Special Operations Command News Archive| SOCOM Or USSOCOM Alerts

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May 30th, 2023 - NATO-led KFOR statement: NATO-led KFOR: 30 KFOR peace-keepers wounded during yesterday's attack in the municipality of Zvecan. Read more

May 29, 2023 - Syrian state media reported that Israel targeted the Syrian capital of Damascus with airstrikes, citing a military source. Read more

May 28, 2023 - The United States has carried out an airstrike in Somalia, and engaged insurgents in support of the Somalian government, according to a statement released by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM). Read more

May 17th, 2023 - The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected and tracked a Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). Read more

May 14, 2023 - A ceasefire agreement has been reached between Israel and Gaza in order to bring an end to the hostilities in the region. Washington released a statement sending their "condolences to the families of civilians who were killed and those who were injured in the violence". Read more

May 11, 2023 - Israel Defense Forces (IDF): "The IDF attacked a position for launching mortar bombs of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization". A total of 507 launches toward Israel from the Gaza Strip. Read more

May 9, 2023 - Israel Defense Forces (IDF): "IDF warplanes attacked and thwarted a number of senior members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization". Read more

April 22th, 2023 - Operation Inherent Resolve: "BAGHDAD - On the morning of April 22, 2023, a Coalition Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), in direct support of Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) operations, experienced a mechanical failure and crashed south of Kirkuk, Iraq. Read more

April 17th, 2023 - U.S. Central Command: "CENTCOM confirms an ISIS Senior Leader was killed in a helicopter raid in northern Syria this morning. Read more

April 17th, 2023 - CENTCOM: "US Central Command forces conducted a unilateral helicopter raid in northern Syria in the early morning of April 17th targeting a Senior ISIS Syria Leader and Operational Planner responsible for planning terror attacks in the Middle East and Europe. Read more

March 25th, 2023 - SYRIA - The death toll resulting from US airstrikes on Iranian-backed militias in Syria has risen to 19, according to the UK-based war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Read more

March 24th, 2023 - Department of Defense: "The U.S. response to the attack on a coalition base in Syria that killed a U.S. contractor and wounded six others highlighted that the U.S. military will do what it must to protect its personnel. Read more

March 24th, 2023 - Central Command: On the morning of March 24th, at approximately 8:05 a.m. Syrian local time, 10 rockets targeted coalition forces at the Green Village in northeast Syria. Read more

March 24th, 2023 - AL-OMAR - A second U.S. base, Green Village in Syria located in the Al-Omar gas field in northeastern Syria was targeted by rockets after retaliatory strikes were carried out by the United States in response to another attack that killed an American contractor and wounded another contractor and four other service members. Read more

March 24th, 2023 - Central Command: "This evening, we responded to an attack on our forces that killed an American contractor and wounded our troops and another American contractor by striking facilities used by groups affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. Read more

February 18, 2023 - CENTCOM: TAMPA, Fla. - "Last night, during a partnered U.S. and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) helicopter raid in northeastern Syria, an explosion on target resulted in four U.S. servicemembers and one working dog wounded". Read more

February 15, 2023 - Central Command (CENTCOM) has released a statement regarding a "D-ISIS" raid that was carried out on February 10th, 2023 in which an ISIS leader was killed. Read more

February 15, 2023 - The U.S. military had been tracking the first balloon that it shot down for about a week as it left China on a heading toward Guam and Hawaii, before making a sharp turn north towards Alaska. Read more

February 13, 2023 - AFRICOM: A U.S. Airstrike has killed at least 12 al-Shabaab fighters in Somalia. The airstrike was carried out around 28 miles from northeast Mogadishu, according to U.S. Africa Command. Read more

February 13, 2023 - Statement by the Department of Defense on the "successful" shoot down of an "airborne object" flying at about 20,000 feet in altitude in U.S. airspace over Lake Huron in the state of Michigan. Read more

February 13, 2023 - WASHINGTON - The latest "object" that was shot down on Sunday over Lake Huron, which is located close to the Canadian border was "octagonal shape" with "no discernable payload". Read more

February 13, 2023 - The Michigan state representative Jack Bergman released a statement saying that he has been in contact with the Department of Defense, and that the U.S. military has "decommissioned" another "object" over Lake Huron. Read more

February 11, 2023 - Department of Defense Press Secretary brigadier general Pat Ryder releases a statement regarding the object shot down over Alaska. Read more

February 11, 2023 - The U.S. just shot down an object that was flying around Alaska around one hour ago, according to John Kirby. Read more

February 05, 2023 - After the United States Air Force carried out the operation to shoot down the Chinese surveillance balloon, efforts are underway to study and scrutinize both the balloon and its payload. Read more

February 01, 2023 - A U.S. drone strike using blade-based AGM-114 R9X Hellfire missile is suspected to have killed three suspected al-Qaeda militants in Yemen’s Marib province. Read more

January 30, 2023 - An airstrike targeted a truck convoy on the Syria-Iraq border that consisted of 25 trucks crossing over the border from Iraq into Syria via a crossing that the Hezbollah currently controls. Read more

January 29, 2023 - Israel reported to be behind the attack on the Iranian weapons factory. The Pentagon has stated that no U.S. military forces were involved in strikes, despite claims by Saudi media that the United States Air Force was involved. Read more

January 27, 2023 - DOD: "Today marks the conclusion of exercise Juniper Oak 23.2. This exercise was the largest U.S-Israel partnered exercise in history, said Deputy Pentagon Spokesperson Sabrina Singh, who held a news conference today. Read more

January 27, 2023 - The aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) carrier strike group joined the joint US/Israel Juniper Oak drills in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea as the exercise wrapped up. Read more

January 26, 2023 - US Military: "CAMP NOVO SELO, Kosovo — Kosovo Force, Regional Command-East recently conducted exercise Cavalry Guardian, an emergency response training exercise, geared toward testing team cohesion, resilience under stress and job proficiency. Read more

January 26, 2023 - US Army: "ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Almost 400 New York Army National Guard Soldiers will soon leave for a deployment to Kuwait. Read more

January 26, 2023 - The Department of the Army announced the preparation of Army units for potential deployment to backfill units currently in Europe. This potential deployment would not constitute a change to current force posture levels. Read more

January 26, 2023 - CENTRAL COMMAND: U.S. Central Command and the Israel Defense Forces carry out live-fire exercise Juniper Oak 23.2 in Israel and the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Read more

January 24, 2023 - A new bill has been introduced by United States Representative Dan Crenshaw that would allow for the use of military force against Mexican drug cartels in order to fight against drug trafficking coming into the United States. Read more

January 22, 2023 - Central Command forces conducted a partnered helicopter and ground assault raid in eastern Syria. Read more

December 21, 2022 - "Over the past 48 hours, US Central Command forces conducted three helicopter raids in eastern #Syria resulting in the detention of six ISIS operatives". Read more

December 19, 2022 - The United States has killed 15 al-Shabab militants in Somalia after carrying out airstrikes at the request of the Somalian government. Read more

December 11, 2022 - U.S. Central Command has reported that it has conducted a successful helicopter raid against ISIS at 2:57 a.m. on December 11th, which killed two ISIS officials. Read more

November 11, 2022 - US AFRICA COMMAND: "Federal Government of Somalia combats terrorists with support from U.S. forces: At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike against the al-Shabaab terrorists who were attacking the Somali forces." Read more

November 09, 2022 - Syria/Iraq - Airstrikes have been reported on the border between Syria and Iraq. Iranian-backed militia has reportedly blamed the United States for the attacks, but U.S. officials rejected the claims, saying that it wasn't them, but has confirmed that airstrikes were carried out. Al-Mayadeen has claimed that Israel carried out the drone strike. Read more

October 26, 2022 - Due to U.S. forces conducting an airstrike against al-Shabaab terrorists in Somalia, the Africa regional alert has been set to 2. Read statement from Africa Command.. Read more

October 25, 2022 - Norwegian Police Security Service arrested a scientist in Tromsoe, Norway suspected of being a spy for a Russian intelligence service. The suspect was researching "hybrid threats" tied to "Arctic Norway", according to Deputy PST chief Hedvig Moe. Read more

October 25, 2022 - Iran claims that it has arrested 10 agents allegedly working for Israel in West Azerbaijan province as part of an espionage network, according to Iranian state news agency Fars. Israeli officials claim to have struck 90% of Iran's military operations in Syria, targeting a drone assembly factory near Damascus. Read more

October 22, 2022 - The US Army's 101st Airborne Division which consists of about 4,700 soldiers has been deployed to Europe, on the border of Romania and Ukraine, for the first time since World War 2 (80 years ago). Read more

October 11, 2022 - A drone strike in northeastern Syria led by the U.S.-led coalition was carried out on Monday Read more

October 07, 2022 - CENTCOM statement: U.S. forces conducted a successful airstrike in northern Syria, killing both Abu-Hashum al-Umawi, a deputy Wali of Syria, and another senior ISIS official associated with him. Read more

October 06, 2022 - U.S. special forces have reportedly carried out a helicopter raid in Assad-controlled territory in Syria, south of Qamishli in Northeast Syria overnight. Read more

October 6, 2022 - Swedish security service concluded its investigation on the four Nordstream pipeline leaks and stated: "There have been detonations at Nord Stream 1 and 2 in the Swedish economic zone, which have caused extensive damage to the gas pipelines." Read more

October 3, 2022 - "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against the al-Shabaab militant network in Somalia on October 1. The strike occurred near Jilib, about 370 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu. Read more

September 28, 2022 - ERBIL, IRAQ - The United States has shot down an Iranian Mojer-6 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) headed in the direction of U.S. forces in Erbil, Iraq. Read more

September 08, 2022 - Japan's Ministry of Defense has released another update on Taiwan's defense strategy "to prevent an invasion by China at the furthest distance possible". Read more

September 08, 2022 - China has been increasingly aggressive about controlling the microchip industry and emboldened in its aggressive stance towards Taiwan since the U.S. pullout of Afghanistan, and the lack of direct involvement in the Ukraine conflict by the United States. Read more

September 02, 2022 - The Taiwanese military have shot down an unidentified unmanned "civilian drone" near Kinmen, Taiwan on Thursday, September 1st. Japan's Ministry of Defense has also put out a statement, along with a map showing Taiwan's defensive strategy, meant to deter "Chinese aggression". The United States is also strengthening "alliance" with the Philippines. Read more

September 02, 2022 - UNITED STATES - Law enforcement agencies across the country are using a mysterious cellphone tracking tool that lies in an unregulated gray zone in regard to personal rights. Read more

August 31, 2022 - Israel has allegedly fired several missiles at the Aleppo International Airport, with "several missiles, causing material damage". This, on the same day that U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, in order to "consult on global and regional security challenges, including threats posed by Iran". Read more

August 29, 2022 - Amid renewed shelling at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the UN's IAEA has decided to go ahead and visit the plant and has dispatched a team of nuclear specialists. The facility, which has a total of six nuclear reactors, has already been taken completely offline during shelling the previous week, according to the IAEA website. Read more

August 25, 2022 - Israel is reportedly striking targets located in Syria. Explosions have been reported in Tartus, and Syrian state media says that its air defenses are engaging "hostile targets" over the Masyaf region in northwestern Syria. Read more

August 25, 2022 - CENTCOM: forces respond to attempted coordinated rocket attacks at Conoco, Green Village bases in northeast Syria. "U.S. forces responded today to rocket attacks at two sites in Syria, destroying three vehicles and equipment used to launch some of the rockets. Read more

August 22, 2022 - The US Embassy in North Macedonia put out a message saying, "Look up! Today at 2:30 pm there will be a low-altitude flyover of two B-52s in Skopje". Read more

August 21, 2022 - On August 18th US military B-52 nuclear-capable bombers returned to the 'RAF' Fairford US Air Force base in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom from the Minot Air Base in North Dakota. Read more

August 07, 2022 - GAZA - Another airstrike has claimed the life of another PIJ Top Commander, Khaled Mansour, targeted at an apartment building in the crowded Rafah refugee camp in southern Gaza, as the Israeli Defense Force continues their offensive against the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Read more

August 02, 2022 - The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has carried out a successful drone strike in Afghanistan against al Qaeda leader al-Zawahiri. Read more

