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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Fatalities confirmed as Kabul hotel siege drama 'ends' Press TV 21 Jan 2018 -- A militant attack on a luxury hotel in the Afghan capital of Kabul has ended, leaving eighteen people dead, among them 14 foreigners, according to Afghan officials.
• Standoff in Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul Over, 43 People Killed - Reports Sputnik 21 Jan 2018 -- The attack took place late Saturday, claiming the lives of at least 43 people.
• Terrorist attack on Kabul hotel 'a moral outrage' - UN envoy for Afghanistan UN News 21 Jan 2018 -- Condemning a terrorist attack on a hotel in the Afghan capital, Kabul, the head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in the country (UNAMA) has said that the attack may amount to a war crime.
• Afghan Forces End Deadly Kabul Hotel Siege VOA 21 Jan 2018 -- Afghan commando forces have ended an overnight siege at Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel that resulted in the deaths of at least 18 people, including 14 foreign nationals.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Army to hold Mohammad Rasoulallah drills in south Iran IRNA 21 Jan 2018 -- Iran's deputy army commander for coordination said on Sunday that military exercises code-named Mohammad Rasoulallah (PBUH) will be launched Monday in the country's south, southeast, and southern Makran regions and northern coastline of the Sea of Oman.
• Iranian Army to hold joint military drills in south-eastern Iran ISNA 21 Jan 2018 -- The Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran will hold joint military drills on Monday January 22, 2018 in the operational areas of south and south-east of the country in the Makran coastal strip and Sea of Oman.
• Iran Army to stage massive military drills along Makran coast: Commander Press TV 21 Jan 2018 -- Iran's Army says is planning to hold large-scale joint military exercises in a vast area along the Makran coastal strip, including the shores of the Sea of Oman, in the country's southern and southeastern regions, a senior commander says.
• Taiwan's 2nd Apache combat squadron to enter service in mid-2018 CNA 21 Jan 2018 -- Taiwan's second squadron of Apache attack helicopters is likely to enter service later this year after the first combat squadron was commissioned last year under the Army Aviation and Special Forces Command, an army officer said Sunday.
• Berlin Halts Sale of Weapons to Yemen War Belligerents Sputnik 21 Jan 2018 -- Berlin has halted all weapons sales to Riyadh and its allies, in part due to the latter's prosecution of an ongoing war in Yemen that is killing civilians by the thousands.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Amid unprecedented needs, UN, aid partners launch largest consolidated humanitarian appeal for Yemen UN News 21 Jan 2018 -- With the crisis in war-ravaged Yemen continuing to deteriorate, United Nations agencies and humanitarian partners have launched a $2.96 billion response plan to reach over 13 million people with lifesaving assistance.
• Erdogan vows Turkish troops will crush YPG Kurdish militants in northern Syria Press TV 21 Jan 2018 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed that his troops would crush the US-backed Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia in Syria, saying the militant group could not rely on Washington's support to defeat the Anatolian country.
• Iran calls for immediate cessation of Turkey's operations in Syria Press TV 21 Jan 2018 -- Iran says it is closely monitoring Turkish military assault on Syria's northwestern region of Afrin, calling for the swift cessation of the operation in the Arab country.
• France urges Turkey to stop war in Syria, calls for UNSC meeting on 'humanitarian risks' Press TV 21 Jan 2018 -- France has strongly urged Turkey to end its major offensive in Syria and called for a UN Security Council meeting to be held on the "humanitarian risks" of the new military intervention in the war-torn country.
• Turkey continues Syria offensive, hits 150 targets in Afrin Press TV 21 Jan 2018 -- Turkey pushes ahead with its operation against US-backed Kurdish militants based in Afrin, saying its forces have crossed into the northwestern Syrian city and hit over 150 Kurdish militant targets so far.
• Turkish City Reyhanli Hit by Rocket Attack From Afrin: 1 Killed, 32 Wounded Sputnik 21 Jan 2018 -- The Turkish city of Reyhanli was reportedly hit by a rocket fire from the territory of Syrian Afrin on Sunday, killing one and injuring 32 people.
