Trump Gives Props To North Korea's Boy Tyrant Kim Jong Un For Being Ruthless
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“If you look at North Korea, this guy, he’s like a maniac. OK? And you’ve got to give him credit: how many young guys, he was like 26 or 25 when his father died take over these tough generals, and all of a sudden, you know, it’s pretty amazing when you think of it. How does he do that? Even though it is a culture, and it’s a cultural thing, he goes in, he takes over, he’s the boss. It’s incredible. He wiped out the uncle, he wiped out this one, that one. This guy doesn’t play games and we can’t play games with him. Because he really does have missiles, and he really does have nukes.”
Two Malaysian suicide bombers killed more than 30 in Syria and Iraq
KUALA LUMPUR - Two Malaysian suicide bombers blew themselves up in Syria and Iraq last week, killing more than 30 others, it was reported.
The New Straits Times (NST) said Terengganu-born Mohd Amirul Ahmad Rahim set off the bombs that he had on him and in the car he was in during clashes in the Syrian city of Raqqa, the stronghold of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), on Dec 29.
The newspaper, citing sources, said the 26-year-old left his family in Malaysia for Syria in October 2014 to join the ISIS.
Amirul, who went by the nom de guerre Abu Uqashah Malizi, died on the day the ISIS launched an offensive on the 44th Syrian Democratic Forces coalition near Ain Issa, which saw 21 Kurdish fighters killed.
The newspaper said ISIS members from Malaysia serving in Syria and Iraq would usually have the word "Malizi" attached to their nom de guerre.
Five days after Amirul's death, another Malaysian blew himself up in Tikrit, Iraq, according to NST. Mohamad Syazwan Mohd Salim, who carried out his mission on the night of Jan 3, was one of seven suicide bombers who had made their way to a police training centre at Speicher military base, some 160km north of Baghdad. They had targeted a large group of police forces from the northern province of Nineveh, who were undergoing training.
A source said the 31-year-old was among those who detonated their suicide vests that killed 12 policemen, including three officers. Twenty others were wounded.
Syazwan left his hometown in Selangor with his younger brother Muhamad Shazani Mohd Salim, 28, on Sept 23, 2014, via Istanbul, Turkey, to join ISIS. Shazani, also known as Abu Aydan among his comrades, first served as a cleaner before he was recruited as a sniper and suicide bomber, said the report. He died in a suicide mission on Sept 18 last year in Bayji, northern Iraq, during a skirmish with Iraqi forces.
The source said both brothers were trained in the Khatibah Nusantara cell in Syria for their suicide operations.
The death of Amirul and Syazwan brings the total number of Malaysian ISIS recruits killed to 17. Of the number, six had served as suicide bombers, while the rest died during battles.
Until recently, Malaysians who joined the militant group rarely ended up as frontline fighters. It was reported that Malaysians, along with several other nationals including from India, would usually be given menial tasks, including cooking or cleaning.
Over several months, however, the Malaysians had slowly moved up the ladder, NST reported.
El Chapo Guzman's last stand in gruesome images after bloody aftermath | Daily Mail Online
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El Chapo managed to escape Friday morning's raid at the compound on Friday morning with his most-trusted hitman known as El Cholo, but were caught hours later by federal police officers as they tried to flee north after stealing a car.
While waiting for back-up, the cops took the two men to sex motel, where El Chapo was handcuffed to a bed, The Guardian reported.
In a room that costs 300 pesos ($16.72) for six hours, he was detained on a satin bedspread, with sex toys and lubricants sat on a bedside table.
The military were led to El Chapo's hideout after he met with actor Sean Penn for an extraordinary interview deep in the Mexican jungle.
Russia Is Arming Hezbollah, Say Two Of The Group’s Field Commanders
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Lebanese Hezbollah field commanders with troops fighting in Syria tell The Daily Beast they are receiving heavy weapons directly from Russia with no strings attached.
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Hezbollah is directly receiving long-range tactical missiles, laser guided rockets, and anti-tank weapons from Russia.
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the Russians rely on Hezbollah for intelligence and target selection.
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The Russians had also put Special Forces on the ground in the Latakia district
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the Russians are increasingly impressed with Hezbollah and rely on it, rather than the Syrian military, to guard Russian arms depots inside Syria.
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“Hezbollah is teaching the Syrian army how to use many of these new weapons,”
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Hezbollah can use the Russian arms in its possession, including against Israel if the organization deems it necessary
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there have been Hezbollah training programs in Lebanon for elite Syrian forces, the Houthis, and Iraqi Shia forces
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Hezbollah detonated an IED in response to Israel’s evident assassination of its high-profile recovered prisoner turned commander, Samir Kuntar
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And if such a war began again? The Russian “alliance” might well be put to the test.
Iran letter addressed to UN openly accuses Saudi Arabia of 'supporting terrorism'
In a letter to the United Nations Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has accused Saudi Arabia of supporting terrorism and dragging the region into crisis.
