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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• New rocket attack targets Iraqi air base housing occupying US forces Press TV 18 Apr 2021 -- At least five rockets have targeted an Iraqi air base hosting the occupying US soldiers and warplanes following a string of similar attacks on the base during past months.
• Iraqi Base Hosting US Contractors Hit by at Least Five Katyusha Rockets Sputnik 18 Apr 2021 -- The base, situated north of the capital Baghdad, has repeatedly come under rocket attacks. In February, a similar incident injured two people.
• Germany Promises Help To Local Staff Amid Troop Withdrawal From Afghanistan RFE/RL Gandhara 18 Apr 2021 -- The German defense minister says she wants to help bring some Afghan employees of her country's military to Germany as NATO allies prepare to withdraw their remaining troops from Afghanistan after nearly two decades.
• Top U.S. Diplomat: Terrorism Threat 'Has Moved' From Afghanistan RFE/RL Gandhara 18 Apr 2021 -- Secretary of State Antony Blinken has defended the U.S. decision to withdraw from Afghanistan, saying terrorism threats have moved elsewhere and that Washington needs to focus its "energy and resources" on other important issues, such the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.
• US war on Afghanistan cost $2.26 trillion and still rising: Report Press TV 18 Apr 2021 -- America's nearly 20-year military occupation of Afghanistan has cost the country $2.26 trillion, a new study finds, further insisting that the costs will continue to accumulate even after the US total withdrawal from the war-ravaged country later this year, as pledged by Washington.
• US Won't Take 'Eye Off Ball' on Afghan Situation as Worries About Troop Pull-out Mount Sputnik 18 Apr 2021 -- Earlier, US President Joe Biden announced that the US will withdraw all of its troops by the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, which originally led to the start of the war in Afghanistan. Other NATO states have also promised to pull out their troops from the country.
• No Guarantees on Afghanistan After Troop Pullout, Says Top Biden Aide VOA 18 Apr 2021 -- No one can say with any certainty what will happen in Afghanistan once U.S. President Joe Biden withdraws the remaining 2,500 to 3,500 U.S. troops by September 11 to end the country's longest war, a top White House official said Sunday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Iran's ground forces reach good achievements in missiles, drones production: Cmdr IRNA 18 Apr 2021 -- Commander of the ground force of the Iranian Army Brigadier-General Kiumars Heidari said on Sunday that the force has literally had great achievements in missiles, drones, electronic wars, armed vehicles, and smart vehicles.
• Commander: Iran's Army fully ready to carry out missions IRNA 18 Apr 2021 -- Deputy Commander of the Iranian Army for Coordination Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said on Sunday that the army of the Islamic Republic of Iran is fully prepared to carry out its missions.
• Army's drone power trump card of Armed Forces: Cmdr IRNA 18 Apr 2021 -- Drones of Iranian Army are a power instrument and the trump card of the military forces, said Commander of Iran's Army Major-General Abdolrahim Mousavi.
• Top commander: Unmanned aerial vehicles Iranian Army's trump card in any battle Press TV 18 Apr 2021 -- The chief commander of the Iranian Army says drones are now a substantial component of the Islamic Republic's Armed Forces and will be used in any battle if the need arises.
• Iran Showcases Dozens of Domestically-Produced Drones During Annual Military Parade Sputnik 18 Apr 2021 -- Following the introduction of a UN ban on armaments' sales to the Islamic Republic, Tehran started to develop its own domestic defence industry. In terms of drones, Iran has reached significant heights since starting their development by trying to copy Israeli and American models.
• Iran's military organs are aware of their responsibility: Rouhani IRNA 18 Apr 2021 -- President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday that Iran's military organs thanks to the experience they acquired from the imposed war and the legacy of the Sacred Defense, are more professional than ever in understating their expedition and responsibility.
• Israel Announces Record $1.6 Bln Defence Deal With Greece Sputnik 18 Apr 2021 -- Israel and Greece have signed the biggest defence agreement in the history of their bilateral relations, worth approximately $1.6 billion, the Israeli Defence Ministry said on Sunday.
