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News Reports

Current Operations

• Letter to the Speaker of the House and President pro tempore of the Senate consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148) The White House 12 Jan 2024
• US Launches Follow-Up Strike on Houthi Radar Site VOA 12 Jan 2024 -- The United States launched a follow-up strike against a Houthi target in Yemen early Saturday, after officials said they were not satisfied with the damage inflicted during the initial round of airstrikes late Thursday.
• US Strikes Another Houthi Site in Yemen VOA 12 Jan 2024 -- The U.S. military carried out an additional strike early Saturday against Houthi positions in Yemen in an effort to protect shipping in the Red Sea, according to U.S. media reports.
• U.S., U.K. Launch Strikes Against Iran-Backed Huthi Rebels In Response To Red Sea Attacks RFE/RL 12 Jan 2024 -- U.S. and British forces have hit Iran-backed Huthi rebel military targets in Yemen - an action immediately condemned by Tehran - sparking fears around the world of a growing conflict in the Middle East as fighting rages in the Gaza Strip.
• U.S., Partners' Forces Strike Houthi Military Targets in Yemen DoD News 12 Jan 2024 -- U.S. and partners' forces conducted defensive strikes against military targets in Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen yesterday following a series of attacks launched by the armed rebel group against commercial ships operating in the Red Sea.
• Strikes Against Houthis Likely Effective in Degrading Rebel Group's Capabilities DoD News 12 Jan 2024 -- The Defense Department is highly confident that yesterday's strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen were effective in degrading the rebel group's ability to carry out further attacks against commercial ships operating in the Red Sea, a senior Pentagon official said today.
• US-UK strikes kill five, injure six Yemenis: Army Spokesman Press TV 12 Jan 2024 -- The spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces said that the "criminal aggression" waged by the United States and the United Kingdom against the country on Friday has left five Yemenis killed and six others injured, emphasizing that Washington and London bear full responsibility for the open act of aggression.
• US, UK forces launch air, ship, submarine strikes against Yemen IRNA 12 Jan 2024 -- The United States and Britain have launched air, ship, and submarine strikes against Yemen amid tensions in the Red Sea, media outlets reported.
• 'Separate' They Stand: Despite Iran's Support, Huthi Rebels' Independence Gives Tehran Cover RFE/RL 12 Jan 2024 -- While the Huthis are using an arsenal of Iranian weapons to wreak havoc in the Red Sea and are considered part of Tehran's "axis of resistance," the Yemen-based rebel group does not necessarily follow Iran's commands.
• Russia, Turkey, Iran Condemn Attack on Yemeni Houthis VOA 12 Jan 2024 -- Thursday's retaliatory attacks by U.S. and British forces on Iranian-backed Houthis inside Yemen have prompted support and condemnation from the international community. The retaliation follows weeks of Houthi attacks against vessels in the Red Sea.
• Statement by Minister Joly and Minister Blair on the United States' and the United Kingdom's action in Yemen Canada 12 Jan 2024
• Iran strongly condemns 'arbitrary' US, British attacks on Yemen Press TV 12 Jan 2024 -- Iran has strongly condemned US and British military attacks on Yemen, calling them an "arbitrary" action and a clear violation of the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a violation of international laws and regulations.
• Iran's UN mission condemns US-UK military aggression against Yemen IRNA 12 Jan 2024 -- Iran's representative office at the United Nations condemned the military aggression against Yemen led by the United States and England while declaring that the illegal actions of the United States and Britain are not authorized according to international law.
• Ansarullah: US-British aggression will not go unanswered IRNA 12 Jan 2024 -- The political office of Yemen's Ansarullah Movement announced in a statement on Friday night that the recent US and British aggression against Sana'a will not go unanswered.
• US, UK must be ready for 'heavy price' after attacks on Yemen: Ansarullah Press TV 12 Jan 2024 -- The Yemeni Ansarullah resistance movement strongly condemned the United States and United Kingdom after they launched full-scale strikes against targets in Yemen, warning their military bases across the region will come under attack if they opt to increase aggression.
• Yemen's Houthis Threaten 'High Price' for US, UK Massive Strikes Sputnik 12 Jan 2024 -- The US and Britain have already launched 23 strikes on targets in four Yemeni provinces, local authorities told Sputnik. President Biden confirmed US and allied military strikes against the Houthis in Yemen, called them a response to a threat to freedom of navigation.