July 26, 2022 - SYRIA/IRAQ - IRAQ - An ongoing military operation by the Turkish Armed Forces in northern Iraq, against the Kurdistan Workers' Party ( PKK ) in the Duhok Governorate, is the next phase of many operations utilizing the code word 'claw' aimed at the PKK. Other operations, beginning in 2019, prior to Claw-Lock include the following: Claw-Eagle, Claw-Tiger, Claw-Lightening, & Claw-Thunderbolt. Read more

July 22, 2022 - Former U.S. national security advisor John Bolton publicly admitted that he has helped plan coups abroad. China took note of the interview and reported about it on their military website. Read more

July 19, 2022 - The United States military has put out a statement saying that it carried out an airstrike in Somalia on Sunday, killing two Al-Shabab fighters. The airstrike was carried out in southern Jubaland, near Libikus in the Lower Juba region, according to AFRICOM on Monday. Read more

June 27, 2022 - CENTCOM Statement Regarding Strike Carried Out In Syria. "CENTCOM Forces conducted a kinetic strike in Idlib province, Syria, June 27, targeting Abu Hamzah al Yemeni, a senior leader of Hurras al-Din, an Al Qaeda-aligned terrorist organization. Read more

June 27, 2022 - The US Military has carried out a strike on a vehicle on the Idlib-Binnish road in the Idlib province in Syria on Monday, targeting a senior leader of the Al-Qaeda aligned militant group, Hurras al-Din. Read more

June 17, 2022 - The U.S. military captured a senior Islamic State leader during the night raid in northern Syria on Wednesday night who the coalition stated was an experienced bomb maker and operational facilitator. Read more

June 16, 2022 - Coalition forces detained a senior Daesh leader during an operation in Syria June 16. The detained individual was assessed to be an experienced bomb maker and facilitator who became one of the group’s top leaders in Syria. Read more

June 16, 2022 - The U.S. Apache and Chinook helicopters that were spotted flying over Jarablus, Northern Aleppo, Syria were reportedly a part of a night raid by U.S. Led coalition forces to capture a 'Senior Daesh [ISIS] leader'. Read more

June 4, 2022 - A U.S. drone strike carried out on Friday has killed five members of the Al-Shabaab terrorist organization. The drone strike was coordinated with the Somali government according to a press release from the Somali Ministry of Information. Read more

May 18, 2022 - The USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier strike group, along with other United States naval vessels have come under NATO command once again for Neptune Shield Drills in the Baltic, Adriatic, and Mediterranean Seas. Read more

February 3, 2022 - Full report from the U.S. Department of Defense regarding the US raid on Northern Syria and elimination of ISIS leader. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said today that the United States and its citizens are safer after the death of the leader of ISIS in northwest Syria. Read more

February 3, 2022 - More details have been given about the mission in northern Syria. The Pentagon has put out a statement saying that the operation that was carried out in Northwest Syria to eliminate or capture Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi who the Pentagon says is the leader of ISIS was a complete success, but stated that the terrorist blew up a bomb that killed civilians, including his family. Read more

February 3, 2022 - The Pentagon has said that the U.S. Military has carried out a 'successful' counterterrorism mission in northwest Syria, but did not provide much in the way of details, though earlier reports of the raid piece together what happened. Read more

February 3, 2022 - Reports earlier of U.S. gunship helicopters firing on targets in Idlib Syria have been confirmed. There has been a U.S. led raid in northern Syria in the town of Atmeh, Idlib that resulted in several civilian casualties and leaving at least 12 dead. Read more

June 12, 2021: The United States Navy is adding Mach-5 hypersonic missiles that have been in development to three of its warships boosting their ability to attack land targets considerably, as well as their range. Full story

June 12, 2021: Declassified copy of the MK-Ultra mind control experiments between 1953 and 1964. Read more

April 25, 2021: The U.S. Navy’s New Unhackable GPS Alternative: The Stars. GPS is incredibly easy to hack and spoof which makes it unreliable.

KFOR Update On Zvecan Attacks May 30th, 2023 - NATO-led KFOR statement: "The number of peace-keepers wounded during yesterday's unprovoked violence in the municipality of Zvecan is 30". Read More On Defcon Alerts Platform.

11 soldiers from the Italian contingent and 19 from the Hungarian contingent sustained multiple injuries, including fractures and burns from improvised explosive incendiary devices.

Syria Claims Israel Targeted Damascus With Air Strikes - DAMASCUS - Syrian state media reported that Israel targeted the Syrian capital of Damascus with airstrikes, citing a military source. Read On SJ (News) | Read On Patreon (Intel/Alerts).

While Israel rarely acknowledges strikes in Syria, it has admitted to carrying out hundreds of strikes in the past targeting militias in the region.

U.S. Forces Engage Insurgents In Support Of The Federal Government of Somalia, Carries Out Airstrike - United States Africa Command: "In support of the Federal Government of Somalia and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia operations against al Shabaab, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against militants in the vicinity of the ATMIS forward operating base, FOB Bulo Marer on May 26." Read On SJ (News) | Read On Patreon (Intel/Alerts).

AFRICOM: "The command’s initial assessment is that no civilians were injured or killed. U.S. Africa Command takes great measures to prevent civilian casualties. Protecting civilians remains a vital part of the command’s operations to promote a more secure and stable Africa".

NORAD detects Russian aircraft operating in Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone - Northern American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD): "COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected and tracked a Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on May 15, 2023. (Intel delayed, governments don't always release information to public right away). Sign Up For All Alerts

The Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace.

This flight occurred as several planned large-scale military training exercises are ongoing in and around Alaska. This Russian activity in the Alaska ADIZ occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat.

An ADIZ begins where sovereign airspace ends and is a defined stretch of international airspace that requires the ready identification, location and control of all aircraft in the interest of national security.

NORAD employs a layered defense network of satellites, ground-based and airborne radars and fighter aircraft to track and identify aircraft and inform appropriate actions.

NORAD remains ready to employ a number of response options in defense of North America."

Ceasefire Agreement Reached Between Israel And Gaza - ISRAEL - A ceasefire agreement has been reached between Israel and Gaza in order to bring an end to the hostilities in the region. Washington released a statement sending their "condolences to the families of civilians who were killed and those who were injured in the violence". Read More Alerts

The U.S. State Department said that the United States will "continue our efforts to improve quality of life for Palestinians and we urge the swift delivery of fuel and other critical supplies into Gaza".

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Statement (translated)

IDF spokesperson: "Update regarding instructions for the home front: "In accordance with the assessment of the situation in the IDF, it was decided to gradually remove the restrictions. These instructions may change subject to and in accordance with the assessment of the situation.

As a first step, at 6:00 a.m. (Sun), the restrictions will be lifted in the settlements that belong to the West Negev, Central Negev, West Lakish and Lakish guideline areas.

At 12:00 the restrictions will be lifted in localities that belong to the guidelines area surrounding Gaza. The IDF wishes to obey the directives of the Home Front Command."

IDF spokesperson: "At the end of the assessment of the situation in the IDF, it was decided to open all road blockades in the area surrounding Gaza starting at 06:00".

State Department Statement Welcoming Ceasefire Agreement in Israel and Gaza

US State Department: "The United States welcomes the agreement today for a ceasefire to bring an end to the hostilities in Israel and Gaza. We express our condolences to the families of civilians who were killed and those who were injured in the violence.

The United States commends Egypt’s crucial role in mediating the ceasefire agreement, which will prevent the further loss of civilian lives. We also recognize Qatar’s robust efforts to de-escalate the situation and end the hostilities, as well as the international community’s support for the ceasefire. Our team worked tirelessly in cooperation with our partners to support these efforts.

The United States reaffirms our ironclad commitment to Israel’s security, as reflected in our ongoing support for Iron Dome and other Israeli missile defense systems.

We will remain engaged with our partners to promote calm in the weeks and months ahead. We also will continue our efforts to improve quality of life for Palestinians and we urge the swift delivery of fuel and other critical supplies into Gaza.

The United States believes that Israelis and Palestinians both deserve to live safely and securely and to enjoy equal measures of freedom, prosperity, and democracy."

IDF Continues To Launch Mortar And Rocket Launching Positions In Gaza Strip - Israel Defense Forces (IDF): Operation "Shield and Arrow" - IDF spokesperson: "The IDF attacked a position for launching mortar bombs of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization". Read More Alerts

IDF Statement: "An IDF aircraft recently attacked a mortar bomb launching position of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization in the northern Gaza Strip."

IDF Statement: "A total of 507 launches. Of these, 368 crossed into Israel and 110 failed. About 1 out of 5 launched fell in the Gaza Strip. About 154 interceptions were made. About 147 targets were attacked."

IDF Said The Operation Against Islamic Jihad In Gaza Strip "Achieved", But Not Without Civilian Deaths

JERUSALEM - A spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spoke to Fox News and said that the "operation" against Islamic Jihad forces in the Gaza Strip was "achieved" and was successful.

Israeli Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said, "We targeted Islamic Jihad terrorist members, specifically the ones that were unstabilizing the area. We have killed them in the [first] minutes of the operation. They're all dead".

He added, "The goals of this operation have been achieved in the first early seconds of the operation. We are targeting Islamic Jihad and they have paid a big price on their actions, and they will keep on paying the price for their actions".

"Islamic Jihad is a terrorist organization founded 100% by Iran. Iran is a negative actor in the region, but we have targeted Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip in this operation because of the stability of the area".

In total, 15 people were killed in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday through a number of airstrikes on the region, including Khalil Bahitini, the commanding officer of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror organization’s Northern Gaza Division; Jahed Ahnam, the secretary of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad military council; and Tareq Izzeldeen, the Islamic Jihad's intermediary between its the Gaza Strip and West Bank, according to the report.

Although the strikes resulted in terrorist casualties, they also resulted in civilian casualties, due to the fact that the terrorists "act in very crowded civilian populations," such as the highly-populated Gaza Strip.

Hagari told Fox News that "Gaza is one of the crowded urban areas in the world, and it makes it harder. But we keep on doing it the best accurate way that we can and the best moral way that we can. But we have to protect our own civilians".

Terrorist organizations located within the Gaza Strip are known to both hide, and operate out of densely populated areas, as well as civilian facilities such as schools and hospitals to limit the Israeli military's ability to target their locations without also taking out civilians in the process.

"we have no other way to fight against terror, especially Islamic jihad that is hiding and hiding with women and children and is acting around popular population areas," he added.

The attached video shows a case where the IDF identified children in the vicinity of Israeli strikes, after which the aircraft ceased its fire once it identified children within the attack zone.

"There's a boy outside here, 40 meters - stop stop," reads a translated transcript of the video dialogue.

An IDF statement said regarding the video, "The moment an IAF pilot cancels a strike against Islamic Jihad terrorists because of the presence of children near the target".

Another statement by the IDF said, "During an attack on targets of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization in the last day by IDF aircraft, two children who were not involved in the attack range were identified. Following the identification, the plane stopped the attack".

Hagari said that until there is a "formal" ceasefire declared, Israel will respond to any attacks originating from the Gaza Strip.

"Until there's a formal declaration of a cease-fire. It's not formal," he said.

IDF: Warplanes Attacked, Thwarted Islamic Jihad Terrorist Organization, Continues To Attack Targets In Gaza Strip - Israel Defense Forces (IDF): "IDF warplanes attacked and thwarted a number of senior members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization". Read More

The Israel Defense Forces continue to attack more Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization targets in the Gaza Strip.

IDF spokesperson: "The IDF is currently attacking additional terrorist targets of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip".

Israeli Home Front Command: Due to the security situation, the Home Front Command established the following guidelines

Israeli Home Front Command: "Due to the security situation, the Home Front Command established the following guidelines effective tuesday, May 9, 2023, at 02:30, until wednesday, May 10, 2023, at 18:00:Gaza Envelope, Western Lachish, Western Negev, and some of the towns in Lachish - Limited Activity

Educational Activities - do not hold educational activities. Gatherings and Services - can be held with a limit of up to 10 people outdoors and up to 100 people indoors.

The beaches are closed to the public. Workplaces - it is possible to carry out an activity in a place from which a standard protected space can be reached within the time available to reach shelter. The rest of the country - Full Activity

There are no restrictions on holding educational activities, activities at workplaces and gatherings and services.Each and every one of us must make sure that we are prepared and know how to act to protect our lives and the lives of our loved ones.