• US lawmakers introduce bill to block Saudi Arabia's pursuit of nukes Press TV 18 Apr 2021 -- A group of American lawmakers has put forward a draft legislation that seeks to prevent Saudi Arabia from acquiring nuclear weapons amid reports about suspected attempts by the kingdom to process uranium and move toward the development of atomic bombs.
• UK warships to sail for Black Sea in May as Ukraine-Russia tensions rise: Sunday Times Press TV 18 Apr 2021 -- The UK's Navy warships will sail for the Black Sea next month amid rising tensions between Ukrainian and Russian forces, the Sunday Times newspaper reported, citing senior naval sources.
• UK Warships to Sail for Black Sea in May to 'Show Solidarity' With Kiev, NATO Allies - Report Sputnik 18 Apr 2021 -- Warships from the UK Royal Navy will sail for the Black Sea in May in solidarity with Kiev amid an escalation in the Ukraine crisis, The Sunday Times reports.
• Helicopter Crash Kills Five Soldiers in Peru, Military Says Sputnik 18 Apr 2021 -- At least five Peruvian servicemen have died in a helicopter crash in the country's Department of Cusco, the Joint Command of the Armed Forces of Peru (CCFFAA) said.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Top Hamas official: We will force Israel to free Palestinian prisoners Press TV 18 Apr 2021 -- A senior leader of the Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas, says the issue of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails is a top priority for the people of Palestine, stressing that the movement is determined to secure their freedom.
• Eritrea admits troops fighting in Tigray, says working with Ethiopia on pullout Press TV 18 Apr 2021 -- Eritrea has acknowledged for the first time that its troops have been involved in a conflict in neighboring Ethiopia's northern Tigray region, where the soldiers stand accused of crimes against humanity.
• US Orders Non-Essential Government Employees to Leave Chad Over Possible Insurgent Attack on Capital Sputnik 18 Apr 2021 -- The US State Department has ordered the departure of non-emergency US government employees from the capital of Chad, N'Djamena, amid civil unrest and the threat of armed violence, the US Embassy in Chad said in a statement.

News Reports

• US, China Pledge Urgent Climate Control Measures VOA 18 Apr 2021 -- China and the United States, the world's two biggest carbon polluters, have reached a new agreement to take urgent measures to curb climate change.
• Russia Plans to Withdraw From ISS, Deploy Its Own National Space Station Sputnik 18 Apr 2021 -- Russia will exit the International Space Station (ISS) initiative in 2025 and will inform its international partners about that decision, Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov told broadcaster Rossiya 1 on Sunday.
• Russia is examining the ISS and will decide to withdraw from the project from 2025 TASS 18 Apr 2021 -- Russia will conduct a technical survey of the International Space Station (ISS) and decide to withdraw from the project from 2025, and will warn foreign partners about this.
• EU To Meet Over Alleged Russian Links To 2014 Czech Depot Blast, As Russia Warns Of Retaliation RFE/RL 18 Apr 2021 -- The Czech Republic says it has informed NATO and the European Union about Russia's alleged involvement in a deadly ammunition depot explosion in 2014, an accusation Russia called "absurd" and a sign of Washington's influence on Prague.
• A Czech Explosion, Russian Agents, A Bulgarian Arms Dealer: The Recipe For A Major Spy Scandal In Central Europe RFE/RL 18 Apr 2021 -- The explosion was massive, blowing out windows of houses kilometers away, leaving a smoldering crater in the eastern Czech forest, not far from the border with Slovakia.
• Prague Says Two Suspects in 2014 Vrbetice Explosions Caught on CCTV Sputnik 18 Apr 2021 -- The Czech police caught two men allegedly responsible for the 2014 Vrbetice ammunition depot explosion on CCTV and their identities became clear after the Salisbury incident in 2018, the Czech first deputy prime minister, Jan Hamacek, who is also serving as the foreign minister, said on Saturday.
• Moscow Expels 20 Czech Diplomats, Tells Them to Leave by End of 19 April Sputnik 18 Apr 2021 -- The spat between Russia and the Czech Republic became tense after Prague accused Moscow of involvement in an explosion at an ammunition depot in Vrbetice in 2014, where two Czech nationals were killed.
