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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Statement from Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on U.S. Strikes in Iraq DoD 25 Dec 2023 -- Today, at President Biden's direction, U.S. military forces conducted necessary and proportionate strikes on three facilities used by Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated groups in Iraq.
• U.S. CENTCOM conducts strikes against Kataib Hezbollah terrorist group targets in Iraq CENTCOM 25 Dec 2023 -- In response to multiple attacks against coalition forces in Iraq and Syria, U.S. military forces conducted airstrikes against multiple facilities used by Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated groups in Iraq at 8:45 p.m. (EST) on Dec. 25.
• US Strikes Iran-Backed Militia After Iraq Air Base Attack VOA 25 Dec 2023 -- U.S. forces carried out strikes Monday targeting Iran-backed militias in Iraq in response to a drone attack that injured three U.S. service members.
• Statement from NSC Spokesperson Adrienne Watson on U.S. Strikes in Iraq The White House 25 Dec 2023

Defense Policy / Programs

• Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Program Proposed Rule Published DoD 26 Dec 2023 -- Today, the Department of Defense publishes for a 60-day comment period a proposed rule for the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program.
• Meeting with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu President of Russia 25 Dec 2023 -- Following the ceremony for raising the naval flag on the frigate Admiral Golovko, Vladimir Putin had a meeting with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu.
• Ceremony for raising flags on ships entering Navy service President of Russia 25 Dec 2023 -- Vladimir Putin took part in the ceremony for raising naval flags on the frigate Admiral Golovko, the small missile ship Naro-Fominsk and the minesweeper Lev Chernavin, entering the Navy service, at Severnaya Verf shipyard (the Northern Shipyard) in St Petersburg.
• Eastern Military District organises training course for Lao People's Special Operation Forces Russia MoD 25 Dec 2023 -- Troops from the Eastern Military District conducted the first-ever course to train Lao People's Special Operation Forces. The training of local soldiers took place in difficult climatic conditions in mountainous and forested terrain at the base of the Lao People's Special Operation Forces Regiment.
• Frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov, Pacific Fleet, undergoes anti-submarine warfare drills Russia MoD 25 Dec 2023 -- In the Sea of Japan, the frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov of the Pacific Fleet successfully trained searching for, detecting, and destroying a hostile submarine.
• Deputy PM Announces Huge Arms Deliveries for Russian Army Sputnik 25 Dec 2023 -- Russia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov in an interview with Sputnik spoke about the growth of supplies to the Russian Armed Forces, fulfillment of state defense orders, production of unmanned aerial systems, and industrial espionage against Russia.
• Ukraine Seeing Ammo & Manpower Dry Up While Russia Boosts Arms Production Sputnik 25 Dec 2023 -- In 2023, the Russian military has witnessed a surge in arms supplies, while the stockpiles of the Ukrainian military have nearly been used up.
• Russian Forces Wipe Out First French-Donated Crotale NG Missile System in Ukraine Sputnik 25 Dec 2023 -- In the course of the ongoing special military operation in Ukraine, the Russian Armed Forces have been successfully delivering high-precision strikes targeting foreign equipment and ammunition provided to the Kiev regime by Washington and its NATO allies, obliterating the much-touted sophisticated weaponry.
• PLA Navy steps into deep blue, contributes to global peace and stability with 15 years of overseas escort missions Global Times 25 Dec 2023 -- China is set to celebrate the 15th anniversary of its overseas naval escort missions on Tuesday, through which the country has been contributing to global peace and stability with concrete actions amid its shift in naval strategy from near seas defense to far seas protection, experts said.
• Iran Navy takes delivery of new cruise missiles ISNA 25 Dec 2023 -- The Islamic Republic of Iran Navy has taken delivery of a range of domestically-designed and manufactured military equipment, including strategic cruise missile systems and helicopters furnished with electronic warfare systems.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari December 25th, 20:25 Israel Defense Forces 25 Dec 2023
• Israeli officers make up 27% casualties in Gaza war IRNA 25 Dec 2023 -- Some Israeli regime's media outlets have reported that 27 percent of the regime's troopers, who have been killed in the Gaza war, are officers.