"Most members of al-Qaeda, the Taliban, Islamic State and Nusra Front are Saudi citizens or have been brainwashed by demagogues wielding oil money," Zarif said in his letter on Saturday.
Zarif’s letter to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon lists a number of "provocations" which he argues “some people” in Saudi Arabia are carrying out to mire the Middle East in crisis.
Iran and Saudi relations deteriorated sharply in recent days after the execution of prominent Shiite cleric and dissident Sheikh Nimr by Riyadh last week.
Saudi Arabia and several Arab countries have since cut diplomatic ties with Iran over the issue.
"They [the Saudis] can continue to support extremist terrorists and promote sectarian hatred, or choose the path of good neighborliness and play a constructive role in regional security." The Iranian foreign minister said in his letter.
Meanwhile, foreign ministers from across the Arab world who met in Cairo condemned "hostile Iranian statements" that were released after Saudi Arabia's execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr on January 2. Following Iran's condemnation of the execution, the Saudi embassy in Tehran was stormed and set alight by demonstrators. A consulate in Iran's Mashhad was also attacked.
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on Sunday accused Iran of destabilizing the region and fanning the flames of religious division.
"These attacks on the embassy are a flagrant breach of international charters," Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir told the meeting. "This reflects Iran's behavior in the Arab region and its attempt to stir sectarianism and shake security and stability."
While it is not the first time Iran has accused Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries of supporting terrorism, this is the first time the matter is referenced openly at the UN.
Riyadh Turns Down Pentagon's Offer for Combat Ships
The ships, known as the Multi-Mission Surface Combatant (MMSC), are the largest part of Saudi Arabia’s $16 billion plan to replace and modernize the kingdom’s eastern fleet in the Persian Gulf.
The modernization plan includes the four frigates, along with six smaller corvette-sized ships, all operating Lockheed Martin Sikorsky MH-60R helicopters. The helicopters are to cost $1.9 billion. A number of smaller vessels and aircraft also are in the plan.
Negotiations have been underway between Washington and Riyadh over the MMSC package, which includes weapons, logistics, training and other services. The Saudis declined the latest offer last week, sources told Defense News.
Reportedly, the Saudis balked at the price tag for the MMSC package – thought to be between $3 and $4 billion – and were unhappy with the time it would take to complete detail design of the ships, carry out systems integration, build the vessels, deliver them and install infrastructure improvements in the kingdom.
The first ship would be delivered in about seven years, which the Saudis reportedly think is excessive, a source told Defense News.
Washington is expected to return to the bargaining table with counter offers.
Russian air force provides support for 7,000 Syrian rebels advancing on ISIS – General Staff
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“Russian aviation is providing support for all the patriotic forces fighting against international terrorists on Syria’s territory. Today, we are attacking targets on behalf of 11 democratic opposition militias, numbering over 7,000 in total,” Lieutenant General Sergey Rudskoy, chief of the main operations department of the Russian General Staff, said during a televised press briefing in Moscow.
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“With support of the Russian aviation, the Syrian democratic army detachments, under the command of Aiman Flyat al-Ganim, have continued an offensive on the IS capital Raqqa and seized the settlements of Al-Salhiya, Rjeman-Alaya, El-Kria and Hadriyat-Ain-Isa in recent days,” said Rudskoy.
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“In the southern direction, the Lions of the East and Kalamun formations have advanced by more than 50 kilometers in their offensive on Palmyra with the support of Russian aviation and seized the populated areas of Zaza, Kessara and the town of Mhasse,” said Rudskoy.
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“Despite all the efforts by the international community to stop supplies to terrorists, reinforcements continue to reach regularly northeastern Latakia from the Turkish territory,” said the official.
In Africa, Cheap and Deadly Rocket Launchers Find a Niche
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Tactically, the MLRS has several advantages, performing practical yet rudimentary battlefield support roles. Unlike “tube” artillery, an MLRS can fire as fast as one round per second, repeatedly, for as many rockets that are loaded. “In this role there is the obvious advantage of being able to quickly saturate an area with rocket fire at an acceptably large range,” John Stupart, editor for the Africa Defense Review, told War Is Boring.
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“The older Cold War models are relatively cheap, making them easy purchases for a small or poorly-developed military,” Stupart added.
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African armies have purchased hundreds of rocket launchers from a pool of international manufacturers, importing systems ranging from the truck-sized Russian “Grad” to the mammoth-sized American M-270.
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Gabon possesses eight Spanish Teruel launchers. Brazil delivered Astros II launchers to Angola during the Angolan Civil War. Zaire — now the Democratic Republic of the Congo — imported Czechoslovakian RM-51s, based on the Soviet Katyusha. The RM-51’s bulkier successor, the RM-70, later proliferated throughout most African regions, with pre-revolution Libya receiving hundreds.
