29 January 2018 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 29 Jan 2018 [PDF]

US has no plan to withdraw troops from Syria's Manbij: General Press TV 29 Jan 2018 -- The United States has no plans to pull out troops stationed near the town of Manbij in northern Syria despite warnings from Turkey to remove its forces immediately.
US Has No Plan to Withdraw From Syrian Manbij, Despite Turkey's Warning Sputnik 29 Jan 2018 -- After launching its Olive Branch operation in Syria's Afrin, the Turkish authorities said that the operation was likely to expand towards the neighboring city of Manbij, where the US has some 2,000 of its military personnel deployed.

Trump Rules Out Talks with Taliban VOA 29 Jan 2018 -- President Donald Trump says the U.S. doesn't want to talk to the Afghan Taliban, following a string of deadly attacks in Afghanistan.
Gunmen attack army post in Kabul, clash with Afghan soldiers Press TV 29 Jan 2018 -- Gunmen have launched a pre-dawn attack on an army outpost guarding a military academy in the Afghan capital, Kabul, engaging in heavy clashes with security forces there.
Eleven Afghan Soldiers Killed In Predawn Attack On Army Post RFE/RL 29 Jan 2018 -- The Afghan Defense Ministry says militants struck an army compound near the country's main military academy in Kabul, killing at least 11 soldiers and wounding 16 others.
Trump rules out peace talks with Taliban Press TV 29 Jan 2018 -- President Donald Trump says the United States is not ready to hold peace talks with Taliban militants, following a wave of massive terrorist attacks in Kabul, Afghanistan's capital.
Statement by the NATO Secretary General following Afghanistan's national mourning day NATO 29 Jan 2018

Defense Policy / Programs

Feinstein, Senators Fear Trump Administration Nuclear Posture Review Policies 'Raise the Real Possibility of Nuclear Conflict' Senator Feinstein 29 Jan 2018 -- Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) today led a dozen of their Senate colleagues in calling on President Donald Trump to reconsider policies outlined in a leaked draft of its Nuclear Posture Review that would lead to the development of new nuclear weapons and reintroduction of Cold War-era weapons systems that would be unnecessary and destabilizing.

Partnership Flight Symposium enhances cooperation between 13 countries AFNS 29 Jan 2018 -- The U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa hosted the first-ever Partnership Flight Symposium combining both African and European military aeromedical teams at Ramstein Air Base, Jan. 16-19, 2018.
DoD Studying Implications of Wearable Devices Giving Too Much Info AFPS 29 Jan 2018 -- Defense Department officials are studying security issues raised by physical conditioning trackers that also can be used to track service members' whereabouts, a Pentagon spokesman told reporters today.
Redesigned Army Uniforms site provides guidance for Soldiers on combat, service, PT uniforms Army News 29 Jan 2018 -- The U.S. Army's uniforms are ubiquitous around the globe for what they represent: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and professional courage. Whether a Soldier is wearing the Operational Camouflage Pattern combat uniform, the formal Service Uniform, or the physical fitness uniform, he or she knows the power of the image that the uniform conveys.
Former SecDef Hagel, Army historians dispel Tet Offensive myths Army News 29 Jan 2018 -- Around midnight on Jan. 30, 1968, Vietcong and North Vietnamese Army troops began a massive surprise attack on U.S., South Vietnamese and allied forces across South Vietnam.
Okinawa-based Marines refine their skills during Exercise Samurai USMC News 29 Jan 2018 -- Marines with Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division participated in a five-day exercise called Samurai, Jan. 22-26, 2018.
USS Wyoming Arrives at NNSY for an Engineered Refueling Overhaul NNS 29 Jan 2018 -- USS Wyoming (SSBN-742) arrived at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) Jan. 9 for its 27-month Engineered Refueling Overhaul (ERO). As a critical piece in the country's nuclear deterrence strategy, the submarine will be refueled and upgraded during this major availability.
USS Missouri Arrives in Pearl Harbor NNS 29 Jan 2018 -- The Pearl Harbor submarine community welcomed the crew of 160 Sailors and officers, along with their families, of the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Missouri (SSN 780) to Pearl Harbor following a successful homeport change from Groton, Connecticut, Jan. 26.
Stennis Completes CART II NNS 29 Jan 2018 -- Sailors aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) completed their Command Assessment for Readiness and Training (CART) phase II, Jan. 25.
Seabees Train Security Operations NNS 29 Jan 2018 -- Seabees concluded a week-long detachment site security exercise on board Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, Mississippi on January 26, 2017.
USS Michael Murphy Conducts PASSEX with French Navy NNS 29 Jan 2018 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) and French frigate FNS Vendemiaire conducted a passing exercise (PASSEX), Jan. 29.
U.S. Navy, RSNF conclude underwater MCM engagement exercise Indigo Response 18 NNS 29 Jan 2018 -- Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) and U.S. Navy explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians wrapped up a week of advanced training during underwater mine countermeasures (MCM) exercise Indigo Response 18, Jan. 25.
Germany, Norway Join HST Strike Group NNS 29 Jan 2018 -- Two coalition naval vessels arrived at Norfolk naval base Jan. 26 and 28, to conduct training and operations as part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HST CSG).