• PM Netanyahu's Speech at a Special Knesset Session on the Hostages Israel - Prime Minister 25 Dec 2023
• PM Netanyahu visited the northern Gaza Strip, together with IDF Deputy Chief-of-Staff Maj.-Gen. Amir Baram Israel - Prime Minister 25 Dec 2023
• Netanyahu Vows to Expand War on Hamas, Gaza Death Toll Rises VOA 25 Dec 2023 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to expand his country's war against Hamas in Gaza, as health authorities in the enclave reported dozens of victims in an Israeli strike on a refugee camp.
• Dec. 24: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Press TV 25 Dec 2023
• 70 martyrs in Israeli new massacre in Gaza ISNA 25 Dec 2023 -- Dozens of Palestinians, mostly children and women, were killed and injured in a new massacre committed by the Israeli occupation forces overnight on Sunday into Monday, targeting numerous homes in the al-Maghazi refugee camp in the Gaza Strip.
• 70 killed in Israeli airstrike on Gaza refugee camp People's Daily 25 Dec 2023 -- At least 70 Palestinians were killed on Sunday in an Israeli airstrike on the al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, reported the state-run Palestine TV.
• Israel massacres at least 70 Palestinians in airstrike on Gaza refugee camp Press TV 25 Dec 2023 -- An Israeli airstrike targeting a refugee camp in the central part of the Gaza Strip has killed at least 70 Palestinians as the regime's genocidal war across the besieged territory continues unabated.
• At least 70 killed in Israeli airstrike on refugee camp in central Gaza People's Daily 25 Dec 2023 -- At least 70 Palestinians were killed on Sunday in an Israeli airstrike on the al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, reported the state-run Palestine TV.
• Record Gaza death toll prompts mounting outcry for int'l collaboration People's Daily 25 Dec 2023 -- Over 20,000 deaths in Gaza, and a ceasefire remains elusive. This is so far the heaviest loss on the Palestinian and Arab sides in any conflict with Israel since 1982.
• Israel denies visas to UN staff critical of regime's genocide in Gaza Press TV 25 Dec 2023 -- Israel has denied visas to the United Nations staff due to the global organization's criticism of the regime's targeting of civilians and hospitals in Gaza.
• WHO expresses alarm over acute hunger at Gaza hospitals Press TV 25 Dec 2023 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of severe shortage of food and the resulting "desperation" in the Palestinian hospitals almost twelve weeks into Israel's constant siege and bombardment of the Gaza Strip.
• Israel's Gaza savagery results from 'impunity for genocide', UN expert says Press TV 25 Dec 2023 -- The UN Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing has called for establishing a new international tribunal if the International Criminal Court (ICC) does not take swift action regarding the barbaric Israeli hostilities in the besieged Gaza Strip.
• US Seeking Israeli Help in Retaining Palestinian Authority for Post-War Gaza - Reports Sputnik 25 Dec 2023 -- The United States has been trying to persuade Israel to help it keep the Palestinian Authority afloat so that it could take over control of Gaza after the invasion is over, American press reported Monday, citing US and Palestinian officials.
• FM: Iran emphasizes need to prevent Gaza war spillover, ensure navigation security IRNA 25 Dec 2023 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has said that the Islamic Republic is making efforts to prevent the spillover of the Gaza war and help ensure navigation security in international seas, however a stop to the war guarantees the security of the region.
• Iran, Syria share stance on need to end Israeli genocide in Gaza: Amir-Abdollahian Press TV 25 Dec 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says Iran and Syria have a common stance on the necessity of putting an immediate end to Israel's war crimes and genocide in Gaza.
• Iran: Washington in no position to accuse others; hatred of US surges globally over Gaza Press TV 25 Dec 2023 -- Iran has dismissed "worthless" US accusations that it is escalating tensions in the high seas, saying Washington, complicit in Israel's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, is "in no position" to make claims against Tehran.
• Europe must play 'decisive role' to end genocide in Gaza: Iran's ambassador Press TV 25 Dec 2023 -- European countries must play a "decisive role" in efforts aimed ay putting an end to Israel's crimes and genocidal war in the Gaza Strip, says Iran's ambassador to Baghdad.
