16 October 2018 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Update: air strikes against Daesh UK MOD 16 Oct 2018 -- The RAF are continuing to take the fight to Daesh in Syria.

Dunford Asks Defense Chiefs to Guard Against Complacency AFPS 16 Oct 2018 -- There is no room for complacency in the fight against violent extremist organizations, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told his worldwide counterparts here today.
US General: Fight to Defeat Islamic State Facing 'Danger of Complacency' VOA 16 Oct 2018 -- A key U.S. military official is warning world leaders not to mistake progress against the Islamic State and other terror groups for victory.

Dozens Of Afghan Police Officers Killed In Taliban Attacks RFE/RL 16 Oct 2018 -- Dozens of Afghan police officers have been killed in two attacks claimed by the Taliban in north and central Afghanistan, just days before parliamentary elections that the militants have threatened to disrupt.
Taliban attacks kill, wound dozens of Afghan forces Press TV 16 Oct 2018 -- Taliban militants in Afghanistan have killed and wounded dozens of Afghan police forces, including a provincial police chief, in heavy fighting in the northern and central parts of the country, just ahead of parliamentary polls that the militants have vowed to disrupt.

US Says 60 Militants Killed in Somalia Airstrike VOA 16 Oct 2018 -- The U.S. military says 60 al-Shabab militants were killed in Friday's airstrike near the town of Harardhere in central Somalia.
US Airstrike Slays 60 Al-Shabaab Terrorists in Somalia - AFRICOM Sputnik 16 Oct 2018 -- United States Africa Command announced that an American airstrike coordinated with the Somalian federal government killed "approximately 60 terrorists" from al-Shabaab, the most destructive air raid against the militant Salafi group since November 2017.

Defense Policy / Programs

Chiefs of Defense Conference Looks to 'Win the Peace' Against Violent Extremism AFPS 16 Oct 2018 -- "It's not about winning the war. It's about winning the peace," was an expression heard often today at the Counter Violent Extremist Organizations Chiefs of Defense Conference here today.
Tropic Lightning Soldiers hone skills in Warfighter Army News 16 Oct 2018 -- Soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division and supporting units participated in Warfighter 19-01 at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, from September 30 to October 11.
Media Roundtable with General Joseph F. Dunford and Special Envoy Brett McGurk DoD 16 Oct 2018 -- Presenter: General Joseph F. Dunford, Jr., Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Brett McGurk, Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, State Department
The Marine Corps Combat Pistol Program USMC News 16 Oct 2018 -- Every Marine is a rifleman. This is evident in every photo of a Marine donning the service alpha uniform, courtesy of the shimmering marksmanship badge over their left breast pocket. Oftentimes this rifle marksmanship badge is accompanied by another badge, indicating the Marine is qualified with the Beretta M9 service pistol.
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Marks Installation of Unmanned Aviation Warfare Center NNS 16 Oct 2018 -- The commanding officer of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) and the program manager of Unmanned Carrier Aviation officially recognized completion of the initial installation phase of the first aircraft carrier-based Unmanned Aviation Warfare Center (UAWC), Sept. 28, aboard Ike.
USS Abraham Lincoln Undergoes Pierside Shipyard Availability NNS 16 Oct 2018 -- Like a gentle giant the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) calmly rests at pier 14, Naval Station Norfolk. However, activity is bustling aboard the ship as Sailors work around the clock, performing maintenance in support of the ship's pierside shipyard availability period.
Fabrication Begins on Future USS Bougainville NNS 16 Oct 2018 -- Future amphibious assault ship USS Bougainville (LHA 8) started fabrication at Huntington Ingalls Industries' (HII) shipyard, Oct. 15.
USS Newport News Returns from Deployment NNS 16 Oct 2018 -- Los Angeles fast-attack submarine USS Newport News (SSN 750) returned from a regularly-scheduled deployment to Naval Station Norfolk, Oct. 13.
Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group Operating in US 6th Fleet NNS 16 Oct 2018 -- The Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (IWOESG) continued its transit into the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations as part of a deployment in support of NATO exercise Trident Juncture 18.
Kearsarge ARG Completes Live-Fire Missile Exercise NNS 16 Oct 2018 -- The units of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) participated in a live-fire missile exercise (MISSILEX), Oct. 14.

