24 May 2019 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Around 600,000 Afghan children face death through malnutrition without emergency funds: UNICEF UN News 24 May 2019 -- In Afghanistan, children suffering from the most serious form of malnutrition may die, unless $7 million in funding is found within weeks, UNICEF said on Friday.
Senior cleric killed in Kabul mosque blast Press TV 24 May 2019 -- Three people, including a senior cleric, have been killed and at least 20 others injured in a bomb attack at a mosque in the Afghan capital, Kabul.
Three Dead, Including Senior Cleric, In Kabul Mosque Blast RFE/RL 24 May 2019 -- Three people, including a senior cleric, were killed and at least 20 wounded in an explosion during prayers at a mosque in the Afghan capital of Kabul.
Afghan Mosque Bombing Kills Prominent Pro-Government Cleric VOA 24 May 2019 -- Afghan officials say a bomb blast ripped through a crowded Kabul mosque during Friday prayers, killing a prominent pro-government cleric along with another worshipper. Separately, a roadside bomb attack injured four Romanian soldiers in southern Kandahar province.

U.S. army airstrike kills 2 IS fighters in northern Somalia People's Daily 24 May 2019 -- The United States military said on Thursday that it killed two Islamic State (IS) fighters in Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland region in an air attack on Wednesday.

Defense Policy / Programs

Department of Defense Briefing on Iran DoD 24 May 2019 -- Katie Wheelbarger, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs; Vice Adm. Michael Gilday, Director of the Joint Staff
Trump to Send Additional Troops to Middle East VOA 24 May 2019 -- The United States is sending additional troops to the Middle East to protect American forces from potential Iranian threats, President Donald Trump announced Friday.
U.S. To Send Additional 1,500 Troops To Mideast For 'Protective' Role RFE/RL 24 May 2019 -- The United States will send 1,500 soldiers to the Middle East to bolster its forces amid rising tensions with Iran.
US sending assault ship, Patriot missile battery to Middle East: Pentagon Press TV 24 May 2019 -- The United States says it is deploying an amphibious assault ship and a Patriot missile battery to the Middle East just a few days after it sent an aircraft carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the region.
Trump announces US military buildup in Middle East Press TV 24 May 2019 -- US President Donald Trump has announced he would deploy about 1,500 American troops to the Middle East region for "mostly protective" reasons, amid escalating tensions with Iran.
Trump Okays Sending 1,500 More Troops to Mideast Amid Simmering Iran Tensions Sputnik 24 May 2019 -- Earlier, acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan denied reports that between 5,000 to 10,000 US troops would be sent to the Middle East, saying that these figures were "not accurate".
Trump rejects additional troop deployment to MidEast, says there is 'no need' Press TV 24 May 2019 -- US President Donald Trump has rejected any "need" for additional troop deployments in the Middle East after reports claimed the Pentagon was considering sending up to 10,000 troops to the region.

US senate unveils $750-billion proposal aimed at China's growing influence Press TV 24 May 2019 -- The US senate has unveiled a draft bill that would authorize Washington to modernize its nuclear weapon arsenal, in a move to counter China's growing influence around the globe.
USNS Comfort Mission Stops Announced NNS 24 May 2019 -- The U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) will return for another deployment to South America, Central America, and the Caribbean mid-June to begin a five-month medical assistance mission as a result of the humanitarian crisis created by the ongoing political and economic instability in Venezuela.
Hill AFB F-35s, Airmen deploy to Europe as part of Theater Security Package US Air Force 24 May 2019 -- The Air Force has deployed one squadron of F-35A Lightning II fighter jets, Airmen and associated equipment to Aviano Air Base, Italy, from the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings, at Hill AFB, Utah, to participate in exercises and conduct training with other Europe-based aircraft as part of a Theater Security Package.

