27 September 2017 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 27 Sep 2017[PDF]

Coalition Strikes Continue Against ISIS in Syria, Iraq AFPS 27 Sep 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 48 strikes consisting of 54 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

Secretary General visits Kabul with Secretary Mattis, stresses NATO's enduring support for Afghanistan NATO 27 Sep 2017 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is currently visiting Afghanistan, together with US Secretary of Defense James Mattis. Speaking alongside President Ashraf Ghani and Secretary Mattis on Wednesday (27 September 2017), Mr. Stoltenberg stressed NATO's support for the Afghan people, for the government's reforms, and for an Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process.
Rockets hit Afghan capital as Mattis, NATO chief arrive Press TV 27 Sep 2017 -- Up to 20 rockets have struck the airport and surrounding areas in Afghanistan's capital of Kabul hours after US Defense Secretary James Mattis and NATO's General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg arrived in the country on an unannounced visit.
Taliban Targets Medical Clinics In New Afghan Insurgency Strategy RFE/RL 27 Sep 2017 -- When Sultan Mohammad's wife went into labor in Uruzgan Province last week, the medical clinic in Deh Rawood was not an option -- it had been shut down along with other local clinics by Taliban fighters who control most of the territory outside the provincial capital, Tarin Kowt.
Pentagon, NATO Chiefs Issue Warning To Taliban During Surprise Visit To Afghanistan RFE/RL 27 Sep 2017 -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg have pledged continued support for Afghanistan during a surprise visit to Kabul.
Rocket Attack Targets Kabul Airport Hours After Mattis Arrives in Afghanistan VOA 27 Sep 2017 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis says the U.S., with its new strategy for breaking the deadlock with Taliban insurgents, is not going to give up the fight in Afghanistan.

Airmen Keep Hurricane Relief Supplies Flowing to the Caribbean AFPS 27 Sep 2017 -- Air National Guard airmen with the 165th Air Terminal Operations Center at Savannah Air National Guard Base here were operating around the clock this week to send disaster relief to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
DoD Officials Provide Update on Hurricane Relief Efforts AFPS 27 Sep 2017 -- In Puerto Rico, enhanced communications and completed assessments are providing a clearer picture of the extent of the storm damage and the magnitude of the response challenge, Defense Department spokesman Army Lt. Col. Jamie Davis said today.

Defense Policy / Programs

US May 'Revisit' White House Decision to Ditch Air Force One's Refueling Ability Sputnik 27 Sep 2017 -- Lawmakers are pushing back against the White House's decision to ditch mid-flight refueling for the president's plane.
Readout of Performing the Duties of Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Robert Karem's Meeting with Malian Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs Tièna Coulibaly DoD 27 Sep 2017
USS Key West Participates in Tri-Lateral Submarine Exercise NNS 27 Sep 2017 -- The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Key West (SSN 722) participated in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Tri-Lateral Submarine Competition (SUBCOMP) exercise in waters south of Japan, which also included participation by a Royal Australian Navy (RAN) submarine, from Sept. 12 to 19.
DEVRON 5 Welcomes New Commodore, Establishes New Squadron NNS 27 Sep 2017 -- Commander, Submarine Development Squadron (DEVRON) 5, held a combined change of command and squadron establishment ceremony at Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Sept. 26.
Nimitz Completes Historic 100,000th Catapult Shot NNS 27 Sep 2017 -- You can feel the excitement on the flight deck. As the jet engines roar an F/A-18E Super Hornet, from the "Blue Diamonds" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146, goes soaring into the air. This launch was a bit more special than the other approximately 30 launches performed daily on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during its 2017 deployment. It was historic.
Keel Authenticated for Burlington NNS 27 Sep 2017 -- The U.S. Navy held a keel laying and authentication ceremony for its 10th expeditionary fast transport (EPF) vessel, Burlington (EPF 10), Sept. 26.
Northcom Protects Nation from Natural, Man-Made Threats, Commander Says AFPS 27 Sep 2017 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is demonstrating his intent as he pushes his country to develop nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them, said Air Force Gen. Lori J. Robinson at the Women in Defense Conference here today.