Speech by NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller at the conference "Resourcing a Coherent and Credible Alliance" at l'École Militaire in Paris NATO 16 Oct 2018 -- Last updated: 17 Oct. 2018 12:11
NATO commemorates Battle of the Atlantic as US forces arrive in Iceland NATO 16 Oct 2018 -- Top US and Icelandic officials met in Reykjavik on Tuesday (16 October 2018) to commemorate the Battle of the Atlantic, World War II's longest continuous military campaign. On a ceremony aboard the Icelandic Coast Guard Vessel THOR, Foreign Minister Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson and Admiral James G. Foggo III, Commander of NATO's Joint Force Command Naples and US Naval Forces in Europe and Africa, jointly laid a wreath into the sea to honour all those who fell in the fight for freedom.
ICGV THOR at Faxagardur Pier in Reykjavik

Xi urges deeper military-civilian integration People's Daily 16 Oct 2018 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for a stronger sense of mission for deeper military-civilian integration.

Iran's land-to-sea missiles can travel 700 kilometers: Senior IRGC cmdr. Press TV 16 Oct 2018 -- A senior Iranian military commander says the country has successfully extended the range of its land-to-sea ballistic missiles to 700 kilometers.

Ministry of Defense: A Saudi Air Force Plane Crashes During a Training Mission in Northwestern Region and the martyrdom of its crew SPA 16 Oct 2018 -- An official source at the Ministry of Defense stated that at 12 noon on Monday, October 15, 2018, a Saudi Royal Air Force Hawk plane crashed during a training mission in the northwest region resulting in the martyrdom of its air crew.

Two Pilots Die In Ukrainian Fighter Jet Crash, U.S. Pilot 'Involved' RFE/RL 16 Oct 2018 -- A two-seat Ukrainian fighter jet has crashed during a joint exercise with NATO air forces, killing both the pilot and co-pilot, Ukraine's military says.
Two Pilots Die Following Su-27 Fighter Jet Crash in Ukraine - General Staff Sputnik 16 Oct 2018 -- The Su-27 fighter jet has crashed near the village of Ulanov (Vinniitskaya region) during the execution of a combat training flight, the press service of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported on Tuesday.

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for October 15, 2018

Other Conflicts

16 October 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 16 Oct 2018
Conflict diamonds and climate change: Cooperate, don't compete over natural resources urges Guterres UN News 16 Oct 2018 -- The struggle over natural resources often lies at the heart of violent conflicts, fuelling strife in many parts of the world, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said on Tuesday, urging governments and everyone with a stake in valuable resources, to think hard about how they are managed and exploited.

Beijing blasts US harassment claim in South China Sea, vows 'indisputable sovereignty' over area Press TV 16 Oct 2018 -- China's Foreign Ministry has slammed a claim by the United States that one of its warships was harassed by China in the South China Sea, insisting that Beijing holds "indisputable sovereignty" over its islands and surrounding waters there.

Saudi-led military aggression left over 15,000 civilians dead: Rights group Press TV 16 Oct 2018 -- The Legal Center for Rights and Developments in Yemen says the ongoing Saudi-led military campaign against the impoverished and conflict-plagued Arab country has claimed the lives of more than 15,000 civilians.
UN warns 12mn Yemenis may face worst famine in 100 years Press TV 16 Oct 2018 -- The UN's food agency has urged Saudi Arabia and its allies to stop their devastating war on Yemen, saying the conflict has put millions of Yemeni people on the brink of the worst famine in 100 years.

Russia: Deal on Syria's Idlib going ahead despite missed deadline Press TV 16 Oct 2018 -- The Kremlin says a deal brokered by Russia and Turkey, which aims to create a demilitarized zone in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib and has so far held off a government offensive on the last major terrorist stronghold in the country, was going ahead, despite foreign-sponsored militants failing to leave the zone the day before.
Militants Fail To Leave Buffer Zone In Syria's Idlib Under Russia-Turkey Deal RFE/RL 16 Oct 2018 -- Militants in Syria's Idlib Province failed to meet an October 15 deadline for vacating a buffer zone created under a Russian-Turkish cease-fire deal, prompting a threat from the Syrian government to resume its military campaign.

