16 January 2019 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Statement by Vice President Mike Pence on the terrorist attack in Syria The White House 16 Jan 2019
US Soldiers Killed in IS-Claimed Syria Blast VOA 16 Jan 2019 -- The Islamic State terror group quickly claimed responsibility for Wednesday's attack, identifying the bomber as one of its Syrian fighters and said he had targeted a patrol of U.S. and coalition forces.
Pence Says Daesh Defeated as Group Claims Credit for Killing US Troops in Manbij Sputnik 16 Jan 2019 -- The Daesh* has been defeated and its Caliphate has crumbled, Vice President Mike Pence said on Wednesday, the same day several US service members were killed in a Syria attack the terror group claimed credit for.
Explosion Kills Four in Manbij CENTCOM 16 Jan 2019 -- Two U.S. servicemembers, one Department of Defense (DoD) civilian and one contractor supporting DoD were killed and three servicemembers were injured while conducting a local engagement in Manbij, Syria, Jan. 16, 2019.
Four US servicemen, 14 others killed in bomb attack in Syria's northern city of Manbij Press TV 16 Jan 2019 -- At least four US servicemen and 14 other people have been reported dead after a massive bomb explosion struck near a patrol of the US-led coalition purportedly fighting the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in Syria's flashpoint northern city of Manbij.
Four Americans, Including Two Soldiers, Killed In Syria Blast, Pentagon Says RFE/RL 16 Jan 2019 -- The Pentagon says two U.S. troops and two American civilians are among among those killed in a suicide bombing claimed by the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria.

Taliban Must Talk To Afghan Government, Says U.S. Envoy RFE/RL 16 Jan 2019 -- U.S. peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad says that a peaceful end to the 17-year conflict in Afghanistan requires the Taliban to engage in direct talks with the Afghan government, which they have consistently refused to do.
American, Indian National Killed in Kabul Attack VOA 16 Jan 2019 -- Two foreigners, an American and an Indian, were said to be among four people killed in this week's massive suicide truck bombing in Kabul, Afghanistan.
US Envoy: Taliban Must Engage Afghan Government VOA 16 Jan 2019 -- A high-level U.S. diplomat responsible for negotiations with the Taliban made it clear the insurgent group would have to engage with the Afghan government if they wanted the peace process to move forward.

Defense Policy / Programs

USAF, NASIC releases unclassified ‘Competing in Space’ assessment NASIC 16 Jan 2019 -- The U.S. Air Force released an unclassified report Wednesday created by the National Air and Space Intelligence Center detailing developing trends in the space domain and the growing challenges posed by foreign space assets.

Remarks by Acting Secretary Shanahan at an Enhanced Honor Cordon and Meeting Welcoming Japanese Minister Of Defense Takeshi Iwaya to the Pentagon DoD 16 Jan 2017 -- Acting Secretary Of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan; Japan Minister of Defense Takeshi Iwaya
USS Gerald R. Ford Accepts First Advanced Weapons Elevator NNS 16 Jan 2019 -- The Navy's newest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), closed out 2018 on a high note with the acceptance of the ship's first advanced weapons elevator (AWE), setting the tone for more positive developments in the year ahead.
Text of a Letter from the President to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and the House Committee on Financial Services The White House 16 Jan 2019
Text of a Letter from the President to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and the House Committee on Financial Services The White House 16 Jan 2019
Text of a Letter from the President to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and the House Committee on Financial Services The White House 16 Jan 2019
Text of a Letter from the President to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and the House Committee on Financial Services The White House 16 Jan 2019
Readout of Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan meeting with Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya of Japan DoD 16 Jan 2019
Alliance Commitment Remains Steadfast, Military Committee Chairman Says DoD News 16 Jan 2019 -- While circumstances have changed since NATO was formed in 1949, the commitment and support to defend alliance members – "is as resolute today as it was in 1949," the chairman of NATO's Military Committee said here today.
Navy Leadership Focuses on Sea Power Innovation and a Culture of Excellence NNS 16 Jan 2019 -- Leaders from the surface community have emphasized sea power innovation and a culture of excellence as the 31st annual Surface Navy Association (SNA) National Symposium in Crystal City, Virginia started Jan. 15 with the theme "Ready, Agile, Focused: Own the Fight!"
Pentagon Reportedly Considering Boosting Missile Defences Worldwide Sputnik 16 Jan 2019 -- Donald Trump's national security strategy, unveiled in December 2017, described "enhanced" missile defence as a priority, at the same time the document emphasised that it was not intended to undermine strategic relationship with Russia or China.

