11 June 2019 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate The White House 11 Jun 2019

Six Afghan Civilians Killed In Roadside Bomb Blast RFE/RL 11 Jun 2019 -- Six civilians have been killed in the southern Afghan province of Kandahar after a roadside bomb ripped through the vehicle they were travelling in, officials say.
Taliban, US Welcome Release of Insurgent Prisoners by Kabul VOA 11 Jun 2019 -- The government in Afghanistan has unilaterally initiated a process of releasing hundreds of Taliban prisoners, a move being hailed both by the insurgent group and the United States amid a renewed push for finding a political settlement to the deadly Afghan war.

Defense Policy / Programs

Army lengthens tours for Soldiers in Europe, Japan Army News 11 Jun 2019 -- The Army is adding a year to overseas tours for some Soldiers heading to Europe and Japan, as part of an effort to boost readiness and reduce moves.
Nevada National Guardsmen collaborate with Romanian engineers Army News 11 Jun 2019 -- Imagine sweltering heat, skin sticking to your uniform, humidity causing sweat to pour out from under your helmet and stinging your eyes as you squint uneasily through a brutal mid-day sun.
Key leaders meet in Slobozia Army News 11 Jun 2019 -- Saber Guardian 19 is an exercise about bringing allies together and working alongside each other in order to maintain relationships based on trust that is essential for ensuring global security.
Five New Members Appointed to the DACOWITS DoD 11 Jun 2019 -- The Department of Defense announced today the induction of five new members to the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services.
Mine Warfare Takes Center Stage in BALTOPS 2019 NNS 11 Jun 2019 -- Vice Adm. Andrew "Woody" Lewis, Commander, U.S. Second Fleet, visited with forces from exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) Mine Warfare Task Group during the first day of operations during the exercise June 9.
Navy Makes Progress to Expand Oversight of PPV Housing Program NNS 11 Jun 2019 -- The Navy has taken another step forward to improve the quality of life of service members and their families as well as better address housing concerns now and into the future.
Trump Orders Pentagon to Take Steps to Expand US Production of Small Drones Sputnik 11 Jun 2019 -- The US Defence Department has been tasked with expanding production of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) or drones, President Donald Trump wrote in letters to the chairs of the House Committee on Financial Services and the Senate Committee on Banking.
US, Lockheed Martin Reach 'Handshake' Deal to Cut F-35 Cost by Nearly 9 Percent - Pentagon Sputnik 11 Jun 2019 -- The US Defence Department and Lockheed Martin reached an agreement to reduce the cost of a single F-35 Joint Strike Fighter by almost nine percent to less than $80 million per aircraft, US Under Secretary for Defence and Acquisition and Sustainment Ellen Lord said in a statement.

Release of the United States Strategy on Women, Peace, and Security US Dept. of State 11 Jun 2019 -- "Women around the world have an essential role in conflict prevention and resolution, security provision, peace processes, and countering terrorism. For over a decade, the United States has been a leader in promoting global peace and stability by empowering women to take on those roles and addressing challenges faced by women and girls in conflict and disaster affected areas."
Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding the United States Strategy on Women, Peace, and Security The White House 11 Jun 2019

NATO Secretary General visits Iceland NATO 11 Jun 2019 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Iceland's important contributions to international security during a visit to Reykjavik on Monday (11 June 2019). After meeting with Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, the Secretary General recalled that Iceland is a founding member of NATO, stressing that its "strategic location in the Atlantic helps to bind Europe and North America together."

Russian fighter Su-27 intercepts US, Swedish jets over Baltic Press TV 11 Jun 2019 -- Russia has intercepted American and Swedish jets over the Baltic, the country's defense ministry says.
Russian Su-27 Intercepts US and Swedish Armed Forces Aircraft at Russian Border Sputnik 11 Jun 2019 -- Russian Su-27 fighter was scrambled to intercept two reconnaissance aircraft of the US Armed Forces and the Swedish Armed Forces that approached the Russian border over the waters of the Baltic Sea, the Russian Defence Ministry said on Tuesday.
Russia urges US to join it to assure world nuclear war won't happen Press TV 11 Jun 2019 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says it is important for Russia and the United States – the world's top two nuclear powers – to jointly declare that the use of atomic weapons is "unacceptable."

Trump to Make Major US, Poland Security Announcement VOA 11 Jun 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump and his Polish counterpart will make "a significant announcement on the future security partnership" Wednesday at the White House, according to senior administration officials.

