COVID-19 - Daily News

23 April 2020 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Army announces upcoming 2nd BCT, 82nd Airborne Division, unit rotation US Army 23 Apr 2020 -- The Department of the Army announced today the upcoming summer 2020 rotation to Iraq of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina this summer.

Army announces upcoming 2nd BCT, 1st Armored Division, unit rotation US Army 23 Apr 2020 -- The Department of the Army announced today the upcoming 2020 rotation to Kuwait of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas.

Army announces upcoming 4th Infantry Division Combat Aviation Brigade, unit rotation US Army 23 Apr 2020 -- The Department of the Army announced today the upcoming 2020 rotation to Afghanistan of the 4th Infantry Division Combat Aviation Brigade stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado.
Army announces upcoming 4th Security Forces Assistance Brigade, unit rotation US Army 23 Apr 2020 -- The Department of the Army announced today the upcoming 2020 rotation to Afghanistan of the 4th Security Forces Assistance Brigade stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado.
Afghan Government Releases More Taliban Prisoners Before Ramadan RFE/RL 23 Apr 2020 -- Ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the Afghan government has released another 55 Taliban prisoners, the National Security Council has said.
Taliban Rejects Afghan Truce Calls During Ramadan VOA 23 Apr 2020 -- The Taliban has turned down calls for a cease-fire in Afghanistan during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins Friday. The Afghan government and others had hoped to enable health officials to better respond to the "common threat" of the coronavirus pandemic.

Defense Policy / Programs

Public Health Emergency Declared at Military Base in Djibouti Over COVID-19 - AFRICOM Sputnik 23 Apr 2020 -- The public health emergency declaration applies to all personnel, including service members, Department of Defence civilians and contractor personnel within the Djibouti Base Cluster.
US Military Prioritizes Special Ops, Nuclear Forces for COVID-19 Testing Sputnik 23 Apr 2020 -- The US Armed Forces plans to divide over 1.4 million active duty troops into four priority-based tiers and conduct future COVID-19 novel coronavirus testing in waves to maximize the Pentagon's strategic capabilities amid the worldwide pandemic.
Coronavirus Cases Alleged on 26 US Navy Ships - Report Sputnik 23 Apr 2020 -- Earlier, the majority of the crew on the USS Theodore Roosevelt was tested for COVID-19, resulting in 777 positive cases, with 63 sailors now recovered. One sailor died from coronavirus-related complications, and US Navy data shows that two other civilian employees died for the same reasons.
Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 23 Apr 2020
First F-35s Deployed to Alaska Base Amid Nearby Russian Bomber Intercepts Sputnik 23 Apr 2020 -- The first two F-35 stealth aircraft recently arrived at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, following special testing before being sent to the remote northern base. The deployment comes amid new attention paid to encounters between Russian patrol aircraft and US interceptors in the region.
US Marines Mark First Operational Flight of MQ-9 Reaper Drone in Middle East Sputnik 23 Apr 2020 -- US Marines recently marked a milestone after members of the Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 1 (VMU-1) managed to successfully carry out their very first operational flight of an MQ-9 Reaper drone.
Readout of Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper's Call With Italy Minister of Defense Lorenzo Guerini DoD 23 Apr 2020
Army announces upcoming 2nd ABCT, 3rd Infantry Division, unit rotation US Army 23 Apr 2020 -- The Department of the Army announced today the upcoming 2020 rotation to Europe of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia.
Army announces upcoming 1st Cavalry Division Headquarters, unit rotation US Army 23 Apr 2020 -- The Department of the Army announced today the 1st Cavalry Division Headquarters stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, will deploy to Europe in support of Atlantic Resolve this summer.
Army announces upcoming 101st Airborne Division Combat Aviation Brigade, unit rotation US Army 23 Apr 2020 -- The Department of the Army announced today the upcoming 2020 rotation to Europe of the 101st Airborne Division Combat Aviation Brigade stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Briefing With Senior State Department Official On the Administration's Arctic Strategy US Dept. of State 23 Apr 2020
US Offers Greenland $12 Million Aid Package VOA 23 Apr 2020 -- The U.S State Department announced Thursday a $12.1 million aid package for Greenland along with plans to re-open a consulate in the capital, Nuuk.
U.S. Aid To Greenland Looks To Counter Russian, Chinese Influence In Arctic RFE/RL 23 Apr 2020 -- The United States will give $12 million in economic aid to Greenland and open a consulate on the island in a bid to strengthen mutual ties and counter growing Russian and Chinese interests in the Arctic.

