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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Drones target two US bases in eastern Syria IRNA 16 Dec 2023 -- New drone attacks have targeted two US military bases in Syria, according to Arab media reports on Saturday.
• Drones strike bases housing US occupation troops in eastern Syria Press TV 16 Dec 2023 -- Three military facilities occupied by US forces in Syria's eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr and neighboring Hasakah province have come under separate attacks by armed unmanned aerial vehicles.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Lotus Blooming: Russian Airborne Troops to Receive New Self-Propelled Artillery Sputnik 16 Dec 2023 -- Self-propelled artillery refers to artillery pieces mounted on armored vehicles, allowing them to move quickly and independently to various locations on the battlefield. This mobility provides greater flexibility and firepower, as these weapons can be deployed closer to the front lines and avoid the need for separate transportation vehicles.
• Zelenskiy Vows To Strengthen Air Defenses, Push On With Global Press For More Military Aid RFE/RL 16 Dec 2023 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on December 16 met with military commanders and vowed to strengthen air defenses as the tense nation continued to take hits from multiple Russian missile and drone attacks, while he also promised to continue his diplomatic offensive with Western partners to keep the flow of aid coming.
• Ukraine to Strengthen Air Defense, Protect Skies from Drones VOA 16 Dec 2023 -- Ukraine will be strengthening its air defense, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address Saturday.
• U.S. announces US$300 million arms sale to maintain Taiwan's C4 capabilities CNA 16 Dec 2023 -- The United States Department of State has approved a US$300 million Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Taiwan that includes follow-on life cycle support and related equipment to maintain the C4 (Command, Control, Communications, and Computers ) capabilities of its military forces.
• German Defense Minister Mulls Resumption of Military Draft Sputnik 16 Dec 2023 -- German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on Saturday suggested possible reintroduction of compulsory military service in the country, calling its suspension a mistake despite the reasons that existed at the time.
• INDIAN NAVY'S MISSION DEPLOYED PLATFORMS RESPOND TO HIJACKING INCIDENT IN THE ARABIAN SEA India PIB 16 Dec 2023 -- Indian Navy's Mission Deployed platforms responded swiftly to a maritime incident in Arabian Sea involving hijacking of Malta Flagged Vessel MV Ruen
• Military training jet crashes in southwest Iran IRNA 16 Dec 2023 -- A military training jet has crashed in southwest Iran due to technical problems.
• Dutch court clears delivery of F-35 parts used by Israel in Gaza war Press TV 16 Dec 2023 -- A court in the Netherlands has rejected a case brought by a group of human rights organizations to block the delivery of parts for F-35 fighter jets used by Israel in the Gaza Strip, giving the Dutch government the green light to keep supplying the Israeli regime with the controversial military parts.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari December 16th, 20:15 Israel Defense Forces 16 Dec 2023
• 24h Recap: December 16th, 2023, 10:00 Israel Defense Forces 16 Dec 2023
• Netanyahu Vows Israel Will Dismantle Hamas After 3 Hostages Mistakenly Killed VOA 16 Dec 2023 -- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a TV news conference Saturday that the accidental killings of the three Israeli hostages by Israeli troops Friday "broke my heart, broke the entire nation's heart."
• Statement by PM Netanyahu Israel - Prime Minister 16 Dec 2023 -- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this evening, at the Kirya in Tel Aviv, at the press conference with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Minister Benny Gantz:
• Prime Minister's Office announcement on behalf of the National Security Council Israel - Prime Minister 16 Dec 2023 -- As part of the hostage release agreement, Israel committed to transfer 200 truckloads per day of food and humanitarian aid from Egypt for the civilian population in Gaza.
• Prime Minister's Office announcement Israel - Prime Minister 16 Dec 2023
• Israeli army mistakenly killed 3 hostages during Gaza operation: spokesman People's Daily 16 Dec 2023 -- Spokesperson of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Daniel Hagari announced on Friday night that during battles in northern Gaza in the morning, Israeli troops mistakenly identified three Israeli hostages as a threat and killed them.
• UN workers delivering aid to Gaza hospital describe 'bloodbath' in overflowing emergency department UN News 16 Dec 2023 -- UN workers delivering medical supplies to the Al-Shifa Hospital in north Gaza on 16 December have described the emergency department as a "bloodbath", with hundreds of injured people inside, and a constant flow of new patients.
• Syria, Lebanon and Jordan Emergency Appeal 2023: Progress Report for the Reporting Period 1 January - 30 June 2023 UNRWA 16 Dec 2023 -- UN workers delivering medical supplies to the Al-Shifa Hospital in north Gaza on 16 December have described the emergency department as a "bloodbath", with hundreds of injured people inside, and a constant flow of new patients.
