22 March 2019 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Trump Says IS Territory In Syria Eliminated, Despite Reports Of Ongoing Clashes RFE/RL 22 Mar 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has said that all Islamic State (IS)-held territory in Syria has been eliminated, even as reports of continued fighting came from the battlefield of Baghouz.
Trump Unilaterally Declares IS in Syria '100 Percent Eliminated' VOA 22 Mar 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump declared the end of the Islamic State terror group's self-declared caliphate Friday, saying the terror group had been "100 percent defeated" – a claim that was quickly refuted by U.S.-backed forces on the ground.

Clashes With Taliban Kill Two US Soldiers in Afghanistan VOA 22 Mar 2019 -- A joint counter-Taliban operation in northern Afghanistan Friday killed two American service members and an Afghan partner, officials said.
Abu Dhabi crown prince proposed killing Taliban leaders: Report Press TV 22 Mar 2019 -- Mohammed bin Zayed, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, proposed to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to set up a covert program to assassinate Taliban leaders, a report says.

Defense Policy / Programs

Inflatable Satellite Antenna fielded to 8th Army units Army News 22 Mar 2019 -- Capt. Zachary Schofield, assistant product manager with Wideband Enterprise Satellite Systems, is training 8th Army Soldiers in South Korea how to set up and use the Combat Service Support Very Small Aperture Terminal (CSS VSAT) Inflatable Satellite Antenna (ISA).
U.S. 7th Fleet Units Complete Advanced Training NNS 22 Mar 2019 -- For more than 45 years, the U.S. 7th Fleet's Forward Deployed Naval Force (FDNF) in Japan has included the most advanced warships in the U.S. Navy. This month, for the first time, those FDNF ships received the most advanced tactical training to prepare to win in blue water combat.
Air Force unveils new infrastructure strategy to get more value for money, improve facilities US Air Force 22 Mar 2019 -- The Air Force announced on March 22 a new Infrastructure Investment Strategy following a yearlong review that brings new analytical tools and focus that will enhance readiness at bases worldwide.
US DOD Warns Space Force's Tiny Budget May Grow to $13 Billion Sputnik 22 Mar 2019 -- Acting US Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan hinted Wednesday that the budget for the incipient US Space Force could grow significantly as it becomes more functional.
US Promised No INF-Banned Missiles, But Pentagon's 2020 Budget Has Several Sputnik 22 Mar 2019 -- Just weeks after the US unilaterally terminated its Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with Russia, but promised not to develop new weapons that had been banned by the treaty, the Pentagon has proposed in its 2020 budget several new missile programs.
Dunford: Google's Work with China 'Challenges' US Military Advantage VOA 22 Mar 2019 -- The top U.S. military officer has called out U.S. technology giant Google for its artificial intelligence venture in China, saying it "creates a challenge" in maintaining a U.S. military advantage over the Chinese.

Russia to Respond to Planned US Tests of SM-3 Block IIА Interceptor Missile Sputnik 22 Mar 2019 -- Moscow will take all necessary response measures if the United States implements its plans to test the SM-3 Block IIA interceptor missile against intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), the Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday.
Russia's Sarmat ICBM Can 'Rip Any Missile Defence System to Shreds' – Official Sputnik 22 Mar 2019 -- The Sarmat, a new intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of up to 11,000 km, is a strategic weapon of last resort capable of carrying up to 24 nuclear-armed independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), and has been touted as Russia's effort to preserve global strategic stability amid US plans to develop advanced missile defences.
Russian jets chase away US nuclear bomber over Baltic Press TV 22 Mar 2019 -- Russia says it has sent two fighter jets to chase away a US Air Force B-52 long-range bomber flying near Russian territorial waters in the Baltic Sea.

