31 October 2017 Military News

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OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 31 Oct 2017[PDF]

Strikes Continue in Effort to Defeat ISIS in Syria, Iraq AFPS 31 Oct 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting eight strikes consisting of 14 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
U.S.-led Coalition's Support to Continue After Raqqa's Liberation, Official Says AFPS 31 Oct 2017 -- The Syrian Democratic Forces' Oct. 20 liberation of Raqqa, Syria, exposed the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria's lies and cowardice and the evil of its ideology, Army Maj. Gen. James B. Jarrard, commander of Special Operations Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve, told Pentagon reporters today.
Department of Defense Press Briefing by General Jarrard via teleconference from Baghdad, Iraq DoD 31 Oct 2017 -- Presenter: Major General James B. Jarrard, commander, Special Operations Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve; Eric J. Pahon, Defense Department Spokesman

At Least Four Killed In Kabul Suicide Attack, Say Officials RFE/RL 31 Oct 2017 -- Afghan officials say at least four people have been killed in a suicide attack in central Kabul.
Watchdog: Kabul's Territorial Control Dips to Lowest Level VOA 31 Oct 2017 -- The government of Afghanistan's territorial control has declined to its lowest level in two years while battling a resurgent Taliban insurgency, a U.S. government watchdog revealed Tuesday.

Defense Policy / Programs

New Pilots Qualify Aboard Lincoln NNS 31 Oct 2017 -- The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) hosted 24 student pilots, from Commander, Naval Air Training Det., for their first landings on an aircraft carrier.
Dawn Blitz 2017 Sets Standard for Amphibious Capabilities AFPS 31 Oct 2017 -- Dawn Blitz, an exercise designed to train and integrate Navy and Marine Corps units in planning for and establishing expeditionary advanced bases, executing an amphibious assault, engaging in live-fire events and integrating fifth-generation aviation capabilities in a land and maritime threat environment to test new integration and concepts of operation concluded here yesterday.
Fort Carson Soldiers field test new body armor Army News 31 Oct 2017 -- Soldiers with the 71st Ordnance Group (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) and 10th Chemical Hazardous Response Company participated in the final round of field-testing for the Army's new body armor, the Modular Scalable Vest, known as MSV, during a weeklong series of evaluated tasks conducted here Oct. 16-20.
Soldiers must regain readiness mindset, says Gen. Abrams Army News 31 Oct 2017 -- Gen. Robert B. Abrams recalled once being awakened at 2 a.m. on a Friday. It was the early 1980s then, and he was a young lieutenant stationed in a cavalry squadron in West Germany.
U.S. and Partner Nation Forces Conduct Live Amphibious Landing NNS 31 Oct 2017 -- U.S. and coalition forces conducted an amphibious assault as part of Exercise Bold Alligator 2017 (BA17) on the shoreline of Camp Lejeune, N.C. Oct. 25, 2017.
USS Ashland Departs Okinawa, Geared Up to Begin Blue Chromite 2018 NNS 31 Oct 2017 -- The amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) departed Okinawa Oct. 31, with embarked 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division to conduct Blue Chromite 2018.
Theodore Roosevelt Arrives in Guam NNS 31 Oct 2017 -- The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) arrived in Guam for the first time in the ship's history, Oct. 31, for their first scheduled port visit of their current deployment.
US Marine Presence Extended in Norway, Norwegian Lawmakers Want to Know Why Sputnik 31 Oct 2017 -- Norway opposition leaders addressed country's Prime Minister Erna Solberg, demanding answers about the United States' Marine Corps's presence in northern parts of their country.