Joint press statements by NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller and by the Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia¹, together with Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Radmila Šekerinska NATO 27 Sep 2017 -- (As delivered)
Top Macedonian Officials Pledge Efforts Toward NATO Membership RFE/RL 27 Sep 2017 -- Top Macedonian officials say the Balkan nation will show why it should become the next country to join NATO, pledging to boost defense spending and increase its role in the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan.

Putin hails Russia's destruction of last chemical arms, accuses US of failing to fulfill obligations Press TV 27 Sep 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin hails his country's destruction of its last supplies of chemical weapons, accusing the US of failing to fulfill its own obligations in this regard.
Putin Hails Russia's Destruction Of Chemical Weapons, Chides U.S. RFE/RL 27 Sep 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country was destroying its last chemical weapons on September 27 in what the head of the international chemical weapons watchdog called a "major milestone."
Russia conducts ICBM test-launch Press TV 27 Sep 2017 -- The Russian military has announced the successful test launch of its RS-12M Topol intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

U.S. Military Chief Says Recommends Providing Ukraine With Lethal Defensive Aid RFE/RL 27 Sep 2017 -- The top U.S. military commander has said he recommended that the United States provide lethal defensive weapons to Ukraine to help the country "protect [its] sovereignty" amid a conflict with Russia-backed separatists.
DPR Warns US Lethal Weapons Won't Help Kiev 'Win Civil War' in Donbass Sputnik 27 Sep 2017 -- Donetsk People's Republic's (DPR) spokesman Alexander Kostenko said Wednesday that the potential delivery of US lethal weapons to Ukraine on the pretext of the so-called "Russian aggression" is appealing to populism, adding that those arms won't help "win the civil war" waging in Donbass.
Ukraine, Canada Discuss 2018 Military Equipment Imports to Kiev Sputnik 27 Sep 2017 -- Moscow has repeatedly warned against supplies of lethal arms to Ukraine saying that this would result in escalation of the military conflict in the country's eastern Donbass region. Although this stance has also been supported by a number of European officials, apparently not all countries share this point of view.
Situation Around Burning Munition Depot 'Under Control' - Ukrainian PM Sputnik 27 Sep 2017 -- The local media reported that after an ammunition depot in Ukraine's Vinnytsia region detonated at nearly 10 p.m. local time (19:00 p.m. GMT) on Tuesday Ukrainian authorities had to close the aerospace in the radius of 31 miles from the fire.
Thousands Evacuated In Ukraine After Huge Ammo-Depot Blast RFE/RL 27 Sep 2017 -- Massive explosions at an ammunition depot in central Ukraine have prompted the evacuation of more than 30,000 people and the closure of airspace over the region, the country's emergency response agency has said.

China to conduct discipline inspection in the military during holidays People's Daily 27 Sep 2017 -- China's military will conduct discipline inspection and supervision of misconduct during the upcoming holidays.
State-of-Art Fortress: Chinese Army Prepared for All Eventualities in Africa Sputnik 27 Sep 2017 -- While constructing its first overseas military base in Djibouti, Beijing took into account the experience of Iraqi and Syrian military operations, creating a "fortress" with the sophisticated infrastructure capable of surviving a long siege, Russian military expert Vasily Kashin told Sputnik.
China Tests New Terahertz Radiation Radar That Could Detect Stealth Jets Sputnik 27 Sep 2017 -- The China North Industries Group Corporation has tested a radar in recent weeks that generates terahertz radiation in order to better track the presence of stealth aircraft, the South China Morning Post reports.
China to Build Pier at Djibouti Base to Support East Africa Naval Missions Sputnik 27 Sep 2017 -- China has announced their intention to build a pier in the tiny East African nation of Djibouti so that the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) can better run anti-piracy missions in the Arabian Sea.

Iran dispatches new missile batteries to western regions ISNA 27 Sep 2017 -- Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Base has deployed new missile batteries to the western parts of the country to increase Iranian forces' preparedness to give a firm response to any possible act of aggression, a senior commander says.
Iran missile tests don't breach international accords: Russia Press TV 27 Sep 2017 -- A senior Russian official says Iran's ballistic missile tests do not violate United Nations Security Council resolutions or international agreements, contrary to the West's media hype about the Islamic Republic's missile program.

