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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve Monthly Civilian Casualty Report Operation Inherent Resolve 30 Dec 2018 -- The Coalition has worked by, with and through partners since 2014 to defeat ISIS in designated parts of Iraq and Syria, liberating nearly 8 million Iraqis and Syrians from ISIS's brutal rule and reducing its control of territory to approximately one percent of what it previously held.
• US Vacates First Warehouse in Syria Amid Pullout – Reports Sputnik 30 Dec 2018 -- The United States has cleared the first military warehouse in the northeastern Syrian province of Hasakah, media reported.
• US forces leave Hasakah base following Trump's decision to evacuate Syria Press TV 30 Dec 2018 -- The United States has reportedly evacuated a military base in Syria, the first step towards delivering on President Donald Trump's recent pledge to pull American forces out of the war-torn Arab country.
• US: Anti-IS Coalition Airstrikes Killed Over 1,000 Civilians VOA 30 Dec 2018 -- U.S.-led coalition airstrikes against Islamic State have killed over 1,000 civilians in Iraq and Syria since 2014.
• Afghan Presidential Polls Rescheduled for July 20 VOA 30 Dec 2018 -- Electoral authorities in Afghanistan have delayed by three months next year's presidential election and it will now be held on July 20.
• Afghanistan Delays Presidential Vote Until July RFE/RL 30 Dec 2018 -- Afghanistan's election authorities say they have decided to delay a presidential election by three months to July 20 due to delays in registration and ongoing technical issues.
• Former Top U.S. Commander In Afghanistan Warns About Troop Withdrawal RFE/RL 30 Dec 2018 -- Retired General Stanley McChrystal says a major withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, which the White House is considering, would damage peace talks with the Taliban and shake Kabul's confidence in its alliance with the United States.
• Afghanistan to postpone presidential election to July Press TV 30 Dec 2018 -- The Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan says the presidential election will be postponed to July 20 to give authorities more time for making preparations.
• Taliban rejects Afghan government's offer of peace talks Press TV 30 Dec 2018 -- The Taliban militant group has rejected a call by the Afghan government for formal peace talks next month in Saudi Arabia.
• Chung-Hoon seizes drugs in Gulf of Aden NNS 30 Dec 2018 -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) interdicted a shipment of narcotics aboard a stateless vessel while conducting maritime security operations in the international waters of the Gulf of Aden, Dec. 27.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Fighter exercise Sentry Aloha 19-1 completed AFNS 30 Dec 2018 -- More than 800 Airmen, Sailors and Defense Department civilians from nine states completed exercise Sentry Aloha, a large-scale fighter exercise, , Dec. 19, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
• Pentagon Prioritises Offensive Hypersonic Weapon Amid Russia's Advance – Report Sputnik 30 Dec 2018 -- Russia's Avangard hypersonic missile has recently passed a successful test, during which it reportedly reached a speed of Mach 27, at least partially proving earlier statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin that it would be able to evade any existing defence systems.
• US Navy seeks to develop hypersonic Weapons to catch-up with Russia, China Press TV 30 Dec 2018 -- The US Navy has placed the development of hypersonic weapons on its "acquisition wish list" after Russia's recent announcement of a successful missile test and planned its deployment in 2019 of an "invincible" strategic missile that can fly 27 times the speed of sound.
• US military luring E Asia allies to back its bid to confront China Press TV 30 Dec 2018 -- A senior US military official is reportedly trying to lure American allies in the Asian Pacific region to boost their naval force in the South China Sea to support the Pentagon's efforts to challenge China near its own territorial waters.
• Russian troops will get new generation of S-350 Vityaz missile system in 2019: Ministry Press TV 30 Dec 2018 -- The Russian military says it will deploy the new generation of S-350 Vityaz short-to-mid range surface-to-air defense missile system next year.
• Russian Aerospace Forces to Get S-350 Vityaz Air Defence Weapon in 2019 Sputnik 30 Dec 2018 -- Russia's Aerospace Forces will get their first medium-range surface-to-air missile system S-350 Vityaz next year, the Defence Ministry said.
• Brexit allows UK to expand military presence abroad: Minister Press TV 30 Dec 2018 -- Britain's Secretary of Defense Gavin Williamson has said that leaving the European Union would allow his country to expand its military presence abroad and establish more bases in other countries.
• UK to Establish New Overseas Military Bases After Brexit – Report Sputnik 30 Dec 2018 -- Currently Britain has several overseas military bases, including bases on Cyprus, the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar and the Indian Ocean, but is reportedly planning to expand its global military presence.
• Japanese Reports Claim N Korea Conducted Missile-Related Telemetry Tests in Dec Sputnik 30 Dec 2018 -- The North Korean military tested in December telemetry equipment used for tracking launched intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) despite Pyongyang's claims that the country has suspended missile-related tests, the Japanese Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reported, citing sources.