• US, British interests are legitimate targets for Houthi forces: Yemen IRNA 12 Jan 2024 -- Yemen's Supreme Political Council (SPC) has announced that "all American and British interests are now legitimate targets for Houthi forces".
• US, UK aggression won't go unpunished: Yemeni Armed Forces IRNA 12 Jan 2024 -- Following the joint US-UK aggression against Yemen overnight, the spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces Brigadier General Yahya Saree announced that the aggression won't go unpunished.
• Hezbollah, Hamas slam US attacks on Yemen as contribution to Zionist crimes IRNA 12 Jan 2024 -- The Lebanese and Palestinian resistance movements Hezbollah and Hamas say the US attacks on Yemen show Washington's full support for the Israeli regime's genocide in Gaza and the region.
• Iran strongly condemns US-UK strikes against Yemen IRNA 12 Jan 2024 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani has categorically denounced the strikes launched by the US and UK against Yemen.
• US, UK trying to turn Red Sea into 'sea of blood', says Erdogan Press TV 12 Jan 2024 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has criticized the United States and Britain for launching military strikes against targets in Yemen, stating that the two countries are trying to turn the Red Sea into a "sea of blood".
• Hamas blasts US, UK aggression on Yemen, warns of repercussion to regional security Press TV 12 Jan 2024 -- The Palestinian Hamas resistance movement has roundly denounced the United States and Britain for launching military strikes against targets in Yemen, warning of the dangerous consequences that the attacks could have on security and stability in the West Asia region.
• Russia, China 'concerned' after US, UK attack on Yemen Press TV 12 Jan 2024 -- Russia and China have expressed their concerns over the situation in West Asia after the United States and Britain conducted an attack on Yemen in support of Israel's genocidal war on Gaza.
• Resistance groups condemn US, UK strikes on Yemen Press TV 12 Jan 2024 -- Resistance groups across the region have roundly denounced the US and UK strikes against targets in Yemen, stating that the attacks confirm the countries' allegiance with Israel amid the bloody onslaught against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
• US, Britain Blast Dozens of Houthi Targets in Yemen in Retaliatory Strikes VOA 12 Jan 2024 -- The United States, Britain and a handful of other allies answered dozens of Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden with a series of powerful airstrikes designed to severely degrade the Iranian-backed group's capabilities.
• U.S.-Britain airstrikes hit Houthi sites in Yemen's capital, 3 other cities People's Daily 12 Jan 2024 -- The United States and Britain launched several airstrikes on Houthi military sites around the Yemeni capital Sanaa before dawn Friday, Houthi-controlled Saba news agency and residents said.
• US, UK attack Ansarullah targets in Yemen in response to pro-Palestinian strikes Press TV 12 Jan 2024 -- The United States and Britain attack Ansarullah targets across Yemen in response to the Yemeni popular resistance movement's strikes on vessels linked to the Israeli regime, which has brought the Gaza Strip under a genocidal war.
• Air strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen UK MOD 12 Jan 2024 -- On 11 January, Royal Air Force aircraft joined coalition forces in striking a number of facilities used by the Houthi rebel faction in Yemen to attack shipping in the southern Red Sea.
• PM statement on strikes against Houthi military targets: 12 January 2024 Gov.UK 12 Jan 2024 -- The Royal Air Force has carried out targeted strikes against military facilities used by Houthi rebels in Yemen.
• US base in Syria's Koniko gas field attacked by missiles IRNA 12 Jan 2024 -- News sources have reported that the US military base in the Koniko natural gas field, in the northeastern Syrian governorate of Deir ez-Zur has been targeted by missiles and rockets.
• Iraqi resistance hits US base in Syria, vital Israeli sites in occupied lands Press TV 12 Jan 2024 -- Iraqi resistance forces target a US-occupied military base in Syria's eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr as well as strategic sites inside the 1948 Israeli-occupied territories in retaliation for Washington's support for the bloody Israeli onslaught against the Gaza Strip.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Director of the Joint Staff and Pentagon Press Secretary Hold an On-Record, Off-Camera, Telephonic Press Briefing DoD 12 Jan 2024
• Statement From Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder on Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Health Status DoD 12 Jan 2024
• Readout of Performing the Duties of Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Ms. Melissa Dalton's Travel to the Southwest Border DoD 12 Jan 2024
• U.S. Africa Command Head Advances U.S.-Nigeria Cooperation AFRICOM 12 Jan 2024 -- U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley and Sgt. Maj. Michael Woods visited Nigeria on January 10-11, 2024. They discussed strengthening U.S.-Nigeria cooperation, countering extremism, and regional security with Nigerian military leaders. Gen. Langley emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing West Africa's security challenges.
