Kurds capture 50% of Turkish city on the border with Syria – Map update



Over the past few months, combined forces of the YPG (People’s Protection Units) and PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) have captured approximately half of Nusaybin city which neighbours the Syrian border city of Qamishli.

Currently, most clashes are centered at around the Newroz square and traffic supervision center. Meanwhile, skirmishes continue at the Government Office, the main police HQ, the local hospital and the city’s town hall where many Turkish soldiers have been deployed as to counter Kurdish militants.

While the PKK is yet to capture any Turkish city entirely, they have captured several districts inside the Turkish towns of Diyarbakır, Şırnak, Yüksekova and the aforementioned Nusaybin.

Nevertheless, much of PKK stays active underground, ready to strike the Turkish Army at any given time if given the order by their commanders. Also, with the backing of the Iraqi Peshmerga and Syrian YPG/SDF, they have easy access to weapons and ammunitions if needed.

For decades, the PKK has maintained a stubborn presence in the southeastern areas of Turkey and despite increasing crackdowns by the Turkish military, this Kurdish separatist group is yet to be defeated.

Since the Turkish-PKK peace deal was broken back in July of 2015, protests and firefights have been on the rise all across the country as the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has ordered his army to crush any rebellion efforts by the PKK; a group which he labels as terrorist.

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/kurds-...ria-map-update/

Russia Discusses Licensing Admiral Grigorovich Frigate Production to India





http://sputniknews.com/military/20160323/1...production.html

doctrines have change since 911 and mumbai attacks, this new unit (gendarme like) you see here is a result of that.. together with another sister unit they boost the firepower in times of emergency at critical areas...

the first line of defense is still always the ISD and SPF.. then you have those working behind the scenes at these places.. then ICA and finally what you get to see are these foot patrols...

presence was deemed important... to give people the confidence and a sense of security.. also to ward off potential terrorist/trouble makers.. but will these people be able to stop a brain washed jihadi? maybe not... it is still primarily the job of ISD and SPF.

having taken into account of the paris, ankara, xinjiang... the doctrine was enhanced again early this year.. now it is not a question of whether it will happen... it is a question of when... there's only so much you can do to prevent but with recent self radicalized jihadist spreading it is almost impossible to stop one.. albeit damage might be small, chances of prevent is almost impossible... so sg is preparing its people to deal with these situation to mitigate the damage...

tomolo day off balik KL sure jam

Singapore steps up checks at entry points



Security has been beefed up at Changi Airport and other Singapore checkpoints, following Tuesday's blasts at Brussels Airport and a city metro station that killed 31 people and wounded 270.

The authorities here have also stepped up checks and patrols at key transport nodes, a Ministry of Home Affairs spokesman told The Straits Times yesterday. "We will calibrate security measures according to the threat environment," he said. No further details about the improved security were provided.

Mr Christopher de Souza, Government Parliamentary Committee chairman for Home Affairs and Law, said: "Heightened security at land, sea and air checkpoints must be expected. We must mentally prepare ourselves with a 'when' mindset and discard the comfortable 'if' mindset." He was echoing a point made last Friday by Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam, who announced a major ramp-up of counter-terrorism measures.

Speaking at an event in Yishun yesterday, Mr Shanmugam said the threat of a terror attack has evolved significantly into "a serious monster". "Brussels was in a heightened state of alert and yet the attack took place," he said. "We have to prepare ourselves, and I think every major city has got to prepare itself. There are measures in place, but I again emphasise that unless you turn the entire city into a prison, it's not going to be possible to counter every possible attack."

Singapore will strengthen its security, such as by installing more closed-circuit television cameras in public places and training emergency response teams to react swiftly to attacks. There is also a need for building owners and event organisers to impose stringent security measures.

IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP EVERY ATTACK

Brussels was in a heightened state of alert and yet the attack took place... We have to prepare ourselves, and I think every major city has got to prepare itself.

HOME AFFAIRS AND LAW MINISTER K. SHANMUGAM, on how the threat of a terror attack has evolved significantly.

One measure suggested in the wake of Tuesday's attacks is screening all passengers and visitors before they enter airports. However, experts say this is unnecessary and would cause congestion.

They also ruled out measures used in other countries. At major Indian airports, for example, only travellers are allowed to enter terminals, while in Israel, checks are carried out as early as along approach roads to the airport.

Mr H.R. Mohandas, head of the diploma in aviation management programme at Republic Polytechnic, said: "Adequate steps are in place at Changi Airport with security patrols in the public areas, as well as checks on passengers before they enter the restricted areas."

Singapore Management University Assistant Professor Terence Fan, who specialises in transport, said keeping people away goes against efforts to market the airport as a shopping and dining haven.

Professor Rohan Gunaratna, who heads the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research, said youth and other vulnerable people should be encouraged to take up roles in youth or community groups, to give them a stake in the country's security.

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/sing...?xtor=EREC-16-1[ST_Newsletter_AM]-20160324-[Singapore+steps+up+checks+at+entry+points]&xts=538291

those formed after 911;


transcom made into independent unit... not just for mrt


seconded units to help out security - usually from combat units (noticed diff beret colour as compared to the first pic?)

the first pic is the professional unit for the job...


and the sister unit (noticed diff armband colour?)

usual suspects;

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/03...submarines.html

that's why... to say more better than none is right... to say more but still happen is also right... takkan have nothing? at least can increase response time...

yeaps.. and notice a small card on the armband? that's their temporary warrant card... but usually at dense civilian area they just provide extra firepower... the police will do the job...


some of these are seconded from MP command (service beret) therefore their warrant is permanent


if it is at border checkpoint, then no police...


so u have secu trooper, military secu and mp... dont know why so fatty

It's no longer disputed...China Coast Guard ship approached really close to Natuna Island.

there was no dispute in the first place... prc just wanna save their ship.. double encroachment

Russia Test-Fires Hypersonic Zircon Missiles





http://nextbigfuture.com/2016/03/russia-te...nic-zircon.html

Due respect to the Singapore military, but when I see how a skinny dude with glasses is responsible for my life and security, it doesn't give me that much confidence terrorists aren't going to give it a go.

