12 April 2019 Military News

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Trump Hails ICC Refusal to Probe US for War Crimes in Afghanistan Sputnik 12 Apr 2019 -- The International Criminal Court (ICC) made a correct decision by declining a request to investigate allegations of war crimes by US forces in Afghanistan, US President Donald Trump said in a statement.e
Taliban Announces Spring Offensive Amid Peace Talk Efforts RFE/RL 12 Apr 2019 -- The Taliban has announced the start of their spring offensive despite preparations for a major gathering of Afghans for talks on ending the country's nearly 18-year war.
Taliban Announces 'Ban' On WHO, Red Cross Amid Vaccination Drive RFE/RL 12 Apr 2019 -- The Taliban has announced a "ban" on the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in areas the extremist group controls in Afghanistan.
UN Allows Senior Taliban Leaders to Travel for Peace Talks VOA 12 Apr 2019 -- The United Nations recently granted a waiver to senior Taliban leaders, allowing them to travel and take part in peace talks with the United States to end the 18-year-old war in Afghanistan.
Taliban Unleashes Afghan Spring Offensive Despite US Push for Peace VOA 12 Apr 2019 -- The Taliban announced Friday its annual spring offensive in Afghanistan amid a U.S.-led push for a negotiated settlement to the 18-year-old war with the Islamist insurgency.

ICC Says Will Not Investigate US Troops in Afghanistan VOA 12 Apr 2019 -- The International Criminal Court has announced it will not pursue an investigation into alleged war crimes by U.S. troops and allies in Afghanistan.
ICC Judges Reject Request To Probe Possible War Crimes In Afghanistan RFE/RL 12 Apr 2019 -- The International Criminal Court has turned down a request made by the ICC prosecutor to open a probe into possible war crimes committed during the conflict in Afghanistan.
Afghan war crimes probe would not serve interests of justice: ICC judges Press TV 12 Apr 2019 -- Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have turned down a request by the court's prosecutor to open an investigation into possible war crimes during the conflict in Afghanistan, saying it would not serve the interests of justice.

Defense Policy / Programs

'Very Realistic': US, Philippines Troops Practice Thwarting Island Invasion Sputnik 12 Apr 2019 -- Troops from the US and the Philippines recently conducted their first joint airfield seizure drill, practicing a real world situation in which a foreign power attempts to capture one of Manila's islands in the South China Sea.
US' B-21 Stealth Bomber on Track, Headed for First Flight - Air Force Sputnik 12 Apr 2019 -- During a Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Airland hearing on Tuesday, Lt. Gen. Arnold Bunch of the US Air Force confirmed the country's new B-21 jet is "executing the way we want." The B-21 is expected to achieve initial operating capability by the mid-2020s.
Readout of Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan's Meeting with German Minister of Defense Ursula von der Leyen DoD 12 Apr 2019
41st U.S.-Jordan Joint Military Commission (JMC) DoD 12 Apr 2019 -- Senior delegations from the United States and Jordan met April 9-11 in Amman, Jordan for the 41st meeting of the U.S.-Jordan Joint Military Commission.
Argentina Declassification Project DoD 12 Apr 2019 -- Today, at the request of the President of the United States, the Department of the Defense released records to clarify the facts surrounding human rights abuses, acts of terrorism and political violence in Argentina from 1975-1985.
AFP, US forces conclude annual Balikatan exercise USMC News 12 Apr 2019 -- Military units from all branches of the United States and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) concluded the 35th iteration of Balikatan on April 12 with a ceremony at the AFP Commissioned Officers' Clubhouse. Members of the Australian Defence Force also participated in the exercise and attended the closing event.
Future USS Richard M. McCool, Jr. Keel Authenticated NNS 12 Apr 2019 -- The keel for the future USS Richard M. McCool, Jr. (LPD 29) was laid April 12 during a ceremony at Huntington Ingalls Industries Ingalls Shipbuilding Division.
Truman Strike Group Ships Conduct Missile Exercise NNS 12 Apr 2019 -- Ships from the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) conducted a missile exercise while underway during the strike group's sustainment exercise (SUSTEX), April 11.
NAVFAC Marianas Awards $75 Million Multiple Award Contract to Small Businesses NNS 12 Apr 2019 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Marianas awarded a $75 million multiple award construction contract (MACC) April 9 to five Small Business Administration (SBA) 8(a)-certified firms for construction, renovation, modernization work, and routine repair and maintenance work.
Army Guard missile brigade executes unique mission Army News 12 Apr 2019 -- The mission of the Colorado Army National Guard's 100th Missile Defense Brigade is unique, but, for some brigade Soldiers, also fairly straightforward.