• DOD Releases First Defense Industrial Strategy DoD News 12 Jan 2024 -- The Defense Department today released its first strategy for ensuring that the U.S. defense industrial base meets the demands of a challenging national security landscape well into the future.
• UPDATE: Selfridge ANG Base selected as next location for KC-46A Pegasus US Air Force 12 Jan 2024 -- The Department of the Air Force selected Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, as the preferred location to host the next KC-46A Pegasus pending the outcome of a planned environmental impact analysis in 2025.
• Nuclear Power Training Unit First - Three Royal Australian Navy Officers Graduate the Program US Navy 12 Jan 2024 -- Three Royal Australian Navy Officers graduated the U.S. Navy's Nuclear Power Training Unit (NPTU) Charleston today, marking a significant step in Australia's goal to operate conventionally armed, nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs).
• Navy Completes Work on Naming Commission Recommendations US Navy 12 Jan 2024 -- Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announced that the Department of the Navy completed the renaming of 33 ships, buildings, and streets ahead of the Department of Defense's 2024 deadline to rename all military property that honored the Confederacy.
• SECNAV Del Toro Delivers Remarks at the U.S. Second Fleet and Joint Forces Command Norfolk Change of CommandNorfolk, VA US Navy 12 Jan 2024
• Army intelligence leader: 'cultural shift' will help service become data centric Army News 12 Jan 2024 -- To better acquire and access data on the battlefield, the Army has revamped how it integrates data across warfighting functions, an Army intelligence leader said.
• US urged to 'do more on peace' as Pentagon's first industrial strategy hypes 'China threat' Global Times 12 Jan 2024 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Friday urged the US to do more to contribute to peace and stability and not to introduce bloc confrontation, conflicts and wars into the Asia-Pacific, in response to the China-related content in the US' first-ever National Defense Industrial Strategy (NDIS), which highlighted the need to reform its defense industry and team up with "Indo-Pacific" allies to counter China.
• Russian Defence Minister inspects fulfilment of state defence order in Moscow region Russia MoD 12 Jan 2024 -- Russian Defence Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu inspects the fulfilment of state defence orders at the Tactical Missiles Corporation in Moscow region.
• We shape a model of security agreements for our time - address of the President of Ukraine President of Ukraine 12 Jan 2024
• President following the meeting with Rishi Sunak in Kyiv: Ukraine and the United Kingdom have signed an unprecedented security agreement President of Ukraine 12 Jan 2024
• Agreement on Security Co-operation between the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland and Ukraine President of Ukraine 12 Jan 2024
• Britain Pledges $3.2 Billion in New Aid for Ukraine VOA 12 Jan 2024 -- British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak traveled to Kyiv Friday, where he unveiled nearly $3.2 billion in new military funding for Ukraine, Britain's largest annual commitment since Russia first invaded the country.
• Sunak Walks Through Rubble In Kyiv, Pledges Support 'For As Long As It Takes' RFE/RL 12 Jan 2024 -- British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made a surprise visit to Ukraine on January 12 to reassure Ukrainians of his country's support in their struggle to repel Russian invaders "for as long as it takes" and pledged an increase in military aid as Kyiv urgently appeals for its allies to beef up weapons deliveries amid a sharp rise in Russian air strikes.
• Partners in the demining coalition for Ukraine met at the Ministry of National Defence Lithuania MND 12 Jan 2024 -- On January 11 partners in the Lithuanian-led Demining Coalition of Ukraine gathered at the Ministry of National Defence: representatives of the countries which joined the coalition or expressed interest to do so discussed coalition plans and work ahead with representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Defence Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
• New skills shore up capability Australia DOD 12 Jan 2024 -- Army is again preparing to take to the water as a force optimised for littoral operations.