I guess it is better than a obese 300 pounder that can barely carry his own weight...

Well, these sentries arent the fittest... but no doubt they are operational ready soldiers, trusted and tested to be able to do their job...

Two Taiwanese fishing boats allegedly shot at by Indonesian patrol vessel arrive in Singapore



SINGAPORE - Two Taiwanese fishing vessels that were allegedly chased and fired at by an Indonesian patrol vessel arrived in Singapore early Thursday (March 24) morning.

Carrying 25 crew members on board, including the two Taiwanese captains, both vessels docked at Jurong Fishery Port at about 7.15am.

Two tuna longliners Sheng Te Tsai and Lien I Hsing No. 116 were on their way to Singapore, passing through the Strait of Malacca early Monday when their captains said they were being pursued and fired at by the Indonesian vessel.

Lien I Hsing No. 116, with 12 crew on board, was suddenly fired at four or five times while being lit up by a spotlight aboard the Indonesian patrol vessel, said the report, but did not appear to have been hit. Its captain Chen Fu-li declined to comment.



The worst hit was Sheng Te Tsai, which had 12 bullet holes, said its Captain Lin Nan-yang.

Recalling the harrowing experience, Mr Lin, 34, said: "At first, we thought we were being attacked by pirates. There was no warning at all and they started shooting... Everyone was just hiding under the consoles or in their bunks, hoping to stay alive."


Captain Lin Nan-yang recounts the experience

Looking tired, Mr Lin said that at the time of the incident, he was about to head to bed after being on the look-out for small ships.

"It was so chaotic. I tried to establish communications with the vessel but didn't understand what the other side was saying," Mr Lin told The Straits Times, adding that this was the first such attack he has encountered in his 15-year-long sailing career.

Crew members of Taiwanese fishing vessels allegedly fired at by Indonesian patrol vessel

The Indonesian vessel was said to have chased the Sheng Te Tsai for an hour, Mr Lin added.

Following the incident, there were several sleepless nights for Mr Lin and his 12 crew members as they made their way to Singapore.



"I'm just glad to get here in one piece and safe," said Mr Lin. His wife, who only wanted to be known as Mrs Lin, arrived in Singapore the night before to see him.

Mr Lin said that he will be unloading his catch next week before leaving for the Indian Ocean on March 31 to continue fishing.

"I'm a little traumatised but I still need to earn a living. All I want now is just sleep."



Related Story
Taiwan says its fishing boats shot at in Indonesian waters

Taiwan is investigating allegations that an Indonesian ship pursued and shot at two Taiwanese fishing boats in the Malacca Strait, warning Jakarta that violence on the high seas was unacceptable.

The alleged incident occurred just days after Indonesia detained the crew of a Chinese boat suspected of fishing illegally in its waters off the South China Sea, sparking a tense standoff with Beijing.

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/cour...n-patrol-vessel

This post has been edited by MilitaryMadness: Mar 24 2016, 05:02 PM

Malaysia detains 13 suspected ISIS militants in major swoop



KUALA LUMPUR (The Star/Asia News Network) - A total of 13 suspected Islamic State (ISIS) militants were detained following a major swoop on Wednesday, Malaysia police chief Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said on Thursday (March 24).

The Inspector-General of Police tweeted that the suspects were arrested after the Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division (E8) raided terror cells with ISIS links around the country.

“Congratulations to E8 after successfully raiding cells with links to ISIS yesterday.

"13 people were arrested and ISIS documents were also seized," he tweeted via his handle @KBAB51 on Thursday.

http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/m...-in-major-swoop

Flaming Arrow Challenge 2016

Can you take down incoming targets that fly faster than the speed of sound?

For the RSAF's Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) operators, failure is not an option. In order to stay on top of their game, GBAD units come together for the annual Flaming Arrow Challenge in an ultimate test of skill and mettle.

Hello newbie here.Followed this forum for quite a while.Very informative.😊

this due give u feeling like the gun heavy than him

Syrian Army, Hezbollah storming Semiramis Hotel in west Palmyra: map update



The Syrian Arab Army’s “Tiger Forces – backed by the Desert Hawks, Hezbollah, and Syrian Marines – launched a night invasion at the western outskirts of Palmyra (Tadmur), targeting the strategic Semiramis Hotel that is currently under the control of the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS).

According to an Al-Masdar field correspondent, the Syrian Armed Forces and Hezbollah are currently 70 meters away from the southwestern perimeter of the Semiramis Hotel.

Similar to the Qatari Royal Villa, the Semiramis Hotel has been turned into a well-fortified military installation for ISIS; it is also used as the aforementioned terrorist group’s barracks.

If the Syrian Armed Forces and Hezbollah are successful in liberating the Semiramis Hotel from the ISIS terrorists, they will be in position to enter the Palmyra Orchards for the first time since their large-scale retreat from this ancient city on May 21st, 2015.

While the Syrian Armed Forces focus on the Semiramis Hotel, the Russian Air Force is blitzing ISIS’ supply route that leads to the nearby town of Al-Sukhanah.

The Russian Air Force has already carried out 20+ airstrikes tonight; this number is likely to skyrocket in the coming hours as the battle intensifies.

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaki...l-west-palmyra/

Combat systems and railguns will be added after initial construction for new Zumwalt Destroyers





http://nextbigfuture.com/2016/03/combat-sy...ns-will-be.html