02 September 2019 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Taliban Attack Kabul as US Nears Peace Deal VOA 02 Sep 2019 -- The Taliban claimed responsibility for an explosion in Kabul late Monday, just hours after a U.S. negotiator shared with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani "key details" of a deal that would see thousands of American troops leaving Afghanistan.
US Envoy Discusses Draft of Deal With Afghan Leader VOA 02 Sep 2019 -- Afghan officials say U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Monday in Kabul to share details of a draft U.S.-Taliban peace agreement, but did not hand a copy of the deal to the president.
Suicide Attacker Sets Off Bomb South of Kabul Sputnik 02 Sep 2019 -- A suicide attacker detonated a bomb on Monday near high-rise buildings in the Afghan city of Gardez located south of Kabul, an Interior Ministry spokesman said.
Explosion Near Kabul's Green Village Leaves 5 People Killed, 50 More Injured - Reports Sputnik 02 Sep 2019 -- As many as five people were killed and 50 more were wounded as a result of the blast that erupted near the Green Village compound in Kabul on Monday, the TOLO News broadcaster reported, citing the Afghan Foreign Ministry.
Taliban Attack Rocks International Area Of Kabul, Killing At Least Five RFE/RL 02 Sep 2019 -- A loud explosion has jolted the Afghan capital, Kabul, killing at least five civilians, officials say.
US to withdraw troops from five Afghan bases under deal: Special envoy Press TV 02 Sep 2019 -- The US special envoy to so-called peace talks with the Taliban, Zalmay Khalilzad, says the militants and Washington have reached an agreement in principle and that the US military would withdraw troops from five bases in Afghanistan if conditions in the deal were addressed by the Taliban.
Bolton excluded from Afghanistan policy amid disagreement with Trump Press TV 02 Sep 2019 -- US National Security Adviser John Bolton has been sidelined from sensitive discussions about an emerging peace deal aimed at ending America's 18-year war in Afghanistan, according to US officials.

Defense Policy / Programs

NMCB 1 Completes School for Indigenous Colombian Tribe NNS 02 Sep 2019 -- Seabees, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) ONE, along with their Colombian army counterparts, completed construction of a new school for the indigenous Wayuu people in the rural community of Riohacha, Colombia, August 29, as part of Southern Partnership Station (SPS) 2019.
U.S., Allied Forces Complete EOD Exercise HYDRACRAB 2019 NNS 02 Sep 2019 -- Expeditionary forces from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States completed Exercise HYDRACRAB 2019, Aug. 31.

ASEAN-US Maritime Exercise Begins in Thailand NNS 02 Sep 2019 -- The U.S. Navy and maritime forces from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will begin the first ASEAN-U.S. Maritime Exercise (AUMX) with opening ceremonies at Sattahip Naval Base, Thailand Sept. 2.
US, ASEAN kick off drills amid maritime disputes with China Press TV 02 Sep 2019 -- The United States has kicked off joint naval exercises with ten South East Asian countries, as part of war games that will be extended into the disputed South China Sea.

Sweden to Finance Its 'Biggest Defence Reinforcement in Decades' Through Bank Tax Sputnik 02 Sep 2019 -- The idea behind the new tax levied on Sweden's largest banks is to enhance their contribution to society and at least partially finance an ambitious $2-billion defence hike.

RAF Typhoons complete NATO air policing mission in Estonia UK MOD 02 Sep 2019 -- Royal Air Force Typhoon jets return to their Lincolnshire base today after completing the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission and handing over to Gripen aircraft from the Czech Air Force.

Beijing urges better school military training Global Times 02 Sep 2019 -- China's central authorities issued a notice to educational institutions, schools and military organs to strengthen military training and patriotic education among students this year amid escalating Hong Kong riots.

Pakistan Minister Says Islamabad Could Nuke Targets in India Sputnik 02 Sep 2019 -- After setting a 'likely' date for full-blown war, Pakistan's Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has now warned India of area-specific nuclear attacks with tiny atomic bombs. Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan have intensified since New Delhi revoked special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

Turkey May Purchase Additional Batch of Russia's S-400 if US Doesn't Sell Patriot Systems - FM Sputnik 02 Sep 2019 -- The Turkish Defence Ministry stated on 27 August that the second stage of deliveries of the S-400 air defence systems had begun, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan noting that the deliveries would continue until the end of September.