US Coast Guard Becomes First Military Service Branch to Work Without Pay Sputnik 16 Jan 2019 -- Active duty members of the US Coast Guard did not receive their first paycheck of the year Tuesday as a result of the ongoing partial US government shutdown, the head of the Coast Guard announced this week.

US Official Announces Start Date for American Withdrawal Process From INF Treaty Sputnik 16 Jan 2019 -- The US called the latest round of negotiations aimed at preserving the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty "disappointing". At the same time, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov slammed the US for ignoring Moscow's "constructive proposals" and sticking to its own "prepared position that was based on an ultimatum".

US and Denmark take command of two NATO naval groups NATO 16 Jan 2019 -- A US Navy Admiral has assumed command of NATO's Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG) 1, taking over from a Royal Danish Navy Commodore.

US, UK Navies Conduct First Joint Military Drills in Contested South China Sea Sputnik 16 Jan 2019 -- The sweeping naval exercises were conducted for the first time since China built strategic outposts in the sea, which is seen as a crucially important waterway for international trade.

Airforce showcases Mirage-2000 emergency takeoff capabilities CNA 16 Jan 2019 -- Taiwan's Air Force on Wednesday demonstrated its combat preparedness at a northern base during which French-built Mirage 2000s held an emergency takeoff exercise, amid rising cross-strait tension after Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) recently reasserted Beijing's right to use force to achieve reunification with Taiwan.

China slams Pentagon's PLA report, said it disregards facts, uses Cold War mentality Global Times 16 Jan 2019 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday slammed a report released by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) under the US Department of Defense, saying that the US is "unprofessional, hostile and biased" toward China's military development.
'Unfounded Speculation': China on DoD Report on China's Military Development Sputnik 16 Jan 2019 -- Beijing condemns the US Defense Department's new report on China's military development as baseless speculation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Wednesday.
J-20 variant may be world's first two-seat stealth fighter jet: report Global Times 16 Jan 2019 -- China's most advanced stealth fighter jet J-20 could be developed into a bomber, electric warfare (EW) aircraft and a carrier-based variant, Chinese military experts said on Wednesday as latest reports suggested a two-seat version of the warplane is under development.

France Denies Buying Rafale Fighter Jets at a Price Cheaper Than India Sputnik 16 Jan 2019 -- The controversy over the purchase of French Rafale fighter jets by the Indian government refuses to die down. A media report claiming that France purchased the Rafale jets at a 50% lower price than the Indian government has given the controversy fresh life. Indian opposition leaders are accusing the Modi government of signing an overpriced deal.

Newly Appointed IDF Chief Kochavi Pledges to Make Army 'Deadly, Efficient' Sputnik 16 Jan 2019 -- The former Army intelligence chief earlier made headlines for his proposal to assassinate Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Turkey to Purchase Russian S-400 Regardless of Potential Patriot Deal With US Sputnik 16 Jan 2019 -- Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu earlier stated that Turkey was open to a US proposal on Patriot air defence systems supplies only if abandoning the S-400 deal with Russia is not a precondition for the agreement with Washington.

Defense Industry

Contracts for January 16, 2019

Other Conflicts

15 January 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 16 Jan 2019

UN Security Council approves dozens of monitors for Yemen's Hudaydah truce Press TV 16 Jan 2019 -- The United Nations Security Council has unanimously approved the deployment of dozens of observers to the strategic Yemeni port city of Hudaydah for six months to monitor a truce reached during the latest round of UN-sponsored peace negotiations in Sweden last month.
UN Security Council OKs Monitoring Mission for Yemen Port City VOA 16 Jan 2019 -- The U.N. Security Council unanimously authorized Wednesday the deployment of up to 75 monitors to Yemen's port city of Hodeida as part of efforts to maintain a critical cease-fire there.
Yemen: Security Council backs new mission in support of key port city truce UN News 16 Jan 2019 -- The Security Council unanimously voted on Wednesday in favour of deploying up to 75 observers to monitor a fragile ceasefire in Yemen's port city of Hudaydah which went into effect late last month; a lifeline for millions of Yemenis on the verge of starvation.

