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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• U.S. Forces Conduct Strike Targeting al-Shabaab AFRICOM 26 Dec 2024 -- In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against the al-Shabaab militant network in Somalia on Dec. 24, 2024.
• Al-Shabab says one of its commanders killed in drone strike VOA 26 Dec 2024 -- Militant group al-Shabab said one of its top commanders, Mohamed Mire, was killed in a drone strike near Kunyo Barrow in Somalia's Lower Shabelle Region.

Defense Policy / Programs

• INDOPACOM Commander Visits NPS, Discusses Strategic Challenges, Technological Innovation US Navy 26 Dec 2024 -- dm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), visited the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) to hear updates from students, faculty, and leadership on priority research efforts, and address the command in the latest Secretary of the Navy Guest Lecture (SGL), on the security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, and highlighted the critical role NPS plays in developing military leaders and warfighting solutions, Dec. 10.
• The worst enemy of the US is the US itself, Chinese defense ministry criticizes latest US NDAA Global Times 26 Dec 2024 -- The US National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) played up the alleged "China military threat" as an excuse to increase US military spending and maintain its hegemony. This grossly interferes with China's internal affairs and undermines world peace and stability. We are strongly dissatisfied with it and firmly oppose it, Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, said on Thursday.
• PLA Navy's Type 075 amphibious assault ship makes 1st foreign stop in Indonesia Global Times 26 Dec 2024 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's Type 075 amphibious assault ship has made its first foreign stop with a technical stop in Indonesia. A Chinese military expert said on Thursday that the overseas display of such a strategic weapon underscores the PLA Navy's openness, transparency, and confidence while fostering international exchange and cooperation.
• YEAR END REVIEW 2024 India PIB 26 Dec 2024 -- 2024 witnessed some path-breaking achievements & breakthroughs as Ministry of Defence (MoD), marched ahead with renewed vigour to make India a strong, secure, self-reliant & prosperous nation, as envisioned by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
• SRI LANKA - INDIA EXERCISE - 2024 (SLINEX 24) India PIB 26 Dec 2024 -- The bilateral Naval exercise between India and Sri Lanka, SLINEX 24 (Sri Lanka - India Exercise 2024) was conducted from 17 - 20 Dec 24 at Visakhapatnam under the aegis of the Eastern Naval Command in two phases.
• China stresses offensive nature of US Typhon missile system, urging the Philippines to honor its withdrawal commitment Global Times 26 Dec 2024 -- In response to Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro's claims that the deployment of US Typhon mid-range missile system to the Philippines in the context of joint exercises is legitimate and legal, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Thursday that regarding the US deployment of Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile system in the Philippines, China has stated its firm opposition on multiple occasions, while emphasizing that Typhon MRC missile system can carry either conventional or nuclear payloads. It is not a defensive weapon, but a strategic and offensive one, she said.
• Philippines' attempt to play victim to elicit sympathy will never work: China's defense ministry spokesperson Global Times 26 Dec 2024 -- The Philippine side repeatedly organized its coast guard vessels and fishing boats to violate China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea, while playing victim to elicit sympathy and cause confusion in the international community. This will never work, Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, said on Thursday.
• House leader backs DND stand on enhancing PH defense capabilities Philippine News Agency 26 Dec 2024 -- A House leader on Thursday expressed his full support for Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. for his efforts to safeguard the Philippines' territorial integrity and national sovereignty amid China's criticism of the country's military upgrades.