Senate Foreign Relations Chief: North Macedonian NATO Accession Vote Possible by June VOA 24 May 2019 -- U.S. lawmakers may vote to approve North Macedonia as the 30th member of NATO as early as next month, according to Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Senator James Risch.
NATO warns Russia, other foes of 'full range' of responses Press TV 24 May 2019 -- NATO has warned Russia and other perceived foes that the US-led military alliance is prepared to use all its resources to respond to any cyber attacks, after the UK claimed that 16 member-states had been targeted by Moscow.

Russia IDs 20 Foreign Spy Jets Bordering Its Airspace Over Past Week - Reports Sputnik 24 May 2019 -- Russia detected 20 foreign airplanes while they were carrying out reconnaissance missions near the country's airspace, a weekly infographic by the Russian Armed Forces' official newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda showed on Friday.

Indian Army Unit Looking After China Border Test-Fires BrahMos Missile Sputnik 24 May 2019 -- In 2018, the Indian government cleared the fourth regiment, which has over 100 upgraded BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, for deployment along the Sino-India border.
India Successfully Test Fires 500 Kg Guided Bomb Near Pakistani Border Sputnik 24 May 2019 -- South Asia's two nuclear armed nations are testing weapons amid talks of restoring peace in the region which has been disrupted since mid-February when the Indian Air Force targetted alleged terror infrastructure inside Pakistani territory in response to a terror attack on 14 February in which 40 Indian soldiers were killed in Kashmir.

US military deployments nothing to intimidate Iran: IRGC Press TV 24 May 2019 -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the United States' deployment of military assets to the Middle East does not intimate the Islamic Republic.

South Korean Officer Killed, 4 Injured in Accident Involving Destroyer - Reports Sputnik 24 May 2019 -- A South Korean Navy officer was killed and four others were wounded in an accident involving the destroyer Choe Yeong at a port in the city of Jinhae-gu, Yonhap reported on Friday, citing officials.

Thousands of troops from UK-led force begin milestone maritime training deployment UK MOD 24 May 2019 -- Exercises got underway today across Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea region as a part of Baltic Protector.

Emergency Notification of Arms Sales to Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia US Dept. of State 24 May 2019 -- "Today, I made a determination pursuant to section 36 of the Arms Export Control Act and directed the Department to complete immediately the formal notification of 22 pending arms transfers to Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia totaling approximately $8.1 billion to deter Iranian aggression and build partner self-defense capacity. These sales will support our allies, enhance Middle East stability, and help these nations to deter and defend themselves from the Islamic Republic of Iran."
Menendez on Trump Admin’s Decision to Flout Congress’ Role in Approving Arm Sales to Saudi Arabia, UAE Sen. Menendez, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee 24 May 2019 -- "U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after the Trump Administration formally informed Congress that it is invoking an obscure provision of the Arms Export Control Act to eliminate the statutorily-required Congressional review of the sales of precision-guided munitions to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and others, but failed to explain its legal or practical basis for doing so. The unprecedented and legally dubious move breaks a long-standing process designed to ensure that Congress is able to review and disapprove arms sales."
Trump defies Congress, clears arms sales to Saudi, UAE: Senator Press TV 24 May 2019 -- The administration of US President Donald Trump is bypassing Congress, clearing the sale of billions of dollars worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, citing what Washington says a threat from Iran, a senator says.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - Aircraft Follow-on Support and Services DSCA 24 May 2019 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of aircraft follow-on support and services for an estimated cost of $1.8 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 24, 2019.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - Continued Tactical Air Surveillance System Aircraft Support DSCA 24 May 2019 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of continued Tactical Air Surveillance System Aircraft support for an estimated cost of $136 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 24, 2019.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - Aircraft Follow-on Support and Services DSCA 24 May 2019 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of aircraft follow-on support and services for an estimated cost of $800 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 24, 2019.