Nigeria: UN chief 'appalled' by killing of aid worker; calls for release of remaining hostages UN News 16 Oct 2018 -- The United Nations Secretary-General strongly condemned on Tuesday the killing of an aid worker from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in north-east Nigeria. He said he was "appalled" by her death on Monday.

Congolese expelled from Angola returning to 'desperate situation': UN refugee agency UN News 16 Oct 2018 -- Congolese nationals forced back across the border to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), after being expelled from neighbouring Angola, "are returning to a desperate situation," a UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) spokesperson said on Tuesday.

UN migration agency: young Rohingya girls, largest group of trafficking victims in camps UN News 16 Oct 2018 -- More than a year into the crisis in Cox's Bazar, the number of Rohingya refugees has reached nearly one million, with young girls in Bangladesh refugee camps sold into forced labour accounting for the largest group of trafficking victims, reported the UN Migration Agency (IOM) on Tuesday.

Mass Expulsion of Congolese from Angola Could Spark Humanitarian Crisis VOA 16 Oct 2018 -- The United Nations refugee agency warns the mass expulsion of an estimated 200,000 Congolese from Angola into Congo's unstable Kasai Central Province could trigger a humanitarian crisis.

News Reports

Russia's Top Judge Spurs New Talk Of Changing Constitution RFE/RL 16 Oct 2018 -- When the Russian Constitution was approved in late 1993, the fledgling country's parliament building-- now known as the White House-- was blackened and charred, the result of an all-out military assault ordered by President Boris Yeltsin to quell an uprising by a group of lawmakers.
Chechen-Ingush Border Agreement 'Comes Into Force' Amid Protests RFE/RL 16 Oct 2018 -- The speaker of the parliament of Russia's North Caucasus region of Chechnya says the disputed Chechen-Ingush administrative boundary agreement has come into force amid continuing protests in Ingushetia against the deal.
Italy Expected To Propose Reviving EU Funding For Small Russian Businesses RFE/RL 16 Oct 2018 -- Italy will propose that the European Union revive funding for small- and medium-sized private businesses in Russia when EU leaders meet in Brussels this week, several sources have told RFE/RL.

Two Koreas, US-led UN Command hold trilateral talks on disarming border Press TV 16 Oct 2018 -- North Korea, South Korea, and the US-led United Nations Command (UNC) have held their first talks on demilitarizing the heavily-fortified border between the two Koreas as part of a deal signed last month between Seoul and Pyongyang.
Two Koreas and UN Command Holds First Talks on Border Demilitarization Sputnik 16 Oct 2018 -- North Korea's Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in agreed during last month's summit in Pyongyang to a three-way meeting with the UN Command to start dismantling the heavily-armed border between the two countries, South Korea's Defense Ministry told Reuters.
Three-Way Talks Begin on Disarming Key Part of Korean Border VOA 16 Oct 2018 -- Negotiators from North and South Korea, along with the U.S.-led United Nations Command, are holding their first talks Tuesday on demilitarizing a section of the heavily fortified border that separates the rival Koreas.
Inter-Korean High-Level Talks Held KCNA 16 Oct 2018 -- Inter-Korean high-level talks for implementing the historic "September Pyongyang Joint Declaration" were held at the "House of Peace" in the south side portion of Panmunjom on Monday.