Russia Intercepts US Spy Plane in International Airspace Over Black Sea Sputnik 29 Jan 2018 -- The Russian Defense Ministry has confirmed that one of their Su-27 fighter jets intercepted a US Navy EP-3 Aries surveillance plane in international airspace over the Black Sea on Monday. The Pentagon slammed the interception as "unsafe," but Moscow replied that they took "all necessary precautions" to avoid a hazardous situation.

Norway's Gap to NATO Demands Widens Following Drop in Defense Spending Sputnik 29 Jan 2018 -- Despite being among the world leaders in military spending per capita, Norway is still falling short of NATO's target for member states of at least 2 percent of GDP and is falling farther below the bar, as defense expenditures are predicted to fall further.

US delivers more Black Hawk choppers to Jordan Press TV 29 Jan 2018 -- The United States has delivered more Black Hawk helicopters to Jordan as part of an alleged plan to bolster the country's borders against terrorist groups in Syria.

Russia, China no military threat to Australia: Foreign Minister Bishop People's Daily 29 Jan 2018 -- Australia never regards Russia and China as its military threat, announced Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop Monday morning, denying the China Threat comments by some Australian leaders.
Australia unveils plan to become one of world's top 10 arms exporters Press TV 29 Jan 2018 -- Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has put forth a controversial plan to boost the military industry and make the country one of the world's top arms exporters.

MND plays down concerns over possible app leaks CNA 29 Jan 2018 -- In response to a recent U.S. daily report that a fitness tracker app widely used by military personnel could potentially expose the location of Taiwan's missile command center, Taiwan's military Monday brushed off such concerns but also promised to enhance personnel security.

Chinese Military Plane Crashes During Training - Air Force Sputnik 29 Jan 2018 -- A Chinese military aircraft crashed during a training session in Guizhou province in Southwest China, the nation's Air Force said in a statement on Monday.

US firm halts repair of Abrams tanks in Iraq over Hashd al-Sha'abi Press TV 29 Jan 2018 -- The United States has suspended a maintenance program for Abrams tanks in Iraq because one of the military vehicles has been allegedly provided to the popular Hashd al-Sha'abi force, according to Iraqi press.

US Explores Ties With Controversial Indonesian Army Unit VOA 29 Jan 2018 -- Human rights supporters are concerned by the potential relationship between the American military and an Indonesian special forces unit that has been linked to human rights abuses in East Timor, Aceh, and Papua.

Background Briefing on the Secretary's Travel to Austin, Texas; Mexico City, Mexico; San Carlos Bariloche, Argentina; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Lima, Peru; Bogota, Colombia; and Kingston, Jamaica US Dept. of State 29 Jan 2018
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Sarah Sanders The White House 29 Jan 2018

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for January 29, 2018

Other Conflicts

29 January 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 29 Jan 2018
Hunger continues to intensify in conflict zones, UN agencies report to Security Council UN News 29 Jan 2018 -- Food insecurity – or lack of access to enough food – continues to worsen in places torn by conflict, United Nations agencies reported Monday, listing Yemen, South Sudan and Syria among the countries most affected by acute hunger.