Trump Says Current Rules Of Engagement For Navy Enough To Deal With Iran Threat Radio Farda 23 Apr 2020 -- Following his order to shoot Iranian naval vessels if they harass American warships, President Donald Trump said Wednesday there is no need to change rules of engagement for the U.S. Navy.
Iranian Commander Threatens U.S. Navy After Trump Tweet RFE/RL 23 Apr 2020 -- The head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) says he has ordered his forces to potentially target the U.S. Navy after President Donald Trump's tweet threatening to sink Iranian vessels.
IRGC Head Says US Warships Will be Destroyed if They Threaten Iranian Vessels Sputnik 23 Apr 2020 -- The statement comes amid brewing tensions in the Persian Gulf region, instigated by US war manoeuvres with its Arab allies in gulf waters that have drawn anger from Tehran.
Iran Threatens to Destroy US Warships in Persian Gulf VOA 23 Apr 2020 -- The head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Thursday said Iran would destroy American warships if they threaten Iranian vessels in the Persian Gulf.
Iran's History of Naval Provocations US Dept. of State 22 Apr 2020 -- Iran has long used its naval forces to terrorize the international maritime community – this is not a new phenomenon. In 2015, during negotiations of the Iran Deal and after its adoption, the U.S. Navy recorded 22 incidents of unsafe and unprofessional conduct by the IRGC Navy (IRGCN), many that risked collision. An additional 36 incidents of unsafe and unprofessional conduct were recorded in 2016.
Iran vows to target US warships if security threatened Global Times 23 Apr 2020 -- Iran will target the US military vessels in the Gulf if they threaten Iran's security, the chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said Thursday, Tasnim news agency reported.
Cmdr: IRGC serious in defending Iran's national sovereignty, security IRNA 23 Apr 2020 -- Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps Major-General Hossein Salami in reaction to the recent remarks made by the US officials said on Thursday that the IRGC is serious in defending the national security, and sea borders, and marine interests of Iran.
Defense Minister: Iran monitoring regional events with vigilant eyes IRNA 23 Apr 2020 -- Defense Minister of Iran says that the Armed Forces have been monitoring global and regional developments with vigilant eyes.
Iran Naval forces have orders to target US vessels if harassed: IRGC chief cmdr. Press TV 23 Apr 2020 -- The chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has downplayed a recent US' anti-Iran rhetoric, warning that the Islamic Republic will target American vessels if they were to threaten the safety of the country's vessels or warships.
Iran's defense minister blasts 'aggressive' US presence in Persian Gulf Press TV 23 Apr 2020 -- Iran's defense minister has dismissed US reports of harassment by Iranian vessels as "baseless" and said the "illegal and aggressive" American presence in the Persian Gulf is causing insecurity in the region.
Iran Responds To US Threats With Defiance, Counter-Threats and Boasts Radio Farda 23 Apr 2020 -- Iranian officials have reacted to U.S. comments over Iran's satellite launch and the IRGC recent moves in the Persian Gulf with a mixture of defiance, threats and boasts about their military power.

Launch of satellite into orbit, start of formation of a global power, IRGC commander says IRNA 23 Apr 2020 -- Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps Major General Hossein Salami described the launch of a military satellite by the IRGC Aerospace Force into space as the start of the formation of a global power.
Space Force Commander Says Iran's Military Satellite Launches Will Continue Radio Farda 23 Apr 2020 -- Amid international condemnation of Iran's space satellite launch, a commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard (IRGC) told the state-run television there will be other military satellite launches in the future.
Russia dismisses as 'baseless' US claims on IRGC satellite launch Press TV 23 Apr 2020 -- Russia has dismissed as "baseless" claims by the United States that the recent launch of Iran's first-ever military satellite by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) violates a United Nations Security Council resolution endorsing the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.
Iran's Launch of Military Satellite Complies With UNSC Resolution on Nuke Programme - Moscow Sputnik 23 Apr 2020 -- The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched Iran's first military satellite, Noor, into orbit by using a Qassed rocket. The US said it was keeping track of the satellite, also describing its launch as a "hostile" act by Tehran.
US tracks Iran's 'Nour' satellite as it enters into orbit Press TV 23 Apr 2020 -- The United States says it has tracked Iran's successful launch and the entry into orbit of its first military satellite.