Top military officials of Iran, Iraq hold talks amid Kurdish independence vote Press TV 27 Sep 2017 -- The military brass of Iran and Iraq have met and held talks amid a controversial referendum in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region.

Israeli Parliament Orders Review of Future F-35 Purchases Sputnik 27 Sep 2017 -- Coinciding with the Pentagon's contemplation of whether it is prudent to retire 100 F-35s from combat operations rather than give them costly upgrades of their outdated software, the Israeli Parliament will explore whether alternatives might be more effective than the expensive Lockheed Martin jets.

Israel refuses to stop arms sales to Myanmar despite Rohingya massacre Press TV 27 Sep 2017 -- The Israeli regime will not put an end to its sale of ammunition to Myanmar in light of incontrovertible evidence and United Nations data that the Southeast Asian nation's military has perpetrated various forms of atrocities, including systematic rape and expulsions, against Rohingya Muslims.

Defence Secretary names new warship HMS Belfast in Northern Ireland UK MOD 27 Sep 2017 -- Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon unveiled the name of one of the new Type 26 frigates as HMS Belfast during a trip to Northern Ireland today.

Press Gaggle by President Trump The White House 27 Sep 2017
Background Briefing: U.S. Government Officials On the Refugee Cap for Fiscal Year 2018 US Dept. of State 27 Sep 2017

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

27 September 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 27 Sep 2017

Syrian parties should join next round of Geneva talks 'without preconditions' - UN envoy UN News 27 Sep 2017 -- The United Nations is set to convene the next round of the intra-Syrian talks in Geneva by the end of October or in early November, the UN mediator told the Security Council today.

Iraq forces thwart Daesh attack in Ramadi Press TV 27 Sep 2017 -- Iraq's army, police, and Popular Mobilization forces have foiled a push by the Takfiri terrorist group of Daesh to stage a comeback in Ramadi, the capital of the western Iraq Anbar Province.
Iraqi Military Forces Repel Daesh Attack West of Baghdad Sputnik 27 Sep 2017 -- The Iraqi Army has managed to repel a Daesh attack to the west of Baghdad, a press release said on Wednesday.

India Deploys Nuclear-Capable Infantry Division Near Pakistan Amid High Tensions Sputnik 27 Sep 2017 -- India has deployed an infantry division to a potential flashpoint to guard against any provocation from its neighbor Pakistan and has again warned its 'adversary' against aiding terrorists to cross the Line of Control.

Indian Army Strikes Naga Insurgents Along Myanmar Border Sputnik 27 Sep 2017 -- In a major counter-insurgency operation along the Myanmar border, the Indian Army has inflicted heavy damage on Naga insurgents.

UN: Longer-term plans needed to manage Rohingya influx into Bangladesh Press TV 27 Sep 2017 -- The United Nations says longer-term plans are needed to manage the influx of Rohingya Muslim refugees who have fled from Myanmar's Rakhine state to neighboring Bangladesh.
India Braces Itself for Influx of Refugees, Seals Its Borders With Myanmar Sputnik 27 Sep 2017 -- India fears that Rohingyas fleeing Rakhine province in Myanmar may enter its territory through the countries' mutual border, which lacks a protective fence. In response, a team led by the head of the Department of Internal Security of the Ministry of Home Affairs was sent to the region by Home Minister Rajnath Singh last week.
UNHCR: Risk of Terrorism 'Very, Very High' if Rohingya Crisis Persists VOA 27 Sep 2017 -- The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, warned Wednesday of a high risk of terrorism in Myanmar and the region if the Rohingya crisis remains unresolved.

Russian Court Convicts Crimean Tatar Leader Umerov Of 'Separatism' RFE/RL 27 Sep 2017 -- A court in Russian-occupied Crimea has convicted prominent Crimean Tatar leader Ilmi Umerov of separatism after a trial Human Rights Watch called "ruthless retaliation" for his opposition to Moscow's takeover of the peninsula.