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Dec. 26, 2024

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 26 December 2024 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 26 Dec 2024

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• Dec. 25: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Press TV 26 Dec 2024
• Israeli strike kills 5 journalists, Palestinian channel says VOA 26 Dec 2024 -- Palestinian medics said an Israeli airstrike early Thursday killed five journalists in the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza.
• Palestinian children freeze to death amid Israeli carnage in Gaza Press TV 26 Dec 2024 -- Israel has killed at least 38 Palestinians in Gaza and injured 137 across the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours, as the regime presses ahead with its air and artillery strikes across the blockaded territory.
• Israel, Hamas trade blame for delays in reaching Gaza ceasefire deal People's Daily 26 Dec 2024 -- Israel and Hamas exchanged accusations on Wednesday, each blaming the other for delays in reaching a Gaza ceasefire deal.
• Gaza: Ongoing civilian casualties amid aid challenges UN News 26 Dec 2024 -- Civilian casualties and injuries continue to be reported across Gaza due to the ongoing hostilities, with most families unable to afford basic food as the humanitarian situation deteriorates, a UN spokesperson reported on Thursday. In Lebanon, the UN peacekeeping mission in the south of the country urged both Israel and Lebanon to prevent any actions that could threaten the fragile ceasefire.
• UN chief condemns escalation in Yemen as airstrikes hit Sana'a Airport, key infrastructure UN News 26 Dec 2024 -- The UN Secretary-General on Thursday condemned the deadly escalation between Yemen and Israel, following Israeli airstrikes that reportedly killed at least three people, injured dozens, and struck critical civilian infrastructure, including Sana'a International Airport.
• Israel launches deepened incursions into Lebanon despite truce Press TV 26 Dec 2024 -- Israeli forces have launched a deepened incursion into some areas of southern Lebanon in violation of the November 27 ceasefire agreement, kidnapping a Lebanese man.
• Israel preparing to stay in southern Lebanon after ceasefire: Report Press TV 26 Dec 2024 -- A new report has revealed that the Israeli military is preparing to possibly keep its forces in southern Lebanon, after the end of a 60-day fragile ceasefire with the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah which went into effect last month.
• Statement by UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa Edouard Beigbeder on continued deaths of children in Gaza UNICEF 26 Dec 2024
• 'Hell of the hell': UNRWA blasts Israel's months-long siege on north Gaza, attacks on hospitals Press TV 26 Dec 2024 -- The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) says the northern part of the Gaza Strip has been going through "the hell of the hell" amid Israel's bombing campaign on civilian facilities and blockade of aid for almost three months.
• Far-right Israeli minister Ben-Gvir again storms al-Aqsa Mosque Press TV 26 Dec 2024 -- Far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has made another intrusion into the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the occupied Old City of al-Quds.
• Hamas urges action against Israeli settler incursions into al-Aqsa Mosque, raids in West Bank Press TV 26 Dec 2024 -- Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has called for action against the increasing raids by Israeli settlers on the revered al-Aqsa Mosque and throughout the West Bank.
• Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General - on Yemen UN Secretary-General 26 Dec 2024
• Israel Strikes Huthis At Yemen Airport, Prompting Iranian Condemnation RFE/RL 26 Dec 2024 -- Israel carried out large-scale air strikes on the main airport in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, on December 26 as it steps up attacks on the Iranian-backed Huthi rebels in what Tehran called a "violation" of peace and security.
• Yemeni drones hit 'vital targets' of Zionist regime in occupied Palestine IRNA 26 Dec 2024 -- The Yemeni armed forces have said in a statement that they have carried out two separate anti-Israel operations, targeting two important and vital positions of the Zionist regime in the occupied Palestinian territories.
• Iran strongly condemns Israeli bombing of Yemen's civilian infrastructure Press TV 26 Dec 2024 -- Iran has strongly condemned new Israeli strikes on Yemeni civilian facilities and energy reservoirs, stating that the attacks constitute a blatant violation of international law and the UN Charter.
• At least three killed as Israel bombs Sana'a airport, power plant, port Press TV 26 Dec 2024 -- Israeli warplanes have conducted multiple airstrikes on several strategic sites in Yemen, including Sana'a International Airport, amid heightened regional tensions over Israel's genocide in the Gaza Strip.
• Houthi: Yemen's hypersonic missiles have surprised enemy Press TV 26 Dec 2024 -- Ansarullah leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi has termed Yemen's launch of hypersonic missiles at Israeli targets "a very important achievement", saying they have surprised the enemies.
• IRGC: Yemeni attacks change Israel's calculations amid regime's joy over Syria Press TV 26 Dec 2024 -- A spokesman for the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the "prompt" missile attacks by Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement have changed Israel's calculations as the regime was joyful over the Syria situation after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad.

