16 August 2018 Military News

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OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 16 Aug 2018 [PDF]

UN condemns 'heinous' suicide attack on education centre in Afghanistan UN News 16 Aug 2018 -- The perpetrators of Wednesday's "heinous" suicide bombing that killed students at an education centre in Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, must be brought to justice, the UN Secretary-General has said.
Afghanistan, Pakistan at Odds Over Ghazni Assault Claims VOA 16 Aug 2018 -- Afghan officials claim that dozens of Pakistani nationals were among more than 400 militants killed in fierce battles in southeastern Ghazni province in the past several days.
Death toll from Kabul suicide attack rises to 48 IRNA 16 Aug 2018 -- A suicide attack on an education center in the Afghanistan capital city of Kabul Wednesday killed 48 and wounded 67 others.
Gunmen raid intelligence service center in Afghan capital Press TV 16 Aug 2018 -- Unknown gunmen have launched an attack on an intelligence service center in Afghanistan's capital of Kabul, amid deteriorating security conditions across the war-torn country.
Gunmen Attack Afghan Spy Agency Compound In Kabul RFE/RL 16 Aug 2018 -- Gunmen have launched an attack on an Afghan intelligence training center in Kabul, officials say.
Daesh Claims Responsibility for Assault on Educational Center in Kabul - Reports Sputnik 16 Aug 2018 -- The blast was reported on Wednesday at the educational center in Kabul. According to the UN statistics, more than 1,000 Afghan schools remain closed, while at least 86 have been destroyed by the militants in 2018 only.
Gunmen Attack Intel Service Center in Kabul Day After Deadly Blast Sputnik 16 Aug 2018 -- The incident comes just a day after a deadly explosion at an educational center in the western part of the Afghan capital killed up to 34 people, injuring about 67 more, with most of the victims being students.
Islamic State Claims Kabul Shi'ite Attack RFE/RL 16 Aug 2018 -- The Islamic State (IS) extremist group has claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing in a Shi'ite area of Kabul on August 15.
Gunmen Attack Afghan Intelligence Center in Kabul VOA 16 Aug 2018 -- Gunmen launched an attack on a training center on the grounds of Afghanistan's intelligence service in Kabul, a day after a dozens of people were killed in assault on an education institution in the capital.
Relentless Attacks Test Afghan Security Forces VOA 16 Aug 2018 -- Following days of relentless attacks and fierce fighting in various parts of the country, a suicide attack Wednesday on an educational institution in Kabul killed almost 50 people, testing Afghan security forces.

Pentagon Provides Congress Data on US Involvement in Yemen Strikes - Spokeswoman Sputnik 16 Aug 2018 -- The US Department of Defense is working with Congress on the issue of US military involvement in attacks in Yemen that have resulted in civilian casualties and provides such information when requested, Pentagon spokeswoman Lt. Cmdr. Rebecca Rebarich told Sputnik on Thursday.

Guardsmen Bring Combat Skills to Fighting Western Fires AFPS 16 Aug 2018 -- Fighting wildfires is "like being in a combat zone, just we're not getting shot at," said Army Sgt. Julian Ross, one of the California National Guardsmen called up to battle the wildfires in his state.
New York, Pennsylvania Guardsmen Assist Flood Response Efforts AFPS 16 Aug 2018 -- Two hundred New York National Guard soldiers and airmen were placed on state active duty yesterday after nearly seven inches of rain fell on parts of the state's Finger Lakes region Aug. 14.