IRGC commander vows to protect Iranian advisors in Syria after Israeli PM's threat Press TV 16 Jan 2019 -- The chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has vowed to protect Iranian military advisors in Syria, dismissing as "ridiculous and funny" Israeli threats to attack them.
Russia, Kurdish militants reject US-proposed 'security zone' under Turkish control Press TV 16 Jan 2019 -- US-backed Kurdish militants have rejected Washington's proposal for the establishment of a "security zone" under Turkish control along the Syrian side of the two countries' border, saying it infringes on the sovereignty of the Arab country.
Iran Vows No Military Withdrawal From Syria Despite Israeli Threats RFE/RL 16 Jan 2019 -- The head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps says Iran will retain its military presence in Syria, defying Israeli threats that Iranian forces will be targeted if they do not leave the war-torn country.
Iran to Keep All Its Forces and Weapons in Syria - Revolutionary Guards Chief Sputnik 16 Jan 2019 -- Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Iran to "get out of [Syria] fast" threatening to continue air raids against Iranian military targets, allegedly stationed in the Arab state.
Syrian Kurds Reportedly Reject Turkish Safe Zone Agreed With Trump Sputnik 16 Jan 2019 -- On 15 January, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that he and his American counterpart Donald Trump had reached a "historic understanding" on Syria in their latest phone call.

Mali: 'Dire' humanitarian situation, 'grave' security concerns challenge fragile peace UN News 16 Jan 2019 -- With over 800 schools forced to close due to insecurity, and 2.3 million vulnerable people in need of assistance this year, a top UN official told the Security Council on Wednesday that the humanitarian situation in Mali "remains dire".

Nearly 900 reportedly killed following 'shocking' intercommunal attacks in DR Congo UN News 16 Jan 2019 -- The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) said on Wednesday that at least 890 villagers were reportedly killed in the western Democratic Republic of the Congo last month, following brutal inter-communal clashes.
UN: 900 People Killed in DRC Ethnic Violence VOA 16 Jan 2019 -- Nearly 900 people were killed in ethnic violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo in mid-December, the United Nations Human Rights office said Wednesday.
UN Human Rights Office says credible reports suggest at least 890 killed in western DRC violence in mid-December OHCHR 16 Jan 2019 -- The UN Human Rights Office said Wednesday that according to allegations from credible sources, at least 890 people were killed between 16 and 18 December in four villages in Yumbi territory, Mai-Ndombe province in the west of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in what appear to have been clashes between the Banunu and Batende communities.

Hague Court Questioning Ends For Former Kosovar War Commander RFE/RL 16 Jan 2019 -- A former commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army (UCK) has completed two days of questioning at a controversial special court in the Netherlands about his role during Kosovo's 1998-99 war of independence from Serbia.

Russian Court Leaves Jailed Ukrainian Sailors In Pretrial Detention RFE/RL 16 Jan 2019 -- A Moscow court has prolonged the pretrial detention of 24 Ukrainian sailors detained by Russian forces who attacked three Ukrainian Navy vessels in the Black Sea in November.

ICC Prosecutors to Appeal Gbagbo Acquittal on War Crimes Charges VOA 16 Jan 2019 -- Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court say they will appeal Tuesday's surprise acquittal of former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo of crimes against humanity in connection with the deadly violence after his loss in the 2010 presidential elections.

News Reports

$5 Billion for the Border Wall and Standing Firm VOA 16 Jan 2019 -- President Donald Trump began insisting on $5 billion for a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico at the end of November after submitting a budget that contained $1.6 billion for border security, including parts of the wall.

Kremlin Dismisses 'Stupid' Claims That Trump A Russian Agent RFE/RL 16 Jan 2019 -- Top Russian officials on January 16 dismissed as ridiculous allegations that U.S. President Donald Trump could have worked for Moscow's interests, calling them "absurd" and "stupid."

OFAC Extends Expiration Date of General Licenses Related to En+, RUSAL, and ESE US Treasury 16 Jan 2019 -- "The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today extended the expiration date of certain general licenses related to En+ Group plc (EN+), United Company RUSAL PLC (RUSAL), and JSC EuroSibEnergo (ESE) from January 21, 2019 to January 28, 2019."
US Senate advances measure critical of easing Russia sanctions Press TV 16 Jan 2019 -- The US Senate has voted to move ahead with a Democratic-backed resolution blocking President Donald Trump's plan to lift sanctions against three major Russian companies.
U.S. Senators Advance Deripaska Sanctions Resolution Over Administration Objections RFE/RL 16 Jan 2019 -- The U.S. Senate has moved forward with a resolution opposing President Donald Trump's administration for a plan to ease sanctions on Russian companies tied to billionaire Oleg Deripaska.
Lavrov Says U.S. Out To Torpedo 'Strategic Stability,' Maintains Hard Line In Kuriles Dispute RFE/RL 16 Jan 2019 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused the United States of seeking to dismantle the system of weapons pacts and said that Moscow is willing to continue trying to preserve the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.
Classified Russian Military Town From UK's Skripal Probe No Longer Secret Sputnik 16 Jan 2019 -- The closed unit status was revoked upon the Russian president's order shortly after the name of the town popped up in London's investigation into the alleged March 2018 nerve gas attack.
US Senate Upholds Lifting Sanctions on Russian's Companies VOA 16 Jan 2019 -- The U.S. Senate on Wednesday narrowly upheld a Trump administration plan to lift sanctions against three companies linked to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