NZ Military Announces Upgrade Of Hercules Aircraft Fleet, Worth $661 Million Sputnik 11 Jun 2019 -- New Zealand's air force currently operates five C-130 Hercules planes, originally built by Lockheed to demonstrate reliability on unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, as well as troop, medevac, and cargo transport aircraft.

Bulgarian Finance Minister: Country Unlikely to Pay for F-16s by Instalments Sputnik 11 Jun 2019 -- Bulgaria's Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov said that Bulgaria in the acquisition of F-16s most likely will not be able to agree on payment by instalments as reported by NOVA Channel.

Intl interest in China's FC-31 stealth fighter jet grows Global Times 11 Jun 2019 -- China's made-for-export FC-31 warplane is making a big impression, as reports say international buyers are thinking of buying the stealth fighter jet, with Chinese military experts recommending on Tuesday that China try to seize these opportunities.
'First Line of Defense': Beijing's New High-Frequency Surface Wave Radar Can Detect Stealthy F-35s Sputnik 11 Jun 2019 -- Chinese military researchers have reportedly mastered a type of radar they say can detect stealth aircraft, which are designed to be invisible to normal radars. What's more, they say the radar is protected against anti-radiation missiles, too.
Chinese Flotilla Sails Between Okinawan Islands of Japan - Reports Sputnik 11 Jun 2019 -- Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning and a number of other vessels sailed between two islands of the Japanese Okinawa prefecture on Tuesday, Japanese media reported, citing the country's Defence Ministry.

Remarks by Acting Secretary Shanahan and Polish Minister of National Defence Błaszczak at a Bilateral Meeting at the Pentagon DoD 11 Jun 2019 -- Acting Secretary Shanahan and Polish Minister of National Defence Blaszczak
Poland Wants to Buy F-35s if US Ejects Turkey from Program – Reports Sputnik 11 Jun 2019 -- Polish authorities want to get American F-35 fighter jets faster if the United States refuses to supply Turkey with their jets amid Ankara's deal with Russia to obtain the S-400 air defence system.

Missing Indian An-32 Aircraft Located After Days of Searching Sputnik 11 Jun 2019 -- On 3 June, an Indian Air Force (IAF) AN-32 with 13 people on board went missing after it departed from Jorhat.

Turkey condemns US Congress resolution on purchase of Russian S-400 systems Press TV 11 Jun 2019 -- Turkey has condemned as "unacceptably threatening" a US House of Representatives resolution that slammed Ankara's purchase of advanced Russian-built S-400 air defense missile systems and urged sanctions on Washington's NATO ally over the acquisition of the military hardware.
Turkish F-35 pilots no longer flying at US base: Pentagon Press TV 11 Jun 2019 -- The United States has grounded Turkish F-35 pilots in Arizona over Ankara's plans to buy Russia's S-400 air defense system, according to a Pentagon spokesman.
Russia Plans To Deliver S-400 Missiles To Turkey In July, Says Kremlin Aide RFE/RL 11 Jun 2019 -- Russia said on June 11 that it plans to deliver its S-400 missile defense systems to Turkey in July, just days after Washington gave Ankara a deadline of July 31 to reverse the purchase or face the loss of subcontracting work on the U.S.-led F-35 fighter-jet project.
Russia Will Comply With All Requirements for S-400 Deal With Turkey - Moscow Sputnik 11 Jun 2019 -- Earlier this month, acting US Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan formally notified Ankara that it would not be allowed to receive the F-35 fighter jets it had already purchased if it went ahead with the S-400 deal.
Turkey Slams 'Unacceptable' US Bill Demanding Sanctions Over Purchase of Russia's S-400s Sputnik 11 Jun 2019 -- Earlier, Pentagon officials confirmed that Turkish pilots had been grounded from flight training aboard F-35 fighter jets at an Air Force base in Arizona, with Washington threatening to withhold deliveries of the fifth-gen aircraft if Ankara does not back out of its commitment to buy the Russian-made S-400 air defence system.
Turkish Pilots Grounded From F-35 Training in Arizona - Report Sputnik 11 Jun 2019 -- Turkish pilots will no longer be training to fly F-35 Joint Strike Fighters at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, Pentagon officials said Monday afternoon. It's part of the continuing fallout from Washington's dispute with Ankara over the latter's decision to buy S-400 air defense systems from Russia.

Next Up For U.S. Weapons Supplies to Ukraine? Possibly Surface-To-Air Missiles RFE/RL 11 Jun 2019 -- Over the five years of grinding war that has pitted Ukrainian forces against Russia-backed fighters, the United States has provided hundreds of millions of dollars in military gear: night-vision goggles, flak jackets, vehicles, counter-battery radars, among other things.

