DefenceTalkIsraeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Monday signalled his country could strike Iranian targets in Iraq if they threatened Israel, saying it would hit wherever necessary. “We will face any Iranian threat, no matter where it comes from,” Lieberman said in response to a question about reports that Iran had provided ballistic missiles to allied […]https://www.defencetalk.com/israel-does-not-rule-out-striking-iranian-targets-in-iraq-71831/

DefenceTalkThe first coalition live-fire exercise for the Iraqi Forward Air Controller course took place at Besmaya Range, Iraq, March 4-8, 2018. The Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, in conjunction with the Coalition Aviation Advisory and Training Team, coordinated the exercise to certify newly trained Iraqi Forward air controllers. The exercise showcased the progress the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/coalition-live-fire-exercise-enhances-iraqi-combat-capabilities-71558/

DefenceTalkEnabled by accelerated successes following the liberation of Mosul, the coalition will shift its focus in Iraq from enabling combat operations to sustaining military gains against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials announced yesterday. “The coalition will tailor our forces in consultation with our Iraqi partners […]https://www.defencetalk.com/coalition-forces-announce-shift-as-campaign-against-isis-progresses-in-iraq-syria-71429/

DefenceTalkThe 74th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron is wrapping up a deployment that saw heavy involvement in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Upon arrival, their efforts were focused on Raqqa for approximately three months. During that time A-10 Thunderbolt IIs participated in an urban close air support role. Pilots focused on protecting […]https://www.defencetalk.com/a-10s-bring-thunder-lightning-during-fight-against-isis-71043/

DefenceTalkIraqi and Kurdish forces exchanged artillery fire early Monday south of the city of Kirkuk, after central government forces began a “major operation” to take control of a Kurdish military base and oil fields. Shortly before, state television announced that government troops had taken “large areas” of the province from Kurdish peshmerga fighters “without fighting,” […]https://www.defencetalk.com/clashes-between-iraqi-kurdish-troops-close-to-kirkuk-city-70670/

DefenceTalkMoscow on Tuesday accused the United States of reducing its air strikes on the Islamic State group in Iraq to allow militants to enter Syria and fight the Russian-backed Syrian army. Military spokesman Igor Konashenkov said the Syrian regime was attempting to push the militants out of eastern Deir Ezzor province, but that arrivals from […]https://www.defencetalk.com/moscow-says-us-pretending-to-fight-is-in-iraq-70649/

DefenceTalkIraqi forces on Tuesday recaptured from the Islamic State group the first three districts of militant bastion Tal Afar as the Pentagon chief visited Baghdad in a show of support. The United Nations said thousands of civilians had fled Tal Afar in the two days since the start of the broad offensive backed by the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iraqi-forces-retake-three-districts-of-is-bastion-70343/

DefenceTalkA Syrian rebel group said it shot down a government warplane on Tuesday and captured its pilot alive near a ceasefire zone in the war-ravaged country’s south. The Ahmad al-Abdo Forces shot down the Syrian government MiG-21 near Wadi Mahmud in the southern province of Sweida, the group’s communications head Fares al-Munjed told AFP. “The […]https://www.defencetalk.com/syrian-rebels-say-they-downed-regime-plane-captured-pilot-70271/

DefenceTalkTurkey sent artillery units to the border with Syria Saturday, where its army regularly clashes with Kurdish militia, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported. A military convoy with at least five howitzers arrived overnight at the southern city of Kilis the scene of recent cross-border fire between the Turkish army and the Kurdish Peoples’ Protection […]https://www.defencetalk.com/turkey-sends-more-artillery-to-syrian-border-70253/

DefenceTalkThe unprecedented US downing of a Syrian regime warplane highlights the rapidly shifting dynamic in the six-year conflict where President Donald Trump has given American commanders a freer rein in the battlefield. The United States insisted Monday it wants no broader role in Syria’s civil war, and seeks only to destroy the Islamic State group, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/americas-widening-role-in-syrian-war-70173/