SACEUR Hosts Commander's Conference at SHAPE NATO 12 Apr 2019 -- SHAPE, Belgium – Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) General Curtis M. Scaparrotti hosted a Commander's Conference at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) from April 11 to 12, 2019.
NATO Deputy Secretary General takes stock of 70 years of Euro-Atlantic Security at the NATO Defense College NATO 12 Apr 2019 -- Today (12 April 2019), the NATO Deputy Secretary General, Ms. Rose Gottemoeller illustrated NATO's achievements and priorities for the future, at an international conference entitled "NATO at 70: no time to retire," organized by the NATO Defense College in Rome (Italy).

Putin hails Russian military advancements, says new ICBM almost final Press TV 12 Apr 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile is in its final testing phase, hailing the amount of work the Russian military has put into developing advanced weapons.

US-Turkish Tensions Escalate Over Russian Missile Purchase VOA 12 Apr 2019 -- With Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reaffirming his commitment to buy Russian missiles in the face of renewed warnings from NATO ally the United States about sanctions, Ankara and Washington remain on a collision course. Analysts warn that with a July date looming for Ankara to take delivery of the missiles, time is running out to avert a rupture in bilateral ties.

Germany approves weapon supplies to Saudi Arabia, UAE: Der Spiegel Press TV 12 Apr 2019 -- Germany's National Security Council has reportedly approved the provision of certain weapons and arms technology to the two main aggressor regimes involved in a deadly war on Yemen, namely Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), despite a ban imposed earlier on arms exports to Riyadh.

Czech Envoy: Bids Welcome From US Arms Manufacturers VOA 12 Apr 2019 -- As the Czech Republic moves to boost its arms spending under a proposed defense accord with Washington, its ambassador in Washington says his government hopes U.S. defense contractors will bid aggressively for his country's business.

India's ASAT Justified, But Space Debris Still a Concern Says Pentagon - Report Sputnik 12 Apr 2019 -- US Strategic Command chief General John E. Hyten defended India before members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, saying that the country had tested the anti-satellite missile because it needed the capability to defend itself in space. The general called for international norms of behaviour in space to curtail the dangerous debris issue.

Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Chilean Foreign Minister Roberto Ampuero at a Press Availability US Dept. of State 12 Apr 2019 -- Press Availability by Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State
Joint Statement on U.S.-Vietnam Energy Security Dialogue US Dept. of State 12 Apr 2019 -- The text of the following statement was released by the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and Government of the United States on the occasion of the Energy Security Dialogue conducted in Washington, DC.

Defense Industry

Contracts for April 12, 2019

Other Conflicts

12 April 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 12 Apr 2019

UN Ponders Lessons of Rwandan Genocide VOA 12 Apr 2019 -- This month, Rwanda marks 25 years since more than 800,000 mostly ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus were massacred in a vicious, three-month killing spree by extremist Hutus, following the downing of the president's airplane. At the United Nations, the international community paused Friday to commemorate the genocide and pay tribute to both the dead and the survivors.