• Israel: Statement by the High Representative on state budget for settlement construction and related activities European External Action Service (EEAS) 16 Dec 2023 -- The European Union is gravely concerned by the commitment of additional funding for settlement construction and related activities approved by the Knesset in the amended budget for 2023.
• 1st meeting of China-Saudi Arabia-Iran trilateral joint committee concludes; MidEast should 'no longer be geopolitical arena' for great powers Global Times 16 Dec 2023 -- The Middle East should no longer be a geopolitical arena of great powers, and the fate of the region should be in the hands of the people, said Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese Foreign Minister, in meeting with Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Elkhereiji and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Ali Bagheri Kani on Friday in Beijing.
• Israeli regime playing with lives of its captives: Qassam spokesman IRNA 16 Dec 2023 -- Al-Qassam Brigades Spokesman Abu Ubaida has said that the Israeli regime continues to play with the lives of its captives held in Gaza and does not care about the feelings of their families.
• Hamas urges Israeli accountability for killing journalists, medics Press TV 16 Dec 2023 -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has called on the international community to hold Israel responsible for war crimes it has committed against journalists and medics in the besieged Gaza Strip.
• Hamas turns Gaza streets into 'deadly maze' for Israeli troops Press TV 16 Dec 2023 -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has turned the Gaza Strip's streets into a "deadly maze" for Israeli military forces due to its knowledge of the terrain, as the occupying regime continues its ground invasion against the besieged enclave.
• Yemen's Ansarullah, Lebanon's Hezbollah hit Israeli targets in fresh attacks IRNA 16 Dec 2023 -- Fighters from Lebanon's Hezbollah and Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movements have launched targeted drone attacks on Israeli military positions in support of the Palestinian people in Gaza.
• More major shipping firms suspend Red Sea passage amid attacks by Yemeni forces Press TV 16 Dec 2023 -- Two more major international shipping companies have suspended passage of their cargoes through a key Red Sea strait following attacks by Yemeni forces on vessels bound for the occupied Palestinian territories.
• Yemeni drones pound Israel's Port of Eilat in solidarity with Gaza Press TV 16 Dec 2023 -- Yemeni Armed Forces say they have launched a large-scale drone strike against "sensitive" targets in the occupied territories in a show of support for the Palestinian people in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Other Conflicts

• Fighting in Sudan's breadbasket halts humanitarian work, threatens thousands of displaced: UN People's Daily 16 Dec 2023 -- UN humanitarians said on Friday fighting in Sudan's breadbasket of Al Jazirah state has forced the suspension of operations in all state humanitarian field missions.
• Clashes between Sudanese army, paramilitary forces spread to Gezira State in central Sudan People's Daily 16 Dec 2023 -- As the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) completes its eighth month, the clashes on Friday moved for the first time to Wad Madani, the capital of the Gezira State in central Sudan.
• Fighting in Sudan's safe haven triggers fresh exodus, opens new front in war Press TV 16 Dec 2023 -- Fresh fighting between the Sudanese army and paramilitaries has engulfed the aid hub of Wad Madani, triggering a new exodus of already-displaced civilians.
• Developments in Wad Medani and El Fasher, Sudan US Dept. of State 16 Dec 2023 -- "We urge the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan to cease their advance in Gezira State immediately and to refrain from attacking Wad Medani."
• Junta sends pardoned deserters who refused to rejoin military back to prison Radio Free Asia 16 Dec 2023 -- More than 200 pardoned deserters have been sent back to prison after refusing to rejoin Myanmar's military, according to friends and family members, in what observers say is likely a bid by the junta to keep them from defecting to the armed resistance.
• Foreign Minister writes to leaders of international organizations inviting their attention to the illegality of Indian Supreme Court's judgement on the status of IIOJK Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 16 Dec 2023 -- Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani has addressed letters to the leadership of the United Nations, Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the European Union, inviting their attention to the illegality of the recent judgement by the Supreme Court of India on the status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). In these letters, the Foreign Minister has underscored that under international law, domestic legislation and judicial verdicts cannot be invoked to determine the final status of an internationally-recognized disputed territory.

News Reports

• Iran Executes Mossad Agent, IRNA Says VOA 16 Dec 2023 -- An Israeli intelligence officer was executed Saturday in Iran, according to IRNA, Iran's state news agency.
• Iran puts agent of Israeli Mossad spy agency to death in Sistan and Baluchestan Province Press TV 16 Dec 2023 -- Iranian Judiciary authorities have executed a man convicted of affiliation to foreign intelligence services, particularly the Israeli Mossad spy agency, in the country's southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan.