• Pakistan army chief sees better military ties with Iran Press TV 30 Dec 2018 -- Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa says his country's cooperation with Iran has strengthened and will continue to enhance regional security.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Yemeni National Army liberates areas in Sarawah, Yemen SPA 30 Dec 2018 -- The Yemeni National Army announced that its forces had made progress on the ground in the Directorate of Sarawah, west of Marib Governorate and is approaching the center of the Directorate.
• Yemeni Ansarullah seizes control of Saudi base in Jizan IRNA 30 Dec 2018 -- Yemeni Ansarullah movement announced on Sunday that it controlled Saudi Arabia's military base in Jizan southwest of the country.
• Yemen target Saudis' positions with missiles IRNA 30 Dec 2018 -- Yemen has targeted Saudi forces' positions in southern Saudi Arabia with missiles, Yemeni TV Channel 'Al-Masirah' reported Sunday.
• US exit from Syria insignificant: Iran top cmdr IRNA 30 Dec 2018 -- Chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri said that given the huge number of the US forces currently present in the region, its recent exit from Syria is not a remarkable measure.
• Turkey to continue cooperation with Russia, Iran on Syria ISNA 30 Dec 2018 -- Turkey intends to continue close cooperation with Russia and Iran in Syria, Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Saturday after negotiations in Moscow.
• Syria key player in Middle East region, Bahraini foreign minister says Press TV 30 Dec 2018 -- Bahrain's Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifah has described Syria as a key player in Middle East politics, stating that the Manama regime stands by Syria in protecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity against any act of aggression.
• US presence in Persian Gulf only fuels insecurity: Iran chief commander Press TV 30 Dec 2018 -- Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri says the United States is only fueling insecurity in the Persian Gulf through its presence in the strategic region.
• Jordanian lawmakers demand restoration of full Syria relations Press TV 30 Dec 2018 -- Jordanian legislators have reportedly called on the Amman government to restore full diplomatic relations with neighboring Syria amid promising signs that the incumbent Damascus government led by President Bashar al-Assad is being admitted back into the Arab world.
• Turkey, Russia agree to 'coordinate' anti-terror Syria operations Press TV 30 Dec 2018 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Moscow and Ankara have reached a consensus on coordination of counter-terrorism military activities in Syria amid the withdrawal of American troops from the Arab country.
• Syrian Army Stations Along Western Border of Manbij Region - Correspondent Sputnik 30 Dec 2018 -- The Syrian army established itself on the territories along the western border of the Syrian region of Manbij, Aleppo province, a Sputnik correspondent reported.
• Assad allows Iraqi jets to hit Daesh militant redoubts in Syria anytime: Report Press TV 30 Dec 2018 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has reportedly allowed Iraqi fighter jets to conduct airstrikes against the positions of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in the war-ravaged country without waiting to be granted formal authorization for the assaults.
• Syria Allows Iraq to Conduct Air Raids Against Daesh – Report Sputnik 30 Dec 2018 -- The Iraqi military has conducted two airstrikes this month against Daesh on the territory of Syria, leaving dozens of terrorists dead. They reportedly used intelligence obtained from Damascus to locate the terrorists' positions.
• Moscow regrets Merkel, Macron stance on Russia-Ukraine relations People's Daily 30 Dec 2018 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry said Saturday it regretted the position of French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on some aspects of Russia-Ukraine relations.
• Truce In Eastern Ukraine Appears Largely To Be Holding RFE/RL 30 Dec 2018 -- A fresh truce between Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine appears for the most part to be holding.
• Ukrainian President Signs Law Expanding Control in Black Sea After Kerch Row Sputnik 30 Dec 2018 -- The adoption of the law comes a month after a provocation by Ukrainian Navy ships in the Kerch Strait and violation of the Russian maritime border. Following the incident, Ukraine's president introduced martial law in several regions of the country and the coast of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, but was terminated earlier this week.
• Israel confiscates 300 acres of Palestinian-owned lands Press TV 30 Dec 2018 -- Israeli forces have confiscated nearly 300 acres of Palestinian-owned lands in the West Bank in a bid to expand its illegal settlements in the occupied territories, Palestinian media reported.
• Resistance groups, regional nations to foil US 'deal of century' plot: Iran Press TV 30 Dec 2018 -- A senior Iranian security official has lashed out at some Arab countries for their overt and covert support for US President Donald Trump's "deal of the century" plot against the Palestinians, saying resistance groups and vigilant nations in the region will prevent the implementation of such an "ominous" plan.
• Israel seizes more Palestinian land for settlement construction Press TV 30 Dec 2018 -- Israeli authorities have confiscated thousands of square meters of private Palestinian land in the southern West Bank to expand a settlement in blatant violation of international law and defiance of United Nations Security Council resolutions condemning Tel Aviv regime's land expropriation and settlement expansion policies in the occupied territories.

News Reports

• Retired US General Calls Trump Dishonest, Immoral VOA 30 Dec 2018 -- Retired U.S. Army General Stanley McChrystal blasted U.S. President Donald Trump, calling him dishonest and immoral.