Yemen's former president: Clashes in country's south nothing short of a coup Press TV 29 Jan 2018 -- Yemen's former president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi has said that the outbreak of fighting between UAE-backed separatists and Saudi-backed forces in the country's southern regions is nothing short of a coup.
Arab Coalition Urges Yemeni Gov't, Opposition to Stop Clashes, Return to Talks Sputnik 29 Jan 2018 -- The Yemeni conflict that has been raging since 2015 between the government forces and Houthi rebels, saw a new round last week, with former allies from the part of the pro-governmental forces pushing back against each other.
Southern Separatists, Forces Loyal to Yemeni President Clash in Aden VOA 29 Jan 2018 -- Arab media is reporting scattered clashes around Yemen's southern interim capital of Aden between forces loyal to exiled President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi and southern separatists. At least 16 people are reported killed and about 140 wounded in two days of fighting.
Heavy Fighting in Yemen's Aden: At Least 12 Reportedly Killed, Over 130 Injured Sputnik 29 Jan 2018 -- Heavy clashes in Yemen's southern port city of Aden have left nine more people dead, a military source said Monday.
Yemen: UAE-backed separatists send reinforcements to Aden amid clashes Press TV 29 Jan 2018 -- Separatists in southern Yemen, who are backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have dispatched sizable reinforcements to the city of Aden, where they have been engaged in fierce clashes with Saudi-allied militants loyal to the former Yemeni government.
Houthi Rebels, Yemeni Authorities Swap 275 Prisoners - Source Sputnik 29 Jan 2018 -- Yemeni Houthi rebels, also known as Ansar Allah, and the country's government have carried out a prisoner exchange, releasing a total of 275 people, a military source in Sanaa told Sputnik on Monday.

US will fail in anti-Iran puppetry: Leader's aide Press TV 29 Jan 2018 -- A senior Iranian official rejects unfounded US accusations about the Islamic Republic providing Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah fighters with ballistic missiles, saying Washington will never achieve any success in its "puppetry" against Tehran.

'We Want Missile Strikes to End as Soon as Possible' – Turkish Town Residents Sputnik 29 Jan 2018 -- The Turkish border town of Kilis suffers from almost daily missile attacks from Syrian territory amid Ankara's ongoing military operation against Kurdish forces in Syria's Afrin.
Syrian Democratic Forces Down Turkish Drone - Press Center Sputnik 29 Jan 2018 -- The Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) continue countering Turkey's attacks after the launch of the Olive Branch military operation on January 20 in Syrian Kurdish-populated Afrin.
Turkish Forces Kill About 600 Militants Since Start of Afrin Op - General Staff Sputnik 29 Jan 2018 -- The Turkish Armed Forces have killed 597 militants belonging to the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), People's Protection Units (YPG) and Daesh since the beginning of the operation in Syria's northern district of Afrin, the Turkish General Staff said in a statement on Monday.
Turkish military captures strategic border peak Bursaya in Syria TRT World 29 Jan 2018 -- Eliminating terrorists from Mount Bursaya, which has been the base for the YPG's armories and ammunition, will help Turkey reduce the terror threat at its border and protect civilians in Syria.
Turkey's Afrin operation: The latest updates TRT World 29 Jan 2018 -- Turkey announced that it had launched "Operation Olive Branch" on January 20 to clear Syria's Afrin region of the YPG/PKK and Daesh, which Turkey considers to be a threat to its national security. TRT World has the latest updates on the operation.
Kurds Say Turkey Plans to Reshape Demographics in Northern Syria VOA 29 Jan 2018 -- Turkey's latest military incursion into northern Syria which it says is aimed at reining in Kurdish separatists will speed up the return of Syrian refugees to their homes, Turkish officials say. But Kurds are fearful Ankara plans to use the returnees to displace them and engineer a population shift.

Syria peace effort on track as delegates gather in Sochi Press TV 29 Jan 2018 -- A new round of peace talks between the Syrian government and the opposition aimed at solving the country's crisis begins in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi on Monday.
Sochi Conference On Syria Opens Despite Opposition Boycott RFE/RL 29 Jan 2018 -- Delegates have gathered in the southern Russian city of Sochi for a two-day conference aimed at helping resolve the seven-year civil war in Syria, but the main groups opposing the Syrian government are boycotting the event.
Russian MoD Urges Damascus to Hold Talks With Opposition in Eastern Ghouta Sputnik 29 Jan 2018 -- The Russian Defense Ministry has called on Damascus to hold direct talks with the opposition in Eastern Ghouta on the evacuation of the sick.