Upon receiving an alert, you must enter the protected space and stay there for 10 minutes. You must continue to follow the guidelines published by the Home Front Command in the official distribution channels."

Israeli IDF: The IDF and Shin Bet thwarted three senior members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization - Israel Defense Forces (IDF): IDF warplanes attacked and thwarted a senior member of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization, Khalil Bahitini, who is responsible for the rocket fire into the area surrounding Gaza in the last month. Read More

IDF warplanes attacked and thwarted a number of senior members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization - Khalil Bahitini, Tarek Ezz Al-Din and Jihad A'nam.

In a joint operation by the IDF and the Shin Bet, the commander of the northern Gaza Strip was foiled by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization responsible for the rocket fire into Otef last month

Khalil Bahitini is the senior operational commander of the organization and the commander of the northern Gaza Strip region. In addition, Bahitini was responsible for approving and carrying out All of the terrorist activities from the area of ​​the northern Gaza Strip. Behitini was engaged in directing and planning attacks in the rear of the State of Israel and planned to shoot at Israeli territory in the near future.

Bhaitini, 44 years old, a resident of Gaza City, began his activities in the GAP organization in the late 1990s and over the years was involved in many terrorist acts against Israel - including promoting suicide attacks, explosives, rocket fire and directing terrorist activity in Israel.

After the defeat of Taysir Jabari in August 2022 as part of the 'Dawn' operation, Behitini stepped in as his replacement. Bahitini is a member of the GAP military council in the Gaza Strip and has direct and active contact with senior officials in the GAP political bureau.

Its failure is added to the attack on the heads of the military wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization in recent years - Baha'i Abu-Alata, Taysir Jabri and Khaled Mansour, this as part of an attack on the GAP organization in the Gaza Strip.

The IDF and Shin Bet will continue to act in order to preserve the insurance of the residents of the State of Israel

Israel: IDF Striking Islamic Jihad Targets In Gaza - Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released a statement: "The IDF is now attacking targets of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip". Read More

IDF spokesperson (image/statement translated): "In accordance with the assessment of the situation, the Home Front Command instructs the residents of the surrounding settlements of the Gaza Strip to stay near a protected area.

Special instructions on the home front within a range of 40 km from the Gaza Strip are published on the national emergency portal, the instructions are valid from Tuesday, 05.09.2023 at 02:30 until Wednesday, 05.10.2023 at 18:00".

Additional statement: "Following a situational assessment, the Home Front Command is instructing civilians in the area surrounding Gaza to remain in the vicinity of a designated shelter until Wednesday."

Israeli IDF: Changes in the traffic arrangements on the roads encircling Gaza

IDF spokesperson: "Defense Minister Yoav Galant confirmed a special situation on the home front; In light of the assessment of the situation - changes in the traffic arrangements on the roads surrounding Gaza

In light of the assessment of the situation, it was decided to close roads and sites, and to switch to traveling on alternative roads in the areas near the perimeter fence in the Gaza Strip".

Changes in the traffic arrangements on the roads encircling Gaza (translated)

IDF: "In light of the assessment of the situation, it was decided to close roads and sites, and to switch to traveling on alternative roads in the areas near the perimeter fence in the Gaza Strip.

The areas that will be blocked are all the agricultural access roads west of road 232. In addition, the following branches will also be closed: Road number 4 - from the Zikim junction to Netiv Hatara. Road number 34 - from the Yad Mordechai intersection to the Nir Am intersection. Road number 232 - in sections from Melslim to Saad and Menir Yitzhak to Kerem Shalom.

will also be closed - Mbari road to the south until the connection with road 232, road 25 Mased to the west, road number 2428 Monir Oz to road 2410 and road 242 to the Gama junction and to the Hisufim junction.

Access to Kibbutz Zikim will be possible on the road south of road 3411, access to Moshav Nativ Hathara will be possible on the road from road 3411 to road 4, access to Kibbutz Yad Mordechai will be possible on the road from road 3411 heading south to near Mordechai, access to Kibbutz Nahal Oz will be possible on a bypass road from road 25, access to kibbutz Nir Oz will be possible via a bypass road leaving from Highway 2410, access to Kibbutz Kerem Shalom will be possible via the eastern road to Highway 232 from Nir Yitzhak to Kerem Shalom, access to Kibbutz Sofa and Kibbutz Hulit will be possible via the western road to Highway 232 from Nir Yitzhak.

Also, entry to Givat "Kobi" ("The Four Monuments") in Sderot, to the "Black Arrow" monument, to Givat Ha'Pemoni in the name of the late Asaf Siboni, to Givat Nazmit and to Givat "The Lonely Horseman" will be prohibited.

In addition, it was decided to close Zikim Beach to visitors and to stop train traffic between Ashkelon and Sderot.

It will be emphasized that the space will be closed to traffic in order to maintain the safety of the residents."

Coalition Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Crashes Outside Kirkuk - Operation Inherent Resolve: "BAGHDAD - On the morning of April 22, 2023, a Coalition Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), in direct support of Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) operations, experienced a mechanical failure and crashed south of Kirkuk, Iraq. Read More Alerts

The ISF quickly secured the crash site, while Coalition service members cleared the area with a controlled detonation. There were no injuries and no damage to civilian infrastructure.

Coalition UAVs provide vital intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities to the ISF, enabling Defeat-ISIS operations throughout the region.

Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve advises, assists, and enables partner forces in Iraq and Syria to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS."

CENTCOM Confirms ISIS Senior Leader Killed In Helicopter Raid In Northern Syria This Morning - U.S. Central Command: "CENTCOM confirms an ISIS Senior Leader was killed in a helicopter raid in northern Syria this morning. Read More Alerts

CENTCOM Confirms ISIS Senior Leader killed in a Helicopter Raid in Northern Syria Early this morning, April 17, U.S. Central Command forces killed Abd-al-Hadi Mahmud al-Haji Ali, a senior ISIS Syria leader and operational planner responsible for planning terror attacks in the Middle East and Europe.

This was the ISIS leader who was killed in a unilateral helicopter raid in northern Syria today that was announced this morning. Abd-al-Hadi Mahmud al-Haji Ali was the primary target of the raid.

Two other ISIS operatives were killed in the raid. This operation was launched after intelligence revealed an ISIS plot to kidnap officials abroad as leverage for ISIS initiatives.

"We know ISIS retains the desire to strike beyond the Middle East, said Col. Joe Buccino, a CENTCOM spokesperson. "We are therefore committed to the enduring defeat of ISIS."

Helicopter Raid in Northern Syria Targets Senior ISIS Leader - CENTCOM: "US Central Command forces conducted a unilateral helicopter raid in northern Syria in the early morning of April 17th targeting a Senior ISIS Syria Leader and Operational Planner responsible for planning terror attacks in the Middle East and Europe. Read More Alerts

The raid resulted in the probable death of the targeted individual. Two other armed individuals were killed on the target.

Extensive planning went into this operation to ensure its successful execution. No US troops were wounded. No US helicopters were damaged. We assess no civilians were killed or injured.

"Though degraded, ISIS remains able to conduct operations within the region with a desire to strike beyond the Middle East," said General Michael "Erik" Kurilla, CENTCOM Commander.

"We will continue the relentless campaign against ISIS." "This operation reaffirms CENTCOM's steadfast commitment to the region and the enduring defeat of ISIS," said Joe Buccino, a CENTCOM spokesman. "We will provide additional details soon."

Retaliatory Strikes In Syria Against Iranian-Backed Militias Result In 19 Deaths - SYRIA - The death toll resulting from US airstrikes on Iranian-backed militias in Syria has risen to 19, according to the UK-based war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Read More Alerts

The SOHR said that air raids killed three Syrian soldiers and 11 Syrians working for Iran-backed militias, five non-Syrian fighters aligned with the government.

Four of the killed are reported by the war monitor as having identities that "remain unknown".

The war monitor reported that the airstrikes "Were executed by US fighter jets and unidentified aircraft on positions of Iranian-backed militias in Deir Ezzor in the early hours of Friday".

After the first response to the attack that killed a U.S. contractor and wounded six others, a series of retaliatory strikes occurred which resulted in another United States service member being wounded, officials said.

The SOHR said that after the attacks, Iranian-backed militias in "Al-Mayadeen, Al-Bokamal and Deir Ezzor cities amassed their troops and were put on high alert, in preparation for new attacks".

U.S. Responds to Attack That Killed U.S. Contractor in Syria - DOD: "The U.S. response to the attack on a coalition base in Syria that killed a U.S. contractor and wounded six others highlighted that the U.S. military will do what it must to protect its personnel. Read More Alerts

Iranian-backed militias in Syria were responsible for the drone attack on the coalition base near Hasakah in northeastern Syria. The coalition base houses personnel working to ensure the lasting defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, at the direction of President Joe Biden, authorized U.S. Central Command forces to conduct precision strikes into eastern Syria against facilities used by groups affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder during a news conference today. "The airstrikes were conducted in response to yesterday's attack, as well as a series of recent attacks against coalition forces in Syria by groups affiliated with the IRGC," he said.

F-15E fighters assigned in Centcom launched the attack at approximately 2:40 a.m. local time. "We're continuing to assess the outcome of the strikes," Ryder said. "Initial indications are that the facilities were destroyed. These precision strikes were intended to protect and defend U.S. personnel, and the U.S. took proportionate and deliberate action intended to limit the risk of escalation and minimize casualties."

This morning, Iranian-backed groups launched 10 rockets that targeted coalition forces at the Green Village in northeast Syria. The attack resulted in no injuries to U.S. or coalition personnel and no damage to U.S. equipment or facilities, Ryder said.

"Our current assessment is that this these rocket attacks were conducted by IRGC-affiliated groups, that this rocket attack was done in an effort to retaliate for last night's attacks," the press secretary said. "Again, they did not cause any damage at the coalition facility. As far as any type of future action, I'm not going to talk about or preview potential future operations other than to say we will always reserve the right to respond appropriately if our forces are threatened."

Iran is a source of instability all around the region. Ryder noted Iranian proxies operate in Yemen, the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf, and Lebanon. The Iranians have been supplying the drones that Russia is using to attack innocents in Ukraine, he said.

"The United States and our coalition allies and partners … are focused on trying to ensure stability, security in these regions," Ryder said. "And that will continue to be our focus. We do not seek a wider conflict. With that said, if our people are threatened, we will continue to respond appropriately and proportionately."

CENTCOM Statement On Rocket Attack on Green Village, Northeast Syria - TAMPA, Fla. – On the morning of March 24th, at approximately 8:05 a.m. Syrian local time, 10 rockets targeted coalition forces at the Green Village in northeast Syria. Read More Alerts

The attack resulted in no injuries to U.S. or coalition personnel and no damage to U.S. equipment or facilities.

One of the rockets missed the facility by almost five kilometers, striking a civilian house, causing significant damage and causing minor injuries to two women and two children.

“This kind of indiscriminate rocket attack places not only our forces and coalition forces at risk, but also jeopardizes the local civilian population as well as the security and stability of Syria and the entire region,” said Col. Joe Buccino, a spokesperson for U.S. Central Command.

“As President Biden has made clear, we will take all necessary measures to defend our people and will always respond at a time and place of our choosing,” continued Buccino.

Second US Base Hit In Syria After US Retaliatory Strikes - AL-OMAR - A second U.S. base, Green Village in Syria located in the Al-Omar gas field in northeastern Syria was targeted by rockets after retaliatory strikes were carried out by the United States in response to another attack that killed an American contractor and wounded another contractor and four other service members. Read More Alerts

In the latest attack, the rockets were fired at the Green Village base but did not result in any casualties according to Major John Moore, who is a spokesperson for the United States Central Command (CENTCOM).

ABC News reporter Luis Martinez reported that 10 rockets were fired at the Green Village base.

The retaliatory strikes by the United States before the second attack on a US base were carried out after a drone strike by militant groups affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), according to a statement by the Pentagon.

The drone strike occurred at a US coalition base coalition base near Hasakah in northeast Syria at about 1:38 p.m. local time Thursday.

The statement by Central Command said "Our troops remain in Syria to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS, which benefits the security and stability of not only Syria, but the entire region".