• UK supports Czech efforts to expose Russian malign activity UK FCDO 18 Apr 2021 -- The Foreign Secretary condemns the reckless and dangerous actions of the Russian intelligence services in Czech Republic.
• UK escalates tensions with Russia as crisis intensifies on the edge of Europe Press TV 18 Apr 2021 -- The UK has seen fit to dramatically escalate tensions with Russia at a time of mounting crisis on the edge of Europe, as demonstrated by the mobilization of Ukrainian and Russian forces.
• Moscow says will retaliate hard against expulsion of Russian diplomats from Czech Republic Press TV 18 Apr 2021 -- Moscow says it will retaliate hard against expulsion of Russian diplomats in the Czech Republic, strongly rejecting accusations that Russian intelligence services were behind deadly blasts in the country in 2014.
• Czech Republic expels 18 Russian embassy staff, linking 'intel officers' to 2014 depot blast Press TV 18 Apr 2021 -- The Czech Republic has announced the expulsion of 18 Russian embassy staff, alleging that Russian intelligence services were involved in an ammunition depot blast in 2014.
• 'Aleksei Is Being Killed': Navalny's Team Calls April 21 Protests Amid Grave Concern Over His Health RFE/RL 18 Apr 2021 -- Washington has threatened "consequences" if hunger-striking jailed opposition leader Aleksei Navalny dies behind prison bars as his allies called for massive protests to pressure Russian officials to relent and allow the Kremlin critic to see an independent doctor after a group of physicians warned over his deteriorating health.
• France Not Ruling Out New EU Sanctions Against Russia Over Navalny Sputnik 18 Apr 2021 -- French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Sunday that the European Union may impose new sanctions against Russia over the situation with Russian jailed opposition activist Alexey Navalny.
• Russian Opposition Calls for Protests as Navalny's Health Worsens VOA 18 Apr 2021 -- Allies of jailed Russian opposition politician Alexey Navalny announced nationwide protests for this Wednesday — after the opposition figure's family and personal doctors released blood analysis results that suggested Navalny was at high risk of cardiac arrest or kidney failure barring immediate care.
• China urges U.S., Japan to stop meddling in China's domestic affairs People's Daily 18 Apr 2021 -- China on Saturday urged the United States and Japan to immediately stop meddling in China's domestic affairs and harming Chinese interests.
• China calls on US, Japan to stop interfering in Beijing's domestic affairs Press TV 18 Apr 2021 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry has called on the United States and Japan to immediately halt their interference in the country's domestic affairs and stop harming Beijing's interests.
• IRGC Qods Force deputy commander passes away IRNA 18 Apr 2021 -- Deputy Commander of Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Qods Force Brigadier General Seyyed Mohammad Hossein Hejazi who was suffering from a heart disorder passed away on Sunday evening.
• P4+1, Iran to continue nuclear talks IRNA 18 Apr 2021 -- The Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action including representatives of P4+1 (the UK, France, Russia, China plus Germany) will go ahead with consultations today (Sunday) at different levels.
• Iran's national security depends on maintaining its territorial integrity which can be achieved through national unity ISNA 18 Apr 2021 -- Iranian President emphasized that the national security of Iran depends on the preservation of its territorial integrity and the preservation of its territorial integrity can be achieved only under the protection of Iran's national unity, and Iran's national unity can only be achieved through democracy.
• Chinese envoy urges parties to Iran nuke deal to immediately start negotiating sanction-lifting formula People's Daily 18 Apr 2021 -- A Chinese envoy on Saturday urged all parties to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), to immediately start negotiating the specific formula of sanction-lifting.
• Rouhani: Sanctions removal world's chance for more economic cooperation with Iran Press TV 18 Apr 2021 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani says the lifting of all US sanctions will create "a new atmosphere" for the Islamic Republic's economic cooperation with the world.
• Iran Reportedly Builds New Structures at Parchin Complex Purportedly Involved in Missile R&D Sputnik 18 Apr 2021 -- In 2015, the facility was suspected of potentially being used in nuclear weapons research, but an IAEA mission led by the director-general and deputy director-general for safeguards found no solid evidence supporting these speculations.