US imposes new sanctions targeting Iran banks, companies Press TV 16 Oct 2018 -- The United States has imposed fresh sanctions on a number of Iranian banks and financial institutions as well as companies ahead of the start of the next month's new round of the US sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
Treasury Sanctions Vast Financial Network Supporting Iranian Paramilitary Force That Recruits and Trains Child Soldiers US Treasury 16 Oct 2018 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action today against a vast network of businesses providing financial support to the Basij Resistance Force (Basij), a paramilitary force subordinate to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Among other malign activities, the IRGC's Basij militia recruits, trains, and deploys child soldiers to fight in IRGC-fueled conflicts across the region.
New U.S. Sanctions Target Iran Network Backing Use Of Child Soldiers RFE/RL 16 Oct 2018 -- The United States has slapped sanctions on a network of businesses that provide financial support to an Iranian paramilitary force that Washington says recruits and trains child soldiers for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).
US adds several other Iranian institutes on sanctions list IRNA 16 Oct 2018 -- The US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced on Tuesday inclusion of several other Iranian institutes on the list of sanctions.
U.S. continuously violating its commitments under resolution 2231: Iran ISNA 16 Oct 2018 -- In 12 reports, the IAEA has confirmed Iran's full compliance with its commitments. However, the current U.S administration, in violation of its international commitments, withdrew from the JCPOA, deputy ambassador of Iran to UN said.
Iran's oil incomes still rising IRNA 16 Oct 2018 -- The statistics for Iran's oil exports and the price of each oil barrel of the country suggests that Iran's oil incomes are still rising compared to the figures in the previous year, according to the Head of Iran's Plan and Budget Organization Mohammad-Baqer Nobakht.
High Prices Helping Iran Make Up For Loss Of Half Of Oil Exports, VP Says RFE/RL 16 Oct 2018 -- Iran has lost some customers for its oil because of looming U.S. sanctions, but high prices are making up for the lost sales, Iranian Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri has said.
Iran urges Pakistan to take necessary measures for releasing kidnapped forces IRNA 16 Oct 2018 -- Iran Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi on Tuesday urged Pakistan government to take necessary measures for releasing Iranian kidnapped forces and also arresting the terrorists.
Iran calls for Pakistan's swift action on abducted security forces Press TV 16 Oct 2018 -- Iran says Pakistan should instantly adopt all necessary measures to help release a number of Iranian forces earlier abducted in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan on the border with Pakistan.
Terrorists abduct several Iranian forces near Pakistani border: IRGC Press TV 16 Oct 2018 -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says terrorists have kidnapped a number of Iranian forces in the southeastern Province of Sistan-and-Baluchestan, which borders Pakistan.
Iran Asks Pakistan To Deal With 'Terrorists' Who Abducted Revolutionary Guards RFE/RL 16 Oct 2018 -- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has called on Pakistan to tackle suspected militants who kidnapped 14 members of Iranian security forces on October 16 on their shared border.
Pakistan Says Helping Tehran Rescue Kidnapped Iranian Forces VOA 16 Oct 2018 -- Pakistan said Tuesday its military forces were working closely with those of neighboring Iran to locate more than a dozen Iranian security forces that militants kidnapped in a pre-dawn raid along the border.

Chinese Diplomat Uses Twitter to Counter Allegations of Xinjiang-Related Rights Abuses VOA 16 Oct 2018 -- A senior Chinese diplomat in Pakistan has taken to social media to reject as "baseless" Western allegations that China is committing massive human rights abuses in its neighboring northwestern Xinjiang border region.
China Defends Mass Internment of Muslim Ethnic Minorities VOA 16 Oct 2018 -- China is defending its mass internment of Muslim ethnic minorities, saying it is preventing terrorism by helping them improve job skills, by teaching them the Mandarin language and encouraging them to accept modern science.

