MILNEWS.ca Highlights – September 20, 2016

#CANvsISIL

• “WELLS: General cautious about progress against Daesh”
• “ISIL, ISIS or Daesh? Ottawa’s past efforts to change its term for terrorist group plagued by confusion” – “ISIS or Daesh. Why Does it Matter What We Call Them?”
• DND’s latest on Operation IMPACT

Libya

• “Global Affairs ‘aware’ of unconfirmed report Canadian kidnapped in Libya” – “…a statement by the media office of Ghat municipality said that foreign engineers, who worked for construction company CON.I.COS, were abducted by unidentified assailants on the road linking Tahala and Ghat early in the morning. It gave their names as Italians Bruno Cacace and Danilo Calonego, and a Canadian identified only as Frank …” – More on this via Google News

Syria

• “Syria: UN/SARC (aid) convoy hit in Urum al-Kubra, northwest of Aleppo city” (UN OCHA) – “UN halts all convoys in Syria after attack on aid trucks” – “UN suspends all Syria aid after convoy bombed” – “Syria conflict: UN suspends all aid after convoy hit”
• “Syria Cease-Fire Falters as International Support Group Meets for Crisis Talks”
• “Syrian ceasefire: Is it all over?”
• “Kremlin Names Conditions to Resume Syrian Ceasefire”
• “Turkey Raises Flags at Syrian Border After US Flags Appear in Kurdish-Held City”
• “Erdogan plans Syrian ‘safe zone’ as military campaign widens”

Syria/Refugees in Canada

• “Trudeau tells UN conference: Canada not finished helping Syrian refugees” – “Prime Minister announces significant support following UN meeting on refugees and migrants” – “Address by Minister Dion at a round table on human security for refugees, migrants and host communities on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly”

Iraq

• “Iraq Situation Report: September 7-19, 2016” (ISW)
• ” ‘Islamic State’ leaves troubled legacy in Iraq”
• “A New Governorate For The Nineveh Plain, And Beyond” (MEMRI)
• ” ‘Logistic Support’: 100s of US Troops Arrive in Iraq Ahead of Attack on Mosul”
• “Isis in Iraq: PM Haider al-Abadi announces operation to liberate Shirqat, south of Mosul” – “Iraq begins offensive to recapture town of Shargat from ISIS” – “Iraq begins offensive to recapture town of Shargat from ISIS” – “Iraq PM announces offensive to retake Daesh bastion”
• “(TUR) Military kills 9 PKK terrorists in anti-terror ops in northern Iraq, Hakkari province” – “Turkish jets kill 4 PKK terrorists in northern Iraq” –  “5 PKK terrorists neutralized in Turkish artillery fire”
• “Racing against the Clock, Humanitarians in Iraq Need Additional Funding” (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs)

The Kurds

• “British MPs urge full UK Consul-General in Erbil”
• “Haze around Turkey and the Kurds”
• “Kurds are paying the price of the post-coup crackdown”

Mo’ Peacekeeping Coming?

• DefMin’s answer to Tory question in the House about why no word of a vote on any upcoming “peacekeeping” mission:   “… we can be proud of our men and women who have served all over the world in previous missions, and even now. However, a lot of work needs to be done for peace operations. We are going to be going in with eyes wide open, making sure that we have all the necessary information to allow the military to do its work, as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of International Development. We will make sure that we have all the right information. We need to be able to get a full analysis. Once we have better information, we will be presenting this to Canadians, as we have done, moving forward. A lot of work needs to be done, and I look forward to the healthy debate once we have all the necessary information.”
• “Ambrose suggests UN Security Council seat is motivating the peacekeeping mission” – “Rona Ambrose accuses PM Trudeau of using military as pawns”
• “Roméo Dallaire criticizes UN, but says peacekeeping in Canada’s interests”

What’s Canada Buying?