US Vice President assures Ukraine of support as Trump considers blocking military aid Press TV 02 Sep 2019 -- US Vice President Mike Pence has reassured Ukraine that it still has the US administration's support, even as President Donald Trump was reportedly considering a plan to cut millions of dollars in military aid to the country.
First Female Class Starts At Prestigious Kyiv Military School RFE/RL 02 Sep 2019 -- Teenager Lina Nazipova has always dreamed of following in her parents' footsteps. This week she is getting her chance.

Remarks by Vice President Pence and President Duda of Poland in Joint Press Conference | Warsaw, Poland The White House 02 Sep 2019
Remarks by Vice President Pence and President Duda of Poland Before Bilateral Meeting | Warsaw, Poland The White House 02 Sep 2019
Readout of Vice President Mike Pence's Meeting with President Andrzej Duda of Poland The White House 02 Sep 2019

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

Japan sets up police unit to help guard disputed islets Press TV 02 Sep 2019 -- Japan is about to set up a special armed unit on its southern island of Okinawa amid a fresh row with China over sovereignty over a group of East China Sea islands.

Civilian deliberately targeted in Saudi 'double-tap' airstrikes in Yemen: Report Press TV 02 Sep 2019 -- Saudi Arabia may have used "double-tap" airstrikes in Yemen, a tactic that sharply increases the number of civilian casualties and endangers rescuers who rush to help the victims of the first air raid, a new report has warned, after Riyadh's latest attack on a Yemeni prison claimed more than 100 lives.
Al-Maliki: Coalition forces achieve their goals and continue to support legitimacy SPA 02 Sep 2019 -- Col. Turki al-Maliki, the spokesman of the coalition forces, Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, confirmed that the command of the coalition forces in Yemen is working to achieve the main objectives of the establishment of this coalition of restoring legitimacy in Yemen, ending the Houthi coup and the elimination of terrorist organizations supported by Iran and restoring stability and security for the Yemeni people.
'These are very dark times for Yemen': senior UN official on air strike mass casualties UN News 02 Sep 2019 -- Lise Grande, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen, described Sunday's deadly airstrikes in Dhamar City as a "horrific incident", and the scale of the casualties, as "staggering". "These are very dark times for Yemen," said Ms. Grande. "There have been days of fighting and strikes in the south and hundreds of casualties".

Hospitals among seven health centres attacked in Syria's north-east UN News 02 Sep 2019 -- Seven health centres in Syria's north-west have been reportedly attacked in recent days and two of them have been destroyed, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday.

ICC judges order prosecutor to reopen case of Israel raid on Gaza flotilla Press TV 02 Sep 2019 -- The International Criminal Court (ICC) has ordered its chief prosecutor to reopen an official probe into a 2010 Israeli attack on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla that killed nine Turkish activists on board.

Hezbollah chief says all Israeli forces at risk in case of new attack on Lebanon Press TV 02 Sep 2019 -- The leader of the Lebanese Hezbollah movement has warned Israel against any future attacks on Lebanon saying that in case of such attack all Israeli forces will be at risk.
Israel flies spy balloon over southern Lebanon one day after border fire exchange Press TV 02 Sep 2019 -- The Israeli military has launched a reconnaissance balloon over the southern part of Lebanon, a day after Israeli army forces and fighters from the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement exchanged fire along the border with the occupied Palestinian territories following a week of rising tensions.
'No Red Lines': Hezbollah Leader Nasrallah Announces 'New Phase' in Targeting Israel Sputnik 02 Sep 2019 -- The televised statement by the secretary-general of the Lebanon-based movement Hezbollah comes amid a new wave of tensions with Israel that escalated in late August after Lebanese authorities claimed that Israeli drones had invaded its airspace, with one ostensibly crashing near the Hezbollah press centre.
Israeli Army Launches Spy Balloon Into South Lebanon's Airspace - Reports Sputnik 02 Sep 2019 -- The Israeli military has launched a reconnaissance balloon over the Lebanese border settlement of Meiss El Jabal, the Lebanese National News Agency reported.
Israel, Hezbollah Trade Fire Across Lebanese Border VOA 02 Sep 2019 -- Israel and Hezbollah exchanged fire along the Lebanese border on Sunday, sparking "concern" in Washington.

India to Deploy Newly Formed Integrated Battle Group Along Pakistan Border Sputnik 02 Sep 2019 -- The Integrated Battle Group (IBG) is a brand new war fighting concept that includes cross-border strike capability mooted by the Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat last December. The decision to deploy the elite group comes against the backdrop of worsening relations between the two nuclear-armed countries.