Trump Advisers Reportedly Back Taiwan's Request for F-16s, China Cries Foul Sputnik 22 Mar 2019 -- This comes a week after Taiwanese Deputy Defence Minister Shen Yi-ming told reporters that his ministry asked Washington to supply an updated version of US-made F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters to Taiwan in order to "demonstrate our determination and ability to defend ourselves".
Pressured by China's Military Updates, Taiwan Asks US for More Weapons VOA 22 Mar 2019 -- Taiwan, faced with an increase in military spending by its main rival China, is seeking a range of new, advanced weapons systems from the United States, officials in Taipei confirmed this week.

France Tests New Anti-Tank Missile in Arctic Conditions Sputnik 22 Mar 2019 -- The French military began deploying the man-portable weapon in 2017, with plans to equip the French Armed Forces with some 400 launchers and 1,950 missiles by 2025.

China Deploys Troops Near India-Pak Border to Safeguard CPEC Projects - Reports Sputnik 22 Mar 2019 -- The move was reportedly prompted by the perceived threats to coal mine projects in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor which have been facing stiff resistance from locals in Pakistan. China is reportedly unhappy over the Pakistani Army's alleged inability to ensure the safety of the project despite repeated assurances.

Wedgetail to be RAF's new early warning radar aircraft Royal Air Force 22 Mar 2019 -- Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has signed a $1.98Bn (£1.51Bn) deal to purchase five E-7 Wedgetail aircraft. The E-7 fleet will replace the current E-3D Sentry aircraft and ensure the continued delivery of the UK's Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) capability.

DPRK withdraws from joint liaison office with S.Korea in Kaesong: Seoul unification ministry People's Daily 22 Mar 2019 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) withdrew from the joint liaison office with South Korea in the DPRK's border town of Kaesong, South Korean vice unification minister told an emergency press conference Friday.
North Korea Withdraws from Liaison Office with South Korea VOA 22 Mar 2019 -- North Korean has withdrawn its liaison office with South Korea.

Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure The White House 22 Mar 2019
Remarks by President Trump Upon Air Force One Arrival The White House 22 Mar 2019

Defense Industry

Contracts for March 22, 2019

Other Conflicts

22 March 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 22 Mar 2019

China to build deep-sea navigation system in South China Sea Global Times 22 Mar 2019 -- China is planning to build a blue water high-precision regional navigation system, dubbed as the underwater BeiDou, in a pilot program in the South China Sea to provide positioning, navigation, and communication services for global users, a key developer of the system told the Global Times on Thursday.

Syria terms as dangerous Trump's remarks over Golan IRNA 22 Mar 2019 -- Syria condemned in the strongest terms irresponsible statements made by the US president on the occupied Syrian Golan, which confirms the United States blind bias to the Zionist occupation entity, stressing that these statements will never change the fact that the Golan was and will always be a Syrian Arab territory.
EU Position On Golan Heights 'Unchanged' Despite Trump Comment RFE/RL 22 Mar 2019 -- European Council President Donald Tusk has said the EU is holding its line on the Golan Heights despite U.S. President Donald Trump's statement that Israeli sovereignty over the territory should be recognized by Washington.
UN Reiterates Golan Heights Status Remains Same After Trump's Call Sputnik 22 Mar 2019 -- After Thursday's tweet by US President Donald Trump, in which he called to recognise the disputed territory of the Golan Heights, numerous European and Middle East countries voiced their strong opposition to the move.
Syrian Envoy to UN Calls Pentagon's Announcement of Victory Over Daesh "Bluff" Sputnik 22 Mar 2019 -- On Friday, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters that the Daesh* terror group had been completely eliminated in Syria.
France Responds to Trump: Israeli Sovereignty Over Golans Against Int'l Law Sputnik 22 Mar 2019 -- Earlier, US President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter that now was the time for the US to recognize the Golan Heights as part of Israel. According to him, the time has come to take such a step in the interests of the security of Israel and the region as a whole.
Russia Slams Trump's Announcement on Golan as Direct Violation of Int'l Law Sputnik 22 Mar 2019 -- US allies in the Middle East have reaffirmed their position on the Golan Heights, with the Arab League emphasising that it fully supports Syria's sovereignty over the territory annexed by Israel.
Syria 'Determined' to Recover Israeli-Occupied Golan Heights, Lambasts Trump Sputnik 22 Mar 2019 -- On Thursday, US President Donald Trump tweeted that 52 years on, it is time for his country "to fully recognise Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights".
World Leaders Blast Trump's Call to Recognize Israel's Sovereignty Over Golan Heights VOA 22 Mar 2019 -- World leaders are criticizing U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement that the United States will recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
World countries blast US on Golan, Syria vows to liberate Israeli occupied territory Press TV 22 Mar 2019 -- The Arab League, Russia, Iran and Turkey have strongly warned the US after President Donald Trump declared Thursday that he will recognize Syria's Golan Heights as Israeli territory.