CENTCOM: Attack On Forces Killed American Contractor In Syria, Wounded Troops And Another Contractor - Central Command: "This evening, we responded to an attack on our forces that killed an American contractor and wounded our troops and another American contractor by striking facilities used by groups affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. Read More Alerts

"We will always take all necessary measures to defend our people and will always respond at a time and place of our choosing. We are postured for scalable options in the face of any additional Iranian attacks.

"The thoughts and prayers of US Central Command are with the Family of our contractor killed and with our wounded servicemembers and contractor.

"Our troops remain in Syria to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS, which benefits the security and stability of not only Syria, but the entire region."

DOD: Attack On Forces Killed American Contractor In Syria, Wounded Troops And Another Contractor - Department of Defense:" Earlier today, a U.S. contractor was killed and five U.S. service members and one additional U.S. contractor were wounded after a one-way unmanned aerial vehicle struck a maintenance facility on a Coalition base near Hasakah in northeast Syria at approximately 1:38 p.m. local time. Read More Alerts

The intelligence community assess the UAV to be of Iranian origin.

"At the direction of President Biden, I authorized U.S. Central Command forces to conduct precision airstrikes tonight in eastern Syria against facilities used by groups affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC)," said Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III. "The airstrikes were conducted in response to today’s attack as well as a series of recent attacks against Coalition forces in Syria by groups affiliated with the IRGC."

These precision strikes are intended to protect and defend U.S. personnel. The United States took proportionate and deliberate action intended to limit the risk of escalation and minimize casualties.

"As President Biden has made clear, we will take all necessary measures to defend our people and will always respond at a time and place of our choosing," said Secretary Austin. "No group will strike our troops with impunity."

"Our thoughts are with the family and colleagues of the contractor who was killed and with those who were wounded in the attack earlier today," said the Secretary.

Two of the wounded service members were treated on site, while three additional service members and the U.S. contractor were medically evacuated to Coalition medical facilities in Iraq."

CENTCOM: ISIS Senior Leader Killed and Four U.S. Servicemembers Wounded in Helicopter Raid in Northeastern Syria - CENTRAL COMMAND: "TAMPA, Fla. - Last night, during a partnered U.S. and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) helicopter raid in northeastern Syria, an explosion on target resulted in four U.S. servicemembers and one working dog wounded. The targeted ISIS senior leader, Hamza al- Homsi, was killed. The U.S. servicemembers and working dog are receiving treatment in a U.S. medical facility in Iraq."Get All Alerts & News

A second statement said, "ISIS Senior Leader Killed and Four U.S. Servicemembers Wounded in Helicopter Raid in Northeastern Syria".

Central Command Carries Out D-ISIS Raid On February 10th, 2023 - Central Command (CENTCOM) has released a statement regarding a "D-ISIS" raid that was carried out on February 10th, 2023 in which an ISIS leader was killed. Get Alerts Early

CENTCOM Statement: "A partnered D-ISIS raid on Feb 10th resulted in the seizure of multiple weapons, ammo, and a suicide belt. We can confirm Ibrahim Al Qahtani, an ISIS official associated with planning ISIS detention center attacks, was killed in the raid. 10,000+ ISIS detainees are held in Syria".

US Military Tracked Balloon As It Left China, Before It Entered US Mainland - "The U.S. military had been tracking the first balloon that it shot down for about a week as it left China on a heading toward Guam and Hawaii, before making a sharp turn north towards Alaska. Read Full Article

US Airstrike Kills 12 al-Shabaab Fighters In Somalia - AFRICOM: A U.S. Airstrike has killed at least 12 al-Shabaab fighters in Somalia. The airstrike was carried out around 28 miles from northeast Mogadishu, according to U.S. Africa Command. Sign up for Live News Alerts.

The Statement By AFRICOM said, "At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia and in support of Somali National Army engagements against al-Shabaab, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike Feb 10, 2023.

“The initial assessment is the strike killed 12 al Shabaab fighters. Given the remote location of the operation, the command assesses that no civilians were injured or killed," the statement added.

It also said that the airstrike was carried out at the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, and in support of the Somali National Army.

General Michael Langley, the AFRICOM commander said, "U.S. Africa Command provides support to the Somali government to address terrorist threats, but we are only part of the U.S. efforts there".

He added, “Our Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development colleagues have programs that help build resilience through education and training; develop agricultural diversity; improve markets and trade; and strengthen democracy and good governance".

Live Pentagon Update On Latest Objects Shot Down Over United States - Watch Live Pentagon update on the latest objects shot down over North America by the United States Air Force. Watch Now.

DoD Statement On Shoot-Down Of Airborne Object Over Lake Huron, Michigan - The following is a statement by the Department of Defense on the "successful" shoot down of an "airborne object" flying at about 20,000 feet in altitude in U.S. airspace over Lake Huron in the state of Michigan.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE: "Today at 2:42 p.m., at the direction of President Biden, and based on the recommendations of Secretary Austin and military leadership, an F-16 fired an AIM9x to successfully shoot down an airborne object flying at approximately 20,000 feet altitude in U.S. airspace over Lake Huron in the State of Michigan. Its path and altitude raised concerns, including that it could be a hazard to civil aviation.

The location chosen for this shoot down afforded us the opportunity to avoid impact to people on the ground while improving chances for debris recovery. There are no indications of any civilians hurt or otherwise affected.

North American Aerospace Defense Command detected the object Sunday morning and has maintained visual and radar tracking of it. Based on its flight path and data we can reasonably connect this object to the radar signal picked up over Montana, which flew in proximity to sensitive DOD sites.

We did not assess it to be a kinetic military threat to anything on the ground, but assess it was a safety flight hazard and a threat due to its potential surveillance capabilities. Our team will now work to recover the object in an effort to learn more."

Latest Object Shot Down Was "Octagonal" In Shape - WASHINGTON - The latest "object" that was shot down on Sunday over Lake Huron, which is located close to the Canadian border was "octagonal shape" with "no discernable payload", Reuters cited a senior official as saying.

The report also said that the United States had "no indication" that the object shot down over Lake Huron posed a military threat, or that it had any surveillance capabilities to speak of.

Although some reports say three objects have been shot down over North America, Reuters reports that four objects have actually been downed in total.

U.S. Military Decommissioned Another "Object" Over Lake Huron - LAKE HURON - The Michigan state representative Jack Bergman released a statement saying that he has been in contact with the Department of Defense, and that the U.S. military has "decommissioned" another "object" over Lake Huron. Read Full Article

Michigan Representative Jack Bergman: "I’ve been in contact with DOD regarding operations across the Great Lakes region today. The US military has decommissioned another “object” over Lake Huron. I appreciate the decisive action by our fighter pilots. The American people deserve far more answers than we have."

FAA - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reopened airspace over Lake Michigan after declaring "potential contact" with an unidentified object over the region, which NORAD declared a "radar anomaly" and deployed fighter jets to investigate.

The FAA reported that it had closed the airspace over Lake Michigan so that they could examine the "potential contact" and later determined that it posed no threat.

The FAA announced on Sunday, "Pilots who do not adhere to the following [procedure] may be intercepted, detained and interview by law enforcement or security personnel".

In another statement to Fox News Digital, the FAA said, "The FAA briefly closed some airspace over Lake Michigan to support Department of Defense activities. The airspace has been reopened".

Montana Representative Matt Rosendale released a statement that said, "I am in constant communication with NORCOM and they have just advised me that they have confidence there IS an object and it WAS NOT an anomaly. I am waiting now to receive visual confirmation. Our nation’s security is my priority".

NOTAM Activated Over Canada Due To "Active Air Defense Operation - CANADA - A NOTAM has been activated over Toronto, Canada to to an "active air defense operation".

DoD Releases Statement About Object Shot Down Over Alaska - Department of Defense Press Secretary brigadier general Pat Ryder released a statement regarding the object shot down over Alaska, as well as further details about the balloon shot down on February 4th.

He said that the object was the size of a "small car" and not similar in "size or shape to the high-altitude surveillance balloon that was taken down off the coast of South Carolina on February 4th".

"Debris that's been recovered so far is being loaded on to vessels taken ashore, cataloged, and then moved onwards to labs for subsequent analysis. And while I won't go into specifics due to classification reasons, I can say that we have located a significant amount of debris so far that will prove helpful to our further understanding of this balloon and its surveillance capabilities," Ryder said

"We have no further details about the object at this time, including any description of its capabilities, purpose or origin," Ryder added.

Statement By DoD Press Secretary

"At the direction of the President of the United States fighter aircraft assigned to the U.S. Northern Command successfully took down a high-altitude airborne object off the northern coast of Alaska at 1:45pm Eastern Standard Time today within U.S. sovereign airspace over U.S. territorial water.

On February 9th, North American Aerospace Command detected an object on ground radar and further investigated and identified the object using fighter aircraft.

The object was flying at an altitude of 40,000 feet and posed a reasonable threat to the safety of civilian flight. U.S. Northern command is beginning recovery operations now.

U.S. Northern Command's Alaska Command coordinated the operation with assistance from the Alaska international guard, Federal Aviation Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

We have no further details about the object at this time, including any description of its capabilities, purpose or origin.

The object was about the size of a small car so not similar in size or shape to the high-altitude surveillance balloon that was taken down off the coast of South Carolina on February 4th".

Another Object Posing A "Reasonable Threat" Shot Out Of The Sky Over Alaska - WHITE HOUSE - The U.S. just shot down an object that was flying around Alaska around one hour ago, according to John Kirby. White House Video Statement

Kirby said, "a high altitude object over Alaska air space...within the last hour" that we had been tracking for "the last 24 hours," and stated, "the object posed a reasonable threat".

"I can confirm that the Department of Defense was tracking a high altitude object over Alaska airspace in the last 24 hours out. The object was flying at an altitude of 40,000 feet and posed a reasonable threat to the safety of civilian flight. Out of an abundance of caution and the recommendation of the Pentagon, President Biden ordered the military to down the object. And they did. And it came in inside our territorial waters," Kirby stated.

Kirby also said, "The way it was described to me was roughly the size of a small car as opposed to a payload that was like two or three buses sized," Kirby said.

"We do not know who owns it, whether it's state owned or corporate owned or privately owned".

Efforts Underway To Study Chinese Surveillance Balloon After Downed - After the United States Air Force carried out the operation to shoot down the Chinese surveillance balloon, efforts are underway to study and scrutinize both the balloon and its payload. Read Full Article

Suspected US Drone Strike In Yemen Kills 3 Suspected al-Qaeda Militants - (Based on translations) - A U.S. drone strike is suspected to have killed three suspected al-Qaeda militants in Yemen’s Marib province, according to Yemeni media. See Photos Here

Yemeni media reported that Hassan al-Hadrami was one of the men killed in the suspected drone strike, which "was believed to be" carried out by the United States, according to a report by al Arabiya.

The Arabic news channel said that Hassan al-Hadrami was said to be with two of his companions who were with him in the vehicle that was allegedly hit by the airstrike, citing "tribal sources".

The report also says that it is noteworthy, because Hassan al-Hadrami's house was targeted by a raid in November of 2022, and is "one of the most prominent military leaders of al-Qaeda in Yemen," possessing great experience in "making mines and explosives," which reportedly put him "at the top of the list of targets" for American forces.

The report said that activists from Ma'rib governorate published a photo of al-Hadrami's vehicle which was "completely destroyed" by the strike, and had traces of blood on it.

All three men who were in the vehicle at the time of the alleged drone strike were killed.

A local government official reportedly told AFP news that “Three al-Qaeda members were killed in a strike by a drone that is believed to be American".

“The three were in a car in Wadi Obeida when they were targeted by the suspected US strike that killed them immediately," the report cited the officials as saying.

The photo of the aftermath indicates that a U.S. drone carried out the strike using an AGM-114 R9X Hellfire missile in which the explosives in the missile are replaced with metal blades to minimize collateral damage.

This type of missile is sometimes nicknamed “knife bomb” or the “flying Ginsu" due to the blades that are released at the target.

Airstrike Targets Truck Convoy On Syria-Iraq Border - SYRIA/IRAQ - An airstrike targeted a truck convoy on the Syria-Iraq border that consisted of 25 trucks crossing over the border from Iraq into Syria via a crossing that Hezbollah currently controls.

