Pentagon Concerns - Reports Sputnik 15 Sep 2017 -- The New York Times reported Friday that the CIA wanted to expand its authority to use drone strikes in war zones, despite concerns from the US military.

Readout of Secretary Mattis' Call with Japan Minister of Defense Itsunori Onodera DoD 15 Sep 2017
US, Egyptian armed forces combine for Bright Star 2017 AFNS 15 Sep 2017 -- More than 200 U.S. service members are participating alongside the Egyptian armed forces for the bilateral U.S. Central Command Exercise Bright Star 2017, Sept. 10 – 20, 2017, at Mohamed Naguib Military Base, Egypt.
US Army, British forces showcase seamless cooperation in Estonian training exercise Army News 15 Sep 2017 -- Fighting winds from the whirling helicopter blades overhead, U.S. Army Soldiers of the 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade hit the ground running during a dry fire exercise alongside the British army's Fire Support Company, 5th Battalion, "The Rifles," 20th Armored Brigade on September 13, 2017 at Tapa Training Area, Estonia.
Media Availability by Secretary Mattis en route to Mexico DoD 15 Sep 2017 -- Presenter: Defense Secretary Jim Mattis
City of Bismarck (EPF 9) Completes Builder's Trials NNS 15 Sep 2017 -- The Navy's ninth expeditionary fast transport vessel, City of Bismarck (EPF 9), successfully completed Builder's Trials Sept. 14, after being underway for two days in the Gulf of Mexico.
US Ships Tanks Directly to Poland for First Time for Future Deployments Sputnik 15 Sep 2017 -- Amid the massive deployment of US troops and hardware to Poland, the Pentagon has practiced shipping tanks directly to the eastern European state.
US: Nuclear Ban Treaty Undermines International Security VOA 15 Sep 2017 -- A senior U.S. arms control official said Friday that Washington would never become a party to the treaty banning nuclear weapons because the accord undermines international security and does nothing to resolve threats posed by North Korea's nuclear weapons program.
McCain, Fitzgerald Collisions Prompt Naval Investigators to Probe Cyber Attacks Sputnik 15 Sep 2017 -- A team from the US Navy's 10th Fleet has traveled to Singapore to determine if the USS McCain's deadly August steering failure was caused by cyber intrusion. The investigation, which marks the first time that the Navy has dispatched its Cyber Command 10th fleet abroad, could take months.

Pentagon 'Closely' Watching Massive Russia-Belarus Zapad-2017 War Games Sputnik 15 Sep 2017 -- Despite NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg statements, saying that the Russia-Belarus joint drills aren't considered to be a threat by the alliance, the Pentagon has said that it is "closely watching" the war games anyway.

U.S. Senator Says Turkey May Face Sanctions Over Weapons Deal With Russia RFE/RL 15 Sep 2017 -- A leading Democrat on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations committee says Turkey's recent purchase of antiaircraft missile systems from Russia may have violated a U.S. law that requires automatic sanctions to be imposed against Ankara.

Afghanistan Hopes for Deliveries of Russian Military Helicopters - Ambassador Sputnik 15 Sep 2017 -- The Afghan ambassador to Russia told Sputnik that Afghanistan hoped to receive Russian military helicopters.

Unmanned attack helicopter unveiled People's Daily 15 Sep 2017 -- China is promoting an unmanned reconnaissance/combat helicopter in the international market, further expanding the scope of its military drones offered to foreign buyers.

North Korea seeks military equilibrium with US: Kim Jong-un Press TV 15 Sep 2017 -- North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un says his country seeks to reach "equilibrium" of military force with the US, shortly after the UN Security Council strongly condemned Pyongyang's latest missile launch over Japan.
DPRK fires missile from Pyongyang after UN sanctions People's Daily 15 Sep 2017 -- The DPRK on Friday fired an "unidentified" missile from its capital Pyongyang, South Korea's military said.
North Korea Revamping Scud Missiles To Improve Lethal Capabilities Sputnik 15 Sep 2017 -- In addition to North Korea's burgeoning ballistic missile and nuclear weapons program, Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un's administration has been test driving new versions of the Scud-B, also known as the Hwasong-5, Business Insider reports.