NSPA will deliver a fully equipped field hospital to the Italian Army at the end of the year NATO 23 Apr 2020 -- The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) will deliver a fully equipped field hospital to Italy at the end of the year. The Italian Army requested support to NSPA before the coronavirus outbreak to augment and modernize their military field equipment, used in Ministry of Defence authorized missions.
Coronavirus response: Poland sends medical mission to the United States NATO 23 Apr 2020 -- A medical mission from Warsaw's Military Institute of Medicine departed for Chicago on Thursday (23 April 2020), in order to help with the daily fight against COVID-19, and to exchange lessons learned and best practices.
Coronavirus response: The Netherlands delivers critical medical aid to Montenegro in response to COVID-19 NATO 23 Apr 2020 -- Today (22 April 2020), the Netherlands has transported 7,000 kilo / 70m³ of personal protective equipment and medical supplies from Beijing (China) to Podgorica (Montenegro), in support of Allied efforts against the COVID-19 global pandemic, following Montenegro's request for assistance through NATO's Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre.
Coronavirus response: NATO Allies increase support for Bosnia and Herzegovina NATO 23 Apr 2020 -- Following a request for assistance from Bosnia and Herzegovina through NATO's Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) in order to cope with the consequences of the COVID 19 pandemic, in the last few days Hungary and Slovenia have provided support with medical supplies and other items.

US main stumbling block to Iraq's possession of advanced air defense systems: Lawmaker Press TV 23 Apr 2020 -- A member of the Iraqi parliament's security and defense committee has blamed the United States for opposing Baghdad's acquisition of sophisticated air defense missile systems to protect its airspace against any possible act of aggression.

Military releases surveillance photo of Liaoning aircraft carrier CNA 23 Apr 2020 -- Taiwan's military on Thursday released for the first time a surveillance photograph it took of the Chinese aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, as it monitored the passage of a Chinese carrier battle group in waters south of the country a day earlier.

United Arab Emirates (UAE) - Foreign Military Sales Order (FMSO) II Case DSCA 23 Apr 2020 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sales Order (FMSO) II to provide funds for blanket order requisitions to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for an estimated cost of $150 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

Defense Industry

Contracts For April 23, 2020

Other Conflicts

23 April 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 23 Apr 2020

Malaysia Fears Presence of Warships in South China Sea May Spike Tension Sputnik 23 Apr 2020 -- The South China Sea is a disputed region where overlapping claims are made by China, Vietnam, Brunei, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Malaysia. Earlier this week, Beijing issued a proclamation of sovereignty over dozens of geographical features in the South China Sea, weeks after Vietnam protested China's right to do so.
Beijing Slams 'Certain US Politicians' for Meddling in South China Sea Issue Sputnik 23 Apr 2020 -- China laid sovereignty claims over dozens of locations in the contested South China Sea on Sunday, including islands, shoals, reefs, and mountain ridges.
U.S. Calls Out Intimidation as China Pressures Malaysian Drillship Radio Free Asia 23 Apr 2020 -- The top U.S. diplomat has accused China of deploying an energy survey ship to contested waters off Malaysia to intimidate other South China Sea claimants from developing hydrocarbon resources in the region's resource-rich waters.

Saudi-led coalition impounding 127 oil tankers, levying massive fines on Yemen: Oil company Press TV 23 Apr 2020 -- The Yemeni Petroleum Company (YPC) says the Saudi-led coalition has been preventing more than 120 tankers carrying energy derivatives destined for the war-ravaged Arab country from unloading their critical consignments, imposing multi-million dollar fines on them.
Yemeni army repels infiltration attempts by Saudi-led coalition Press TV 23 Apr 2020 -- The Yemeni army says it has repelled several infiltration attempts by the Saudi-led military coalition on various fronts, killing or wounding dozens of mercenaries.