• Top Israeli general: 60% enrichment shows Iran's preparedness for attack Press TV 18 Apr 2021 -- The former head of military intelligence for the Israeli army says Iran's first ever launch of 60-percent uranium enrichment after a sabotage incident at Natanz last Sunday shows the country was prepared for the attack.
• Qalibaf terms 60% enrichment as firm response to enemy's plot IRNA 18 Apr 2021 -- Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said 60% enrichment of uranium is considered as a firm response to enemy's plot to weaken negotiations process and has brought about a power for negotiating team to be able to use it for lifting all sanctions.
• Qalibaf: 60% enrichment Iran's decisive response to enemy's plot against JCPOA talks Press TV 18 Apr 2021 -- Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf says Iran's recent decision to start enriching uranium to 60 percent purity was a "decisive response" to a plot to undermine Tehran's position in Vienna talks.
• Iran's Plans for 60% Uranium Enrichment Are 'Decisive Response' to Enemy's Plot, Lawmaker Says Sputnik 18 Apr 2021 -- Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf says Iran has now proved to be fully capable of making good on its promises with regard to nuclear activity in a really short time frame.
• Envoy: IAEA verifies Iran's 60% enrichment IRNA 18 Apr 2021 -- Iran's ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Kazem Gharibabadi said on Sunday that IAEA has verified Iran's 60% uranium enrichment.
• Ukraine tried to politicize 2020 plane crash amid tensions with Russia, says Iran official Press TV 18 Apr 2021 -- An informed official close to Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) says Ukraine has tried to politicize the January 2020 accidental downing of its passenger plane near Tehran in an attempt to mount pressure on Russia amid tensions between the two neighbors.
• Myanmar shadow government calls on ASEAN not to recognize coup regime Press TV 18 Apr 2021 -- Myanmar's newly-formed shadow government has called on Southeast Asian leaders not to recognize the military regime that seized power in a February coup.
• Lukashenka Claims He Was Target Of U.S.-Backed Assassination Plot, But Offers No Evidence RFE/RL 18 Apr 2021 -- Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka has claimed he was the target of a U.S.-backed assassination plot, and Russian intelligence said that two Belarusians detained in Moscow this week were allegedly linked to the plot.
• Three People Killed As Pakistani Police Clash With Group Demanding French Envoy's Expulsion RFE/RL Gandhara 18 Apr 2021 -- Pakistani officials say at least three people have been killed in fresh clashes between police and supporters of a banned Islamist group seeking the expulsion of the French envoy over the publication of cartoons in France depicting the Prophet Muhammad.
• In Pakistan, Clashes Between Police, Islamists Reportedly Leave 2 Dead VOA 18 Apr 2021 -- Clashes between a recently banned Islamist party and police in Pakistan's second-largest city, Lahore, reportedly left at least two people dead and scores of others wounded Sunday.
• Statement on Georgia's Political Impasse US Dept. of State 18 Apr 2021 -- The text of the following statement was released by the Spokesperson of the U.S. Department of State and the Spokesperson for External Affairs of the European Union.
• Malawi's Ex-President Says Government Politically Persecuting Him VOA 18 Apr 2021 -- Malawi's former president, Peter Mutharika, has accused the government of politically persecuting him. During a televised news conference at his residence in Mangochi district Saturday, Mutharika cited the freezing of his bank accounts and arrests of his party officials over corruption allegations as examples. But authorities say they are only following the law.
• UNHCR Voices Concern After Botswana Deports Zimbabwean Refugees VOA 18 Apr 2021 -- The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says it is concerned after Botswana deported 57 Zimbabwean refugees who had lived in the host country since 2008. The refugees reportedly failed to register for voluntary repatriation, which led to their forced removal late last week.
• Chad's President Poised to Extend his 30 Years in Power VOA 18 Apr 2021 -- Partial provisional results in Chad's April 11 election released Saturday show President Idriss Deby leading and appearing to be headed for another term in office, extending his three-decade rule.