Secretary General: NATO stands in solidarity with Asia-Pacific region NATO 31 Oct 2017 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg wrapped up a three-day visit to Japan on Tuesday (31 October 2017), with a speech at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo. Mr. Stoltenberg stressed that North Korea's destabilising behaviour poses a threat to international peace and security, and that NATO stands in solidarity with its partners in the Asia-Pacific region.
Joint press point by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe NATO 31 Oct 2017
The geography of danger has shifted - Speech by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the Japan National Press Club NATO 31 Oct 2017

India Not Going to Supply Weapons to Afghanistan for Anti-Taliban Operation Sputnik 31 Oct 2017 -- Afghanistan, after consulting with the US, has officially requested India to hand over some of its most lethal weapons including the Russian-made Mi-25 and Mi-35 aircraft to the Afghan National Army fighting against the Taliban.

'Nothing to Apologize For' - Still, Seoul Won't Install More THAAD Systems Sputnik 31 Oct 2017 -- Seoul will not move forward with deploying more Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile batteries.

US Navy, Marines Launch Drills in Okinawa Ahead of Trump Visit to Asia Sputnik 31 Oct 2017 -- Trump will arrive in South Korea on November 8 during his 12-day trip to the region - the longest visit to Asia by a US president in the last 25 years.
Troxell: U.S., South Korean Troops on DMZ 'Ready' AFPS 31 Oct 2017 -- South Korean and American troops on and near the Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Korea are ready, well-supplied, well-trained and prepared, the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman said following a visit over the weekend.
Trilateral Cooperation Needed to Combat North Korean Threat AFPS 31 Oct 2017 -- The world is united against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats and nations are working together to counter the dangers of Kim Jong Un's ambitions, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Oct. 29 following the trilateral military meeting with South Korean and Japanese leaders.

Mattis: White House Could Order Nuclear Strike if North Korean Attack 'Imminent' Sputnik 31 Oct 2017 -- During his testimony before Congress, US Defense Secretary James Mattis said that the White House has "rehearsed" their response to a North Korean nuclear attack. He added that Washington would fire a nuclear weapon at North Korea for two reasons: a North Korean attack, or a "direct imminent... attack."
200 people feared dead in tunnel collapse at North Korea nuclear test site: Report Press TV 31 Oct 2017 -- More than 200 people are feared to have lost their lives after a tunnel collapsed at North Korea's nuclear test site early last month, a report says.
Pyongyang Unveils Plan to Accelerate Space Satellite Program Sputnik 31 Oct 2017 -- North Korean newspaper Rodong Sinmun published a commentary laying out the country's plans to send more satellites into space over the next five years. The program "can contribute to improving the economy and people's lives," the article reads.
One More Nuke Test Could Cause Collapse at North Korean Test Site Sputnik 31 Oct 2017 -- According to a Nam Jae-cheol, the director of the Korea Meteorological Administration, just one more nuclear test by North Korea could destabilize its underground testing site and shoot radioactive material into the atmosphere.

Indian Army Launches Global Hunt for Advanced Sniper Rifle Night Sights Sputnik 31 Oct 2017 -- In order to minimize casualties during cross-border firings, the Indian Army, of late, has been equipping its weapons' systems with long-range sight vision that can detect targets at a distance of at least 1,300 meters.
India's Medium Lift Combat Helicopters to Get Advanced Weapons Upgrade Sputnik 31 Oct 2017 -- The installation of helicopter mounted machine guns which the Indian Air Force intends to purchase soon would significantly augment the overall capability of the Mi-8, Mi-17, and Mi-17-IVs helicopters of Russian origin.
India, Russia Poised to Ink $1 Bln Deal in 2018 For Kamov-226T Sputnik 31 Oct 2017 -- Sixty helicopters will be received in flight-ready condition from Russia while another 40 will be assembled in India and the remaining 100 will be fully built in India.