Saudi consul general in Istanbul leaves for Riyadh amid investigation into Khashoggi's disappearance Press TV 16 Oct 2018 -- The Saudi Arabia's consul general in Istanbul has left Turkey for Riyadh as investigation into the fate of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who went missing after visiting the kingdom's consulate in Turkey's largest city of Istanbul two week ago, widens.
Pompeo meets King Salman, son over Khashoggi, thanks them for 'strong partnership' Press TV 16 Oct 2018 -- US State Secretary Mike Pompeo has met with Saudi Arabia's King Salman to discuss the mysterious disappearance of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as both sides face international pressure over the fate of the US-based commentator who is believed to have been murdered at the Saudi consulate in the Turkish city of Istanbul.
Pompeo Meets Saudi King, Crown Prince Over Journalist Disappearance RFE/RL 16 Oct 2018 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has held talks in Saudi Arabia with King Salman over the disappearance and alleged killing of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi.
Al-Jubeir Receives US Counterpart, Review Bilateral Relations, latest Regional Developments SPA 16 Oct 2018 -- Minister of Foreign Affairs Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir met here today with visiting US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in the presence of Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Saudi Ambassador to the US.
HRH Crown Prince Receives US Secretary of State SPA 16 Oct 2018 -- His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Defense received at Al-Yamamah palace here today the United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Trump: Saudi Crown Prince Denies Knowledge of What Happened to Missing Journo Sputnik 16 Oct 2018 -- President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that answers will be coming soon in the case of missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi, adding that Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman told him during a phone call that the investigation into his disappearance is rapidly expanding.
Saudi Arabia Remains Important US Ally Amid Khashoggi Case - Official Sputnik 16 Oct 2018 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo thanked Saudi King Salman for his commitment to a transparent investigation of Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance, during his visit to Riyadh to discuss this issue with senior Saudi government officials and royal family members.
Pompeo Thanks Saudi King for Commitment to Investigation of Journo Disappearance Sputnik 16 Oct 2018 -- Earlier, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir in Riyadh to discuss the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Erdogan Says Saudi Consulate Will Be Searched for Toxic Substances Sputnik 16 Oct 2018 -- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressing journalists in Ankara after a Parliament session said that police will search the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul one more time on Tuesday amid investigation into disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Secretary Pompeo's Meeting With Saudi King Salman US Dept. of State 16 Oct 2018
Secretary Pompeo's Meeting With Saudi Foreign Minister al-Jubeir US Dept. of State 16 Oct 2018
Secretary Pompeo's Meeting With Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman US Dept. of State 16 Oct 2018
Meetings With Saudi Leadership US Dept. of State 16 Oct 2018
Top UN rights official urges transparent probe into Khashoggi disappearance UN News 16 Oct 2018 -- The top United Nations human rights official has called on Saudi Arabia and Turkey to "reveal everything they know" about the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi.
Pompeo in Riyadh, But No Information Disclosed about Missing Saudi Journalist's Fate VOA 16 Oct 2018 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Saudi Arabia's King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday about the missing Saudi journalist last seen two weeks ago entering Riyadh's consulate in Istanbul. But there was no immediate information on the fate of Jamal Khashoggi.

U.S. Assistance to Ethnic and Religious Minorities in Iraq US Dept. of State 16 Oct 2018 -- As part of the continued commitment by Vice President Pence, Secretary Pompeo, and USAID Administrator Green to support ethnic and religious minorities in Iraq as highlighted earlier this year at the first-ever Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, the United States is proud to announce over $178 million in U.S. foreign assistance to support these vulnerable communities in Iraq. This brings total U.S. assistance for this population to nearly $300 million since Fiscal Year 2017, implemented by both the State Department and USAID.

Justice, Treasury, and State Departments Announce Coordinated Enforcement Efforts Against Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion US Dept. of Justice 16 Oct 2018 -- The United States of America, through its Departments of Justice, Treasury, and State announced today a series of measures to target and dismantle the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG) – one of the largest, most dangerous drug cartels currently operating in Mexico. These measures include the unsealing of 15 indictments, the State Department's approval of large rewards, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designations, and the establishment of a citizen tip-line.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions Delivers Remarks at Joint Press Conference on Efforts to Target and Dismantle CJNG US Dept. of Justice 16 Oct 2018 -- Remarks as prepared for delivery

EU-U.S. Cyber Dialogue Joint Elements Statement US Dept. of State 16 Oct 2018 -- On the occasion of the fifth meeting of the EU-U.S. Cyber Dialogue in Brussels on 10 September 2018, the European Union (EU) and United States reaffirmed their strong partnership in favour of a global, open, stable and secure cyberspace where the rule of law fully applies, where the same rights that individuals have offline are protected online, and where the security, economic growth, prosperity, and integrity of free and democratic societies is promoted and preserved.

Armenia's Pashinian Resigns To Force New Elections RFE/RL 16 Oct 2018 -- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian says he is resigning from his post in order to dissolve parliament and force early elections.
Armenia's Prime Minister, Government Resign - Decree Sputnik 16 Oct 2018 -- Armenian President Armen Sarkissian accepted on Tuesday the resignation of the government, the presidential press service said.

Mastermind behind Ahvaz terrorist attack killed in Iraq's Diyala, IRGC says Press TV 16 Oct 2018 -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says a high-ranking commander of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group, who apparently masterminded the recent deadly terror attack in the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz, has been killed in Iraq's eastern province of Diyala.

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