04 December 2017 Military News

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OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 04 Dec 2017[PDF]

Officials Provide Details of Latest Strikes Against ISIS AFPS 04 Dec 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, conducting 33 strikes consisting of 49 engagements between Dec. 1 and yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

Explainer: Taliban 'Special Forces Unit' Bursts Into Spotlight With Deadly Attacks RFE/RL 04 Dec 2017 -- On the increasingly crowded battlefields of Afghanistan, a feared, commando-style Taliban unit is gaining attention for a series spectacular, deadly attacks on Afghan security forces.

Defense Policy / Programs

US military families must evacuate South Korea: Sen. Graham Press TV 04 Dec 2017 -- US military families living in South Korea must leave the country as soon as possible, warns Senator Lindsey Graham, amid a missile standoff with North Korea that the lawmaker says risks military confrontation.
U.S., South Korean Militaries Launch Joint Air Exercises RFE/RL 04 Dec 2017 -- The U.S. and South Korean militaries have begun their largest-ever joint air exercise with five-day Vigilant Ace maneuvers involving more than 230 aircraft.

US, eight partner nations participate in world's largest combined airborne operation Army News 04 Dec 2017 -- The U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) is hosting the 20th Annual Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop, which is the largest international airborne operation conducted worldwide. U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 350th Human Resources Company supported the event.
Readout of Secretary Mattis' Meeting With the Pakistan Prime Minister and Minister of Defense DoD 04 Dec 2017
Number of Integrated Air and Missile Defense WTIs Grow to Over 100 Fleet Wide - More Needed to Meet Fleet Demand NNS 04 Dec 2017 -- Twenty officers graduated from Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center's (SMWDC) Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI) course during a ceremony held at the Aegis Training and Readiness Center (ATRC) at Naval Support Facility Dahlgren, Dec. 1.
US Sailors and Marines to Embark Aboard French Vessel NNS 04 Dec 2017 -- Sailors and Marines from Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51, 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (TF 51/5) and 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked French Mistral-class amphibious assault ship LHD Tonnerre to conduct amphibious and maritime security operations within U.S. 5th Fleet, Dec. 4.
USS San Diego Departs Souda Bay, Greece NNS 04 Dec 2017 -- The amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22) departed Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece, Nov. 30 after a scheduled port visit.
Iwo Jima Conducts Largest Replenishment in 2 Years NNS 04 Dec 2017 -- Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) conducted their largest replenishment-at-sea in more than two years Dec. 1, receiving 181 pallets of supplies from the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Big Horn (T-AO 19).
AF Installation Cyberattack Plans put to the test during national grid exercise AFNS 04 Dec 2017 -- Recently, 32 Air Force installations and representatives from Headquarters Air Force took part in the two-day national Grid Security Exercise IV, or GridEx IV, to simulate a coordinated response to cyber and physical security threats to North America's electricity grid and other critical infrastructure.

Secretary General: Alliance to further boost cooperation with EU NATO 04 Dec 2017 -- NATO foreign ministers are to hold two days of talks beginning Tuesday (5 December 2017) to discuss the Alliance's continuing adaptation in the face of diverse and evolving security challenges.
NATO Deputy Secretary General participates in the Rome Mediterranean Dialogues NATO 04 Dec 2017 -- NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller visited Rome on Friday (1 December) to participate in this year's MED-Mediterranean Dialogues, addressing security challenges facing the Middle East and North Africa. Speaking on a panel with officials from Morocco, Turkey, and the UK, she emphasised the importance of cooperation for securing peace in the region.
US Using Political Pressure to Draw Balkans Into NATO - Russian Foreign Ministry Sputnik 04 Dec 2017 -- The director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Department of European Cooperation has explained to Sputnik Moscow's position on NATO expansion in the Baltics and the UN peacekeeping mission in Donbass.
NATO Chief Says Alliance Will Maintain Focus Despite Tillerson 'Rumors' RFE/RL 04 Dec 2017 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has praised Rex Tillerson for what he called a "strong personal commitment" to the alliance and said "rumors" that the U.S. secretary of state could lose his job would not affect meetings this week in Brussels.

First Afghan UH-60 pilots graduate AFNS 04 Dec 2017 -- Six Afghan Air Force members became the first ever AAF UH-60 Black Hawk pilots, after graduation from Aircraft Qualification Training during a ceremony at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Nov. 20, 2017.

Chinese aircraft conduct airdrop drill in South China Sea People's Daily 04 Dec 2017 -- A fleet of Chinese Y-9 aircraft has conducted an airdrop drill over an island in the South China Sea, according to a statement from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force.
Yun-9 'ready for combat' after training in S.China Sea People's Daily 04 Dec 2017 -- The domestic-made medium-sized military transport aircraft Yun-9 is ready for combat mission, which will boost China's effort in safeguarding maritime rights, military experts said on Sunday after the aircraft completed exercises in the South China Sea.
China Sends Message to US, South Korea With New Air Force Drills Sputnik 04 Dec 2017 -- The US and South Korean air forces kicked off major aerial drills on Monday on the Korean Peninsula, but it appears China's People's Liberation Army Air Force has also been war gaming in the region – and possibly sending a message to South Korea and the US to back off.

