London, UK – 31 October 2013
Digital Wires
United Kingdom
Multiple news agencies are reporting that the British naval officers are using a collection of pop songs, including hits from Britney Spears, to ward of Somali pirates.
HMS Westminster conducted a training exercise with the Indian Navy. The exercise was definitely a diplomatic exercise with some naval training but also a game of football and golf. The HMS Westminster is currently deployed in the Gulf conducting counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics operations.
Europe
New scrutiny has emerged over the incident in Kunduz that left 91 dead, mostly civilians, reports Der Spiegel. Four years ago, a German military officer, operating as a forward air controller, instructed American F-15 pilots that there was an incoming threat. A NATO report indicated that at least 142 were left dead or injured. The military charges against Colonel Klein were dropped, however civil action for damages will take place.
Russia
Russia plans to raise the issue of the planned deployment of US missile defense elements in Japan, reports RIA Novosti. The US has already deployed one radar system to Japan and rumours suggest that the US is planning to deploy a third in Southeast Asia, possibly in the Philippines.
North America
There have been more claims that the United States has been spying on European leaders and have hacked both Google and Yahoo servers. Reuters reports that European intelligence agencies committed the acts of espionage, themselves, and then handed the data over the Americans. NSA Director General Keith Alexander has been in a public congressional hearing in attempt to counter and answer the international complaints.
Newly declassified reports indicate that the US test flew Soviet MiG fighter jets over Area 51 during the 1960s, reports RIA Novosti. One of the MiGs in question was loaned to the US from Israel after it was captured.
Africa
The New York Times reports that French troops are conducting another anti-insurgent sweep in Mali. The operation in being conducted in conjunction with Malian and UN forces and is the largest operation in the country since France intervened earlier this year.
UN peacekeeping forces clashed with M23 rebels in eastern Congo, reports the UN News Centre. The M23 rebels have recently rejoined the negotiation process with the government and the UN mission is focusing on the remaining rebel groups. Around 60 people are dead in the Central African Republic after sectarian clashes, reports Reuters.
The crisis in the Central African Republic started in March after the Seleka rebel coalition seized the capital Bagui in March. France is increasing its diplomatic pressure for international assistance. The African Union is planning a force of 3,600 personnel but it is unlikely that the force will be deployed before 2014.
Middle East
Syria’s chemical weapons production and mixing facilities have been dismantled, reports Reuters. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) met its deadline of the 1st of November. The Syrian government and the OPCW have to agree to a detailed plan to destroy more than 1,000 metric tonnes of toxic agents and munitions by the 15 of November to meet its next deadline.
Iraq is seeking renewed counter-terrorist aid from the United States, reports AP. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki will be meeting US President Obama and aid including weapons and training will be discussed. Earlier this month, Iraq pressed the US for faster weapons deliveries.
Israel arrested at least 18 members of Hamas this week, reports al-Arabiya. On Monday, the Israeli army arrested 15 Hamas members, two of them MPs, and recently has arrested three senior members of Hamas. The Israeli army has confirmed the arrests, but no further information was given.
Asia-Pacific
The Guardian reports that Afghan investigators have fired six senior police, spies and other security officials after a ‘micro-bomb’ that killed the governor of Logar province as he led prayers at a mosque. The Afghan intelligence service has relieved 65 of its staff for being ‘heroin addicts’, reports Reuters. National Directorate of Security (NDS), Rahmatullah Nabil, told the Afghan parliament that their efforts would continue, suggesting that there will be additional sacking. An Afghan special forces commander has defected to Hezb-e-Islami, an insurgent group, with a Humvee truck packed with weapons and hi-tech equipment, reports Reuters.
India is the world’s largest importer of weapons, however India will be showcasing some of their domestically-built weaponry for export in South Korea next week, reports the Times of India. It is expected that India will be showing their Akash surface-to-air missile (SAM), Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Pragati surface-to-surface missile (SSM), an airborne early warning system (AEWS), and many other systems.
Social media wires
Two purported British Army Warthog vehicles were submerged in Afghanistan.
RT @NickJDWEurope Whoops! Two @BritishArmy Warthog vehicles stuck in a river in #Afghanistan#defencepic.twitter.com/tDLAeFtBCy#helmand — FdeStV (@Marsattaqueblog) October 24, 2013
Heavy gunfire heard in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Heavy gunfire still going on near Bunagana people fleeing to Uganda fearing night attack pic.twitter.com/n1dHt6Wcf5 — Joshua Moturi kiky (@kikyjosh) October 31, 2013
The Malian government has issued court summons for soldiers that were involved with the April 2012 clash, including Sangogo.
#Mali 17 summons issued agst soldiers inlcu exjunta leader Sanogo to probe April2012 clash with troops pro-Presi Toure v @jeune_afrique — Aisha Dabo™ (@mashanubian) October 31, 2013
Reports compiled by Stewart Webb
Feature photo / “On watch in Mali on Operational SERVAL” – Armee de Terre, 2013
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.