• Former top US general in Afghanistan calls Trump immoral, dishonest Press TV 30 Dec 2018 -- US President Donald Trump is "immoral and dishonest," says retired four-star General Stanley McChrystal, criticizing the American leader's Middle East policy.
• Trump refuses to budge over border wall demand that triggered govt. shutdown Press TV 30 Dec 2018 -- US President Donald Trump's administration and Democrats in Congress continued to attack each other on Sunday over the proposed US-Mexico border wall that triggered a partial government shutdown, now in its ninth day.
• Russia ready for 'wide-ranging' dialogue with US: Putin Press TV 30 Dec 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has told his American counterpart Donald Trump that the Kremlin is ready for entering into dialogue with the White House on a "wide-ranging agenda" as Moscow-Washington relations are currently at their worst since the end of the Cold War era.
• Putin Tells Trump That Russia Open To 'Wide-Ranging' Dialogue With U.S. RFE/RL 30 Dec 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow remains open for dialogue with Washington.
• Spuds 'N Speculation: Lukashenka Gifts Potatoes To Putin Amid Integration Rumors RFE/RL 30 Dec 2018 -- Four bags of potatoes and a tub of lard. That's what Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka reportedly handed over to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, as a Christmas present.
• N Korean Leader Hopes to Have Frequent Meetings With Moon Next Year - Reports Sputnik 30 Dec 2018 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has expressed hope that he will be able to have frequent meetings with South Korean President Moon Jae-in next year, the Yonhap news agency reported, citing Kim's letter to Moon.
• US presence in Persian Gulf creating insecurity: Top military official IRNA 30 Dec 2018 -- Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran said the presence of the United States in the Persian Gulf has nothing, but insecurity in the region.
• Leader appoints Ayat. Sadeq Amoli Larijani as new Expediency Council chief Press TV 30 Dec 2018 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has appointed Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani, the current head of Iran's Judiciary, as the new chairman of the Expediency Council and a jurist member of the Guardian Council.
• Resistance groups, regional nations to foil US 'deal of century' plot: Iran Press TV 30 Dec 2018 -- A senior Iranian security official has lashed out at some Arab countries for their overt and covert support for US President Donald Trump's "deal of the century" plot against the Palestinians, saying resistance groups and vigilant nations in the region will prevent the implementation of such an "ominous" plan.
• Xi, Trump have telephone conversation, agree to implement consensus in Argentina meeting People's Daily 30 Dec 2018 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday held a telephone conversation, expressing their willingness to push for implementation of their agreements reached during the G-20 summit in Argentina.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang's Remarks on the 40th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between China and the United States People's Daily 30 Dec 2018 -- In 2019, we will mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States. Over the past four decades, China-US ties have traversed a tortuous journey and kept forging ahead. The exchanges and cooperation between the two countries have scored historic achievements.
• Bangladesh's ruling party wins general elections: Local media say Press TV 30 Dec 2018 -- Early results show Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League (AL) party won the controversial general elections, which were marred by opposition claims of vote rigging and violence between rival supporters.
• Many opposition candidates pull out of Bangladesh elections, citing electoral fraud Press TV 30 Dec 2018 -- Over 40 candidates of the opposition alliance in Bangladesh have pulled out during polling in general elections, alleging vote rigging.
• Polls open in Bangladesh, fresh clashes kill 12 Press TV 30 Dec 2018 -- Clashes between the supporters of Bangladesh's ruling party and opposition have left 12 people dead and nearly a dozen others wounded as the South Asian country votes in general elections already plagued by deadly violence.
• 17 Killed in Bangladesh Election Day Clashes VOA 30 Dec 2018 -- At least 17 people have been killed in election-related violence in Bangladesh Sunday, according to police, as Sheikh Hasina was heading for a landslide win for a third term as the country's prime minister.
• Problems Mar Long-Awaited Election Day in DRC VOA 30 Dec 2018 -- Millions of citizens in the Democratic Republic of Congo voted Sunday in a contentious, chaotic national election that has been repeatedly delayed and marred with glitches and allegations of rigging. While voting day, too, was marked by chaos, confusion and anger, millions of people among a voters' roll of 40 million participated in what may be the most important poll in this nation's independent history.
• Presidential election starts in DR Congo Press TV 30 Dec 2018 -- People have started voting in the presidential election in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, amid delays and reported disorganization.
• Serbians protest against government for fourth week Press TV 30 Dec 2018 -- People in Serbia have staged anti-government demonstrations in the capital, Belgrade, for a fourth week.
• Colombia Probes Alleged Plot by Venezuelans to Assassinate President Duque Sputnik 30 Dec 2018 -- The Colombian government is investigating a possible plot by three Venezuelan nationals to assassinate President Ivan Duque, Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes said in a video message.
• In Indonesia, Calls for Quran Test for Presidential Hopefuls Draw Ire VOA 30 Dec 2018 -- A recent call for a Quran test in Aceh province for Indonesian presidential candidates is facing strong criticism by Muslim scholars, who say the move would undermine racial unity.