Defense Policy / Programs

U.S., Argentina Agree to Strengthen Military Relationship AFPS 16 Aug 2018 -- The United States and Argentina are in basic agreement about the security situation in South America, and the countries are looking to increase military-to-military ties, Defense Secretary James N. Mattis said today.
Becoming one team: Moldovan, U.S. National Guard soldiers train in harsh, unpredictable desert Army News 16 Aug 2018 -- 95 Moldovan soldiers are joining their U.S. counterparts for the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team's eXportable Combat Training Capability exercise, August 6-28, 2018.
Partner nations come together as curtain closes on Noble Partner 18 Army News 16 Aug 2018 -- Noble Partner 18 concluded with a combined arms live-fire exercise and a ceremony at Vaziani Training Area, Georgia, Aug. 15, 2018.
Moldovan and North Carolina Guard Soldiers become one team Army News 16 Aug 2018 -- Ninety-five Moldovan soldiers are taking part in the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team's eXportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC) exercise Aug. 6 -- 28.
DoD Announces Award to Reform its Travel System DoD 16 Aug 2018 -- The Department of Defense announced the selection of SAP Concur to develop a business travel system prototype that will replace the aging and inefficient Defense Travel System. The department's $9.3 million Other Transaction Authority award would exponentially lower the cost of airline tickets and save more than 10 million labor hours annually spent on the process of booking travel by more than 2 million active duty, reserve, and civilian personnel.
U.S. 6th Fleet Commander Visits Naval Partners in Bulgaria and Romania NNS 16 Aug 2018 -- Vice Adm. Lisa Franchetti, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet and commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, met with NATO allies and partners during a visit to Varna, Bulgaria, and Constanta, Romania, Aug. 13-15, 2018.
US Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Expert Exchange Begins in Colombia NNS 16 Aug 2018 -- A U.S. Navy team of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians arrived in Colombia, Aug. 6, to participate in subject matter expert exchanges (SMEEs) and partner-capacity building engagements with Colombian military forces as part of Southern Partnership Station (SPS) 2018.
US Awards $2.9 Billion for Early Warning Missile Defense Satellites Sputnik 16 Aug 2018 -- The US Air Force announced Tuesday it had awarded Lockheed Martin a contract for a set of satellite-based missile warning systems, to the tune of $2.9 billion.
Media Availability with Secretary Mattis en route to Bogota, Colombia DoD 16 Aug 2018 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis

NATO Baltic Air Policing: Belgium to take over lead and Germany to augment NATO 16 Aug 2018 -- Ramstein, Germany – The 48th rotation of detachments contributing to NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission is imminent. From September 2018, the Belgian Air Force will take the lead over the mission at Šiauliai, Lithuania, while the German Air Force will augment out of Ämari, Estonia.

Beijing to Launch Satellite Network to Monitor South China Sea Traffic Sputnik 16 Aug 2018 -- Officials in China's Hainan province are preparing to send a series of satellites into space starting in 2019 in order to keep track of "every reef and ship" within the contested waters of the South China Sea.

U.S. Security Cooperation With Vietnam US Dept. of State 16 Aug 2018 -- The U.S. security relationship with Vietnam has grown rapidly in recent years, and the two countries share a common vision for the future of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Our robust security partnership is based on our mutual commitment to deepen defense cooperation and shared resolve to address regional security challenges.

Israeli Navy Saar 6 Corvettes to Be Equipped With Barak 8 Missiles Sputnik 16 Aug 2018 -- The Barak 8 missile defense system has been co-developed by the state-owned research and development bodies, and the navies of India and Israel. The two countries have evenly split the $350 million development costs.

Bundeswehr Turned Into 'Spare Parts Warehouse' - German Newspaper Sputnik 16 Aug 2018 -- While the German government is looking for ways to increase its defense outlays to 1.5 percent of GDP from its current 1.3 percent, experts warn that the uptick will not be enough to fully meet the army's needs.

US to Begin Training Turkish Forces for Joint Patrols in Syria VOA 16 Aug 2018 -- U.S. service members will begin training Turkish forces for joint patrols near the volatile Syrian city of Manbij within the next three days, according to U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis.