Iran Army Air Force drills begin in central country IRNA 31 Oct 2017 -- Iranian Army Air Force is conducting its seventh major drills, which began in the central province of Isfahan on Tuesday.
Iranian missiles' range enough to target US forces in case of invasion: IRGC ISNA 31 Oct 2017 -- The commander of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps says there is currently no need for Iran to extend the range of its missiles, which is enough to strike American forces deployed to the region in case of any US aggression against Iran.
Iran's missile program not negotiable at all: Shamkhani Press TV 31 Oct 2017 -- A senior Iranian official says the country's defense issues, including its missile program, are not negotiable at all.
Range of Iranian missiles enough to target US forces in case of invasion: IRGC Press TV 31 Oct 2017 -- The chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says there is currently no need for Iran to extend the range of its missiles, which is enough to strike the American forces deployed to the region in case of any US aggression against the country.
Iran Commanders Say Supreme Leader Limiting Ballistic Missile Range RFE/RL 31 Oct 2017 -- Two top Iranian military commanders say that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has restricted the range of ballistic missiles manufactured in the country to 2,000 kilometers.

Israel's F-35I Adir to Start Full Operations in December Sputnik 31 Oct 2017 -- Israel's F-35 "Adir" aircraft is preparing to become fully operational in the country's Air Force (IAF) next month in an effort to stymie Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iranian-backed proxies in Syria, according to a report published October 29.

Taiwanese President Announces Military Spending Boost to Check China Sputnik 31 Oct 2017 -- Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen announced that her country would be drastically increasing military spending during a visit to Hawaii, so her island nation can better check their eternal rival China in the Taiwan Straits.

Background Briefing on Public Guidance Related to Sections 223, 225, 226, 228, 232, and 233 of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act of 2017 (CAATSA) US Dept. of State 31 Oct 2017
Department Press Briefing - October 31, 2017 US Dept. of State 31 Oct 2017

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for October 31, 2017

Other Conflicts

31 October 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 31 Oct 2017
UN Security Council urges more protections for children in conflicts UN News 31 Oct 2017 -- Deeply concerned about the abuse of children in war zones, the United Security Council today – in a debate in New York which included Secretary-General António Guterres and his special envoy on the issue – urged countries and non-State actors to allow children access to education and healthcare during and post-conflicts.

Back Off: Beijing Tells US South China Sea Disputes Not Theirs to Solve Sputnik 31 Oct 2017 -- Beijing has warned the US to stop meddling in South China Sea territorial disputes in advance of US President Donald Trump's visit to several East Asian nations, including the Philippines, China, South Korea and Japan.

Astana talks guarantors to from congress for Syrian opposing sides Press TV 31 Oct 2017 -- Iran, Russia and Turkey have pledged to bring the Syrian government and opposition together for a "congress" to help them develop a lasting political solution to the ongoing conflict in the country.
Syrian forces retake three districts in Dayr al-Zawr from Daesh Press TV 31 Oct 2017 -- The Syrian army forces have recaptured three neighborhoods from Daesh Takfiri terrorists in the eastern city of Dayr al-Zawr.
Over 13 million Syrians in need of humanitarian assistance: UN Press TV 31 Oct 2017 -- The top UN relief official has warned that over 13 million people in Syria need humanitarian assistance, with 6.3 million in "acute need" of aid due to the incessant violence in the country.
Syria: UN agencies deliver critical food aid, medicines to families trapped in rural Damascus UN News 31 Oct 2017 -- As part of a humanitarian aid convoy to besieged towns on the outskirts of the Syrian capital, Damascus, United Nations agencies have delivered desperately needed health supplies, hygiene kits and food rations for tens of thousands of people.
Cleared of Islamic State, Raqqa Remains a Deadly Battlefield VOA 31 Oct 2017 -- Syrians hoping to return home to Raqqa now that the city has been liberated from the clutches of the Islamic State terror group are being told to wait indefinitely.

Iraqi PM: Anbar to be freed from Daesh in days Press TV 31 Oct 2017 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abad has said that the country's western Anbar province will be fully liberated from Daesh in "a few days."
Iraqi army takes control of Turkey border gate from Kurds: Turkish PM Press TV 31 Oct 2017 -- Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildrim says Iraqi army forces have taken control of a key border crossing with Turkey in the Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region after weeks of tensions between Baghdad government and Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) over last month's non-binding independence referendum.