Joint Statement on U.S.-Bangladesh Partnership Dialogue US Dept. of State 11 Jun 2019 -- The following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and Bangladesh on the occasion of the seventh U.S.-Bangladesh Partnership Dialogue held on June 10, 2019 in Washington, D.C.

10th Anniversary Joint Declaration on the U.S. – Georgia Strategic Partnership US Dept. of State 11 Jun 2019 -- "Today, on June 11, 2019, and in recognition of the 10th anniversary of our Charter on Strategic Partnership, the United States and Georgia reaffirm our commitment to the U.S. – Georgia strategic partnership and the core principles of our friendship."

Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure The White House 11 Jun 2019

Defense Industry

Contracts for June 11, 2019
CR929 developers attract potential airlines Global Times 11 Jun 2019 -- Developers of the CR929, the first long-haul jet jointly developed by China and Russia, are working with airlines which could be interested in the jet, a Russian representative company told the Global Times Tuesday.

Other Conflicts

11 June 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 11 Jun 2019
Families deserve answers when loved ones go missing in conflict: Security Council adopts historic resolution UN News 11 Jun 2019 -- The 15 members of the United Nations Security Council adopted on Tuesday the very first ever resolution focused on the issue of missing persons in armed conflict. The aim is to encourage countries to fulfil their obligations, take action to step up prevention, and tackle the issue earlier, so that ultimately families separated by conflict can be reunited, or at least given answers as to the fate of their loved ones.
One-in-five suffers mental health condition in conflict zones: new UN report UN News 11 Jun 2019 -- More than one-in-five people living in conflict-affected areas suffers from a mental illness, according to a new UN-backed report, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to call for increased, sustained investment in mental health services in those zones.

US Coastguard Ships Sent Over 8,000 km From Own Shores to South China Sea for 'Law Enforcement' Sputnik 11 Jun 2019 -- The deployment follows the Pentagon's release of a new 'Indo-Pacific Strategy Report' outlining the Us military's plans to curb "malign actors" China and Russia in the region via a combination of military tools and a web of alliances.

UN Security Council offers Yemen Special Envoy 'their full support' UN News 11 Jun 2019 -- Security Council members issued a statement on Monday offering "their full support" to the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, after he had reportedly come in for criticism by the Government.
Yemen army urges Saudi, UAE to stop aggression or expect surprises Press TV 11 Jun 2019 -- The spokesman for Yemeni Armed Forces has called on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to put an immediate end to their military aggression against Yemen, or embrace for major surprises.
Saudi Arabia Repels 2 Drones Launched By Houthi Rebels at Military Air Base in South Sputnik 11 Jun 2019 -- Saudi Arabia's air defense forces intercepted two drones launched by insurgents from the Ansar Allah movement, known as the Houthis, on its military air base on the southern border, the Saudi-led coalition's spokesman said.

Moscow, Damascus to hand crushing response to terrorists in Idlib: Lavrov Press TV 11 Jun 2019 -- Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Moscow and Damascus will give a "crushing" response to militants launching attacks in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, the last major stronghold of foreign-backed terrorists in the Arab state.

Unknown militants raid Burkina Faso town, kill 19 Press TV 11 Jun 2019 -- Unidentified assailants have killed at least 19 people and wounded 13 others in an attack on a town in Burkina Faso's troubled north.

South Sudan Refugees in Uganda Hope to Return Home VOA 11 Jun 2019 -- Uganda hosts Africa's largest refugee population – one and a quarter million people, with two-thirds having fled conflict in South Sudan. Last year's peace deal raised hopes for some South Sudanese that they could soon return home. But the fragile peace has discouraged many from leaving Uganda's refugee camps, despite struggles for adequate aid.

Rights Group: Sudanese Government Forces Commit Renewed War Crimes in Darfur VOA 11 Jun 2019 -- Sudanese government forces are responsible for a new series of war crimes in the country's Darfur region, according to a report by Amnesty International.

Ukraine Slams Russia's 'Complete Disrespect' For International Maritime Law RFE/RL 11 Jun 2019 -- Kyiv has urged an international arbitration panel in the Netherlands to hear its case about alleged Russian breaches of a United Nations maritime convention, accusing Moscow of "wholesale violations" of its rights in waters around Ukraine's Crimea region.

News Reports

Trump Says Mexico to Announce New Part of Agreement With US Soon Sputnik 11 Jun 2019 -- US President Donald Trump told reporters that in the near future Mexico will announce an agreement with Washington on something else as part of the immigration deal.
Trump Claims 'Biggest Part of Mexico Deal' Not Revealed VOA 11 Jun 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump held up a piece of paper along the lawn at the White House Tuesday, saying it was his new immigration deal with Mexico that contains mystery provisions, even as Mexico says it has no idea what he is talking about.