North Korea: US, South Korea drills all-out provocation Press TV 04 Dec 2017 -- Tensions simmer on the Korean peninsula as Pyongyang describes the US and South Korea's largest ever aerial drills as an "all-out provocation."
Red Line for North Korea Questioned Amid Massive War Games VOA 04 Dec 2017 -- As the United States and South Korean air forces on Monday launched their largest ever joint drills, questions are being raised whether North Korea's missile test has shown it has already crossed what Seoul deems a "red line" – having a nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile –and what can be done about it.

India's Homemade Specialty Alloy to Drastically Cut BrahMos Cost Sputnik 04 Dec 2017 -- Indian defense scientists consider it a major achievement, as the BrahMos missile utilizes five different grades of wrought aluminum alloys in eight different semi-product forms, which are developed in nine different heat treatment conditions.

Iran's missile programs are not negotiable: FM spokesman ISNA 04 Dec 2017 -- Certainly, Iran is taking a firm stand on its defense and missile programs and such issues are not negotiable, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi emphasized.
Iran tells France missile capability non-negotiable Press TV 04 Dec 2017 -- Iran has advised France to be careful in its views about the Islamic Republic after President Emmanuel Macron called for talks on Tehran's ballistic missiles.
Non-Negotiable: Iran Refuses to Discuss Its Ballistic Missile Program Sputnik 04 Dec 2017 -- Tehran has responded to Paris' idea of adding the Iranian missile program to the 2015 nuclear deal. The Islamic Republic reiterated its stance that the issue of its missile program is beyond debate.

Pentagon Chief: Pakistan Must 'Redouble' Efforts to Fight Extremism at Home Sputnik 04 Dec 2017 -- US Secretary of Defense James Mattis has urged Pakistani leaders to "redouble" their efforts against militant and terrorist groups operating out of their country. The US has accused Islamabad of weakness in its response to Islamic extremism, a charge to which Pakistan has taken exception.
Mattis Tells Pakistan to 'Redouble' Efforts to Confront Militants, Terrorists VOA 04 Dec 2017 -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis urged Pakistan on Monday to redouble its efforts to confront militants and terrorists operating within the country, emphasizing "the vital role" Islamabad can play to work with Washington to facilitate a peace process in Afghanistan.

CIA chief: Saudi, Israel may set up 'joint military headquarters' Press TV 04 Dec 2017 -- CIA Director Mike Pompeo says Saudi Arabia is working directly with Israel on confronting "challenges" in the Middle East, suggesting that the two sides could go as far as setting up "a joint military headquarters."
'Joint Military HQ' Would Help Israel, Saudi Arabia Fight Terrorism - CIA Head Sputnik 04 Dec 2017 -- Strained relations with Iran and the common threat of terrorism are the factors building a bridge between Saudi Arabia and Israel, according to Mike Pompeo.

NCSIST, private sector form company for defense technology transfers CNA 04 Dec 2017 -- The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) and the private sector have formed a joint venture company to transfer technological know-how from NCSIST to the commercial market, Ministry of National Defense (MND) spokesman Chen Chung-ji (陳中吉) said Monday.

Missing Argentine Sub's Crew Informed About Device's Failure in Sept. - Reports Sputnik 04 Dec 2017 -- While relatives of the missing submarine's crew demand the continuation of searches for possible survivors, new details about the sub's technical state have emerged.

Committee of Permanent Representatives of OIC Member States Issues Final Communique on Attempts to Change Legal and Historical Status of Al-Quds and to Transfer Diplomatic Missions Thereto SPA 04 Dec 2017 -- The extraordinary meeting at the level of permanent representatives of OIC Member States, held at the request of the State of Palestine at the headquarters of OIC in Jeddah on Monday to consider the US Administration's leaning towards changing the legal and historical status of the city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, expressed concern at attempts to change the historical and legal status of the occupied City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and to transfer diplomatic missions thereto, and condemned the statements, positions and resolutions aimed at changing the status of the occupied city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif.
AL Council Extraordinary Meeting to Cement Pan-Arab Anti-Terrorism System, Kicks off SPA 04 Dec 2017 -- Under the chairmanship of Saudi Ambassador to Egypt and the Kingdom Permanent Representative to the Arab League (AL) Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Qattan, AL Council extraordinary meeting kicked off here today, at the permanent representative level, to discuss bolstering Pan-Arab anti-terrorism system, in the presence of the AL Secretary General Ahmed Abulgheit.