Other Conflicts

• New Syrian authorities arrest official from notorious prison, war monitor says VOA 26 Dec 2024 -- Syria's new authorities on Thursday arrested a military justice official from the government of ousted President Bashar al-Assad.
• New Syrian authorities launch operation against pro-Assad militias, state media report VOA 26 Dec 2024 -- Syria's new authorities launched an operation Thursday against militias aligned with ousted President Bashar al-Assad, according to state news agency SANA.
• Amid divisions, Kurds pursue unified representation in post-Assad Syria VOA 26 Dec 2024 -- Despite longstanding divisions, Kurdish political leaders and analysts say Syrian Kurdish groups are seeking a unified delegation to represent their interests in Damascus in negotiations with Syria's new authorities.
• HTS-led authorities appoint al-Qaeda operative as Syria's new spy chief Press TV 26 Dec 2024 -- Authorities led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militant group have appointed Anas Hassan Khattab as Syria's new spy chief amid a desperate attempt by the administration to tighten its grip on power across the Arab country.
• Syrians take to streets nationwide against shrine desecration; HTS militants fire on protesters Press TV 26 Dec 2024 -- Protests have erupted across Syria over militants' desecration of an Alawite shrine in Aleppo, with armed groups belonging to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) opening fire on protesters.
• Spokesman rejects media hype on Iran's interference in Syria IRNA 26 Dec 2024 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei categorically rejected as baseless certain media hype against Iran regarding interference in the internal affairs of Syria.
• Iran voices concern about rising insecurity, violence in Syria Press TV 26 Dec 2024 -- Iran has voiced concern over rising insecurity and violence in Syria, marked by attacks on minority groups which have sparked widespread protests.
• Nigeria probes Christmas Day airstrike that killed 10 VOA 26 Dec 2024 -- Nigerian authorities in northwest Sokoto state launched a probe Thursday into a Christmas Day airstrike by the military that killed at least 10 people.
• Remaining Reds urged to surrender on 56th CPP anniversary Philippine News Agency 26 Dec 2024 -- As the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) observes its 56th founding anniversary Thursday, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. called on remaining insurgents to surrender as the movement has been significantly crippled by the government operations.
• Eritrean, Somali leaders discuss stability amid regional tensions VOA 26 Dec 2024 -- President Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia held extensive discussions at the State House in Asmara, Eritrea, on Wednesday, focusing on the consolidation of bilateral ties and addressing regional and international issues of mutual concern.