Al-Arabiya and Israel National News have reported the airstrike on the convoy, which it says belonged to a pro-Iranian militia and likely was transporting weapons.

Israel National News cited former IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi as saying, "We couldn’t have been aware of the Syrian convoy a few weeks ago".

“We couldn’t have known that it was heading from Iraq to Syria, we couldn’t have known what’s in it and we couldn’t have known that out of the 25 trucks, truck number eight was the one carrying weapons," he continued.

“We needed to send pilots to the right place and they had to evade surface-to-air missiles fired at them. They needed to attack, they needed to hit their targets and come back safely and not kill people who shouldn’t be killed. These are very advanced capabilities,” he added.

The Israeli news agency said that the strike followed the attack on the city of Isfahan, Iran, which it says that Iran "downplayed" as an "unsuccessful" drone attack.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) refused to either deny or confirm the attacks were carried out by Israel.

Israel Reportedly Behind Attack On Iranian Weapons Factory - Israel reported to be behind the attack on the Iranian weapons factory. The Pentagon has stated that no U.S. military forces were involved in strikes, despite claims by Saudi media that the United States Air Force was involved. Read Full Article

Netblocks: Iranian Internet Network Cut, Disruption In Connectivity - Netblocks Internet Observatory: "Confirmed: Network data show a disruption to internet connectivity in Iran with high impact to Mazandaran Province; authorities are attributing the incident to fiber optic cuts on the path between Babol and Sari".Read Notice

Largest U.S.-Israeli Exercise in History Concludes - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE: "Today marks the conclusion of exercise Juniper Oak 23.2. This exercise was the largest U.S-Israel partnered exercise in history, said Deputy Pentagon Spokesperson Sabrina Singh, who held a news conference today.

Juniper Oak integrated U.S. and Israeli fifth-generation fighter assets, which are the most advanced and capable, she said.

The USS George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group, which participated in the exercise, involved command and control elements, rescue and refueling aircraft and live fire exercises with more than 140 aircraft, and roughly 6,400 U.S. troops alongside more than 1,500 Israeli troops.

Today, the U.S.-Israel military partnership is stronger than it ever has been, and it continues to grow, stated Army Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command in a news release, while aboard the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier today.

"I've observed our forces alongside Israeli troops firing HIMARS and MLRS rockets, conducting maritime operations, executing highly complex flight operations, coordinating close air support, operating together on land, at sea and in the air," Kurilla said, referring to the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System and Multiple Launch Rocket System.

Juniper Oak 23.2 integrated unmanned aerial vehicles, strategic bombers, jet fighters and precision fires. U.S. and Israeli forces conducted long-range strikes, suppression of enemy air defense, electronic attacks, offensive counter and air interdiction, and air operations in the maritime domain. In four days, these troops dropped more than 180,000 pounds of live munitions, Kurilla said.

Logistical support and the command nodes involving the two nations were superb, he added.

"It's remarkable that Israel's transition to and partnership with U.S. Central Command is less than 18 months old. Our shared achievement is a testament to the leadership of the Israel Defense Forces and the enduring commitment of the Department of Defense's most senior leaders to increase military cooperation. Only through a firm commitment to this partnership are we able to plan and organize such an incredibly complex high-end operation across such a large geographic area integrating all aspects of warfighting, some of which are seen and some of which are not," Kurilla said.

Separately, Singh said that this week, the Marine Corps will reactivate Camp Blaz in Guam, part of an agreement with the Japanese government to reposition Marines from Okinawa, as well as contribute to the overall integrity of integrated deterrence and bolster U.S. operational security in the Indo-Pacific region.

Camp Blaz will serve as a strategic hub and training area for joint forces, allies and partners in the region. "The Marine Corps has a deep history in Guam, and we are committed to continuing that strong relationship," she added."

USS George H. W. Bush Carrier Group Joins Completion Of US/Israel Juniper Oak Exercises - MEDITERRANEAN SEA - The aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) carrier strike group joined the joint US/Israel Juniper Oak drills in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea as the exercise wrapped up.

CENTCOM Statement On The Strike Group Joining Exercise Juniper Oak 2023-2

CENTCOM: "MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Jan. 24, 2023) The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group sails in formation with the Israeli Navy during exercise Juniper Oak 2023-2, Jan. 24, 2023. Juniper Oak 23-2 is a bilateral military exercise, led by U.S. Central Command and the Israeli Defense Force, designed to enhance interoperability between the U.S. and Israel militaries. Juniper Oak 23-2 joins the long-standing “Juniper” series that the U.S. and Israel have conducted for more than 20-years. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Novalee Manzella)".

Completion of Juniper Oak 23.2 Exercise

CENTCOM: "TAMPA, Fla. – Today, U.S. Central Command and the Israel Defense Forces concluded Juniper Oak 23.2, the largest U.S.-Israel partnered exercise in history. Juniper Oak 23.2 integrated U.S. and Israeli 5th generation fighter assets, the USS George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group, command and control elements, rescue and refueling aircraft during a long-range large force exercise that included a live fire exercise with more than 140 aircraft including B52s, F35s, F15s, F16s, FA-18s, AC-130, AH64s, 12 naval assets, High Mobility Rocket Artillery Systems, Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, a mix of jet fighters, and long-range bombers.

Juniper Oak 23.2 enhanced interoperability and the ability of CENTCOM forces to rapidly move combat power into the region. “Today the partnership between CENTCOM and the IDF is stronger and continues to grow,” said Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, CENTCOM commander. “Our partnership is a key pillar of our commitment to expanding regional security cooperation.”

“We at CENTCOM will take the lessons learned from Exercise Juniper Oak and share and incorporate them with all our partners across the CENTCOM region,” Kurilla concluded.

Roughly 6,400 U.S. troops alongside more than 1,500 Israeli troops participated in the exercise. CENTCOM remains committed to strengthening partnerships and enhancing interoperability in support of a more stable, more secure region."

KFOR Soldiers emergency response evaluated during Exercise Cavalry Guardian - US Military: "CAMP NOVO SELO, Kosovo — Kosovo Force, Regional Command-East recently conducted exercise Cavalry Guardian, an emergency response training exercise, geared toward testing team cohesion, resilience under stress and job proficiency, near Camp Novo Selo on Jan. 10, 2023.

KFOR Soldiers emergency response evaluated during Exercise Cavalry Guardian - US Military: "CAMP NOVO SELO, Kosovo — Kosovo Force, Regional Command-East recently conducted exercise Cavalry Guardian, an emergency response training exercise, geared toward testing team cohesion, resilience under stress and job proficiency, near Camp Novo Selo on Jan. 10, 2023.

During the training, Soldiers from Austria, the U.S., and Great Britain competed to provide the best reaction to an emergency scenario involving role players and emergency response personnel from KFOR.

“This training has helped us to spread awareness amongst even the lowest level of Soldiers how to deal with complex road traffic accidents, especially when they involve multiple casualties,” said British Army Capt. Hugo Hunter, exercise director and safety coordinator.

During the exercise scenario, Soldiers had to complete a very complex iteration with a combination of an unexploded ordnance scenario, a crime scene or weapons cache, a mass casualty event with four civilians and one KFOR Soldier.

On scene, the Soldiers had to coordinate with Film City Fire and Rescue to cut out a role-playing member of KFOR who was simulating they were trapped in the crashed vehicle. Once the victim was freed, competitors requested KFOR aviation unit support to provide medical evacuation.

“[This training] is important because these guys are out patrolling every day, so this is something that they would be likely to come across,” said U.S. Army Maj. Brendan Williams, KFOR Regional Command-East Operations Officer and logistics support for the exercise. “Not to this extreme, but accidents are probably the most common thing that they are going to deal with. So knowing how to treat casualties, knowing how to get those casualties follow-on care quickly, and reporting quickly, is very important.”

The joint exercise also enhanced the interoperability of several NATO partners and allies to include the U.S., the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Slovenia, Italy, Poland, the International Military Police, Film City Fire Services and the Joint Logistics Support Group. By working together, they enhanced the readiness of both their specialties and the competitors through training and developing best practices.

“We have a pretty unique situation in Kosovo where the threat to KFOR Soldiers is not as high as many other theaters and it gives us the best opportunity to practice our training, tactics and procedures, and really learn how to develop best practices,” Hunter said. “It's only through training that we better ourselves and perform to a higher standard.”

The plan is to continue to provide this vital training to Soldiers of future rotations of KFOR. The exercise director, Hunter hopes it will expand to include many other countries with further iterations.

KFOR RC-East comprises 10 contributing NATO partner nations. Its mission is to maintain a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all communities in Kosovo, as mandated by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999."

NY Army Guard aviation Soldiers mobilize for Mideast mission - US Army: "ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Almost 400 New York Army National Guard Soldiers will soon leave for a deployment to Kuwait.

The Soldiers from Rochester, Dunkirk and Long Island will train in Pennsylvania and Texas before heading to the Middle East for 10 months.

Some 350 Soldiers are assigned to the 642nd Aviation Support Battalion, trained to provide logistics and maintenance support to the helicopter units of an Army combat aviation brigade.

Forty-five Soldiers are members of Detachment 1, Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th General Support Aviation Battalion, and fly CH-47F Chinook heavy lift helicopters.

The 642nd Aviation has elements in Rochester and Dunkirk in western New York and in Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma on Long Island. The battalion is part of the New York Army National Guard’s 42nd Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade.

The 642nd will conduct farewell ceremonies at the Army Aviation Support Facilities in Rochester and Ronkonkoma. The Soldiers from Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th General Support Aviation Battalion, will participate in the Rochester ceremony.

The 642nd will train for two weeks at Fort Indiantown Gap near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and for about two months in Fort Hood, Texas, before deploying to Kuwait.

The Soldiers from Bravo Company will also train at Fort Indiantown Gap and Fort Hood. They will be under the control of their battalion at Fort Hood and in Kuwait while they fly missions to support Army forces in the region.

The 642nd will support the Mississippi Army National Guard’s 185th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade during operations throughout the region.

The 642nd Aviation Support Battalion deployed to Kuwait in 2013 and 2014 as part of the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade, conducting support operations across the Middle East.

In 2005, the battalion, then known as the 642nd Divisional Aviation Support Battalion, deployed to Tikrit, Iraq, as part of the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade and the 42nd Infantry Division.

During that deployment, the battalion conducted 180 combat logistics patrols covering nearly 60,000 miles while repelling multiple attacks by insurgent forces. The unit also recovered three downed aircraft.

During the deployment, two Purple Hearts were awarded and six vehicles were lost to enemy fire, but no Soldiers were killed.

In New York, Soldiers of the battalion responded to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and supported operations after Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th General Support Aviation Battalion is a New York Army National Guard aviation company that is part of an aviation battalion headquartered in Massachusetts.

The Soldiers fly the CH-47F helicopter, the largest in the Army’s inventory.

The company deployed to Afghanistan, where the heavy lift and high-altitude capabilities of the CH-47 were vital. The unit served in Afghanistan from 2007 to 2008, 2012 and 2013, and 2018.

Soldiers from the company participated in state responses to Superstorm Sandy in 2012 and the “Snowvember” Storm in 2014. Last fall, the unit deployed an aircraft and crew to Florida to help respond to Hurricane Ian.

In May, a Bravo Company CH-47 recovered a pontoon in danger of sweeping over Niagara Falls.

Currently, 1,800 New York Army National Guard Soldiers are deployed overseas.

The 369th Sustainment Brigade has deployed 260 Soldiers in Kuwait, supporting the 10,000 Army Soldiers of Task Force Spartan.

The 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation, a UH-60 helicopter unit based in Latham and Ronkonkoma, has 250 troops deployed in Kuwait.

The 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry, along with companies from the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry, and the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry — 1,130 Soldiers — are operating in the Horn of Africa, securing U.S. military facilities in the area.

And in Germany, 140 Soldiers of Task Force Orion, from the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, are training Ukrainian soldiers as part of the U.S. support for that nation’s war effort."

Army announces unit preparation for potential deployments in support of European allies and partners - WASHINGTON – The Department of the Army announced the preparation of Army units for potential deployment to backfill units currently in Europe. This potential deployment would not constitute a change to current force posture levels.

It would ensure the United States continues to be well positioned to provide a robust deterrent and defensive posture alongside our Allies across the European continent. The United States will continue to adjust its posture as needed in response to the dynamic security environment.