• INDIAN AIR FORCE AN-32(K-2743) India PIB 12 Jan 2024 -- An Indian Air Force An-32 aircraft (registration K-2743), had gone missing over the Bay of Bengal on 22 July 2016 during an op mission
• DRDO conducts successful flight-test of New Generation AKASH missile off Odisha coast India PIB 12 Jan 2024 -- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful flight-test of the New Generation AKASH (AKASH-NG) missile from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha at 1030 hrs on January 12, 2024
• Our Infantry Fighting Vehicles are among the best what NATO Allies have, Minister of National Defence A. Anušauskas review recently completed acquisition of "the Wolves" Lithuania MND 12 Jan 2024 -- The Ministry of National Defence has finished the procurement of the Boxer-Vilkas IFVs: last vehicles arrived in Lithuania late last year completing the delivery of the 89 purchased Infantry Fighting Vehicles and 2 prototype vehicles.
• Press Gaggle by Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates and NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby En Route Allentown, PA The White House 12 Jan 2024
• Background Press Call by Senior Administration Officials and Senior Military Official on Developments in the Middle East The White House 12 Jan 2024
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 12 Jan 2024

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Jan. 12, 2024

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 12 January 2024 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 12 Jan 2024

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• Jan. 11: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Press TV 12 Jan 2024
• Fighting Again Disrupts Telecom Service Across Gaza VOA 12 Jan 2024 -- Gaza Strip telecom provider Paltel reported Friday that fighting in the enclave had caused all communications services to be cut across the territory.
• Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 23,469: ministry People's Daily 12 Jan 2024 -- The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 23,469, the Gaza-based Health Ministry said on Thursday.
• Israel Calls Genocide Accusations At World Court Hearings 'Absurd,' Says No Comparison To Russia Case RFE/RL 12 Jan 2024 -- Israel has refuted South African claims at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that it is committing genocide against Palestinians in its war in the Gaza Strip and called drawing similarities with Russia's war in Ukraine "absurd."
• Children in Gaza still at the sharp end of unrelenting war UNICEF 12 Jan 2024 -- This is a summary of what was said by UNICEF Special representative Lucia Elmi on the situation of children in the State of Palestine - to whom quoted text may be attributed - at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva
• Security Council meets over widening Middle East crisis UN News 12 Jan 2024 -- The UN Security Council met on Friday for briefings on the worsening situation across the Middle East, looking first at threats of forced displacement from Gaza and then the escalating conflict in and around the Red Sea - all as the war in Gaza approaches the 100-day mark. The UN relief chief told ambassadors that any Gazans forced to flee the enclave must be allowed to return "as international law demands", while a senior political affairs official warned that the cycle of violence over Red Sea shipping lanes risked major repercussions in Yemen and the wider region.
• Gaza ceasefire 'more urgent than ever' as conflict approaches 100-day mark UN News 12 Jan 2024 -- As the Gaza conflict approaches the 100-day mark, an immediate ceasefire is "more urgent than ever", the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said on Friday.
• Guterres warns against Red Sea escalation UN News 12 Jan 2024 -- UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged countries to avoid an escalation in the situation in the Red Sea, where Houthi rebels in Yemen have been attacking commercial vessels amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
• War against Hamas in Gaza is act of self-defence, Israel tells world court UN News 12 Jan 2024 -- Israel strongly rejected accusations by South Africa of genocidal intent against Palestinians on Friday at the United Nations' highest court, insisting that it was engaged "in a war it did not start and did not want" in Gaza.
• UN Calls for Cease-Fire in Gaza Grow Louder as Conditions Deteriorate VOA 12 Jan 2024 -- United Nations officials say Palestinians in Gaza are in a state of desperation after nearly three months of being militarily battered and left without sufficient supplies of food, water and medicine.
• UN spokesperson highlights dire humanitarian situation in northern Gaza People's Daily 12 Jan 2024 -- A UN spokesperson on Thursday highlighted the worsening humanitarian crisis in northern Gaza, emphasizing significant obstacles to relief efforts.
• Blinken wraps up Mideast tour with talks in Egypt on Gaza crisis People's Daily 12 Jan 2024 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks on Thursday with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi in the Egyptian capital of Cairo as he wraps up his Mideast tour over the ongoing Israeli escalation in the Gaza Strip.
• Iran supports South Africa's genocide case against Israeli regime IRNA 12 Jan 2024 -- Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva in a statement has announced that Iran supports South Africa's genocide case against the Israeli regime.