United Arab Emirates (UAE) - Follow-On U.S. Marine Corps Training DSCA 24 May 2019 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Arab Emirates of follow-on blanket order U.S. Marine Corps training and support to the United Emirates Presidential Guard Command for an estimated cost of $100 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 24, 2019.
United Arab Emirates (UAE) - Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) DSCA 24 May 2019 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Arab Emirates of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS) II All-Up-Rounds for an estimated cost of $900 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 24, 2019.
United Arab Emirates (UAE) - Javelin Guided Missiles DSCA 24 May 2019 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Arab Emirates of Javelin Guided Missiles with support for an estimated cost of $102 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 24, 2019.
United Arab Emirates (UAE) - RQ-21A Blackjack Unmanned Air Vehicles DSCA 24 May 2019 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Arab Emirates of RQ-21A Blackjack Unmanned Air Vehicles with support for an estimated cost of $80 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 24, 2019.

Taiwan launches construction of missile corvettes, mine-laying ships CNA 24 May 2019 -- The construction of three Tuo Jiang-class missile corvettes and four rapid mine-laying ships began Friday, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) announced during a ceremony at a wharf in the northeastern county of Yilan.
Taiwan to Expand Joint Rescue Operations in Disputed Sea VOA 24 May 2019 -- Taiwan said Tuesday it will continue doing "humanitarian" search and rescue work in the South China Sea, where it holds the largest of about 500 tiny islets.

Bin Salman agrees to support Sudan's military if it keeps forces in Yemen Press TV 24 May 2019 -- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reportedly pledged to continue supporting Sudan's military transition council if Khartoum agrees to keep its forces in Yemen.

Defense Industry

Contracts for May 24, 2019

Other Conflicts

24 May 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 24 May 2019

9 Yemenis killed as Saudi-led jets hit petroleum derivatives plant Press TV 24 May 2019 -- Nearly a dozen people have been killed when Saudi-led military aircraft carried out a string of airstrikes against an area in Yemen's southwestern province of Ta'izz.

IS Threatens 'Hot Summer' by Scorching Iraq, Syria Farmlands VOA 24 May 2019 -- The Islamic State in its al-Naba newspaper claimed responsibility for setting fire to hundreds of acres of agricultural land across Iraq and Syria, encouraging its followers to continue the sabotage of "apostate" crops during the harvest season.

Syrian helicopters distribute Idlib evacuation leaflets in preparation for military campaign Press TV 24 May 2019 -- The Syrian army has warned civilians to leave the country's northwestern Idlib province as it prepares for a final military campaign to flush terrorists out of the region.
Terrorists to Use Truck Bombs to Break Through Syrian Army Lines - Russian MoD Sputnik 24 May 2019 -- Terrorists in the Idlib de-escalation zone are preparing up to four vehicles filled with explosives to help them break through Syrian army defensive positions, the commander of the Russian centre for Syrian reconciliation said on Friday.

India Rules out Talks Until Pakistan Takes THIS STEP Sputnik 24 May 2019 -- The two countries wound up on the verge of war at the end of February 2019, after the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted airstrikes on alleged terrorist positions in Pakistani territory. Pakistan's Air Force (PAF) later retaliated, with at least one IAF MiG-21 being downed in the ensuing dogfight.

Zelenskiy, Merkel Discuss Conflict In Eastern Ukraine RFE/RL 24 May 2019 -- Ukraine's new President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke by phone on May 24, discussing efforts to resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine, both offices said.

UNHCR: Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh Face Water Shortage VOA 24 May 2019 -- The U.N. refugee agency says water rations for tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh have been cut because of a serious shortage.

Blast Targets Mosque In Pakistan's Quetta RFE/RL 24 May 2019 -- Two people have been killed and more than a dozen wounded in a blast at a mosque in Pakistan's restive Balochistan Province.
Blast in Pakistan Kills Two, Wounds Dozen VOA 24 May 2019 -- A blast in south western Pakistan killed at least two people and wounded more than a dozen others. Police said the explosion Friday in Quetta's Pashtoonabad area damaged a mosque where locals were offering Friday prayers, as well as nearby buildings.