Press Gaggle by Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley en route Washington, D.C., 12/4/2017 The White House 04 Dec 2017

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for December 04, 2017

Other Conflicts

4 December 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 04 Dec 2017

Yemen's ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh killed: Interior Ministry Press TV 04 Dec 2017 -- Yemen's Interior Ministry has issued a statement confirming the death of the country's ousted president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, during clashes in capital Sana'a.
Yemen's Ex-President Saleh Reported Killed In Fighting RFE/RL 04 Dec 2017 -- Yemen's rebel-controlled Interior Ministry says that ex-President Ali Abdullah Saleh, a former ally turned adversary of the Huthi rebel militia, has been killed.
Yemeni Houthi Rebels Blow Up Ex-President Saleh's House - Reports Sputnik 04 Dec 2017 -- Photos and an extremely graphic video allegedly showing the corpse of Ali Abdullah Saleh has surfaced on social media, however, authenticity of the footage and the identity of the man are yet to be confirmed by the authorities.its
Yemen Gov't Ready to Offer Amnesty to Those Who Cut Ties With Houthi Rebels - PM Sputnik 04 Dec 2017 -- The announcement comes after the former ally of Houthi rebels, ex-Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, announced that he was ready to turn "a new page" in relations with the Saudi-led coalition.
President Hadi Urges Yemen to Unite Against Houthis After Saleh's Death - Media Sputnik 04 Dec 2017 -- The Houthis have allegedly gained control over Sanaa announcing the "end of crisis" earlier in the day after the six-days clashes with the forces loyal to the murdered ex-President Saleh.
Unverified Graphic Footage Allegedly Shows Corpse of Yemen's Ex-President Saleh Sputnik 04 Dec 2017 -- Photos and video appeared shortly after reports from a Houthi commander to Sputnik Arabic about the killing of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh on Monday.
Yemen's Former President Saleh Killed After Houthis Stop His Motorcade VOA 04 Dec 2017 -- It was a bitter end for the former president who had ruled the north of Yemen and then a united north and south for nearly 34 years. His death came at the hand of Houthi militiamen who were pursuing him and a number of close aides as they attempted to flee fighting inside the capital Sanaa. Amateur video released by Houthi media show the former president with an apparent gunshot wound to the head, being carried off in a blanket.
Airstrikes, Battles in Yemen's Capital as Rebel Alliance Unravels VOA 04 Dec 2017 -- Airstrikes struck Yemen's capital, Sana'a, overnight and into Monday with witnesses saying the bombings hit Houthi rebel positions.
Al Mayadeen: Yemen confirms ex-president Saleh killed IRNA 04 Dec 2017 -- Yemeni interior ministry on Monday confirmed that former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has been killed in clashes with the country's popular forces, the Arabic-language media reported.
Houthi: We managed to thwart major threat to Yemen's security Press TV 04 Dec 2017 -- Leader of Yemen's Ansarullah movement, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, says the movement has managed to thwart a major threat to the country's security by defeating the plot hatched by former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, and his forces.
Yemen's ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh not honest in defending nation: Ansarullah Press TV 04 Dec 2017 -- Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement says the country's former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, "was not honest" in his confrontation with the Saudi-led military coalition as he was collaborating covertly with Riyadh, describing Saleh's era as the "worst" in Yemen's history.
Paramount that civilians are protected in Yemen, underscores UN UN News 04 Dec 2017 -- Voicing concern over the dramatic escalation in fighting in the Yemeni capital, Sana'a, and surrounding areas, that have reportedly killed about one hundred people and injured many more, the United Nations called on the parties to the conflict to uphold their obligations under international law and ensure that civilians are not harmed.

Syria govt. still unsure to participate in Geneva talks Press TV 04 Dec 2017 -- A source close to the Syrian government says Damascus is still unsure whether to participate in the eighth round of the UN-mediated peace talks in Geneva.
Ankara Steps Up Threats Against Syrian Kurdish Enclave VOA 04 Dec 2017 -- For security reasons, Turkey is ratcheting up its threat to intervene militarily against Kurdish forces in Afrin, a Syrian region on Turkey's border.
'Tens of Thousands' of Unexploded IEDs Remain in Raqqa VOA 04 Dec 2017 -- It will take years to remove improvised explosive devices left behind by Islamic State fighters who fled Raqqa, the Syrian city that served as the capital of the terror group's self-declared caliphate.<
Calls for disbanding Iraq's PMU, sign of new plot against Mideast: Iran official Press TV 04 Dec 2017 -- Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani says calls for disbanding Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) indicate a new plot aimed at bringing back insecurity to the Middle East.