Elements from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division and the 10th Mountain Division Headquarters are preparing for a potential deployment to replace units currently in Europe. Preparation for this potential deployment provides flexibility to reassess conditions and respond to a dynamic security environment.

CENTCOM and Israel Defense Forces Conduct Exercise Juniper Oak 23.2 - CENTRAL COMMAND: U.S. Central Command and the Israel Defense Forces carry out live-fire exercise Juniper Oak 23.2 in Israel and the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

"This exercise strengthens collective U.S.-Israeli readiness and improves the interoperability of both forces, thereby contributing to regional stability. Exercises like Juniper Oak show that interoperability and integration represent the improved security in the region.

“Consistent with CENTCOM’s strategic approach of People, Partners, and Innovation, we are committed to strengthening military-to-military relations throughout the region,” said Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, commander of CENTCOM. “Juniper Oak is a Combined Joint All-Domain exercise which improves our interoperability on land, in the air, at sea, in space, and in cyberspace with our partners, enhances our ability to respond to contingencies, and underscores our commitment to the Middle East.”

Juniper Oak 23.2 integrates many military assets and missions, including:

Assets And Missions: Strategic bombers, U.S. and Israeli command and control, Fighter aircraft, Air operations in maritime surface warfare, Rescue aircraft, Combat search and rescue, Refueling aircraft, Electronic attack, Naval forces, Suppression of enemy air defenses, Ground long-range precision fires, Strike coordination and reconnaissance, Air long-range precision fires, Air interdiction, Rotary wing aircraft, Space Force assets, Special Operations Forces, Infantry forces.

This exercise will include a large-scale live fire event with over 140 aircraft including B52s, F35s, F15s, F16s, FA-18s, AC-130, AH64s, 12 naval vessels, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, and Multiple Launch Rocket Systems.

“These kinds of exercises – which CENTCOM routinely conducts with our partners – develop interoperability between military forces, increase military capabilities, and are important to the security and stability of the region. The lessons learned during these exercises are exportable to our partners across the region,” Kurilla concluded."

- WASHINGTON - A new bill has been introduced by United States Representative Dan Crenshaw that would allow for the use of military force against Mexican drug #cartels in order to fight against drug trafficking coming into the United States. Read Bill

The bill would allw "all necessary and appropriate force" against nine Mexican drug cartels including: The Sinaloa Cartel. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, The Gulf Cartel, The Los Zetas Cartel, The Northeast Cartel, The Juarez Cartel, The Tijuana Cartel, The Beltran-Levya Cartel, The La Familia Michoacana, or Knight Templar Cartel.

Crenshaw was Interviewed by Fox News and said, "We are at a point now where their resistance is not only hurting them, it’s killing our citizens. We have to say enough is enough. … You’d better work with us, because we don’t want to do this without you, but we will.”

He added, “They’re some of the most capable, most well-funded, most dangerous organizations on the planet, and they’re right there. And Mexico is at risk of becoming a failed state. We have to work together with their government to deal with this.”

CENTCOM Conducts Ground Assault Raid In Eastern Syria - Central Command forces conducted a partnered helicopter and ground assault raid in eastern Syria.

CENTRAL COMMAND STATEMENT: "CENTCOM Conducts Partnered Helicopter and Ground Assault Raid in Syria TAMPA, Fla. - U.S. Central Command forces conducted a partnered helicopter and ground assault raid in eastern Syria, Jan. 21, capturing two ISIS-Syria members, Abdallah Hamid Muslih al-Maddad AKA Abu Hamza al-Suri, an ISIS facilitator, and Husam Hamid al-Muslih al-Maddad, al-Khayr, ISIS facilitator and logistician, and one associate.

One civilian received minor injuries. "The injured civilian was escorted by our partner forces to a nearby medical care facility along with an accompanying family member," said Colonel Joe Buccino, a CENTCOM spokesperson.

"He received care and was released back to his family." "This operation reaffirms CENTCOM's steadfast commitment to the region and the enduring defeat of ISIS," said Buccino.

"The capture will disrupt the terrorist organization's ability to further plot and carry out attacks that threaten regional security and stability."

"ISIS represents a threat to our partners and to the people of Iraq and Syria and beyond," he added. "Our mission to defeat ISIS alongside our Syrian Democratic Forces partners continues."

USCENTCOM conducts three raids in eastern Syria - CENTCOM - TAMPA, Fla. – "Over the past 48 hours, US Central Command forces conducted three helicopter raids in eastern Syria resulting in the detention of six ISIS operatives, including al-Zubaydi, an Islamic State Syria Province Senior Official involved in the planning and facilitation of ISIS attacks in Syria. 

Extensive planning went into these operations to ensure their successful execution. Initial assessments indicate no civilians were killed or injured. 

“These partnered operations reaffirm CENTCOM’s steadfast commitment to the region and the enduring defeat of ISIS,” said Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, CENTCOM Commander. “The capture of these ISIS operatives will disrupt the terrorist organization’s ability to further plot and carry out destabilizing attacks.”

US Kills 15 al-Shabab Militants In Somalia Airstrikes - USAFRICOM - The United States has killed 15 al-Shabab militants in Somalia after carrying out airstrikes at the request of the Somalian government. 

The airstrikes were carried out on December 14th, and December 17th, and targeted militants who were fighting the Somalian government forces in multiple locations within the country, about 125 from Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. 

USAFRICOM Statmeent On the Airstrikes

"At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted two collective self-defense strikes, one each on Dec. 14 and 17, 2022, in support of Somali National Army engagements against al-Shabaab near Cadale, Somalia.

The Dec. 14 strike took place 176 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu, in the vicinity of Cadale. The current assessment is 7 al-Shabaab terrorists were killed.

The Dec. 17 strike took place approximately 220 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu, also in the vicinity of Cadale. The command’s initial assessment is 8 al-Shabaab terrorists were killed.

U.S. Africa Command’s initial assessment is that no civilians were injured or killed in either strike.

U.S. Africa Command takes great measures to prevent civilian casualties. Protecting civilians remains a vital part of the command’s operations to promote greater security for all Africans.

Al-Shabaab is the largest and most deadly al-Qaeda network in the world and has proven both its will and capability to attack Somali, East African, and American civilians. U.S. kinetic actions against al-Shabaab in Somalia are conducted in support of the Federal Government of Somalia's ongoing campaign to disrupt terrorist operations in their country.

Somalia remains key to the stability and security in all of East Africa. U.S. Africa Command’s forces will continue training, advising, and equipping partner forces to give them the tools that they need to defeat al-Shabaab.

U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of these operations and will provide additional information as appropriate. Specific details about the units involved and assets used will not be released in order to ensure operations security."

CENTCOM: Helicopter Raid In Syria Kills 2 ISIS Officials - CENTCOM - U.S. Central Command has reported that it has conducted a successful helicopter raid against ISIS at 2:57 a.m. on December 11th, which killed two ISIS officials. 

Of the two ISIS officials, one was Anas, which was a Province Official in Syria involved in "the group's deadly plotting and facilitation operations in eastern Syria". 

Central Command reported that "initial assessments" indicated that no civilians were killed or injured as a result of the raid. 

The press release said that "The United States remains committed to countering the global threat from ISIS in partnership with local forces. ISIS continues to pursue an aggressive operational agenda, including external attacks that threaten US allies and partners in the region and beyond."

“ISIS continues to represent a threat to the security and stability of the region. This operation reaffirms CENTCOM’s steadfast commitment to ensuring the group’s enduring defeat,” said Joe Buccino, a CENTCOM spokesperson. “The death of these ISIS officials will disrupt the terrorist organization’s ability to further plot and carry out destabilizing attacks in the Middle East.”

US Forces Aid Somalian Government In Carrying Out "Self Defense Strike" - US AFRICA COMMAND: "Federal Government of Somalia combats terrorists with support from U.S. forces: At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike against the al-Shabaab terrorists who were attacking the Somali forces on Nov. 9."

"Somali National Army forces were engaged with al Shabaab fighters in a remote area approximately 285 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu on Nov. 9. At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike against the al-Shabaab terrorists who were attacking the Somali forces.

Working with the Somali National Army, U.S. Africa Command’s initial assessment is that the strike killed 17 attacking al Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured or killed.

U.S. Africa Command takes great measures to prevent civilian casualties. Protecting civilians remains a vital part of the command’s operations to promote greater security for all Africans.

Al-Shabaab is the largest and most deadly al-Qaeda network in the world and has proven both its will and capability to attack Somali, East African, and American civilians.

Somalia remains key to the stability and security in all of East Africa. U.S. Africa Command’s forces will continue training, advising, and equipping partner forces to give them the tools that they need to defeat al-Shabaab.

U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of this operation and will provide additional information as appropriate. Specific details about the units involved and assets used will not be released in order to ensure operations security.

U.S. Africa Command, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, with partners, counters malign actors and transnational threats, responds to crises, and strengthens security forces in order to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability and prosperity."

Air Strikes Reported On Syria/Iraq Border, Civilians Reported Dead - Syria/Iraq - Airstrikes have been reported on the border between Syria and Iraq. Iranian-backed militia has reportedly blamed the United States for the attacks, but U.S. officials rejected the claims, saying that it wasn't them, but has confirmed that airstrikes were carried out. Al-Mayadeen has claimed that Israel carried out the drone strike.

BBC reporter Nafiseh Kohnavard reported that CENTCOM is currently investigating the attacks, and there are reports of civilian casualties.

Sabereen News claimed that "multiple fuel tankers carrying Iranian gasoline for Lebanon” have been targeted in airstrikes. the news agency also reports 25 people were killed and 10 others wounded in the strikes and that tankers carrying Iranian gasoline headed for Lebanon were targeted.

AFRICOM: Federal Government of Somalia engages terrorists with support from U.S. forces - Due to U.S. forces conducting an airstrike against al-Shabaab terrorists in Somalia, the Africa regional alert has been set to 2. Statement from Africa Command:

"AFRICOM: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab terrorists who were attacking Somali National Army forces near Buulobarde, Somalia, about 218 km north-northwest of Mogadishu, on Oct. 23.

The command’s initial assessment is that the strike killed two attacking al-Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured or killed.

U.S. Africa Command takes great measures to prevent civilian casualties. Protecting civilians remains a vital part of the command’s operations to promote a more secure and stable Africa.

Al-Shabaab is the largest and most kinetically active al-Qaeda network in the world and has proved both its will and capability to attack U.S. forces and threaten U.S. security interests. U.S. Africa Command, alongside its partners, continues to take action to prevent this malicious terrorist group from planning and conducting attacks on civilians.

Somalia remains key to the security environment in East Africa. U.S. Africa Command’s forces will continue training, advising, and equipping partner forces to give them the tools that they need to degrade al-Shabaab.

U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of the operation and will provide additional information as appropriate. Specific details about the units involved and assets used will not be released in order to ensure operations security.

U.S. Africa Command, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, with partners, counters malign actors and transnational threats, responds to crises, and strengthens security forces in order to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability and prosperity."

Norway Arrests Suspected Russian Spy In Tromsoe - Norwegian Police Security Service arrested a scientist in Tromsoe, Norway suspected of being a spy for a Russian intelligence service. The suspect was researching "hybrid threats" tied to "Arctic Norway", according to Deputy PST chief Hedvig Moe. Read Full Article

Iran Claims It Arrested 10 Israeli Agents, Israel Destroys Iranian Drone Factory - TEHRAN - Iran claims that it has arrested 10 agents allegedly working for Israel in West Azerbaijan province as part of an espionage network, according to Iranian state news agency Fars. Israeli officials claim to have struck 90% of Iran's military operations in Syria, targeting a drone assembly factory near Damascus on Friday. Read Full Article

US Army's 101st Airborne Division Deploys To Border With Ukraine - EUROPE - The US Army's 101st Airborne Division which consists of about 4,700 soldiers has been deployed to Europe, on the border of Romania and Ukraine, for the first time since World War 2 (80 years ago).

They are now the closest stationed U.S. Soldiers to Ukraine/Russia. CBS News reports that "The US 101st Airborne is practicing for war with Russia just miles from Ukraine's border".

CBS reported that "The light infantry unit, nicknamed the "Screaming Eagles," is trained to deploy on any battlefield in the world within hours, ready to fight."