S. Korean military conducts live-fire drill in east waters after DPRK's missile launch People's Daily 15 Sep 2017 -- South Korea's military conducted a live-fire drill with its homegrown ballistic missile in east waters on Friday after the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) missile launch provocation.

India, South Korea to Jointly Build Five Warships in Next Five Years Sputnik 15 Sep 2017 -- South Korea's willingness to transfer technology to India has made it one of India's most favored defense partners, bagging mega projects including joint production of warships and artillery guns.
Japan Makes No Headway in Convincing India to Buy Its Amphibious Aircraft Sputnik 15 Sep 2017 -- Japan has been persuading India to buy its ShinMaywa US-2i amphibious aircraft since the last four years but cost factor and India's insistence on the transfer of technology has held Japan back from making its first arms export after lifting of its self-imposed ban.
India, Japan Agree to Enhance Military Ties and China Does Not Like It Sputnik 15 Sep 2017 -- Japan and India have agreed to enhance cooperation in the India-Pacific region where China is increasingly becoming assertive.
India Conducts First Live Fire Exercise of Homegrown BVR Air to Air Missile Sputnik 15 Sep 2017 -- The 3.8 meter long Astra Mark-1 is a single-stage, solid-propellant missile that can hit a target at a range of 75 kilometers with a speed of more than four times the speed of sound at Mach 4.5. Its advanced version is expected to match the caliber of the French Meteor BVRAAM.

Taiwan should invest more in national defense: U.S. official CNA 15 Sep 2017 -- A U.S. Department of Defense official made key recommendations for Taiwan's national defense at the Global Taiwan Institute's (GTI) annual symposium on Thursday.
Taiwan military facing difficulty keeping soldiers: MND CNA 15 Sep 2017 -- Taiwan's military is facing a challenge of retaining service members but will continue to offer better benefits as it moves toward an all-volunteer service by next year, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) admitted Friday.

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Sarah Sanders, National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster, and U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley The White House 15 Sep 2017

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for September 15, 2017

Other Conflicts

15 September 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 15 Sep 2017
Global hunger rising again, driven by conflict and climate change - UN report UN News 15 Sep 2017 -- The number of people hungry around the world is up for the first time in more than a decade, says a new United Nations report issued today, pointing to violent conflicts and climate change as the major drivers.

Saudi airstrike kills 4 civilians in southwest Yemen Press TV 15 Sep 2017 -- At least four civilians have lost their lives when Saudi military aircraft conducted an airstrike in Yemen's southwestern province of Ta'izz as the Riyadh regime continues with its devastating aerial bombardment campaign against its impoverished and conflict-ridden southern neighbor.

DoD Detains U.S. Citizen who Surrendered in Syria AFPS 15 Sep 2017 -- The Defense Department is legally detaining as a known enemy combatant an American citizen who turned himself over to the Syrian Democratic Forces this week, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Rob Manning said here today.
Syria army engages Daesh terrorists in Hama amid gains Press TV 15 Sep 2017 -- Syrian government forces have engaged in intense fighting with Daesh terrorists in the central province of Hama as the army continues to make more gains in the fight against the Takfiri group.
Russia, Iran, Turkey agree on Idlib 'safe zones' Press TV 15 Sep 2017 -- Russia, Iran, and Turkey, which together act as guarantor states in peace talks for Syria, have agreed on the details of a "de-escalation zone" in the Arab country's western Idlib province during resolution talks in the Kazakh capital of Astana.
Russia, Turkey, Iran Agree On Borders Of Syrian 'De-Escalation Zones' RFE/RL 15 Sep 2017 -- Russia, Iran, and Turkey have agreed at peace talks in Kazakhstan to place observers on the border of a de-escalation zone in Syria for at least six months.
Russia, Turkey, Iran Finally Agree on Idlib Safe Zone in Syria Sputnik 15 Sep 2017 -- The guarantor-states of the Syrian ceasefire regime have finally agreed on the creation of a safe zone in Idlib, an issue that had been on the agenda for a long time as the region is mostly controlled by terrorists and rebels.
Syria: Turkey, Russia, Iran Agree to Safe Zone Deal VOA 15 Sep 2017 -- Turkey, Russia and Iran agreed Friday to a deal that will see the countries work together to police a de-escalation zone in Syria's Idlib province for the next six months, according to a joint statement issued by the three countries following talks in Kazakhstan.