Colombia: New UN Mission begins operation; focus on reintegrating ex-fighters UN News 27 Sep 2017 -- The second post-conflict United Nations mission in Colombia has started its operations, succeeding the UN entity which was mandated to verify the implementation agreement between the Colombian Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army (FARC-EP) concerning the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, and laying down of arms.

Somali Teenagers Flee Al-Shabab Recruitment Campaign VOA 27 Sep 2017 -- Al-Shabab militants have launched what appears to be a forced recruitment campaign in Somalia's southwestern regions of Bay and Bakool, according to Somali officials.

C.A.R. Must Combat Impunity to Achieve Peace, President Says VOA 27 Sep 2017 -- In a speech to the U.N. Human Rights Council, the president of Central African Republic told the 47-member body the road to peace for his embattled country lies in combating impunity and making people accountable for their crimes.

News Reports

Russia, US agree to create 1st lunar space station Press TV 27 Sep 2017 -- As part of a long-term venture to send humans to Mars, the US and Russia have agreed to team up to build a crewed spaceport called Deep Space Gateway in lunar orbit.

Turkey to cancel all flights to Iraqi Kurdistan Region within days IRNA 27 Sep 2017 -- All flights from Turkey to Iraqi Kurdistan Region and vice versa will be cancelled by Friday evening, Consulate General of Turkey in Erbil, Iraq announced.
Iraqi PM demands invalidation of Kurdish independence referendum Press TV 27 Sep 2017 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has demanded the annulment of this week's referendum on the independence of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region amid soaring tensions between the central government in Baghdad and local Kurdish authorities.
Russia, Iran, France warn Iraqi Kurds against repercussions of secession Press TV 27 Sep 2017 -- Russia, Iran and France have warned that a controversial secession referendum held in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region could lead to further instability in the entire Middle East, a region already rife with numerous conflicts and terror threats.
Iraqi PM Demands Annulment Of Kurdish Independence Vote RFE/RL 27 Sep 2017 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi is demanding that this week's referendum on independence for the autonomous Kurdish region be annulled.
Some 90% of Voters in Kurdish-Controlled Kirkuk Backed Independence - Governor Sputnik 27 Sep 2017 -- Nearly 90 percent of voters in Iraq's Kirkuk province that is contested by both Baghdad and Erbil could have cast their ballots in support of Iraqi Kurdistan's independence at the recently held referendum, Kirkuk Governor Najmaldin Karim told Sputnik on Wednesday.
Province of Kirkuk Obeys Neither Iraqi Government, Nor Parliament – Governor Sputnik 27 Sep 2017 -- The governor of Kurdish-controlled Kirkuk province has said to Sputnik that the region will not obey Baghdad despite the Iraqi government's decision to send troops to the region that it claims as its own.
Erbil Airport Director Hopes Iraqi Ban on International Flights to Be Lifted Sputnik 27 Sep 2017 -- The director of Erbil International Airport hopes that the ban Iraqi authorities have placed on international flights to and from the commercial airport in Iraqi Kurdistan will be lifted soon.
Iraq's Kurds Say 'Yes' to Creation of Independent State - Electoral Commission Sputnik 27 Sep 2017 -- Iraqi Kurds have voted in favor of the creation of an independent state amid high tensions with the Iraqi government over the issue.
Kurds Ready for Negotiations With Baghdad to Settle Disputes - Representative Sputnik 27 Sep 2017 -- Iraqi Kurdistan officials are ready for a peaceful settlement of independence issues with the Iraqi government.
Kurdish Security Forces Not to Allow Iraqi Army to Enter Kirkuk - Governor Sputnik 27 Sep 2017 -- Kirkuk security will prevent Iraqi Army to enter province, as its governor told Sputnik on Wednesday.
Iraqi Parliament Authorizes PM to Deploy Troops in Kurdish-Controlled Kirkuk Sputnik 27 Sep 2017 -- The Iraqi parliament has given a "mandate" to Prime Minister Haider Abadi to deploy troops in Iraqi Kurdistan's disputed province of Kirkuk, local TV reported.
Kirkuk Tensions Rise as Neither Irbil, Baghdad Back Down VOA 27 Sep 2017 -- In Kirkuk, it appears competing claims to the divided Iraqi city are being negotiated with flags. And at the moment, the Kurdish side is winning.
Iraqi Kurds Overwhelmingly Approve Independence in Referendum VOA 27 Sep 2017 -- Official results from the Kurdish referendum, released Wednesday, show Iraqi Kurds voted "yes" on independence from Baghdad by an overwhelming 92 percent.