Rohingya refugees drown as boat capsizes in rough waters off coast of Bangladesh - UN UN News 31 Oct 2017 -- At least four Rohingyas fleeing unrest in Myanmar drowned when a small fishing boat capsized in rough seas off the Bangladesh coast, the United Nations reported Tuesday, also warning that with thousands of refugees still heading to Cox's Bazar every day, sprawling makeshift camps there are now dangerously congested and overcrowded.

Unrest in Cameroon's Anglophone regions sends thousands fleeing to Nigeria - UN agency UN News 31 Oct 2017 -- The United Nations refugee agency is scaling up efforts with partners to provide humanitarian assistance to thousands of Cameroonians who have fled violence in that country's Anglophone regions to south-eastern Nigeria.

Egypt says warplanes killed 'large number' of militants, destroyed their vehicles, ammo Press TV 31 Oct 2017 -- Egypt's military says it has killed "a large number of terrorist elements" in the country's Western Desert after its warplanes conducted airstrikes on militants' positions, destroying a number of explosive-laden vehicles.

News Reports

Allegations of Russian meddling in US elections 'fantasies': Lavrov Press TV 31 Oct 2017 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says allegations of Moscow's meddling in American and European elections are "fantasies."
Who Are The Russia Contacts In The Papadopoulos Plea? RFE/RL 31 Oct 2017 -- According to U.S. court documents unsealed this week, a foreign policy adviser to the campaign of President Donald Trump said he was in contact with Russian officials and had been told during the campaign that Moscow had "dirt" on Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and "thousands of her e-mails."
Kremlin Says Russia Not Accused In U.S. Indictment RFE/RL 31 Oct 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman has emphasized that the Kremlin sees no evidence of accusations of Russian meddling in the indictment handed down to U.S. President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman and an associate.
Facebook, Twitter, Google Facing Tough Questions From Congressional Probes RFE/RL 31 Oct 2017 -- Executives from some of the world's largest social media and Internet companies defended their companies and their policies, as U.S. senators grilled them on misuse of their platforms, in particular by Russia-linked accounts.
Facebook: Half Of U.S. Voters May Have Viewed Russian Political Messages RFE/RL 31 Oct 2017 -- Facebook has found 80,000 posts published by Russia-based operatives that were aimed at swaying U.S. voters, and about 126 million Americans may have viewed those posts over a two-year period.
US Social Media Giants Pledge to Combat Foreign Disinformation VOA 31 Oct 2017 -- Attorneys for Twitter, Facebook and Google on Tuesday told U.S. lawmakers that Russian entities used their platforms to sow discord and disinformation during the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign, but downplayed the magnitude of those efforts.

Spanish court summons Catalan parliament speaker to charge her Press TV 31 Oct 2017 -- Spain's top court has summoned the speaker of the regional parliament in Catalonia to file charges against the secessionist leader.
Spanish Constitutional Court Cancels Catalonia's Declaration of Independence Sputnik 31 Oct 2017 -- The move comes just a day after the Catalan parliament has recognized its dissolution as part of Madrid's measures to impose direct rule over the region after its unilateral declaration of independence dubbed illegal by the Spanish leadership.
Ousted Catalan Leader in Brussels as Spain Seek Charges VOA 31 Oct 2017 -- Spain's High Court Tuesday called for ousted Catalonia President Carles Puigdemont to appear in court on Thursday morning.

Eight dead, several injured in New York truck attack Press TV 31 Oct 2017 -- At least eight people have been killed and several others injured after a vehicle plowed into a pedestrian and cycle path in New York City, US police and local residents say, with reports of gunfire heard in the area.
At Least 8 Killed by New York Motorist in 'Cowardly Act of Terror' VOA 31 Oct 2017 -- At least eight people were killed Tuesday and more than a dozen others were injured when a man drove a rented truck onto a busy bike path in New York City.