Some 70 Tonnes of Chinese Humanitarian Aid Arrive in Venezuela - Health Minister Sputnik 11 Jun 2019 -- Almost 70 tonnes of humanitarian aid have arrived in Venezuela from China, the South American country's Health Minister Carlos Alvarado said.

Sudan's TMC Arrested Military Personnel Accused of Using Violence Against Protesters Sputnik 11 Jun 2019 -- Sudan's Transitional Military Council (TMC) said that it had arrested several members of the military on accusations of using force to break up the weeks-long sit-in protest outside the Defence Ministry building in the capital of Khartoum.
Sudan: 'Violence must stop', says UNICEF chief, 'gravely concerned' over 19 child deaths since military backlash UN News 11 Jun 2019 -- At least 19 children have reportedly been killed in Sudan and another 49 injured since a military backlash against protesters began earlier this month, prompting the head of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) to express her grave concern "at the impact of the continuing violence and unrest in the country on children and young people".
Sudan Protesters, Military to Resume Talks on Transitional Council VOA 11 Jun 2019 -- Sudan's opposition leaders have agreed to end their campaign of civil disobedience and strikes and resume talks with the country's military rulers aimed at forming a transitional council.

UK's intelligence service broke laws on data storage, use: Watchdog Press TV 11 Jun 2019 -- Britain's internal secret service MI5 has been criticized for breaching laws on a serious level when it comes to storage and handling of the data gathered from citizens with the purpose of fighting terrorism.
Outcry as High Court Finds MI5 Engaged in 'Unlawful' Storage, Handling of Bulk Surveillance Sputnik 11 Jun 2019 -- Ten internal documents from senior MI5 officials, including an 11 March letter from director Sir Andrew Parker, revealed significant non-compliance issues in how citizens' data had been kept and used, including a subsequent cover-up of internal failures and that "data might be being held in ungoverned spaces in contravention of our policies".

Justice Department Presses UK to Extradite WikiLeaks Founder to US VOA 11 Jun 2019 -- The Justice Department has formally asked Britain to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the United States to face a raft of charges related to his release of a massive trove of secret diplomatic cables and war logs, a U.S. official said on Tuesday.

Trump Says He Received 'Beautiful' Letter From North Korea's Leader VOA 11 Jun 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he received a "beautiful" letter from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as denuclearization talks between the two countries remain at an impasse.
DPRK Premier Inspects Several Units KCNA 11 Jun 2019 -- Kim Jae Ryong, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, member of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and premier of the Cabinet, inspected the Pyongyang Thermal Power Complex and the Chongchongang Thermal Power Plant and acquainted himself with the farm work in Pyoksong, Kangryong and Ongjin counties.
North Korea warns US to drop 'hostile policy' Press TV 11 Jun 2019 -- North Korean state media have warned that an agreement reached at a 2018 summit between the leaders of North Korea and the United States in Singapore could become "a blank sheet of paper" if Washington did not "withdraw its hostile policy" toward Pyongyang.
North Korea leader's slain step brother was a CIA agent: WSJ report Press TV 11 Jun 2019 -- The Wall Street Journal says North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's half-brother, who was allegedly poisoned on a trip to Malaysia in 2017, had been "a CIA informant."
North Korean Leader's Murdered Half Brother Was CIA Informant - Reports Sputnik 11 Jun 2019 -- Kim Jong Nam, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's assassinated half-brother, was reportedly an informant to the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and had met with US officials multiple times, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke to the Wall Street Journal.
Local Elections to Be Held in DPRK KCNA 11 Jun 2019 -- Elections for deputies to provincial (municipality), city (district) and county people's assemblies will take place in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on July 21, Juche 108 (2019) in accordance with Article 138 of the Socialist Constitution and decisions of the local people's committees.