News Reports

DNI Coats Statement on the Department of Justice Review Director of National Intelligence 24 May 2019 -- "Much like we have with other investigations and reviews, the Intelligence Community (IC) will provide the Department of Justice all of the appropriate information for its review of intelligence activities related to Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election."
Trump Orders U.S. Intelligence Agencies To Cooperate With Probe Into 2016 Campaign 'Surveillance' RFE/RL 24 May 2019 -- President Donald Trump has ordered U.S. intelligence agencies to fully cooperate with the Justice Department review of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russia's interference in the 2016 election campaign.
US Intelligence to Share 'Appropriate Information' for Trump-Ordered Probe VOA 24 May 2019 -- U.S. intelligence agencies will cooperate with a new Justice Department investigation into whether officials overstepped their bounds and improperly surveilled U.S. President Donald Trump's presidential campaign in 2016.

Venezuela's Maduro accuses US of planning to destroy emergency food program Press TV 24 May 2019 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says the United States is poised to destroy a military-run emergency food program which is feeding millions of people across the crisis-hit country.

Political Forces in Sudan Want to Establish Parliamentary Republic - Opposition Sputnik 24 May 2019 -- Political forces in Sudan are planning to establish a parliamentary republic with expanded powers of the government and parliament for a transitional period, a spokesman for the opposition Forces for the Declaration of Freedom and Change, Satia Alhaj, said on Friday.
Saudi Crown Prince Meets Deputy Head of Sudan's Transitional Council - Report Sputnik 24 May 2019 -- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has met with the Deputy Head of Sudan's Transitional Military Council (TMC) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Reuters reported citing Saudi Press Agency.

Russia Clarifies Threats That Would Lead It To Decouple RuNet From World Wide Web RFE/RL 24 May 2019 -- Russia's Communications Ministry has specified a list of threats that may necessitate isolation of the country's Internet under a new law approved by President Vladimir Putin on May 1. It's the first time the country's government has clarified the legislation, which has been slammed by rights activists.

Press Advocates Warn Of Dangers As U.S. Files New Charges Against Assange RFE/RL 24 May 2019 -- U.S. authorities have filed new criminal charges against Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, accusing him of causing the United States major harm by publishing thousands of classified documents.
US charges WikiLeaks founder Assange with espionage Press TV 24 May 2019 -- The US Justice Department has charged WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange with espionage by publishing hundreds of thousands of secret military and diplomatic files about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

North Korea Blames US for Failed Talks in Vietnam VOA 24 May 2019 -- North Korea is blaming the United States for deadlocked nuclear negotiations, vowing they will "never be resumed" unless Washington abandons demands for disarmament.
North Korea suspends talks until US 'changes method' Press TV 24 May 2019 -- North Korea says it is halting its negotiations with the United States over its nuclear and missile programs until Washington changes its zero-sum approach toward Pyongyang.
Statement by Spokesperson for DPRK Foreign Ministry and Letter to UN Secretary General Distributed as U.N. Official Document KCNA 24 May 2019 -- The statement issued by a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on May 14 and the letter sent to the secretary-general of the United Nations by the DPRK permanent representative to the UN as regards the incident of dispossession of a DPRK cargo ship by the U.S. were distributed as the official document A/73/877-S/2019/409 of the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council on May 23. -0-
U.S. Is Accountable for Rupture of Hanoi Summit Talks: DPRK Foreign Ministry Spokesperson KCNA 24 May 2019 -- A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) gave the following answer to a question put by KCNA on May 24, as regards the attempt revealing within the United States to impute to the DPRK the cause for the rupture of the Hanoi DPRK-U.S. summit talks:

Iranian FM Holds Talks in Pakistan on Tehran's Tensions With US VOA 24 May 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met Friday with leaders from neighboring Pakistan to discuss bilateral matters and Tehran's escalating tensions with the United States.
Zarif discusses Washington's anti-Iran measures in trip to Pakistan Press TV 24 May 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said that talks during his ongoing trip to Pakistan have focused on countering Washington's anti-Iranian measures.
Iran will see end of Trump, not vice versa: Zarif Press TV 24 May 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Iran will see the end of US President Donald Trump, not the other way around, and unlike what the American president has said.
Iran Will Make Adversaries Regret Economic War – President Rouhani Sputnik 24 May 2019 -- The president made his remarks during a speech commemorating the anniversary of the Iran-Iraq War, known in Iran as the Sacred Defence.
India Terminates Iran Oil Imports - Envoy to US Sputnik 24 May 2019 -- India ended its imports of Iranian oil last month, Indian Ambassador to the United States Harsh Shringla told reporters at the country's embassy in Washington on Thursday.
US Sanctions Endanger World Order - Iranian FM Zarif Sputnik 24 May 2019 -- Iran seeks to strengthen trade ties with its allies amid growing tensions with the US, as Washington increases its military presence in the region after re-imposing sanctions lifted earlier by the Barack Obama administration.

Turmoil Deepens With May's Exit in Britain VOA 24 May 2019 -- Theresa May became Britain's prime minister in 2016 after the country's vote to leave the European Union prompted the resignation of her predecessor, David Cameron. Now, three years later, May has announced her own resignation, saying she bitterly regretted failing to deliver a Brexit deal.
Theresa May Quits, But Brexit Puzzle Remains VOA 24 May 2019 -- Theresa May became the third Conservative leader to fall victim to party divisions over Britain's relationship with the European Union, following in the footsteps of Margaret Thatcher and David Cameron.

Indian Elections US Dept. of State 24 May 2019

Bomb attack injures 13 in France's Lyon Press TV 24 May 2019 -- A bomb attack has wounded at least 13 people in France's southeastern city of Lyon.

India Declares Bangladesh Based Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen as Terror Outfit Sputnik 24 May 2019 -- The decision was taken in view of the arrests of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen (JuM) operatives by the Indian police from different parts of West Bengal in the last few months. Kolkata Police, during interrogations, said that the outfit is active in recruiting cadres for the group in bordering districts of the state.

SpaceX rocket brings first batch of 60 internet satellites into space People's Daily 24 May 2019 -- U.S. private space company SpaceX launched its first batch of 60 Starlink satellites into space on Thursday, in an effort to build a 12,000-strong satellite network capable of providing broadband internet services.

NASA Unveils Plans For Astronauts To Return To Moon By 2024 RFE/RL 24 May 2019 -- NASA has said its first new mission to the moon in decades will take place in 2020, with a landing of astronauts scheduled four years later.

Ukrainian Church Leaders Meet Amid Power Struggle RFE/RL 24 May 2019 -- Top figures in Ukraine's new Orthodox Church are meeting in a synod amid an apparent power struggle between Patriarch Filaret, an early vocal supporter of the independent Ukrainian church, and the new church's elected head, Metropolitan Epifaniy.
Ukraine's PrivatBank Sues Billionaire Kolomoyskiy In U.S. Court RFE/RL 24 May 2019 -- A major Ukrainian bank at the center of a scandal involving a powerful, politically connected billionaire has sued its former oligarch owners in U.S. court, amid a battle for control that could affect relations with Western lending institutions.

Drought Leaves 2 Million Food Insecure in Angola VOA 24 May 2019 -- Southern Angola is facing the worst drought in decades, with at least 2.3 million people at high risk of suffering malnutrition because they couldn't get enough food, the United Nations Children's Fund says.

Estonian President to EU Centrists: Be a Voice for Disenfranchised VOA 24 May 2019 -- As far-right nationalists look to expand their power in European Parliamentary elections taking place this weekend, Estonia's president has some advice for politically embattled centrists: don't blame Brussels for waning political support at home.

NEWSLETTER

Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list