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for August 16, 2018

Other Conflicts

16 August 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 16 Aug 2018

Yemen targets Saudi troops positions in Najran IRNA 16 Aug 2018 -- The missile and artillery unit of the Yemeni army and popular committees targeted positions and military equipment of Saudi troops in Najran in southern Saudi Arabia, inflicting heavy casualties on them.
Yemeni Deputy Minister Accuses Iran of Supplying Ballistic Missiles to Houthis Sputnik 16 Aug 2018 -- Iran has repeatedly denied that it provides Houthis with weapons, while however, admitting to politically supporting the Shiite movement that has been fighting the government of President Hadi and a Saudi-led coalition.

Several terrorists killed in Iraqi air raids on Daesh positions in Syria Press TV 16 Aug 2018 -- The Iraqi Air Force has attacked the "operations room" of Daesh in neighboring Syria, killing several militants plotting to carry out a terrorist operation in Iraq in coming days, the Iraqi Interior Ministry has announced.
Iraq Launches Airstrike on Daesh 'Operations Room' in Syria - Iraqi Army Sputnik 16 Aug 2018 -- The Iraqi military announced Thursday that they had launched airstrikes on Daesh in Syrian territory amid Damascus' efforts to eliminate the last pockets of the terrorist group.

Islamic State 'Well-Positioned' to Rebuild Caliphate VOA 16 Aug 2018 -- Destroying the Islamic State is proving more difficult than the United States and its allies envisioned, with the most recent intelligence assessments warning that the self-declared caliphate is well-positioned to rise again.

Turkish Raid Kills Militant Leader in Iraqi Yazidi Town VOA 16 Aug 2018 -- Turkish jets late Wednesday targeted a convoy of militants linked to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) near the Iraqi Yazidi town of Sinjar, killing a top commander and several of his guards, local sources told VOA.
Turkish Forces 'Neutralize' Top PKK Member in Iraqi Sinjar - General Staff Sputnik 16 Aug 2018 -- Turkish forces "neutralized" a senior member of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is listed as a terrorist organization in Turkey, during an operation in Iraqi Sinjar, the Turkish general staff said on Wednesday.

'Step backwards' for Bosnia's autonomous Serb region as assembly reneges on Srebrenica genocide report UN News 16 Aug 2018 -- The Republika Srpska National Assembly in Bosnia and Herzegovina drew concern from the top United Nations expert on the Prevention of Genocide on Thursday, over its decision this week to revoke its endorsement of the 2004 Srebrenica Commission Report acknowledging genocide during the Bosnian war of the 1990s.
U.S. Criticizes Bosnian Serb Lawmakers For Revoking Report On Srebrenica Atrocity RFE/RL 16 Aug 2018 -- The United States has criticized a move by lawmakers in Bosnia-Herzegovina's predominantly Serbian entity to annul a report acknowledging that Bosnian Serb forces violated humanitarian law by killing thousands of Muslim Bosniaks.

Quick Border Deal Between Kosovo, Serbia Could Quickly Ignite Balkans RFE/RL 16 Aug 2018 -- Talks between Serbia and Kosovo on a possible redrawing of borders largely along ethnic lines are threatening to reignite a familiar European tinderbox.

Egypt Works to Mediate Israel-Hamas Prisoner Swap VOA 16 Aug 2018 -- Arab media reported that Israel began allowing trucks to deliver various goods into Gaza through the main Kerem Shalom border crossing, after a visit Wednesday by Egypt's intelligence chief, Abbas Kamel, to negotiate a prisoner swap with Israeli officials in Tel Aviv.
Israel to build 20,000 new settler units in occupied Quds Press TV 16 Aug 2018 -- The Israeli authorities have approved plans to construct 20,000 new settler units in the occupied Jerusalem al-Quds, once again defying international calls for the regime to stop its settlement activities in Palestinian lands.

Italy Moves To Crack Down On Its Fighters In Ukraine's Donbas RFE/RL 16 Aug 2018 -- For years they traveled with ease from Italy to take part in the Russia-backed insurgency in eastern Ukraine. Many boasted of their martial exploits on social media and in videos, often decked out in camouflage fatigues and brandishing weapons.