Daesh executes own senior commander in Kirkuk over leaving stronghold Press TV 15 Sep 2017 -- The Takfiri Daesh terrorist group has reportedly executed one of its high-ranking militant commanders in Iraq's northern oil-rich province of Kirkuk on charges of "attempts to escape to the land of non-believers."

Myanmar Leader's Silence on Rohingya Disappoints, Angers VOA 15 Sep 2017 -- For more than 20 years, Aung San Suu Kyi has stood as a human rights icon. Known as "The Lady," she was admired and respected around the world as she endured house arrest and the repression of Myanmar's military government.
Satellite imagery reveals Myanmar's 'ethnic cleansing' of Rohingyas: Amnesty Press TV 15 Sep 2017 -- Amnesty International has released satellite imagery that shows how the Myanmar government has been pushing ahead with its "ethnic cleansing" of Rohingya Muslims by burning their villages as part of a "scorched earth" strategy.
Amnesty International Releases Evidence of 'Ethnic Cleansing' By Burmese Forces RFE/RL 15 Sep 2017 -- Amnesty International says it has gathered evidence of an "orchestrated campaign of systematic burnings" by Burmese security forces and "vigilante mobs" targeting dozens of Rohingya Muslim villages -- a campaign the human rights group describes as "ethnic cleansing."
Amnesty International Claims 'Evidence' of Ethnic Cleansings' of Rohingya Sputnik 15 Sep 2017 -- The organization has analyzed fire-detection data, satellite imagery and photos and videos from the ground. According to Amnesty International, the evaluation of its information has revealed that an orchestrated campaign to burn the villages of the Rohingya Muslim minority has been ongoing across the region for almost three weeks.
Rohingya crisis one of the fastest growing in recent years, warns UN refugee agency UN News 15 Sep 2017 -- The humanitarian situation in parts of Bangladesh sheltering hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees continues to deteriorate, making the crisis one of the fastest growing refugee crises of recent years, according to the United Nations.
Observers: Mass Exodus of Nearly 400,000 Rohingya Refugees Appears Unstoppable VOA 15 Sep 2017 -- U.N. and international agencies report the mass exodus of Rohingya refugees fleeing violence in Myanmar appears unstoppable as nearly 400,000 have arrived in Bangladesh in the last three weeks.
Overwhelmed Aid Groups Scale Up Response to Rohingya Crisis VOA 15 Sep 2017 -- As the number of Rohingya refugees fleeing violence in Myanmar to the relative safety of Cox's Bazar in southern Bangladesh reaches nearly 400,000, aid groups are escalating their response to an increasingly urgent humanitarian crisis.

A Russian Ruse, or Real Policy Shift on Ukraine? VOA 15 Sep 2017 -- The Kremlin appears to be touting a major shift in policy on east Ukraine and possibly preparing local pro-Russian separatists for the reintegration of the disputed region of the Donbas into Ukraine.

Fresh violence in Central African Republic leads to more displaced - UN agency UN News 15 Sep 2017 -- Expressing concern over continued violence in the Central African Republic and the resulting "massive new levels" of displacement, the United Nations refugee agency has underscored the need to ensure that relief workers are not made targets of hostilities and are given the humanitarian security they need to carry out their mission.
Cameroon Struggles to Meet Needs of CAR Refugees VOA 15 Sep 2017 -- Cameroon's government says resurging violence in the Central African Republic has driven another 20,000 refugees into Cameroon this year and prevented the approximately 300,000 C.A.R. refugees who were already in the country from going home. The recent influx has increased humanitarian needs and tensions in border areas of eastern Cameroon.