• Wanted:  Digitally Aided Close Air Support System  “REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL: TO ESTABLISH A CONTRACT FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF DIGITALLY AIDED CLOSE AIR SUPPORT SYSTEM (DACAS) SYSTEMS, SPARE PARTS AND IN-SERVICE SUPPORT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENCE …” – Specs & Statement of Work from bid package
• “The Department of National Defence (DND) has a requirement for a Search and Rescue Director to provide contractual support at 426 Squadron, located at 8 Wing Trenton, Trenton, Ontario. The contractor will conduct and administer ground, simulator and flying instructional functions for CC130H aircrew who will be employed in Search and Rescue (SAR) activities …”
• F-35 Tug o’ War  “CDA Institute releases “behind-the-scenes” F-35 report “ – “Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has enjoyed remarkably strong opinion poll numbers since winning power in last October’s election but now faces tough decisions that could dent his popularity … The Liberals will also announce whether they intend to break a pledge to launch a competition for fighter jets. Talk inside military circles is that Ottawa could announce a sole-source contract …”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• FB post suggests federal defence, health and VA ministers setting up committee to study effects of mefloquine?
• “Ottawa’s bureaucracy just can’t help harming veterans”
• Message from CF Ombudsman:  “Medically releasing from the Canadian Armed Forces is complicated. The burden has taken its toll on members transitioning from military to civilian life, and their families …”
• “What the Liberals give, bureaucrats can take away. On October 1, Liberal campaign promises to improve the lives of veterans begin to take effect. All that flashy political and bureaucratic rhetoric however has a dark underbelly …”

Internal Security

• “Canada security agencies helped Syria in torture cases: documents” – “Ministerial directive on use of evidence obtained from torture still on books” – “TV report claims Canada cooperated with Syria military intelligence”
• Lux Ex Umbra blog on offensive cyberwar

Way Up North

• “Canada celebrates 20th anniversary of Arctic Council”

Other

• “Canadian Navy flies gay ‘Pride’ flag – and this Christian sailor isn’t happy, at all”
• “Canadian and Australian J-model Herc crews train together near Bondi Beach (Australia)”

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MILNEWS.ca Highlights – September 8, 2016

Cold War 2.0

• LOTS of detail of proposed timelines, locations here  “The Canadian-led multinational battalion earmarked for deployment to Latvia will include heavy weaponry, and the first soldiers are expected to arrive in Latvia at the beginning of next year, (Latvian) Defense Minister Raimonds Bergmanis told the LETA news agency September 7 …” (LVA public media)
• “Russian fighter makes ‘unsafe close range intercept’ with US aircraft” – “Russian Fighter Came Within 10 Ft. of Navy Surveillance Plane” – “Russian SU-27 Jet Intercepts US Navy Spy Plane Over Black Sea” – “US Aircraft Reportedly Intercepted by Russian Jet Was in Int’l Airspace” – More via Google News
• “Whose tanks are on whose territory?” (EU Disinformation Review)
• “Russia Buys 100 T-14 Armata MBT”
• “Ukraine to insist on providing comprehensive and irreversible nature for ceasefire in Donbas” (Official website of the President of Ukraine) – “Massive military drills around Crimea”

Internal Security

• “… After the terrorist attacks in September 2001, the federal government budgeted $12.9 billion of anti-terror funding across several departments. The years-long effort was known as the Public Security and Anti-Terrorism Initiative. Of that sum, the auditor general could only determine where $9.8 billion was spent …”
• “Liberals begin national security review with release of discussion paper” – “Members of the media are invited to join the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, for a media availability related to the Government’s approach to national security (this afternoon) …”
  
• “Frustrations et préoccupation sécuritaire à l’aéroport Trudeau”

Mo’ Peacekeeping Coming?

• CAN DefMin’s Speech on Peace Operations in UK yesterday
• “Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan will hold a media availability via teleconference on Thursday, September 8, 2016 to provide an update on his trip to London, UK (this afternnon) …”

Canada Into Africa?