OSCE Expresses Concerns Over Russian Forces Actions In Transdniester RFE/RL 16 Aug 2018 -- The Organization for Cooperation and Security in Europe (OSCE) has expressed concerns about Russian forces' "river-crossing military exercise" in Moldova's breakaway region of Transdniester and said its team was blocked from monitoring the maneuvers.

In Tanzania visit, UNHCR official stresses freedom of choice is crucial for refugee returns UN News 16 Aug 2018 -- Refugees should never be pressured to decide if they should return to their home countries, a senior UN official has said.

News Reports

Former CIA Chief: My Security Revocation is Trump Attempt to Silence Critics VOA 16 Aug 2018 -- Former U.S. Central Intelligence Agency director John Brennan says he believes President Donald Trump revoked his security clearance because he wants to "silence others who might dare to challenge him."
Ex-CIA Director Brennan Calls Trump's Denial of Collision With Russia 'Hogwash' Sputnik 16 Aug 2018 -- US President Donald Trump's claims that he did not collude with Russia are false, John Brennan said on Thursday, just one day after Trump revoked the ex-spy chief's security clearance.
Trump Strips Ex-CIA Chief's Security Clearance, Threatens Other Critics RFE/RL 16 Aug 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has revoked the security clearance of former CIA Director John Brennan and threatened to do the same to other former top national-security officials in what opponents said was an unprecedented act of retribution against vocal critics of his presidency.
Trump Revokes Ex-CIA Director's Security Clearance VOA 16 Aug 2018 -- The security clearance of a former Central Intelligence Agency director was revoked Wednesday by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said in a statement that John Brennan has been sowing "division and chaos" about his administration.

Manafort Jury Begins Deliberations VOA 16 Aug 2018 -- A jury begins deliberations Thursday on whether former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort is guilty of tax and bank fraud. Manafort faces decades in prison if convicted.
Jury To Start Deciding Case Against Trump Ex-Campaign Chairman RFE/RL 16 Aug 2018 -- The case against U.S. President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, has been sent to a jury for deliberations after prosecutors presented closing arguments portraying an alleged web of lies Manafort laid to escape paying U.S. taxes on the income he earned for political-consulting work in Ukraine.

New US Iran Policy Chief Lays Out Agenda VOA 16 Aug 2018 -- The Trump administration's new special representative for Iran says his team will focus most of its work on changing Tehran's behavior on issues of nuclear weapons, terrorism and detention of Americans.
Europe should stand against US unilateralism: Iran envoy to IAEA IRNA 16 Aug 2018 -- Iran's representative to the international organizations in Vienna and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) met with UK representatives and stressed the necessity of signatories of Iran Deal against US' unilateral decisions on Thursday.
US forms 'Iran Action Group' to run aggressive policy toward Tehran Press TV 16 Aug 2018 -- The US State Department has formed an "Iran Action Group" to coordinate and run an aggressive US policy toward the Islamic Republic on the eve of the 65th anniversary of a previous American action against Iran - the CIA-led 1953 coup against the democratically elected government of Mohammad Mosaddegh.
Pompeo Names Special Representative For Iran, Creates Iran Action Group RFE/RL 16 Aug 2018 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has announced the appointment of a special representative for Iran to coordinate U.S. policy as the administration looks to ramp up pressure on Tehran after pulling out of the 2015 nuclear deal.
US Unveils 'Iran Action Group' for Post-Nuke Deal Policy Sputnik 16 Aug 2018 -- Hook led the Trump administration's attempt to negotiate changes to the nuclear deal with the EU allies before the US president decided to withdraw from the agreement.
Briefing on the Creation of the Iran Action Group US Dept. of State 16 Aug 2018 -- Special Briefing by Brian Hook, Special Representative for Iran
Remarks on the Creation of the Iran Action Group US Dept. of State 16 Aug 2018 -- Remarks by Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State
Iran's FM Zarif says US isolated itself by leaving JCPOA Press TV 16 Aug 2018 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says that the United States isolated itself when it left the nuclear deal with Iran.