Cameroon Separatists Warn Against Reopening Schools in Crisis Zones VOA 02 Sep 2019 -- The new school year in Cameroon begins this Monday with the government determined to reopen at least 4,500 schools closed in its English-speaking regions as a result of the separatist crisis. But the separatists, who have warned that they will not allow any school to be opened unless their leader, Ayuk Tabe and nine others given life jail sentences by a military tribunal, are freed, have already attacked and wounded at least nine teachers for defying their instructions.

News Reports

US not after 'military intervention in Venezuela, claims US diplomat Press TV 02 Sep 2019 -- The United States is not after military intervention in Venezuela amid the economic and political crisis in the South American nation, says the US envoy.

Russia To Sign Landmark Permanent Treaty With Mongolia RFE/RL 02 Sep 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin will sign a permanent treaty on friendship and extensive strategic partnership with Mongolian President Khaltmaagiin Battulga on September 3 during a two-day visit to the East Asian country, according to an interview published on the Kremlin's website.

Chinese FM Here KCNA 02 Sep 2019 -- Wang Yi, state councilor and foreign minister of the People's Republic of China, arrived here Monday at the invitation of Ri Yong Ho, foreign minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. -0-
Kim Jae Ryong Inspects Several Units in South Hwanghae Province KCNA 02 Sep 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 several agricultural units in South Hwanghae Province.
Chinese Foreign Minister to Visit DPRK Amid Stalled Denuclearization Talks Sputnik 02 Sep 2019 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will kick off his three-day trip to North Korea on Monday amid the stalled process of the Korean Peninsula denuclearization.

Iranian Foreign Minister Rules Out Possibility of Renegotiating JCPOA Sputnik 02 Sep 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif ruled out on Monday the possibility of renegotiating the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), known as the Iran nuclear deal, also praising Russia and China for their effort aimed at preserving the pact.
Iran Pledges 'Strong Step' Back From Nuclear Deal Unless Europe Helps VOA 02 Sep 2019 -- Iran said Monday it will take a "strong step" away from the 2015 international nuclear deal if European countries do not take steps to help it bypass U.S. sanctions on its oil sales.
FM spox: Iran willing to give chance for diplomacy, dialogue IRNA 02 Sep 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said on Monday that despite all difficulties, Iran is willing to give another chance to diplomacy and dialogue.
Iran declares strategy of parallel commitments with JCPOA parties IRNA 02 Sep 2019 -- Iran's Government spokesman Ali Rabiei said on Monday provided that Europe fulfills its commitments to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Tehran will go back to honor its full commitments. Iran's strategy is commitment for commitment.
Iran prepared to take 3rd step of reducing commitments to JCPOA IRNA 02 Sep 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday that Iran is prepared to take the third step of reducing commitments to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, adding that it will be reversible if diplomatic efforts are effective.
Iran willing to give diplomacy another chance: Mousavi ISNA 02 Sep 2019 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Seyyed Abbas Mousavi said Tehran is willing to secure diplomacy and dialogue.
Iran Warns Of 'Strong Step' Away From Nuclear Deal As Deadline Nears RFE/RL 02 Sep 2019 -- Iran has warned Europe it needs to offer new terms before a deadline set for later this week or Tehran will "take a strong step" away from the nuclear accord it signed with world powers in 2015.
Iran to take 3rd step of reducing JCPOA commitments if no new terms offered ISNA 02 Sep 2019 -- Iran's strategy is commitment for commitment, in this case Tehran won't take the third step of reducing its JCPOA commitments, Iran's government spokesman, Ali Rabiei announced on Monday on the eve of a deadline at the end of this week.
Iran FM warns EU over more reduction in nuclear commitments Press TV 02 Sep 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has once again warned that Tehran would further scale back its commitments under a 2015 nuclear deal if it cannot reap the benefits of the multilateral agreement.
3rd round of Iran's nuclear response to JCPOA violations to be more decisive: Foreign Ministry Press TV 02 Sep 2019 -- Iran has warned that if European parties to the 2015 nuclear agreement fail to meet their commitments under the deal, Tehran will further, and this time more decisively, reduce its nuclear obligations.
Iran, Russia agree on further nuclear, regional cooperation IRNA 02 Sep 2019 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Tehran and Moscow will cooperate on issues related to the nuclear deal and regional security that will benefit the region.
Tehran Welcomes Russia's Concept for Persian Gulf Security - Iranian Foreign Minister Sputnik 02 Sep 2019 -- Iran welcomes Russia's initiative on Persian Gulf security and is ready to sign a non-aggression pact with its neighbours, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Monday.
Russia welcomes measures preventing JCPOA come to a dead-end IRNA 02 Sep 2019 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday that Russia welcomes timely measures to prevent the JCPOA to come to a dead end.
Tehran, Paris discuss ways to meet Iran interests in JCPOA IRNA 02 Sep 2019 -- Senior Iranian and French experts in an intensive meeting discussed ways to fulfill Iran's demands and interests in the nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Mogherini: EU working to preserve Iran nuclear deal IRNA 02 Sep 2019 -- High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini underlined EU current efforts to save Iran deal otherwise known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Iran willing to work with neighbors regardless of JCPOA IRNA 02 Sep 2019 -- Government spokesman Ali Rabiei said in his weekly press conference on Monday that Iran is willing to cooperate with its neighbors regardless of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Iran, Syria to develop banking ties, set up joint bank: Report Press TV 02 Sep 2019 -- Iran and Syria have vowed to expedite efforts for establishing a joint bank that could help the two allied countries deepen their trade and economic relations.