• “A new African force for Mali?” (Institute for Security Studies)

#CANvsISIL

• DND’s latest on Operation IMPACT

Everyone Else Vs. ISIL

• “What’s Next For Al-Qaida After The Defeat Of ISIS?”
• “Saudi rulers behind civil wars in Muslim countries: leader — Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenie sent a message to the world Muslims on the occasion of Hajj …”
• “ISIS – The Threat To The Indian Subcontinent” (MEMRI)
• “ISIS on a mission to wipe out Christians, says former Muslim extremist”

Syria

• “Syria Situation Report: September 1 – 7, 2016” (ISW)
  
• “(ISR air force) Strikes Military Targets in Syria After Spillover Mortar Fire”
• “Euphrates Shield Trap: Turkey May Find Itself Bogged Down in Northern Syria”
• “Turkish shelling of Syrian Kurdistan’s Afrin kills six Kurdish YPG fighters”
• “Turkish soldiers return fire on Syrian Kurdish militia: military officials”
• “Syrians return to Jarabulus from Turkey after IS ousted”
• “Russia expresses worry over Turkey advance in northern Syria”
• Deal or No Deal?  “Issues Remain for Russia, US to Reach Compromise Concerning Syria” – “US Says Willing to Cooperate with Russia on Syria, ‘True’ Ceasefire Needed” – “Russia says deal with US on Syria not yet finalised”
• “US, Russia ‘Not There Yet’ On Syria Truce Deal” – “US Makes ‘Last Offer’ to Russia on Syrian Issue – Reports”
• “Syrian Army Takes Control of Ramouseh Neighborhood, Reopens Supply Road to Western Aleppo” – “Russian Warplanes Deliver 50 Air Strikes on Terrorists as Syrian Army Tightens Aleppo Siege” –  “Syria regime retakes key Aleppo district from rebels”
• “Over 1,000 Syrian Marines Complete Training in Latakia”
• “Syria: Flash update on recent events – 07 September 2016” (UN High Commissioner for Refugees)

Iraq

• ” Iraq Situation Report: August 31-September 6, 2016″ (ISW)
• “(Kurdish leader) Barzani to divide Mosul post-IS into three provinces: politician”
• “Iraq : US pastor spends $4000 buying weapons for Christian militia”
• “Give Christians in Iraq a say in their future after Islamic State, urges Church leader”
• “Iraq parliament fails to make quorum for no-confidence vote against minister”
• “Iraq Tells OPEC at What Oil Output Level It’s Ready to Freeze”

The Kurds

• “PUK Stands Against Exporting Kirkuk Oil Through the Kurdish Pipelines” – “PUK’s Hero Ibrahim opposed Kirkuk oil deal, threatens to block exports” – “Senior PUK member threatens to block oil exports from Kirkuk”
• “Iraqi President Intervening to Mend PUK Rifts”
• “Barzani Discusses Military Issues with French Defense Minister” – “President Barzani Visits France” (KRG presidency statement) – “Barzani received in Paris like head of state, underscoring Kurdish ties with France”
• “U.S. Consul-General meets with PUK members in Erbil”  – “US asks Syrian opposition to consult with Kurds”
• “Fresh Clashes Emerge Between the Iranian Kurdish Peshmerga and Army”

What’s Canada Buying?

• “Canadian navy will lose submarine fleet in next few years without billions in upgrades: DND report” –  Canada’s Submarines To Start Retiring In 2022 Without Billion-Dollar Upgrade
• “MDA signs military communications maintenance contract”
• “RCMP reviewing Canadian-owned firm over military exports to Sudan, Libya”

Way Up North

• “First Arctic patrol ship by Irving called ‘significant challenge’ “
• “Pursuit Of Arctic Supremacy: Hotspot For Another Larger Conflict”
• Colonel Ted on “The Arctic”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Have your say: Should the feds reinstate lifelong pensions for disabled military veterans?”

