Israel threatens to ‘destroy’ Syrian air defence systems
Posted on
DefenceTalkIsraeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Sunday threatened to destroy Syrian air defence systems after they fired ground-to-air missiles at Israeli warplanes carrying out strikes. “The next time the Syrians use their air defence systems against our planes we will destroy them without the slightest hesitation,” Lieberman said on Israeli public radio. Israeli warplanes hit […]https://www.defencetalk.com/israel-threatens-to-destroy-syrian-air-defence-systems-69533/
Trump Seeks $30B More in Fiscal 2017 to Rebuild Military, Fight ISIS
Posted on
DefenceTalkIn a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan today, President Donald J. Trump asked for another $30 billion for the Defense Department in this fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30, to rebuild the armed forces and accelerate the campaign to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. The fiscal 2017 budget amendment provides $24.9 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/trump-seeks-30b-more-in-fiscal-2017-to-rebuild-military-fight-isis-69526/
Germany warns against NATO break with Turkey
Posted on
DefenceTalkNATO must retain Turkey as a member despite soaring tensions over Ankara’s campaign for a controversial referendum, German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday. Beyond Turkey’s strategic importance, von der Leyen warned that rupturing ties could give the democratic Turkish opposition to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan the sense the West was leaving it […]https://www.defencetalk.com/germany-warns-against-nato-break-with-turkey-69502/
US plans for Syria include another 1,000 troops: US official
Posted on
DefenceTalkUp to 1,000 additional US troops could deploy to northern Syria under provisional plans drawn up by the Pentagon, a US defense official said on Wednesday. The plans, which still need to be approved by President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, would mark a significant uptick in US boots on the ground in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-plans-for-syria-include-another-1000-troops-us-official-69500/
Iran Poses Threat to Centcom’s Area of Responsibility, Votel Says
Posted on
DefenceTalkIran poses the most significant threat to U.S. Central Command’s complex area of responsibility, Centcom commander Army Gen. Joseph L. Votel told the Senate Armed Services Committee today. Centcom has dealt with a number of significant challenges over the past 12 months, including in Iraq and Syria, Pakistan, Yemen, Egypt and the Sinai, the Bab-el-Mandeb […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iran-poses-threat-to-centcoms-area-of-responsibility-votel-says-69447/
Suspected coalition raids kill 23 civilians in Syria: monitor
Posted on
DefenceTalkThe civilian death toll in air strikes thought to have been conducted by a US-led coalition on a jihadist-held Syrian village on Thursday has risen to 23, a monitor said. The Islamic State group is facing simultaneous offensives in northern Syria by government forces, Turkish-backed rebels, and a US-supported alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/suspected-coalition-raids-kill-23-civilians-in-syria-monitor-69442/
US Marines deploy artillery battery to Syria
Posted on
DefenceTalkThe United States has sent a Marine Corps artillery battery into Syria to help defeat the Islamic State group in Raqa, the capital of their supposed caliphate, a US official said. The official said troops from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit had deployed a battery of 155mm Howitzers to an outpost in Syria. The Marines […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-marines-deploy-artillery-battery-to-syria-69428/
Pentagon Spokesman Discusses ISIS Preliminary Plan, Budget Amendment
Posted on
DefenceTalkDefense Secretary Jim Mattis will present a preliminary version of the Pentagon’s new plan to rapidly defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria during a meeting of the White House Principals Committee today, Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said here this morning. The Cabinet-level senior interagency forum, which usually does not include the president, already […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagon-spokesman-discusses-isis-preliminary-plan-budget-amendment-69328/
Top US general readies ‘full range’ of Syria options for Trump
Posted on
DefenceTalkThe Pentagon’s top officer on Thursday would not say if US ground forces will deploy to Syria to fight Daesh terrorists, observing only that he is readying a “full range of options” for President Donald Trump. General Joe Dunford’s remarks come as the Pentagon finalizes a new plan to defeat Daesh that Trump ordered shortly […]https://www.defencetalk.com/top-us-general-readies-full-range-of-syria-options-for-trump-69264/
Syrian army chips away at ISIS on several fronts
Posted on
DefenceTalkSyrian troops and allied militia on Sunday chipped away at territory held by Islamic State jihadists on several fronts across the country, state media and a monitoring group said. Forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad have doubled down against IS in Syria’s fractured north, as well as near Damascus and the ancient city of Palmyra. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/syrian-army-chips-away-at-isis-on-several-fronts-69000/