Hong Kong Independence Speech Draws Warnings VOA 16 Aug 2018 -- Officials in the Chinese capital, Beijing, and in Hong Kong have issued a string of warnings after a journalists' association broadcast a speech by an advocate for the city's independence. The immediate censure by Chinese and Hong Kong officials hinted that city lawmakers may soon be pressed to pass a law against sedition and treason, which could stifle protest in the partially autonomous territory.

China unveils Chang'e-4 rover to explore Moon's far side People's Daily 16 Aug 2018 -- China's moon lander and rover for the Chang'e-4 lunar probe, which is expected to land on the far side of the moon this year, was unveiled Wednesday.

Russian Cosmonauts Set Up Animal-Tracking System In Eight-Hour Spacewalk RFE/RL 16 Aug 2018 -- Two Russian cosmonauts on August 15 spent nearly eight hours on a spacewalk setting up an antenna for tracking birds and animals on Earth and sending a series of tiny satellites flying into orbit.

White House says U.S. not to lift tariffs on Turkey even Brunson released People's Daily 16 Aug 2018 -- The White House said on Wednesday that the United States will not lift sanctions on Turkish steel and aluminum products even if detained American pastor Andrew Brunson is released.
Turkey to Challenge US at WTO Over Steel, Aluminum Import Tariff Hike – Minister Sputnik 16 Aug 2018 -- Ankara will challenge recent Washington's decision to double tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Turkey at the World Trade Organization (WTO), Turkish Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan said Thursday.
US Condemns Turkey's New 'Regrettable' Tariffs VOA 16 Aug 2018 -- The White House on Wednesday condemned Turkey for boosting tariffs on U.S. imports, the latest confrontation between the two NATO allies.

FM: 20 pc of Caspian Sea resources should belong to Iran IRNA 16 Aug 2018 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Iran believes that it should own 20 percent of the Caspian Sea resources and the issue of an 11-percent share originates from an illusory line related to the former regime of Iran.

Putin Hosts Turkmen Leader In Sochi After Caspian Summit RFE/RL 16 Aug 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has hosted the leader of Turkmenistan for talks following the long-awaited signing of a new convention on the legal status of the resource-rich Caspian Sea.

Bucharest Protesters Keep Up Pressure On Government RFE/RL 16 Aug 2018 -- Despite the sweltering heat and the start of a long weekend, groups of hardcore demonstrators gathered again outside the government building in Bucharest for a sixth night in a row on August 15.

Tajikistan Arrests Five, Seeks Others In Russia, In Probe Of Foreign Cyclist Attack RFE/RL 16 Aug 2018 -- Tajik authorities say they have arrested five men in connection with the July 29 attack that killed four foreign cyclists, as Dushanbe widened its investigation.

Terror attacks strike people 'from all walks of life, the UN included' UN News 16 Aug 2018 -- The terrorist attack on UN headquarters in Iraq in 2003 that claimed the lives of 22 people should serve as a reminder that the organization's locally recruited staff often face the greatest dangers in the world's most hostile places, amid increasing attacks on humanitarians, the head of the United Nations in Geneva said on Thursday.

Armenian PM Pashinian Vows To Speed Pace Of Reform RFE/RL 16 Aug 2018 -- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has marked the 100th day since his sudden and unexpected rise to power by vowing to "speed up reform" in the South Caucasus nation.

Mali President Wins Presidential Runoff Vote in Landslide VOA 16 Aug 2018 -- Incumbent President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita of Mali has won a landslide victory in the West African nation's presidential runoff election.

Cambodian Ruling Party Posts Complete Electoral Sweep VOA 16 Aug 2018 -- The ruling party of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has won all 125 parliamentary seats in last month's election, which has been denounced by outlawed opposition forces as illegitimate.

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