• Gazans should not be subject to forcible displacement or relocation from Gaza: UK statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 12 Jan 2024 -- Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Gaza.
• Israel must act now to let aid through and save lives in Gaza. Britain has a plan to help that happen: article by the Foreign Secretary UK FCDO 12 Jan 2024 -- With crossings opened for longer, water supplies restored and UN staff able to safely distribute food, we can limit the scale of this catastrophe.
• QA-3, 12 January 2024, Statement of the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Öncü Keçeli in Response to a Question Regarding a Social Media Message Posted by the Israeli Foreign Minister Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs 12 Jan 2024
• Statement by Minister Joly on South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice Canada 12 Jan 2024
• Gaza officials slam Israel's deliberate use of 'genocide, starvation' Press TV 12 Jan 2024 -- Palestinian officials in the Gaza Strip, which has been suffering under more than three months of an unrelenting Israeli war, slam the regime's deliberate use of a combination of "genocide and starvation" against the coastal sliver.
• U.S. Announces Sanctions Against Companies That Support Funding Of Iranian-Backed Huthis RFE/RL 12 Jan 2024 -- The U.S. Treasury Department announced new sanctions on January 12 on two companies in Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates as part of a crackdown on the financial network funding Iranian-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen.
• US imposes sanctions targeting companies supporting Houthies IRNA 12 Jan 2024 -- Washington has announced new sanctions Friday on two companies in Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates, moving to crack down on the financial network funding Houthies in Yemen.
• Imposing Further Sanctions on Houthi Financial Facilitators US Dept. of State 12 Jan 2024 -- Iran's financial support to the Houthis has fueled their unrelenting attacks on global commerce in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
• Treasury Targets Commodity Shipments Financing Iran's Qods Force and Houthis US Treasury 12 Jan 2024 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated two companies in Hong Kong (PRC) and the United Arab Emirates for shipping Iranian commodities on behalf of the network of Iran-based, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF)-backed Houthi financial facilitator Sa'id al-Jamal. OFAC is also identifying four vessels as blocked property in which these companies have an interest. The revenue from the commodity sales supports the Houthis and their continued attacks against international shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
• Iran: Instead of attacking Yemen, US should stop backing Israeli war on Gaza Press TV 12 Jan 2024 -- Iran strongly denounces the US's earlier attacks on Yemen, which came in response to the Arab Peninsula nation's strikes in support of the Gaza Strip that has come under a genocidal and Washington-backed Israeli war.
• US-drafted resolution on Red Sea aims to protect Israel: Iran Press TV 12 Jan 2024 -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry says the US-drafted resolution on the Red Sea that has recently been adopted by the United Nations Security Council is aimed at protecting Israel and supporting its genocidal war on Gaza.
• UNSC Resolution 2722 is cover-up for Zionists: Iran IRNA 12 Jan 2024 -- UN Security Council Resolution 2722 on paper aims to safeguard shipping rights in the Red Sea but in reality is a cover-up for US political objectives in backing the Zionist regime and perpetuating its atrocities against the defenseless people of Gaza, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman says.
• Radev Holds Meeting with Heads of Security Services on Red Sea Crisis and the Situation of Bulgarian Sailors on the Detained Ships in the Region President of the Republic of Bulgaria 12 Jan 2024
• We will not stop attacks on Zionist regime's vessels: Ansarullah IRNA 12 Jan 2024 -- The spokesman for Yemen's Ansarullah movement Muhammad Abdul-Salam says that Sana'a will not stop attacking the Zionist regime's ships in support of the innocent people of Gaza amid the regime's war on the strip.
• Zionist regime's target hit in response to US, UK strikes on Yemen: Report IRNA 12 Jan 2024 -- A Zionist regime target has been hit in a retaliatory move just after the United States and Britain launched air, ship, and submarine strikes against Yemen, according to a report.
• US, UK Trying to Distract From Genocide in Gaza by Strikes in Yemen - Houthi Member Sputnik 12 Jan 2024 -- The US and the UK are trying to divert attention from the genocide in the Gaza Strip with ill-conceived airstrikes against the Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthis, in Yemen, Hezam al-Asad, a member of the movement's political bureau, said on Friday.
• Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea must stop: UK statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 12 Jan 2024 -- Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Yemen.

