DefenceTalkUS Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Tuesday there would be no cooperation with the Russian military in Syria — at least for now. After US President Donald Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Moscow last week put forward plans to Washington to cooperate on the safe return of refugees to Syria. Secretary […]https://www.defencetalk.com/no-military-cooperation-with-russia-in-syria-for-now-mattis-71756/

DefenceTalkIsrael’s strikes on Syria saw 28 planes take part in raids with a total of around 70 missiles fired, Russia’s defence ministry said on Thursday. “28 Israeli F-15 and F-16 aircraft were used in the attack, which released around 60 air-to-ground missiles over various parts of Syria. Israel also fired more than 10 tactical ground-to-ground […]https://www.defencetalk.com/israeli-strikes-used-28-planes-fired-70-missiles-russia-71672/

DefenceTalkPresident Emmanuel Macron asserted Sunday that Paris had convinced Donald Trump to stay engaged in Syria “for the long-term”, adding that French air strikes did not amount to a declaration of war against the regime of Bashar al-Assad. A day after France joined the United States and Britain in launching unprecedented strikes against regime targets, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/france-convinced-trump-to-stay-in-syria-says-macron-71634/

DefenceTalkBased on military progress in the campaign to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, U.S. Central Command is undertaking an operational alignment and rebalancing effort to achieve three specific goals, CENTCOM commander Army Gen. Joseph L. Votel told the House Armed Services Committee yesterday. However, the commander said, “We remain very clear-eyed regarding […]https://www.defencetalk.com/centcom-undertaking-realignment-to-meet-defeat-future-threats-71521/

DefenceTalkFresh regime air strikes and heavy clashes shook rebel-held Eastern Ghouta on Sunday (Feb 25) despite a UN demand for a ceasefire to end one of the most ferocious assaults of Syria’s civil war. After days of diplomatic wrangling, the Security Council on Saturday adopted a resolution calling for a 30-day ceasefire in Syria “without […]https://www.defencetalk.com/strikes-clashes-rock-syrias-ghouta-despite-ceasefire-call-71505/

DefenceTalkRussia has tested over 200 new types of arms in Syria during its campaign in support of President Bashar al-Assad, a senior lawmaker said Thursday, as Moscow was accused of taking part in air strikes against rebel-held Eastern Ghouta. “As we helped the brotherly Syrian people, we tested over 200 new types of weapons,” said […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-tested-over-200-new-weapons-in-syria-mp-71503/

DefenceTalkA US-led coalition drone has destroyed a Russian-designed tank in eastern Syria close to the scene of last week’s attack on pro-regime forces that left more than 100 Damascus loyalists dead, officials said Tuesday. The strike on the T-72 tank occurred Saturday near Al Tabiyeh, in Deir Ezzor province, the Pentagon said in a statement. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/coalition-destroys-russian-made-tank-in-syria-71471/

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/

DefenceTalkAs Turkey continues its attack on Kurdish forces along the Syrian border town of Afrin, the Defense Department says the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria is the common threat in the region, chief Pentagon spokesperson Dana W. White told reporters today. Published reports say Turkey launched the Afrin military operation Jan. 20. “[We] are […]https://www.defencetalk.com/turkeys-assault-on-kurdish-fighters-concerns-united-states-71165/

DefenceTalkNATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller arrived in Ankara Monday on a long-planned visit that was unrelated to Turkey’s current military campaign against a Kurdish enclave in the northwest Syrian region of Afrin. But her trip provoked heightened interest, given that NATO’s two largest armies stand on opposite sides in the operation. Ankara says it […]https://www.defencetalk.com/nato-allies-clash-as-turkey-attacks-us-backed-kurds-in-syria-71133/