UN voices support for Somali Government's efforts at first-ever security conference in Mogadishu UN News 04 Dec 2017 -- At Somalia's first-ever security conference, hosted by the country's Federal President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed "Farmaajo" in the capital, Mogadishu, participants agreed to speed up security sector reform and develop a plan to transfer primary responsibility for the country's security from the United Nations-backed African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to its own security forces.

Congo mobilized former militants to suppress anti-government protests: HRW Press TV 04 Dec 2017 -- Human Rights Watch says the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) mobilized former militants from Uganda and Rwanda last year to suppress protests against President Joseph Kabila, who refused to step down at the end of his constitutionally mandated two-term limit.

Muslims mull emergency meetings on Trump's move against al-Quds Press TV 04 Dec 2017 -- Jordan has initiated a diplomatic campaign to mobilize Arab and Muslim states against an expected US move to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's capital.
Arab Leaders Warn Against US Recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli Capital VOA 04 Dec 2017 -- Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi says he told U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson of the "dangerous consequences" that would follow if the United States recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
Quds status change to lead to catastrophe, Turkey warns Press TV 04 Dec 2017 -- Turkish authorities have warned that any change in the current status of Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem al-Quds, as proposed by the United States, would lead to a major catastrophe in the region.

Egyptian forces kill 5 militants northeast of Cairo Press TV 04 Dec 2017 -- Egyptian security forces have killed five suspected militants during a raid on a desert hideout to the northeast of the capital Cairo.
Analysts: Egypt Needs Comprehensive Strategy to Counter Growing Insurgency in Sinai Peninsula VOA 04 Dec 2017 -- Faced with a growing threat from terrorists, Egypt needs a better approach to combat the issue, some leading Washington-based anti-terrorism experts told VOA.

S. Sudanese Opposition Politicians, Activists Embrace 'Troika' Statement VOA 04 Dec 2017 -- South Sudanese activists and opposition politicians say they welcome the decision by the United States, the United Kingdom and Norway to support a revitalization forum on South Sudan's 2015 peace agreement, set to start later this month Addis Ababa.

News Reports

Trump Had Been Told Flynn Had Misled FBI, Reports Say VOA 04 Dec 2017 -- The White House's chief lawyer told President Donald Trump in January he believed then-national security adviser Michael Flynn had misled the Federal Bureau of Investigation and lied to Vice President Mike Pence and should be fired, "a source familiar with the matter" said Monday, reported CNN.

Kremlin Asserts Putin Was Not Influenced By Flynn-Kislyak Meeting RFE/RL 04 Dec 2017 -- The Kremlin says that Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to hold off on retaliating against new U.S. sanctions last year was made "absolutely independently," without any influence by Michael Flynn.

Zimbabwe's New President Mnangagwa Swears In Cabinet VOA 04 Dec 2017 -- Zimbabwe's new president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has sworn in his Cabinet. He immediately called for unity as his government attends to the broken economy.
Zimbabwe's new president urges public unity to revive ailing economy Press TV 04 Dec 2017 -- Zimbabwe's new president has called for public unity to revive the African country's ailing economy as his new cabinet took the oath of office.

EU Commissioner Tells Bosnia 'High Time' To Make Reforms RFE/RL 04 Dec 2017 -- The European Union's enlargement commissioner has urged Bosnia-Herzegovina to implement concrete reforms if it wants to join the bloc, warning that the window to becoming a member could close.

Critics: Tanzania's Magufuli Bulldozes Too Much VOA 04 Dec 2017 -- In his two years in office, President John Magufuli has brought many changes to Tanzania, though critics say not all of them are for the better.

France, Germany Want Iran To Reverse Regional 'Hegemonic Temptations' RFE/RL 04 Dec 2017 -- The French foreign minister has said France and Germany agree that Iran must "roll back" its ballistic-missile program and its "hegemonic temptations" across the Middle East.

Erdogan Accuses US of Attempts to Punish Turkey Over Ankara's Independence Sputnik 04 Dec 2017 -- Turkish President claims that was acting inside Turkey with the help of Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen's movement, saying that Washington is trying to punish and compromise Ankara.

Russian Prosecutors Seek 10-Year Sentence For Ex-Economy Minister RFE/RL 04 Dec 2017 -- Russian prosecutors have recommended a 10-year prison term for former Economy Minister Aleksei Ulyukayev for extortion, while the defendant asked the court to acquit him and called for perjury charges against the head of state oil giant Rosneft.

Britain, EU Fail to Reach Brexit Divorce Pact VOA 04 Dec 2017 -- Britain and the European Union failed Monday to reach a Brexit divorce deal, but their leaders remained optimistic that they would reach an accord within days.

Afghan lawmakers approve 11 cabinet nominees, reject one after months of stalemate Press TV 04 Dec 2017 -- Afghanistan's parliament has approved nearly a dozen nominees for ministerial posts after months of deadlock in the embattled unity government.

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