UN raps Israel's use of 'unlawful force' against Gazans Press TV 22 Mar 2019 -- The United Nations (UN)'s Human Rights Council has denounced Israel's use of "unlawful lethal and other excessive force" against unarmed Palestinian protesters in the besieged Gaza Strip.
Israeli Tank Strikes Hamas Post in Gaza in Response to Border Riots - IDF Sputnik 22 Mar 2019 -- An Israeli tank attacked a Hamas military post in response to violent rioting on the Gaza Strip border, the press service of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said on Thursday.

G7 Letter Takes Aim At Role Of Violent Extremists In Ukrainian Society, Election RFE/RL 22 Mar 2019 -- As the Ukrainian presidential election nears, the world's leading industrialized nations have some strong words for Ukraine's top cop amid recent far-right violence in Kyiv and other cities.
Former US Diplomats Slam Response to 2018 Russian Attack on Ukrainian Ships VOA 22 Mar 2019 -- Recent Western-imposed sanctions targeting Russia – spawned by a naval attack on Ukrainian soldiers on the Sea of Azov late last year – are too little, too late, say former top U.S. emissaries to the region.

Heavy Air Patrol, Cross-Border Clashes Underway at Indo-Pak Border - Reports Sputnik 22 Mar 2019 -- Local sources confirmed to Sputnik that heavy aerial activities, in addition to the firing of artillery, mortar and machine guns, are taking place from both sides of the Indo-Pak border.
Four Gunfights Erupt in last 24 Hours in Jammu and Kashmir, 4 Terrorists Killed Sputnik 22 Mar 2019 -- Indian-administered Kashmir has witnessed ongoing clashes between Indian security forces and terrorists.

Armed Islamists, Security Forces Killed Over 150 People in Burkina Faso – Report Sputnik 22 Mar 2019 -- More than 150 people have been killed and tens of thousands displaced in Burkina Faso amid atrocities by Islamist armed groups and counter-terror operations by security forces, the HRW watchdog said in a report on Friday.

UN: No Quick, Easy Solution to Western Sahara Conflict VOA 22 Mar 2019 -- A second round of U.N.-mediated talks aimed at solving the Western Sahara conflict has ended with no resolution, but with an agreement by the Moroccan and the Polisario Front delegations to meet again.

Hunger, displacement and disease: 4.3 million people remain in dire need of aid in Chad UN News 22 Mar 2019 -- With Chad at a crossroads of life-threatening challenges ranging from violence to drought, the United Nations and its humanitarian partners appealed on Thursday for $476 million to support the most vulnerable of 4.3 million people relying on aid in the African country.

News Reports

Mueller Concludes Russia Probe, Submits Report VOA 22 Mar 2019 -- The wait is over. But the political parlor game has just begun.
U.S. Special Counsel Submits Final Report On Russia Investigation To Justice Department RFE/RL 22 Mar 2019 -- U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller has submitted his long-awaited report on his investigation into Russia's role in the 2016 presidential election.
White House Rejects Request For Info On Putin, Trump Helsinki Meeting RFE/RL 22 Mar 2019 -- The White House has rejected a request from three congressional committees seeking information on private conversations between President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Helsinki last summer.