Turkey brings additional military reinforcement to Syria's Hasakah: SANA Press TV 23 Apr 2020 -- The Turkish army has brought additional military reinforcements to Syria's easternmost Hasakah province as part of Ankara's unauthorized cross-border offensive into the Arab country, says a report by Syria's official news agency.

Iraq warns of Daesh attempt to exploit virus outbreak, renew terror campaign Press TV 23 Apr 2020 -- Iraq has warned that the Daesh Takfiri group could exploit a coronavirus outbreak in the country –which has been the main focus of the government and the army – and renew its campaign of terrorism.

Libya's UN-recognized GNA forces launch 'offensive' against Haftar's militia south of Tripoli Press TV 23 Apr 2020 -- Libya's UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) says its forces have launched an offensive against rebel militia loyal to renegade general Khalifa Haftar in southern parts of capital Tripoli.
Intensifying shelling and COVID-19 pandemic creates 'perfect storm' in Libya UN News 23 Apr 2020 -- In Libya, ongoing heavy fighting has raised concerns yet further, about the likely devastating impact of the new coronavirus on people there, particularly those repeatedly forced to flee violence.

Bangladesh: 'Not a Single Rohingya Will be Allowed to Enter' Radio Free Asia 23 Apr 2020 -- Bangladesh will not allow hundreds of Rohingya stranded at the sea in two trawlers off its southeastern coast to come ashore, the foreign minister said Thursday, despite calls by the United Nations and human rights groups to take in the refugees.
Eight Civilians Die in Myanmar Military Battle With Arakan Army in Chin, Rakhine Radio Free Asia 23 Apr 2020 -- At least eight people were killed in volatile western Myanmar, the latest in near daily civilian casualties in a conflict between government soldiers and the rebel Arakan Army that has intensified even as the nation shuts down to fight the coronavirus, local residents said Thursday.
UNHCR voices concern for Rohingya refugees on boats amid coronavirus emergency Press TV 23 Apr 2020 -- The United Nations refugee agency has voiced mounting concern over a "grave immediate risk" to persecuted Rohingya Muslim refugees who have fled Myanmar by boats amid the coronavirus pandemic.

UN warns Israel against 'devastating' West Bank annexation plans Press TV 23 Apr 2020 -- UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov has issued a warning against the Israeli regime's intention to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, saying such a move constitutes a serious violation of international law and would be a "devastating blow" to the so-called two-state solution.
Agreements with Israel, US completely cancelled if West Bank annexed: Abbas Press TV 23 Apr 2020 -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says the Palestinian Authority's agreements with Israel and the United States will be "completely cancelled" if Israel annexes the occupied West Bank.
Common coronavirus enemy, forges some Palestine-Israel cooperation, but West Bank annexation looms UN News 23 Apr 2020 -- The COVID-19 pandemic is creating opportunities for cooperation that Israelis and Palestinians must embrace to sustain Middle East peace efforts and bring an end to decades of conflict, the United Nations' top envoy in the region said on Thursday.

Nomads Urge China to Drop Plan to Make Tibetan Schools in Ngaba Teach in Chinese Radio Free Asia 23 Apr 2020 -- Tibetan nomads in China's western Sichuan province have appealed to the Chinese government to drop a plan that would make Mandarin Chinese the official language of instruction in Tibetan schools in the Ngaba (in Chinese Ābà) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.

Abkhazia Swears In De Facto President RFE/RL 23 Apr 2020 -- Aslan Bzhania, the winner of an election for the de facto presidency in Georgia's breakaway Abkhazia region, has been sworn in for a five-year term.

Protect civilians in the Sahel and Lake Chad regions, urges UN refugee agency UN News 23 Apr 2020 -- An upsurge in military action against armed groups in West Africa's vast Sahel and Lake Chad regions has prompted the United Nations refugee agency to call on all warring parties to protect people caught up in the violence.

News Reports

A Trump-Putin 'Reset'? Flurry Of Communication Points To Behind-The-Scenes Diplomacy RFE/RL 23 Apr 2020 -- On March 30, Russian leader Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump spoke by telephone, the first of five calls between the two over the next five weeks, a flurry of communication unprecedented during Trump's 3 1/2 years in office.

Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, April 23, 2020 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 23 Apr 2020

Report: US Believes China Spread False Information in US About Coronavirus Response VOA 23 Apr 2020 -- U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Chinese operatives helped spread false messages that claimed the Trump administration was planning to impose a nationwide lockdown to combat the novel coronavirus outbreak, according to The New York Times.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang's Regular Press Conference on April 23, 2020 PRC MofA 23 Apr 2020
Local govts cautious about property stimulus amid COVID19 due to speculation concern Global Times 23 Apr 2020 -- Chinese local govts are cautious about introducing property stimulus policies due to fear of speculation, experts said on Thursday, after Jingzhou, a city in Central China's Hubei Province, withdrew its new stimulus policies after introducing them just two days ago.
US Holocaust Museum Adds China to List of Case Studies Over Mass Internment of Uyghurs Radio Free Asia 23 Apr 2020 -- The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHHM) on Thursday added China to its list of 15 country case studies for Beijing's mass internment of Uyghurs in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), saying the three-year-old camp system represented "crimes against humanity."
Sweden to Shutter Last Confucius Teaching Program Amid Souring Ties Radio Free Asia 23 Apr 2020 -- Authorities in Sweden are to close down the last Confucius classroom run by a branch of the ruling Chinese Communist Party in Beijing, making the country the first in Europe to shut down a key area of China's soft power, according to media reports.
China's Maneuvering Spells Turbulence for Hong Kong, Analysts Say VOA 23 Apr 2020 -- Analysts are predicting that China's recent high-profile posturing over Hong Kong signals a bumpy political future for the semiautonomous city and the likely return of mass protests.

Zarif: US forces have no business 7,000 miles away from home IRNA 23 Apr 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a message reacted to the US provocative measures in the Persian Gulf, saying they have no business 7,000 miles away from their home.
President Rouhani: JCPOA helped country to develop industry IRNA 23 Apr 2020 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Thursday that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) prepared the grounds for enhancing development in downstream and upstream industries in Iran since five years ago.
US bans double COVID-19 strain on Iranians, hinder global action: Deputy FM Araqchi Press TV 23 Apr 2020 -- A senior Iranian diplomat says the United States' "illegal and inhumane" sanctions against the Islamic Republic double the pressure on the people of Iran amid their struggle to cope with the deadly coronavirus pandemic.
Iran Foreign Ministry protests US provocations, illegal measures in Persian Gulf Press TV 23 Apr 2020 -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry has summoned the Swiss ambassador, whose country represents the United Stats' interests, to convey the Islamic Republic's strong condemnation of the provocative and aggressive acts by the US Navy's terrorist forces in the Persian Gulf close to the Iranian coastline.
Iran says won't give in to intimidation after US threat of naval action Press TV 23 Apr 2020 -- Tehran's mission to the United Nations repeats the country's firm resolve to protect its sovereignty against any act of aggression, saying the Islamic Republic will not capitulate to intimidation, after US President Donald Trump threatened to strike Iranian boats protecting the country's territorial waters.
Iran stresses its sovereignty as redline regardless of who occupies Oval Office Press TV 23 Apr 2020 -- President Donald Trump has once again made an anti-Iran threat, saying US Navy ships will shoot Iranian gunboats "out of the water" in the Persian Gulf.
Low Oil Prices Will Have A Sharp Impact On Iran's Budget Deficit Radio Farda 23 Apr 2020 -- Amid a steep fall in global oil prices, the Islamic Republic President Hassan Rouhani claimed on Wednesday that Iran's losses would be "much less" than other producers.
EU Foreign Policy Chief Regrets US Blocking IMF Loan To Iran Radio Farda 23 Apr 2020 -- The EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell on Wednesday said he regrets that the United States has blocked the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from assisting Iran in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Plunge In Oil Prices Deals Another Blow To Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan RFE/RL 23 Apr 2020 -- When the crucial OPEC+ meeting broke up on March 8 after major disagreement between Saudi Arabia and Russia, it sent the price of oil plunging.

Secession Not On Agenda, But Dodik Wants 'Far More Autonomy' For Bosnian Serbs RFE/RL 23 Apr 2020 -- Milorad Dodik, the Bosnian Serb member of Bosnia's multiethnic presidency, says Bosnian Serbs are ready to preserve the integrity of Bosnia-Herzegovina as a state, but only if they get ''far more autonomy.''

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