News Reports

• Ship Suspected Of Damaging Cables Off Finland Part Of Russia's 'Shadow Fleet,' EU Says RFE/RL 26 Dec 2024 -- The European Commission said a cargo ship suspected of having deliberately damaged power and Internet cables in the Baltic Sea is part of Russia's so-called "shadow fleet," prompting the EU to threaten new sanctions against Moscow.
• Police investigating incidents in the Gulf of Finland in cooperation with other authorities Police of Finland 26 Dec 2024 -- The police, in cooperation with other authorities, are investigating the rupture of the Estlink 2 power transmission cable within Finland's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Gulf of Finland on Wednesday, 25 December, 2024.
• Joint Statement by the European Commission and the High Representative on the Investigation into Damaged Electricity and Data Cables in the Baltic Sea European External Action Service (EEAS) 26 Dec 2024 -- "Yesterday's incident involving undersea cables in the Baltic Sea is the latest in a series of suspected attacks on critical infrastructure."
• Foreign Minister Tsahkna: It is difficult to see dragging anchors on the seabed as accidents Estonia MFA 26 Dec 2024 -- Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna just spoke to Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen on the phone to discuss yesterday's incidents involving submarine infrastructure.
• Bird flu tightens grip on California as human cases rise People's Daily 26 Dec 2024 -- California's battle against avian influenza A (H5N1) intensified amid spreading infections across dairy farms and a growing number of human infection, including two newly confirmed cases in Stanislaus and Los Angeles counties.
• Mounting Evidence Suggests Russian Air Defenses Hit Passenger Jet Before Crash RFE/RL 26 Dec 2024 -- When a passenger plane with 67 people on board slammed to the ground on Kazakhstan's Caspian Sea coast early on December 25, Russian authorities and state media were quick to name possible causes: heavy fog, a bird strike, and - after footage showing pre-crash damage to the jet emerged - the explosion of an oxygen tank in the cabin.
• Aviation Experts Due To Arrive At Kazakh Crash Site To Examine Black Box RFE/RL 26 Dec 2024 -- Kazakh experts are due to arrive on December 27 to examine the crash site and black box of the ill-fated Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet, as speculation - and evidence - mounted suggesting that a Russian air defense missile may have inadvertently struck the craft.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview with Russian and international news media, Moscow, December 26, 2024 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 26 Dec 2024
• The Supreme Eurasian Economic Council Meeting President of Russia 26 Dec 2024 -- Leningrad Region hosted the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council Meeting.
• Answers to media questions President of Russia 26 Dec 2024 -- Following the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council Meeting Vladimir Putin answered the questions of Russian journalists.
• Lavrov warns West against challenging Russia's resolve to defend interests Press TV 26 Dec 2024 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has reaffirmed a nuclear weapons warning to the West, underlining that Moscow will take all necessary measures to defend its national interests amid rising tensions over Ukraine.
• Press release on the adoption of the UN Convention against Cybercrime Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 26 Dec 2024
• Kyrgyzstan faces difficulties enforcing West's Russia sanctions VOA 26 Dec 2024 -- Experts say Kyrgyzstan's efforts to enforce Western sanctions against companies supplying dual-use goods and equipment to Russia are constrained by opposition from business, limited bureaucratic resources, and unwillingness to antagonize the Kremlin.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on December 26, 2024 PRC MofA 26 Dec 2024
• Hong Kong Government's Ongoing Campaign of Transnational Repression US Dept. of State 26 Dec 2024 -- "The United States condemns the Hong Kong government's issuance of new arrest warrants and bounties targeting six overseas democracy activists and the cancellation of passports for seven other activists, including some based in the United States."
• Talks between Chinese, Japanese foreign ministers friendly, active and positive, says Chinese FM spokesperson Global Times 26 Dec 2024 -- The talks between Chinese and Japanese foreign ministers were friendly, active and positive, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Thursday, in response to media inquiries about the talks between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya on Wednesday.
• MSS reveals case of Chinese self-media blogger coerced by foreign intelligence agency to carry out espionage tasks Global Times 26 Dec 2024 -- A Chinese video blogger with a large number of followers popular for producing exotic-themed videos was pressured by a foreign intelligence agency to engage in espionage but was exempted from punishment after reporting the situation to Chinese national security authorities, according to China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) on Thursday.
• Presidential Office simulation shows need for better government coordination CNA 26 Dec 2024 -- Central and local governments will need to improve their coordination to better defend Taiwan, Lin Fei-fan (林飛帆), deputy secretary-general of the National Security Council, said Thursday following a "tabletop simulation" at the Presidential Office.