The news agency said that the troops were the 'closest American forces to the fighting in Ukraine," and said that they have been "closely watching" the Russian forces, "building objectives to practice against" and carrying out drills that "replicate exactly what's going on" in Russia's war on Ukraine.

They told CBS that they are always "ready to fight tonight", and if the fighting escalates, or there's an attack on NATO, they are fully prepared to cross the border into Ukraine and join the fight.

U.S. Led Coalition Drone Strike In Northern Syria On Monday - A drone strike in northeastern Syria led by the U.S.-led coalition was carried out on Monday, according to The Associated Press, which cited a Syrian official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The report cited the official as saying that the strike targeted a member of IS who was driving a motorcycle in the village of Hamam al-Turkman, which is currently controlled by Turkish-backed Syrian opposition forces near the northern Syrian town of Tel Abyad. The city borders Akçakale, Turkey.

No other casualties except the target was reported as a result of the strike.

CENTCOM Statement On Syrian Airstrike October 6th, 2022 - TAMPA, Fla. – Today, at approximately 6:32 PM local time in Syria, U.S. forces conducted a successful airstrike in northern Syria, killing both Abu-Hashum al-Umawi, a deputy Wali of Syria, and another senior ISIS official associated with him.

Initial assessments indicate no civilians were killed or wounded during this operation.

No U.S. forces were injured or killed and there was no loss or damage to U.S. equipment in the execution of this operation.

"This strike will degrade ISIS' ability to destabilize the region and strike at our forces and partners," said General Michael "Erik" Kurilla, CENTCOM Commander. "Our forces remain in the region to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS."

U.S. Forces Carry Out Helicopter Raid In Assad-Controlled Territory In Syria - SYRIA - U.S. special forces have reportedly carried out a helicopter raid in Assad-controlled territory in Syria, south of Qamishli in Northeast Syria overnight.

Reuters reported that after the U.S. helicopters landed in the village after midnight, the soldiers told residents to stay indoors and keep their lights off over loudspeakers.

The raid is reported to have killed a senior ISIS leader, and captured several other militants alive after landing in Muluk Saray village in the Hassakeh province.

Syria's state media said, "US occupation forces carried out a landing operation using several helicopters in the village of Muluk Saray in the southern countryside of Qamishli and killed one person,"

Swedish Security Service Concludes Investigations On Nord Stream Pipeline Leaks - Swedish security service concluded its investigation on the four Nord stream pipeline leaks and stated: "There have been detonations at Nord Stream 1 and 2 in the Swedish economic zone, which have caused extensive damage to the gas pipelines."

"The crime scene investigation that the Security Police conducted at the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines is now complete. The investigation has strengthened the suspicions of serious sabotage."

"Chamber prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist has decided to lift the blockades around Nord Stream 1 and 2. The crime scene investigation is now finished and the suspicion has been strengthened."

"- We can confirm that there have been detonations at Nord Stream 1 and 2 in the Swedish economic zone, which have caused extensive damage to the gas pipelines. The crime scene investigation has strengthened the suspicions of serious sabotage. Seizures have been made at the crime scene and these will now be investigated. There is pre-trial confidentiality and the case is very sensitive."

"The cooperation between the Prosecutor's Office, the Security Police, the Coast Guard and the Armed Forces works very well. It is a serious incident and it is a message of strength that the authorities involved fulfill their respective tasks in the best possible way, says chamber prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist, who leads the preliminary investigation."

U.S. forces conduct strike in Somalia targeting al-Shabaab leader - "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against the al-Shabaab militant network in Somalia on October 1. The strike occurred near Jilib, about 370 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu.

The command’s initial assessment is that the strike killed an al-Shabaab leader and that no civilians were injured or killed.

The command’s initial assessment is that the strike killed an al-Shabaab leader and that no civilians were injured or killed.

U.S. Africa Command takes great measures to prevent civilian casualties. Protecting innocent civilians remains a vital part of the command’s operations to promote a more secure and stable Africa.

Al-Shabaab is the largest and most kinetically active al-Qaeda network in the world and has proved both its will and capability to attack U.S. forces and threaten U.S. security interests. U.S. Africa Command, alongside its partners, continues to take action to prevent this malicious terrorist group from planning and conducting attacks on civilians.

Somalia remains key to the security environment in East Africa. U.S. Africa Command’s forces will continue training, advising, and equipping partner forces to give them the tools that they need to degrade al-Shabaab.

U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of the operation and will provide additional information as appropriate. Specific details about the units involved and assets used will not be released in order to ensure operations security.

U.S. Africa Command, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, with partners, counters malign actors and transnational threats, responds to crises, and strengthens security forces in order to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability and prosperity."

Statement By Inherent Resolve: U.S. Shoots Down Iranian Mojer-6 Drone With F-16 Headed To Erbil, Iraq - At 10:54 a.m. indirect fire struck several locations within the Erbil Governorate in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.

No CJTF-OIR forces were killed or wounded by the indirect fire, and the strikes caused no damage to U.S. or Coalition infrastructure or equipment. However, the attacks did injure and kill dozens of people within the Erbil Governorate.

An assessment of the event is ongoing.

CJTF-OIR personnel are stationed in Iraq at the invitation of the Government of Iraq to advise, assist and enable Partner Forces at the operational level in ensuring the lasting defeat of ISIS.

Statement By CENTCOM: U.S. Shoots Down Iranian Mojer-6 Drone With F-16 Headed To Erbil, Iraq - ERBIL, IRAQ - The United States has shot down an Iranian Mojer-6 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) headed in the direction of U.S. forces in Erbil, Iraq.

“US Central Command condemns the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ unprovoked attack in Iraq’s Erbil Governorate this morning. Such indiscriminate attacks threaten innocent civilians and risk the hard-fought stability of the region.

“No US forces were wounded or killed as a result of the strikes and there is no damage to US equipment.

“At approximately 2:10 PM local time, US forces brought down an Iranian Mojer-6 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle headed in the direction of Erbil as it appeared as a threat to CENTCOM forces in the area.

“CENTCOM personnel operate in Iraq at the invitation of the Government of Iraq to advise, assist, and enable partner forces in the ensuring the lasting defeat of ISIS.

“CENTCOM forces, in support of partnered forces in Iraq, are assessing the situation.”

U.S. Shoots Down Iranian Mojer-6 Drone With F-16 Headed To Erbil, Iraq - ERBIL, IRAQ - The United States has shot down an Iranian Mojer-6 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) headed in the direction of U.S. forces in Erbil, Iraq.

Colonel Joe Buccino, CENTCOM (US Central Command) communications director put out a statement saying, "At approximately 2:10 PM local time, US forces brought down an Iranian Mojer-6 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle headed in the direction of Erbil as it appeared as a threat to CENTCOM forces in the area".

"CENTCOM personnel operate in Iraq at the invitation of the Government of Iraq to advise, assist, and enable partner forces in the ensuring the lasting defeat of ISIS," his statement added.

He said that "Such indiscriminate attacks threaten innocent civilians and risk the hard-fought stability of the region," and said that "No US forces were wounded or killed as a result of the strikes and there is no damage to US equipment".

The US State Department and the White House have also condemned the attacks. Kurdistan Region's Ministry of Health, and Kurdistan24 news the Iranian drone, and missile attacks on the Kurdish opposition had killed nine people.

Japan's MOD Update On Taiwan's Defensive Strategy - Japan's Ministry of Defense has released another update on Taiwan's defense strategy "to prevent an invasion by China at the furthest distance possible".

The MOD statement said, "Taiwan has formulated a defense strategy to prevent an invasion by China at the furthest distance possible through a multilayered defense posture combining major equipment such as fighter aircraft and naval vessels…"

In addition, the MOD stated, "…with asymmetric capabilities, known as “resolute defense and multi-domain deterrence” and strengthened its domestic development of sea and air capabilities, long-range missiles."

Invasion Of Taiwan Would Give Emboldened China Edge Over Microchip Industry - China has been increasingly aggressive about controlling the microchip industry and emboldened in its aggressive stance towards Taiwan since the U.S. pullout of Afghanistan, and the lack of direct involvement in the Ukraine conflict by the United States. Read Full Article

Taiwan Military Shoots Civilian Drone, Releases Defensive Strategy - TAIWAN - The Taiwanese military have shot down an unidentified unmanned "civilian drone" near Kinmen, Taiwan on Thursday, September 1st. Japan's Ministry of Defense has also put out a statement, along with a map showing Taiwan's defensive strategy, meant to deter "Chinese aggression". The United States is also strengthening "alliance" with the Philippines. Read Full Article

Tools Of Mass Surveillance In Use, Right In Your Hands - UNITED STATES - Law enforcement agencies across the country are using a mysterious cellphone tracking tool that lies in an unregulated gray zone in regard to personal rights. Read Full Article

Readout of President Joe Biden's Call with Prime Minister Yair Lapid of Israel - "President Joseph R. Biden Jr. spoke today with Prime Minister Yair Lapid of Israel to consult on global and regional security challenges, including threats posed by Iran. The President underscored U.S. commitment to never allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon".

"The President expressed appreciation for the warm reception during his July trip to Israel, a visit that illustrated the unbreakable bonds and friendship between our two countries. The President also emphasized the importance of concluding the maritime boundary negotiations between Israel and Lebanon in the coming weeks."

Israel Allegedly Targets Allepo International Airport - Israel has allegedly fired several missiles at the Aleppo International Airport, with "several missiles, causing material damage", according to Syrian state news SANA.

This, on the same day that U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, in order to "consult on global and regional security challenges, including threats posed by Iran".

SANA claimed that a military source spoke to them and said that (translated), "At about eight o'clock this evening, the Israeli enemy targeted Aleppo International Airport with a missile strike, which caused material damage to the airport".

Syrian state news has reported that air defense systems around Latakia, which is located southwest of Aleppo, were activated in order to intercept the alleged Israeli missiles traveling to Aleppo, according to the Jerusalem Post.

The JP also reported Syrian sources stated shortly after the strikes in Aleppo, several alleged Israeli strikes were carried out near Damascus, and that Syrian air defenses were activated to intercept the strikes.

Lebanese Al-Mayadeen TV said that the strikes targeted locations near the Damascus International Airport, al-Kiswah, and the Damascus-Daraa highway.

According to the Jerusalem Post, this would be the first time Israel had struck Allepo since 2019.

IAEA Team On It's Way To Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant - Amid renewed shelling at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the UN's IAEA has decided to go ahead and visit the plant and has dispatched a team of nuclear specialists. The facility, which has a total of six nuclear reactors, has already been taken completely offline during shelling the previous week, according to the IAEA website.Read Full Article

Israel Reportedly Striking Targets In Syria, Explosions Reported In Tartus - Israel is reportedly striking targets located in Syria. Explosions have been reported in Tartus, and Syrian state media says that its air defenses are engaging "hostile targets" over the Masyaf region in northwestern Syria.

Reports state that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are currently carrying out airstrikes in the region.

This comes after the U.S. Military carried out a second barrage of airstrikes in the region within the last 24 hours, which CENTCOM says is a direct response to a rocket attack by militants that injured three service members.

The injuries sustained by the service members were reported to be 'minor'. The U.S. Military had responded to the rocket attacks by targeting a convoy of vehicles that were equipped with launchers reportedly used in the attack with Apache helicopters.

The attack on the convoy of vehicles by U.S. forces were reported to have killed two of the three suspected militia members who were thought to have taken part in the attacks on U.S. forces.

USCENTCOM Commander General Michael Kurilla released a statement Wednesday that said, "The strike in eastern Syria was in response to attacks by Iran-backed groups against US forces in Syria on August 15th and demonstrates our resolve to defend US forces and equipment".

State Department spokesman Ned Price had addressed the strikes, saying that "If Iran were able to obtain a nuclear weapon, every single challenge we face with the Iranian regime would become more difficult."

"If we are able to take…the specter of Iranian nuclear weapon off the table, we'll be able to address more effectively everything else that we face from Iran and from its proxies and the groups it supports in the region," he continued.