EU Ambassadors Approve Sanctions Against Novichok Suspects RFE/RL 16 Jan 2019 -- European Union ambassadors agreed on January 16 to impose sanctions on four Russian military intelligence officers who the EU says are responsible for carrying out chemical attacks, including the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal in Britain in 2018.

Russia's FSB Says It Deported Ukrainian Spy RFE/RL 16 Jan 2019 -- Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) says it has deported a man it it says is an agent of the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) who planned to collect information about Russian military forces in Crimea.

US Still Awaits Concrete Steps From North Korea on its Nuclear Program - Pence Sputnik 16 Jan 2019 -- The United States is still waiting for North Korea to take specific moves aimed at halting its nuclear program, US Vice President Mike Pence said on Wednesday.
Experts: N. Korean Human Rights Issue Remains Dire, Must be Part of Ongoing Talks VOA 16 Jan 2019 -- United Nations special rapporteur for human rights in North Korea, Tomas Quintana, visited South Korea last week to discuss the ongoing issues north of the demilitarized zone.

Iran puts satellite into orbit successfully IRNA 16 Jan 2019 -- Experts and scientists at Iran's Department of Aerospace Industry have managed to put into orbit Payam (Messenger) satellite, using satellite-carrier Simorgh (Phoenix), Iran's minister of defense and armed forces said Wednesday.
Iran's Simorgh launch vehicle successfully launches Payam satellite ISNA 16 Jan 2019 -- Ahead of 40th anniversary of Iranian Revolution and towards Iran's space goals, experts and scientists of Iranian Ministry of Defense's Aerospace Industries Organization successfully designed and produced Simorgh launch vehicle which launched Payam satellite.
Iran enters space; minor issues to be resolved in few months: President Rouhani ISNA 16 Jan 2019 -- Iranian President said that the people of Iran are so smarter than what the enemies think, calling on ministers and governor-generals to work harder for resolving problems and evading US' anti-Iran sanctions.
We can resume production of 20 percent enriched uranium in 4 days: AEOI chief ISNA 16 Jan 2019 -- The head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi announced, "If there is a will and we withdraw from the nuclear deal, in addition to resuming production of 20 percent enriched uranium in 4 days, we can also provide preparations for launching the uranium metal production plant".
Iran won't sacrifice progress over 'fake' US, France concerns Press TV 16 Jan 2019 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry has dismissed as "fake" French and American concerns about its recent strides in space technology, asserting that nothing will stop the Islamic Republic's scientific progress.
US backing down again on draining Iran oil exports Press TV 16 Jan 2019 -- US officials are again backpedalling on their pledge to dry up Iran's oil exports amid warnings of a surge in prices if Washington refuses to extend a waiver issued in November.
Iran to open bunkering terminal in blow to UAE's Fujairah Press TV 16 Jan 2019 -- Iran will start bunkering operations at a newly-built ship fueling terminal on the Persian Gulf island of Qeshm by next month, the head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) said Wednesday.
Iran's Missiles Used in Satellite Launches Threaten Europe, Middle East - Pompeo Sputnik 16 Jan 2019 -- Earlier in January, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned that if Tehran went ahead with plans to carry out space launches in the coming months, Iran would face more economic and diplomatic pressure.

Experts: Kenyan Attack Sign of Al-Shabab Resilience VOA 16 Jan 2019 -- The deadly al-Shabab attack that rocked a luxury hotel in Kenya's capital of Nairobi Tuesday, killing 14 civilians, including one American, is seen by many experts as a signal of resilience by the Islamist militant group that has been battling U.S.-backed forces in East Africa for years.
Kenya's Leader Vows to Hunt Down Terrorists After Deadly Attack VOA 16 Jan 2019 -- Kenya's president on Wednesday vowed to track down terrorists who staged a deadly assault the day before on a hotel-and-office complex in an upscale suburb of Nairobi.
Kenyan President Says Deadly Attack and Siege on Nairobi Hotel Has Ended VOA 16 Jan 2019 -- Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta says the deadly attack and siege on a hotel and office complex in the capital Nairobi has ended.