Other

• “Tories should target the Liberals “three soft spots” — defence, deficits and accountability”
• “22 Wing (North Bay) hosts air defence exercise”
• “Summer Camp on Vancouver Island”
• “RCAF puts its expeditionary capabilities to work during RIMPAC 2016”
• Colonel Ted:  “(More on ) CANZUK (2)”
• From the Pentagon Info-machine  “The Maine Army National Guard 185th Engineer Support Company is conducting their annual training (AT) this month at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, New Brunswick, Canada in order to improve their unit capabilities, proficiency, and relations with Canadian forces …”
• From the CAF Info-machine  “CAF Stories: Good Hearted Canadians Lend a Helping Hand (via DART)” – “Canadian Armed Forces members contribute to clearing unexploded ordnance in the South West Pacific” – “Reservists’ summer training combines unique contributions, points of view: 3rd Canadian Division”

World War Two

• “Remains of Canadian Second World War soldier to be buried in Belgium” – “Canadian Second World War Soldier to be Buried With Military Honours in Belgium”
• “Battle of Britain: Canadians in the Royal Air Force”

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#CAN Peacekeeping: We know “how many” …

… but we don’t know where – yet.  This, from the Info-machine …

… The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, today announced the launch of Global Affairs Canada’s new Peace and Stabilization Operations Program (PSOPs) and the pledge of up to 600 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel to be available for possible deployment to UN peace operations.

Conflicts today are multifaceted, requiring political, security, development and humanitarian responses brought together under the broad umbrella of “peace operations”. The Government of Canada has already demonstrated its whole-of-government approach to the situation in Iraq and Syria. Today’s approach to peace operations is no different: they demand that we go beyond military roles and work closely with local authorities and a range of international and regional partners.

Canada is devoting an unprecedented $450 million to PSOPs. The new funding will help better protect civilians, including the most vulnerable groups, such as displaced persons, refugees, women and children …

… with a bit more from a backgrounder here, and from media:

• “Liberals pledge up to 600 soldiers, $450-million for UN peacekeeping operations”
• “Canada commits more money and troops to peacekeeping”
• “Liberals pledge 600 soldiers, $450M for UN peacekeeping”

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MILNEWS.ca Highlights – August 26, 2016

Mo’ Peacekeeping Coming?

• “Ministers Dion, Sajjan, Goodale and Bibeau to make important announcement — The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, will make an important announcement (today) about Canada’s peace operations and hold a joint media availability …” – “Liberals to unveil plans for UN peacekeeping force” – “Liberals to commit peacekeeping troops, money” – “Liberals to announce troop details, commitments for UN peacekeeping”

#CANvsISIL/Internal Security

• “Report on terrorist threat to Canada released” (Canada News Centre) – “2016 Public Report On The Terrorist Threat To Canada” – “More Canadians travelling abroad to join ISIS, other terrorist groups, report says” – “Main terror threat to Canada comes from lone wolves, those inspired to attack: Report” – “Report: Terrorist Maintained Contact with Iran While Plotting Attack” – “Ralph Goodale désignera désormais l’État islamique par Daesh”
• “Liberals replacing Harper Tories’ anti-terror project with new program”
• Commentary  “If you’re worried about terrorism, please don’t call the fashion police” – “Deprogramming the jihadi” – “Yemen: The war Canada can’t afford to ignore”

Cold War 2.0

• “Canada helps tighten the tripwires on NATO’s doomsday machine” (rabble.ca)
• “Russia-NATO Update – August 2016” (MEMRI.org)
• “Assessing the Russian Military as an Instrument of Power”
• “Russian hybrid warfare sparks new US Jedburgh unit — Russian hybrid warfare has inspired a new unit’s formation within Special Forces to combat hybrid warfare around the world. But it’s not a new concept …”

Way Up North

• “RCAF participates in search and rescue exercise in Alaska”

What’s Canada Buying?