CENTCOM forces respond to attempted coordinated rocket attacks at Conoco, Green Village bases in northeast Syria. - CENTCOM: forces respond to attempted coordinated rocket attacks at Conoco, Green Village bases in northeast Syria. "U.S. forces responded today to rocket attacks at two sites in Syria, destroying three vehicles and equipment used to launch some of the rockets. Read Full Article

*UPDATED* CENTCOM: US Military Carries Out Precision Strikes in Syria - *UPDATED* U.S. military forces conducted precision airstrikes in Deir ez-Zor Syria today. Sources have reported that multiple rockets have been fired at a US base in Conoco, located in east Deir Ezzor, Syria. There have also been reports that the U.S. Military responded to rocket fire by combatants with airstrikes on Iranian-linked targets in eastern Syria. Read Full Article

13 Chinese Military Aircraft, 4 PLAN Vessels Spotted Around Taiwan August 24th, 2022 - Taiwan's Ministry of Defense has reported 13 Chinese military aircraft, and 4 PLAN vessels in the surrounding region of Taiwan on August 24th, 2022.

The Chinese military aircraft spotted included two SU-30 multirole aircraft which flew on the east part of the median line of the Taiwan Strait. The statements put out by Taiwan's Ministry of Defense said:

"4 PLAN vessels and 13 PLA aircraft around our surrounding region were detected today (August 24, 2022) until 1700(GMT+8). #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded to these activities with aircraft in CAP, naval vessels, and land-based missile systems."

"2 of the detected aircraft (SU-30*2) had flown on the east part of the median line of the Taiwan Strait, flight paths as illustrated."

US Embassy In North Macedonia: Flyover Of B-52s Today - The US Embassy in North Macedonia put out a message saying, "Look up! Today at 2:30 pm there will be a low-altitude flyover of two B-52s in Skopje. The purpose of the flyover is to demonstrate U.S. commitment and assurance to NATO Allies and Partners in the Balkans."

US Military B-52 Nuclear Capable Bombers Return To Base In United Kingdom - On August 18th US military B-52 nuclear-capable bombers returned to the 'RAF' Fairford US Air Force base in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom from the Minot Air Base in North Dakota.

B-52 bombers can travel up to 8,800 miles without needing to refuel, up to 70,000 lbs of equipment and fly up to 50,000 feet. The RAF Fairford base is a forward operating base for the United States while carrying out missions with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies.

The United States Air Force stated that "Regularly integrating with our allies improves our cooperation and operational capacity, capability and interoperability. Occurring since 2018, bomber rotations through Europe maintain our readiness to execute a wide variety of missions across two continents, sustaining peace through deterrence."

Another Day Of Aistrikes In Gaza Kills 2nd PIJ Top Commander - GAZA - Another airstrike has claimed the life of another PIJ Top Commander, Khaled Mansour, targeted at an apartment building in the crowded Rafah refugee camp in southern Gaza, as the Israeli Defense Force continues their offensive against the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Read Full Article

CIA Carries Out Successful Drone Strike Against al Qaeda Leader - The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has carried out a successful drone strike in Afghanistan against al Qaeda leader al-Zawahiri. Read Full Article

The Ongoing Turkish Operation: Claw-Lock, In Syria & Iraq - SYRIA/IRAQ - IRAQ - An ongoing military operation by the Turkish Armed Forces in northern Iraq, against the Kurdistan Workers' Party ( PKK ) in the Duhok Governorate, is the next phase of many operations utilizing the code word 'claw' aimed at the PKK. Other operations, beginning in 2019, prior to Claw-Lock include the following: Claw-Eagle, Claw-Tiger, Claw-Lightening, & Claw-Thunderbolt. Read Full Article

Former US National Security Advisor Admits Plotting Coups, China, Venezuela Respond - Former U.S. national security advisor John Bolton publicly admitted that he has helped plan coups abroad. China took note of the interview and reported about it on their military website. Read Full Article

US Carries Out Airstrike In Somalia Killing Two Al-Shabab Fighters - The United States military has put out a statement saying that it carried out an airstrike in Somalia on Sunday, killing two Al-Shabab fighters. The airstrike was carried out in southern Jubaland, near Libikus in the Lower Juba region, according to AFRICOM on Monday.

"The command’s initial assessment is that two Al-Shabab terrorists were killed in action,” AFRICOM said. “No civilians were injured or killed given the remote nature of where this engagement occurred."

The release put out by AFRICOM said, "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab terrorists after they attacked partner forces in a remote location near Libikus, Somalia July 17, 2022.

The statement went on to say, "U.S. forces are authorized to conduct strikes in defense of designated partner forces.

The command’s initial assessment is that two al-Shabaab terrorists were killed in action and that no civilians were injured or killed given the remote nature of where this engagement occurred.

The Federal Government of Somalia and U.S. Africa Command take great measures to prevent civilian casualties. These efforts contrast with the indiscriminate attacks that al-Shabaab regularly conducts against the civilian population.

The Federal Government of Somalia and the U.S. remain committed to fighting al-Shabaab to prevent the deaths of innocent civilians.

Violent extremist organizations like al-Shabaab present long-term threats to Somali, regional, and U.S. interests."

CENTCOM Statement Regarding Strike Carried Out In Syria - "CENTCOM Forces conducted a kinetic strike in Idlib province, Syria, June 27, targeting Abu Hamzah al Yemeni, a senior leader of Hurras al-Din, an Al Qaeda-aligned terrorist organization. Abu Hamzah al Yemeni was traveling alone on a motorcycle at the time of the strike. Initial review indicates no civilian casualties".

"Violent extremist organizations, including Al Qaeda-aligned organizations such as Hurras al-Din, continue to present a threat to America and our allies. Al Qaeda-aligned militants use Syria as a safe haven to coordinate with their external affiliates and plan operations outside of Syria. The removal of this senior leader will disrupt Al Qaeda's ability to carry out attacks against U.S. citizens, our partners, and innocent civilians around the world".

US Carries Out Strike In Syria Against Senior Leader Of Al-Qaeda Aligned Group - The US Military has carried out a strike on a vehicle on the Idlib-Binnish road in the Idlib province in Syria on Monday, targeting a senior leader of the Al-Qaeda aligned militant group, Hurras al-Din.

The strikes targeted Abu Hamzah al Yemeni as he was driving on a motorcycle on the Idlib-Binnish. There was no one else with him at the time, according to a statement released by the United States military.

The statement also said that an initial review of the strikes indicate that there were no civilian casualties as a result of the strikes. The strike killed its target, with the statement from U.S. Central Command saying "The removal of this senior leader will disrupt al-Qaeda’s ability to carry out attacks against US citizens, our partners and innocent civilians around the world".

A statement by the Syrian Civil Defense said that the man was killed shortly after midnight after the motorcycle he was riding on was targeted with two rockets. It also said that his body was transferred to the forensic department in Idlib city.

A few hours prior to the strikes there had been reports of multiple US MQ-9 reaper drones flying over Idlib. Some reports said that there were three drones spotted.

U.S. Captured senior ISIS Leader During Raid In Syria Wednesday - The U.S. military captured a senior Islamic State leader during the night raid in northern Syria on Wednesday night who the coalition stated was an experienced bomb maker and operational facilitator. Read Full Article

Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve: Coalition Forces Detain Senior Daesh Leader - Coalition forces detained a senior Daesh leader during an operation in Syria June 16. The detained individual was assessed to be an experienced bomb maker and facilitator who became one of the group’s top leaders in Syria.

The mission was meticulously planned to minimize the risk of collateral damage, particularly any potential harm to civilians. There were no civilians harmed during the operation nor any damage to Coalition aircraft or assets.

Coalition forces will continue to hunt the remnants of Daesh wherever they hide to ensure their enduring defeat".

US Helicopter Night Raid In Syria Captures Senior Daesh Leader - The U.S. Apache and Chinook helicopters that were spotted flying over Jarablus, Northern Aleppo, Syria were reportedly a part of a night raid by U.S. Led coalition forces to capture a 'Senior Daesh [ISIS] leader'.

The Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) put out a statement saying "The detained individual was assessed to be an experienced bomb maker and facilitator who became one of the group’s top leaders in Syria".

Coalition forces said that "The mission was meticulously planned to minimize the risk of collateral damage, particularly any potential harm to civilians," and said "CTFT-OIR “will continue to hunt the remnants of Daesh wherever they hide to ensure their enduring defeat".

The media release also said that the mission "was meticulously planned to minimize the risk of collateral damage, particularly any potential harm to civilians. There were no civilians harmed during the operation nor any damage to Coalition aircraft or assets".

Based on the video footage of the spotted helicopters, there has been speculation on social media that the helicopters belonged to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), or 'Night Stalkers' which were flying without any lights on in the dark at a low altitude over Northwest Syria.

A senior coalition leader told The War Zone that U.S. forces were involved in both planning and carrying out the raid and that U.S. aircraft were involved in the nighttime operation. The coalition leader would not say, however, if the 160th SOAR was involved in the raid, saying that "for operational security reasons, we do not go into specifics of our missions".

The captured ISIS leader has not yet been named.

U.S. Drone Strike Kills 5 Members Of Al-Shabaab Terrorist Organization - A U.S. drone strike carried out on Friday has killed five members of the Al-Shabaab terrorist organization. The drone strike was coordinated with the Somali government according to a press release from the Somali Ministry of Information.

The release states, "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Mogadishu, 03 June 2022: In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Forces conducted an airstrike against Al-Shabaab terrorists after they attacked partner forces in a remote location near Beer Xaani, Somalia on 3rd June 2022. Five Al-Shabaab terrorists were killed in action and no civilians were injured or killed, given the remote nature of where this engagement occurred. The Federal Government of Somalia and the U.S. remain committed to fighting Al-Shabaab to prevent the deaths of innocent civilians. Violent extremist organizations like Al-Shabaab present long-term threats to Somalia".

According to the Somali government, there were no casualties as a result of the airstrikes that were carried out by the U.S. government.

USS Harry S. Truman Under NATO Command Once Again - The USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier strike group, along with other United States naval vessels have come under NATO command once again for Neptune Shield Drills in the Baltic, Adriatic, and Mediterranean Seas.

The drills were announced by Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby on May 17th and places the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group in the Mediterranean Sea, the USS Kearsarge amphibious ready group in the Baltic Sea, and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit under NATO operational control to the end of May.

Neptune Shield is the third exercise, in a series of exercises involving the United States and NATO allies.

Kirby stated that "This activity increases the pace and flexibility of command and control of US naval and amphibious forces between Sixth Fleet the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, operating in the Mediterranean Sea, USS Kearsarge amphibious ready group that’s operating in the Baltic Sea, along with the embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit".

Afghanistan Evacuation Report Released February 2022 - Full report from the U.S. Department of Defense regarding the US raid on Northern #Syria and elimination of #ISIS leader. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said today that the United States and its citizens are safer after the death of the leader of ISIS in northwest Syria. Read more

US Military Operation In Syria A Complete Success According To Pentagon - More details have been given about the mission in northern Syria. The Pentagon has put out a statement saying that the operation that was carried out in Northwest Syria to eliminate or capture Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi who the Pentagon says is the leader of ISIS was a complete success, but stated that the terrorist blew up a bomb that killed civilians, including his family. Read more

PENTAGON: US Military Carries Out 'Successful' Counterterrorism Mission In Syria - The Pentagon has said that the U.S. Military has carried out a 'successful' counterterrorism mission in northwest Syria, but did not provide much in the way of details, though earlier reports of the raid piece together what happened. Read more

CONFIRMED - U.S. Led Raid In Syria Targets Jihadist With Many Civilian Casualties - Reports earlier of U.S. gunship helicopters firing on targets in Idlib Syria have been confirmed. There has been a U.S. led raid in northern Syria in the town of Atmeh, Idlib that resulted in several civilian casualties and leaving at least 12 dead.

The raid was carried out at around midnight and targeted a suspected Jihadist affiliated with the al Qaeda terrorist organization. One resident living in Atmeh told Reuters that at least 12 people had been killed in the densely populated area that is located near the Turkish border where thousands of displaced Syrians currently reside in improvised camps and housing that is over capacity.

Residents in the area said that they heard heavy gunfire while the raid was taking place and videos making the rounds on social media also allegedly captured the sound of heavy gunfire from gunships during the operation.

There are reports that the operation lasted several hours, though there is no sign that the main target was eliminated or captured during the operation and the suspect was with his family at the time the raid was carried out according to Reuters.