U.S. Envoy: 'More Openness' From Russia, But No Ukraine Peacekeeper Deal RFE/RL 29 Jan 2018 -- Russia has shown more "openness" to U.S. suggestions on a possible UN peacekeeping mission in war-torn eastern Ukraine, but Washington and Moscow remain far from striking a deal, the U.S. special envoy for Ukraine says.

100,00 Rohingya refugees in grave danger from monsoon rains, UN warns Press TV 29 Jan 2018 -- The United Nations has warned that more than 100,000 Rohingya Muslims in Bangladeshi refugee camps will be in grave danger with the mid-year monsoon season on its way.

Colombia suspends peace talks with ELN rebels after deadly attacks Press TV 29 Jan 2018 -- Colombia has suspended peace talks with rebels from the National Liberation Army (ELN) after a recent series of attacks blamed on the guerrilla group claimed the lives of several government forces.

Abbas turns to African states after saying no future role for US in Palestinian issues Press TV 29 Jan 2018 -- Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas calls on African states to join a multilateral mechanism to discuss the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, after spurning any US role in such negotiations.

UN Blames Uganda, Kenya for Fueling Conflict in South Sudan VOA 29 Jan 2018 -- A U.N. official has intensified the call for an end to violence in South Sudan, following sustained diplomatic pressure from the African Union on South Sudanese leaders.

News Reports

FBI Deputy Director Stepping Down VOA 29 Jan 2018 -- Andrew McCabe, the FBI's No. 2 official whom President Donald Trump publicly criticized for alleged political bias, stepped down from the bureau Monday, several weeks ahead of his retirement, an FBI official said.

Former Catalan chief seeking immunity for leadership vote Press TV 29 Jan 2018 -- Former president of Spain's Catalonia region has requested the parliament of the semi-autonomous territory to grant him immunity against an arrest warrant so that he can attend a session in which he could be reinstated as head of the regional government.

Treasury Releases CAATSA Reports, Including on Senior Foreign Political Figures and Oligarchs in the Russian Federation US Treasury 29 Jan 2018 -- Today, pursuant to the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act of 2017 (CAATSA), the U.S. Department of the Treasury delivered the following five reports to appropriate Congressional committees
New US sanctions move attempt to influence presidential election: Russia Press TV 29 Jan 2018 -- The sanctions report expected to be released imminently by the United States against Russia intends to influence Russia's presidential election in March, the Kremlin says.
Kremlin Alleges U.S. 'Oligarchs List' Aims To Influence Election RFE/RL 29 Jan 2018 -- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says that Moscow believes a hotly anticipated U.S. list of rich Russians seen as close to President Vladimir Putin is an attempt to meddle in the country's March 18 election.
Day After Nationwide Protests, Kremlin Says Navalny No Threat RFE/RL 29 Jan 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman says the Kremlin does not consider opposition leader Aleksei Navalny a threat.

Bahrain court upholds jail term for prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Qassim Press TV 29 Jan 2018 -- A court in Bahrain upholds a one-year jail term for prominent Shia cleric, Sheikh Isa Qassim, who has been stripped of his nationality by the Al Khalifah regime and confirms the decision to revoke the cleric's citizenship.

Turkey arrests more than 300 over criticism of Syrian offensive Press TV 29 Jan 2018 -- Turkey has arrested more than 300 people for social media posts criticizing its military offensive against US-backed Kurdish militants in Syria's northwestern region of Afrin.

Oil Embargo May Be Forcing North Korea to Curtail Usual Military Exercises Sputnik 29 Jan 2018 -- An analysis of North Korea's military exercises in recent months has found that the country has significantly dialed back their usual musculature, sparking speculation that sanctions intended to limit fuel sales to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea are putting a real squeeze on their economy and military.
Witness: Kim Jong Nam Met With an American Days Before Assassination VOA 29 Jan 2018 -- The half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with an unidentified American in Malaysia four days before he was assassinated, a police official told a court hearing Monday.
North Korea Cancels Joint Cultural Performance with South Korea VOA 29 Jan 2018 -- North Korea has cancelled a joint cultural performance with the South planned ahead of the winter Olympic Games, South Korea's unification ministry said Monday.