German FM hopes INSTEX to operate soon with first transaction IRNA 11 Jun 2019 -- German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas hoped on Tuesday that the Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX) would operate soon with first transaction.
Russian FM: Some European countries awaiting Iran's violating JCPOA IRNA 11 Jun 2019 -- Some European Union members want Iran to make a mistake and breach he Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in an international forum on Primakov Readings on Tuesday.
US pressuring world into ignoring Security Council resolution on Iran: Russia FM Press TV 11 Jun 2019 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says the United States' actions against Iran constitute a blatant attempt to pressure the international community into overlooking a United Nations Security Council resolution in line with Washington's agenda of "strangling" the Islamic Republic.
Official derides US sanctions on Iran petrochemicals Press TV 11 Jun 2019 -- The CEO of Iran's National Petrochemical Company has shrugged off US sanctions on the country's largest and most profitable petrochemical group, saying they will not impact the industry.
US mulls new sanctions to kill Iran-EU trade vehicle Press TV 11 Jun 2019 -- The Trump administration is now weighing sanctions on Iran's counterpart to the European special-purpose vehicle for humanitarian trade, Bloomberg says.
Female Lawmaker Vows To Take A Gavel To Iran's Political Glass Ceiling RFE/RL 11 Jun 2019 -- Iranian lawmaker Parvaneh Salahshuri, a sociologist, says that when she decided to apply for one of a handful of influential posts in parliament, she realized she didn't have a chance.
Iran frees Lebanese jailed for spying for US; White House 'thankful' Press TV 11 Jun 2019 -- Tehran has freed Nizar Zakka, a Lebanese national serving a jail term in Iran for espionage for the United States, following mediation efforts by President Michel Aoun of Lebanon.
Lebanese U.S. Resident Convicted Of Spying Leaves Iran For Lebanon RFE/RL 11 Jun 2019 -- A Lebanese national imprisoned in Iran on charges of spying for the United States has arrived in Beirut after being released by Tehran.

Chinese mainland supports HKSAR government's move to amend extradition bill Global Times 11 Jun 2019 -- The Chinese mainland opposes the interference of foreign forces in the domestic affairs of Hong Kong and supports the regional government's move to amend the extradition bill, the Chinese foreign ministry stressed on Tuesday, opposing US' "wrong and irresponsible" comments.
HK locals slam violence for harming regional stability Global Times 11 Jun 2019 -- Without powerful interference from foreign forces, especially the US, opposition groups would not have the capability to enact such violent incidents in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today, experts said Tuesday, after local opposition groups violently stormed the Legislative Council to oppose the extradition law amendment.
China Accuses US of Interference Over Controversial Hong Kong Extradition Bill VOA 11 Jun 2019 -- China is accusing the United States of interfering in its internal affairs as opposition grows in Hong Kong over a controversial plan to allow people to be extradited to the mainland to face charges.

China rolls out rules for commercial space sector Global Times 11 Jun 2019 -- China rolled out rules for the first time to regulate commercial rocket manufacturing, test flights and launches, a move to boost the commercial space sector's sound development, industry representatives told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Kazakh Human Rights Groups Demand Thorough Investigation Of Mass Detentions During Election RFE/RL 11 Jun 2019 -- Two leading Kazakh human rights groups have urged the government to thoroughly investigate detentions of hundreds of protesters during and after a June 9 snap presidential poll.

Pakistani Ex-President Zardari Questioned In Money Laundering Case RFE/RL 11 Jun 2019 -- A court in Pakistan has handed over former President Asif Ali Zardari to the country's anti-corruption agency for questioning in a money laundering case.
Britain Arrests Self-Exiled Prominent Pakistani Politician VOA 11 Jun 2019 -- British police have arrested the self-exiled founder of a major Pakistani political party on charges he was intentionally encouraging or assisting criminal offenses in his native country.

South Carolina Man Sentenced for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS US Dept. of Justice 11 Jun 2019 -- Zakaryia Abdin, 20, of Ladson, South Carolina, was sentenced yesterday to 20 years to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release for attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Nearly 1,400 People Died From Ebola Outbreak in DRC Over 1 Year - Health Ministry Sputnik 11 Jun 2019 -- Almost 1,400 people have died from the Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since last August, the country's Health Ministry said Monday.
UN health agency identifies 5-year old Congolese boy as first confirmed case of Ebola in Uganda UN News 11 Jun 2019 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) and Ministry of Health, confirmed on Tuesday the first case of the deadly Ebola virus in Uganda, stemming from the nearly year-long current outbreak in neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

EU cannot be blackmailed on Brexit: Germany Press TV 11 Jun 2019 -- Germany's Europe Minister Michael Roth has warned Britain that a new prime minister in the country will not be allowed to pressure the European Union to change the terms of an existing withdrawal deal for the UK.

Moldovan Court Rebuffs 'Vehement Attacks' On Move To Oust President RFE/RL 11 Jun 2019 -- Moldova's Constitutional Court has condemned what it called "vehement attacks" from inside and outside the country against its decision to suspend Moscow-friendly President Igor Dodon amid a continuing standoff between two rival governments that each declare legitimacy.

NEWSLETTER

Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list