• Several pieces of US weaponry won't be magic straw to save DPP authorities: Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Global Times 26 Dec 2024 -- Several pieces of US weaponry won't be the magic straw that can save a drowning man; they are nothing but easy targets on the battlefields, said Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang at a regular press conference on Thursday, in response to reports that the first batch of M1A2T battle tanks purchased by Taiwan from the US arrived at the island.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC MND 26 Dec 2024
• Taiwan seeks clarity on Trump team policy amid Chinese pressure VOA 26 Dec 2024 -- As the world prepares for U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House, Taiwan finds itself sandwiched between Washington and Beijing as it grapples with uncertainties about the outlook of U.S.-Taiwan relations and growing military pressure from China.
• Mainland better protects Taiwan residents' rights, interests with revised judicial document People's Daily 26 Dec 2024 -- The Supreme People's Court (SPC) on Wednesday announced the revision of a judicial document to properly handle cases involving the recognition and enforcement of civil judgments issued by regional courts in Taiwan.
• Mainland vows support for Taiwan enterprises in market expansion People's Daily 26 Dec 2024 -- The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said on Wednesday that it will work with relevant authorities to support Taiwan businesspeople and enterprises in expanding their markets on the mainland.
• Mainland lauds voices within Taiwan against DPP's "Taiwan independence" education policy People's Daily 26 Dec 2024 -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson has lauded the people with vision in the Taiwan region for their strong opposition to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' "Taiwan independence" education "reforms."
• Mainland urges Taiwan's DPP not to obstruct cross-Strait tourism People's Daily 26 Dec 2024 -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday urged Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities to create favorable conditions for the normalization of cross-Strait tourism, rather than erecting obstacles.
• US Congress fails to extend North Korean Human Rights Act VOA 26 Dec 2024 -- The U.S. Congress once again failed to pass a bipartisan bill to reauthorize the North Korean Human Rights Act, or NKHRA, painting a bleak picture for the future of the measure originally adopted by Congress and signed by President George W. Bush in 2004 to ensure the U.S. continues to promote basic freedoms of speech, press and religion in North Korea.
• One foreign element arrested in northwest Iran IRNA 26 Dec 2024 -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has said that its forces arrested a foreign element, involved in intelligence activities, in the northwestern country.
• IRGC intelligence forces capture agent linked to foreign espionage service Press TV 26 Dec 2024 -- The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) intelligence forces have arrested an individual in Iran's northwestern province of Ardabil on charges of affiliation to the spy agency of a neighboring country.
• Japan seeks better ties with China ahead of second Trump term VOA 26 Dec 2024 -- Japan and China are seeking to improve relations ahead of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House, but analysts say Beijing's aggressive military activities across the Indo-Pacific region will make it hard for the sides to reduce longstanding tensions.
• Pakistan Military Court Jails 60 Imran Khan Supporters Over Violent Protests RFE/RL 26 Dec 2024 -- A Pakistani military court has sentenced 60 people to prison terms ranging between two and 10 years over violent protests that erupted after the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2023, the army's media wing said on December 26.
• Pakistan military court sentences 60 supporters of jailed former PM Khan VOA 26 Dec 2024 -- A military court in Pakistan on Thursday sentenced 60 supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan to prison terms ranging from two to 10 years for allegedly attacking army facilities.
• Transcript of the Year End Review Briefing by the Spokesperson on Thursday, 26 December 2024 Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 26 Dec 2024
• Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on the situation in Georgia Germany Federal Foreign Office 26 Dec 2024
• Former National Power Party leader sentenced for 'incitement' Radio Free Asia 26 Dec 2024 -- A former official with a new Cambodian opposition party, the Nation Power Party, was sentenced Monday to two years in jail for inciting social disorder, in what the party and his relatives said was a politically motivated conviction.
• Bosnia's Security Minister Arrested On Corruption Charges RFE/RL 26 Dec 2024 -- Bosnia-Herzegovina's security minister has been arrested on charges of money-laundering, abuse of office, and accepting bribes, the Balkan nation's prosecutor's office said.
• Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General - on Mozambique UN Secretary-General 26 Dec 2024
• Zimbabwe says SADC regional bloc ready to assist troubled Mozambique VOA 26 Dec 2024 -- Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa — who is chairing SADC — has said the regional bloc is ready to assist troubled Mozambique engulfed in post-election violence that has claimed more than 100 lives of protesters, according to human rights organizations. South Africa calls for dialogue in the former Portuguese colony, where the opposition is claiming its electoral victory was stolen in the Oct. 9 polls.
• World News in Brief: Civilian killings in Afghanistan, Kazakhstan air crash, more Syrian refugees return home UN News 26 Dec 2024 -- The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), said in a social media post on Thursday that it had received credible reports that dozens of civilians, including women and children, were killed in airstrikes by Pakistan's military forces in Paktika province, on 24 December.