Statement by the Press Secretary on Sanctions Against Major Venezuelan Bank The White House 22 Mar 2019
Pence Calls for Roberto Marrero Release in Venezuela VOA 22 Mar 2019 -- U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has said the United States "will not tolerate" the continued detention of Roberto Marrero, chief of staff of Venezuela opposition leader Juan Guaido.
Treasury Sanctions BANDES, Venezuela's National Development Bank, and Subsidiaries, in Response to Illegal Arrest of Guaido Aide US Treasury 22 Mar 2019 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Banco de Desarrollo Economico y Social de Venezuela, or BANDES, pursuant to E.O. 13850, as amended, for operating in the financial sector of the Venezuelan economy, as well as four additional financial institutions that BANDES owns or controls.
US imposes new sanctions on Venezuela Press TV 22 Mar 2019 -- The United States has imposed new sanctions against Venezuela, now targeting the country's national development bank and its subsidiaries, part of US-led efforts to oust the democratically elected government of President Nicolas Maduro.
Venezuela arrests Guaido's top aide for leading 'terrorist cell' Press TV 22 Mar 2019 -- Venezuela has arrested a key aid to opposition figure Juan Guaido for leading a "terrorist cell" seeking to attack the government's leadership.
US Sanctions Venezuelan State-Owned Bank 'in Response to Arrest of Guaido Aide' Sputnik 22 Mar 2019 -- The Venezuelan interior ministry insists that the detained associate of the Western-backed opposition leader was "part of a terrorist cell.
Bolton on Trump's 'All Options on Table' in Venezuela Quote: 'He's Very Serious' Sputnik 22 Mar 2019 -- A political crisis has plagued Venezuela since late January, yet the question of how to resolve the situation is still open. US President Donald Trump has been clear on this point when said that 'all options are on the table', US National Security Advisor John Bolton said Thursday.

Could Venezuela Crisis End Hezbollah's Presence There? VOA 22 Mar 2019 -- As the political and humanitarian tumult in Venezuela unfolds, analysts say illicit activities by Lebanese militant group Hezbollah in the South American country could be disrupted.

The Week In Russia: Do Kremlin Bosses Dream In Kazakh? RFE/RL 22 Mar 2019 -- Like those of tycoons, officials, and activists who have fallen afoul of the Kremlin, the trial of human rights defender Oyub Titiyev contained plenty of procedure and -- according to the defendant and his allies -- zero justice. And in resigning as president but keeping key roles, did long-ruling Kazakh leader Nursultan Nazarbaev just hand Vladimir Putin a cheat sheet for the 2024 Question?

Trump: I'm reversing North Korea sanctions imposed by Treasury Press TV 22 Mar 2019 -- US President Donald Trump has said he is ordering the reversal of recently announced North Korea-related sanctions imposed by the Treasury Department.
China strongly objects to US over North Korea-related sanctions Press TV 22 Mar 2019 -- China has filed "stern representations" with the United States over North Korea-related unilateral sanctions imposed on two Chinese shipping firms.
Trump Lifts Some Sanctions on Pyongyang Because He 'Likes' Kim - White House Sputnik 22 Mar 2019 -- The day before, the US Treasury Department imposed fresh North Korea-related sanctions after Trump walked out of the much-awaited summit with Kim in Hanoi, refusing to lift all non-military punitive measures against Pyongyang.

