22 February 2020 Military News

110 US troops suffered concussion, brain injury in Iranian strike: Pentagon Press TV 22 Feb 2020 -- The US Defense Department has yet again raised the number of troops wounded in Iran's retaliatory missile attack in Iraq last month, saying they have suffered "traumatic brain injuries."
U.S. Military Raises Injury Toll In Iran Missile Attack In Iraq RFE/RL 22 Feb 2020 -- The Pentagon has raised to 110 the number of U.S. service members who suffered traumatic brain injuries during an Iranian missile attack on an air base in Iraq last month.

Afghanistan: Civilian casualties exceed 10,000 for sixth straight year UN News 22 Feb 2020 -- More than 10,000 civilians in Afghanistan were killed and injured last year, according to a new United Nations report that details record-high levels of civilian harm in the ongoing conflict.
Afghans mark start of week-long, partial truce Press TV 22 Feb 2020 -- A week-long, partial truce has come into effect across Afghanistan after the United States, the Taliban militant group and Afghan forces agreed to a so-called "reduction in violence" in the war-torn country.
Afghan 'Reduction In Violence' Deal Appears To Hold During First Hours RFE/RL 22 Feb 2020 -- A "reduction in violence" agreement with the Taliban appeared to be largely holding on February 22, a hopeful initial indication that a peace deal between the United States and the militant group will be signed as expected in a week.
Reduction in Violence Begins; US, Taliban Set Date to Sign Deal VOA 22 Feb 2020 -- In simultaneously issued statements, U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and the Taliban announced Friday that a deal between the U.S. and the Taliban will be signed February 29, paving the way toward ending the longest American war in history.
UN: Afghan War Killed, Wounded More Than 10,000 Civilians in 2019 VOA 22 Feb 2020 -- The United Nations reported Saturday the conflict in Afghanistan killed more than 3,400 civilians and injured nearly 7,000 others in 2019.

US Army May Have Just Leaked What Its New Long-Range Supergun Looks Like Sputnik 22 Feb 2020 -- The US Army began the development of its 'Strategic Long-Range Cannon (SLRC) in late 2019, with the weapon expected to have a range of up to 1,850 km. The military expects a demonstration prototype to be created by 2023.

Biggest defence and security review in decades is struggling to get off the ground Press TV 22 Feb 2020 -- Prime Minister, Boris Johnson's much-vaunted defence and security review is descending into chaos, in large measure because of the incoherence at the heart of government.

Yemeni air defense systems repel Saudi-led aerial attack near Sana'a: Army spox Press TV 22 Feb 2020 -- The spokesman for Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, says the country's air defense units have managed to thwart a Saudi-led airstrike against a strategic district east of the capital Sana'a.

Syria reopens Damascus-Aleppo highway to traffic after years of conflict Press TV 22 Feb 2020 -- The Syrian government forces have recaptured a strategic highway connecting the capital city of Damascus and the northern city of Aleppo after years of conflict in an offensive against foreign-backed militants.
Erdogan announces 4-way summit on Syria's Idlib Press TV 22 Feb 2020 -- Turkey's president says his country is to join a quadrilateral meeting with Russia, Germany, and France to address the situation in the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib, where Damascus' anti-terror advances have posed a threat to the Turkish military presence.
Syrian army forces inflict heavy losses on Turkish-backed militants in Aleppo Press TV 22 Feb 2020 -- Syrian government forces, supported by fighters from allied popular defense groups, have carried out a major counterattack against Turkish-backed Takfiri militants in the country's embattled northwestern province of Aleppo, inflicting losses on them.
'Russia, Turkey to intensify consultations on Syria's Idlib' Press TV 22 Feb 2020 -- The Russian and Turkish heads of state agree during a phone call to step up their bilateral consultations concerning the situation in the terrorists-infested northwestern Syrian province of Idlib.

UN chief welcomes South Sudan's Unity government, lauds parties for 'significant achievement' UN News 22 Feb 2020 -- United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed on Saturday the establishment of the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) in South Sudan.

Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in Rakhine state face charges for 'illegal travel' Press TV 22 Feb 2020 -- Rohingya Muslims arrested by Myanmar forces have appeared in court in the nation's capital of Yangon over criminal charges for attempting to flee apartheid-like conditions in Rakhine state.

Ex-CIA chief says Trump has put US in 'full-blown national security crisis' Press TV 22 Feb 2020 -- Former CIA Director John Brennan has warned about the President Donald Trump's alleged interference in the operations of US intelligence agencies, describing it as "a full-blown national security crisis."
U.S. Candidate Sanders Blasts Russia Amid Reports Moscow Trying To Aid Campaign RFE/RL 22 Feb 2020 -- Russia has once again taken a prominent role in the U.S. presidential campaign, with intelligence officials warning lawmakers that Moscow is meddling in the process to support President Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Senator Bernie Sanders.

Coronavirus serves a litmus test to judge caliber of China's CPC frontline officials Global Times 22 Feb 2020 -- The outbreak of the novel coronavirus pneumonia serves as a litmus test to filter out qualified officials and Communist Party of China members, as 20 frontline officials have been awarded promotions, and 34 Party members have been newly recruited across Wuhan as of Friday.

President: Way of JCPOA talks with EU not closed by Iran IRNA 22 Feb 2020 -- President Hassan Rouhani emphasized that Iran believes the nuclear deal is in the interest of the region and the world and that the US move to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was detrimental to the nations of the region, the world and the American people themselves.
Iran open to talks with EU on ways to save 2015 nuclear deal: President Rouhani Press TV 22 Feb 2020 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the Islamic Republic has not closed the door to talks with the European Union on possible ways to save a 2015 landmark nuclear deal between Iran and major world powers following the US' unilateral withdrawal from it.
Iranian Leaders React After Apparent Popular Boycott of Parliamentary Election VOA 22 Feb 2020 -- Iranian media is saying that preliminary results of Friday's parliamentary election are showing conservatives winning 70% of the 290-seat chamber, with independents taking about 20%, and reformists just 10%. Many observers, however, are pointing to extremely low turnout in most parts of the country.

In Togo, Voters Head to the Polls VOA 22 Feb 2020 -- Voters in Togo are going to the polls Saturday to cast their ballots in a presidential election.

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