News Reports

Britain raises terror threat level after London bomb attack: May Press TV 15 Sep 2017 -- Britain has raised its national threat level to maximum after a bomb exploded on a crowded London Underground train during the morning rush hour, injuring at least 29 people.
IS Claims London Subway Attack That Injured 22 RFE/RL 15 Sep 2017 -- The Islamic State (IS) group has claimed responsibility for what London police say was a "terrorist" bomb attack on a London Underground train that injured more than 20 people.
Britain PM Theresa May Raises Threat Levels to Critical After London Bombing Sputnik 15 Sep 2017 -- Theresa May, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, has raised the UK's national threat level to "critical." This means that the British government believes a terrorist attack is imminent.
22 Hurt in London Subway Blast VOA 15 Sep 2017 -- A makeshift explosive device detonated early Friday on a packed rush-hour commuter train in London, injuring at least 22 people in what police say was a terrorist attack. Emergency workers said none of the injuries were believed to be life-threatening.
May Raises British Threat Level to 'Critical' After Subway Bomb VOA 15 Sep 2017 -- Britain has raised its terror threat level to "critical" after a bomb attack on the London subway Friday that has been claimed by Islamic State.

U.S. Campaign Regulator Considers Changes After Revelation Of Russian Ad Purchases On Facebook RFE/RL 15 Sep 2017 -- Facebook's disclosure that Russians purchased political ads on the social network during last year's presidential campaign has prompted action by the U.S. agency that regulates campaign practices.
At Forum, Experts Slam Russian 'Disinformation' Campaigns Aimed at West VOA 15 Sep 2017 -- The German Marshall Fund says it has documented Russian interference in the elections or political affairs of at least 27 countries since 2004, ranging from disinformation campaigns on Facebook, Twitter and other social media to cyber attacks.

Chinese man sentenced for espionage in Taiwan CNA 15 Sep 2017 -- The Taipei District Court sentenced a Chinese national Friday to 14 months in prison for violating the National Security Act.
Tale of Two Trials: Taiwan and China Sentence Alleged Spies in The Same Week Sputnik 15 Sep 2017 -- A Taiwanese court has sentenced a Chinese man to fourteen months in prison for attempting to create spies for Beijing within the Taiwanese government. This comes just four days after China found a Taiwanese activist guilty of subversion.

Trump: US, Allies 'Will Not Be Intimidated' by North Korea VOA 15 Sep 2017 -- President Donald Trump has responded to North Korea's most recent missile launch with a vow that the United States and its allies will not be intimidated.
UN Secretary-General condemns DPRK ballistic missile launch UN News 15 Sep 2017 -- Condemning the launch of yet another ballistic missile by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called on the country's leadership to halt such activities and explore resumption of sincere dialogue on denuclearisation.
NATO Calls for 'Global Response' to North Korean Missiles VOA 15 Sep 2017 -- NATO has called for a global response to North Korea's latest missile launch.
Haley: N. Korea Will Be 'Front and Center' at UN Assembly VOA 15 Sep 2017 -- U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said Friday that North Korea would be "front and center" when Donald Trump attends his first annual meeting of the General Assembly as president.
Japan urges DPRK to change course, return to negotiating table after latest missile launch People's Daily 15 Sep 2017 -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday called on the international community to unite against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) "provocative acts" and urged the DPRK to change its current course of action.
North Korea's latest missile test draws global condemnations Press TV 15 Sep 2017 -- China and Russia have condemned a new missile launch by North Korea as international pressure mounts on Pyongyang over its ongoing missile and nuclear tests.
U.S. Calls On China, Russia To Act Against North Korea After Missile Test RFE/RL 15 Sep 2017 -- The United States has called on China and Russia to take "direct actions" aimed at reining in North Korea after it launched a second ballistic missile over Japan on September 15.
Council of EU Expands North Korea Sanctions List After Latest Missile Launch Sputnik 15 Sep 2017 -- After North Korea launched a ballistic missile for the first time since the UN had passed a new resolution on Pyongyang, the EU has expanded the anti-DPRK sanctions list.
North Korea tested hydrogen bomb on Sept. 3: US nuclear commander Press TV 14 Sep 2017 -- The US general who is in charge of America's nuclear forces has confirmed that North Korea tested a hydrogen bomb earlier this month.