Senior Administration Officials on Iran US Dept. of State 22 Mar 2019 -- Special Briefing
Renewal of UN rights rapporteur's mandate unjust, unwarranted: Iran Press TV 22 Mar 2019 -- Iran has condemned as "unjust and unwarranted" a UN Human Rights Council resolution to renew the mandate of the UN special rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic, saying it was a politically-motivated move by a few countries abusing UN mechanisms.
U.S. Hits Iran With New Sanctions Over Nuclear, Missile Research Programs RFE/RL 22 Mar 2019 -- The United States has hit Tehran with new sanctions, targeting 31 Iranian scientists, technicians, and companies it says have been involved in the country's nuclear and missile research and development programs.
US Issues Iran-Linked Sanctions, Citing Alleged Iran's Proliferation of WMD Sputnik 22 Mar 2019 -- The United States has sanctioned 31 people and entities over Iran's alleged proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, a senior administration official told reporters on Friday.
The Imposition of New U.S. Sanctions in Connection With a Key Iranian Nuclear Organization as Iran Refuses To Answer Questions Related to its Secret Nuclear Archive US Dept. of State 22 Mar 2019 -- Today, the Departments of State and the Treasury designated 31 Iranian entities and individuals under Executive Order (E.O.) 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and WMD delivery systems and their supporters.
United States Imposes New Nuclear Sanctions on Iran as it Refuses To Answer Questions Related to Its Secret Nuclear Archive US Dept. of State 22 Mar 2019 -- The Trump administration continues to hold the Iranian regime accountable for activities that threaten the region's stability and harm the Iranian people. This includes ensuring that Iran never develops a nuclear weapon.
U.S. Government Sanctions Organizations and Individuals in Connection with an Iranian Defense Entity Linked to Iran's Previous Nuclear Weapons Effort US Treasury 22 Mar 2019 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), together with the U.S. Department of State, designated 14 individuals and 17 entities today in connection with Iran's Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND), which has provided support to designated Iranian defense entities and whose key personnel played a central role in the Iranian regime's past nuclear weapons effort.
US sanctions targets 14 Iranian individuals, 17 entities IRNA 22 Mar 2019 -- Just one day after the US government issued a congratulatory message to the Iranian nation on the occasion of the New Year according to the Persian calendar year, it sanctioned 14 Iranian individuals as well as 17 organizations for supporting Iran's "defensive entities".

Indian PM Modi Capable of Any "Misadventure" to Win Elections - Pakistani PM Sputnik 22 Mar 2019 -- Narendra Modi's BJP has made terrorism one of its election planks as the party gears up to seek its second five-year term in office. Indian voters are going to elect new members to the lower house of Parliament in seven-phased polling starting 11 April, and results will be declared on 23 May.

Lebanese president tells Pompeo Hezbollah has popular support Press TV 22 Mar 2019 -- Lebanese President Michel Aoun told has told US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that the Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah, has a popular support in the country.
Remarks With Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil US Dept. of State 22 Mar 2019 -- Remarks by Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

UN chief calls for 'far greater support' for Cyclone Idai response UN News 22 Mar 2019 -- The world needs to step up support for the survivors of Tropical Cyclone Idai, the UN Secretary-General said on Friday, in a strong personal appeal as relief workers rush to provide aid to people stranded across the storm countries in southern Africa.
Mozambique's Nyusi Travels to Cyclone-ravaged Coast VOA 22 Mar 2019 -- The president of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi, has visited the country's coastal Buzi district, one of the areas most damaged by Cyclone Idai.
Aid Workers in Africa Challenged by Aftermath of Cyclone Idai VOA 22 Mar 2019 -- Aid workers were confronted with chaos and pleas for help Friday in Mozambique as receding waters allowed them access to storm-stricken areas a week after Cyclone Idai swept through the southern African region.
Fear of Infectious Disease in Cyclone-Hit Countries Growing VOA 22 Mar 2019 -- Aid agencies are scrambling to get life-saving aid to hundreds of thousands of survivors of Cyclone Idai in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe. The United Nations says 1.7 million people are affected by the disaster, which has caused extensive damage to infrastructure, homes and crops.
Relief Aid Reaches Malawi Flood Victims VOA 22 Mar 2019 -- Relief supplies are arriving for thousands of people in southern Malawi's Cyclone Idai-affected flood areas, where at least 56 people have been killed.

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