China warns escalating war of words could lead to conflict on Korean Peninsula People's Daily 27 Sep 2017 -- China warned on Tuesday that war on the Korean Peninsula will do no good to both sides, following an escalating war of words between Pyongyang and Washington recently.
China opposed to military settlement of Korea dispute, official says Press TV 27 Sep 2017 -- China has once again warned against the potential use of military action to resolve a conflict involving North Korea's nuclear program, saying the dispute should solely be settled through peaceful means.
North Korea could show 'super response' to Trump threats Press TV 27 Sep 2017 -- A North Korean official says Pyongyang will "show a super response" to recent threats made by US President Donald Trump.
US prepared to take 'devastating' military action against North Korea: Trump Press TV 27 Sep 2017 -- US President Donald Trump says Washington is "totally prepared" to take a "devastating" military action against Pyongyang as rhetoric heats up between the two countries following the recent spate of tit-for-tat barbs.
War of Words Impedes Complex North Korea Diplomatic Challenge VOA 27 Sep 2017 -- The provocative rhetoric between U.S. President Donald Trump and the North Korean leadership is adding to an already growing sense of pessimism that peaceful denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is possible.

Possibility of opening Iran nuclear deal a 'myth': Zarif Press TV 27 Sep 2017 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said that US President Donald Trump "would open a Pandora's box" if he tries to renegotiate terms of the Iran's nuclear agreement with world powers.
IAEA monitoring of Iran deal going on smoothly: Amano Press TV 27 Sep 2017 -- The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says Iran has been providing the UN nuclear watchdog with all the necessary access it requires to monitor Tehran's compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal, saying the inspection process is going on smoothly.

Another Worrying Sign For Russia's Dire Demographics RFE/RL 27 Sep 2017 -- Many advanced economies are wondering how breakthroughs in technology could leave whole swaths of the population unemployed, but in Russia the government is pondering how to fill jobs with a dramatically shrinking work force.
Telegram CEO Durov Says Russia's FSB Demands Messenger's Encryption Keys RFE/RL 27 Sep 2017 -- Russia's main security agency has demanded encryption keys to the popular Telegram messaging app, according to the company's founder, as authorities ratchet up pressure on what has grown into a vibrant platform for political discussion in the country.
Council Of Europe's Rights Chief Decries Abuses, Says Russia 'Only Country Not Cooperating' RFE/RL 27 Sep 2017 -- The Council of Europe's human rights chief says there is a "lot of work to do" in Russia as he criticized Moscow's lack of cooperation amid reports of rights abuses in Chechnya and Russia-occupied Crimea.

At Security Council, UN official urges greater cooperation for more effective aviation security UN News 27 Sep 2017 -- Highlighting multifaceted threats to aviation security in the context of international peace and security, the head of the United Nations civil aviation body urged greater cooperation among Member States, at all levels, to make global aviation security more effective.

Spain to deploy more police forces to prevent Catalan vote Press TV 27 Sep 2017 -- The Spanish government will deploy extra police forces at any polling stations that authorities in Catalonia manage to set up in Spain's autonomous region to prevent people from voting in a banned independence referendum.

France must bring counter-terrorism law in line with international rights obligations - UN experts UN News 27 Sep 2017 -- Warning of possible "discriminatory repercussions," especially for Muslims, two United Nations rights experts expressed concern over a new law that may perpetuate the emergency measures France introduced in 2015 – establishing a permanent state of emergency.

NEWSLETTER

Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list