China, Japan agree to hold China-Japan-ROK summit as soon as possible People's Daily 29 Jan 2018 -- China and Japanagreed to hold a new round of China-Japan-ROK leaders' meetings as soon as possible, and foster the proper environment for the trilateral summit.

US missile allegations part of psychological warfare campaign: Iran Press TV 29 Jan 2018 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi has said the US allegations pertaining to Tehran supplying Yemen with missiles is the start of psychological warfare campaign with roots in Washington's continuous policy failures in the region.

Iraqi parliament votes to lift sanctions on Kurdistan-based banks Press TV 29 Jan 2018 -- The Iraqi lawmakers have voted to end sanctions imposed on banks operating in the country's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, some four months after the Central Bank of Iraq ordered private banks to halt their branches' operations in Kurdistan following a highly controversial independence referendum held in the region.

Taiwan faces bigger challenges as China tightens grip: MAC CNA 29 Jan 2018 -- China has tightened its grip on Taiwan since May 2016 and there is no sign that it will change its strategy, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chang Hsiao-yueh (張小月) said Monday.
Military aircraft to take Taiwanese in China home for holiday CNA 29 Jan 2018 -- Military aircraft will be used to transport Taiwanese in China home from Kinmen for the Lunar New Year holiday if both sides of the Taiwan Strait fail to reach a consensus on the controversial issue of the M503 route, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) said Monday.
China's handling of controversial flight routes key to ties: MAC CNA 29 Jan 2018 -- Taiwan urged Beijing on Monday to hold talks with Taipei on China's controversial new flight routes in the Taiwan Strait, saying that how China handles the issue will show whether it cares about what people think in Taiwan.

EU warns Britain it can have no say during Brexit transition Press TV 29 Jan 2018 -- The European Union has warned Britain that it cannot expect to have a say in EU decision-making once it departs from the bloc, including during a two-year transition period starting from 2019 meant to help smooth the exit.

At Raucous Hearing, Saakashvili Fights For Ukrainian Citizenship RFE/RL 29 Jan 2018 -- Opposition politician Mikheil Saakashvili was in Ukraine's Supreme Court on January 29 to seek the restitution of his Ukrainian citizenship, which was revoked by President Petro Poroshenko last year.

Incumbent Cyprus president to face leftist-backed rival in runoff Press TV 29 Jan 2018 -- The incumbent president of Cyprus has finished first in the presidential election, but failed to secure an outright majority to avoid a runoff, with observers predicting a tight race between the conservative candidate and his communist-backed rival.

Putin, Netanyahu Hold Talks In Moscow RFE/RL 29 Jan 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Moscow for talks covering the Syrian conflict and Iran's role in the Middle East.

UN Mediator Heads To Greece, Macedonia To Discuss Name Dispute RFE/RL 29 Jan 2018 -- A United Nations mediator is traveling to Greece on January 29 for two-day talks on ways to solve a 27-year-old dispute over the name of the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia.

Venezuelan President Maduro Ready to Sign Agreement With Opposition Sputnik 29 Jan 2018 -- President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro said that his government was ready to sign an agreement with the opposition within the framework of the talks resuming in the country.

Re-elected Finnish President Won't Change Policy Toward Moscow Sputnik 29 Jan 2018 -- Incumbent Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, re-elected as the country's head at Sunday's vote, said he did not see any reason for the country's policy toward Russia to change.

7 Years After Arab Spring, Egypt Faces Fresh Political Challenge VOA 29 Jan 2018 -- Seven years after ebullient crowds demonstrated in Cairo's Tahrir Square to overthrow longtime President Hosni Mubarak in Egypt's second revolution in 60 years, the country is facing more sober political, economic and security choices, as it prepares for a fresh presidential election in March. That vote will be, for the most part, a referendum on the popularity of incumbent President Abdel Fattah el Sissi.

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