• “Minister Sajjan to announce investments in Defence infrastructure at CFB Bagotville” – “Construction de 22 nouvelles unités de logement à Bagotville”
• Wanted:  someone to train CF get-away drivers🙂  “Basic Evasive Driver Training Course … The Department of National Defence (DND) Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC) has a requirement for the provision of Basic Evasive Driver Training courses for CJOC members …”
• Fixed Wing Search & Rescue (FWSAR) Project  Senator:  “Former presidential copters should do search and rescue in Canada”

Sexual Assault/Harassment in the CF

• “There is no standing down when it comes to sexual misconduct in the Canadian Army”

Other

• “Statement from the Commander, Canadian Special Operations Forces — Major-General Michael Rouleau, Commander, Canadian Special Operations Forces issues the following statement after being charged with one count, Section 129, National Defence Act (for a negligent discharge) …”
• Andrew Fitzgerald, R.I.P.  “Investigation into death of soldier Andrew Fitzgerald concludes” – “Ontario police close investigation into death of 19-year-old soldier”
• “Exercise Pitch Black provides ‘unique’ experience for RCAF participants”
• Commentary  “Air show too traumatic for newcomers who escaped war”

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MILNEWS.ca #UKR Update – 252300UTC August 2016

• “Stephen Harper awarded one of Ukraine’s top honours”
• “In honor of Independence Day of Ukraine in the Canadian Forces Language School, where the Ukrainian military training, hoisted Ukrainian flag” (UKR MoD, in Ukrainian)
• “Oh, Those Russians …” (1)  “Russia Holds Snap Military Exercises, Deepening Neighbors’ Alarm” – “Russia Holds Snap Military Exercises, Deepening Neighbors’ Alarm” – “Russia starts drills near Ukraine amid Crimea tensions” – “Putin calls snap military drills near Crimea” – “Ukraine Intelligence outlines threats posed by sudden combat readiness check of Russian troops”
• “Oh, Those Russians …” (2)  From the RUS MoD Info-machine:  “Deputy Defence Minister Anatoly Antonov informed military attaches of the unannounced combat readiness inspection of the Russian Armed Forces : Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation” – “Upon decision of Supreme Commander-in-Chief, unannounced inspection of the Southern, Western and Central Military Districts, Northern Fleet, Aerospace Forces Main Command, Airborne Troops Command has started” – “Western MD army aviation crews started redeployment at operational airfields” – “Motorized rifle brigade of the Southern MD has been alerted within the unannounced combat readiness inspection”
• Meanwhile, Over in Belarus … “(RUS) CSTO peacekeeping forces started exercise “Unbreakable brotherhood-2016” in Belarus”
• Really?  “Assassination Attempt On Donetsk Republic President Zakharchenko !” – “DNR Interior Ministry confirmed the death of one person in the explosion in the center of Donetsk” (DNR, in Russian) – “Representatives of the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry praised the recovery process after the attacks on the DNR” (DNR, in Russian)
• Point, via DNR separatists:  “Militia envoy: OSCE refused to register Yasinovataya shelling” – “OSCE REFUSE TO TRAVEL TO YASINOVATAYA TO REPORT ON THE ARTILLERY BOMBING BY THE UKRAINE JUNTA ARMED FORCES !”
• Counterpoint, via OSCE SMM:  “… The SMM, positioned at the observation post at the Yasynuvata railway station, heard at 11:26 two explosions assessed as outgoing (i.e., from separatist positions) artillery rounds 200-400m south-south-east of its position. Given the danger to which the monitors were exposed by those who had fired the projectiles, the monitors pulled back to a safer position from where they continued to monitor, recording between 13:41 and 13:44 an additional ten undetermined explosions 1.5-3km from their position …”
• Updates From All Sides  “Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30, 24 August 2016” – UKR govt ATO map, 25 August 2016 – “Overview of Military Situation in Donbass Region on August 24” (stormfront.org, pro-RUS OSINT) – “Kyiv reports over 40 strikes on its positions in Donbas” – “Border guards record Russian forces’ activity near Ukrainian borders” – “(DNR) Militia source reports shelling of Donetsk water purification station” – DNR: “Ukrainian army readies to seize Donbass city tonight” – “Zakharchenko: UAF attack thwarted by weather conditions”
• UKR govt approves paying transportation cost of ATO participants getting psych help (UKR MoD, in Ukrainian)
• “Oh, Those Russians …” (3)  “Russian SPR-2M Rtut-BM jammer system spotted in Donbas” – “Russian SPR-2M Rtut-BM jammer in Donetsk (coordinates)” – “70 Vehicles Delivering 600 Tons Of Humanitarian Cargo Arrives In Lugansk And Donetsk Republics, Thank You Mother Russia !”
• “I Get By with a Little Help from my Friends …”  “President of Ukraine discussed the escalation of the situation in Donbas with NATO Secretary General” (Official website of the President of Ukraine)
• From the Info-fight  “Information about the mass poisoning of soldiers in Lviv is untrue” (UKR MoD, in Ukrainian) – “War Of Words Over Ukraine ‘Combat’ Photo”