Saudis Pledged Support to Libyan Haftar Offensive to Seize Tripoli - Reports Sputnik 12 Apr 2019 -- Libyan Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar received a pledge from Saudi Arabia of tens of millions of dollars to bankroll a military offensive to seize the capital of Tripoli and oust the nation's internationally recognised government, according to a report published by the Wall Street Journal on Friday.
What You Need to Know About Libyan Oil as Conflict Flares Up Sputnik 12 Apr 2019 -- In light of the renewed tensions between the eastern and western parts of Libya, much seems to be at stake if the North African country plunges into further chaos.
Eastern Libya Air Force Strikes Military Camp Near Oil Facility - Reports Sputnik 12 Apr 2019 -- A day earlier, aviation from the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar conducted an airstrike against a military base controlled by the Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli.
At Least 56 Killed, Hundreds Injured As Fighting Near Tripoli Continues RFE/RL 12 Apr 2019 -- The troops of Libya's internationally recognized government continued to battle a militia commander's forces for control of the capital as the United Nations chief warned that the country faced a "very dangerous situation."
UN: 1,500 People Trapped by Libyan Conflict VOA 12 Apr 2019 -- The U.N. refugee agency said 1,500 people are trapped in detention centers because of the Libyan conflict.
Medical Supplies Rushed in as Fighting Moves to Tripoli's Center VOA 12 Apr 2019 -- The World Health Organization says it is rushing lifesaving medical supplies to hospitals in and around the Libyan capital, Tripoli, as fighting intensifies and moves toward the center of the city.

At Least 20 Killed In Pakistan Market Bombing RFE/RL 12 Apr 2019 -- At least 18 people were killed and 48 injured in a bombing claimed by an affiliate of the Pakistani Taliban in Quetta, southwest Pakistan on April 12, police said.
At Least 18 Killed in Attack on Pakistani Shi'ites VOA 12 Apr 2019 -- A mere three weeks before a Pakistani minority was planning to celebrate a year of peaceful existence, an explosion ripped through a vegetable market, killing at least 18 people.
16 killed, 30 injured in Quetta terrorist attack IRNA 12 Apr 2019 -- At least sixteen people were killed and thirty others were injured in a blast in Pakistan's southwestern city of Quetta on Friday, police say.
Terrorist bombing hits Hazara market in Pakistan's Quetta Press TV 12 Apr 2019 -- At least 20 people have been killed in an attack targeting the minority Hazara Shia Muslim community in Pakistan's southwestern city of Quetta.

People in Crimea see Russia's S-400 defensive units for 1st time Press TV 12 Apr 2019 -- People in the Russian peninsular region of Crimea have got a chance for the first time to see and touch the S-400 missile defense systems, two days after Russia held defensive military drills in the region.
Kyiv Says One Ukrainian Soldier Killed, Eight Wounded In Conflict In East RFE/RL 12 Apr 2019 -- Ukraine says one of its soldiers has been killed and eight others wounded in clashes with Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.

News Reports

Deposed Sudanese President Bashir to Face Trial in Sudan - Military Council Sputnik 12 Apr 2019 -- The Sudanese military council, currently governing the country, will not transfer President Omar Bashir, deposed amid anti-government protests, to other countries, and Bashir will face justice in Sudan, the head of the council's political committee, Omar Zain Abidin said on Friday.
Al-Bashir Opponents Now Denounce Military Government VOA 12 Apr 2019 -- After 30 years in power, Omar al-Bashir is no longer president of Sudan. But on Friday, a day after he was ousted, tens of thousands of people remained in the streets of the capital and other cities, denouncing the army's plan to lead a transitional government that will take the country to new elections.
UN Rights Chief Urges Respect for Human Rights in Post-Coup Sudan VOA 12 Apr 2019 -- United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet is urging Sudan's new rulers to uphold the constitution and take heed of human rights as they try to move the country forward after the toppling of president Omar al-Bashir.
Sudan's New Military Leader Resigns VOA 12 Apr 2019 -- The leader of the junta that ousted Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al Bashir resigned Friday, one day after announcing the military takeover. Major General Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ibn Auf appointed Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan as his successor.
Sudan's Military Council Promises Civilian Rule After Bashir Ouster RFE/RL 12 Apr 2019 -- A day after the military ousted long-term leader Omar al-Bashir, Sudan's ruling military council has vowed to install a civilian government.
China expresses confidence in Sudan Global Times 12 Apr 2019 -- China pays close attention to the situation in Sudan, trusting that the country can deal with its domestic affairs and sustain national stability, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Friday.
Sudanese defy curfew by post-coup junta, call for civilian rule Press TV 12 Apr 2019 -- Sudanese protesters have defied a curfew, holding angry demonstrations after army commanders took control of the country following a palace coup against President Omar al-Bashir.
Sudan military committed to 'ensuring stability' and 'peaceful transition' says senior diplomat, as UN rights chief appeals for protesters' rights to be upheld UN News 12 Apr 2019 -- Sudan's military has an "overarching duty" to refrain from using violence against protesters and ensure that their human rights are protected amid concerns of a further escalation, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said on Friday.