Text of a Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Terrorists Who Threaten to Disrupt the Middle East Peace Process The White House 16 Jan 2019
Presidential Message to the Congress on the Continuation of the National Emergencies Act The White House 16 Jan 2019

Secretary's Determination of 45-Day Suspension Under Title III of LIBERTAD Act US Dept. of State 16 Jan 2019 -- The Secretary of State reported on January 16, 2019, to the appropriate Congressional committees that, consistent with section 306(c)(2) of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 (22 U.S.C. 6021 - 6091) and the authority delegated to the Secretary by the President on January 31, 2013, the Secretary made a determination to suspend for forty-five days beyond February 1, 2019, the right to bring an action under Title III of the Act.

Watchdog: Pakistan's Military Courts 'Disaster' for Human Rights VOA 16 Jan 2019 -- A global advocate for justice is calling on Pakistan not to use the tenure of its military courts to try civilians for terrorism-related offenses, saying that doing so would constitute a "disaster" for human rights.

SEF reiterates it has final say on cross-strait matters CNA 16 Jan 2019 -- Following a proposal by China's Fujian Province that was welcomed by Kinmen's county magistrate, the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) reiterated Wednesday only it has the authority to negotiate with China.

UK's Theresa May Survives Second No-Confidence Vote Sputnik 16 Jan 2019 -- For the second time in as many months, UK Prime Minister Theresa May has survived an attempt to remove her from power. Parliament has voted 325 to 306 that it has confidence in May's government, in power since June 2016.
Britain's May Survives No-Confidence Vote VOA 16 Jan 2019 -- British Prime Minister Theresa May survived a no-confidence vote Wednesday in Parliament, one day after lawmakers voted overwhelmingly against her plan to divorce Britain from the European Union.
EU Alarmed, Frustrated After Brexit Vote VOA 16 Jan 2019 -- European Union leaders are greeting the British parliament's defeat of a hard-reached Brexit plan with a mix of frustration and alarm, even as Europe begins preparing for chances Britain will leave the bloc in just over two months without a withdrawal agreement.

Russia concerned by US talk of possible military involvement in Venezuela Press TV 16 Jan 2019 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has expressed concerns over US talk of some kind of possible military involvement in Venezuela, slamming Washington for inciting the Latin American country's opposition to hamper talks with the Caracas government.
Maduro Vows to Punish National Assembly For 'Making Fun' of Constitution Sputnik 16 Jan 2019 -- The Venezuelan National Assembly adopted on Tuesday a statement declaring country's President Nicolas Maduro an usurper with all the decisions made by the president and the executive bodies void, local media reported.

Is Turkmenistan Being Pulled Into Russia's Orbit? RFE/RL 16 Jan 2019 -- April will mark 10 years since a mysterious explosion at a gas pipeline leading from Turkmenistan to Russia.

Serbian Officials Tuning Up For Putin's Visit To Belgrade RFE/RL 16 Jan 2019 -- When Russian President Vladimir Putin visits Belgrade on January 17, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic is hoping to hit all the right notes. Literally.
Thousands Attend Antigovernment Protest In Belgrade RFE/RL 16 Jan 2019 -- Thousands of people marched in Belgrade on January 16 to mark the anniversary of the still unsolved assassination of Kosovo Serb leader Oliver Ivanovic, accusing the authorities of covering up for the perpetrators.
Ahead Of Serbia Visit, Putin Claims U.S. Is Playing Destabilizing Role In Balkans RFE/RL 16 Jan 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin alleged that the United States is destabilizing the Balkans by "asserting their dominant role" in the region, according to interviews published in Serbian newspapers.

Ahead Of Election, U.S. Calls On Moldova To Ensure Free, Fair Process RFE/RL 16 Jan 2019 -- The United States has urged Moldovan officials to ensure a free and fair election process for the country's upcoming parliamentary elections.

United States Calls for a Lawful, Transparent Process To Resolve Electoral Disputes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo US Dept. of State 16 Jan 2019

Greek PM Tsipras Survives No-Confidence Vote VOA 16 Jan 2019 -- Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras barely survived a no-confidence vote in parliament Wednesday, 151 to 148.

Zimbabwe Police Arrest Prominent Political Activist VOA 16 Jan 2019 -- Security forces in Zimbabwe arrested pastor and political activist Evan Mawarire at his home in the capital Harare Wednesday, as the nationwide anti-government strike entered its third and final day.

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