Access to Iran military sites closed case: Top official IRNA 15 Sep 2017 -- Access to Iran's military sites is a closed case, Iranian top security official said on Friday.
US extends Iran embargo relief based on nuclear deal IRNA 15 Sep 2017 -- US State Department said that Washington extended some sanctions relief for Iran based on the 2015 nuclear deal reached between Iran and G5+1 (US, UK, Russia, France, China plus Germany).
Iran Says U.S. 'Seeking Excuses' To Tear Up Nuclear Deal RFE/RL 15 Sep 2017 -- A senior Iranian military official has accused Washington of "seeking excuses" to tear up the nuclear deal Tehran reached with six world powers by demanding inspections of Iranian military sites.

Iraqi Kurdistan Parl't Approves Independence Referendum on Sept. 25 - Reports Sputnik 15 Sep 2017 -- The Rudaw news agency reported Friday that Iraqi Kurdistan parliament had finally approved the independence referendum that would be held on September 25.
Iraqi Kurdistan's Independence Referendum May Provoke New Conflict - Turkish PM Sputnik 15 Sep 2017 -- As the independence referendum of Iraqi Kurdistan approaches, Ankara has again warned about the possible consequences of the upcoming vote.
Ankara Threatens Sanctions Against Iraqi Kurds Over Independence Vote VOA 15 Sep 2017 -- Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim warned Friday that the Iraqi Kurdish plan to hold an independence referendum was a "grave mistake." Iraqi Kurdistan regional President Masoud Barzani has called for the referendum on September 25 in the semi-autonomous area.

Pakistani Supreme Court Rejects Challenges To Ruling That Ousted Ex-PM Sharif RFE/RL 15 Sep 2017 -- Pakistan's Supreme Court has rejected petitions for a review of a decision it made on July 28 that disqualified former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from office over allegations of corruption.

Brazil president faces racketeering, obstruction of justice charges Press TV 15 Sep 2017 -- Brazilian President Michel Temer has been accused of racketeering and obstruction of justice, adding two more charges to the previous ones.

Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Yalta, September 15, 2017 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 15 Sep 2017
As Wave Of Mysterious Bomb Threats Rattles Russia, Theories Fly RFE/RL 15 Sep 2017 -- Maybe it's telephone terrorism. Maybe it's a secret test of the country's civil defense. Or maybe it's a new form of cyberwarfare.

Human Rights Watch censures Saudi's 'coordinated crackdown on dissent' Press TV 15 Sep 2017 -- Human Rights Watch has decried Saudi Arabia's "coordinated crackdown on dissent" against a backdrop of arresting scores of opponents, including prominent clerics, in the kingdom.

South Sudan Opposes IGAD Proposal to Allow Free Movement Within E. African Bloc VOA 15 Sep 2017 -- Most members of IGAD back a proposal to allow free movement of citizens within the East African bloc – but are facing resistance from South Sudan, where officials remain cool to the measure.

Cassini spacecraft's Saturn mission ends after 20 years Press TV 15 Sep 2017 -- NASA's famous Cassini spacecraft, after traveling through space since 1997, has reached its final destination.

Togo Protesters Press Demands for Constitutional Reform VOA 15 Sep 2017 -- Lawmakers in Togo began debating presidential term limits Friday, after days of protests calling for constitutional reform and the departure of the ruling family.

Qatar ready to 'sit at table' to resolve Persian Gulf dispute Press TV 15 Sep 2017 -- Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani says Doha is ready to negotiate with the emirate's fellow Arab states to find a solution to the diplomatic row in the Persian Gulf region.

Venezuela stops using US dollars in oil trade Press TV 15 Sep 2017 -- Venezuela has reportedly stopped using US dollars in its oil trade activities in a move which could be meant to keep the country immune to Washington's economic penalties.
Venezuela government, opposition make progress in talks Press TV 15 Sep 2017 -- The government and opposition in Venezuela have made some progress in reconciliation negotiations, agreeing to the establishment of a commission by "friendly countries" to help manage a political and economic crisis in the country.

NEWSLETTER

Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list