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MILNEWS.ca Highlights – August 16, 2016

Canada into Africa?

• “Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan says he has decided on the size of Canada’s expanded contribution to United Nations “peace support operations” and plans to announce that decision soon but would not say Monday where he plans to put those troops …” – “… Sajjan says while no decisions have been made yet on numbers, timing or location, Canada’s contribution to a United Nations mission will involve more than the military and go beyond what would be considered a traditional peacekeeping role …” – “Harjit Sajjan has numbers but not location for African peacekeeping” – “Une mission de paix canadienne «à long terme» en Afrique” – “Military plan for Africa will be for ‘long duration,’ says Canada’s defence minister”
• Meanwhile, in African media from Friday … “Somalia: Ethiopia And Canada to Restore Peace in the Country”
• World Socialists never happy  “Canada’s defence minister tours Africa to lay groundwork for military intervention”
• Commentary:  “The Liberals promised peacekeeping, but it’s not 1957 any more”

#CANvsISIL

• “Canadian-trained forces clearing the way to retake Mosul from ISIS” (more in “Iraq” section on the fight for Mosul)
• “Statement by the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, following his visit to the Centre for the prevention of radicalization leading to violence with Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre and Quebec Minister of Public Security Martin Coiteux”
• Federal Conservatives call to get those CF-18’s back into the fight against ISIL  “Petition: This is Canada’s Fight”

Everyone Else vs. ISIL

• “Has the US Turned a Blind Eye to Rise of Daesh in Southern Afghanistan?”
• “CENTCOM Continuing Problem With Manipulating Intelligence Estimates”
• “ISIS Expanding Its Presence In Southern Afghanistan”

Iraq

• “Iraq Situation Report: August 9-15, 2016” (ISW blog)
• “Kurdish forces fighting IS in Iraq take control of key river crossing near Mosul” – “Peshmerga clear 150 square km from ISIS near Mosul” – “Iraqi Kurds Gain New Front In Fight For Mosul” – “Iraq’s Shiite militias say they will be part of Mosul battle despite war crimes claims”
• “Iraq’s Parliament Approves Partial Cabinet Reshuffle”
• “Iraq , the graveyard of the Iranian regime”
• “Northern Iraq crude oil exports dive on pipeline outages, oil field attacks: sources”