• Iran Rejects Accusation of Targeting Tanker Off India's Coast VOA 25 Dec 2023 -- Iran Monday rejected a U.S. claim that a drone launched from Iran targeted a tanker off the coast of India last week.
• Chances for truce slim as Israeli military actions further widen gap among parties Global Times 25 Dec 2023 -- Christmas Day bloodshed in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of at least 70 people, marking one of the deadliest nights in the ongoing battle between Israel and Palestine. Chinese experts believe the Netanyahu government's determination to extend its "aggressive" military actions in the Gaza Strip will only widen the existing gap between the parties, and hopes for agreeing on a new plan proposed by Egypt are slim.
• Egypt Presents 3-Stage Plan to Israel, Hamas to Resolve Gaza Conflict - Reports Sputnik 25 Dec 2023 -- Egypt presented to Israel and Palestinian movement Hamas its three-stage proposal to end the war in the Gaza Strip and ensure post-conflict development, the Asharq broadcaster reported on Sunday, citing sources.
• Palestinian president expresses hope for immediate end of conflicts as fight continues in Gaza People's Daily 25 Dec 2023 -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed on Sunday his hope that the coming Christmas day would be a date for an end of conflicts in Gaza and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territory.
• Hamas: No talks until Israeli war stops ISNA 25 Dec 2023 -- Senior Hamas official stressed that the Resistance in Gaza has a unified position regarding the conditions to start talks regarding a prisoner exchange deal. -- Palestinian officials touch on proposals presented by "Israel", including a prisoner exchange and a temporary ceasefire, and affirm that the Resistance will not discuss any proposals before a comprehensive ceasefire.
• Al-Qassam Brigades 'smashing' Israeli occupation army, will not surrender: Hamas leader Press TV 25 Dec 2023 -- The leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip says the Palestinian resistance movement has inflicted heavy losses on the Israeli occupation forces in the besieged territory and will not give in to the usurping regime's conditions.
• Al-Qassam: 35 Israeli military vehicles destroyed, nearly 50 soldiers killed in 4 days Press TV 25 Dec 2023 -- The military wing of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas says its fighters have destroyed dozens of Israeli military vehicles and killed scores of its forces within the space of four days.
• Hezbollah says it targeted Israeli military sites with missiles IRNA 25 Dec 2023 -- The Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah says it has carried out missile strikes against three Israeli military sites in the occupied northern territories of Palestine.
• Houthis Train 20,000 Soldiers to Participate in Possible Clashes With Israel - Reports Sputnik 25 Dec 2023 -- Yemen's Ansar Allah rebel movement, also known as the Houthis, has trained 20,000 reservist soldiers for possible deployment to the Gaza Strip, Yemeni news agency Saba reported on Sunday.
• Today's Yemen is different from yesterday's Yemen: Minister IRNA 25 Dec 2023 -- Minister of Defense in the Sanaa government, Major General Muhammad Al-Atifi, has stressed that today's Yemen is different from yesterday's Yemen.
• Yemen's Houthis again warn off U.S. forces in Red Sea People's Daily 25 Dec 2023 -- Yemen's Houthi rebels on Sunday renewed their warning to the U.S. forces, urging them to leave the Red Sea quickly before it becomes "a burning arena."
• 'Burning battlefield': Yemen warns US Red Sea militarization endangers maritime navigation Press TV 25 Dec 2023 -- Yemen has warned that the Red Sea will become a "flaming battleground" if the United States and its allies stick to their "aggressive behavior" and fuel tensions in the strategic maritime route.
• Drone attack hits ship off India's coast People's Daily 25 Dec 2023 -- A drone attack hit a ship off India's coast in the Arabian Sea Saturday, local media reports said.
• Protracted War With Hamas May Threaten Israel's Food Security - Reports Sputnik 25 Dec 2023 -- The Food Industries Association of Israel (FIAI) has warned that a dragged-out war with Hamas could cause a food crisis in Israel if its government fails to implement a clear strategy to prevent such a scenario, Israeli media reported on Monday.

Other Conflicts

• Philippines should stop pursuing the wrong course at once on South China Sea issue: Chinese FM Global Times 25 Dec 2023 -- After the Philippines repeatedly violated China's sovereignty, and drew forces outside the region into the South China Sea issue, the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated on Monday that the Southeast Asian country should stop pursuing the wrong course at once.
