DefenceTalkEgypt’s military said two soldiers were killed Saturday during a widescale offensive against jihadists in the Sinai Peninsula that killed 64 militants on its sixth day. The military launched the campaign Monday to uproot militants loyal to the Islamic State group who have turned the northern part of the peninsula into a launch pad for […]https://www.defencetalk.com/egypt-military-says-two-soldiers-64-militants-killed-in-sinai-65385/

DefenceTalkMoscow: A defiant Russia on Thursday said it was ready to increase military support to Syria’s Bashar al-Assad if needed, dismissing suggestions it could hamper Western efforts to fight Islamic State militants. Washington has accused Moscow of solidifying its foothold in Syria, raising concerns it could throw a wrench in plans by the US-led coalition […]https://www.defencetalk.com/defiant-russia-pledges-more-syria-assistance-65349/

DefenceTalkPhotos allegedly showing Russian soldiers, reports of military deliveries and overflight requests are swelling fears among the United States and its allies that Russia is covertly bolstering the Syrian regime. Moscow, an ally of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad, has had a military presence in the country since the Soviet era. Though traditionally confined to a […]https://www.defencetalk.com/reports-of-russian-military-build-up-in-syria-fuel-concern-65323/

DefenceTalkSanaa: Saudi-led air raids on rebels in Yemen killed at least 31 people on Tuesday, officials said, as the coalition intensified its attacks in the wake of a deadly missile strike. At least 10 people were killed in Sanaa, where coalition warplanes targeted the police academy and the headquarters of the security services, both in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/31-dead-as-intense-coalition-raids-pound-yemen-rebels-65301/

DefenceTalkThe CIA and US special operations forces are carrying out a secret campaign using armed drones to target and kill Islamic State leaders in Syria, the Washington Post reported Tuesday. The clandestine program is separate from America’s wider military operations against IS fighters, the newspaper reported, citing unnamed US officials. Among those so far killed […]https://www.defencetalk.com/cia-us-special-ops-launch-drone-campaign-in-syria-65243/

DefenceTalkAnkara: Turkish warplanes have for the first time joined raids by the US-led coalition against Islamic State positions in Syria, the foreign ministry said Saturday, after Washington urged Ankara to play a full role in the battle against the jihadists. “Our fighter planes … along with planes from the coalition yesterday (Friday) evening began joint […]https://www.defencetalk.com/turkish-planes-join-anti-is-coalition-in-syria-raid-for-first-time-65207/

DefenceTalkThe Danish F-16s that have dropped some 425 bombs on Isis targets in Iraq are coming home, but Denmark vows to remain an active player in the fight against the terror group. Foreign Minister Kristian Jensen said over the weekend that the seven F-16s that Denmark committed to the international coalition’s fight against the Islamic […]https://www.defencetalk.com/denmark-to-pull-fighter-jets-from-iraq-65140/

DefenceTalkAV-8B Harriers assigned to the “Greyhawks” of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 161 (Reinforced), which launched from the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), the Essex Amphibious Ready Group’s flag ship, conducted strike missions in Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) Aug. 17. The Harriers executed strike missions to dismantle and ultimately […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-marine-av-8b-harriers-join-anti-isil-air-strikes-65064/

DefenceTalkThe Arab League called for an “urgent” Arab strategy to militarily back Libya’s government against the Islamic State group on Tuesday, but stopped short of endorsing airstrikes against the jihadists. The Cairo-based Arab bloc issued its call after an extraordinary meeting to discuss a request by the internationally recognized Libyan government to adopt measures to […]https://www.defencetalk.com/arab-league-urges-military-support-for-libya-against-is-65041/

DefenceTalkTurkey and the United States said Sunday that Washington would withdraw its Patriot missile batteries from the country in October after bolstering Ankara’s air defences against threats from Syria’s civil war. The NATO mandate for the mission will run out in October and will not be renewed, but the US is prepared to return Patriot […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-to-withdraw-patriot-missiles-from-turkey-in-october-65019/