• Zionist spy executed in southeastern Iran IRNA 16 Dec 2023 -- A person has been executed in Zahedan, southeastern Iran, after being found guilty of spying for foreign intelligence agencies including Mossad.
• Statement from President Joe Biden on the Passing of Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah The White House 16 Dec 2023
• Statement by Vice President Kamala Harris on the Passing of Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah The White House 16 Dec 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Al-Sabah US Dept. of State 16 Dec 2023
• The Passing of Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah US Dept. of State 16 Dec 2023
• Statement From Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on the Passing of the Amir of Kuwait DoD 16 Dec 2023
• Statement by Minister Joly on the passing of Amir of Kuwait His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al Jaber Al-Sabah Canada 16 Dec 2023
• Kuwait: Statement by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and High Representative Josep Borrell on the passing of Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah European External Action Service (EEAS) 16 Dec 2023 -- The European Union has learnt with sadness of the passing of His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, late Emir of the State of Kuwait. The EU expresses its condolences and sympathy over his loss to the Al-Sabah family, the people, and the government of Kuwait.
• Condolences to Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah President of Russia 16 Dec 2023 -- Vladimir Putin sent his condolences to Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on the passing of his brother, Emir Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
• Iran's president, foreign minister offer condolences to Kuwait over Emir's death Press TV 16 Dec 2023 -- President Ebrahim Raeisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian of Iran have extended condolences to Kuwait on the passing of Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah.
• Kuwait's ruling Emir, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, dies at age 86 Press TV 16 Dec 2023 -- Kuwait's Emir, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, has died at the age of 86, state media report.
• Foreign Secretary statement following the death of the Amir of Kuwait UK FCDO 16 Dec 2023 -- The Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, expressed his condolences following the death of His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah of Kuwait.
• Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's response to a media question following the EU Summit Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 16 Dec 2023
• Seven cases of COVID-19 subvariant JN.1 detected in one month in Chinese mainland Global Times 16 Dec 2023 -- Chinese mainland has detected seven cases of contracting COVID-19 subvariant JN.1 in about one month. The possibility of the variant becoming a dominant strain in the country cannot be ruled out, according to the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration.
• Hong Kong vows to pursue wanted overseas activists 'to the end' Radio Free Asia 16 Dec 2023 -- Hong Kong on Friday vowed to pursue overseas pro-democracy activists on its national security wanted list "to the end," amid calls from U.S. Congress members for sanctions linked to transnational repression by the Chinese Communist Party.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Dec. 16, 2023 ROC MND 16 Dec 2023
• Talks Held between Foreign Ministries of DPRK and China KCNA 16 Dec 2023 -- Talks were held between Pak Myong Ho, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea who is on a visit to China as head of a delegation of the DPRK Foreign Ministry, and Sun Weidong, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, in Beijing on Friday.
• Army chief: Enemies' 'dirty hands' clearly seen in Iran terrorist attack Press TV 16 Dec 2023 -- The enemies' dirty hands are clearly seen in the bloody terrorist attack on a police headquarters in Rask, Iran's chief commander of the Army says.
• UN denounces terrorist attack on police headquarters in southeastern Iran Press TV 16 Dec 2023 -- The United Nations has denounced in the strongest terms a vicious terrorist assault on Rask County's police headquarters in the southeastern Iranian province of Sistan and Baluchestan, emphasizing that all perpetrators must be brought to justice.
• Iran Faces Looming Food Shortage as Essential Goods, Imports Plunge VOA 16 Dec 2023 -- Recent reports highlight a significant decrease in the average import of essential goods in Iran over the past eight months, with some of those declines topping 50% or more. Additionally, Iran witnessed a sharp decline in November in red meat production, compared to the same month last year.
• Transcript of Special Briefing by Foreign Secretary on the State Visit of Sultan of Oman to India (December 16, 2023) India MEA 16 Dec 2023
• PM meeting with Prime Minister Meloni of Italy: 16 December 2023 Gov.UK 16 Dec 2023
• PM trilateral meeting with Italy and Albania: 16 December 2023 Gov.UK 16 Dec 2023
• With Vucic Allies Poised To Dominate Serbian Elections, The Battle For Belgrade Takes On Extra Significance RFE/RL 16 Dec 2023 -- Ninety-three-year-old Dragisa Debeljan swears he's never missed an election. And he's not about to start now.
• Somalia Joins East Africa Trade Bloc VOA 16 Dec 2023 -- Somalia on Friday formally signed on as the newest member of the East African Community trade bloc at the presidential residence in Kampala, Uganda.