Other Conflicts

• Hanoi, Jakarta discuss South China Sea during Indonesian president's visit Radio Free Asia 12 Jan 2024 -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his Vietnamese counterpart agreed Friday to push towards the conclusion of a "substantive and effective" Code of Conduct for the South China Sea amid rising tensions in the region.
• The Azadi Briefing: Why Are Afghans Rushing to Acquire Passports? RFE/RL 12 Jan 2024
• Surging Militancy Prompts Pakistan to Review Support for Afghanistan's Taliban VOA 12 Jan 2024 -- Officials in Pakistan have cautioned that relentless cross-border militancy is testing bilateral relations with Afghanistan's Taliban and could eventually push Islamabad to scale back support for the de facto Kabul rulers.
• Pakistan Claims Capture of Two Islamic State Group Would-Be Suicide Bombers VOA 12 Jan 2024 -- Paskistani authorities said Friday they had arrested two alleged would-be suicide bombers linked to a regional affiliate of the Islamic State group known as Islamic State-Khorasan, or IS-K.
• China mediates formal ceasefire deal between Myanmar military and armed groups Global Times 12 Jan 2024 -- Under China's meditation and facilitation efforts, a formal ceasefire agreement has been reached between the Myanmar military and three ethnic armed groups in northern Myanmar, namely the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army, and the Arakan Army, after the two sides held peace talks in the city of Kunming in Southwest China's Yunnan Province from Wednesday to Thursday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Friday.
• More than 20,000 displaced by conflict in two Myanmar townships since new year Radio Free Asia 12 Jan 2024 -- More than 10,000 civilians have fled military raids on Kanbalu township in Myanmar's Sagaing region in recent days, while fighting between junta troops and ethnic rebels has displaced another 10,000 from Chin state's Paletwa township since the new year, sources said Friday.
• Ex-junta official says Shan state ceasefire is 'not sustainable' Radio Free Asia 12 Jan 2024 -- Junta officials and a resistance alliance agreed to a temporary ceasefire during talks in China, a person attending the meeting told Radio Free Asia on Friday morning.
• We remain concerned by violence against human rights defenders, women and social leaders in Colombia: UK statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 12 Jan 2024 -- Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Colombia.
• Statement by Principals of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, One in five people in the Central Sahel needs humanitarian aid: Now is the time to turn words into action UNHCR 12 Jan 2024 -- The crises gripping the Central Sahel are exacerbating humanitarian and protection needs and threatening to reverse development gains. In 2024, some 17 million people in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger need humanitarian assistance and protection - or about one fifth of the population.¹ This crisis also disproportionately affects women and girls, worsening gender inequalities in the region.

News Reports

• Sinaloa Cartel Associate Sentenced After Decades of Cocaine Trafficking US Dept. of Justice 12 Jan 2024 -- A Mexican national was sentenced today to 21 years and 10 months in prison and ordered to forfeit $280 million for his role in an international conspiracy to transport tens of thousands of kilograms of cocaine into the United States over the span of four decades.
• Japan Launches H2A Rocket Carrying Spy Satellite Sputnik 12 Jan 2024 -- The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched an H2A rocket carrying the Kogaku-8 optical satellite from the Tanegashima Space Center on Friday, according to a broadcast by the MBC television station.
• Ecuador 'in state of war' after reign of terror by drug cartels Press TV 12 Jan 2024 -- Ecuador has deployed more than 22,400 soldiers to neutralize a campaign of terror waged by gangs that has claimed 16 lives, after its armed forces engaged in a savage deadlock with organized crime.
• Excerpts from the briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, January 12, 2024 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 12 Jan 2024
• Council of Europe body regrets Russia's withdrawal from the national minorities' convention: millions left without protection Council of Europe 12 Jan 2024 -- Following the official notification of the denunciation by the Russian Federation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM), the FCNM Advisory Committee has issued a statement expressing its deep regret about the decision, which "deprives more than 25 million persons belonging to the Russian Federation's numerous national minorities from the protection offered by this unique international treaty".