North Korea denies involvement in global ransomware attack Press TV 31 Oct 2017 -- North Korea has denounced Britain's allegation that Pyongyang has been involved in a global ransomware attack as a "wicked attempt" to cause an outcry against North Korea.

IRGC commander: Iranians not to succumb to compromise, talks IRNA 31 Oct 2017 -- Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Mohammad-Ali Jafari said the Iranian nation will not be coerced to any compromise and negotiations.
Iran to build 2 nuclear power plants with Russian help: AEOI Chief IRNA 31 Oct 2017 -- Iran started building two new nuclear power plants with the help of Russians, said Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) in Bushehr, southern Iran, on Tuesday.
US sanctions on IRGC pretext for economic pressures on Iran: Comdr IRNA 31 Oct 2017 -- United States intends to put Iran under economic pressures and Washington's attempts to sanction the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps is just a pretext for them to go ahead with their plot, the IRGC commander said on Tuesday.
Iran: No renegotiation on nuclear deal, defense issues IRNA 31 Oct 2017 -- Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani said on Tuesday that Iran will not renegotiate the nuclear deal, or its defense issues.
Iran starts new construction work at Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant ISNA 31 Oct 2017 -- The excavation process for building new sites for the second and third reactors of Bushehr nuclear power plant in southern Iran began on Tuesday.
US seeks to create tension to prevent Iran from reaping nuclear deal benefits: Zarif Press TV 31 Oct 2017 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the US administration cannot use Congress decisions as a smokescreen, stressing that Washington seeks to create obstacles to prevent Iran from benefiting from the multilateral nuclear deal.
UN Nuclear Inspections Chief Sees No Problems Checking Facilities In Iran RFE/RL 31 Oct 2017 -- United Nations nuclear inspectors have encountered no problems in checking facilities in Iran to determine whether Tehran is complying with the 2015 nuclear deal, the head of the UN's atomic energy agency has said.
US Expands Sanctions on Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Sputnik 31 Oct 2017 -- Previously, Iran's elite force, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, vowed to teach the US "new lessons" if sanctioned.

Lebanese security forces dismantle espionage cell working for Mossad Press TV 31 Oct 2017 -- Lebanese security forces have busted an espionage cell in the country, whose members were collecting sensitive information and passing it to the Israeli spy agency Mossad.

China, ROK agree to bring cooperation back to normal "as soon as possible" People's Daily 31 Oct 2017 -- China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) have been maintaining communications on the Korean Peninsula issue through diplomatic channels, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry Tuesday.
China, South Korea agree to improve ties after THAAD row Press TV 31 Oct 2017 -- South Korea and China have agreed to improve ties after a year-long strain over the deployment of an American missile system in South Korea.

Saudi Arabia plans to extract uranium for nuclear program Press TV 31 Oct 2017 -- Saudi Arabia has unveiled plans to extract its own uranium as part of efforts to bolster its nuclear program and attain "self-sufficiency" in the production of "nuclear fuel."

Opposition Journalists' Trial Resumes in Turkey Amid Global Concern VOA 31 Oct 2017 -- Turkey's press freedom record is under international scrutiny with the resumption of the trial of journalists and executives of the Cumhuriyet newspaper, widely seen as the last mainstream newspaper critical of the president and his government. The case is part of an ongoing crackdown after last year's failed coup.

Ukraine's Anticorruption Agency Reportedly Detains Interior Minister's Son RFE/RL 31 Oct 2017 -- Reports from Ukraine say anticorruption investigators have detained the son of Interior Minister Arsen Avakov.

Bahrain imposes entry visas on Qatari nationals, residents Press TV 31 Oct 2017 -- Bahrain says it has decided to impose entry visas on nationals and residents of neighboring Qatar, which has been the center of a persisting crisis in the Persian Gulf region, triggered by a Saudi-led quartet of countries that accuse Doha of purported funding and supporting "terrorism."

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