DefenceTalkThe US military’s top officer, General Martin Dempsey, told lawmakers on Wednesday it was possible special operations forces could eventually be sent to Syria to back up American-trained rebels. But officials said Dempsey’s comment was addressing a “hypothetical” scenario for the moment as moderate opposition forces have not yet been trained. Asked if more American […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-forces-could-have-role-in-syria-in-future-dempsey-63397/

DefenceTalkSOUTHWEST ASIA: U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today. Officials reported details of the latest strikes, which took place between 8 a.m. yesterday and 8 a.m. today, local time, noting that […]https://www.defencetalk.com/operation-inherent-resolve-airstrikes-continue-in-syria-iraq-63288/

DefenceTalkSOUTHWEST ASIA: U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today. Officials reported details of the latest strikes, which took place between 8 a.m. yesterday and 8 a.m. today, local time, noting that assessments of results are based on initial […]https://www.defencetalk.com/airstrikes-continue-against-isisisil-in-syria-iraq-63244/

DefenceTalkThe United States and Turkey have signed an agreement to train and arm Syrian rebels fighting against the “Islamist State” group. Washington and Ankara have been in talks about such a pact for several months. “The agreement was signed by the foreign ministry undersecretary and the U.S. ambassador,” a U.S. embassy spokesman in Ankara said […]https://www.defencetalk.com/turkey-us-sign-deal-to-train-syria-rebels-63237/

DefenceTalkThe cost of Canada’s six-month bombing mission against the Islamic State group in Iraq was estimated at more than $100 million, according to officials Tuesday. The independent parliamentary budget office put the tally at Can$128.8 million (US$103.8 million) to Can$166.40 million (US$134.1 million). The budget office’s report comes after Defense Minister Jason Kenney said the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/canada-cost-of-fighting-is-group-tops-100-mln-63153/

DefenceTalkSyria will not allow foreign ground troops on its territory to fight the Islamic State group, Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem said on Monday. Speaking at a news conference in Damascus, Muallem also said Jordan had not responded to a Syrian request to coordinate efforts against IS after the group killed a captured Jordanian pilot. “So […]https://www.defencetalk.com/syria-rejects-foreign-ground-troops-to-fight-is-62858/

DefenceTalkA squadron of warplanes from the United Arab Emirates arrived Sunday in Jordan to help the kingdom in its fight against the Islamic State group, state media reported. The F-16 fighter jets were deployed at a Jordanian air base along with UAE pilots and technicians, said the kingdom’s official Petra news agency. Jordan and the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uae-warplane-squadron-lands-in-jordan-to-back-strikes-on-is-62781/

DefenceTalkThe first deliveries of Saudi-funded French weapons to help Lebanon combat jihadists will begin in April, a spokesman for Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Sunday. Fabius confirmed the time frame at a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Romain Nadal told reporters. Riyadh pledged $3 billion […]https://www.defencetalk.com/lebanon-to-start-receiving-french-arms-in-april-62804/

DefenceTalkSix Hezbollah fighters were killed Sunday in an Israeli air strike on the Syrian side of the Golan, including the son of assassinated senior commander Imad Mughniyeh. The deaths were announced after an Israeli security source told AFP that an Israeli helicopter conducted a strike against “terrorists” near Quneitra, on the Syrian side of the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/six-hezbollah-fighters-killed-in-israeli-strike-62022/

DefenceTalkThe number of U.S. troops expected to train Syrian opposition forces “could approach” 1,000, Pentagon spokesman Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby told reporters today in a press briefing. While the final number is still being worked out, training could begin as early as spring, Kirby said. The deploying troops would include trainers as well as […]https://www.defencetalk.com/up-to-1000-u-s-troops-to-train-syrian-opposition-62001/