• Beijing Castigates Philippines 'Extremely Dangerous' South China Sea Incursions Sputnik 25 Dec 2023 -- Ties have drastically soured between Beijing and Manila due to a string of incidents in the South China Sea, with each party trading accusations over territorial violations. However, this issue is further compounded by US military activity in the region and its support for the Philippines in a bid to contain the PRC.
• Iran's FM stresses need for Afghanistan's practical action to solve mutual issues IRNA 25 Dec 2023 -- The head of Hamas' National Relations Abroad reiterated that the Resistance's position regarding any talks on a prisoner exchange with the Israeli occupation will not take place until the war on Gaza stops.
• Afghanistan needs to take 'practical' actions to resolve issues with Iran: Amir-Abdollahian Press TV 25 Dec 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says Afghanistan should take "practical" actions to resolve the existing issues between the two countries, including border security and water share.
• West On Course For More Engagement With Taliban, But Normalized Relations A Long Way Off RFE/RL 25 Dec 2023 -- The Taliban enters the new year still emboldened by the lightning military victory that propelled it to power in Kabul, defiant as ever in the face of international efforts to moderate its behavior, and still lacking the legitimacy it craves.
• Iran backs Syria for extending sovereignty over all territorial areas IRNA 25 Dec 2023 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in a meeting with his Syrian counterpart Faisal Mekdad has said that the Islamic Republic of Iran supports Syria for extending its sovereignty over all its territorial areas.
• Israeli regime will definitely pay for killing IRGC advisor: Raisi IRNA 25 Dec 2023 -- Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi has extended his condolences over the martyrdom of a senior IRGC member in an Israeli airstrike in Syria, saying that the regime will definitely pay for this crime.
• Israel's assassination of IRGC military advisor 'blatant and shameless' violation: Hezbollah Press TV 25 Dec 2023 -- Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement has condemned in the strongest terms the Israeli regime's assassination of a senior Iranian military advisor in Syria, describing it as a blatant violation.
• Raeisi: Israel will definitely pay price for assassinating senior IRGC advisor Press TV 25 Dec 2023 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi says the Israeli regime will definitely pay the price for its criminal act of killing a senior military advisor of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in Syria.
• Senior IRGC member martyred in Syria IRNA 25 Dec 2023 -- A senior Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) military advisor was martyred in an Israeli regime's airstrike on the suburb of Damascus.
• IRGC's veteran military advisor in Syria martyred in Israeli strike Press TV 25 Dec 2023 -- A veteran member of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), who was serving as a military advisor in Syria, has been martyred in an Israeli airstrike in the Sayyeda Zeinab neighborhood of Damascus.
• Israeli Air Strike In Syria Kills Commander Of Iran's Revolutionary Guard RFE/RL 25 Dec 2023 -- An Israeli air strike in Syria killed a top commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), prompting Tehran to threaten that Israeli will "certainly pay" for its actions.
• 4 armed rebels killed in central India People's Daily 25 Dec 2023 -- Indian security forces on Saturday killed four armed rebels of the Naxals group in the central state of Chhattisgarh, an official source said.
• Pakistan Claims Mass Release of Baloch Activists; Activist Group Says Many Remain Jailed VOA 25 Dec 2023 -- Federal authorities in Pakistan claimed on Monday they had freed 290 activists arrested in Islamabad, while an activist group later said more than 100 remained jailed, with "some of them missing."
• Civilian Deaths Raise Questions in Kashmir VOA 25 Dec 2023 -- The Indian army ordered on Monday a Court of Inquiry to probe the circumstances around the deaths of three civilians on Friday in Poonch district on the Indian side of Jammu and Kashmir.

News Reports

• COVID, flu surge in U.S. amid holidays, increasing health risks People's Daily 26 Dec 2023 -- The United States has seen an uptick in flu and COVID-19 cases amid holidays, and health experts are concerned about the increasing health risks brought by the simultaneous spread of respiratory illnesses.
• Meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council President of Russia 25 Dec 2023 -- Vladimir Putin chaired a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in St Petersburg.