Pompeo: China a 'Corrosive' Presence in Venezuela, Russia 'Escalating' Crisis Sputnik 12 Apr 2019 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has accused China and Russia of "helping destroy" Venezuela by continuing to support Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who Washington has called illegitimate. Pompeo also called the presence of Russian troops in the country an "obvious provocation."
US Issues New Anti-Venezuela Sanctions - Treasury Department Sputnik 12 Apr 2019 -- Washington is continuing to impose crippling sanctions targeting Venezuela's oil sector. According to UN Special Rapporteur Idriss Jazairy, US sanctions have exacerbated the country's acute economic crisis and could lead to starvation and medical shortages.
The United States Takes Action To End Cuba's Malign Influence on Venezuela US Dept. of State 12 Apr 2019 -- Today, the United States sanctioned four companies for operating in the oil sector of the Venezuelan economy and identified nine vessels as blocked property, pursuant to Executive Order 13850. These actions are a follow-on to the designations announced on April 5, which targeted entities and vessels known to be involved in the transportation of crude oil from Venezuela to Cuba.
Treasury Increases Pressure on Cuba to End Support to Maduro by Imposing Further Oil Sector Sanctions US Treasury 12 Apr 2019 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated four companies that operate in the oil sector of the Venezuelan economy, pursuant to E.O. 13850, as amended. Additionally, OFAC identified nine vessels, some of which transported oil from Venezuela to Cuba, as blocked property owned by the four companies.
US slaps sanctions on 4 shipping firms, 9 ships for Venezuela ties Press TV 12 Apr 2019 -- The United States has imposed sanctions on four shipping companies and nine ships transporting oil from Venezuela.

Trump distances himself from WikiLeaks after Assange arrest Press TV 12 Apr 2019 -- US President Donald Trump, who praised WikiLeaks during his 2016 presidential campaign, has distanced himself from the whistleblower organization after its founder, Julian Assange, was arrested in Britain.
Trump: 'I Know Nothing About WikiLeaks'; US Seeks Assange Extradition VOA 12 Apr 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he has no knowledge of the website WikiLeaks, after the whistleblowing site's founder, Julian Assange, was arrested in Britain.

Remarks by Vice President Pence After Touring the U.S.-Mexico Border | Nogales, AZ The White House 12 Apr 2019
Remarks by Vice President Pence in Briefing with U.S. Border Patrol | Nogales, AZ The White House 12 Apr 2019

The Week In Russia: Hunger Games: Putin's Big Appetite For A Seat At The Table RFE/RL 12 Apr 2019 -- Vladimir Putin is sometimes portrayed as ravenous: a hungry wolf on the ragged edge of Europe, about to descend diagonally down the map and devour what's in his path.

Former Estonian Security Agent Suspected Of 'Cooperating' With Russian Intelligence RFE/RL 12 Apr 2019 -- A former Estonian security agent who was once awarded a medal for his service to the small Baltic nation has been detained on suspicion of cooperating with Russian intelligence, the director of Estonia's Internal Security Service (KAPO) said on April 12.

Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Elected as Chairman of DPRK State Affairs Commission KCNA 12 Apr 2019 -- Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un was elected as chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea at the First Session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly (SPA).
First Session of 14th SPA Held KCNA 12 Apr 2019 -- The First Session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea took place at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Thursday.
SPA Session Discusses State Budget KCNA 12 Apr 2019 -- At the First Session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) of the DPRK, Deputy Ki Kwang Ho made a report on summing up of the fulfillment of the state budget of the DPRK for Juche 107 (2018) and its state budget for Juche 108 (2019) that had been put under full deliberation at the SPA Budget Committee.
Kim Says He's Open to 3rd Summit with Trump VOA 12 Apr 2019 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un says he will give the U.S. until the end of the year to make a "courageous decision" on stalled nuclear talks, warning of "very bleak and very dangerous" consequences if Washington does not change its approach.
North Korea Might Abandon Moon as Mediator With US VOA 12 Apr 2019 -- North Korea might begin turning away from South Korean President Moon Jae-in after he failed to secure sanctions relief from U.S. President Donald Trump during his visit to the White House, experts said Thursday.
Top DPRK leader re-elected as head of state panel Global Times 12 Apr 2019 -- Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), was elected again as chairman of the State Affairs Commission (SAC) of the DPRK, the official Korean Central News Agency(KCNA) reported on Friday.
Xi hails Kim's re-election Global Times 12 Apr 2019 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping sent congratulations Friday to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on his re-election as chairman of his country's State Affairs Commission (SAC).
North Korea appoints man under US sanctions as new head of state Press TV 12 Apr 2019 -- North Korea has named a new head of state, replacing a senior leader charged with representing Pyongyang in international engagements.

Iran Envoy Threatens Action on the Ground to Any US Move Against IRGC in Gulf Sputnik 12 Apr 2019 -- Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump announced that Washington has designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, prompting Tehran to retaliate by declaring the US CENTCOM and related forces a terrorist group.
Iran to retaliate any US move against IRGC in Persian Gulf: Envoy Press TV 12 Apr 2019 -- Iran's envoy to the United Kingdom has warned the United States that Tehran will "forcefully retaliate" any moves by the US military against the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), which was designated as a terrorist organization by US President Donald Trump earlier this week.
Soleimani: Mastermind of Iran's Mideast Expansion VOA 12 Apr 2019 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo this week described a powerful Iranian military commander as a "terrorist," while discussing options the U.S. government could have to further punish Iran for its destabilizing activities in the Middle East.

Ebola not an international 'health emergency' but risks spreading across DR Congo border, warns UN health agency UN News 12 Apr 2019 -- The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) "does not constitute a public health emergency of international concern", according to a statement issued on Friday by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Russia Developing Launch Vehicles Similar to Falcon Heavy - Deputy PM Sputnik 12 Apr 2019 -- The launch of SpaceX's Falcon Heavy heavy-lift vehicle is a major success for the US space industry but Russia is also developing its own launch vehicles with reusable elements, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov said on Friday.

Israeli moon-landing mission fails while being broadcast live Press TV 12 Apr 2019 -- Israel's Beresheet spacecraft has crash-landed on the moon as the widely publicized event was being broadcast live.

Hung Up: In TV Spectacle, Ukraine Presidential Rivals Keep It Simple RFE/RL 12 Apr 2019 -- After dramatic video challenges and livestreamed drug tests, Petro Poroshenko and Volodymyr Zelenskiy took their electoral sideshow to prime-time TV on April 11 with a linkup that ended with the challenger hanging up abruptly on the incumbent president.
Ukrainian Presidential Rivals Meet With French, German Leaders RFE/RL 12 Apr 2019 -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko traveled on April 12 to Berlin and Paris to seek international support ahead of the April 21 runoff.

Algerians want all old-regime figures to leave Press TV 12 Apr 2019 -- Algerian police have tried but failed to break up protests taking place in the capital, Algiers, demanding the departure of all figures associated with the regime of ousted president Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

Malaysia Pulls About-Face Ahead of China's Belt and Road Forum VOA 12 Apr 2019 -- In a twist, China has announced that it has persuaded Malaysia to resume a canceled rail project worth $10.7 billion. The sudden about-face by Kuala Lumpur, which had earlier rejected the Chinese-funded project, will be a big boost for China ahead of a Belt and Road Forum in Beijing later this month, say analysts.

Nigeria's Population Projected to Double by 2050 VOA 12 Apr 2019 -- With Nigeria's population growing at more than 3% a year, Nigerian authorities are offering free family planning methods and advice to Nigerian families in an effort to slow population growth.

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