Southeast Asian countries worried about Hong Kong violence entering their borders Global Times 02 Sep 2019 -- Chaos in Hong Kong continued as the illegal rally on Saturday ended with police firing water cannons at violent protesters who hurled objects into the Hong Kong government complex, media reported.
HK govt reiterates opposition to school strikes Global Times 02 Sep 2019 -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Monday reiterated its opposition to school strikes as around 70,000 primary and secondary school students welcomed their first day of new school year following the weekend unrest which left the city in chaos.
US will never succeed playing Hong Kong card People's Daily 02 Sep 2019 -- Some U.S. politicians have lost their mind by relating China's domestic affairs to China-U.S. bilateral economic and trade consultations, which revealed their evil intension to contain China by throwing Hong Kong into turmoil.
Op-ed: Hong Kong police should stop violence using necessary force People's Daily 02 Sep 2019 -- Protests went ahead on August 31 despite police objection. They besieged Hong Kong's government and the Legislative Council building, placed flaming barricades on the streets, and threw gasoline bombs at the police.
Tens of Thousands Boycott Class in Hong Kong Over Extraditions to Mainland China Radio Free Asia 02 Sep 2019 -- Tens of thousands of students converged on the Chinese University of Hong Kong on Monday, lending their weight to the anti-extradition movement with a class boycott to greet the new academic year amid a general strike across the city.
New Week, New Protests in Hong Kong VOA 02 Sep 2019 -- At a university campus and in a park near the government center, tens of thousands of students joined together Monday as they boycotted classes and demanded that the government heed the demands of pro-democracy protesters who have been rallying in the streets for nearly three months.
How Hong Kong's Most Wanted Bookseller Escaped to Taiwan and What's Next VOA 02 Sep 2019 -- Three years ago authorities in China were expecting Lam Wing-kee to get his PC, and then return across the border for the final stages of a criminal investigation.
Gov't to give assistance to Hong Kong people in Taiwan: president CNA 02 Sep 2019 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Monday that the government will provide necessary assistance to Hong Kong people in Taiwan based on humanitarian considerations as anti-government protests have continued for months in the former British colony and the situation shows no sign of dying down.
Escalating trade frictions won't solve anything People's Daily 02 Sep 2019 -- It's not hard to find that voices different from Washington always occurred in American society every time the US government took actions to escalate trade frictions with China.

Solomon Islands forms task force to shift ties from Taiwan to China Press TV 02 Sep 2019 -- Taiwan is expected to lose yet another ally on the international stage as the Solomon Islands considers developing ties with China, in a move which will leave the self-ruled island with only sixteen allies across the world.

BeiDou-GLONASS synergies will offset dominance of US GPS Global Times 02 Sep 2019 -- China and Russia will soon put in place an agreement involving their respective satellite navigation systems, aiming to promote the compatibility and interoperability of the BeiDou and GLONASS systems.