• Iran, Egypt Calls for End of Turkish 'Disruptive' Offensive in Syria Sputnik 21 Jan 2018 -- Iran has called on Turkey to end its offensive in Syria's Afrin as it may help terrorists in the region, state news agency IRNA reported Sunday.
• Erdogan Vows to Eliminate PKK, YPG, PYD, Urges US to Refrain From Provocations Sputnik 21 Jan 2018 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has addressed the United States, blaming them for supporting the Kurdish militia in Syria.
• Erdogan: Turkey to Quickly Conclude Op in Syria as Terrorists Already Fleeing Sputnik 21 Jan 2018 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has commented on the progress of the country's ongoing military operation dubbed Olive Branch in the Syrian city of Afrin.
• Situation on Turkish-Syrian Border on Second Day of Ankara's Military Operation Sputnik 21 Jan 2018 -- The Turkish General Staff announced the launch of the military offensive dubbed Olive Branch in Syria's city of Afrin on January 20. Meanwhile, Ankara started a ground operation in the area at 11:05 local time [08:05 GMT] on Sunday.
• Turkey to Create 30-Km Security Zone in Syria, PM Confirms Start of Ground Op Sputnik 21 Jan 2018 -- Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has confirmed the beginning of a ground operation in Syria's Afrin, the NTV broadcaster said Sunday.
• Turkish Military Enters Syrian Afrin For Ground Operation - Reports Sputnik 21 Jan 2018 -- Turkish tanks and military personnel have entered Syrian territory amid preparations for the ground operation in Syrian northern district of Afrin, the Yeni Safak newspaper reported on Sunday.
• Olive Branch: Turkey Preparing Ground Offensive Against YPG in Syria - Reports Sputnik 21 Jan 2018 -- Turkish tanks have reportedly reached the outskirts of the Syrian town of Azaz and are moving toward the Kurdish stronghold of Afrin, Bloomberg reported, citing local media outlets and its sources.
• Mattis: Turkey Alerted US Before Striking Kurds in Syria VOA 21 Jan 2018 -- Turkey alerted the United States before striking a U.S.-allied Kurdish militia in northern Syria, according to U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.
• Turkey Steps Up Offensive Against Syrian Kurdish Militia Amid Growing Diplomatic Pressure VOA 21 Jan 2018 -- Turkish land forces have advanced into Syria trying to push a Kurdish militia out of the Afrin area. Over 40 targets were hit by Turkish jets and artillery, and there are reports of civilian casualities.
• Iran: Turkey operation must not harm Syria's sovereignty Press TV 21 Jan 2018 -- Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri says Turkish military operations in Syria's northwestern region of Afrin must not harm the Arab country's territorial integrity, independence and national sovereignty.
• Assad blasts Turkey's support for terror groups in Syria Press TV 21 Jan 2018 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has condemned Turkish military operation in the country's northwestern region of Afrin, stating that the offensive is part of Ankara's support for Takfiri terrorist groups operating inside the conflict-plagued Arab country.
• Russia: US arms deliveries to Syria militants prompted Turkey's offensive Press TV 21 Jan 2018 -- The Russian Defense Ministry has accused the US of fueling tensions in northern Syria by supplying arms to militant groups.
• US Unilateral Actions in Syria Provoked Turkey to Fury - Moscow Sputnik 21 Jan 2018 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has pointed to the United States' "destructive role in foreign affairs" in an interview with Russia's Kommersant newspaper.
• Turkish Op in Afrin is Part of Ankara's Strategy to Support Terrorists - Assad Sputnik 21 Jan 2018 -- According to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Turkish offensive in Afrin is part of Ankara's strategy based on supporting terrorists.
• Syrian FM: US persisting Syria intervention IRNA 21 Jan 2018 -- Despite significant developments in Syria, the US is still insisting on intervention in the country, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said.
