10 April 2014 – London, UK
Digital Wires
United Kingdom Two RAF Tornado jets foiled what could have been a deadly IED blast in Afghanistan. The aircraft were able to detect Taliban insurgents that were planting a roadside bomb ahead of an ISAF convoy that included elements of the US Army’s 1st Armoured Division. The jets proceeded to fly low and launched flares. This prompted the insurgents to mount motorbikes and flee the area.
The MoD attempted to stop a book from being published, reported by multiple media agencies. The book in question is a critical account of the Helmand conflict and is authored by a Territorial Army Captain, Dr. Mike Martin. The MoD contracted Dr. Martin to examine the Helmand Conflict from 1978 to 2012. The book, “An Intimate War – An Oral History of the Helmand Conflict, 1978-2012” is being released on 16 April 2014.
Europe
Rheinmetall announced that it has won another contract for military wheeled vehicles. The EUR 100 million (GBP 82.8 million) deal will supply logistical vehicles for the Norwegian military.
The Ukraine has returned several of its mothballed Mikoyan Mig-29 Fulcrum fourth-generation fighter jets back into service, reports RIA Novosti. Reports earlier have indicated that only 15 percent of the Ukrainian fighter jets and attack helicopters are serviceable.
Russia
RIA Novosti reports that Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) confirms that Doku Umarov’s Chechen militant group was eliminated last year. Umarov’s group was responsible for an attack on the “Moscow subway and an attack on Domodedovo International Airport in the Russian capital that killed almost 80 people”. Umarov’s death has not been confirmed though.
Modernized MiG-31BM interceptor aircraft have been put on alert in western Russia, reports RIA Novosti. Only two aircraft are on at alert at the moment. Modernization of the entire unit is not scheduled to be completed until the end of the year.
North America
A shooting at the US base Fort Hood occurred where three soldiers were killed and 16 wounded. It started with an argument concerning leave. Purportedly Specialist Ivan Lopez was angry at his commanders for only granting a 24-hour leave for him to attend his mother’s funeral a year earlier. When confronted by a military policewoman, Lopez shot himself and died on scene.
A Canadian Forces major is suing the Canadian government over financial loss he incurred for relocating to another post, reports the CBC. Maj. Marcus Brauer incurred a loss of CAD 88,000 (GBP 48,000) on the sale of his house as the real estate market dropped. According to Brauer, Canadian Treasury Board will compensate soldiers if the market drops more than 20 percent. Brauer says he is in financial ruin and the case will be heard next week.
Africa
The UN will be sending peacekeepers to the deteriorating situation in the Central African Republic. The UN Security Council has approved of a 12,000 strong contingent to be deployed and take over the responsibilities of the African-led mission. The new mission will be composed of “10,000 military personnel, including 240 military observers and 200 staff officers, as well as 1,800 police personnel, including 1,400 formed police unit personnel and 400 individual police officers, and 20 corrections officers.” This is after dozens were killed after militias clashed in the country.
Mali’s first government since the last rebellion submitted its resignation. This comes at a time where there is an Ebola outbreak in Guinea with suspected cases in Mali. A mob has already attacked an Ebola treatment centre in Guinea, reports Reuters. The World Health Organisation is already in Guinea’s capital searching for suspected cases.
Middle East
18 Iraqi soldiers died after clashes with militants and a bobby-trapped house exploded, reports al-Arabiya. The booby-trapped house left 24 wounded. Violence in Iraq has been escalating with its highest death toll last year since the sectarian clashes begun in 2007.
Commander of Iran’s Army, Major General Ataollah Salehi, stated that Iran’s enemies are on retreat after being “defeated both in its assassination plots and in symmetrical and asymmetrical warfare and has failed to reach its objectives”, reports Iran’s PressTV. Although Israel has just launched a surveillance satellite dedicated towards Iran and its nuclear programme, reports multiple media agencies. At the moment, Israel has six surveillance satellites in orbit.
Asia-Pacific
In-fighting between two Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP) factions has resulted in several deaths, reports Pakistan’s Dawn. Over the past several days over 30 militants have been killed and the TTP will not comment. It is believed that the recent in-fighting was caused by interference by one faction on the other faction’s territory.
Former President Pervez Musharraf has escaped an assassination attempt, reports Pakistan’s Dawn. Musharraf’s convoy was leaving Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology to return to his farmhouse when an explosive device went off shortly after the convoy crossed a bridge.
The US has sent two additional ballistic missile destroyers to Japan to counter any threat from North Korea, reports AP. North Korea has conducted a series of rocket and ballistic missile tests and it has been speculated that North Korea will conducted a new nuclear test in coming weeks. North Korea’s deputy U.N. ambassador, Ri Tong Il, said that North Korea“made it very clear we will carry out a new form of nuclear test”.
Social Media Wires
Ebola treatment centre in Guinea has increased its beds three-fold.
#Conakry #Guinea the #MSF #Ebola Treatment Centre was increased from 10 beds to 30 for high-risk & low-risk patients pic.twitter.com/TKjfSXz68E — Stefano Zannini (@StefZannini) April 7, 2014
A car bomb in Homs, Syria has killed 25 and injured at least 100.
#Homs 2 car bombs detonated 3 mnts apart in a commercial & residential area earlier 2dy, 25 killed +100 injured Pix 1 pic.twitter.com/GyqqNJkZMa — Hala Jaber (@HalaJaber) April 9, 2014
Reports compiled by Stewart Webb
Feature photo / “NATO Press Conference Secretary of State John Kerry – Crimea Crisis” – NATO
The Wires Brief is a mid week breaking news report incorporating wire service news and social media updates. DefRep can not verify the authenticity of social media reporters nor the accuracy of social media updates.