• First Eggs. Now Exploding Hot-Water Pipes. The Domestic Headaches Overshadowing Putin's Reelection Messaging RFE/RL 12 Jan 2024 -- In Siberia's Novosibirsk, Russia's third-largest city, a major hot-water main burst, sending cascades of steaming water rushing through frozen streets and cutting off heating to scores of buildings -- and thousands of people -- amid Arctic temperatures.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on January 12, 2024 PRC MofA 12 Jan 2024
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with PRC Minister of the International Liaison Department of the CCP Central Committee Liu US Dept. of State 12 Jan 2024
• Blinken Meets Top China Foreign Minister Candidate Before Taiwan Elections VOA 12 Jan 2024 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks with veteran Chinese diplomat Liu Jianchao on Friday morning, a day before Taiwan's presidential and legislative elections — a test for efforts to stabilize tensions between the United States and China.
• China blasts US report on Beijing's Indian Ocean research, says it bolsters 'China threat narrative' Press TV 12 Jan 2024 -- China has blasted a report by a prominent United States think tank on the military uses of Chinese scientific research across the Indian Ocean, warning that the report gave "ammunition" to countries bent on constructing a "China threat narrative", state media said.
• China, Russia trade soars 32.7% y-o-y in 2023, hits record high Global Times 12 Jan 2024 -- Trade between China and Russia hit a record high in 2023, reaching 1.69 trillion yuan ($235.9 billion), an increase of 32.7 percent from a yearly basis, Chinese customs data showed on Friday.
• Xi urges more 'bridges' to be built between China, Europe in meeting with Belgian PM Global Times 12 Jan 2024 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday met with visiting Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, agreeing to enhance ties and voicing against "decoupling."
• Hong Kong tables new security bill amid fears of widening crackdown Radio Free Asia 12 Jan 2024 -- Hong Kong's government on Friday tabled homegrown national security legislation it claims is needed to eradicate "undercurrents of dissent" in the city and extend an ongoing crackdown on public speech and political activism under a draconian law imposed in 2020 by Beijing.
• Experts denounce trips to Xinjiang as 'genocide tourism' Radio Free Asia 12 Jan 2024 -- The Chinese government has thrown open the door for tourists to Xinjiang. Or at least those it deems worthy of an invite.
• China's 2023 rare earth exports up 7.3%, showing Western smears to be groundless: experts Global Times 12 Jan 2024 -- China's rare earth exports in 2023 increased 7.3 percent year-on-year to 52,306.5 tons, with the export value narrowing by 28.3 percent, data from China's General Administration of Customs (GAC) showed on Friday.
• Decline in China-Canada relations caused by Canada's perception deviation; Canada should interpret China's policies rationally: Chinese top diplomat Global Times 12 Jan 2024 -- The root reason behind the decline in China-Canada relations in recent years is the serious deviation of Canada's perception of China. It is hoped that Canada can objectively, rationally, and correctly interpret China's domestic and foreign policies, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday in a phone call with Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, at the latter's request.
• Chinese, Canadian FMs hold phone talks on ties People's Daily 12 Jan 2024 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday held a phone conversation with his Canadian counterpart Melanie Joly at the latter's request.
• Counting underway in Taiwan's pivotal presidential election Radio Free Asia 12 Jan 2024 -- Voting has ended and counting is underway in Taiwan's presidential election, a ballot that will shape its future relationship with China and stance on independence and stability.
• Millions of Voters Head to Polls as Taiwan Election Gets Under Way VOA 12 Jan 2024 -- Following weeks of intense campaigning and numerous rallies, more than 19 million voters across Taiwan headed to the polls on Saturday to determine who will be the next president to lead the democratic island amid heightened tension across the Taiwan Strait.
• DPP heavyweights rally behind Lai-Hsiao ticket on eve of election day CNA 12 Jan 2024 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and other Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) leaders rallied in New Taipei on Friday evening to drum up support for the party's presidential candidate Lai Ching-te (賴清德), hours before Taiwanese head to the polls to choose the country's next leader.
• TPP's Ko vows to defeat KMT, DPP in final election push CNA 12 Jan 2024 -- Taiwan People's Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) made an emotional appeal to tens of thousands of supporters on the eve of election day Friday night, urging them to vote so the party can end the pan-blue and pan-green camp monopoly of power in Taiwan.
• KMT election eve rally calls for peace and a change of government CNA 12 Jan 2024 -- The Kuomintang's (KMT) final election eve campaign rally on Friday night, held in Banqiao, focused on "winning back the Republic of China (ROC)" and peace.
• Stable U.S. relations key to opening communications with China: TPP's Ko CNA 12 Jan 2024 -- Taiwan People's Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) said Friday that if elected, he would first ensure that Taiwan's relationship with the United States remains solid before attempting to open communications with China.