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Algeria received the BM-30 “Smerch,” a longer ranged, higher caliber system built by Russia. Egypt acquired American-built M-270s in 2003
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Russian-built BM-21 Grad — also a Katyusha descendant. The Soviet Union originally supplied these 122-millimeter rockets in the 1960s, and they have ascended to near-ubiquitous status in African conflicts.
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Production on the first South African MLRS, the “Valkiri,” began in 1977, two years after the beginning of the Angolan Civil War.
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Soviet-supplied Grad system, which the communist FAPLA used to halt Zairian and South African advances toward the Angolan capital of Luanda in 1975.
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In 1982, South Africa completed the 24-tubed 127-millimeter caliber Valkiri system to perform the very same infantry-halting function against FAPLA.
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Valkiri system’s staying power within the South African National Defense Forces. It was later modified into the 40-tubed Bateleur system, which is still in use 30 years later
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“Hornet” 4×4 Rapid Deployment Vehicle, which can carry mounted rocket launchers. The Hornet short-range weapons system proved itself during the 2013 Battle of Bangui in the Central African Republic, in which a small group of South African paratroopers and commandos narrowly escaped a major Seleka rebel force.
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MLRS launchers — including the Valkiri/Bateleur models — have setbacks. “The disadvantages are numerous,” Stupart added. “The single most glaring disadvantage has to be the high spread of its warheads in the modern battlefield.”
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Another problem is that MLRS launchers are highly vulnerable to counter-battery fire
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Large-sized MLRS use is possibly “far more useful for enemy irregular forces than their uniformed counterparts,” Stupart added.
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“A far more practical application of MLRS technology, for South African and African warfighting in general, is the use of small, trailer-based launchers that can be moved quickly and effectively by medium airlift,” Stupart said. “These systems would certainly provide a more specific utility for SANDF forces than a large unwieldy MLRS vehicle that requires a significant support and logistics ‘tail.’”
Any threat to Saudi Arabia's territorial integrity will evoke a strong response from Islamabad, Pakistani army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif said Sunday.
Sharif made the remarks in a statement after Saudi Deputy Crown Prince and Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman met with him in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, adjacent to the capital.
Salman earlier arrived in Islamabad, making him the second top Saudi official to visit Pakistan in a week amid growing tension with Iran over Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr's recent execution. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir visited Pakistan a couple of days ago.
The visits came after Saudi Arabia and several of its allies announced the severing or downgrading of diplomatic relations with Shiite powerhouse Iran. Protesters in Tehran stormed the Saudi embassy and a Saudi consulate elsewhere in the country after Saudi Arabia executed al-Nimr, a prominent Shiite cleric and opposition leader earlier this month.
"The people of Pakistan would always stand with the people of Saudi Arabia," said Sharif in a statement after the meeting. Pakistan has previously agreed to become part of a Saudi-led counter-terrorism alliance. Sharif welcomed the initiative and informed the prince about Pakistan's support for efforts to oppose terrorism and extremism.
Pakistan hold its defense ties with Saudi Arabia in highest esteem, said Sharif, the army chief. He said Pakistan attached great importance to the security of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
Any threat to Saudi Arabia's territorial integrity will evoke a strong response from Islamabad, Pakistani army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif said Sunday.
Sharif made the remarks in a statement after Saudi Deputy Crown Prince and Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman met with him in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, adjacent to the capital.
Salman earlier arrived in Islamabad, making him the second top Saudi official to visit Pakistan in a week amid growing tension with Iran over Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr's recent execution. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir visited Pakistan a couple of days ago.
The visits came after Saudi Arabia and several of its allies announced the severing or downgrading of diplomatic relations with Shiite powerhouse Iran. Protesters in Tehran stormed the Saudi embassy and a Saudi consulate elsewhere in the country after Saudi Arabia executed al-Nimr, a prominent Shiite cleric and opposition leader earlier this month.
"The people of Pakistan would always stand with the people of Saudi Arabia," said Sharif in a statement after the meeting. Pakistan has previously agreed to become part of a Saudi-led counter-terrorism alliance. Sharif welcomed the initiative and informed the prince about Pakistan's support for efforts to oppose terrorism and extremism.
Pakistan hold its defense ties with Saudi Arabia in highest esteem, said Sharif, the army chief. He said Pakistan attached great importance to the security of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
More importantly an ally and friendly combatant on the eastern side of Iran. If/when the bullets fly, Iran can potentially be engaged from its eastern and western borders simultaneously.
More importantly an ally and friendly combatant on the eastern side of Iran. If/when the bullets fly, Iran can potentially be engaged from its eastern and western borders simultaneously.
Yup. Nice map.
I'm not familiar with Pakistan military, how are they? Must be fairly big to be giving the Indians trouble. Soviet equipment mainly?
Military Thread V19 
Jan 11 2016, 04:48 PM
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