Iran Acknowledges Blast At Space Center RFE/RL 02 Sep 2019 -- Iran has confirmed an explosion at one of its launch pads after satellite photos showed the blast last week, saying it was due to a technical malfunction.
Iran Admits Space Rocket Explosion for First Time After Trump Denies US Involvement in Viral Tweet Sputnik 02 Sep 2019 -- The report comes a few days after US President Donald Trump tweeted a photo of an apparent explosion at Iran's space centre, while saying that Washington had nothing to do with what he described as a "catastrophic accident" during first launch preparations.

Indian Lunar Probe Successfully Carries Out Tricky Move to Delink Lander and Orbiter Sputnik 02 Sep 2019 -- India's second Lunar probe, Chandrayaan-2 has achieved yet another milestone, just five days ahead of its most challenging exercise to soft land on the unexplored South Polar Region of the Moon.
India Crosses Another Milestone in Moon Mission VOA 02 Sep 2019 -- India's ambitious mission to the moon has crossed a crucial milestone and is on course to place a probe on the south pole of the lunar surface later this week.

India defends citizenship register in Assam even after UN criticism Press TV 02 Sep 2019 -- India has again defended a controversial citizenship register in the northeastern state of Assam even though the United Nations has voiced concern over the publication of a list that may put large numbers of people in the region at risk of becoming stateless.
UNHCR Urges India Not to Render Assam Residents Stateless VOA 02 Sep 2019 -- U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi is urging Indian authorities to take steps to ensure that no one in the northeastern state of Assam is rendered stateless. Nearly 2 million people were recently struck off Assam's citizenship list and are at risk.

Populists Surge in Germany's East VOA 02 Sep 2019 -- Regional government elections in Germany Sunday, in which the anti-immigrant, nationalist far-right AfD party surged in support, are testimony to a widening rift between the country's prosperous West and its struggling former Communist East, say analysts.

Kazakh President Pledges More Democratic Freedoms In First State-Of-The-Nation Address RFE/RL 02 Sep 2019 -- Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev, in his first state-of-the-nation address following his election in June, has promised to support political competition and pluralism in the tightly controlled Central Asian nation.
Protesters In Kazakhstan Demand President Scrap China Visit RFE/RL 02 Sep 2019 -- Demonstrators in Kazakhstan's volatile southwestern town of Zhanaozen have demanded President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev cancel his upcoming trip to China.

Crisis Looms as Erdogan Targets Istanbul Mayor VOA 02 Sep 2019 -- A political storm is brewing between Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as Erdogan continues to publically blast the opposition mayor with criticism.
Terror Charges Dropped Against Pro-Kurdish Leader VOA 02 Sep 2019 -- A court in Turkey has dropped terror charges against a prominent pro-Kurdish politician who has been jailed for more than two years, but authorities are still pursuing a separate case against him, which could keep him imprisoned.

Boris Johnson Says 'Under No Circumstances' Will He Ask EU to Delay Brexit Sputnik 02 Sep 2019 -- Earlier in the day, the BBC reported that newly-minted UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson would deliver a statement on Brexit outside No. 10 as rebel lawmakers are seeking to push for yet another deadline extension for the country's withdrawal from the European Union.
Britain's Johnson Threatens Expulsion of Tory Rebels Over Brexit Dispute VOA 02 Sep 2019 -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson threatened Monday to expel any Conservative Party rebels if they try to block his push for a no-deal exit next month from the European Union.
Britain Set for Explosive Week Ahead in Brexit Showdown VOA 02 Sep 2019 -- Britain is bracing for an explosive week of political battles which could prove crucial in Britain's proposed exit from the European Union – and in determining the fate of new Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Georgia's Prime Minister Resigns VOA 02 Sep 2019 -- Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze has resigned after a little more than a year on the job.
Georgian Prime Minister Resigns, Says He Has 'Fulfilled Mission' RFE/RL 02 Sep 2019 -- Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze has announced his resignation after little more than a year in the position, saying he had fulfilled the mandate he was given.
Georgian PM Bakhtadze Resigns, Government Steps Down Sputnik 02 Sep 2019 -- Mamuka Bakhtadze becomes the fourth head of the Georgian government to resign from office since 2012. The country's Parliament has to approve another candidate from the governing party (which at the moment is Georgian Dream) in the next two weeks.

DR Congo President and UN chief meet at a 'historic moment' for democracy in the country UN News 02 Sep 2019 -- On the third and final day of his visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), UN chief António Guterres declared that the country is experiencing a historic moment, which could herald the development of democratic institutions.

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