• 'Highest Possible Level Of Isolation': Kremlin Critic Navalny Moved To Arctic Penal Colony RFE/RL 25 Dec 2023 -- Imprisoned Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny, whose whereabouts had been unknown since early December, has been moved to a penal colony in the brutally cold Arctic region, his spokeswoman said December 25.
• China's top legislature starts standing committee session to review draft laws and revisions with new social situations Global Times 25 Dec 2023 -- The Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress, China's top legislature, started its seventh session on Monday to review multiple draft laws and law revisions. Experts say that the amendments to the legislation this time are highly targeted, aiming to meet the demands of new social situations, new issues, and new technologies, with a focus on how to improve standards to protect individual rights.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on December 25, 2023 PRC MofA 25 Dec 2023
• Premier Li stresses deepening integrated devt, security governance for LMC Global Times 25 Dec 2023 -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang attended the fourth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Leaders' Meeting via videolink on Monday, with the attendance of leaders from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, the five ASEAN member states that the Mekong River runs through. China called for the deepening of development for regional integration and security cooperation to crack down on telecom fraud among the six countries.
• CPC leadership convenes criticism and self-criticism meeting, Xi delivers important speech People's Daily 25 Dec 2023 -- The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a criticism and self-criticism meeting on the theoretical study program on the study and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era from Thursday to Friday. The meeting focused on the general requirements of studying the Thought, strengthening Party consciousness, emphasizing practical work, and making new achievements.
• 2023 edition of "Xi Jinping on the Belt and Road Initiative" published People's Daily 25 Dec 2023 -- The book "Xi Jinping on the Belt and Road Initiative (2023 Edition)" has been published by the Central Party Literature Press.
• Countries Assess Implications of Taiwan Election As Campaigns Enter Final Weeks VOA 25 Dec 2023 -- With less than three weeks until Taiwan's presidential election on Jan. 13, the presidential frontrunner's lead over his main opponent has narrowed in the polls, setting the stage for a hotly contested race.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Dec. 25, 2023 ROC MND 25 Dec 2023
• N Korea set to hold meeting this week to outline policy goals for 2024 Radio Free Asia 25 Dec 2023 -- North Korea is expected to determine its major policy direction for 2024 this week - with analysts predicting an increased focus on further boosting its nuclear capabilities aimed at exerting more pressure on the United States.
• Iran calls for IAEA impartiality in resolving safeguard issues IRNA 25 Dec 2023 -- Iran has provided the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) with reasoned answers and documents on claims related to its adherence to the Safeguards Agreement in the hope that the IAEA would be impartial and pay attention to the March agreement to resolve the remaining issues, says the ambassador to the international organizations in Vienna.
• On the frontline against US sanctions: Iran's shipping Press TV 25 Dec 2023 -- Iran's launch of its first shipping line in the Caspian Sea in July 1989 shortened the country's export route to Europe by about four thousand kilometers. The activation of the line had a significant impact on the transit of goods, marking an important shipping achievement after the victory of the Islamic Revolution.
• Southeast Asia's 'narco-state' and 'scam-states' undercut authoritarian rule boasts Radio Free Asia 25 Dec 2023 -- The year 2023 has been one of disorder in Southeast Asia.
• "Neither terror barons nor those who hold the reins of these traitors can stop us from our path" Presidency of The Republic of Turkey 25 Dec 2023 -- Speaking at the opening ceremony of Sabiha Gökçen Airport's 2nd runway, President Erdoğan said: "We will allow neither the terror barons in Qandil and Syria nor those who hold the reins of these traitors to stop us from our path. I would like to reiterate a reality here; the old Türkiye, where the politics in the country was shaped through terror, is no more."
• "We will continue to defend our future" Presidency of The Republic of Turkey 25 Dec 2023 -- Speaking at a commemoration for Mehmet Akif Ersoy in Ankara, President Erdoğan said: "As long as the attacks on our independence continue, we will continue to defend our future. Although we pay prices in material and spiritual terms, we will by no means relinquish our will to live freely in our own homeland."
• Civilian Deaths Raise Questions in Kashmir VOA 25 Dec 2023 -- The Indian army ordered on Monday a Court of Inquiry to probe the circumstances around the deaths of three civilians on Friday in Poonch district on the Indian side of Jammu and Kashmir.