Syria

• “Russia says close to joint military action with U.S. in Aleppo: agencies” – “Syrian Army Liberates Over Half of 1070 Apartment Project in Southwestern Aleppo. Offensive Ongoing”
• RUS now flying out of IRN  “Russia bombs Syrian militants from Iran base for first time” – “Tu-22M3 long-range bombers and Su-34 tactical bombers took off from the “Hamedan” airbase and carried out a concentrated airstrike on objects of the ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist groupings in the provinces of Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor and Idlib” (RUS MoD) – “Russian Tu-22M Bombers Spotted at Hamadan Air Base in Iran” – “Russian warplanes take off from Iran to target Islamic State in Syria” – “Russian Air Forces to ‘Minimize Risks’ of Syrian Operation by Using Iran Airbase” – “Russian Tu-22M3 Bombers Devastate ISIS from Iran’s Hamadan Air Base” – “Russia uses Iranian air base to conduct strikes in Syria” – “Russia deploys jets at Iranian Airbase to combat insurgents in Syria” – “Iran Ready to Share Infrastructure With Russia to Fight Terror in Syria”
• CHN in the game now  “Chinese military to provide ‘aid and training assistance’ to Syrian government” – “China says seeks closer military ties with Syria”
• “Carter Hails Liberation of Key Syrian City From ISIL Control”
• “Russia ‘prevented’ potential NATO launch of 624 cruise missiles in Syria – Defense Minister”
• “Why Russia’s naval exercise off the Syrian coast is a big deal”
• “Orders for U.S. Forces in Syria: ‘Don’t Get Shot’ “
• “Syria and Russia breaking law with firebomb attacks: Watchdog” – “Russia, Syria in ‘disgraceful’ use of incendiary arms” – “Rights group: Halt incendiary weapons in Syria” – “Syria/Russia: Incendiary Weapons Burn in Aleppo, Idlib” (Human Rights Watch)
• “Islamic State recruits knew pretty much nothing about Islam, documents show”

Libya

• “Islamic State claims to still control 4 neighborhoods in Sirte, Libya”
• “Libyan intelligence chief denies Italy paid ransom to release Italian hostages in Libya”
• “A New Conflict in the East? Jadhran, Haftar, and the Battles over Benghazi, Tripoli, and Sirte”
• “In Libya : Forces pledge move to “secure” oil assets”
• “Libya’s UN-backed government appoints panel to run wealth fund” – “GNA appoints new panel to run the sovereign wealth fund”

The Kurds

• “Iraq’s New Oil Minister Offers Solution to Kurdish Energy Dispute” – “Iraqi oil minister sees ways to resolve energy dispute with Kurdistan” – “New Iraqi oil minister optimistic on resolving issues with KRG”
• “Barzani: Kurdish Independence Not a Threat to Others”
• “Barzani: KDP always ready to resolve issues through dialogue”
• “Turkey expects Syrian Kurdish forces to withdraw from Manbij after operation”
• “Syrian Kurds Promise to ‘Cut Daesh’s Air Supply’ After Major Victory”
• “PYD Prevents Bodies of Fallen Rojava Peshmerga to Be Returned Home”
• “PKK May Lose Support From Moscow and Tehran”

Cold War 2.0

• “Exercise of the Russian (navy) surface action group started in the Mediterranean Sea” (RUS MoD)
• “The group of inspectors from the UK and the United States will perform an observation flight over the territory of the Russian Federation” (RUS MoD, in Russian)
• “Russian Military Options in Syria and the Ukraine”

Way Up North

• “Crews anti-aircraft Northern Fleet worked ice reconnaissance tasks in the Arctic” (RUS MoD, in Russian)

What’s Canada Buying (or Selling)?

• “Feds want RCMP to look into Canadian firm’s armoured car shipments to war-torn Libya” – “Liberals put on the spot by Streit sales in South Sudan and Libya”
• “The CEO of a Canadian company alleged to have knowingly delivered shoddy armoured vehicles to the U.S. military has lost his bids to stave off extradition to face fraud charges south of the border, but his lawyer said Monday they will keep fighting …” – “Un entrepreneur canadien accusé d’avoir fraudé l’armée américaine”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• One Participant’s Take on the Veterans Transition Course (Mark Campbell, FB)
• “Minister Hehr to make announcement regarding office reopening in Kelowna, British Columbia (today)”
• “Canadians (in AB) recognized for their dedication to Veterans”