• Iran underscores protecting Syria territorial integrity IRNA 21 Jan 2018 -- Iran emphasizes maintaining territorial integrity of Syria and respecting the national sovereignty of the country, Foreign Ministry spokesman said.
• Syria forces totally liberate vital airbase in Idlib: Army Press TV 21 Jan 2018 -- Syria says it has totally liberated the strategic military airbase of Abu al-Duhur in the northwestern province of Idlib, wresting full control over the key airbase after flushing out militants from the area.
• Syrian Army Retakes Abu Duhur Airfield Controlled by Militants Since 2015 - MoD Sputnik 21 Jan 2018 -- Syrian government troops have retaken the Abu Dhuhur airfield in Idlib province, which has been controlled by militants since September 2015, the Russian Defense Ministry said Sunday.
• Pence Visits Jordan on Mideast Peace Mission VOA 21 Jan 2018 -- Jordan's King Abdullah expressed concern about Washington's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in talks with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence.
• US Vice President Pence arrives in Israel to discuss Trump's al-Quds decision Press TV 21 Jan 2018 -- Hailed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a "great friend," US Vice President Mike Pence has arrived in Tel Aviv as part of a Middle East tour revolving around Washington's recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as the capital of Israel.
• Bangladesh tells Rohingya refugees they may lose food ration if stay Press TV 21 Jan 2018 -- Tension mounts at refugee camps in southeastern Bangladesh, where thousands of persecuted Rohingya Muslims are expected to be repatriated to Myanmar, after Bangladesh threatened to cut their food ration if they do not leave the country.
• WFP Warns Food Shortages in Myanmar's Rakhine State VOA 21 Jan 2018 -- The World Food Program warns food shortages and undernutrition in Myanmar's Rakhine State are seriously affecting the health of women and children.
• UN tribunal for former Yugoslavia leaves behind culture of accountability, says Guterres UN News 21 Jan 2018 -- The United Nations tribunal dealing with atrocities committed during the Balkans wars of 1990s has been a pioneer in creating the contemporary architecture of international criminal justice, and "gave a voice to victims," Secretary-General António Guterres said Thursday.

News Reports

• South Korea welcomes North's participation in Olympics Press TV 21 Jan 2018 -- Authorities in South Korea have welcomed North Korea's participation in the Winter Olympics as a major step toward settlement of disputes between the two neighbors, especially those concerning Pyongyang's development of weapons.
• Tillerson To Make European Tour With Iran High On Agenda RFE/RL 21 Jan 2018 -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is due to arrive in London later on January 21 on the first leg of a weeklong trip to Europe that will also take him to Paris, Warsaw, and the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
• Iraqi Kurdistan oil exports must be under Baghdad control: PM Abadi Press TV 21 Jan 2018 -- The Iraqi prime minister has called on the country's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region to stop independent oil exports, saying the crude produced there must be placed under the central government's control.
• Taiwan delays approval of Chinese flights over safety concerns: DPP CNA 21 Jan 2018 -- Taiwan withheld approval for two China-based airlines to operate extra cross-Taiwan Strait flights during the Lunar New Year period to highlight safety concerns over Beijing's unilateral launch of the M503 northbound route and three east-west extension routes, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said Sunday.
• Greeks Protest Use Of 'Macedonia' In Name Dispute With Skopje RFE/RL 21 Jan 2018 -- Thousands of people have taken to the streets of the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki for a protest in a 27-year-old dispute over the name of the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia.
• Fake News Kicks Into High Gear In Czech Presidential Runoff RFE/RL 21 Jan 2018 -- In the first round of the Czech presidential election earlier this month, Jiri Drahos was variously portrayed - without substantiation - as a pedophile, a thief, and a communist collaborator.
• UN Calls on All Parties in Honduras to Refrain from Violence VOA 21 Jan 2018 -- The U.N. human rights office is calling on all parties in Honduras to refrain from violence amid heightened tensions over the country's disputed presidential election.