• The basic fact that Taiwan is part of China will not change regardless of the elections result of the region: FM Global Times 12 Jan 2024 -- The elections of the Taiwan region are China's internal affairs and regardless of the result, it will not change the basic fact that Taiwan is part of China and there is only one China in the world, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press conference on Friday.
• China urges U.S. to stop interfering in elections in Taiwan region People's Daily 12 Jan 2024 -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Thursday said that the elections in the Taiwan region are purely China's internal affairs, which brook no external interference, and China urges the U.S. side to stop interfering in elections in the Taiwan region in any form.
• US imposes sanctions over North Korean missiles to Russia Radio Free Asia 12 Jan 2024 -- The United States has imposed sanctions on three entities and one individual involved in the transfer and testing of ballistic missiles from North Korea to Russia for use in the invasion of Ukraine.
• Press Statement of DPRK Permanent Representative to UN KCNA 12 Jan 2024 -- Kim Song, permanent representative of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to the United Nations, Thursday issued the following press statement:
• Iran's navy seizes U.S. oil tanker in Sea of Oman People's Daily 12 Jan 2024 -- Iran's navy reported Thursday the seizure of an American oil tanker in the Sea of Oman, citing retaliation for the U.S. "stealing" of Iran's oil in April 2023, according to a statement published on the Iranian army's public relations website.
• Laos concerned over scam ring influx amid China's Myanmar crackdown Radio Free Asia 12 Jan 2024 -- There has been growing concern in Laos over the potential influx and increase of scam operations pushed away from Myanmar amid the Chinese crackdown, according to a Vientiane-based diplomatic source on Friday.
• Belarus: parliamentarians and democratic forces hold dialogue in Helsinki on the country's future Council of Europe 12 Jan 2024 -- Leading representatives of democratic forces from Belarus as well as members of civil society and journalists joined with parliamentarians from across Europe in Helsinki on 11-12 January 2024 for discussions on building a democratic future for Belarus.
• Bangladesh PM Hasina's 37-member new cabinet announced People's Daily 12 Jan 2024 -- A 37-member new cabinet of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was announced on Wednesday night.
• Additional Foreign Secretary (Middle East) meets with Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister for Asia Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 12 Jan 2024 -- Additional Foreign Secretary (Middle East) Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, who is currently on a visit to Egypt, held a meeting yesterday with Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister for Asia, Ahmed Shaheen. Pakistan's Ambassador to Egypt, Ambassador Sajid Bilal, was also present in the meeting.
• Guatemala: Council establishes dedicated framework of restrictive measures in support of democracy EC/CEU 12 Jan 2024 -- The Council today established a dedicated framework for restrictive measures in support of democracy and a peaceful and orderly transfer of power in Guatemala.
• Guatemala: HR/VP Josep Borrell travels to the country to attend transition of power, strengthen bilateral and regional relations European External Action Service (EEAS) 12 Jan 2024 -- High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell will be in Guatemala from 13-16 January. This marks a first ever visit by the EU High Representative to the country and HR/VP Borrell's 6th visit to the Latin America and Caribbean region during his current mandate.
• Former Vietnam health minister gets 18-year sentence in COVID scandal Radio Free Asia 12 Jan 2024 -- A court in Vietnam sentenced former Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long to 18 years in prison in connection with a Coronavirus test kit scandal, state-controlled VNExpress reported Friday.
• Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on the parliamentary elections and appointment of a new government in Bangladesh Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 12 Jan 2024
• Elections in Bhutan US Dept. of State 12 Jan 2024 -- The United States congratulates the people of Bhutan on a successful national election on January 9 and the People's Democratic Party and its leader Tshering Tobgay on the party's win.
• World News in Brief: COVID risk still high, massive Congo flood displacement, concern over Sri Lanka drugs crackdown UN News 12 Jan 2024 -- The public health risk from COVID-19 remains high, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Friday.
• Central African States to Fight Food Security Threats VOA 12 Jan 2024 -- Transport ministers from landlocked central African countries say increasing commodity prices are causing civil strife in Chad and the Central African Republic. The ministers, meeting Friday in Cameroon, say the three countries want to find immediate solutions to obstacles facing the transportation of goods moving from Cameroon's Douala and Kribi seaports to central African states.