Other

• “Halifax teen reported missing in Owen Sound” – “Police and military search for missing soldier in Owen Sound” – “Missing Meaford soldier last seen in Owen Sound”
• Remember, presumed innocent until proven guilty under the Charter  “Sexual assault charges laid against military member in Petawawa” (Canada News Centre) – “Soldier charged with sexual assault following incident in Jamaica” – “Sex assault charge laid against Canadian corporal over alleged incident in Jamaica” – “Armed Forces corporal in Petawawa, Ont., charged with sexual assault”
• “Personnel from the Canadian Special Operations Regiment and members of the First Special Service Force Association commemorate the First Special Service Force’s 70th Anniversary on 13 August, 2016 at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 517 in Petawawa, Ontario …”
• “HMCS Windsor home after international exercise and NATO operation”

Remembering

• “Army veterans say a memorial to the one million Canadians who came to Britain to fight in two World Wars is being ‘desecrated’ by people using it as a water slide and paddling pool”

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MILNEWS.ca #UKR Update – 141345UTC August 2016

Crimea Bits

• “Minister Dion concerned by heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine” (Canada News Centre) – “Canada Responds to Tensions in Crimea: No evidence to support Russian allegations” – “Canada says no evidence to support Russian accusations against Ukraine”
• “Crimean saboteurs not members of Ukrainian intelligence – Ukraine Defence Ministry” – “Kiev denies employing suspects plotting bomb attacks in Crimea” – “Ukrainian defense intelligence does not have people mentioned as Crimean ‘spies’ in Russian media – defense ministry”
• “Russian and Ukrainian versions of the Crimea “sabotage plot” “
• “U.S. General calls on Russia to allow observers at military drills in Crimea”
• “Ukraine border guards spot Lynx aerostat, Mi-8 helicopters on border with Crimea” – “Situation on Crimean border remains complicated but controllable – Ukrainian State Border Service”
• “Astronomy May Have Just Debunked Russia’s Claims About a Ukrainian Incursion Into Crimea”

Other Bits

• Updates from All Sides  “Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30, 12 August 2016” – UKR govt ATO map, 14 Aug 2016 – “Features of the situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine 05 – 11 August 2016” (UKR DefInt, in Ukrainian) – “1 Ukrainian Soldier Killed, 2 Wounded; Border Guards Head Says No Build-up of Russian Armor” – “Epicenter of Donbas fighting shifts closer to Mariupol, with two skirmishes in past day” – “The people’s militia LNR calls on the people of Ukraine to free the country from the Western masters” (LNR, in Russian) – “UKR forces placed in the vicinity of the contact line another 18 units of MLRS “Grad” – People’s Militia” (LNR, in Russian) – “DNR intelligence/reconnaisance informed about the transfer of Ukrainian “Grad” in the area of settlement Sartana” (DNR, in Russian) – “Command reported a tense situation at the front, UKR forces per day 289 times fired DNR” (DNR, in Russian) – “Russian invaders 56 times used the weapons against the Ukrainian defense” (UKR MoD in Ukrainian) – “At least 11 houses destroyed in 3 towns of the DPR” – “Ukraine reports 1 KIA, 2 WIA in past 24 hours”
• “Ukraine troops on combat alert as Russia ramps up border tensions”
• “The school on the frontline of the war in Ukraine”
• “Oh, Those Russians …”  “Russia Shelled Ukraine in August 2014. Satellite Images of 539 Craters Analyzed” – “Desertion cases increase among Russian-backed militants in Donbas” – “As Ukraine tensions soar, Putin is doing what Putin does best” – “Is Putin Planning Another War in Ukraine?”
• From the Separatist Side  “10 Things I Learned in Ghost Brigade (Prizrak Brigade)” – Prizrak Brigade (Wikipedia) – “MGB LNR asks to respond witnesses of the assassination attempt on the head of the Republic” (LNR, in Russian) – “Soldiers of the People’s Militia “tolerated, with clenched teeth,” but did not respond to the provocations of UKR forces” (LNR, in Russian) – “DPR is preparing to rebuff the attack of Ukrainian hostile army in 3 possible directions”
• “Ukrainian State Border Service could scrap conscription – border service head”
• “Latvian FM expresses support for continued negotiations using Normandy format”

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