All articles tagged with #usmilitary
Iran's missile-and-drone strike on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia injured 12 U.S. troops (two seriously) and damaged two KC-135 refueling planes, marking one of the most serious breaches of U.S. air defenses in the monthlong conflict with Iran.
Six U.S. service members were killed when a KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq during operations against Iran; CENTCOM said the crash was not due to hostile fire and the cause is under investigation, with identities withheld until families are notified; officials indicated a possible mid-air collision as part of the ongoing inquiry.
US defense officials say the Strait of Hormuz will not remain contested, with military leaders announcing ongoing strikes against Iran’s mine-laying capabilities to protect commercial shipping. President Trump claimed 28 mine-laying vessels were struck this week, and Pentagon figures emphasize a plan for every option to keep the chokepoint open. There is no clear evidence of newly laid mines, while Centcom has appointed an external officer to probe a separate bombing of an Iranian girls’ school, underscoring the broader, escalating US-Iran tensions around the Gulf.
Senator Roger Wicker, poised to chair the Armed Services Committee, plans to push for a significant increase in the U.S. defense budget with Donald Trump potentially returning to the White House. Wicker's proposal includes expanding the Navy and Air Force, modernizing the nuclear arsenal, and increasing defense manufacturing. He also supports continued military aid to Ukraine, despite potential differences with Trump's stance on the issue. Wicker's detailed budget plan could influence the GOP's defense strategy, aiming for a $55 billion increase over Biden's budget request.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani is initiating a process to end the presence of US-led coalition forces in Iraq, following a US strike that killed a pro-Iran militia commander. The decision reflects tensions with parliamentary factions aligned with Iran and the prime minister's reliance on their support. The US maintains that the strike was an act of self-defense against a militant group planning attacks on US personnel. The Iraqi government, however, condemned the strike as "blatant aggression." Al-Sudani's firm stance on the removal of foreign troops comes amidst internal pressures and the ongoing threat from IS, despite Iraq's claim of defeating the group in 2017.
The Biden administration is preparing for the possibility that the conflict in Gaza could escalate into a wider regional war. U.S. officials are concerned about Iran-backed Houthi militants attacking commercial shipping in the Red Sea and are considering military strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. The administration is also wary of potential attacks on U.S. forces by Iranian proxies in Iraq and Syria. These developments come at a sensitive time for President Biden, who is approaching the 2024 election campaign with a focus on domestic issues but may be drawn deeper into Middle East conflicts, potentially affecting his reelection chances.
U.S. forces conducted a self-defense strike in Iraq, killing Mushtaq Jawad Kazim al-Jawari, a leader of the Iran-backed Harakat al-Nujaba terrorist group. The Pentagon confirmed the strike, emphasizing it was a defensive action with no civilian harm or infrastructure damage. The U.S. presence in Iraq, part of the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve, continues to support the defeat of ISIS in partnership with Iraqi and Kurdish Security Forces. The U.S. also expressed readiness to assist Japan following a recent earthquake.
Ukraine is incorporating the F-16 Fighting Falcon into its air force to strengthen its capabilities in the ongoing conflict with Russia. The F-16 is a versatile, multi-role combat aircraft capable of reaching speeds up to 1,500 miles per hour and is equipped with a range of munitions, including bombs and missiles. Ukrainian pilots have transitioned from simulators to training on actual F-16 jets, aiming to bolster their largely Soviet-era fleet and improve their air defense and offensive operations.
An airstrike in central Baghdad killed Mushtaq Taleb al-Saidi, a leader of the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Force, escalating regional tensions amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict. The Iraqi military blamed the International Coalition Forces for the attack, which also killed another militia official and wounded five. The U.S. has not commented, and the strike increases pressure on U.S. forces to leave Iraq. The PMF has been involved in over 100 attacks on U.S. troops in retaliation for U.S. support of Israel, and the Iraqi Prime Minister has expressed intentions to end the coalition forces' presence in Iraq.
A secret operation involving the US, Israel, Egypt, and other entities successfully rescued the mother and uncle of a US infantryman from the conflict in Gaza. Zahra Sckak and her brother-in-law, Farid Sukaik, both related to US service member Ragi A. Sckak, were extracted amidst ground fighting and airstrikes. The operation was kept under wraps for security reasons and was the result of coordination efforts by the US as a liaison, without American officials on the ground. The rescue came after the family's appeals for help, highlighting the plight of approximately 300 American citizens and their families still in the conflict zone.
Israel is reducing its military presence in some parts of Gaza City, signaling a shift in tactics to more localized operations, while a U.S. aircraft carrier departs the region. Despite the troop pullback, conflict continues with intense bombardment and guerrilla-style ambushes by Hamas. The ongoing war has caused a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with thousands killed and widespread destruction. Meanwhile, tensions remain high with Hezbollah at the Lebanese border, and the U.S. calls for a Palestinian government to control Gaza post-conflict.
Iran dispatched its Alborz destroyer into the Red Sea following a US Navy operation that sank three Houthi-operated vessels and killed 10 fighters in response to Houthi attacks on commercial shipping. The move comes after the US urged Tehran to condemn the Houthi actions and promote peace, but Iran instead praised the Houthis for their stance against Israel. The US and coalition forces continue to maintain a presence in the region through "Operation Prosperity Guardian" to ensure the safety of maritime commerce and counteract the increased threat from Houthi attacks.
The US military engaged in a direct confrontation with Houthi forces in the Red Sea, sinking three Houthi vessels and killing 10 fighters in response to an attack on the Maersk Hangzhou container ship. This incident marks a significant escalation in the maritime conflict, with the Houthis targeting shipping routes in an attempt to pressure Israel over its actions in Gaza. Shipping companies, including Maersk, have suspended operations in the Red Sea or rerouted ships to avoid the area, potentially affecting global trade and oil prices. Despite the formation of a multinational maritime protection force, the US has largely acted alone, with only the UK contributing warships. The confrontation raises concerns about a broader regional conflict involving Yemen.
The White House has clarified that the United States is not seeking to escalate conflict in the Middle East following an incident where US helicopters sank three Houthi boats in the Red Sea, killing their crews. The action was taken in self-defense after the boats, originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, attacked a commercial vessel and fired upon the responding US helicopters. This marks the first direct US engagement with the Iranian-backed Houthis, who have been targeting shipping in the region. The US has launched Operation Prosperity Guardian to protect the critical shipping lane and maintains its stance on acting in self-defense while avoiding broader conflict.
Lance Cpl. Nicholas Maurice Dural, a 20-year-old Marine security guard from Lafayette, Louisiana, died while on duty at the U.S. embassy in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. The circumstances of his death on December 19 have not been disclosed. Nicholas was remembered by his family for his strong character, leadership, and desire to protect others, as demonstrated by his actions during an incident at a Chick-fil-A in Virginia earlier in the year. His commitment to service was evident in his role as a Marine embassy security guard, his academic pursuits, and his organization of the embassy's Marine Corps birthday ball.